Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, September 25, 2014

Page 1

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS HIT THEIR

FIFTH QUARTER

STRIDE

Post-football event Friday, Sept. 26 Tonasket Youth Center, 9:30 p.m.

See Pages B1-2

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Fish & Wildlife warns of cougar in area

BIG WORLD OF FLIGHT LANDS IN OROVILLE

WDFW notification and posted it on our website and to Facebook for all parents just to make sure everyone is taking appropriate precautions to stay safe,” said Superintendent Steve Quick. BY GARY A. DE VON “There are currently two active hound MANAGING EDITOR pursuit permits in place in response to OROVILLE – The state Department the incidents. Though it is extremely rare of Fish and Wildlife are seeking a cou- for cougar to attack humans, it is imporgar that has killed several small pets tant for people to know what to do if between Highway 97 and Lake Osoyoos they encounter a cougar. If you come face north of Oroville and a warning has been to face with a cougar, your actions can either help or hinissued to parents der a quick retreat with children in the by the animal,” Oroville Schools. writes McCormick. “ W D F W “Though it is extremely rare He also listed Police are active- for cougar to attack humans, some things to ly attempting to it is important for people to remember in case remove a cougar of an encounter: that has killed know what to do incase of • Stop, pick up several small small children an encounter.” pets between immediately, and Highway 97 and Troy McCormick , don’t run. Running Lake Osoyoos Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and rapid movein the last couple ments may trigger weeks,” writes Troy an attack. McCormick with the Fish and Wildlife Remember, at close range, a cougar’s Enforcement Program. instinct is to chase. The Oroville School District issued an • Face the cougar. Talk to it firmly alert to parents with kids in the area of while slowly backing away. Always leave the highway and Westlake Road vicinities, as well as the notice from the Fish the animal an escape route. • Try to appear larger than the cougar. and Wildlife. Get above it (e.g., step up onto a rock or “We sent out an alert this morning to those on the bus route directly affected, stump). If wearing a jacket, hold it open and then later today we sent out the SEE COUGAR | PG A2

Oroville School District issues alert to parents

Big World of Flight for Education landed at Oroville’s Dorothy Scott International Airport for their annual visit to share their knowledge of private aviation with some of Oroville’s fifth grade students. Above, The students learned about reading a map to determine navigation. Right, Steve Carkeek, a former Boeing Engineer talks about take-offs and landings. Below Right, Bill Nicholson owner of Star Airmotive, gives the students a tour of the airport, stopping at one of two helipads. Below, pilot Mike Latta talks about the various controls in his Cessna 180 aircraft. From Oroville Big World of Flight was next headed to Tonasket, and then Omak Airports.

$18 million grant to benefit local schools Money to help Oroville and Tonasket students prepare for college THE GAZETTE-TRIBUNE

Gary DeVon/

ELLENSBURG - Oroville and Tonasket School Districts are among 11 districts to benefit from a more than $18 million Gear Up award by the U.S. Department of Education to help students prepare for college. The federal agency made the award to Central Washington University to help students in the Brewster, Easton, Highland, Lake Chelan, Manson, Omak, Oroville, Quincy, Richland, Tonasket and Wenatchee school districts prepare for college. CWU is the only institution of higher education in Washington State to receive the award for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for

staff photos

Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). This is CWU’s fourth GEAR UP grant since 2001 and its largest-ever federal grant. The grant provides $18,155,200 for a new seven-year GEAR UP program, Project SOAR2 (Success & Opportunity through Affordability, Relevance & Rigor). CWU’s director of Research and Sponsored Programs, Julie Guggino, said the SOAR2 program would build on the solid foundation of the MOSAIC2 GEAR UP grant, which focuses primarily on student success in STEM fields. “SOAR2 encourages students to apply themselves in all disciplines, with emphasis on academic rigor, relevance and affordability,” said Guggino. “SOAR helps put a college degree within reach of students by helping them stay on track for high school graduation, pursue rigor-

SEE GRANT | PG A2

City of Oroville holds two public hearings City makes budget amendments, approves salary changes, park reservation system BY GARY A. DE VON MANAGING EDITOR

OROVILLE – The Oroville City Council held public hearings amending the Six-year Transportation Plan as well as adopting the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance at their Tuesday, Sept. 16 meeting. The Six Year Transportation plan was amended to reflect an Okanogan County Transportation fund grant of $15,000 to cover a shortfall in the funding for the city’s Central and Cherry Street project, completed over the summer. It also reflects an additional $3000

in funding from the city. Councilman Tony Koepke made a motion to approve the amendment and it was seconded by Councilman Jon Neal and passed unanimously. The second public hearing was to discuss the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and to listen to the staff report given by Chris Branch, director of Oroville Community Development. “It is mostly administrative changes to meet or exceed state standards. The federal government makes changes and then the state makes changes so then we must adopt changes of our own. Most of them are minor,” said Branch, adding the changes refer to State Statute 86.16.120. The state updates their model occasionally, mostly for clarification, according to Branch. “Do you see this affecting anyone in town?” asked Councilman Walt Hart. Branch said he didn’t think they would. “No, the Critical Areas Ordinance you

OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE Volume 110 No. 39

passed has more affect,” Branch said. “This one is pretty standard. It is nationally required to make federal flood insurance more affordable.” Councilwoman Neysa Roley made the motion to approve the ordinance and Hart made the second and it passed unanimously. In a similar vein the council approved a resolution supporting and adopting the Okanogan County Multi-hazard Mitigation Plan.

PROJECT REPORTS Once again the council heard updates the various projects completed over the summer, as well as the recent improvements to the runway at Oroville’s Dorothy Scott International Airport. The North End Reservoir project has not quite closed, according to Rod Noel, superintendent of Public Works. He said the contractor has provided warranty documents in regards to the new res-

ervoir tank, but there are still a few loose ends to tie up regarding the pay estimate. These have been forwarded to Mick Howe, the city’s attorney for review. City Clerk Kathy Jones said there questions remaining about Liquid Damages of $24,500 and some questions about engineering cost increases due to the delays in completion of the reservoir by the contractor. Noel said there was one remaining punchlist item regarding the Central and Cherry Street Project in regards to the “speed bump” on Main Street. The city is still waiting for the paving company to return and fix the unwanted bump in the road. “They asked when they were going to get paid,” Noel said. “I said, when we get our Main Street fixed. I recommend they complete it first.” Noel added that there is no money set aside in case of disputes over the project. Councilman Ed Naillon, with a second

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from Koepke, made a motion to process the company’s check when Main Street is fixed. The rest of the council agreed. The best news on projects seemed to concern the crack repair and seal coating of the runway at the airport. “The project is complete except they have 30 days to finish painting with reflective bead paint,” said Noel, adding that the engineer on the project was a “great person to work with.” He also said the contractor did a great job and was very professional. “It looks really good, they also had a required friction test done and the tester had to come out of Montana. The project just went click, click, click and got done. A greet project,” said Noel. Steve Johnston, Airport Services Manager, said that he was hearing a lot of positive comments on the runway and especially the new windsock installed at

Cops & Courts A4 Letters/Opinion A5 Community A6-7

Classifieds/Legals A8-9 Real Estate A9 Schools A10-11

Obituaries Sports County Fair

A12 B1-2 B3-6


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