SERVING WASHINGTON’S
OKANOGAN VALLEY
SINCE 1905
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Earlier NW Ice Fishing Festival
LOOKING BACK AT 2014 While there was a lot to read about in 2014, there were also great photos that showed that recorded the events that impacted our lives. Right, the Table Mountain Star Party camped at Eden Valley Guest Ranch with a great view of the heavens last July (it will be returning this year Aug. 11-15 . Below, fire was on the minds of many county residents, especially with last summer’s Carlton Complex. Fire also affected the Tonasket area on July 21. Below right, Oroville firefighters took the opportunity for a little fire practice using their 50-foot ladder truck on a pile of old bins on the south end of town.
Patrick McManus show returns for second year BY GARY A. DEVON MANAGING EDITOR
OROVILLE – After anglers got skunked for the third year in a row, the Oroville Chamber of Commerce decided to move the Northwest Ice Fishing Festival up to Saturday, Jan. 17 rather than the traditional President’s Day weekend in February. “We have moved the date to the Saturday of Martin Luther King’s Birthday Holiday because in the past three years fish have been caught in the lakes right up until the end of January,” said Oroville Chamber of Commerce President Clyde Andrews, who adds the organization has also brought back Tim Behrens to star in “McManus in Love.” Registration for the fishing tournament is at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning in the Molson Grange Hall – $20 for adults and $10 for youth. In addition to cash prizes, there will be prizes awarded for adult, Smallest Fish; adult, Mystery Weight; Oldest Fisherman, Youngest Fisherman and first, second and third place in the Youth Division. While the ice fishing festival is hosted by the chamber of commerce, there are several “Gold Sponsors” including Kinross, Hughes Department Store and OK Chevrolet. The chamber is looking for additional sponsors as well, contact Andrews at 888-699-5659. In the past the event has attracted over 100 fishing registrants and over 250 come for the breakfast sponsored by the Molson Grange. During mid-day families enjoy the dog sled demonstrations and still others come for the arts and crafts displays, demonstrations and performances in the hall, according to Andrews. “Because last year’s Pinewood Derby was so well received, we are doing it again, with $200 in cash prizes sponsored by OK Chevrolet. After breakfast, Sitzmark Ski Club comes in to provide lunch items. Most everyone hangs around until the last raffle ticket is drawn,” said Andrews. The play, “McManus in Love” was written by the well-known humorist Patrick McManus. It will be performed by Behrens on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Oroville High School Commons. Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door and can be purchased at Prince’s Center, the Camaray Motel, Tonasket Interiors and online at www.orovillewashington.com.
Brent Baker & Gary DeVon/ staff photos
2014: The year that Was Major news stories for January through June January Former legislator ‘Web’ Hallauer dies – Wilber “Web” Hallauer, former Oroville City Councilman, state representative and state senator, passed away at age 99 in his Oroville Home at end of 2013. A half baked plan to reconfigure WIAA sports – Sports reporter Brent Baker took on the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association’s tinkering with various leagues in his Half Baked column. Zosel Lumber loses small log machine, building in early morning fire – A spark from an unknown source was suspected as the cause of an early morning fire at Zosel Lumber Company’s chip mill. Appeals Court upholds Mathis murder conviction – The Washington State Court of Appeals upheld the first-degree murder conviction of
Tansy Fae-Arwen Mathis in the 2009 murder-for-hire death of Michelle Kitterman. State auditor reports NVH finding – Auditors found that North Valley Hospital District complied with state laws in “most areas,” with the exception of use of internal labor on the hospital’s second floor construction project. OHA wants mine to address water pollution – A watchdog group called on Crown Resources to address water pollution problems at the Buckhorn Gold Mine near Chesaw and demanded corrective action. Cities may ban pot stores, grows – Oroville had been leaning toward not allowing marijuana stores, grows or processing within the city limits, and learned that the city would be within its right under a new voter-approved law allowing recreational use of marijuana. New high school hour requirements an issue at Oroville – Requiring 1080 teaching hours at high schools throughout the state could be problematic for Oroville, eliminating in-
OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE Volume 111 No. 01
service training time for teachers, late start Mondays and early releases among other things.
February Swimming pool yes, Heavy Haul no – The possibility of a rebuilt Tonasket swimming pool again took center stage at the Jan. 29 council meeting. Mayor Patrick Plumb is at odds with county commissioners over expanding the Heavy Haul corridor through town and to Pateros. Getting DNA from strawberries; loving iPads – The Oroville School Board heard a variety of reports, including one from a sixth teacher who said her students had extracted DNA from strawberries and said her students loved their iPads. The district has a one-to-one plan to get an electronic device, like iPads and computers, in the hands of each student. Fraud investigation leads to body – The investigation of possible Social Security fraud by an Oroville area man led to the discovery of his father’s dead body buried 16 miles northeast
of Ellisforde. FFA OKs Oroville Airport Plan – The long awaited approval of the revised Capital Improvement Plan for Oroville’s Dorothy Scott International Airport was received from the Federal Aviation Administration. Voters approve school levies, Tonasket bond fails – Voters in the Oroville, Tonasket, Pateros, Brewster, Okanogan and Omak School Districts all approved levies, however a measure that would have expanded facilities and replaced the Tonasket Alternative School failed to get the 60 percent needed to pass. Fest but no fish – The fish were biting at Sidley and Molson Lakes – two weeks ago. However, by the time of the NW Ice Fishing Festival nearly 5000 planted fish had done a vanishing act. Group asks for blues fest at Deep Bay Park- A new group planned on holding a blues festival in conjunction with the annual Run for the Border charity motorcycle ride in hopes the hundreds of riders will spend more time in the Oroville area. Outpouring of support: Young couple
March Mine gets updated permit – Ecology says a new permit will correct Buckhorn environmental issues. The updated wastewater discharge permit issued to the mine will better protect water quality and help correct environmental problems that have challenged the mine since operations began in 2007. Tonasket Schools to hold off on bond re-run – The Tonasket School Board has every intention of making another attempt at passing a capital improvement bond to fund expansion and upgrade facilities, but wants more time
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overwhelmed by donations after fire – Most lessons on what is truly important in life come in the form of trials and tribulations that test the spirit. An area couple have been living that experience these past few days after the Bonaparte Lake Resort cabin that housed their studio apartment burned to the ground.
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