Deep Bay Park, Oroville, WA
May 16-17
www.RallyAtTheBorderBluesFest.com
SERVING WASHINGTON’S
OKANOGAN VALLEY
SINCE 1905
GAZETTE-TRIBUNE WWW.GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 | 75 CENTS NEWSSTAND PRICE
Commissioners, not EMS Board, decides on inter-local agreements
RED CARPET MAGIC
City still looking at contracting with private ambulance service BY GARY DE VON MANAGING EDITOR
OROVILLE – The Oroville EMS has been struggling about what to do regarding a lack of trained personnel to operate the ambulance and has been considering going to a private company for service. However, that decision can’t be made by the city alone as it shares services with the Rural EMS and both entities collect tax dollars through levies to fund ambulance services inside and outside of town. While Mayor Chuck Spieth has expressed an interest in finding out about alternatives to a mostly volunteer crew, no decision has been made on whether that is the way the city will be heading. “We also found out that our local Rural EMS Commissioners can not make the decision on whether to change on their own,” said Spieth when asked about the situation this week. “They are an appointed board by the County Commissioners and are not elected to their positions. The final decision regarding rural EMS remains with the County Commissioners.” At the city council’s Tuesday, May 5 meeting, Chris Allen, who has tried unsuccessfully to be made a part of the Oroville Ambulance Crew, asked the council about the status of the ambulance service. Mayor Spieth said the city was working on an interlocal agreement between the city and the County Commissioners. He added that the city has discussed requesting proposals for private service following the completion of such an agreement. Janet Allen, who is a volunteer for the ambulance service also asked the city to look into the ambulance hall roof, which she says is leaking.
Clockwise from top: Queen Ellamae Burnell and Princesses Mikayla Scott and Faith Martin welcome people to this year’s May Festival from atop the community float “Red Carpet Magic.” The 2015 Grand Marshals, Dane and Joyce Forrester, catch a ride in Scott Thorndike’s classic Corvette. Drum Major Max Turner, leads the Oroville High School band with a new mace donated by family members Shana Cachola, with the Wine Country Racing Association advertises upcoming drag races in Osoyoos. For more see pages A2, A3, B2 and B3 and B4.
Gary DeVon/ staff photos
Princes Heritage Park
The council had a short discussion about potential uses of Princes Heritage Park. It was decided that a questionnaire would be included in the May water bills to try and gain public input. The questionnaire may be included on the city’s website as well. An online poll in the Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune has been running heavily in favor of a multi-use park without creating another soccer field. That choice has 76 percent of the votes, while the option of half soc-
cer field and half multi-use has only 17 percent of the votes. Other Business
The council heard from Sonja Mylebust and Vicki Eberhart regarding a proposed Wine and Wool event to he held on Friday, May 29 at the Pastime Bar and Grill. The two are representatives of the North American Wool Cooperative and requested a letter of support to the state Liquor Board. The council approved the request and will support the event when asked by the Liquor Board. The council also got a request from Suzanne and Julius Liptak requesting the city apply for permits to clear the channel area between the pond at Deep Bay and Lake Osoyoos. Mayor Spieth stated that Chris Branch, the director of Community Development would respond to the two. He also said the city will not be applying for the permits. Arnie Marchand gave an update on the Oroville Museum. He said the museum was open and the displays created by five different schools are complete.
Ride, drive or walk to Blues Fest in Oroville
Blues, bikes and Backroads Rally at the Border Blues Fest May 16-17
Woodbury Band, Jesse Weston Band, VooDoo Church of Blues and RoyceGovedare High Rollers. This Saturday’s lineup:
BY GARY DEVON
THE RANDY OXFORD BAND – FEATURING LADY A
EDITOR@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
OROVILLE – The Run for the Border motorcycle charity ride returns to Oroville for 13th time this Saturday, May 16, as does the Rally at the Border Blues Fest which will be celebrating with music on Saturday. Oroville’s Rally at the Border Blues Fest takes place at the city’s Deep Bay Park on the shores of Lake Osoyoos. Now in its second year, the festival is timed to coincide with the Columbia River HOG’s annual Armed Forces Day Run to the Border motorcycle rally that originates in Wenatchee and ends in Oroville. While as many as 300 riders from Wenatchee have treked the 150 miles to Oroville in past events, many attendees from
Canada are also expected on this threeday Canadian holiday weekend. Visitors may also enjoy the kick-off barbecue on Friday night at Veranda Beach Resort as well as Spring Barrel Tasting at local wineries like Copper Mountain and Esther Bricques on Saturday, as well as take in a car show. The musical line-up at the blues fest includes six of the Northwest’s premier blues bands playing all day Saturday, starting at noon and continuing until 10 p.m. After the park closes, music will continue in town at the Pastime on Main Street with an All-Star Jam. Sunday all riders are welcome to participate in the Poker Run from 9 AM to noon. Bands scheduled to play are The Randy Oxford Band Featuring Lady A, Steve Bailey & the Blue Flames, The CD
OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE Volume 111 No. 20
This band has international roots bringing you a unique, 21st century sound in the blues. Winners of over 25 music awards in Washington State, The Randy Oxford Band showcases their sophisticated brand of Chicago style musicianship, daring arrangements of blues classics, Americana, Soul, R&B, Funky, Rock, Motown and more. The band is led by Washington State Performer of the Year, Randy Oxford, whose prowess on trombone and ability to ignite an audience’s enthusiasm have become legendary in the Pacific Northwest. http://therandyoxfordband. com/
SEE BLUES | PG A4
Gary DeVon/file photo
Voodoo Church. above, was just one of six blues bands that performed at the first annual Rally at the Border Blues Fest held at Oroville’s Deep Bay Park on Osoyoos Lake. They return this year for the second annual Blues Fest. Gary Yeoman’ and his lowdown dirty blues band has a little bit of Texas bar rock thrown in for added flavor.
INSIDE THIS EDITION
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