SHUSHING THROUGH THE
NW Ice Fishing Festival
SNOW AT SITZMARK
Annual Ice Fishing Festival takes place in Molson on Saturday, January 16
See Page A6
SERVING WASHINGTON’S
OKANOGAN VALLEY
SINCE 1905
GAZETTE-TRIBUNE WWW.GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM | THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016 | 75 CENTS NEWSSTAND PRICE
Hughes’ Dept. Store not closing Warehouse items to move to main store BY GARY A. DE VON EDITOR@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
OROVILLE – One of Oroville’s largest retailers, Hughes’ Department Store, will remain open despite nearly closing due to falling sales says owner Jack Hughes. “We think we’re going to make it. We’re not going to be the same store we were before, but while things will change we will still offer almost everything we do now,” said Hughes. In an effort to “right the ship” Hughes’
has been holding an inventory reduction sale with everything marked down 30 percent and with some items reduced by as much as 40 percent. While the shelves are starting to look bare, Hughes said the store still retains much of its inventory. “We’ve restructured and paid down a tremendous amount of debt,” he Jack Hughes said. “We’re still going to buy from Ace, we just won’t be an ‘Ace Hardware’ store. We have a semi load of stuff coming from them right now.”
Oroville Chamber discusses several issues
The Prince family, which owns Prince’s to the main store. Center and leases the department store “We’re going to narrow back on the side of the buildclothes, we ing to Hughes realize we’re a and his wife working man’s “We are not going to be the Mary, has been community and working with will be focusing same store we were before, but... the couple and what we have we will still offer almost every- to offer around made some concessions to make that,” he said. thing we do now.” the deal work, “However, I Jack Hughes, Owner according to want you to let Hughes’ Department Store Hughes. While people know the main store we’ll definitely will remain open, Hughes’ Warehouse be keeping the fabric center, I’ve had sevStore on Ironwood Street will be closing eral concerned calls about that.” and its inventory of appliances, animal While sitting down to an interview last feed, tools and much more will be moved Monday morning Hughes said he didn’t
want to go into everything they would be stocking, but he said in addition to the hardware, some clothing and the fabrics, the store would also be keeping the sporting goods. “The community will see changes in the store as we move things around to make it all fit, but I think it will be a good fit when we are done,” Hughes said. He said the workforce, which currently runs between 40 and 45 employees, will be shrinking somewhat. Some of his longtime employees took retirement or were considering it when the store was looking at closing, something they were informed of in December. He said other
SEE NOT CLOSING| PG A2
SNOW DOUBT ABOUT IT, TIME FOR SLEDDING
Historical Society gets grant to build bicycle service station.
BY GARY A. DE VON EDITOR@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
OROVILLE – The Oroville Chamber of Commerce met on Thursday, Jan. 7 and discussed several issues, including the local economy. “CBC was planning on doing an interview about the affect of the Canadian dollar on the two towns (Oroville and Osoyoos). It is interesting that she didn’t know that the lower Canadian dollar is actually helping the Gorman Brothers, which has Oroville Reman and Reload
“CBC was planning on doing an interview about the affedt of the Canadian dollar on the two towns.” Clyde Andrews, President, Oroville Chamber of Commerce. Katie Teachout & Gary DeVon/staff photos
here in town,” said Clyde Andrews, president of the Oroville Chamber. School District Superintendent Steve Quick gave a short informational talk about the two-year Maintenance and Operations Levy that will appear on the ballot in February. He said it will replace the $1,479,000 levy approved last time. “We actually are asking for the same amount and the amount we collect never changes during the two year collection period no matter if the property valuation in the district goes up or down. He said the levy pays for extracurricular athletic and academic programs, curriculum adoption and technology improvements. “We are heavily reliant on the levy, it is 20 percent or more of the budget and pays for things the state doesn’t fund,” said Quick, adding the court has ruled that the state fund all basic education, but has yet do to so, despite a $100,000 a day fine. “The idea behind the McCleary Court ruling was that school levies go away,” he said. In the past district voters have usually approved the budget by around 60
SEE CHAMBER| PG A2
Two lucky kids received new sleds after winning the Gazette-Tribunes’s annual Letters to Santa Contest. Above, left, Tonasket’s Kurt Hudson, age eight, is excited to try out his new sled this weekend “on the sled hill at his house.” Hudson said he had a similar sled at home, but it was rusty and had splinters. Hudson is seen here receiving the sled from Stacey Kester of Lee Franks’ ACE Hardware. Above right, Lisbeth Nemecio, age seven, from Oroville, doesn’t know what to think about her new sled, which was awarded by the owner of Hughes’ Department Store, Jack Hughes. She said she had never sledded before but looks forward to sharing the sled with her older sister and younger brother.
Family films at Veterans Park
City will give towards Oroville C.A.R.E.S. Coalition billboard BY GARY A. DE VON EDITOR@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
OROVILLE – Robert Fuchs, a one time candidate for Oroville City Council, pitched his idea for family movies at Osoyoos Lake Veterans Memorial Park at the council’s Tuesday, Jan. 5 meeting and received unanimous approval.
OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE Volume 112 No. 2
“When I ran in last election it was because there aren’t that many things to do for kids, tourists or locals,” said Fuchs. “I would like to start showing films on Saturday evenings in the park for the locals and the tourists. The films would be free but we’d like a donation.” Fuchs said he is seeking sponsors and working with the Border Patrol Explorers to raise money for a 16 foot by nine foot inflatable movie screen. He said in addition to the cost of the screen, which is about $3500 with shipping, there is also a cost to show the movies of between $275 and $375.
When asked what months the films would be shown he said after dark July through August and the first two weeks of September. The screen would be set up in the grassy area of the day use section near the concession stand. The movies would be appropriate for all ages as there would be no way to control the age of those in the park. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Councilman Tony Koepke. The councilman wasn’t the only one, according to Fuchs, who posted his idea on the Friends of Oroville Facebook page. Fuchs said within three or four hours he had 120 likes and about 40 positive comments, many from people asking how they could help. Clyde Andrews, President of the Oroville Chamber of Commerce, recommended the city look into whether the Lodging Tax could be used to help defray some of the costs. Councilman Jon Neal discussed the Oroville C.A.R.E.S. Coalition, an anti-
SEE COUNCIL| PG A2
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drug organization that is looking to do a billboard in town. The billboard will feature posters from a kid’s poster contest that the group ran (see page A5). The theme of the posters was “Drugs Destroy Families,” said Neal. Creation of the advertisement that will feature the posters on a billboard near Expressions Espresso will cost about $320, while the monthly rent is $250 a month, with three months up front. “I don’t know if the council is aware of the Omak Coalition against underage drinking and drug use,” said Oroville Police Chief Todd Hill, saying they have made a big impact in mid-county. “Oroville is looking for a grant for a full time person to work on this. I think education is one of the best ways to tackle the problem. I think a Coalition billboard would be a good use of what most people feel is an eyesore. The Omak Coalition has made a monumental dif-
Cops & Courts Letters/Opinion Community
A3 A4 A5
Calendar Classifieds Real Estate
A5 A6-7 A7
Sports Obituaries
A8-9 A10