Community

TONASKET – A public meeting was held requesting vacation of a portion of the First Street right-of-way between the alley and Tonasket Ave. South, blocks 13 and 14 at the July 26 Tonasket City Council meeting. The council approved the ordinance following a review by Permit Administrator Christian Johnson, with the city retaining a general municipal easement for the existing utilities. The request was presented by attorney Dale Crandall for owners Bob and Margaret Hirst, which will make the property more handicap accessible.

TONASKET – Dan Isaac of Tonasket and Oroville’s Joseph Enzensperger presented a report on the economic risks of Enloe Dam to the Tonasket City Council Tuesday, July 26. Mayor Patrick Plumb gave them the floor for a long and fact-filled presentation before telling them he was offended by their request for support, due to possible contamination of Tonasket’s water should the dam be removed.

NESPELEM – The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation this week renewed its call for Teck Metals (the operator of a large smelter in Trail, British Columbia) to stop polluting and start cleaning up decades of its waste. A recent federal court ruling in the ongoing legal battle against Teck has reinforced the Colville’s resolve to hold the polluter accountable.

OROVILLE – After taking the oath of office, Ed Naillon returned to the Oroville Council at their Tuesday, July 19 meeting. Naillon volunteered to fill the position left by Jon Neal when he was selected as mayor after Chuck Spieth passed away.

TONASKET North Valley Hospital CEO Mike Zwicker was terminated Thursday, July 28 at the Board of Commissioners regular board meeting – however, a mistake in the process means he is instead on administrative leave until a new resolution can be passed.

OKANOGAN – Jerry D. Asmussen and Aaron Kester were the two top vote getters for the office of Okanogan County PUD Commissioner, District 3, in last Tuesday’s primary.

District planning to open sleep lab, Aug. 8 “From all the different options of reimbursement, the strongest option that was supported by all was the subsidizing of the emergency room from the communities.” Mike Zwicker, CEO North Valley Hospital District TONASKET – North Valley Hospital has chosen Lori Sawyer as an interim Director of Nursing [...]

A large turnout of voters with lots of pertinent questions attended an Okanogan County PUD commissioner candidate forum held July 20 at the Community Cultural Center in Tonasket, leaving candidates with the impression the public is ready for commissioners to hear their views.

OROVILLE – At their Tuesday, July 5 Oroville City Council has agreed Ed Naillon’s request to fill an empty council seat until the next election.