OROVILLE/OSOYOOS – The International Joint Commission is seeking comments from the public regarding the regulation of water levels of Lake Osoyoos at meetings planned in Oroville and Osoyoos, B.C.
News
City seeks area-based council for new Tonasket swimming pool
TONASKET – The Tonasket City Council was in agreement at its Tuesday, June 26, meeting that the city swimming pool needs to be replaced — not just repaired.
How to go about doing that was the subject of a lengthy discussion at which the council made clear it felt that would best be accomplished by a broad-based coalition of the community, including neighboring towns outside the Tonasket city limits.
Former area doctor, John McCarthy, named Family Physician of the Year
BELLEVUE – The Washington Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) has named Spokane physician, John McCarthy, MD as Family Physician of the Year for 2012 and welcomes him as Washington Academy of Family Physicians Foundation President.
Cedar Ecology Hike in the Okanogan Highlands on July 7
CHESAW – On Saturday, July 7, local botanist, George Thornton, will take a group into the secluded cedar groves northeast of Buckhorn Mountain, where an extraordinary ecosystem thrives because of the shade, stable soils, organic matter and habitat provided by the Western Red Cedar.
Funds to improve Osoyoos Lake water quality
KELOWNA, B.C. – Proceeds from last fall’s Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum will be split between representatives working on each side of the border to improve lake water quality.
Fourth of July events in the North County
NORTH COUNTY – The Independence Day Holiday traditions continue in the North County with the annual Chesaw Fourth of July Rodeo celebrating 70 years, fireworks in Oroville and Tonasket and a barbecue.
New EMS director brings years of experience to job
TONASKET – Michael Greene and his wife retired to Tonasket last November hoping to focus their efforts on doing volunteer work in the community.
Hirst-Pavek loses appeal of murder and manslaughter convictions
OKANOGAN – Lacey Kae Hirst-Pavek, found guilty as an accomplice in aggravated first degree murder and first degree manslaughter in the death of Michelle Kitterman, has lost an appeal of those convictions.
Kay Tracy is Chesaw 4th of July Rodeo Grand Marshal
CHESAW – Katherin Tracy, a true daughter of the Okanogan Highlands, has been chosen as Grand Marshal of this year’s Chesaw Fourth of July Rodeo.
Known to most people at this end of the valley as “Kay,” or “Mrs. Sutton” to those she taught at Oroville Elementary, Katherin (Sherling, Sutton) Tracy grew up near Molson. She attended the Lone Star School on Mary Anne Creek for her first two years, riding horseback the two miles…
PUD updates Oroville Chamber on licensing efforts for Enloe Dam
OROVILLE – Representatives from Okanogan County PUD made a presentation at the Oroville Chamber of Commerce on the utilities efforts to license Enloe Dam to once again generate hydroelectric power.
The dam and powerhouse, which are about 3.5 miles up the Similkameen River from Oroville, have not generated power since the mid-1950s. The PUD has been trying to license the dam with a new modern powerhouse and generators, this time located on the opposite bank of the river.
Dan Boettger, Director of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs for the utility, started the presentation with a slide show of then-and-now photos and illustrations. The photos showed the various stages of the dams construction as well as the different powerhouses that were located on the to generate power in the early years of operation. They also showed where new facilities would be located.
“The PUD’s new proposal has been in the works since 2005, as have our licensing efforts,” Boettger said.
