Site Logo
Smokey Bear rides on top of a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) truck in the May Festival Parade. Smokey is a familiar sight at May Fest as well as events around the country and his “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” is familiar to nearly every school-age child in the nation. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has teamed up with none other than the iconic Smokey Bear. The DNR has received funding from the USFS to wrap 10 trailers with Smokey’s image, as well as fire prevention information and resources. Gary DeVon/GT file photo

News

DNR kicks off Wildfire Prevention Season with Smokey Bear Trailer Project

The DNR’s Wildland Fire Division used federal grant money to wrap 10 cache trailers with prevention messaging and…

Sen. Javier Valdez has introduced various bills this session to try and improve the state election process. Photo Courtesy of Senate Democrats

News

Controversial initiative bill gets mixed testimony

A state bill that critics say would kill the initiative process got a mixed response during its public…

Marta and Gabbie Capote level out a bin of cherries at a cherry orchard just north of Oroville. Gary DeVon/staff photo

News

Okanogan Horticultural Society Annual Meeting Feb. 6 at the fairgrounds Agriplex

Okanogan Hort Society meeting is Feb. 6 with pest management and horticultural information and three WSDA pesticide credits…

Joyce Verney

Obituaries

Joyce Verney

Joyce Maxine (Holben) Verney died on Jan, 22, 2025. She was born on Dec, 8, 1929 near Genesee,…

Gregory Reed

Obituaries

Gregory Reed

Gregory Reed died peacefully at his home on January 22nd, 2025 at the age of 78 years old.…

Robert Schentrup, a member of Alliance for Gun Responsibility, was among those who shared stories during a press conference on Jan. 21 in Olympia. WNPA photo

News

Permit to purchase firearms proposed in legislation

A proposal to require a permit to purchase any firearm is the latest gun legislation to be introduced…

Interns from the Washington State Newspaper Publishers Association (WNPA) will be filing articles from the Washington State Legislature. for the Washington State Journal. They are: Mary Feusner, Taylor Richmond and Juan Jocom. WNPA photo

News

People think the state should reduce spending

Washington State voters want legislators to cut spending but also support spending more on specific programs, according to…

LaToya Brackett, an associate professor of African American studies at the University of Puget Sound, will speak as part of a virtual Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau Program “They Want Our Rhythm, but Not Our Blues: African American Innovation through Pop Culture,” which is being hosted by NCW Libraries. NCWL submitted images

News

NCWL hosts virtual Humanities Washington program on Black Pop Culture

NCW Libraries will host the virtual Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau Program “They Want Our Rhythm, but Not Our…

The Omak Elks Lodge hosted the grand coronation and fundraiser event for the 2025 Rodeo Champions of American (RCA) Washington Royalty. Pictured left to right: Little Miss RCA, Taya Asmussen; Miss RCA Washington, Macy Vassar; and Miss Teen RCA Washington, Natalie Brownlee. The event raised $9000.00 for the cause. Roni DeVon/submitted photo

News

Rodeo Champions of America crowned

The Omak Elks Lodge hosted the grand coronation and fundraiser event for the 2025 Rodeo Champions of American…

The CWPP was a collaborative process centered around community and partner involvement. Over 100 partners and 1,000+ community members contributed to the update of this plan. The CWPP process was led by a core planning group and a larger general group of diverse partner groups to ensure accurate representation across Okanogan County. Okanogan Conservation District photo

News

Okanogan Conservation District announces approval of 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan

After a year-long effort, the 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for Okanogan County was officially approved on…

Tonasket Tigers Girls Wrestling with their apple pie after winning their first-ever Girls Apple Pie Tournament on Jan. 18. Submitted photo

News

Tigers wrestling hosts their first Girls Apple Pie Wrestling Tourney

Tonasket Tigers held the first-ever girl’s Apple Pie Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 18 with 12 teams participating.

Seventh District Representative Hunter Abell as introduced two bills, House Bill 1435 and House Bill 1436, to increase the number of law enforcement officers in Washington state. Legislative Support Services photo

News

Rep. Abell leads House Republican efforts to increase law enforcement officers in WA state

Rep. Hunter Abell introduced legislation to allow the hiring of more cops, provide more training and enable local…

Missoula Children’s Theatre will present Hercules in two performances scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. MCT image

News

Auditions for Missoula Children’s Theater’s Hercules

An audition will be held for the MCT’s production of Hercules on Monday, Feb. 3 at the THS…