Little change in opposition to Three Rivers Hospital bond

OKANOGAN – The $72 million bond measure for a new Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster picked up an additional 40 yes votes from Okanogan County since last week’s initial count but those opposed gained 28 more votes as well, so the measure appears to be dead on arrival. 

The next Douglas County update with about 2,500 ballots remaining is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15.  

Okanogan County voters now oppose the measure with 2,430 votes to 1,911 in favor, while Douglas County shows 275 opposed and 184 in favor. With just under 2,875 ballots remaining to be counted between both counties and with little change after two updates, the margin of defeat for the bond measure is substantial.

BREWSTER

Incumbent city council member Don Childers gained one additional vote from the previous count and now leads challenger Emmanuel Hurtado by 15 votes, 79-64.

Childers was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the late Tim Reib. Advised of the early results Childers said: “I’m tickled to death; it looks pretty promising.” 

Hurtado served as a Brewster council member from 2016 to 2020. He said that regardless of the election results he will continue to be involved in city business.

“Being a councilman gives you the power to be able to speak for the people,” said Hurtado. “Either way I’m going to be involved 100 percent in our community.”