Year In Review 2017

July-December

Overdue aircraft found in wreckage at Windsor Hill, both pilots deceased
CHELAN - On Saturday, July 1 around 7:30 p.m, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received a report of an overdue aircraft which had left the Chelan Airport at approximately 6:30 a.m.
The aircraft, which had two occupants on board, was thought to be heading toward Douglas County or Okanogan County. The CCSO deployed their helicopter to try and search for the aircraft, but were unsuccessful recovering the airplane or missing people.

Pateros commits to Relight Washington through Okanogan PUD
PATEROS – The special city council meeting held at city hall last Thursday, June 29, was short and to-the-point: approve a contract for an upgrade of city street lights and its attendant interlocal agreement with the Okanogan PUD that will perform the conversion.
The program, Relight Washington, is funded by the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) that is picking up the cost for small cities to convert their street lights to more efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights.

Methow River claims life of Pateros businessman
PATEROS – Family and friends are mourning the loss of Methow resident and Pateros businessman, Alvin E. Hymer, 74, who drowned in the Methow River, Saturday afternoon, July 1, while attempting to rescue his two dogs from the current.

Truck collision on   SR 153 causes two fatalities
PATEROS – A head-on collision between two trucks last Thursday, July 6, claimed the lives of both drivers and sent an injured passenger to three Rivers Hospital for treatment.

Apple Pie Jamboree celebrates 70th anniversary
PATEROS – The annual Apple Pie Jamboree will celebrate its 70th anniversary this Friday through Sunday, July 14-16 with a variety of attractions, games, food and activities to appeal to every visitor to the family-oriented event.

Fire damages six units at Vista Park Homes apartment complex
BREWSTER – A multi-alarm fire damaged at least six apartments in the 13-building, 25-unit Vista Park Homes housing complex at 509 S. Fourth Street in Brewster on Wednesday evening, July 12.
Before the blaze was contained, units from Bridgeport, Pateros, Malott, Okanogan, Methow and Omak joined Brewster fire teams to keep the flames from spreading to more units in the Vista Park complex.
More than dozen occupants were displaced by the smoke and flames and many found refuge in a Red Cross shelter set up at Brewster High School.
 

Canyon Creek Fire remains active, evacuation alerts remain
PATEROS – A wildfire, now called the Canyon Creek Fire, that began just after noon on Saturday, July 15, along State Route 153 about a mile north of Carlton burned some 300 acres and prompted evacuation alerts for residents in the surrounding area.

 

Brewster PD investigators determine kids cause of Vista Park blaze
BREWSTER – Police department fire investigators have concluded that youngsters playing with a lighter near the Vista Park Homes Apartments, at 509 S. Fourth Street, caused the fire that eventually destroyed two of the complex’s 13 buildings that left more than two dozen residents homeless, July 12.

Bridgeport Orchard Property appeal heard by Bridgeport City Council
BRIDGEPORT – The city council and the Cope family, owners of Bridgeport Orchard Properties (BPO), 120-plus acres of RI-zoned land bordering the south side of town, are attempting to resolve an issue that dates to 2016, over the property’s grandfathered use in an agricultural capacity.

More entries, larger kings Brewster Salmon Derby outperforms 2016 results
BREWSTER – Despite smoky skies, record temperatures and high wildfire conditions, fisherman from around the Northwest gathered at Columbia Cove last Friday-Sunday, August 4-6, for the competition and comradery at the 12th annual Brewster King Salmon Derby

Hydros gather for Pateros Terry Troxel Memorial Classic
PATEROS – Despite a strong competing venue – the Omak Stampede –  30 miles to the north last weekend, the Pateros Terry Troxel Memorial Hydro Classic, featuring the American Power Boat Association’s Western Divisional Championships, drew a strong crowd of both drivers and spectators at Lake Pateros, Saturday and Sunday, August 12-13.

The little town that did
Brewster lands major RD grant to upgrade water system
BREWSTER – Through a combination of planning, persuasion and plain old-fashioned persistence, council and city staffers with lots of help from legislative leaders, engineered a multi-million-dollar government grant to upgrade the city’s well water system.
The United States Department of Agriculture recently approved a $6.3-million-dollar Rural Development (RD) grant for the City of Brewster that, combined with a $2.631-million-dollar loan, will allow the city to address manganese in its water wells and shave years off the city’s 20-year water development plan.

Bridgeport council wrestles with growing presence of junk vehicles
BRIDGEPORT – Owners of inoperable, unlicensed or junk vehicles within the city limits might want to start giving thought to what future plans they have in mind for their automotive “treasures”.
The number of abandoned, junk and inoperable vehicles within the city limits has increased to the point that the issue has attracted the attention of city officials. At its regular monthly meeting last Wednesday, August 16, the city council discussed options to address the growing eyesore and arrive at a solution that resolves the matter without putting undue hardship on vehicle owners.

Founder Steve McConnell guides Construx Software to industry prominence
Construx Software founder and CEO, Steve McConnell poses with the photo, signed by all 19 company employees, of the favorite son sign they made and mounted on a City of Pateros sign post.
PATEROS -- It has been some years since Steve McConnell has been a resident here, but the CEO of Construx Software in Bellevue still considers the city at the junction of the Columbia and Methow rivers one of his two nostalgic hometowns.
McConnell is also the author of several books, including “Code Complete”, widely regarded as one of the best practical guides to programming and software development.
Recently, McConnell’s employees hit on a unique way to honor their boss, bring attention to his Pateros roots and create a lasting memento all at the same time. They fashioned a street sign that could be affixed to the pole under the “Entering Pateros” greeting.
McConnell is also the author of several books, including “Code Complete”, widely regarded as one of the best practical guides to programming and software development.

Project Phoenix rises from Pateros wildfire ashes
PATEROS – Three miles north of Pateros on Watson Road, a new opportunity for military veterans is rising from the ashes of the 2014 Carlton Complex wildfire. Called appropriately, Project Phoenix, the project is a 1,600-acre agricultural site on Tatley Farms where vets are invited to learn a variety of skills, share work, undergo healing, earn some money, build friendships and put their own ideas and projects into motion.
Project Phoenix is the creation of David Overcash of Woodinville, owner of Tatley Farms and founder of Golden Acts, an organization focused on making the world a better place, one golden act at a time.

McNamara named to Three Rivers Hospital Board of Commissioners
BREWSTER – Three Rivers Hospital (TRH) has announced the appointment of Brewster resident, Leslie McNamara as the newest member of the TRH Board of Commissioners.
In a media release issued August 31, TRH Business Development Coordinator Christopher Majors disclosed that Minicamera was selected to fill a seat on the five-member Board that has remained vacant for nearly two years.

Great grandfather worked with Lindbergh, Hughes
Cameron Quinn combines high school with Civil Air Patrol pursuits
While a full-time student at Pateros High School, Cameron Quinn (left) has also found time to pursue his extracurricular activity of choice, training in the student cadet corps of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol (CAP) at the Northern Desert Composite Squadron in Omak.
PATEROS – High school senior Cameron Quinn is not only a young man in a hurry, but also one who knows where he wants to go how and how to get there. The 16-year-old will graduate with both his high school diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from Wenatchee Valley College.
But that’s not all.
While a full-time student at Pateros High School, Quinn has also found time to pursue his extracurricular activity of choice, training in the student cadet corps of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol (CAP) at the Northern Desert Composite Squadron in Omak.

New location urgently needed Bridgeport Food Bank faces imminent closure
BRIDGEPORT – Short of a savior with a new place to relocate, the Bridgeport Food Bank, that has been supplying food to needy families for more than 25 years, will close its doors following its final food distribution day on Thursday, Sept. 28.
The closure will leave some 150 to 200 people, who have depended upon the food bank’s twice monthly distributions, without a critical community resource.

Chetwynd sends visitors Bridgeport tree carvings attract international attention
BRIDGEPORT – The two dozen-plus eye-catching tree carvings that have lined Foster Creek Avenue leading into the business district since 2013 have caught the eye of a Canadian community that knows a thing or two about such art pieces.
Representatives from the community of Chetwynd in northeast British Columbia, Canada, visited Bridgeport recently on the suggestion of a tourist who passed through the town, saw its extensive display of quality carvings and notified acquaintances in Chetwynd who he knew would appreciate the art.

WDFW fields complaints, concerns about declining steelhead fishery
PATEROS – About two dozen residents and sportsmen gathered at Howard’s on the River Central Building in Pateros last Tuesday, Sept. 19, to participate in a discussion of local wildlife issues – particularly steelhead - with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) representatives

Bridgeport studies angle parking on Main Street
BRIDGEPORT – Angle parking on that portion of State Route 173 that is Main Street between 10th and 13th streets downtown is under consideration by members of the city council.

On three-day swing through four counties State Senator Brad Hawkins holds District 12 Listening Tour
PATEROS – Washington State Senator Brad Hawkins, representing the four-county 12th District that includes part of Okanogan County, visited Pateros and Winthrop as part of a three-day Listening Tour last Friday, Oct. 6.

Battle of the brothers - Bears - Trojans showdown
Coaches, brothers and rivals meet on Manson gridiron Friday
BREWSTER – When the 5-2 Bears meet the undefeated Trojans for all the Central Washington 2B League marbles at Manson on Friday, Oct. 27, Brewster head coach Jake Johanson, older brother of Manson varsity coach, Joey Johanson, has no doubt about the game’s outcome.
 

Cricket soup and mosquito bread
Old World Oxen camp comes to Pateros School
A tasty-looking kettle of cricket soup (those are the critters floating on top) appeared to go unsampled by Pateros students.
PATEROS – Students at Pateros school experienced – and could even taste -  a part of early western history during a day-long visit by Riverside resident Sheryl Curtis and her Old World Oxen Living History Display last Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Curtis, with her two oxen, Saul and Noah, in tow brought her interactive camp to the Pateros football field where alternating classes of students had the opportunity to prepare, mix, cook and sample everything from breakfast eggs over an open campfire to cricket soup.

Brewster Marketplace owners announce acquisition of Brewster Drug
BREWSTER – Customers of Brewster Drug and True Value Hardware will find a new look and new name to go along with new ownership and management as Brewster Marketplace owners Sabrina O’Connell and Yvonne and Victor Vargas assumed the day-to-day operations of the store on Monday, Nov. 6.
The trio had been in negotiations with Brewster Drug and True Value owner Brian Johnson since about Sept. 1, to purchase the next-door business with a projected closing date of Dec. 1 of this year. Unanticipated developments earlier this month prompted O’Connell and the Vargas’s to accelerate their involvement in the hardware and pharmacy to avoid an interruption of services to the community.

Middle School achieves dramatic turnaround
Brewster schools receive School of Distinction honors
BREWSTER – Brewster High School and Brewster Middle School are among seven schools within the North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) area that have been awarded 2017 School of Distinction honors by the Center for Educational Effectiveness.
Brewster High School is a three-time repeat winner of the award over the past five years. It is the first such honor for the Middle School that beat its five-year goal to receive the accolade by a year and a half.

Villagrana, Hurtado compete for Brewster Council Position Two
BREWSTER – One of the only contested races in the Quad City Herald’s coverage area in the Nov. 7 General Election is that for Position 2 on the Brewster City Council between incumbent Ramiro Villagrana and challenger Emmanuel “Manny” Hurtado.


Brewster Marketplace owners announce acquisition of Brewster Drug
BREWSTER – Customers of Brewster Drug and True Value Hardware will find a new look and new name to go along with new ownership and management as Brewster Marketplace owners Sabrina O’Connell and Yvonne and Victor Vargas assumed the day-to-day operations of the store on Monday, Nov. 6.
The trio had been in negotiations with Brewster Drug and True Value owner Brian Johnson since about Sept. 1, to purchase the next-door business with a projected closing date of Dec. 1 of this year. Unanticipated developments earlier this month prompted O’Connell and the Vargas’s to accelerate their involvement in the hardware and pharmacy to avoid an interruption of services to the community.

Middle School achieves dramatic turnaround
Brewster schools receive School of Distinction honors
BREWSTER – Brewster High School and Brewster Middle School are among seven schools within the North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) area that have been awarded 2017 School of Distinction honors by the Center for Educational Effectiveness.
Brewster High School is a three-time repeat winner of the award over the past five years. It is the first such honor for the Middle School that beat its five-year goal to receive the accolade by a year and a half.

Poole makes CW 1B All-League Volleyball Team
PATEROS – Senior outside hitter Sarah Poole was one of six players selected to the 2017 Central Washington 1B All-League Volleyball Team by team coaches and school athletic directors.

Hurtado is newest member of Brewster City Council
BREWSTER – Emmanuel “Manny” Hurtado is the newest member of the Brewster City Council by a narrow margin after trailing incumbent Ramiro Villagrana in the early returns. At the time of election certification by the Okanogan County Auditor on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Hurtado held a three-vote, 66-63 lead over Villagrana, who was seeking his third term on the council.

Awarded 2017 Rodeo of the Year
Pro-West Rodeo makes return appearance at Okanogan County Fair
BREWSTER – The annual Pro West Rodeo that entertains spectators at Cashmere, Chelan, Waterville, and about 20 other Northwest venues, made its first return appearance at the Okanogan County Fair in almost a decade last September.
It was a well-organized and well-funded two-day event, enough so that the Pro-West Directors and competitors voted the Okanogan redux the 2017 Rodeo of the Year. Thanks for that accolade goes mainly to three individuals who went the extra mile to make sure both competitors and spectators got their money’s worth: Kelly Knapp and Tracey Reagles, both of Brewster, and Sam Buchert of Malott.

Hunts granted probation for violation of federal firearms regulations
Felonies reduced to misdemeanors in plea deal
MANSFIELD – Four members of a prominent Douglas County wheat ranching family were given probation last Thursday, Dec. 7, stemming from a 2016 indictment for violating federal firearms regulations.
Terry Hunt, 73, his wife, Mary Hunt, 72, and sons, Russell, 53, and Derek, 47, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the illegal purchase and sale of firearms and received five years’ probation plus monetary fines.
Mary Hunt is a former two-term Douglas County Commissioner. Terry Hunt is a past master of the Washington State Grange.

Bridgeport Council approves new member, wage increase
BRIDGEPORT – Council members unanimously approved the appointment of Anthony Jenkins as the newest member of the city council at its rescheduled monthly meeting last Monday, Dec. 18. Jenkins will fill the seat being vacated effective at the end of the year by Eric Schmidt.
Jenkins, a former Marine, who was raised in Bridgeport and is the grandson of County Commissioner Steve Jenkins, returned from residency in Spokane to the small-town atmosphere in Bridgeport about five years ago.