Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, January 05, 2012

Sunday Soup Kitchen

Centennial Year - 1905-2005 January 5, 2012 • Volume 107, No. 01

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The official paper of Oroville, Tonasket & Okanogan County, Washington

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Canadian official denies Midway and Looking back at 2011: Chopaka border crossings may be closed The first six months Editor’s Note: Each January we take a look back at just a few of the top news stories that made headlines in the previous year. This week we look back at those that happened in the first six months of 2011. We’ll round up the year in next week’s edition. GAD

U.S. Ports of Entry at Ferry and Nighthawk would remain open

By Cassandra Chin Grand Forks Gazette Black Press Group According to reports, Canada and the United States are negotiating to close several small border crossings and merge others due to a new perimeter security deal.

A leaked report revealed details of 20 “small ports of entry” located at rural or small-town crossings from St. Stephen, N.B. to Chopaka, B.C., and includes one at Midway (between Osoyoos and Grand Forks).

The crossings will be examined and their futures will be then determined.

“We’re not all that thrilled about it,” said Jim Madder, Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Midway.

“We’re definitely trying to contact some people to see what’s going on.”

Madder stated he was unaware of the potential closure until someone sent him the link.

“We’re trying to see how much merit there is to the report,” Madder concluded.

Mike Patton, Director of Communications for the Ministry of Public Safety stated that no decisions have been made in regards to the report.

“Our government is focused on ensuring our shared border is secure while easing the flow of legitimate travel and trade,” Patton said.

“We are investing in border infrastructure to support this objective, including new lanes at the busiest crossings.”

Four options were discussed in the report, ranging from shared facilities, mirroring working hours, “remote-technology solution” and fully closing the port.

Mirroring hours is when the Canada and U.S. ports have the same opening and closing hours.

January

Black Press Photo

Midway Mayor Randy Kappes stands beside the border port that he says links Midway to future prosperity.

Sharing facilities and mirroring hours are already in place in several locations, but the proposal of a remote solution, where travelers will speak to border guards through a camera, has raised questions.

There was no mention of an unmanned border post in the report There are currently 52 land crossings covered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

On Apr. 1, 2011, three small ports were closed: Jamieson’s Line and Franklin Centre in Quebec, and Big Beaver in Saskatchewan.

Government official denies closure plan The Canadian government was equally quick at denying the reports that the ports were being closed. In a recent edition of the Winnipeg Free Press Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, who is responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency, said he’s been involved in discussions

with senior U.S. officials aimed at protecting smaller border crossings and ensuring they remain open.

“No such discussions are taking place and in fact the allegations... are entirely false,” Toews said.

Toews said no one on his political staff or department is aware of the Small Port Working Group, adding he believes its existence pre-dates the Harper government’s discussions with the U.S. on a new security arrangement between the two countries.

“This document is completely at odds with the direction our government is going in,” Toews said, adding current discussions about small border crossings have included sharing facilities or services and the use of technology but with the intent of keeping small crossings open.

Toews said the options discussed in the leaked documents are no longer part of the negotiations between the two countries.

Chopaka Port of Entry Like the Canadian port at

Midway, the Chopaka/Nighthawk Port of Entry is a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. border crossing located northwest of Oroville. Currently a new multi-million dollar port of entry building is being constructed on the U.S. (Nighthawk) side of the border with monies from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Although a closure of the Canadian (Chopaka) side of the port of entry would inconvenience those who wish to cross into Canada at this remote crossing, it would have less affect on trade between Osoyoos and Oroville because of the 24-hour commercial port located between the two.

Ron Arrigoni, Port Director for the Oroville Port of Entry is also the supervisor for the Nighthawk (Chopaka) and Ferry (Midway) crossings.

“The new Nighthawk Port of Entry building should be done this month or next and we have no intention of closing the U.S. crossing,” Arrigoni said by phone Tuesday, adding that there were no plans for the Americans to close the Ferry crossing either.

North county juveniles arrested for burglarizing Tonasket business, vehicle theft

By Gary A. DeVon Managing Editor TONASKET – Three juveniles were arrested in connection with a burglary at the Blue Bird Orchards warehouse, as well as the theft of an ATV and a pickup.

Blue Bird Orchards reported a burglary at their warehouse in Tonasket on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at around 7:45 a.m. Several items, including an ATV and a Ford F250 pickup were reported stolen, said Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers in a recent press release.

“At around noon Deputy Isaiah Holloway was contacted by Chief

Warnstaff of Oroville who said he had received information about a juvenile riding an ATV on Palmer Mountain Road. Deputy Holloway drove up to the area and began looking for the ATV and interviewing subjects in the area who had seen the juveniles riding the ATV,” said Sheriff Rogers.

While in the area Deputy Holloway located another vehicle which was parked at the intersection of Palmer Mountain and Eighme roads. The truck’s plates had been switched but it was not listed as stolen at the time, according to the sheriff. The deputy impounded the truck from the site until the owner could be

contacted. As the deputy was impounding the vehicle another vehicle came driving down the road. In the vehicle were two juvenile males who had been seen earlier riding an ATV. “Officer Jim Rice from Tonasket PD arrived on scene to assist Deputy Holloway. During the course of the investigation the juveniles admitted to the burglary and to stealing the pickup truck and ATV from Blue Birds in Tonasket,” said Rogers. “The juveniles took Officer Rice and Deputy Holloway to the location of the stolen pickup which was located on Chewiliken Valley Road out of Tonasket. The stolen

ATV was located at a residence on Palmer Mountain Road.”

The stolen items were recovered and Blue Bird Orchards Company was notified. It appears that the ATV had been stolen from the business approximately a week or so ago and the juveniles had gone back to the business and stolen the truck, according to Rogers.

The suspects in the case were three juvenile males, a 16-yearold from Oroville, a 16-year-old from Tonasket and a 17-year-old from Tonasket. The Tonasket Police Department is handling the burglary and theft investigation.

New Year’s Baby – Verenice Cervantes holds her newborn son, Jonathan, in one of NVH’s new birthing rooms. Jonathan was the first baby born at the hospital in 2011.

Canola crushing company also looks at unique gas generation – Along with their plans to begin crushing canola at Oroville, Carbon Cycle Crush is also pursuing the idea of a wasteto-energy generator that would literally vaporize anything put in it and create liquified gas.

Tonasket Council looking for annexation support – The Tonasket City Council hosted a special meeting to speak with residents of the Seventh Street/ Mill Drive area about the city’s plans to annex the area and provide water and sewer services.

Madison Hatch chosen 2011 May Festival Queen – Madison Hatch was crowned the 2011 May Festival Queen at selection night at Oroville High School.

Her princesses are Kylie Coffelt Richardson, Kelsey Hughes and Naomi Peters.

Oroville Schools on ‘low achieving’ list – The school district named to list that made it eligible for school improvement grants. Superintendent Steve Quick disagrees with the listing.

Tonasket VA Clinic to open Jan. 31 – As of Monday, Jan. 31, local veterans have a much closer option for primary healthcare at the new Veterans Administration clinic at North Valley Hospital.

February Summer Music in the Park approved by Tonasket – The Tonasket City Council approves a new event for the community which will bring music to history park on several Friday’s this summer.

NW Ice Fishing Festival President’s Day Weekend – The seventh annual Northwest Ice Fishing Festival is planned for Sidley Lake near Molson the Saturday of President’s Day Weekend.

NVH Warrants still at $2.6 million – The warrants for North Valley Hospital are still at $2.46 million after a slow January, however, the VA Clinic is now open for business.

Hall of Fame Coach – Tonasket’s Head Wrestling Coach Dave Mitchell was named to the Washington State Hall of Fame of Coaches in a ceremony at the Mat Classic XXIII held at the Tacoma Dome.

Five Oroville students to travel to Turkey - Five Oroville students and their advisor will travel to Turkey as part of a cultural exchange being funded by

the iEarn project.

March DOT answers question at council meeting – The state Department of Transportation answered Tonasket council and community members regarding road repairs and speed zone revisions in the area.

County residents divided on Comp Plan – Okanogan County Commissioners took testimony on the Comprehensive Plan in a hearing held in Oroville March 1.

Many residents divided on what the plan should look like.

Oroville will review Emergency Management Plan – Plan brings city into compliance with Homeland Security rules, makes city eligible for FEMA resources in an emergency.

THS Knowledge Bowl team headed to state – After winning first place at regionals, the Tonasket High School Knowledge Bowl team will compete in the state tournament in Spokane.

Oroville looking to rehab well #4 – The Oroville City Council gave approval to hire a company to rehabilitate the well which is used mostly during the summer months when people are irrigating.

Tonasket agrees on price for old fire hall building – The Tonasket City Council began the process to sell the old fire hall to the EMS District on March 15 when they wrapped up negotiating on a price - $65,000.

PUD hears objections to price hikes – It was a full house last week at the Okanogan County PUD auditorium where commissioners got an earful from farmers worried and angered over the higher electrical rates they’ll pay for irrigation starting April 1.

April RCMP and U.S. Authorities investigating Canadian couples’ disappearance – The disappearance of a Penticton, B.C. couple on their way home from Las Vegas made the national news in both countries.

THS junior accepted into aerospace program – Russell Perry has been chosen for phase one of the Washington Aerospace Scholars Program at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Oroville asks county to encourage eastside sewer hookups – The Oroville City Council approved a letter asking the county commissioners to encourage connection to the Eastside Sewer System to ensure meeting state regulations and to help with payback of the Public Works Trust Fund loan.

Gazette-Tribune and Quad City Herald still county Newspaper of Record – County Commissioners accept NCW Media bid for the third year in a row.

The sister publications will each print all the county legals each week.

Train Master speaks with Oroville Chamber – Oroville See LOOKING BACK on Page 3

Lee Frank employee receives Ace customer service awards

By Brent Baker Staff Writer TONASKET - Richard Tapper is not a man to seek recognition.

But by doing what he does best, he and Tonasket’s Lee Frank Mercantile received it anyway.

Tapper’s assistance to a customer with a number of home projects led to a customer letter written to Ace Hardware’s corporate headquarters. The response to the store was gratifying for Tapper and his coworkers.

“It wasn’t any one incident,” said store manager Stacey Kester.

“Cathy Plumb wrote Ace after they built their new home. Richard was the main person who helped her. She

compared us to the service she’d received at other Ace Hardware’s.

“Richard not only got them everything they needed, he explained everything about the products that they needed to know. He really went above and beyond.” “(He) has helped me with so many projects that when my husband and I got a new manufactured home, I invited this associate to our house warming party so he could see in person all the different projects he helped guide us through,” reads part of Plumb’s letter. “I can count on Richard and all of the other store associates to show me the products and explain the options. Because of this, I get the right product the first time, every time.”

The letter came back to the store, along with an Ace Hardware “Moment of Truth” award certificate signed by corporate president Ray Griffith.

Store owner Dave Kester read the certificate and accompanying letter from the company in an impromptu presentation that Tapper never saw coming.

“Richard was very humbled,” Stacey Kester said. “He made sure that he knew everyone knew he felt it was a team award.”

“It had no idea,” Tapper said.

“The customer sent in a recognition letter and it went cascading through corporate and came back signed by the president. It was quite exciting and quite humbling. What

we do here is from our hearts to help people.

“I try to give 100 percent of myself to people to help meet their need.

I just want to offer my personal thanks to all the customers that come through here.”

Tapper has worked at Lee Frank for most of the last six years, originally coming onto staff after the store reopened following the 2005 fire that destroyed the old store.

And he had developed his reputation long before receiving the recent award.

“He’s developed quite a following of customers,” Kester said. “There’s Photo by Brent Baker people who will come in for what Richard Tapper of Lee Frank Mercantile in Tonasket received Ace they need only when they know he Hardware Corporation’s “Moment of Truth Award” in recognition is on duty.” for outstanding customer service.

INDEX

Movies..............................................................................5

Classifieds/Legals.........................................................7-8

Community ................................................................2-3

Okanogan Valley Life/Columnists .............................5-6

B&S Directory.................................................................8

Letters & Opinions .......................................................4

Obits..............................................................................6

Sports.......................................................................9-10

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Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune • January 5, 2012

Deputies solve burglaries in Oroville School District looking at Twisp and Okanogan within two-year replacement M&O Levy hours of being reported

By Gary A. DeVon Managing Editor

Same suspects involved in burglaries last month, authorities seek Snyder

By Gary A. DeVon Managing Editor OKANOGAN - At the same time suspects were getting themselves “caught on camera” stealing the same-said camera, other burglars were burglarizing cash from the Okanogan Eagles -- within hours of the crimes being reported several suspects were under arrest and authorities are seeking an Oroville man suspected in the crimes.

On Dec. 30 a burglary was reported at a residence outside of Twisp where the owner of the residence had recently died. Deputy Laura Wright responded to the scene and while there learned that the suspects went to the residence and stole several surveillance cameras from the residence and possibly other items.

“The problems for the suspects were…. 1.) the surveillance cameras were on and 2.) Deputy Wright and the complainants in the case all recognized the suspects,” said Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers.

The suspects in this case were, Joshua R. Taylor, 31, Omak and Nicki K. Windsor, 20, Omak.

“The surveillance showed Taylor and Windsor driving back and forth in front of the residence and then going up to the residence and knocking on the door. It also showed Taylor looking directly into the camera as he was stealing it from the outside of the residence,” Rogers said.

At the same time Deputy Tim Newton and Deputy Terry Shrable were dispatched to a burglary complaint at the Okanogan Eagles in Okanogan. The investigation showed that suspects had broken into the Eagles overnight and had stolen between $5000 and $6000 cash.

Deputy Wright had advised the other Deputies on shift that she was looking for Taylor and Windsor for the burglary in Twisp.

Deputy Shrable who was en-route to the burglary at the Eagles in Okanogan spotted Taylor and Windsor in a vehicle as they drove past him. Deputy Shrable was able to turn around and stop them on Highway 97 near the Okanogan County Shop building. At the stop Taylor and Windsor were arrested

OCSO photo

The Okanogan County Sheriff’s office is seeking information on the whereabouts of Kyle A. Snyder, 20, Oroville. He is sought in connection with a burglary at the Okanogan Eagles on Friday, Dec. 30. and taken into custody for the burglary at the Twisp residence.

“During the investigation with Taylor and Windsor it was learned that early this morning, Michael A. McClure, 34, of Omak and Kyle A. Snyder, 20 of Oroville had showed up at Taylor and Windsor’s residence in Omak with a large amount of cash asking if they could get some Meth for them,” said Sheriff Rogers.

“Taylor also admitted to Deputies that the reason he stole the cameras was because he had been contacted by a business in Omak who was looking for a surveillance camera system to protect their business and was willing to pay around $500 for the install. Taylor accepted the job and then drove to Twisp on Christmas morning and stole the cameras from the residence so he could install it on the business in Omak to help stop burglaries.

You can’t make this stuff up...”

Meanwhile, Deputy Shrable and Deputy Newton had gone to the Eagles and while there watched a surveillance tape at the Eagles. On the tape they were able to identify McClure and Snyder as the ones that had done the burglary that night and stole the cash and other items. Deputies began to look for McClure and Snyder, while Deputy Wright was obtaining search warrants for Taylor’s and Windsor’s residence in Omak.

Deputy Newton headed for a location on Highway 155 where they believed McClure might and once in the area the deputy spotted a vehicle which was driven

by McClure and his passenger, Jasmine S. Walts, 31 of Omak, who

had several warrants for her arrest. Deputy Newton stopped the vehicle as it pulled into another residence off of Highway 155, according to Rogers.

“At the stop McClure was interviewed by Deputy Shrable and admitted that he and Snyder were the ones involved in the burglary at the Eagles. McClure was arrested and searched and approximately $3000 cash was located on him. Walts was also arrested at the scene on the warrants,” Rogers said.

Snyder was one of three suspects arrested in connection with the Nov. 10, 2011 burglary at the Methodist Church on Stanton Road near Tonasket. During that burglary over $7000 in items were stolen. Arrested along with Snyder were Joseph E. Dagnon, 45, of Tonasket and Kurtis C. Bishop, 24, Omak/Tonasket. Search warrants later done by Okanogan County Sheriff’s Deputies at a residence in Omak located a large amount of the stolen items from the church.

A search warrant also at Taylor’s and Windsor residence in Omak turned up stolen items from the church in Tonasket as well as stolen items from businesses and residences in Okanogan and the Omak area.

Snyder was booked for the burglary at the church in Tonasket and had a $15,000 bail. Approximately two weeks ago Snyder was bailed out of jail by family members. The sheriff’s office is trying to locate Snyder and asks that anyone who knows his whereabouts or has any information on the suspect contact the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office at 422-7232.

“Snyder has told several people that since he is out of jail and it’s going to be a new year, he is going to continue to burglarize and steal as much as he can until he is caught,” said Rogers.

The investigation is still on going and it is believed that these subjects are involved in multiple burglaries in several areas of the county including the Oroville area and in the City of Omak. Deputies have served several search warrants in Omak and Okanogan in the last few days attempting to recover some of the stolen property.

“I can’t say enough about Deputy Wright, Deputy Shrable and Deputy Newton, they did an incredible job on these cases and these Deputies were involved in solving several burglaries and thefts just a couple of weeks ago, they deserve a lot of credit,” the sheriff said.

OROVILLE – Although there was some discussion of running the Oroville School District Maintenance and Operations Levies in each of the next two years, the superintendent and public comment at the Dec. 19 board meeting was leaning toward retaining the two-year replacement levy option.

“If we run the levy for one year we would have to ask the public two years in a row for a levy,” said Superintendent Steve Quick in his recommendation that the district ask for a two-year replacement levy, the same as it has been for the past several years.

Later, when asked for public comment, Marc Egerton voiced his agreement with Quick, stating he too was concerned about running a one-year levy and asking community approval two years in a row. Egerton’s sentiments were echoed by former school director Tedi Fletcher.

Fletcher said it would be hard to ask the public every year for an M&O Levy.

Later in the meeting, Board Member Rocky DeVon made a motion to run a two-year levy, rather than two one-year levies.

Board Member Christina Rise made a second and the motion was approved three to two.

In Supt. Quick’s report to the board he said the district’s newsletter went out to all addresses in the 98844 Zip Code.

“We received positive feedback from the community,” said Quick, who thanked the Ashmore family for their layout, editing and vision, as well as staff that submitted pictures and articles.

During public comment AnnMarie Ricevuto addressed the board to ask that the Grandby Club be recognized and approved by the board to sell concessions during the NOHI Wrestling Tournament. Grandby Club gives money to wrestlers for ASB cards, sweatshirts, physicals, little kid wrestling and on occasion scholarships, according to Ricevuto. School Board Chairman Phil Barker amended the agenda by adding reinstatement of the Grandby Club as a recognize booster club for the wrestling team and to be allowed to sell concessions at wrestling events. The reinstatement was approved by the board under new business.

Oroville Elementary Principal Joan Hoehn gave her principal’s report. She said the K-3 Winter Concert was good, except for a small glitch in the bleachers and that the 4-6 Concert went well. Hoehn also said that Gear Up is in full swing with several students attending the after school program. She said the elementary school food drive had collected nearly 50 boxes of food.

In her report, High School Principal Kristin Sarmiento said that the junior-senior high school Winter Concert was

good. The high school committee is working on school improvements beginning with the junior high At Risk group and a mandatory study hall for students not passing classes, she said.

Under new business, DeVon made a motion to approve a request from Supt. Quick to reduce the Superintendent’s 2011-2012 schedule by three days as unpaid leave. Board Member Amy Wise seconded the motion and it was approved. Cynthia Pointer was approved as a substitute teacher for the 2011-2012 school year and the board accepted the resignation of Transportation Manager John Steg, who has taken a job with another company. Several coaches were also hired: Laura Kinman, assistant boys soccer coach; Tam Hutchinson, head high school football coach, with Rich Hutchin and Justin Helm as assistants; Luara Kinman, girls soccer coach, with Tony Flores as assistant; Doug Kee, cross country and Brad and Justin Scott, junior high football coaches.

In her financial report, District Business Manager Shay Shaw reported on the missing ASB funds from the junior class.

The question was raised by Director Barker at the previous meeting. Shaw said the funds had been accounted for and that they had been used to pay the DJ at the Tolo Dance. Shaw also reported that enrollment for December was 642, down nine students from November.

Upcoming events at the Tonasket CCC Submitted by Tonasket CCC TONASKET - The holidays have come to an end, but not the happenings at the Community Cultural Center of Tonasket, which offers a full slate of regular and special events through January.

The First Fridays presentation for Jan. 6 is “Everybody’s Favorite Topic: The Weather,” with doors opening at 4:30 and soup and salad served from 5-6:30 p.m. Cost for dinner is $6 for CCC members and $7 for the general public, but the presentation is free.

The Seedy Saturday Seed Exchange will be Jan. 14 from 3-5 p.m., followed by dinner and the Great Barter Faire Mystery/ History show at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. is the Artist’s Paint-In, led by Steph Clark.

The Tonasket Chamber of

Commerce will be holding its annual banquet and benefit auction at the CCC on Thursday, Jan. 19, with dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. Hippies on Vacation will be performing at this event.

Tickets for this event cost $18 per plate and may be purchased from Dave Kester at Lee Frank Mercantile / ACE Hardware, Julie Alley at Tonasket Interiors or Terry Mills.

The Back Country Horsemen will be sponsoring “Cabin Fever Night Out” at the Friday Night Coffee House on Jan. 27. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and the even begins at 6 p.m. Dinner is $6 for CCC members and $7 for the public, with no charge for the event.

Saturday, Jan. 28, the CCC will host a benefit dinner and auction for Conor Prichard. Call Michelle at (509) 322-4864 for more information.

Finally, the monthly free community dinner will be Sunday, Jan. 29, from 2-5 p.m. Dinner is free for those who need it and by donation for those who can afford it.

Regular weekly events include the Zumba exercise class on Mondays from 6-7 p.m. and Fridays from 9-10 a.m.; the Tuesday Buddhist Study Group in the Pamtingpa Center at 6:30 p.m., the Wednesday “Art Attack” after-school program on Jan. 11 and 25 from 1-4 pm. and Jan. 4 and 18th from 3-6 p.m. The Commodity Foods program will be distributing food on Jan. 19, 9-11 a.m., and the One Drop Coffee House will be open for business Monday-Friday, 7-11:30 a.m.

Also the CCC Board will meet for its regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 6:15 p.m., preceded by the events committee meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Basic 4-H training offered Submitted by Ann Fagerlie WSU Extension 4-H Office O K A N O GA N - A b a s i c 4-H training is scheduled

Wednesday, Jan. 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the WSU Okanogan County Extension 4-H Office.

The training covers all aspects of 4-H including, st a r t i n g a n d m a n ag i n g a 4-H club. Instruction will be given on 4-H Policy and Procedures, finances, teaching techniques, learning stages of youth and resources to accomplish youth development goals. Seasoned 4-H leaders, 4-H teen leaders, parents of 4-H’ers or individuals just wanting to learn more about

4-H all welcome to attend.

Okanogan County’s 4-H Program is continually growing and changing. Come and learn what is new and what members, leaders and parents have to look forward to in a 4-H year. The training is free; however, we ask that you call in to sign up so that we can prepare materials for all participants. A light dinner will be provided.

Sign up by calling (509) 422-7245 or email afagerlie@ wsu.edu by 12 noon, January 18th.

January 5, 2012 • Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune

LOOKING BACK: 2011 Year in Review Continued from Page 1

3

FMC Soup Kitchen filling a need

Okanogan River above 15foot floodstage – The river breached the 15-foot floodstage has done an excellent job of south of Tonasket on May 23 and marketing itself, according to the began spilling over the surroundTrain Master for the Cascade and ing lands, raising flood concerns Columbia River Railroad. Keith between Tonasket and Oroville.

Collier made the statement while Oroville school wins $10,000 giving a presentation on the imtech grants – Oroville is one of pact of the short line railroad to nine schools to win the Quest the area’s economy.

Teachers & Technology Grants Morton’s Heavy Haul Corridue to a project submitted for endor bill goes to governor – The try by Oroville teachers George state legislature has approved a Thornton and Kelsey Clevemeasure sponsored by Sen. Bob land.

Morton that extends the haul Full Founders Day Weekend route to south Jennings Loop Rd. – 2011 Miss Tonasket Rodeo and increases weight limits on Jerian Ashley rode on a float the highway from the border. because horses were not allowed Guests and members of the Tonasket Free Methodist Church eat Oroville readying summer due to a communicable equine together at Soup for the Soul on Sunday, Jan. 1. Donated clothing rentals at Veterans Memorial Photos by Brent Baker illness this year. However, even was also available for those who wanted it.

Park – The council was updated Oroville’s Kailee Hutchins saw sans the horses, the parade, roon efforts to transform to resithe needs of people in the deo, fun run and other activities Tonasket’s Sunday Soup to be social, more than because dences at the former state park community and resolved to do they need the food. They may not were well attended. for summer vacation rental use.

Kitchens something about it. see anybody all week and it’s a Eastside Sewer struggling School Board approves reSoup for the Soul: every place to come where they’re not health codes we have to be careto cover PWTF loans – Due to districting plan – The Oroville alone.” slower than predicted build-out, Sunday except the last ful where we get the food from.

School Board approved a new In the month or so that the the county’s Oroville Eastside We did have some meat donated map outlining the redistricting soup kitchen has been running, from approved sources, but for Sewer Project is struggling to Sunday of the month, of the district into four school about 20 guests per week have the most part we have to buy it pay back low interest loans it 12:30-2:30 p.m., Tonasket June director election areas and an visited. Since the church is from the grocery store.” took from the state to construct at-large director’s position.

Free Methodist Church, located nearly a mile uphill out the project which serves people Part of Hutchins’ motivation Kaiser and Henze excited living on the east side of Lake 1 Stanton Loop Rd. to be grand marshals – Walter May Free Community Dinner: Henze and Sarah Kaiser were Osoyoos.

Tension high at council Hearing testimony over- surprised to find themselves last Sunday of each meeting – Tensions ran high whelmingly against Comp chosen as the Tonasket Foundmonth, 2:00-5:00 p.m., when a Tonasket area resident Plan – For more than three years ers Day Grand Marshals for the complained about a dumping Community Cultural a new county comprehensive annual parade and rodeo.

Water levels rising at Lake situation into the Okanogan plan has been in the works, Center of Tonasket, 411 River north of the city. but vehement disapproval from Osoyoos – The state Department U.S. Border Patrol to break S. Western Ave. residents has stymied the plan’s of Ecology continues to report that greater than normal snow- ground on new border station adoption.

– U.S. Customs and Border Pro- By Brent Baker North Valley Hospital do- pack and spring rains are contection has announced that the Staff Writer tributing to high runoff levels in ing well – One third of the way groundbreaking for the new $15 through the 2011 and NVH is do- the Okanogan and Similkameen million state-of-the-art facility TONASKET - Not many twenrivers, resulting in increased ing well meeting target goals for will take place Tuesday, July 12. ty-somethings were out of bed water levels in the lake. warrant reduction in April.

New Year’s Day morning, much less in a church kitchen at 8 a.m. preparing soup for those who A warmly decorated table and sign-in-book greets guests at the don’t have it.

Soup for the Soul soup kitchen.

Kailee Hutchins was. The driving force behind Soup for of town, it has meant providing for starting the soup kitchen was the Soul, a soup kitchen she transportation and finding ways to find out the extent of peoples’ needs in the community. runs out of Tonasket Free Meth- to advertise its presence.

“Some people who like to “My first thought was to start odist Church, was preparing come, we know where they live a homeless shelter,” she said. lunch for the free meal served in the church’s multi-use room so we go and pick them up,” “That would be such a huge Historical photos of the every Sunday but the last of the Hutchins, who lives and works in undertaking. I shared it with my Tonasket area, including this Oroville, said. “We’ve had flyers Bible study group and we just felt month. one of Tonasket High School, “Everyone jokes about me be- at the Junction and around town we had to do something. In the can be found throughout ing 24, that I should be out and and have picked some people end this is what we decided to do: Beyers Market. about late on Saturday nights,” up there. The food bank hands to help serve a need, to actually Hutchins said. “But I have to them out and the CCC has been get to know the people, and find out what the needs really are. get up for soup. My joke is, who advertising for us as well.”

The Community Cultural Cen“Long range I’d still like to do would sign up for this? Oh, wait ter (CCC) provided plenty of help something like that, of finding ... me!”

“I can’t say I’ve known any and encouragement for Hutchins ways to help people get back on young ladies, or young men for as she learned what to do - and their feet. Some people choose that matter, who pretty much what not to do - as she began her to live simply, but others really struggle.” have given up their social lives venture.

“We went and saw how they “Sometimes it’s hard to know to do something like this,” said Tonasket FMC pastor Ron Wise. do things (at their monthly com- where to start ... but Kailee has munity dinner),” Hutchins said. had a good approach,” Wise said.

“It’s pretty refreshing.”

The fact that New Year’s Day “For one thing, we know they do “Everyone needs a meal, and it’s fell on a Sunday this year didn’t theirs the last Sunday of each a chance to get to meet people change that. The food was mostly month and didn’t want to do and know them. That’s when you Photos by Brent Baker prepped and the soup heating anything to interfere with that. can start to fill other needs, as New aisle signs, with names before church services started. We learned a lot from the things they get willing to let you know of local lakes, complement what those are.”

Once church was done - services they learned along the way.” new wall decor to highlight the “She originally approached me As fo r t h e n e a r f u tu r e , take place in the multi-use room new look and feel of Beyers - a team of volunteers, includ- some time ago that she wanted Hutchins’ original plan to keep Market in Tonasket. ing her parents Rich and Kristi, to do something to help people the soup kitchen running through stacked up the chairs, rolled where without jobs, or for who the winter months is subject to out and arranged lunch tables, things weren’t going well,” Wise change, if needed.

“The plan was to run it through set out decorations, and piled said. “I asked her, ‘What would that look like?

What are other March,” she said. “But if we’re additional tables with donated still getting 25 or so people comclothing available for anyone people doing?’

“When she came to me with ing after the weather warms up, who wanted it.

Some of the congregation (her soup kitchen plan), she’d I don’t see a reason to stop if it’s stayed to eat and visit with their really done her homework. She’d filling a need. We might serve already been to the cultural something other than soup, but guests, as well.

“We’re not here to preach, and center and had a good feel for if people are coming I’d like to we’re not working up to some- what needed to be done. This has keep doing it.”

Submitted by Janet Nelson recommendation has been taken to the Okanogan thing,” Hutchins said. “We’ll totally been her thing from start Wise said that he’s already Field Supervisor County Commissioners for their final decision. say a prayer before the meal to finish.” seen an impact on people within Noxious Weed Control Brd. Any comments must be sent to the commissioners we’ll play Christian music in the Some of that process included the church as well. before Jan. 13, 2012. The commissioners’ mailing background and we’ll let them submitting a plan to the health “I think there’s people getting OKANOGAN – The Okanogan County Noxious address is: Okanogan County Commissioners, 123 know they’re welcome to come to department, getting food han- involved where they haven’t Weed Board accepted Bonnie Lawrence’s applica- 5th Ave. N. # 150, Okanogan, WA 98840-9436 church if they like. But this isn’t dling licenses and discovering been, who are seeing more spetion for the Area 2 Position at the board’s Tuesday, The other members of the board include Johnny a time for (church members) to limitations on food that needed cific needs in the community.”

Dec. 27 meeting.

Pitts from Malott in Area 1, Shauna Hicks of Twisp ‘talk church.’ It’s a time to serve to be honored.

“The church has been very posLawrence, from Omak, currently serves in in Area 3, Vicki Davis of Tonasket in Area 4 and and spend time with people.

“There was nothing unreason- itive and supportive,” Hutchins this position and the board recommended she be Jan Asmunssen of Tonasket, the chairwoman of There definitely won’t be any able,” Hutchins said. “But it did said. “It’s a pain to have to rearreturned as Area 2 Position board member. This the board, in Area 5. force us to have a plan.” range the whole room right after sermons or altar calls.

She said that donations are (services), but everyone has “Having so many of our church members stay and eat with being accepted for money and been behind it. People have been people, I hope it makes them clothing, but in most cases not happy that we have something like this. It’s really the kind of feel more comfortable. We’ve for food.

“We’ve been the food at Beyers thing I think a church needs to found that some (guests) come and stay just because they want Market,” she said. “Because of be doing.”

Oroville Council prepares for potential flooding – The city took steps to prepare for flooding by approving a plan to bring in sandbags in case the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers overflow their banks this spring.

John and Joy Lawson are May Fest Grand Marshals – John and Joy Lawson, wellknown and respected members of the Oroville community, were chosen as this year’s May Festival Grand Marshals.

Yearly evaluation shows ‘market bubble’ went pop – The recent reassessment of the Oroville area showed a 10 percent overall drop in property values, according to county auditor Scott Furman.

‘Lakeside Paradise’ was theme of 77th May Festival – Oroville’s May Festival had much to offer again this year with the grand parade, three on three basketball, barbecue and much more.

New look at Beyers Market

Lawrence seeks Weed Board position

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OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE • January 5, 2012

The Town Crier Interesting to look back at year that was OUT OF MY MIND Gary A. DeVon If you get the chance take a moment to look back with us over the previous year’s headlines, I always find it interesting.

We saw several recurring themes in 2011, especially when it came to government agencies.

County residents seemed to get most hot under the collar regarding increases in our electrical rates and the direction of the still unfinished Comprehensive Plan. Public meetings on both issues were often well attended and tension filled.

Other recurring themes, mixed in with annual festivals and events, included the ongoing battle to pay down the warrants at North Valley Hospital, plans to annex and provide sewer service to the Mill Drive/Seventh Street area of Tonasket and discussions over how to pay back the loans

for the Eastlake Sewer System.

Then there were the ongoing city council and school board meeting discussions.

Something that dominated the news for a time this spring, and a story that I’d almost already forgotten about, was the spring runoff that brought worries about potential flooding between Tonasket and Oroville. It was no flood of 1972, but it was good to see local county and city governments doing their best to prepare for the worst should it have happened.

The canola crushing plant got a lot of ink this year as they kept trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together to start up their business. Just last month they crushed their first big run of canola seeds. We continue to wish them all the best in the new year as they bring badly needed new jobs to the area.

It came as no surprise that the area had taken a downturn construction wise. Vacation-housing had slowed considerable from the couple of previous years.

Okanogan County Assessor Scott Furman let us know just how much it had dwindled when he announced that the latest

yearly reassessment showed a 10 percent drop in property evaluation in the Oroville area.

In fact, the only construction other than at Oroville Reman and Reload seemed to have been done by the federal government with work underway on a new Border Patrol Station and Nighthawk Port of Entry – both multimillion dollar projects.

Although the schools continue to struggle with financing as the state keeps cutting back, there was often good news from Tonasket and Oroville School Districts. Lucky Oroville students got to travel to the Dominican Republic and to Turkey on cultural exchange programs, Dave Mitchell was named a Washington Hall of Fame Coach, a Tonasket student was accepted into the Washington Aerospace Scholarship Program at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, two Oroville teachers won a $10,000 technology grant for the school and George Thornton was a Golden Apple winner for teaching excellence. To start the year off right the Hornets handily won in their first visit to Qwest Field in the Emerald City Kickoff Classic. Much positive news

came out of both schools.

Although I don’t look forward to actually typing up our Looking Backs, I do enjoy the reminder of

how active our coverage area is and the many diverse things that combine to make our communities what they are. I hope you

enjoy this first installment of our year in review and stick around to read about the second half of the year next week.

The Undependable Wealthy Taxpayer

By Brendan Miniter The President recently took the stage in Osawatomie, Kansas and delivered what looks to be his administration’s definitive statement on income inequality.

Obama called this a “make or break it” moment for the American middle class. And he made it explicitly clear his favored solution for inequality is higher taxes on the rich, calling the current tax rules on top earners “the height of unfairness.”

This idea is picking up steam well beyond the Democratic caucus. Even Warren Buffet wants higher rates on the wealthy. In this push, however, tax activists are ignoring an inconvenient truth: a tax sys-

tem heavily dependent on the wealthy is highly volatile and a breeding ground for bitter budget battles.

Consider three examples.

The first is California. The Golden State has been stumbling for years. We can blame its economic woes on a wide range of things, including environmental regulations, unstable electricity markets, and tax rates that have driven businesses to Colorado, Texas and elsewhere. But we can also see that its budget deficits are, in large part, due to movement in one category of taxpayers.

From 2007 to 2008, California saw a sharp decline in taxes paid by those with incomes above $200,000 a year. After crunching the numbers, UCLA

professors Andrew G. Atkeson and William E. Simon Jr. concluded in January that this decline accounted for “fully 93 percent of the decline in total tax revenues from 2007-08.” A collapse in taxes paid by the wealthy put the state into the red.

The second example is New York. A full fifth of the Empire State’s revenues come from taxes on financial companies.

So the economic collapse of the past few years has led to plummeting revenues and a huge increase in public debt. In June 2007, the sixteen highest taxed banks paid $173 million to the New York treasury. A year later, as the country was about to plunge into financial panic, those same firms paid just $5 million in state taxes -- a 97 percent decrease.

For all the trouble they have had, at least California and

New York have confronted their budget problems in real time -- however misguided their taxrate-raising approach.

Our third example -- the federal government -- shows us that putting off the day of reckoning doesn’t make it easier to solve deficit problems.

According to data from the IRS, between 2007 and 2009, the number of tax filers with reported incomes of $1 million or more decreased from 390,000 to 237,000. As a result, the taxes paid by this group dropped 42 percent -- from $309 billion to $178 billion. The drop-off in tax payments gets steeper the higher up the income ladder you go.

In the same period, the number of Americans with incomes of $10 million or more fell by 55 percent -- from 18,394 to 8,274 -- causing tax revenue from this category to drop by 51 percent.

Falling tax revenue from the rich is a huge reason federal revenues are now just 15 percent of GDP, down from 18% or more in recent years.

Back in the early 2000s, when public officials thought tax revenues from the wealthy would remain robust, it looked like the feds might actually pay off the national debt. Today, with spending far outstrips revenues total federal debt has climbed to $15 trillion.

This is spike in national debt is precisely the danger of a tax system overly dependent the rich. And it’s a very good reason to believe that hiking rates on the “one percent” won’t solve our budget problems.

The truth is that the wealthy are unreliable taxpayers because their income is volatile.

So a deadlocked super committee might have saved us from a Washington deal that would

have left us more dependent an unstable tax source -- the rich -- and thereby has provided us with an opportunity to debate a reliable solution to our debt problems: economic growth.

Instead of seeking to tax the rich, we would do better to curb excessive spending and concentrate on enacting policies, such as tax simplification, aimed at sparking economic growth. With growth all things are possible. We can lower unemployment, raise living standards, and pay down our national debts. What’s more, in a booming economy we’ll also likely find that the wealthy are once again paying a bumper crop in taxes.

Brendan Miniter is Senior Editorial Director at the George W. Bush Institute and editor of the forthcoming book on economic growth, The 4% Solution, published by Crown.

those who put forth the least.

Then., we as teachers, were supposed to grade strictly on improvement, not the quality of work produced. But we were also told to tell the students that they had been put into a special group.

There was an amazing result.

There were a few students who didn’t improve on the quality of their work; but, a high percentage of students made a significant improvement.

The reason being that each of the students began to see themselves as being different from what they had been, began having a different persona about themselves because the teachers also expected quality results.

As a teacher, and as a person, I learned an incredible lesson.

If you are not phony in your appreciation of others but are honest, articulate and expressive of what others do for you most, if not all, of your daily contacts will be a far more pleasant experience.

I share this experience with you as we enter a new year. Be appreciative of what you have and what others do for you. If you are reading this, then you have eyes that can see. If someone is reading this to you, then you have the gift of hearing.

Be appreciative and thankful for what you have, not wasting time complaining what you don’t have. Strive to improve what you have and who you are. If you open a door, look behind you because maybe you’ll have the opportunity to hold the door for the person behind you. Or, if someone holds the door open to you, thank them.

In other words, be appreciative of what others do for you and be thankful when you have the opportunity to do something for others.

2012 is upon us. Let us seek to improve the world in which we live. Let us set a goal of doing this one day at a time and let it begin with you and me. Have a

great and wonderful New Year.

These words come from the Old Coffee Drinker.

Randy Middleton Tonasket

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The tranquility of servitude Dear Editor, I find it interesting that the sound bit of: “the rich need to pay their fair share” has so many in the nation hypnotized and deluded into thinking that this will solve our financial problems.

From the sound of Dan Dixon’s letter our situation can be fixed now that 200 millionaires have stepped forward and asked to be taxed at a higher rate. Has Dan and these millionaires he speaks of forgotten that our legislative body broke their own bank with over 8000 personal bounced checks and then after promising to fix the problem that they made, they bounced another 4000 checks?

These same people who can’t handle their own money now have their fingers in 500 other banks around the country, but apparently all we need to do is remember that “if the rich will just pay their fair share” we can get thru this crisis.

Our Demander on Chief was part of that problem and now has continued down that path of elitist incompetence, spending money that isn’t his, to buy votes for himself, in the same way other politicians have done. As so many in our nation “crouch down and lick the hand that feeds them,” believing the bogus sound bits that our leaders emit like flatulent designed to be a kind of incense for the masses, I wonder if more money spent on the Ponzi schemes, and created crisis, and bailouts (for votes), and stimulus packages (for votes) and the promise of jobs, (created by a government that can only produce more of itself ) will ever be seen as the lipstick on a pig solution that it is. How can this nation ever expect to recover from the fiscal calamity that our “public servants”

have put us in by practicing the same phony policies of debt continuation and expansion?

To those who envy the rich and call for more of their wealth to be thrown into the government-created canyon of waste, fraud, political payoffs, influence pedaling, unwanted and useless bureaucracies, I would close with more of the warning Sam Adams gave this nation,”may your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen” as you look for the “tranquility of servitude” offered by a body of leaders that in most cases need to be stripped of their assets and thrown in prison.

Steve Lorz Tonasket

Improve the world Dear Editor, Well 2011 will be like the geese. In fact, by the time you read this 2011 will have left.

And, unlike the geese, 2012 will be upon us. How will you live 2012?

How you live it will be by your choice. I can remember many, many years ago when the principal, under whom I was teaching, had all the eighth grade students rate each of their fellow eighth graders as to who put forth the most effort.

The number three represented those students that their peers saw them as not putting forth much effort. Number two represented the average and number one indicated those who put forth the most effort. These numbers represented effort not grades achieved.

Without the students knowing how they had been rated, they were then put into one of three groups and told that number one represented those who put forth the most effort and number three represented

Politics and politicians Dear Editor, As has been the case for the past few decades, the vast majority of professional politicians believe that the citizens of America do not deserve a chance at self-government.

It is suggested that we genuinely do. What we experience and participate in today is no longer reflective of a fully selfgoverning society.

With small to medium sized p r o t e st s o c c u r r i n g a c r o s s America, and in Europe where some violence has taken place, it is obviously the right time to recognize that our governmental branches need to evolve to a level in which the government supports the direction that our particular society (and along with a few other around the globe as well) wants to go, versus tolerating an overreaching national government that insists on being in control of the general populace one-hundred percent of the time.

Another great challenge for us today is not what we can do for our country, but rather what we can for ourselves and our communities that will lessen or eliminate the societal damage that is presently being caused by high-level politicians and mid-level bureaucrats that are largely unseen.

We need to consider a new method of thinking and comprehension, which will in turn increase our awareness of wisdom and how it can provide inspiration for ourselves, our great country, and last but not least, all of humanity.

Ray Gattavara Auburn, Wash.

January 5, 2012 • Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune

A New Year 2012, when all the changes that were to be are still in the making, and only time will tell what’s yet to come. Not a real pretty picture. But survival is the name of the game. It was a quiet

Okanogan Valley Life

time at our house bringing in the New Year. In fact I didn’t last ‘til the stroke of midnight.

The weather has been quite nice. Even saw folks eating lunch outside the Mexican mobile taco wagon, December 27th.

The nearest thing to snow was a warm rain.

Discussions concerning Lamar Wolley, is that he had some recent health issues that were remedied in Seattle, and has since been seen working on one of the big trucks….does that guy have (9) lives or is he affiliated with the energizer bunny? (Takes a lickin’

5

and keeps on tickin’) A recent drive around town found fewer lights than some years in the past, or so it seemed to us. We know Jack Hughes didn’t have all his exotic “stuff” on display, but, sometimes work has to come before play. Not only is it costly to have the many lights and displays, it is a LOT of work and then comes the days after when all has to be packed away for another year.

Another thing missing from our usual routine this past Christmas, was breakfast with the Ben Hylton family at Whitestone

Church on Christmas Eve morning. Don’t like to miss out on that tradition, but just couldn’t do it this year.

There are many rumors going around about the closing of some of the smaller border crossings into Canada, and the Nighthawk station is one of them, but seemingly it is the Canadian side who purposes the closings or perhaps joining with the U.S. side. Governments don’t always share their plans until after the fact. Time will tell on this one. It also seems that numerous small post offices are on the “chopping

block”.

How about those Oroville girls basketball team winning from Omak? Good job!

It has been a long, difficult, pull for Ted Williams to win the battle of bronchial pneumonia, but things were looking brighter at last report. He was put into an induced coma for a period of time to make breathing easier on his body. Hopefully he continues to improve a rapid pace.

Wednesday night is a good time to go the American Legion and have one of the big, juicy hamburgers that the two Mari-

lyn’s cook up, and also visit with others that weren’t in the mood for cooking that night. The prices are good and the money goes for a worthy cause. Try it once and you’ll go back, I just betcha’!

Our daughter Jeril and her husband, from East Wenatchee, spent New Year’s with us. Things always liven up a bit when she is around. She’s in the jewelry making mode now, and makes some very interesting pieces.

I am glad the confusion of holidays falling on Sunday is over with. I can’t seem to keep the days in the correct order.

the Grange on Monday nights at 7 p.m. you too could get your name in the paper. If you need more information about playing you could call George or Willie Penner at 485-1922.

The Ladies Auxiliary will

meet on Jan. 5 with a Potluck at 12 p.m.. They will start putting together the Drawing Baskets that will be for sale at the Pancake Feeds. Tickets will be $1 each or 6 for $5. The Feeds will start in February.

The regular Grange meeting will be held on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m.

January is Knob Hill Membership Month. The first meeting of the year will be on Jan. 25 at 12 p.m. with a potluck

lunch. Dues for the club are $5 per person or $8 per family and will be due at the meeting. It will also be the election of new officers. Want to join? Please call Linda Todd at 485-2142.

Until next week.

hilltop comments Submitted by Marianne Knight Well, here we are in the first week of the new year, 2012.

So I will finish off the old year with the Pinochle scores

from Dec. 26 with only 23 in attendance. The High’s went to Ray Visser and Vivian Emry.

The Low scores were Jerry Beeman and Willie Penner.

The Traveling went to Jerry Beeman. If you want to come to

tonasket eagles Submitted Pinochle scores from last Sunday are: Tie for First and Second, Gene Michels and Jeff Wilson; Low Score - Jewel Seim; Last Pinochle - Sue and Ron Wisener.

Our New Year’s Eve party was a great success and was well attended. The Muddy River Band was really good.

Friday Night Bingo has over $10,000 in prizes to give away.

Bingo is at 7 p.m. on Fridays.

Before Bingo the Friday Night Kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m. and has many tasty things to eat.

They have a different special every week.

On Sunday mornings the Auxiliary has breakfast from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The food is good and so is the price!

Bingo and the kitchen are open to the public. As always we are in need of volunteers for

Bingo and the kitchen. Help out your Eagles and volunteer once a month.

Coming up on Saturday, Jan. 14 there will be a memorial service for Larry Scriver at 11 a.m.

We are saddened to report the passing of Brother Russell Hanna on Dec. 30.

We wish anyone who is ill a speedy recovery to good health.

God bless you all, the Biggest Little Eagles in the state.

community bulletin Local Food Banks OROVILLE – The Oroville food bank operates every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., excluding holidays, in the basement of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. For more information, call Jeff Austin at 476-3978 or Sarah Umana at 476-2386. It is that time of year again - the Oroville Food Bank could use help in food and money donations for the upcoming holiday season and thank you too everyone who helped out through the year.

TONASKET – The Tonasket food bank operates every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Sarge’s Burger Bunker, 101 Hwy 97 N. For more information contact Jack Gavin at (509) 486-2480.

Highland Wonders Event TONASKET – Okanogan Highlands Alliance presents a Highland Wonders educational event, “Everybody’s favorite topic: The Weather”, on Friday, Jan. 6 at the Community Cultural Center, 411 S. Western Ave., Tonasket. Dinner benefiting the Cultural Center will be served at 5 p.m. and the presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. with tea, coffee and desserts. John Livingston, Meteorologist in charge at the Spokane National Weather Service (NOAA) will share insight into the weather of the Okanogan Highlands and surrounding areas.

For more information contact Julie Ashmore at (509) 433-7893 or julie@ okanoganhighlands.org or visit www.okanoganhighlands.org/ education.

Spiritual Game Night OROVILLE – The Humuh Buddhist-Life Science/Meditation Center in Oroville at 1314 Main St., will be having a spiritual game night on Saturday, Jan. 7 starting at 6:30 p.m. We will be playing charades with spiritual phrases. Come join the fun! Admission is by donation.

Monthly Work Session AENEAS VALLEY – The Okanogan Fire District No. 16 commissioners in Aeneas Valley will hold their monthly work session Monday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Sun Ranch Commons facility located at 1183 Aeneas Valley Road. The public is invited to attend. Call Mike Woelke at (509) 486-1386 for more information.

First Aid/CPR Class OROVILLE – First Aid and CPR class will be held Jan. 9, 10 and 11 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Oroville Grade School Library. Bring a pillow the first night. For information call Ben Hylton (509) 223-3412 leave message.

Zumba Fitness Challenge OROVILLE – Oroville Zumba instructors challenge you to find a healthier you this New Year. Attend classes, partake in weekly challenges and lose inches all in an effort to help you make healthy choices for

Calendars

the New Year. The participant with the most points will not only find satisfaction in staying active, but will also take home a cash jackpot! Multiple class opportunities are available at both Studio Fit & Fab and Oroville Fitness Center. There is an entry fee per participant, which goes into the jackpot. Challenge begins Jan. 9. For more information contact Charleen Kemper at (734) 260-3353 or Lisa Lindsay at (509) 560-3828.

NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON – 2012 Hometown Soldier Calendars are available at local establishments such as Oroville Re/Max, Tonasket Lee Franks and Omak’s New Hope Chapel. For more locations go to www.facebook.com/ncw.blue. star.mothers. All proceeds go to help military families in times of need. Will ship. (509) 485-2906.

Town Hall Meeting

Family Caregivers Support Group

OROVILLE – Parents, teachers and staff are invited to a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the OHS Commons. Items to be discussed are the upcoming M&O Levy in February, meet the new school board members, Mr. Quick, Mrs. Sarmiento and Mrs. Hoehn. Concerned parents, teachers and staff members with questions are asked to send questions to the orovillePTO@ gmail.com or private message on Facebook.

Free NAT Class TONASKET – North Valley Extended Care is now accepting applications for the next Nursing Assistant Training Class beginning Jan. 30. This class will be completed in March. Applications may be picked up at the NVH Human Resources office.

This is an excellent opportunity for motivated, caring individuals to prepare for a challenging career, leading to employment.

Course content includes basic personal care, restorative and technical skills needed to care for residents and individuals rehabilitating towards independence. Interviews for the class will start Jan. 19; applications will no longer be received after Jan. 24. For information call the Extended Care at (509) 486-3110 or Dixie Brown at (509) 486-2151 ext. 353.

Oysters, and more OROVILLE - The first class for Winter Quarter will have your tummy growling with anticipation. Bill Nicholson will give you a brief lesson about the many kinds of oysters, how and where they are grown and which ones are best. And, then you will eat them – fresh, or cooked every which way! You are encouraged to bring a side dish to share.

Some beverages will be provided.

Find some friends to come along and enjoy this always fun feast of fresh, live Alaska oysters on Friday, Jan. 20. Coming as a couple and just one eats oysters?

Then, only one registration fee is required. It’s time for a party to start the New Year! Call Ellen at 476-2011 for more information or to register for this event. There is also a registration form on the back of our blue catalog found in businesses around town. www. northvalleycommunityschools. com.

Hometown Soldier

OROVILLE – Are you caring for a family member? Aging and Adult Care of Central Washington will be starting a support group for family caregivers. Caregiving can have its challenges and often family caregivers aren’t aware of the help available, how to find it, or how it can actually be of benefit to the caregiver. For more information on a support group starting in the Oroville area contact Wendy Shrable at (888) 437-4147 ext. 408.

6

Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune • January 5, 2012

Okanogan Valley Life obituaries Caroline M. Zabreznik

Caroline M. Zabreznik, 73, passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. She was born July 2, 1938 in Vancouver, Wash., as Caroline M. Balderson.

Caroline was raised in Oregon.

In 1953, she moved to Tonasket with foster parents, Elmer and

Cecil Musgrave to the Aeneas Valley. She graduated from Tonasket High School in 1956.

Caroline attended Kinman Business School in Spokane. On May 25, 1957 she married Louis D. Zabreznik in Aeneas Valley.

Caroline is survived by her husband of 54 years, Louis D. Zabreznik; her sons John and his wife, Donna, Mick and his wife, Gayla, all of Tonasket; brother, Jim and his wife Jan Balderson of Sandy, Ore.; grandchildren LaGail and Darren, Brad and Lacey, Krista and Ty, Brent and Evelia; great-grandchildren Michael, Ryden, Cadence, Tyce, Alex, Connor and Levi; many nieces and nephews and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Eldon; her mother, Mary; her sister, Sally; foster parents, Elmer and Cecil Musgrave; her in-laws, Louie and Jessie Zabreznik.

Her interests included following the many activities of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Online

condolences may be shared with family at http://legacymemorial. info.

Celebration of Caroline’s life will be held Jan. 7, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the Tonasket Senior Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tonasket Senior Center.

Legacy Memorial Funeral Home, Omak, has been entrusted with caring for the family.

Justin ‘Benny’ Gemmell

Justin ‘Benny’ Gemmell, age 19, of Oroville passed away Sat-

urday, Dec. 31, 2011. He was born July 31, 1992 in Porterville, Calif., to parents Cheri Ann Cole and Jim Gemmell.

Justin came to Oroville in 1998 and attended Oroville High School. He enjoyed making people laugh, listening to music and writing lyrics. He loved hanging out with his friends Kevin, John, Brodie and Justin R., as well as many others.

Justin is survived by his mother, Cheri Ann Cole of Oroville; his father, Jim Gemmel of Oroville; grandparents: Joanne Ventre of Henderson, Nev. and Shirley ‘J’ Gemmell of Porterville, Calif; sister, Crissa A. Eisen and brother-in-law, Daniel Eisen; sister, Rachel Cole; nephew, Tyler Worster, Brayton Worster, Brison Verstagen; niece Kaydience of Omak; sister, Lisa (Cole) Martinez and Brother-in-law, Efrin Martinez; nephew, Patrick, Gianni; Niece, Aurora and Julian; Nephew, Kyle Nored of Huntington Beach, Calif.; brother, JJ Gemmell and Heather (Spiedell) Gemmell of Ridgecrest, Calif.; sister, Patti Gemmell of Lindsey, Calif.; brother-in-law, Maverick Thompson; and nephew, Hunter Thompson; as well as numerous aunts and uncles.

He is preceded in death his Grandpa Jerry Ventre and his Grandpa Frank N. Gemmell Sr. Family and friends are invited to attend his service at Valley Christian Fellowship on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m., with Randy McAllister, Officiating and Honorary Pall Bearers: Kevin Rounds, John Leantzy, Justin Rounds and Brody N. Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville in care of arrangements.

Cecil Blaufuss.

She is survived by her husband of the home, Dick Miller of Omak; her children: daughter, Chris (Don) Whittington of Tonasket, son, Eb (Tina) Buck of Newberg, Ore., son, Rex (Patti) Buck of Carlton, Ore., daughter, Peggy Keen (fiancé Darren Curtis) of Tonasket; sister, Carol (Steve) Leslie of Chesaw; her brother, Clarence (Jan) Fry; sister-in-law, Donna Webster of Okanogan; and her longtime friends, Genon Pickering of Tonasket and Mettie Fry of Omak.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Legacy Memorial Funeral Home in Omak. A memorial service will be held in Tonasket at the Eagles on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to North Valley Extended Care facility. Condolences may be left for the family at www.legacymemorial.info.

Clayton Draggoo and Legacy Memorial Funeral Home have been entrusted with the arrangements.

Theda Jones

Gilbert J. Doucette

Josephine M. Miller

Josephine M. Miller, 76, a lifelong resident of Tonasket went peacefully into the arms of our heavenly Father Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011.

Josephine was born Dec. 11, 1934 to Clifford and Sylvia Fry in Omak. She grew up surrounded by her three brothers and two sisters. She attended Loomis and Tonasket schools for her education. She met Clyde Dellinger at a dance in Riverside and they married shortly thereafter.

This union produced a daughter whom they named Chris. In 1952 Josephine married Homer Buck Jr. They had four children: Eb, Debra, Rex and Peggy. The family grew and flourished in Tonasket and can recount many fun filled times and memories. Jo was a cook and a school bus driver until 1976 and had worked for Haskel and Burns packing shed for over 30 years. The children, grandchildren (17), great grandchildren (17) and a great great grandchild were the joy of her life. In the twilight of her years she met Richard ‘Dick’ Miller.

They married March 30, 2002 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Dick was a true and loving companion.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Luella Grace; brothers George and Ronald Fry; husbands Homer Buck Jr., Kenneth Hereth and

and Kathleen (Terry) Pickrel of Tucson, Ariz.; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Pickrel; grandson, Ian Pickrel, all from Tucson, Ariz; stepdaughter, Kimberley Ellis; son-in-law, Mark Pellegrini; grandson, Blaine Pellegrini all from Oroville; aunt, Lucy Doucetter of Wedgeport, N.S.; brother-in-law, Bob Ellis; sisterin-law, Brenda Ellis of Oroville; brother-in-law, Richard Ellis; sister-in-law, Mary Ellis of Oroville; sister-in-law, Marge Turner of Oroville; nephew, Tim and Rhonda Scott of Penticton, B.C.; niece, Cheryl and John Jackson of Calgary, Alta. and many more nieces, nephews, family and friends.

There will be a gathering at a later date to remember Gilbert’s life with family and friends.

The Doucette family is being served by Neptune Society of Spokane, Wash.

Master Sergeant Gilbert J. Doucette USAF (retired) passed away peacefully on Dec. 5, 2011 at the age of 68 at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee following a sudden illness.

Gilbert was born on June 1, 1943 in Somerville, Mass., to Joseph Elmer Doucette and Marie Surette and grew up and attended school in Wilmington, Mass. Soon after high school he joined the United State Air Force in October 1960. Gilbert served with honor before he retired in January 1985. While spending most of his time in Germany as a Chief Geodetic Survey Technician for nine years and a Cartographic/Photogrammetric Technician (Mapper) for 15 years. Gilbert received many awards, ribbons and medals during his career before being honorably discharged from the USAF. After retiring from the USAF he settled in Oroville where he met his long time partner of 20 years, Rosalie Ellis, before getting married Dec. 31, 2009. He was a member of the Oroville American Legion Post 84. His favorite hobbies were stamp collecting from all over the world, cooking, computers and spending time with his family and friends. He was not only our beloved son, husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend, but a hero to our great nation and to all the knew him.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Elmer Doucette of Wedgeport, N.S.; step-father, Sam Noble of Penticton, B.C.; brother-in-law, Roy Kennedy of Penticton, B.C. and sister and brother-in-law, Fern and Bill Hill from Kaslo, B.C. Gil will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his mother, Marie Noble; Sister, Phyllis Kennedy both of Penticton, B.C.; wife, Rosalie Ellis of Oroville; daughters: Tara (Mitch) Hayes of Tucson, Ariz.

Theda Lee Balmes Jones was born March 30, 1925 in Oroville, and passed away on Dec. 13, 2011.

While growing up in Oroville, she helped in the family orchards and various duties such as making fruit packing boxes, picking cherries and apples at the Oro Fruit Warehouse, in which her family was part owners. She graduated from Oroville with the Class of 1944. After graduation she went to the Morse School of Cosmetology in Spokane, then went on to Los Angeles, Calif., to continue her education at Sullivan Beauty School and Charles of the Ritz. She began working as a cosmetologist with Mary Hallesworth Salon in Beverly Hills.

Theda was licensed in three states in Cosmetology: Washington, Idaho and California.

She was married to John W. Jones in June 1948 where they lived in Wallace, Idaho for a short time and returned to Oroville in 1950 where she opened a beauty salon in Oroville and worked in the family orchards until retiring in 1990. She also enjoyed serving many years on the Election/ Counting Board, loved to site see the area-going to Lost Lake to camp with her family, going back to the Ruby Mine, loved to dance and roller skate at the “Zippy” building and loved history and politics. Theda lived a short time in Burlington, Wash., but moved back to Oroville in 1995. Theda loved her dogs and cats and told many stories about them. She has seen the majority of changes in her 86 years that have taken place in the Oroville area.

She lovingly took care of her parents, Oliver and Gleneva Balmes and her sister Lita Balmes Gould, who preceded her in death.

Theda had three children: Lana Riedel (Wes) of Mount Vernon, Wash. Glenna Morgan of Oroville and John Jones of Oroville. She has three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Bergh’s Funeral Services in Oroville will be in charge of arrangements for services on Jan. 7, 2012 at 11 a.m.. Please share your thoughts and memories by signing Theda’s online guestbook at www.berghfuneralservice.com.

911/sheriff report Thursday, December 22 There was a report of suspicious activity on Angle Trailer Park in Brewster, intoxicated male driving a white minivan, showed up and knocked on the door twice.

A person, who was driving without a license was stopped on Okanogan Street, near Mallot Rd. A report of a verbal dispute between boyfriend and girlfriend on Hwy. 97 near Oroville There was a non-injury accident reported on Salmon Creek Rd. A report of a vehicle that hydroplaned and rolled over with driver and a front passenger who were not using a seatbelt. Driver took

the person home prior to going to the Mid-Valley Hospital to seek medical care. Driver had no injuries, but vehicle suffered extensive rear end damage There was report of a domestic dispute on Six Gun Way near Oroville. The caller reported that his wife assaulted him on the head with a roll of duct tape.

While the caller was with the police, dispatcher could hear the wife arguing with him.

Custodial intervention on Pitt Rd, Twisp Police were called for an injured deer near roadway, south of See STATS on Page 8

January 5, 2012 • Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune

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8

OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE • January 5, 2012

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Tonasket.

Report of suspicious activity on Bolster Rd. near Oroville. Upon arrival police found tracks around the residence and into the back shed.

Gas caps were removed from two vehicles and possibly gas was taken from the cars. Police followed track to the neighbor’s driveway A report of a dog harassing calves and horses about four blocks from the bridge in downtown Omak.

Friday, December 23 Police responded to a call on a domestic violence involving intoxicated subjects. A subject was taken to custody for domestic violence on Moccasin Flat HUD Rd. near Omak.

A report of a medical response on the Loomis-Oroville Rd. near Tonasket for a 77-year-old female with a possible stroke who was found on the bathroom floor, unresponsive, awake and breathing.

An accident was reported on Salmon Creek Rd. The vehicle was partially blocking the road. The car was abandoned. No one in or around the vehicle.

Report of suspicious activity on W. Third and S. Douglass St. in Omak. Two juveniles in their midteens where seen in front of a blue residence on corner looking in red vehicle parked out front. When the subjects saw the reporting party driving by they left the area. One male went into alley; the other was sitting at corner of Third and Cedars and was found in possession of marijuana.

There was an accident on Riverside Dr. by Arby’s Restaurant in Omak.

A Sunrise disposal garbage truck backed into a light pole, which was damaged.

An ongoing problem with vandalism was reported on North Birch St in Omak.

Hang up calls from a pay phone was reported on Engh Rd. A wallet theft was reported from the Walmart parking lot. Someone was on a scooter cart at Walmart, while the reporting party parked the scooter and walked around the clothes area someone took money

out of the wallet.

An Okoma Dr. resident in Omak reported getting threatening text messages from daughter’s exboyfriend threatening to burn her house down. Suspect lives in Bridgeport.

A grandfather in Omak called the police reporting a threat from his grandson who wanted money to pay his cell phone bill. Caller wanted protection because he is afraid he is going to be beat up by the subject since about six months ago the subject told him that he does not have any problem in hitting an old man.

A harassment by cell phone was reported on Okoma Dr, Omak. The caller reported that the subject has called her cell phone about three times and the caller’s sister’s cell approximately three to four times.

The reporting party had asked the caller to stop calling, without any success.

A trespasser was removed from Main St., Omak after caller requested the police for assistance to remove the person from the property.

Accident on First and Western.

Reporting party backed into older orange Ford. Vehicle was unoccupied at time of collision. No injuries were reported.

Saturday, December 24 Domestic violence call on Hwy. 97 near Oroville. The caller reported an argument with boyfriend. Caller is eight months pregnant and boyfriend hit her on the face. Boyfriend is intoxicated. When police showed up the suspect was at mother’s home in an unknown address. Caller demonstrated having been injured with swelling black eye. Police tried to locate the suspect’s mother’s address.

Suspect was charged with felony for domestic assault.

Police provided a courtesy ride to a male subject wearing all black and carrying a backpack to Omak where the subject waited for his relatives from Twisp to come to pick him up.

A noise complaint on Robinson St. & Old Hwy 97, Mallot. The caller complained about neighbor’s loud music.

Agency contacted a suspect who has

two warrants out of Okanogan.

Sunday, December 25 Police received a phone call from an intoxicated subject who requested to speak with another person.

When subject was told that there was no-one there with that name, he shouted obscenities at agent.

A harassment call on 5th Ave, Caribou Trail. The caller commented that the ex-boyfriend did not want to leave her house. When police showed up the suspect was in the backyard.

Report that a 50-year-old female was struck by a vehicle. Victim was highly intoxicated.

A malicious mischief was reported on Third Ave. in Okanogan. A female in her late thirties was seen kicking vehicle three times at location while going towards the High School.

A malicious mischief report on Spring Coulee Rd, Okanogan. A 24-year-old was throwing things at reporting party.

Police were contacted from Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare in Omak for a malicious mischief/ domestic assault. Subject has some mental health issues.

A burglary was reported on S. First Ave in Okanogan. A suspect attempted entry into trailer. Dents and pry marks were found at the location.

A suspicious act was reported on Salmon Creek Rd. where witness reported seeing two teen males taking a Santa Claus form the pond.

A burglary was reported in Okanogan. Reporting party stated that is house-sitting the residence.

Several guns are missing from the residence.

There was a structure fire reported on Hwy. 7, Tonasket. When police showed up there was something burning inside the residence.

Owners were out of the house.

An assault was reported on Sandflat Rd, in Omak. Reporting party called 911 stating that she was struck in the neck by her husband.

The phone line was then disconnected.

An assault was reported in North Omak. A male was fighting with a subject at the reported location.

No known weapon were found near the event.

Reporting party called stating that one heard a gunshot at the neighbor’s residence on Hwy. 97 near Oroville. The reporting party stated that just after the shot a vehicle was seen leaving the area and that the shot may have come from the vehicle.

Warrant Arrest on Main St. in Oroville.

Assault on N. Main, Omak. Male fighting with subjects at location.

No weapon was found.

Monday, December 26 Burglary at Trino’s Mexican Restaurant in Oroville. Broken cash register and file cabinets.

Weapon Offense was reported on Miller Rd in Omak. A 43-year-old male was taken to Mid-Valley Hospital ER with a gunshot wound to the hand. Alcohol was involved.

Upon inspection it was decided that it was not a gunshot wound, but was an accident with a firearm.

A report on Violation of a Protection Order on Hwy. 7 near Tonasket.

The subject violated order via Facebook.

Harassment was reported on Jennings Loop Rd near Oroville. A female has custody of reporting party’s son. She called reporting party and then hung up.

A fraudulent act was reported on Rise Rd near Oroville. A friend’s mother called and stated that she has access to a lot of the reporting party’s personal information and that there are things being purchased in his name.

A burglary was reported on Crumbacher Rd. south of Tonasket. The door of the residence was kicked opened and Xbox, Playstation, TV, guns, safe and money were taken.

Medical response on W. Delicious St. in Tonasket. A 78-year-old female received assistance. Her face was swelling. Female reported being diabetic.

Report of a fire at the Mexican Restaurant on Hwy. 97 and Ellisforde Bridge.

An order violation was reported on S. Second Ave, Okanogan. Female subject has been living at the

location with subject, violating a no contact order. They have also been seen together at Walmart, reporting party stated. Parties were advised that if suspects make contact at the residence, the female subject will hide.

An assault was reported on Wagon Wheel Loop Rd. near Oroville where some time on Christmas day, a male subject assaulted the reporting party by throwing him to the ground and putting him in a choke hold.

Warrant Arrest on Emery St and Okoma Dr., Omak A suspicious subject was reported outside of Sears in Omak. The subject was seeing walking back and forth in front of the store.

A report of a hit-and-run on Jasmine St. in Omak near Mid-Valley Hospital.

Intoxicated male subject passed out on the benches on South Main, Omak.

A sex offender registered on First Ave. South, in Okanogan.

Tuesday, December 27 Police provided courtesy rid to subject to Omak area. He was uncooperative and was reporting that someone is threatening to harm him.

A malicious mischief was reported on B&O Rd. in Okanogan where the electricity meter base to water system has been shot.

An order violation was reported on S. Fifth Ave., Okanogan the caller stated that he believes that his exgirlfriend is at South Fourth Ave. Order was served on her and she is in violation of that order.

An ongoing problem with locking a gate that belongs to everyone was reported in Cartwright Dr. near Tonasket.

There was a domestic dispute reported on Conconully Rd. near Okanogan. The subject reported that the subject grabbed the reporting party while he was trying to grab items from his vehicle. Caller requested the subject be removed from the property.

A caller, who lives on Hwy. 97, reported that someone was trying to kill him. When police showed up he came to the door unclothed.

Caller appeared to be under the

influence of drugs.

A burglary was reported in Omak. The house was broken into; suspect went through safe and drawers in the office. Suspect also brought in handcart from warehouse to attempt to take the safe that was bolted to the floor. Police upon arrival found tools on the floor.

Report of an Assault in Oroville.

Male subject attempted to take reporting party’s eight-month-old daughter. Caller was shoved and pushed on the ground.

Wednesday, December 28 A report of trespassing on S. 5th Ave. in Okanogan. A Chevy Blazer was spinning in football field. All individuals were released and vehicle parked legally. The car was picked up by subject’s dad at a later time.

Suspicious activity was reported on Chesaw Rd. near Oroville. At the location a male was found who was stated he was afraid to call 911. Subject was drunk and was taken to North Valley Hospital for detox and emergency room treatment. Subject was out all night and had slight hypothermia and has taken a fall.

Report that a Riverside resident threatened to shoot PUD crew.

The crew left the area and called the supervisor.

A noise complaint was reported on 23rd Ave. in Oroville. Caller complained of the loud music at location. When police showed up at location, the noise has stopped.

There was a collision on Hwy. 97 and Petersen Rd. Damage to the North end of Legion Park in Okanogan was reported.

A large vehicle came off Second Ave. and did damage the grass.

A report of a non-English speaking male who called saying that he believes that he has been chased by several people who are trying to kill him. Suspect is not under the influence, but may have been on something else.

Three vehicles were involved in an accident on Koala Ave. and Shumway. Rd. No injuries reported.

Civil complaint on Sawtell Rd. in Oroville. Caller stated that female in room has a guest and there are supposed to be no guests at this time of the night.

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January 5, 2012 • Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune

Sports Tonasket girls fall twice at Brewster tourney

Photos by Brent Baker

Baylie Tyus goes up for two of her 17 points during Tonasket’s overtime loss to Republic.

By Brent Baker Staff Writer BREWSTER - Playing their second game in as many days, the Tonasket girls basketball team dropped an overtime heartbreaker to Republic in the consolation game of the Brewster Christmas Tournament on Friday, Dec. 30, 40-39.

The Tigers, struggling with tired legs and playing all but six minutes without the services of Devan Utt (foul trouble), had the final shot. But Baylie Tyus, who ended up with the ball after Tonasket’s designed play for a potential game-winning shot went awry, missed on a desperation 3-pointer with two seconds left.

“Baylie was supposed to be the third option on the play,” said Tonasket coach Mike Larson.

“So she wasn’t really expecting the ball where she got it.

“I told the girls it’s like we’re molding a fine piece of pottery.

We’re starting to mold things into shape, but it’s still kind of soft, and sometimes it’s not going to look real pretty. But it’s all part of shaping it, and once we get it molded and hardened — and by that, I mean that we have the good habits engrained in us that we want — then we’ll have a beautiful piece of art.”

The Tigers, who expended a lot of energy in their loss to Brewster the previous night, struggled to equal that energy level until the game got to overtime. Republic outrebounded the Tigers by a huge margin in the first half, especially with Utt on the bench, and took a 23-19 lead at the half.

Neither team could find its offensive rhythm in the third quarter, which ended tied at 25.

Tyus and Kelly Cruz combined for a 9-4 Tonasket run that had the Tigers up 34-29 with four minutes left.

But that was when Utt fouled out, and Republic scored the final five points of regulation, including the game-tying free throws

by Jessica Largent with a minute left, to force overtime.

Tyus scored all five of the Tigers’ points in overtime and finished with a game-high 17. Kacie Lane scored the go-ahead basket for Republic with 40 seconds left, and the two teams combined for

Kathryn Cleman (12) battles Brewster’s Leslie Carrillo (52) and another Bear for a rebound during last week’s tournament. three turnovers and two missed pace they wanted and create free throws in the final seconds some disruption with their before Tonasket’s final attempt defense.

“The girls were actually a at a game-winner.

“I think the big thing we learned bit bubbly in the locker room about tonight is what it takes after the game,” Larson said. to play back-to-back games,” “It’s not that we don’t know we Larson said. “When you get to lost by 31 points. But they realize, and talked (post-season) about, the fact tournaments that it was the yo u h ave t o best they’d ever do it. And we played against have a number Brewster. A lot of of those nights the game was the in our league, best we’d played starting with all year. next weekend “ I t ’s a h u g e (at Chelan on step for them to Friday, and at realize how well home against they played, no Cascade on matter the score, Saturday). and take someMentally it’s thing positive to just a lot differm ove f o r wa r d ent, and I think with.” we’ll be more B r ewst e r, ready the next The Tigers’ Devan Utt shone which returned time because against Brewster at the Bears’ all but one starter of this tourna- Christmas tourney on Dec. from last year’s ment.”

29, scoring a game-high 20 s t a t e f o u r t h B r i a n n a points. place team, fiBrown led Renally pulled away public with 14 points and Lane for good as Chandler Smith hit added 11. three second-half 3-pointers Cruz tallied a season-high and Becky Mae Taylor drilled eight points for the Tigers (3-6). another trey and got to the Brewster (6-2) beat Okanogan free throw line six times in (7-2) 60-43 to win the tournament the second half. Back-to-back championship. triples from Chandler and Tay-

Brewster 71, Tonasket 40 BREWSTER — The score didn’t tell the story at all for the Tigers after a 31-point loss to the tournament hosts in Thursday’s opening round.

Tonasket stayed within 13 points of the team that likely would have won the state 2B championship last year were it not for an ill-timed teamwide case of the flu. Utt scored 20 points, all in the first three quarters, as the Tigers were able to play the game at the

lor turned a 36-23 Brewster lead to a 42-23 edge that the Tigers couldn’t counter.

It was the third straight time the Tigers hit the 40-point mark after not scoring that many in any of their first five games.

Megan Beyers added seven points for Tonasket.

Smith finished with 23 points, Brette Boesel had 12 and Taylor scored 11 to lead the Bears.

Okanogan beat Republic 73-42 in the other semifinal to earn a championship date with Brewster.

Tiger wrestlers tested at Royal

By Brent Baker Staff Writer ROYAL CITY - Young team or no, the Tonasket wrestlers continue to test themselves against some pretty tough competition.

The Tigers traveled to Royal City on Dec. 29 for the Royal Christmas Tournament, taking 11th out of 18 teams in a field filled state tournament tested teams. No fewer than 10 of the 18 finished in the top 10 of their respective state tourneys last year, including 2B champion Warden, 1A runner-up Riverside, and 2A sixth-place squad Othello.

Granger (8th in 1A last year and currently ranked No. 2 by the Washington Wrestling Report) dominated the field, running up 191.5 team points to Castle Rock’s 136 for the team title.

The Tigers finished with 78,

edging CTL brethren Cashmere (12th, 70.5), Chelan (14th, 65.5) and Okanogan (17th, 24) but finishing behind Liberty Bell (89).

“It’s an extremely tough tournament,” said Tonasket coach Dave Mitchell. “Especially for our freshmen and first-year wrestlers.”

Three of the Tigers earned top-four finishes, led by Jared Stedtfeld, who took second place at 113 pounds. Stedtfeld pinned his first three opponents before losing 6-3 in the final to Granger’s Victor Almaguer.

Stedtfeld was one of six Tigers to lose to a tournament champion.

Two of the others — Ryker Marchand (126) and Austin Booker (160) — bounced back from quarterfinal losses to earn fourth place finishes.

Collin Aitcheson (120), Dalton Wahl (138) and Austin Knowl-

ton (145) also lost to tourney champions. Wahl finished 2-2 on the day, with Aitcheson and Knowlton going 1-2.

John Rawley (182) also went 2-2 to finish sixth, while Tim Frazier (106), Dyllan Walton (132), Caleb Lofthus (170), Frank Holfelz (195), Daniel Ortega (220) and Tanner Good (285) also competed.

The Tigers travel to the Warden Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 7.

Hornets stay home

OROVILLE — Oroville’s wrestling team was scheduled to travel to Spokane on Dec. 29 for a holiday invitational, but coach Chuck Ricevuto said the Hornets ended up staying home due poor attendance at practice.

The Hornets were scheduled to travel to Omak on Wednesday, Jan. 4, and head to the Almira/ Coulee-Hartline tournament on Saturday, Jan. 7.

Cashmere puts the hurt on Hornets

By Brent Baker Staff Writer CASHMERE - The Oroville boys basketball team took to the road on Dec. 29 to play at Cashmere, ranked second in recent state 1A polling.

The long bus trip was made

even longer by a 74-42 loss to the Bulldogs.

“We did not play to our potential,” said Oroville coach Allen Allie. “We’re still struggling to play as a team. A poor night shooting combined with too many turnovers usually does not net a win.

“We’re looking forward to start league play this coming Saturday and hope we can get things to start flowing correctly.”

The Hornets (5-3) play at Bridgeport on Saturday. Their next home game is against Pateros on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

10

OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE • January 5, 2012

Sports Tonasket boys bounce back from disappointing loss

Photos by Brent Baker

The Tigers’ Laz Ortega fends off Brewster’s Easton Driessen during first round action at the Brewster Christmas Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 29.

By Brent Baker Staff Writer BREWSTER - The Tonasket boys basketball team didn’t h ave l o n g t o p o n d e r i t s 30-point loss to Brewster.

The Tigers turned around 20 hours after their disappointing loss to the Bears to run past Republic 59-26 on Friday, Dec. 30, and take third place at the Brewster Christmas Tournament.

The underdog Republic team brought plenty of energy at the start, leading

briefly at 5-3 after a 3-pointer by freshman Garrett Weller.

R e p u b l i c st aye d w i t h i n three points until midway through the second quarter, when Tonasket launched a 19-0 run that turned a 16-13 lead into a 35-13 advantage late in the third quarter.

“Overall (the tournament) was a good experience for the kids,” said Tonasket coach Glenn Braman. “We weren’t real sharp, especially last night, but it was good for us to be playing over break instead of just sitting around.

Dakota Bogart gets fouled by Republic’s Adam Leonard during Christmas tournament action at Brewster on Dec. 30.

Tonasket’s Trevor Terris fires over Republic freshman Garrett We didn’t shoot well either Caribou Trail League action Weller. night, but tonight we got at Chelan on Friday.

Tonasket 20-4 in the final 12 turnovers (14-9) and shot Okanogan (7-2) walloped minutes of the first half to nearly 50 percent from the our defense to create some Brewster (2-6) in the tourna- take control of Thursday’s floor to the Tigers’ 27.6 perturnovers.”

John Stedtfeld led a bal- ment championship game, first round tournament con- cent. anced scoring attack with 80-49.

Brewster led 26-11 at halftest.

15 points. Zac Davis, Dyllan “We encountered a very time and turned on the afterG ag e a n d L a z a r o O r t e g a stiff defense that contested burners in the third quarter to Brewster 70, each added eight points and every shot and made our cuts open the lead up to 53-26.

Michael Orozco scored seven. Tonasket 40 Stedtfeld led the Tigers with difficult,” Braman said. “Our Davis had nine rebounds and shooting percentage was very 17 points, seven rebounds and Damon Halvorsen had four B R EWST E R - B r e wst e r low, but we’re going to have to four steals, with Orozco addsteals. came out of its week off play- learn how to adjust to a much ing six points.

Saxon Brown led Republic E a st o n D r i e s s e n p a c e d ing some sharp basketball. more physical type of game, with 14 points.

Brewster with 22 points and get stops when we are not Tonasket did not.

Tonasket (6-3) traveled to The Tigers shot 3-of-25 from hitting our shots and keep the Josh Squires added nine.

Republic for a rematch in its Okanogan trounced Repub3-point range — and Michael game closer.” final non-conference game lic 79-34 in the tourney’s other The Bears held a 37-25 reOrozco was 2-of-4 himself on Tuesday, Jan. 3 and opens semifinal contest. bounding edge, had fewer — and the Bears outscored

Oroville girls beat Wellpinit again

By Brent Baker Staff Writer WELLPINIT - The Oroville girls basketball team defeated Wellpinit for the second time in

six days on Thursday, Dec. 29, winning a 50-45 road contest.

The victory followed a 40-36 win on Dec. 23 over the same team at home.

The Hornets took a 10-2 lead

after one quarter and were up 38-23 after three quarters before Wellpinit made a late charge.

Lily Hilderbrand led Oroville (5-2) with 17 points, with Callie Barker adding nine and Naomi

Peters scoring eight.

The Hornets next play Saturday, Jan. 7, at Bridgeport in their Central Washington League North Division conference opener.

Fishery recovery efforts paid off in 2011

Ice fishing I have been checking around the region to see if there is ice forming on our area lakes.

I have a buddy coming here around the end of the month and I want to take him up to Fish Lake, drill some holes and catch some perch. It sounds like it will be close.

There are still patches of open water on Fish Lake. We’ll see.

There is enough ice for anglers to get out on Patterson Lake, near Winthrop. This is one of my favorite winter lakes. I have been up there a few times and have caught some dandy perch. I have also seen rainbow of 16 inches taken through the ice at Patterson. I have also heard that there are some people out on the ice at Moses Lake. This kind of surprised me, because I have also heard that there is

open water on Moses Lake. I always stress that you should check ahead and always take caution when planning an ice fishing trip. A couple of other places I will be checking on is the marina at Coulee City, which is usually a good spot for smaller perch, and Rat Lake near Brewster. Rat was very good for trout this fall and may be hot this winter.

Great year The year of 2011 has been a great year for reports. I have been able to announce some first-time-ever seasons on our local waters. This speaks well for recovery efforts on all of our species that make their way from the Pacific Ocean to their home waters here in Central Washington. To name a couple, we had the Wenatchee River open to summer run salmon and Coho salmon. Another opener that was new to our area waters was the special season on triploids below Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River. I expect to see this special season repeated next year, but in a different time frame.

It could open as early as May or June and have at least the same four fish limit, over even more. This was a tremendously popular fishery last year, due to the unusually high number of these fish available, and there are still lots of them in this stretch. I know I did my pat to help thin them out. I have heard that we are expected to see exceptionally high returns of spring salmon and sockeye to our area next year. I’ll keep an eye on these fisheries and as always keep you posted.

Happy New Year!

More ice fishing Happy New Year everyone!

We had a great fishing year in 2011, and I anticipate some fabulous fishing in 2012. In January I hope to get out and do some ice fishing on a few of our area lakes. This is the month for ice anglers to try perch fishing at the Coulee City Marina and perch and walleye fishing at Mo-

ses Lake. I am planning a trip to Fish Lake, near Lake Wenatchee, and Patterson Lake near Winthrop. I will also be checking on Roses Lake, which can be good for catchable size rainbow in January, and I am anxious to see how the ice fishing is at Rat Lake near Brewster this year. One thing I am definitely going to do this year that I haven’t in the past is participate in the Annual Ice Fishing Festival on Molson Lake, which is just outside of the town of Oroville. It will take place on President’s Day Weekend again this year, and I have heard a lot about this festival and want to get in on the action this time. In addition to the ice fishing opportunities in January, Rufus Woods should be in top form this year. I am planning to fish Rufus with Joe Heinlen to tape one of my Outdoor Insider TV Shows, so be sure to tune in to learn all his secrets!

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Dave Graybill photo

Terry Rudnick, author of Washington Fishing, was staying in Plain recently. I was able to interview him about the new edition of his book, which will be out in March, for my new Outdoor Insider TV Show, and we found time to go ice fishing at Fish Lake. There was plenty of ice, although sloppy on top, and we managed to catch a few perch and a rainbow for a morning’s fishing.