A look at six proposed Our Valley projects
The Our Valley Our Future grass roots community improvement effort continues to evolve in ways that strengthen our local communities by encouraging individuals to make a difference in our quality of life.
Category: Our Economy
Olma family chooses to keep land in agriculture forever
TONASKET — I have great admiration and respect for people who build their businesses from the ground up and succeed through dogged perseverance, creativity and a can-do mindset. During a tour of the Okanogan...
Land Trust helping Okanogan ranchers remain viable
TONASKET — I had the opportunity to spend some time in the Tonasket area last week and rub elbows with ranchers as well as staff and supporters of the Okanogan Land Trust. The Land...
July 18, 1918 marked the first story proposing what would become Grand Coulee Dam
It was 100 years ago Wednesday, July 18, that my grandfather Rufus Woods published the first story proposing the construction of a massive dam on the Columbia River and diverting water into the Grand...
Volunteer Methow website expands volunteerism, builds community
WINTHROP — Community engagement and collaboration in the Methow Valley have gotten a tremendous shot in the arm by the development of a web site called Volunteer Methow. The effort is tapping into a...
Methow Arts Alliance is a model for other communities
TWISP — The Methow Arts Alliance is expanding its role to make an even bigger impact on the thriving arts scene in the Methow Valley while continuing to foster arts education throughout Okanogan County....
Wade family has made an impact in fruit, wine and philanthropy
Recently, I wrote a column about the Washington Apple Education Foundation, a remarkable effort by the fruit industry to provide college scholarships and support to children of those in the industry. This year, the...
Local Volunteer Attorney Services program provides critical access to justice for those in need
In terms of public esteem, attorneys and journalists tend to rank near the bottom of the professions, but I think our local attorneys, at least, get a bad rap. We are fortunate to have...
Podcast Episode 45: Scott Volyn, Eloise Barshes and how Volunteer Attorney Services helps people in need
My guests this week are attorney Scott Volyn and executive director Eloise Barshes of Chelan-Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services. The organization provides legal guidance for low-income people in civil cases, thanks to attorneys who...
Craft3 expanding on success of NCW Business Loan Fund
For nearly a quarter century, the North Central Business Loan Fund played a small but critical role in helping entrepreneurs who couldn’t qualify for traditional bank loans get their operations started. Last August, the...