There Are Three News Outlets in the County, but We Still Have an Access Problem
The recent merger of Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, based in Oroville, with Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, based in Omak, reduced the number of printed newspapers in the county from three to two, but there are more problems beneath the surface. The first problem is access. There are only two free news sites in all of Okanogan County-…
Keep reading
Get full access to every story + the Weekly Roundup
Latest Articles
Scenes From the Day: Methow Valley Rodeo
It’s Memorial Day weekend, which means it’s rodeo time. The annual rodeo on Twin Lakes Rodeo Grounds in Winthrop kicked off yesterday by…
MVSD Announces First Staffing Changes
Following announcements to MVSD teachers, staff, and local media about pending staffing changes, Superintendent Grant Storey announced the first retirements and hires…
First-time Local Novelist Pens Tale of New-World Minister
Retired civil engineer and Winthrop resident John Russell “Russ” Podmayer certainly never imagined he would write a hefty historical novel, but his…
Behind the Scenes Look at MVCC Renovation
Construction on the main floor and basement of the Methow Valley Community Center is set to conclude May 20, allowing Twisp Library,…
A Word About AI
This week, I received an email from a news consortium with the subject line, “Does your newsroom have an AI policy?” I…
Liberty Bell Pulls Off Something Rare: A High School Play for Everyone
Liberty Bell Drama Company did it. They put on a play without curse words or sexual content. Besides an obvious innuendo about…
Interview with Sheriff and Candidate Jodie Barcus
Interim Sheriff Jodie Barcus sat down for an interview with MVE last month to talk about her first day on the job,…
WA Supreme Court Denies Referendum Targeting Income Tax
By Jerry Cornfield and Jake Goldstein-Street, Washington State Standard May 4, 2026 Washington’s Supreme Court on Monday denied a conservative political committee’s…
Judge Blocks Washington’s New Sheriff Standards Law
By Jake Goldstein-Street, Washington State Standard April 29, 2026 Washington’s new law setting stricter eligibility standards for sheriffs was partially blocked in…
MVSD Faces Budget Gap From Declining Enrollment, Rising Costs
MVSD faces a $460,000 budget gap next school year out of a total budget of $18 million. Enrollment is expected to decline…
Challenger Enters Race for Okanogan County Commissioner
Jon Neal, who won a county commissioner seat three and a half years ago with 51.11% of the vote, will face another…
“Our Mr. Matsura” Wins Accolades
Beloved photographer Frank Matsura moved from the biggest city in Japan to Okanogan County. In 1903. A man of few written words,…
Credit Rating Agency Downgrades Outlook for Washington
By Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard April 24, 2026 Washington got a clear warning this week that its reliance on reserves and…
Barcus Says She Will Continue to Collaborate with Federal Agencies
Interim Sheriff Jodie Barcus said she would continue to collaborate with federal agencies following former Sheriff Paul Budrow’s admission that he was…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
