Marcy Stamper

Reporters & Photographers at Methow Valley News

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Articles

Drought emergency declared for Methow Valley

2 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

Warm, dry spring prompts early action by stateThe Methow Valley is in a drought emergency for the third year in a row. And this year, the drought emergency arrived early because of an especially warm and dry spring.
Six candidates vie for Okanogan County Superior Court judge post

2 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

Governor to appoint Grim’s replacementSix attorneys have applied to Gov. Bob Ferguson to replace Okanogan County Superior Court Judge Robert Grim, who is stepping down July 1 after three years on the bench. By state law, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement to fill the vacancy.
Chamber Music Festival scores with artists, audiences

2 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

“Music is a unique art — it happens and is gone. In a live performance, you’re creating in that moment, versus replicating something over and over. You’re present in this moment, with this audience, and in this space.”That’s how French horn player Jeff Fair summed up the unique experience of live music.
Burning restrictions are imposed early in county

3 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

Bans go into effect this Friday due to high riskOkanogan County imposed its burn restrictions early this year after the county’s fire advisory committee evaluated conditions — and the forecast for weather in the 90s this weekend. The countywide ban goes into effect on Friday (June 6), nine days before the usual date.
County settles 9-year-old zoning code lawsuit by Yakama Nation

3 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

Other cases still working their way through courtsIn the end, the nine-year-old lawsuit against Okanogan County by the Yakama Nation reached a settlement with little fanfare. The Okanogan County commissioners unanimously signed a resolution approving an order of dismissal and stipulation in the case after just a few minutes of discussion on May 12. The stipulation and dismissal are still awaiting signature by the Yakama Nation.
Okanogan County updating floodplain management code

3 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

Okanogan County is updating its floodplain management code to bring it up to date with state and federal regulations and to incorporate new floodplain maps. The purpose of the code is to ensure that development activities in and around floodplains and near rivers and lakes don’t affect the ability of the land to reduce flood and storm damage. It also aims to minimize and eliminate losses to public infrastructure, private property, and public health and safety.
Budrow reviews enforcement policies at public forum

4 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

County Sheriff says his office follows state lawCan the Okanogan County sheriff round people up for expressing their political views? Can county law enforcement detain someone because their immigration paperwork isn’t in order? Those are just some of the questions raised by the public at a recent forum with Okanogan County Sheriff Paul Budrow. The Okanogan County Sheriff is responsible for enforcing state laws — but the sheriff doesn’t have the right to interpret those laws, Budrow said.
District 6: weekend’s Blackpine Fire was ‘very close call’

4 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

A wildfire that started near Blackpine Lake on Sunday afternoon (May 25) over the holiday weekend grew to 5.1 acres before it was contained. “This weekend’s fire was a very close call. With limited crew and a tough location, this potential BIG fire was caught at 5 acres,” Okanogan County Fire District 6 said in a Facebook post.
Need a permit? Got an environmental complaint?

4 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

Workshop reviews county, state regs and proceduresSpring — you may think of it as wildflower or allergy season, but to planners, land managers and builders, it’s “excavation season.”Now that the ground has thawed, people are ready to tackle building projects. Virtually all of these projects require permits — for site analysis, building, or work near water or critical areas — but not everyone is familiar with the rules and regulations.
Volunteers scramble to fill gaps at local U.S. Forest Service rec sites

4 weeks ago | methowvalleynews.com | Marcy Stamper

Response to cuts in MV Ranger District budgetMembers of the community —– hikers, equestrians and cyclists — are being asked to refill toilet paper, pull weeds that could become a fire hazard, and report safety concerns such as filthy outhouses or hazard trees in the national forest. This is one way that trails organizations, donors and the general public are scrambling to fill the yawning gap left by cuts to the recreation and trails programs operated by the Methow Valley Ranger District (MVRD).

Journalists covering the same region

Don Nelson

Owner and Editor at Methow Valley News

Don Nelson primarily covers news in the North Cascades region of Washington State, United States, including areas around Skagit and Whatcom counties.

Sandra Strieby

Writer at Freelance

Sandra Strieby primarily covers news in the North Cascades region of Washington State, United States, including areas around Okanogan and Skagit counties.