Newsbriefs

Fire district passes audit

Okanogan County Fire District 2 passed state audit for the two-year period from Jan. 1, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2013, the Washington State Auditor’s Office said Monday.

The SAO said records it examined indicate the district, which took in about $20,000 in 2012 and $10,000 in 2013 while fire protection to Elmer City and the surrounding area, “complied with applicable requirements and provided adequate safeguarding of public resources.”

Town seeks

citizens for

advisory group

Coulee Dam is looking for citizens interested in advising the town on its fire protection and emergency medical services needs. An ongoing ad hoc Fire and EMS Services advisory board would help review needs, procedures and policies and advise the town on them.

Applicants are asked to fill out a one-page form available at town hall.

A downloadable version can be found at this link.

Fire hall

cleanup planned

There will be a clean-up meeting at the Coulee Dam fire hall Saturday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m.

Those attending are encouraged to bring whatever tools they think will be handy, and trash bags, rubber gloves, pails and cardboard boxes. There will be a dumpster at site. Lunch will be provided.

NPS is raising fees on Lake Roosevelt

Starting Monday, Feb. 9, National Park Service fees within Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will be adjusted to correspond with average rates of the surrounding areas, as follows: the camping fee from May 1 to Sept. 30 will be $18 per night; group site use will be $55 per night for 1-25 people, $80 per night for 26-50 people, and $105 per night for 51-75 people; and the off-season camping rate (October 1 to April 30) will be $9. The weekly launch fee will be $8, and the reduced boat launch annual permit will be a single yearly fee of $45.

NPS officials held public meetings last year to take input on the fee increase idea, but also needed permission from region- and national-level authorities to implement the increase.

A little help here…

Site coordinators are needed for the annual Balde Eagle Festival which is scheduled for Feb. 20, according to National Recreation Area Education Specialist Janice Elvidge. The festival has a number of programs for 4th- through 8th-graders. Elvidge can be reached if you have questions at (509) 754-7848.

Did you lose some pipe?

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is trying to match up irrigation pipe found at an illegal scapping operation to its rightful owners, some of whom might not even know its missing. If you’re missing a wheel line or two, or less, contact Deputy Jon Melvin at 509-762-1160, or send information to crimetips@grantcountywa.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.