New fire barn opens

People stream in to visit inside the new fire barn in Elmer City Thursday after Okanogan Fire District 2 Chief Dave Finch cut the ceremonial ribbon and opened the doors. Mayor Jesse Tillman and Public Works Director Jimmer Tillman recognized the funders who got the funds for the project, including the fire district, 12th Legislative District Rep. Mike Steele, 7th Legislative District Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, and Okanogan County commissioners, who voted to pass on federal American Rescue Plan Act funds passed during the Covid emergency to fund the last $150,000 of the $1.3 million project.

- Scott Hunter photo