(PRESS RELEASE/Office of Secretary of State)

The Office of the Secretary of State is encouraging prospective candidates for federal, statewide, and multi-county legislative or judicial offices to file online at https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/candidates/online-candidate-filing.aspx> during Candidate Filing Week May 11-15. The secure web portal will be open 24 hours a day beginning at 9 a.m. May 11 through 4 p.m. May 15.

Candidates are encouraged to submit their voters’ pamphlet statement and photo online once their filing is completed. More

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Stevens County has applied and is waiting for May 11…

Today, Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved applications from Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Ferry and Pend Oreille counties to move into Phase 2 of the state’s re-opening plan.

According to the Department of Health, businesses in the counties approved to move into Phase 2 must wait to reopen until guidance has been released for their industry on how to keep workers and the public safe. They must comply with all health and safety requirements outlined in that guidance to reopen.

Phase 2 means that people would have to follow the “Stay Home” order, but that all outdoor activity involving fewer than five people would be allowed including camping and going to the beach. More

(PRESS RELEASE/WDFW)

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff in the Colville office get a lot of questions from the public. One that has been asked recently is- with turkey season now
open, what are some good places to hunt in the area and is there anything else to know about the turkey season considering these unusual times?

WDFW is encouraging people to hunt locally to avoid potentially spreading the COVID-19 virus. If you live in northeast Washington, you are in luck. There is excellent turkey hunting in our area. More

(BRANDON HANSEN PHOTOS/Chewelah Independent)

Last Friday, May 1, Springdale community members paraded around the city park which had the 2020 seniors from Mary Walker High School. It was a way for the seniors to be honored while practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic…

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Washington will soon enter into re-opening phase of COVID-19 pandemic
Washington state is just days away from entering phase one of reopening parts of the economy and social interactions, but don’t expect any big changes to Oregon’s social distancing measures this week. In Washington, phase one of a four step plan to reopen starts on a Tuesday. One of the biggest changes people will see is more access and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Washingtonians will be able to hunt and fish, go boating, play rounds of golf and hit the hiking trails but social distancing measures will remain in place and people shouldn’t be recreating with other people outside of their household. Click here for the full story.  More

(PRESS RELEASE/Hewes Marine Company)

Hewes Marine Company will take extra health and safety precautions in re-opening…

After being closed since March 20, 2020, Hewes Marine Company will reopen its offices and production line Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

Hewes Marine Company’s (HMC) top priority has always been the health and safety of its employees and the Stevens County, Ferry County, and Pend Oreille County communities. So, on March 20, 2020 (three days prior to Governor Inslee’s stay-at-home order) HMC voluntarily closed its production facility and offices. During this time, COVID-19 cases in Washington State were increasing dramatically, school closures led to childcare difficulties, and many HMC employees were concerned about the safety of working in close proximity to so many other individuals. The loss (even temporarily) of many employees to these pressures, as well as a desire to keep its team safe from contracting or spreading COVID-19, led to HMC’s voluntary closure. More

(WDFW Question of the Week)

At Colville’s Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife office, we get a lot of questions from the public. One we’ve heard repeatedly is- fishing, hunting, and public lands are now open again- what do we need to know to safely enjoy them?

WDFW, Washington State Parks and the Department of Natural Resources were excited to reopen our lands and hunting and fishing on May 5. Before you go though, be
sure to check what’s open. It takes time to get some of the more remote areas fully opened and we would hate for you to waste a trip.

All facilities are day-use only for now, with no overnight camping. Restrooms will not be open at every site and some that are may not be stocked. So please bring your own soap, water, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper. WDFW offices and fish hatcheries remain closed to the public but fish stocking continues. More

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

What is re-opening after Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced the scaling back of restrictions on outdoor activities? On May 5, All state-managed public lands, including state parks, natural areas, and recreation land will open on a rolling basis. State-managed boat launches and marinas will be open for day-use services only; no overnight moorage. Recreational fishing for highland and lowland lakes, and the Columbia River and local hunting for turkey and spring bear.

This also generally applies to all DNR managed lands used for day-use activities, which include trailheads, trails, roads, free flight launch sites, water access sites, day-use areas, and dispersed recreation (off-trail hiking, hunting, target shooting, etc.). The Discover Pass is required to park your vehicle at state recreation lands and water-access sites managed by Washington State Parks (Parks), Washington State Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and DNR.

Some parks may not open immediately due to impacts on rural communities and the potential for crowding. State Parks is working with local communities and its partners to determine the best approach and timing to reopening these areas.

Visitor centers, camping and other overnight accommodations on state-managed lands will remain closed until further notice
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