(PRESS RELEASE/Avista Utilities)

Avista customers throughout its Washington service territory are the current target of utility scammers. Scammers typically move quickly from region to region, looking to
trick as many people as possible into complying with their demands, for financial gain.

Both residential and commercial customers began reporting scam attempts late in the day on Tuesday, and hundreds of scam reports have been received since that time. The majority of scam attempts are occurring via phone and stemming from the following non-Avista phone numbers: 800-341-7967, 866-235-7822, 509-466-8089, and 800-936-6629. Scammers are also using ‘spoofing’ technology to duplicate Avista’s phone number. Some customers have reported automated fraud attempts, as well.

Avista urges customers to be on alert and to continue to report any suspicious requests or interactions with anyone who may be impersonating the company. More

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

Robbie Thompson, Noah Thompson and Judah Katona will attempt to perform all the works of Shakespeare, with some shortcuts, of course. While a small cast, it should be an enjoyable 97 minutes. (Courtesy photo)

BRING ON THE BARD: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) will have you rolling…

For those of us who don’t have time to brush up on our Shakespeare, thank goodness for people like Robbie Thompson, Judah Katona, Noah Thompson and Katrina Rumage. The four-person crew is putting on “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) this weekend.

This 97-minute play will include basically all the bard’s works, performed by the two Thompsons and Katona. Rumage served as the stage manager for this show, keeping everyone in line and on task for the challenging show.

“The show is so simple but hilarious,” Director Robbie Thompson said. “There is a lot of ad-libbing and improv and doesn’t need specific props or a large cast.”

The lack of a big cast means all the actors have to wear a lot of hats. While changing roles constantly in the show, Robbie also had direct, while also acting on stage.

“Throughout rehearsal, it is difficult to understand how it looks for the audience while I am on stage,” Thompson said. “What people should expect is adult themes, without strong language. A loving, but all too honest interpretation of Shakespeare’s work.” More

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

Kelsey Fixel of MK Mobile Coffee can be seen at Chewelah football games and other events near you! (Courtesy photo)

Chewelah’s MK Mobile Coffee brings the coffee stand to you…

Who knew you could get a latte at the Chewelah Cougar football game? Mary Walker graduate Kelsey Fixel is making it happen with her new business, MK Mobile Coffee which brings the espresso stand to you instead of the other way around.

Fixel got into the coffee industry working at The Coffee Shop in Loon Lake where she learned everything about being a barista from her best friend Erica.

“I enjoyed going to work and interacting with all of our customers and knew that I wanted to do this as often as I could. I started following a couple mobile coffee trailers on social media and this inspired me to build my own,” Fixel said. More

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Allen Stone will be performing in Spokane on March 22.

FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING: Soul singer releases fourth album “Building Balance,” announces tour…

Chewelah native Allen Stone released his latest Album “Building Balance” last week and announced a busy spring touring in 2020. The R&B, soul singer will be performing nationwide beginning on Feb. 7 in Austin, Texas and wrapping up on April 5 in San Diego, California.

“I think it’s a nice listen and I’m very proud of it,” Stone said on Facebook. “So many kind and talented individuals lent their time and effort to this album, and I’d like to display my gratitude to them.”

Those Chewelah people who would like to see him perform live can check out his performances in Spokane on March 22, or in Seattle on March 25, Vancouver, B.C. on March 27 and Portland, Oregon on March 28. More

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

TURNOUT GROWS TO 30 PERCENT: Chewelah races widen in margin as more votes are counted. 9,690 ballots have been counted, with an estimated 3,600 to go…

No races have changed in the Nov. 5 General Election as trends show local races continue to widen in ballot margins numbers-wise. The Stevens County Auditors’ office did an additional count on Nov. 8 and has counted 9,690 ballots with 3,600 estimated to go. Right now voter turnout for an odd-year election is 30.3 percent, but that number will go up as more ballots are counted.

Anyone hoping for big changes in races will be dissapointed. Results from Election Night have basically solidified.

The big Chewelah School Levy Measure for security and technology improvements has 55 percent of yes votes (851 votes) as opposed to 44 percent of the no votes (669 votes).

More