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The latest news from around the Chewelah Valley

Stevens County moved to Phase 2 in state reopening plan

Stevens County moved to Phase 2 in state reopening plan

(PRESS RELEASE/Department of Health)

Today Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved applications from Wahkiakum, Skamania, and Stevens counties to move into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan.

This brings the total to 8 counties. Last week, Secretary Wiesman approved variances for Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Ferry and Pend Oreille counties.

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. More

Clayton’s Brickyard Day cancelled because of COVID-19 Pandemic

Clayton’s Brickyard Day cancelled because of COVID-19 Pandemic

(PRESS RELEASE/Clayton’s Brickyard Day)

Planning for Clayton’s Brickyard Day 2020 has been cancelled due to uncertainty surrounding public gatherings and the potential risk of infection to those attending the day’s activities.

Jeff Lilly, Chair of the Brickyard Day Organizing Group had this to say regarding the decision: “We understand the importance of Brickyard Day to members of our community. Tradition matters, our past matters, honoring worthy members of our region matters.”

“While no one can know what the future holds, there is a significant chance we will still be in the midst of the current global health crisis even as late as August. We believe people’s health and well-being should take precedence over tradition. With this ideal in mind we regretfully suspend planning for and cancel all activities related to Brickyard Day 2020.”

“We hope everyone stays safe and we look forward to celebrating next year’s Brickyard Day in an atmosphere free of the virus and all of the restrictions that go along with it!”




Department of Health says immunization rates among children dropping during COVID-19 pandemic

(PRESS RELEASE AND STAFF REPORTS/Department of Health and Chewelah Independent)

 

The Washington Department of Health said that immunization rates among children appear to be dropping  during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department said that this leaves children and communities at risk.

Providers in Washingtons Childhood Vaccine Program reported they administered 30 percent fewer vaccines to 0-18 year olds in March of this year compared with the same month in previous years. In April, preliminarily the department is seeing a 42 percent decrease, but that number may change as April data continue to be reported.

The amount of vaccine ordered by providers in March also fell both in Washington state and nationwide, a press release from the DOH sent out last week said.

More

Stuck at home? WSU extension, DNR offer free online classes to enhance your forested property

Stuck at home? WSU extension, DNR offer free online classes to enhance your forested property

(PRESS RELEASE/Washington State University Extension Forestry)

The COVID-19 outbreak is not slowing down the Washington State University Extension Forestry and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Stewardship education program. As in nature, the program is simply adapting, partnering with experts around Washington state to deliver high-quality classes and workshops online for people who own forested property.

Upcoming classes, which start on May 13, have something for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans, covering everything from growing your own mushrooms to boosting wildlife habitat on your property to preparing your trees for climate change. All classes are free, but preregistration is required.

The 11 classes will be taught by experts from Washington State University, DNR, the University of Washington, and more, with each offered in 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. sessions via Zoom.




The schedule of classes is as follows:

More

Next week is filing week for the 2020 election

(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

Ferry and Pend Oreille counties approved to re-open to Phase 2

Ferry and Pend Oreille counties approved to re-open to Phase 2

(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

WDFW QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Where should I go turkey hunting?

(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

Docks at Kettle Falls, Sevens Bays and Spring Canyon boat launches now open

Docks at Kettle Falls, Sevens Bays and Spring Canyon boat launches now open

(PRESS RELEASE/Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area)

On May 5, fishing resumed within Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Boat launches are now open as water levels allow. Docks at Kettle Falls, Seven Bays, and Spring Canyon boat launches are currently available and other boat launch docks may become available as the lake level rises. The Spring Canyon boat launch and docks will be closed May 11-21 for paving.

Services at Lake Roosevelt are still limited due to COVID-19 health concerns. Fish cleaning stations will remain closed until further notice. Please take fish home to clean and dispose of properly. As a reminder, Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 2.14(a)(7) prohibits disposing of fish remains on land or in waters within 200 feet of boat docks or swimming beaches, or within developed areas. Leaving fish remains on the shoreline attracts wildlife, including bear and cougar, putting other visitors in danger.

Campgrounds, toilets, water services, and trash collection are unavailable. All trash and human waste must be packed out.

The National Park Service encourages people who choose to visit during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. During this time, the State of Washington encourages everyone to maintain a safe distance of at least six feet from other people, recreate locally with your family group, and stay home if you are sick.




Fairchild Air Force Base part of “America Strong Flyover” on May 8

Fairchild Air Force Base part of “America Strong Flyover” on May 8

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Two KC-135 Stratotankers from Fairchild Air Force Base will begin the “America Strong Flyover” on Friday, which is intended to honor those on the frontline fighting against the COVID-19 outbreak. The flyover will begin at noon on Friday, KREM is reporting.

The flightplan will bring the aircraft over Moses Lake, Yakima, Tri-Cities, Coeur a’Alene and Spokane. If you’re along the flight path you can expect more jet noise. The stratotankers are part of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing and the 141st Air Refueling Wing. More

NATIONAL NEWS: As Washington and other states move to re-open, US Vice President Mike Pence says country has seen great progress

NATIONAL NEWS: As Washington and other states move to re-open, US Vice President Mike Pence says country has seen great progress

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Mike Pence’s Twitter posted this photo of the Vice President delivering personal protective equipment to Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Virginia on Thursday, One America News Network reports.

Pence said state governors could determine how states re-open…

As Washington moves into a phased approach to re-open its economy and other states go through various types of re-opening, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said that the country is seeing great progress. Pence was interviewed by media while delivering personal protective equipment to Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Virginia on Thursday, One America News Network reports. 

“We’re seeing great progress across the country. What the American people have done over the last two months has saved lives, it has slowed the spread. It has preserved the resources of our health care system, just as it was intended to do,” Pence said. More

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Since 1903, residents of the Chewelah Valley have opened their morning paper to The Independent news. The Independent is a locally-owned newspaper published by the Arnold family of Chewelah, Washington. This weekly newspaper is published every Thursday and distributes 2,250 paid copies by US Mail and through local newsstands in Chewelah, Colville, Addy, Bluecreek, Valley, Springdale and Suncrest. The Independent is the legal newspaper for Stevens County, City of Chewelah and the town of Springdale.
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