(PRESS RELEASE/TEDD) 

Due to the spread of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns, TEDD is seeing an increase in questions from regional business owners about doing business online, planning for a strong recovery, and reducing the impact on the bottom line.

Feedback and input from every size and type of business in the region is vital to our success. TEDD wants to know what kinds of support, training, and tools you and your business need.

TEDD would appreciate your taking the time to complete our “Regional Small Business Needs Assessment” survey. It will take about 10 – 15 minutes of your time. Your answers are completely anonymous. More

(STAFF REPORT/Chewelah Independent)

Washington Governor Jay Inslee is apparently dropping the requirement for restaurant customers to provide their name and contact info during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Everett Herald is reporting.

“I think where we’ll end up is giving customers an option of leaving a phone number or not,” Gov. Jay Inslee said at an afternoon news conference.

He added that he would have more to say on Friday.

This comes after some outrage online that restaurants would be required to keep a log of those dining, so that contact tracing could be carried out from a positive COVID-19 case. The information would be used if a worker or customer tests positive, information in the log can be used to track down those who may have come into contact with the infected person. Inslee has emphasized the information would be kept private and restaurants could not use it for any private or commercial purpose. More

(PRESS RELEASE/WDFW)

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff in the Colville office gets a lot of questions from the public and one we’ve heard recently is- we’re hearing that we are
supposed to “hunt and fish locally” and continue practicing social distancing. What does that mean when outside?

WDFW is encouraging people to hunt and fish in their direct community if possible, to avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus. There are many great places to do this in northeast Washington so that isn’t a challenge. More

Stevens County, WA ca. 1908 – High Flume of the Fruitland Irrigation Company. Water was taken from the Colville River near the Meyers Falls and carried by flume and ditch 9 miles south of Kettle Falls to farms and orchards. (WA Rural Heritage/ Kettle Falls Public Library)

(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!”

(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