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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?

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

Chewelah’s Music on the Mountain cancelled

Chewelah’s Music on the Mountain cancelled

(PRESS RELEASE/Chewelah Arts Guild)

Because of Covid-19, a Music on the Mountain concert will not be performed on the scheduled date of May 16, the Chewelah Arts Guild has announced.
The concert will not be rescheduled for later this year, Arts Guild president Indigo Kennedy said.

“We regret that suitable dates at Chewelah Peak are not available in September and October, even if normal seating were to be allowed. The good news is that Gonzaga Symphony is contracted to perform in May 2021 and 2022, and we’re very much looking forward to their return,” she said.

“We’re disappointed in not being able to safely stage this event,” Kennedy said. “We want to thank everybody for their support of Music on the Mountain over the past 17 years.”




IN PHOTOS: Springdale community holds graduation parade

IN PHOTOS: Springdale community holds graduation parade

(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…




More

NE WASHINGTON WEEKEND IN REVIEW: Washington enters re-opening phase, Bradley’s TKD holding fundraiser, Bloomsday carries on – sorta and Don Shula passes away

NE WASHINGTON WEEKEND IN REVIEW: Washington enters re-opening phase, Bradley’s TKD holding fundraiser, Bloomsday carries on – sorta and Don Shula passes away

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

Space X launching US astronauts on May 27

Space X launching US astronauts on May 27

On Monday, March 30, 2020 at a SpaceX processing facility on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, SpaceX successfully completed a fully integrated test of critical crew flight hardware ahead of Crew Dragon’s second demonstration mission to the International Space Station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program; the first flight test with astronauts onboard the spacecraft. NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley participated in the test, which included flight suit leak checks, spacecraft sound verification, display panel and cargo bin inspections, seat hardware rotations, and more.

Will be first American manned space launch since 2011…

NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for the agency’s SpaceX Demo-2 test flight with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station. These activities are a part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which is working with the U.S. aerospace industry to launch astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil for the first time since 2011.

NASA and SpaceX are targeting 4:32 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 27, for the launch of the Demo-2 flight, which will be the first time a commercially built and operated American rocket and spacecraft will carry humans to the space station. The launch, as well as other activities leading up to the launch, will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website. More

Hewescraft offices and production line re-opening on May 5

Hewescraft offices and production line re-opening on May 5

(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

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