Methow Valley News

05/08/2026

A major section of the North Cascades Highway opened for traffic last week, but a cross-mountains route won’t be available for several weeks because of extensive repairs required on the west side of the crest, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

WSDOT cites rockslide, other extensive damage A major section of the North Cascades Highway opened for traffic last week, but a cross-mountains route won’t be available for several weeks because of…

05/07/2026

Another regular season is in the books for the WIAA 2B No. 2-ranked Liberty Bell High School Mountain Lions, who finished with wins over the Brewster Bears, 8-1, on April 28 and an 11-1 romp over Tonasket on May 2.

Another regular season is in the books for the WIAA 2B No. 2-ranked Liberty Bell High School Mountain Lions, who finished with wins over the Brewster Bears, 8-1, on April 28 and an 11-1 romp over…

05/07/2026

Winthrop’s 2026 ’49er Days Grand Lady Lorah and Marshal Don Super are a well deserving royal couple in the Methow Valley. They have long been a part of the Okanogan County outfitter community and the Ride to Rendezvous, which is the annual kickoff to the ’49er Days celebration.

Grand Marshal, Lady grounded in community Winthrop’s 2026 ’49er Days Grand Lady Lorah and Marshal Don Super are a well deserving royal couple in the Methow Valley. They have long been a part of the…

05/06/2026

Still looking for a few more sponsors!

05/06/2026

Frustrated by years of noncompliance by some cannabis growers, lax oversight of licenses by the state, and alarmed by the potential for a massive power demand for new indoor grows, the Okanogan County commissioners are proposing strict limits on cannabis farms in the county.

Reflects years of frustration with local operators Frustrated by years of noncompliance by some cannabis growers, lax oversight of licenses by the state, and alarmed by the potential for a massive…

05/05/2026

Before last week, I hadn’t visited my friend’s family home up Twisp River. Miranda Soodak and I both keep our horses at another friend’s property. Both of our geldings are gaited (having an additional pace besides walk, trot, and canter) and keep up well with each other on the trails, despite being different breeds and very different heights — hers a Rocky Mountain, mine a diminutive Icelandic. We haven’t gotten to ride together as much this past year, with other life stuff going on for both of us.

Before last week, I hadn’t visited my friend’s family home up Twisp River. Miranda Soodak and I both keep our horses at another friend’s property. Both of our geldings are gaited (having an additional…

05/05/2026

Zoie Dubowy, a 15-year-old violinist, has been named the first-place winner in the annual Christine Cherrington Memorial Merit Competition sponsored by Cascadia Music.

Zoie Dubowy, a 15-year-old violinist, has been named the first-place winner in the annual Christine Cherrington Memorial Merit Competition sponsored by Cascadia Music. The awards are intended to…

05/05/2026

Time is speeding by, or wasting away, or simply an illusion, or all three and I just returned from the Methow Valley suburb of Seattle town and suddenly I’m on a short deadline so let’s get this over with.

Time is speeding by, or wasting away, or simply an illusion, or all three and I just returned from the Methow Valley suburb of Seattle town and suddenly I’m on a short deadline so let’s get this over…

05/04/2026

A late-season charge is underway at Liberty Bell High School in several sports, but none more pronounced than the sudden turnaround in the boys’ soccer program.

A late-season charge is underway at Liberty Bell High School in several sports, but none more pronounced than the sudden turnaround in the boys’ soccer program. It began with a 1-0 upset win at…