im and Julie Alley were named this year’s grand marshals for Founders Day 2019, announced at the annual Tonasket Chamber of Commerce banquet Saturday, Jan. 26.

For a town with a population of 35, selling 160 pancake breakfasts at the Molson Grange is a big event.

Legislative Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, joined senior citizens for lunch last week at the Tonasket Senior Center, where he spoke to a large audience after they sang “Happy Birthday” to Kretz.

The tiny house movement is a way for people to live simply, more affordably and have the option of taking their home on the road.

On Dec. 15, Usofono “Fono” Muasau went to a scheduled dialysis appointment, when he received a call about a kidney donated in Seattle that was a match. A kidney was donated to Virginia Mason Seattle, and was ready for Usofono Muasau the night of December 15, if he could get to Seattle within six hours.

Christmas services will be in abundance Sunday as area churches mark the birth of Jesus.

OMAK - Santa Claus is coming to Omak and Okanogan neighborhoods this week.

OMAK – The annual Shop with a Cop event is planned Dec. 22 by local law enforcement agencies.

OMAK – Student skiers and snowboarders are making and selling pumpkin rolls to help fund a trip to Schweitzer Mountain Resort in January.

OKANOGAN – Donations are being sought for the annual Omak-Okanogan Community Christmas Basket Project, which provides food during the holidays for mid-valley residents in need.

RIVERSIDE – Two Grange groups plan holiday parties in the coming weeks.

On a brisk fall day in 1949, the beautiful Heisler 102 narrow gauge locomotive engine lay tilted on its side atop a scrap heap in Omak, awaiting her final stop in a lifetime of service.

Tonasket Police Department's former drug dog, the late Zeus, searches for marijuana hidden in the Tonasket Commancheros Rodeo arena for an illustration of his abilities during a fundraiser for the K-9 unit.

OKANOGAN—The First Baptist Church of Okanogan hosted their annual Operation Christmas Child packing party to benefit children in need.

BREWSTER—The Chamber of Commerce met at the American Legion for their regular monthly meeting and discussed positive community involvement for the upcoming Winter season.

CASHMERE - A GoFundMe account has been set up for a former Brewster student with cancer who was displaced by the Carlton Complex fire and now lives in Cashmere.

Master Sgt. Keith Caraway kept students of all ages entertained as he spoke about his nearly 20 years in the service at the Tonasket Elementary School Veterans Day assembly Wednesday, Nov. 7.

Elementary school students entertained veterans, active troops, staff and community members at Wednesday's Veterans Day Assembly with several musical numbers, directed by Gail Morris.

WENATCHEE - Several local groups will receive grants from the Community Foundation of North Central Washington.

A group tourists from Europe rolled through the region Wednesday, Oct. 24. The group of about 20 people – with African Adventures - made a rest stop near Janis Bridge after coming down from Canada en route to Seattle.

Tonasket Elementary students will be sending care package to active military members for the second year in a row this Veterans' Day.

Three Rivers Family Medicine and Three Rivers Orthopedics recently relocated to 415 Hospital Way.

The annual Zombie Fun Run and Halloween Harvest Festival will be Saturday, Oct. 27, in East Side and Civic League parks. The events help kick off Halloween week. A variety of events will be offered around the region.

MANSFIELD – FFA students at Mansfield High School are selling holiday wreaths and other greenery as a fundraiser.

OKANOGAN – Okanogan High School Key Club members want to help residents get ready for winter by helping with fall yard cleanup.

COULEE DAM – Lake Roosevelt High School is celebrating homecoming this week, with a football game and dance capping the event on Friday.

OMAK – Homecoming activities are underway this week at Omak High School.

Tonasket Comancheros crowned Trinity Dejong queen and Alizae DeVon princess during its year end banquet and coronation Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Tonasket Eagles.

OKANOGAN – Homecoming activities are happening this week at Okanogan High School.

Organizers are calling the annual Stew and Brew a success.

The 17th annual Autumn Leaf Run drew 71 participants for a cold, cloudy run around town the morning of Sept. 29. One-mile and 5K distances were offered to runners and walkers who were encouraged to donate canned or boxed foods for the food bank. Children under 12 received a free T-shirt, while adults could purchase shirts.

The Tonasket Tigers are celebrating homecoming this week, with the theme “Tigers – We are Stronger Together!”

A Night Out with Tonasket Police event held Friday in Founders’ Park was well-attended by community members, kids and emergency personnel.

SEATTLE – Several students from Okanogan County were named to the spring quarter dean’s list at the University of Washington.

PATEROS – The annual Chelan Ridge Hawk Migration Festival is set for Sept. 14-15 in Memorial Park

Katie Keane will be crowned 2019 Okanogan County Fair Queen Sunday, Sept. 9 at the fairgrounds. She will take over the title from 2018 Queen Shelby White from Twisp.

The Community Cultural Center was packed full with friends for a celebration of life for Claire Jeffko Thursday, Aug. 30.

Construction on a two-classroom addition to Virginia Grainger Elementary School is pretty much done and youngsters are in the new rooms today, Aug. 29, for the start of the new school year.

Preschool students in the Omak School District are getting a little extra summer time because new classrooms for them aren’t yet ready.

Boots and cowboy hats filled the North Central Washington Fair grandstands Friday, Aug. 24, as the iconic 1990s country music group BlackHawk performed as this year’s headline act.

At this year’s Okanogan County Fair, Thursday, Sept. 6, one of its attractions will feature a practice that is eons older than the fair itself.

OLYMPIA - An Inchelium girl, part of the inaugural class of Washington World Fellows, has returned home after a six-week study abroad experience in Leon, Spain.

OMAK – Sheila Corson, communications officer at Omak School District, has earned her accreditation in public relations.

Can you believe we are nearly a month away from the first day of fall?

As the north Okanogan pulsated with rumors of Jack Black sightings last week, I received an email from my editor saying, “Keep your eyes out. Jack Black's in town.”