CHELAN - A meeting is set for Jan. 10 to discuss changes to the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service planning and contracting software, and how that might affect previous submissions for program year 2020.

WENATCHEE – The Washington State Tree Fruit Association is hosting the 115th annual meeting and Northwest Hort Expo through today, Dec. 11, at the Wenatchee Convention Center.

YAKIMA - Cosmic Crisp, the apple developed by Washington State University, started flying off the shelves when it hit the market last Sunday, Dec. 1.

YAKIMA – Washington’s 2019 apple crop is slightly larger than predicted in August, before harvest got into full swing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bill aimed at providing a compromise solution for the H-2A agricultural guest worker program has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

SPOKANE – A market snapshot report for the state’s major agricultural commodities has been issued by Northwest Farm Credit Services.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-4th District, is asking U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to elevate Washington apple access in India by reducing tariff rates for U.S. apple growers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bill to fund the federal government through Nov. 21 has passed the House and includes language to promote agricultural research for specialty crops, including apples.

YAKIMA – Holders of junior water rights in the Okanogan, Similkameen and Methow watersheds are reminded to call the state Department of Ecology daily to see if they can irrigate.

RENO, Nev. - Craig Vejraska, Omak, has been elected as a delegate to the 136th annual American Angus Association convention of delegates Nov. 4.

YAKIMA - Washington’s fresh apple crop is expected to be 18 percent larger than last year’s crop, with Gala truly taking the lead for production and Cosmic Crisp making its debut on the commercial market.

OKANOGAN – The Pioneer Project may or may not happen this year at the Okanogan County Fair.

WENATCHEE – The United States, Canada and Mexico have reached an agreement resulting in the removal of steel and aluminum tariffs by the U.S. administration and removal of retaliatory tariffs on imported U.S. goods.

OKANOGAN - Applicants are sought for an Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board position.

By Dee Camp

Wolves from the Smackout pack in Stevens County and the Togo pack in Ferry County will have their numbers reduced after continued attacks on cattle forced Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind to authorize lethal removal of one or two members of both packs.

Okanogan County Fair Advisory Committee members unanimously approved the theme for next year’s fair during a regular meeting Thursday, Nov. 8.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff have been authorized to lethally remove wolves who have been preying on cattle grazing on federal lands in the Kettle River Range of Ferry County. The authorization, announced Sept. 12, comes from WDFW Director Kelly Susewind, following repeated attacks on cattle.

A USDA-certified mobile slaughtering unit may soon be located in Tonasket. City council members directed staff to work with the Planning Commission to review the zoning code and make a recommendation to council on if, where and under what conditions a slaugherhouse would be permitted.

Years of devastating wildfires, windstorms and flooding is taking a toll on Ferry County resources and funding.

Hector and Victor Maldonado are hoping to salvage the summer yet, despite three blocks of pear trees and cherry trees water-logged under the past couple weeks of flooding.

Okanogan Valley residents breathed a collective sigh of relief as Okanogan River water began receding Sunday, but they also began girding themselves for an even higher crest at the end of this week.

Water levels in Osoyoos Lake are rising as the over-abundance of late- season snows begin to run off in Canada, causing flood warnings along the Okanogan and Similkameen rivers in the United States.