Local News

Lumen Technologies Logo with rebranded CenturyLink Field

CenturyLink has changed its name in a rebranding of itself, to Lumen Technologies, or simply Lumen. At the opening of trading on September 18, 2020, the company stock ticker officially changed from "CTL" to "LUMN". Since then, other legal and regulatory hurdles have been in process to formally change the name of the company.

Today also marks a fourth name change in the works for Centurylink Field, as the Seahawks and Lumen announced today that the Seattle stadium will be renamed Lumen Field. This new name is pending approval later today by the Washington State Public Stadium Authority, the Washington State public corporation owner of the stadium.

Okanogan County Public Health Logo

OKANOGAN — The Okanogan County Public Health Department's (OCPH) mission statement "is to promote health, prevent conditions of disease and/or disability, and to protect the health of the residents of Okanogan County", but many in the community believe that its Facebook page, at least, has been straying from that mission.

Near the center of this controversy, are two social media posts, which were added to the Department's official Facebook page - apparently by an authorized staff member, lamenting the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday, Sept 18th, 2020. One of the department's posts was sharing a post written by an academic who is very partisan for the political left, and who criticizes President Trump in nearly every post she makes.

Washington Pass Overlook.

WINTHROP — A snowy forecast means State Route 20 North Cascades Highway will close for the season.

Washington State Department of Transportation crews close this stretch of SR 20 every year once snow fills the avalanche chutes that line the highway, which poses a safety risk to travelers and road crews.

grocery store shopping

**Article updated with new information**

OLYMPIA — WA State Governor Jay Inslee is intending to announce drastic new COVID-19 related restrictions in a scheduled press conference at about 11am on Sunday morning, Nov 15th, 2020.

This information was contained in a leaked email letter from the Washington Food Industry Association (WFIA) to their members. In it, the President and CEO of WFIA, Tammy Hetrick, stated that she met with Governor Inslee’s office regarding the intended new restrictions. These statewide restrictions are expected to take effect on Monday, Nov 16, 2020, and last for at least 4 weeks. As it stands, gyms, bowling alleys, museums, movie theaters and aquariums would be required to close, said various industry officials. 

The site of the new Winthrop fire station is being cleared of trees.

WINTHROP — Okanogan County Fire District 6 is in the process of clearing the building site at its property on Horizon Flats Rd, where the new Winthrop fire station will be built. The District is trying to do as much of the site clearing work as possible with volunteer labor in order to save taxpayer funds.