Douglas County Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Lawsuit In Douglas County Seeks To Overturn Washington’s Newly Passed Capital Gains Tax

By Austin Jenkins April 28, 2021

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during a news conference, March 12, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee said he will issue an emergency proclamation next week that will require all public schools in the state to offer students an in-person learning option starting in April. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

Just days after the Washington Legislature gave final approval to a new capital gains tax aimed at the state's wealthiest residents, the conservative Freedom Foundation has filed a lawsuit on behalf of five individuals and one couple to overturn the tax. Read More

Wenatchee-Area Hydrogen Production Plant Signals Renewed Interest In Alternative Fuel

By Tom Banse March 9, 2021

Refueling a vehicle at a hydrogen gas pump could be a familiar, speedy routine akin to how consumers refuel gasoline-powered cars today. Courtesy of Washington State Senate

A public utility in north-central Washington broke ground Monday for a hydrogen production facility. It's one of several related actions in the Northwest that reflect renewed interest in hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel.Read More

Contaminated Former Orchards In Central Washington One Step Closer To Being Safer

By Courtney Flatt December 16, 2020

Orchards are shown in the foreground of the Wenatchee Valley on Monday, November 19, 2018, in Wenatchee. KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer CREDIT: KUOW PHOTO/MEGAN FARMER

Homes, schools, parks and daycares on Central Washington’s former orchards could soon be one step closer to sitting atop less contaminated ground. A workgroup is finalizing a report to help spread the word about pesticide contamination from more than a century ago – and to give advice on how to help clean it up.Read More

Governor Inslee Moves Remaining Washington Counties To Phase 2; Whitman County Adds Deaths

By Scott Leadingham October 13, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13, that the remaining Washington counties, all in central Washington, could advance to Phase 2 of the state's four-phase plan. CREDIT: TVW

No more Washington counties will be in Phase 1 of the state’s four-phase reopening plan. Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that Chelan, Douglas, Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties could advance to Phase 2.Read More

‘I Regret That.’ Governor Sorry For Apple Gift Mistake; Agent Tracks Down Maggot-Laden Fruit

By NWPB News September 17, 2020

Signs along highways throughout Washington mark where apple maggot quarantine areas begin. It is illegal to transport home-grown tree fruit into these areas, largely from western Washington into the state's apple-growing eastern counties. CREDIT: Washington Dept. of Agriculture

In Washington, bringing a home-grown apple from west to east is a misdemeanor. There are road signs and posters. The penalty can cost 90 days in jail. But the Washington Department of Agriculture has never enforced the law. Sources at the department say it’s more about education.Read More

Governor Came To Eastern Washington Bearing Gifts. But The Banned Apples Had Maggot Larvae

By NWPB News September 16, 2020

A screenshot of a Facebook post of the apples that Gov. Jay Inslee brought to eastern Washington. The apples were found to be infested with apple maggots, a dangerous pest.

Thurston County, where Inslee lives in the governor’s mansion, is under apple maggot quarantine, whereas Douglas County is not. It’s illegal to bring apples to Douglas County, apple country, from Thurston County.Read More

Washington Counties In Modified Phase 1 Get Updated Reopening Guidance, With Full ‘Pause’ Still On

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa August 26, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a news conference at Columbia Basin College in Pasco June 30, 2020. Hecklers yelling at him, some with signs and flags for Trump 2020 and Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp, caused the event to be moved inside. CREDIT: Courtney Flatt/NWPB

Effective Thursday, churches and restaurants in Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Chelan and Douglas counties can open their doors to let guests inside — though just to 25% capacity. Outdoors, groups of up to five people from different households can meet up or attend fitness classes. Read More

‘Hanging Out To Dry’ In Rural Washington As Residents Push For Their Own Fire Protection Group

By Courtney Flatt August 18, 2020

Molly and David Linville purchased a brush truck to fight fires on their ranch and their neighbors’ land in Douglas County, Washington. They live in the Moses Coulee area, where no agency is assigned to respond to fires that spark there. Courtesy of Molly Linville

For some people, there are advantages to living in an unprotected area. For one, they don’t have to pay taxes into a fire district or timber taxes to the state. Residents in Moses Coulee area of Douglas County want to act as an initial attack team for their small area, helping douse the flames until official fire crews arrive.Read More

Chelan County Judge Denies Request For Restraining Order Against Governor’s Coronavirus Measures

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa June 25, 2020

The Chelan County Courthouse in Wentachee, Washington. Courtesy of Chelan County

Ultimately, presiding judge Kristin Ferrera sided with the state and did not issue an injunction on the emergency order. She said she didn’t have enough evidence on its current harms to the plaintiffs, representing business owners and individuals in Chelan and Douglas counties.Read More

Okanogan Public Health Workers Report Hostile Threats And Fears About Contact Tracing

By NPR News June 3, 2020

At the Salt Lake County Health Department, a woman teaches new contact tracers on May 19 how to identify potential new exposures after a person tests positive for the coronavirus

Online misinformation is fueling a backlash in some places against coronavirus containment strategies such as contact tracing and isolation. Some health officials have even received violent threats.Read More

Cases In Chelan And Douglas Counties Challenge Governor’s Statewide Coronavirus Measures

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa May 29, 2020

Residents of Chelan and Douglas counties have filed lawsuits against Gov. Jay Inslee, demanding an injunction on his emergency measures to address coronavirus in Washington.Read More

Elected Officials, Construction Industry Want Jay Inslee To Classify Home Building As ‘Essential’

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa April 10, 2020

File photo. Seattle's rental housing market shows more availability than other areas of Washington, like Kittitas and Yakima counties, where new construction hasn't kept up with demand. CREDIT: TED S. WARREN/AP

Construction industry advocates are asking Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to allow more home building to continue under his “stay home, stay healthy” order meant to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.Read More

Wildfire Lessons Teach Counties How To Communicate With Spanish Speakers In Other Disasters

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa October 17, 2019

About 20 homes burned in this Pateros neighborhood, which included the mayor at the time, Libby Harrison, and her mom’s home behind her. The community church behind it survived, but the pastor’s home next door burned. CREDIT: Scott A. Leadingham

Communication is key in emergencies. That’s especially true when the people you’re working to protect don’t speak English. That’s why Washington emergency management offices are working on their language skills — whether for a fire, earthquake or any emergency.Read More

Central Washington Utility Eager To Branch Into Hydrogen Fuel Production

By Tom Banse April 11, 2019

Wells Dam on the Columbia River of central Washington state. CREDIT: Douglas County PUD

The Douglas County Public Utility District operates Wells Dam on the Columbia River north of Wenatchee. The dam generates a lot of surplus electricity, especially during spring runoff. Quite a few years ago, utility managers hit on the idea of using surplus electricity to split water molecules to make hydrogen.Read More

China-Based Cryptocurrency Firm Establishes Foothold In Central Washington

By Tom Banse November 19, 2018

Dignitaries cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Bitmain's new East Wenatchee bitcoin mine -- in other words, a data center that earns cryptocurrency. CREDIT: TOM BANSE

One of the biggest players in the global cryptocurrency space has established a foothold in the Pacific Northwest. China-based Bitmain Technologies held a ribbon cutting for a $20 million data center near the Wenatchee airport on Friday. A celebratory mood ran through the grand opening despite headwinds besetting the virtual currency sector.Read More

Home On The (Solar) Range: Energy Developers Clamor For Washington’s Grazing Land

By Tom Banse June 11, 2018

File photo. Developers are showing interest in converting public grazing lands in central Washington into large solar farms.

Renewable energy developers are showing interest in converting public grazing lands in sunny central Washington into large solar farms. The state Department of Natural Resources says around 15 companies have expressed interest in long-term leases of public rangeland properties, primarily in Klickitat County but also in Yakima, Grant, Douglas and Kittitas counties.Read More