Oroville gives $1000 toward new county K-9

Detective discusses NCW Narcotics Task Force

OROVILLE – Seeing value in having a police dog available in the North County, the City of Oroville presented a check for $1000 to purchase a trained K-9 for the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies Shane Jones and Terry Schrable, Sheriff Frank Rogers, Oroville Police Chief Todd Hill and Mayor Chuck Spieth at the presentation of a check for $1000 toward the puchrase of a canine officer. Submitted photo — Deputies Shane Jones and Terry Schrable, Sheriff Frank Rogers, Oroville Police Chief Todd Hill and Mayor Chuck Spieth at the presentation of a check for $1000 toward the purchase of a canine officer. *Submitted photo*

The check was presented to Sheriff Frank Rogers by Oroville Police Chief Todd Hill at the city council’s Tuesday, Feb. 17 meeting. Deputy Terry Schrable, who is training to work with the dog, updated the council on the county’s K-9 program. The new K-9 will be partnered with Schrable and is being purchased through donations from the various municipalities and from local business who feel having a trained police dog in the area is important.

Detective Kevin Newport, who also attended the meeting, discussed the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force, of which Oroville is a member. He explained that the task force covers Okanogan and Ferry counties and explained the fees that each community is assessed. He also discussed the organization’s budget and funds received from the communities and the Byrnes Grant.

The Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grant Program or the Byrne Formula Grant Program is a federal grant provided to states from the U.S. Department of Justice Department. This grant aims to help law enforcement agencies enforce and strengthen local and state laws designed for serious offenders or violent criminals.

Councilman Tony Koepke asked about seized assets and the detective discussed the difficulties in the collection process where seized assets are concerned.

Social Media Has Spoken

Daryln Hollenbeck attended the council meeting to discuss changing the colors of the pointsettia Christmas Decorations, which are currently lit with all white bulbs. There has been an ongoing discussion on FaceBook about changing the colors of the bulbs so that the poinsettias are more defined, with red pedals, green stems and white leaves. If the lights were changed the council preferred changing to LEDs because they last longer and draw less power.

The cost to change the bulbs to LED colored lights would be around $3000, said Hollenbeck.

“The council was supportive of changing the colors if the community can come up with the funding and the manpower to change the bulbs,” said JoAnn Denney, Oroville City Clerk.

Circus Coming To Town

The council approved a park use permit for the Oroville Chamber of Commerce which has requested City Park for the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus on June 10.

General Aviation Month

After discussing the Airport Request for Qualifications update given by Denney, the council called for a roster of Engineering services be updated. A consultants list is also needed for the airport improvement project, she said, adding that the RFQs needed to be completed by March 13. Airport Committee members Councilwoman Neysa Roley and Councilman Ed Naillon will be involved in the interview process.

Naillon also made a motion, with a second by Koepke, for a resolution to proclaim February as General Aviation Month. The motion was approved.

Airport Services Manager Steve Johnston commented on the resolution saying he appreciates the support of the airport by the city.