Snowflake News

A 2.5-percent across the board pay decrease for nearly all employees was approved by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday in lieu of mandatory furloughs.

By Naomi Hatch "I think we are all aware at this point that we have some serious consideration regarding the paper mill and the inability they have to compete on the current playing field," said Paul Watson, Snowflake Town Manager at a council meeting on Tuesday, June 23.

By Naomi Hatch "As you know, we're always looking for good grants," reported Snowflake Fire Chief Pat Hancock at the regular meeting of the city council on Tuesday.

The annual Snowflake Pioneer Days Run will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, at the Snowflake Golf Course.

By Tammy Gray-Searles Responding to requests from local lawmakers and constituents, U.S. Representatives Ann Kirkpatrick and Jeff Flake have co-sponsored a bill that would put an early end to Black Liquor Tax Credits.

The political battle over black liquor subsidies is taking its toll on Catalyst Paper, and likely won't do much to help coastal mills.

By Tammy Gray-Searles Although a state budget was passed through both the House and Senate June 4, lawmakers and analysts seem to agree that it is not likely to be adopted as is.

By Naomi Hatch and Tammy Gray-Searles Concern is being expressed throughout the community regarding the Black Liquor Tax Credit and the impact it will have on Catalyst Paper's Snowflake Mill.

Photo by Naomi Hatch Snowflake Justice of the Peace Fred Peterson swears in recently elected members of the Snowflake Town Council, including Sharon Tate, Dean Porter, Chris Brimhall and Jason Whiting, during the June 9 council meeting.

By Naomi Hatch Snowflake Finance Director Brian Richards expressed concern to the Snowflake Town Council last week regarding incorrect information in a paper that was sent to Taylor postal customers from the Taylor Fact Finders Committee after the June 3 Taylor Town Council meeting.

By Naomi Hatch The Snowflake Town Council unanimously approved an $8,967,593 tentative budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 on June 9, a decrease of $2,624,396 from this year's budget.

Catalyst Paper has petitioned to the Supreme Court of British Columbia for judicial review of recently set property tax rates in North Cowichan, Port Alberni, Campbell River.

By Naomi Hatch The recent Star Party sponsored by the Snowflake-Taylor Tourism Committee was a great success despite inclement weather, Treavor Allen, administrative assistant to the Tourism Committee, advised the Snowflake Town Council May 26.

By Tammy Gray-Searles The pain was expected, but that doesn't make it any easier to take.

By Tammy Gray-Searles A request for $1.8 million to help fund replacement of the Obed Bridge outside of Joseph City has been submitted to Congress by Representative Ann Kirkpatrick.

Forest industry layoffs hit white-collar employees Wednesday as Catalyst Paper announced it is cutting 100 salaried staff jobs.

Weekly results for the Snowflake Men's Golf Club for play on May 14 included: A Flight, low gross with 71, Don Ottmann, and low net with 67, Tom Lyman; B Flight, low gross with 81, Bob Towell, and low net with 70, Bill Robinson; and C Flight, low gross with 94, Frank Nagle, and low net with 69, Jack Wright.

By Naomi Hatch Officials of Snowflake Junior High School and Snowflake High School have requested that the schools go back to the 90-minute modified block schedule, and the school board agreed to allow the change in schedules.

Commencement exercises honoring members of the Class of 2009 at five area high schools are scheduled later this week.

By Tammy Gray-Searles A $226,990 Justice Assistance Grant has been awarded to fund a criminal analyst and investigator position that will serve all of Navajo County.