Reminder: Kittitas County Voters in Cle Elum Roslyn School District 404, Thorp School District 400 and Damman School District 7 have a Special Election Feb. 11, 2025. Ballots mailing today, Jan. 21, and voting will be Jan. 24-Feb. 11. A guide to the levies can be found on the non-partisan League of Women Voters of Kittitas County at

The Tribune office and Tribune Office Supply & Printing will be open regular hours, 9am-5pm, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, so if you need anything, please feel free to come in.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Forest Service offers fee-free day in honor of MLK National Day of Service

Jan. 17, 2025 — The USDA Forest Service will waive recreation fees at most day-use sites across national forests in Oregon and Washington on Monday, January 20, 2025, in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

This fee waiver is designed to remove barriers to access, allowing more people to experience the recreational opportunities offered on national forests. The agency also recognizes this day as a National Day of Service, which aligns with a broader effort to encourage public engagement with nature and promote volunteer service on public lands.

"We invite everyone to experience the beauty and serenity of our national forests on this day of reflection and service," said Tracy Calizon, Assistant Director of Recreation, Lands, and Minerals, for the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region. "It's an opportunity to honor Dr. King's legacy by connecting with nature and considering how we can contribute to the stewardship of these precious resources.”

The fee waiver applies to many Forest Service day-use sites, including:
Picnic areas
Most boat launches
Trailheads
Visitor centers (if open for the season)

Fees for camping, cabin rentals, and other permits will still apply. Sites operated by concessionaires may continue to charge fees unless they choose to participate.

Visitors are encouraged to contact local forests or visit the Forest Service website for specific site information and potential winter weather advisories.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day marks the first of five fee-free days offered by the Forest Service in 2025. Other dates include:
National Get Outdoors Day: June 14, 2025
Juneteenth: June 19, 2025
National Public Lands Day: September 27, 2025
Veterans Day: November 11, 2025

For more information on fee-free days and recreation passes, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits.

In alignment with the Forest Service's commitment to environmental stewardship, visitors are urged to adhere to Leave No Trace principles during their outdoor adventures. By respecting the environment and minimizing our impact, we can collectively preserve the natural beauty of these remarkable landscapes for future generations.

The Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region contains 16 National Forests, two National Scenic Areas, a National Grassland, and two National Volcanic Monuments, all within the States of Oregon and Washington. These public lands provide timber for people, forage for cattle and wildlife, habitat for fish, plants, and animals, and some of the best recreation opportunities in the country.

For more information about the Pacific Northwest Region please visit: www.fs.usda.gov/r6.

For more news and information about National Forests in the Pacific Northwest, visit our news page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/r6/news-events.

TAKE NOTE 1/9/25:
NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING ON THURSDAY
WILL DELAY THIS WEEK'S NEWSPAPER DELIVERY
The United States will honor the late former President Jimmy Carter, who died at age 100 on December 29. President Joe Biden declared January 9 as a day of mourning in an executive order – the same day as the official state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. All flags will be flown at half-staff for the 30-day period after Carter’s death.
The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery and retail service on Thursday, Jan. 9, but will provide limited package delivery service on that day.

LAST CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS YEAR'S ARRF Animal Rescue FUNDRAISER, BUDDY'S BUDDIES!

Our Buddy's Buddies Pet Giving Tree will remain up through this Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. You can also pre-print out the tag in this post and bring it in. More information online at https://nkctribune.com/buddy/

The final tally, including listing of donors (anonymous accepted) and pet names, in behalf of or in memory of, will be printed in an upcoming issue of the Tribune.

100% of the proceeds go to ARRF Animal Rescue that also works with the local HopeSource Pet Food Bank, to provide pet food, veterinary care, and operating expenses for ARRF and their Animal Foster Care shelter in Roslyn.