Omak, Washington

This article is about the city. For the Japanese word, see Omake.

Omak
City
City of Omak
Omak Hotel
Flag
Motto:  Heart of the Okanogan
Location of Omak in Okanogan County and Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Okanogan
Established	1907
Incorporated	February 11, 1911
Founded by	Ben Ross
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
• Mayor	Cindy Gagne
• Council	Omak City Council
Area
• City	3.50 sq mi (9.06 km2)
• Land	3.43 sq mi (8.88 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
• Urban	4.736 sq mi (12.267 km2)
Elevation	843 ft (257 m)
Population  (2010)
• City	4,845 (WA: 109th)
• Estimate  (2011)	4,881 (WA: 109th)
• Density	1,412.5/sq mi (545.4/km2)
• Urban	8,229
• Urban density	1,737/sq mi (670.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes	98841
Area code	509
FIPS code	53-51340Template:Geographic reference
GNIS feature ID	1524048Template:Geographic reference
Website	www.omakcity.com

Omak is the largest city in Okanogan County in the U.S. state of Washington, with 4,881 residents as of 2011. Situated on Okanogan River, Omak covers an area of 3.50 square miles (9.1 km²), of which 3.43 square miles (8.9 km²) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km²) is water. With an elevation of 843 feet (257 m), it is located about 45 miles (72 km) south of the Canada–United States border. There is no metropolitan area for Omak, although it has an urban area with a population of 8,229 as of 2010.

There are numerous mountains nearby, most notably the North Cascades range. The city experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with little precipitation, hot summers, and moderate winters. The 1872 North Cascades earthquake is the only major earthquake which has occurred, naturally centered around the 1,340 feet (410 m)-long balancing Omak Rock. The city's name is of Salish language origin, meaning "good medicine" or "plenty" in the language. It originally settled by many Native Americans who lived in fish camps and nearby regions, while purchasing items from a nearby trading post. The Omak area was established by Ben Ross in 1907. He constructed a cabin as shelter for he and his family at the time, although Ross died in early 1937 after a large illness. There are two mills which serve Omak, having been owned by numerous organizations throughout its history. The place was officially incorporated as a city on February 11, 1911.

While parks have been formed in Omak, there are many buildings home to churches and points of interest in the cityscape. The city is well known for the rodeo, Omak Stampede, which operates in August every year, along with associated horse race Suicide Race. Although it is considered to be a form of tourism, the event has been the subject of animal abuse controversy from animal rights groups due to the high level of danger posed to the horses. Omak broadcasts five licensed radio stations, although radio stations in nearby communities can also be accessed.

Economy in Omak is represented by agriculture, although many buildings and structures exist in the area for shopping purposes including Washington's first Walmart store. Public services thrift here. While public schools in the city are administered by the Omak School District, the Heritage University and Wenatchee Valley College operate branches. The main hospital is the Mid-Valley Hospital and the primary airport is Omak Airport, which provides charter flights to other destinations. A single-tier municipality, the city's crime rate is relatively high compared to the state and federal averages; three notable people are from Omak. Its sister city is the district of Summerland, British Columbia, in the adjacent country of Canada.

History

Before 1900

Prior to European involvement, the area that would become Omak, meaning "good medicine" or "plenty" in the Salish language term entitled Omache, was settled by many Native Americans who lived in fish camps and nearby regions around the Columbia River and its tributaries; in this case, Okanogan River. They typically ate salmon and berries at this time, while they fished at nearby Kettle Falls to obtain the former. When the Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post in Kettle Falls around 1826, numerous Native American tribes of Omak used the service. European-Americans settled in the mid-1850s, having constructed houses and used mining, logging, and agriculture activities. Because more white people arrived around this time, there was a dispute between the Native Americans and European-Americans with ownership of land.

In response to this, a treaty was developed and signed which stated an Indian reservation would own some of the area while the European-Americans would maintain the rest. Colville Indian Reservation was developed around 1872 by Ulysses S. Grant, the president of the United States at the time. Thus, the former Indian reservation size was reduced to about 5,000,000 acres (2,000,000 ha). The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation was created from 12 nearby Indian bands including Colville, as per the General Allotment Act of 1987. The federal government of the United States moved the Colville Indian Reservation's location west of the Columbia River, thus reducing the size again to 2,800,000 acres (1,100,000 ha). Further land was reduced for the next 60 years after by the government.

1900–1911

Ben Ross constructed a cabin because he and his family required shelter.

The Omak area was platted by Great Northern Railroad employee Ben Ross in 1907, one of the first white men to settle, as a small town. He was born in Bureau County, Illinois, and came to Okanogan in March 1901; he was developed a cabin in the community because he and his family required shelter and ultimately lived in the cabin for a short duration with his daughter, son and grandchildren. However, after a large illness, Ross died in 1937 although the rest of his family remained alive at this time. Within a year after its establishment, the town had a central business district home to a public bank and hotel paid for by the agriculture industry. The post office was renamed from Epley to Omak, although Father Etienne DeRouge's argued the office should have been renamed to St. Mary's Mission instead. This ultimately became the name of a historical church and house by 1950.

Ross founded Omak School District in the 1900s; its first education institution, Omak Schoolhouse, was constructed soon after the foundation of the school district by the founder. Around the same time, he took 20 acres (8.1 ha) of his farm and platted it into 25 feet (7.6 m) lots. In 1906, Omak Hotel was built by owner Barton Robinson. Ross' community began to develop after the completion of the Okanogan Irrigation Project, inside part of the community's boundaries that mostly dry and dusty at the time. Farmers came to Omak looking for homes around that time, thus.

Omak Schoolhouse, 1910

Several fruits began to notably grow after 1910, including watermelons, peaches, apples, plums and berries. Numerous buildings were constructed in the community and were branded as a meat market, hardware shop, law office, stationery and confectionery store. The city operated an historical military band, Omak Military Band, around this time. Omak was incorporated as a city on February 11, 1911. A steel bridge was constructed around this time, but it collapsed into the river it was covering, Okanogan River. However, it was quickly rebuilt. Shortly after being formed, the city of Omak waged a battle trying to get the county seat to be located there, but it lost to the nearby city of Okanogan which still serves as the seat now.

Since 1911

A company entitled Omak Fruit Growers maintained an apple growing factory in eastern Omak. The organization was bought out by Biles-Coleman Lumber Company, who constructed a sawmill outside of town limits on the narrow, nearby Omak Mountain, in 1924, and had 600 employees throughout its history. A second sawmill consisting of a billion-dollar board feet area was built inside town limits rather in 1924. The largest producer of casket shook in the United States and largest pill mill in western United States historically (1936), it sold over 130,000 units per year on average. Biles-Coleman Lumber Company had about 300 employees by 1930. Despite this, the organization was purchased in 1975 by Crown Zellerbach and thus his company, Cavenham Forest Industries, acquired the mills by 1985. The new organization, however, went bankrupt and were almost forced to close the mills. Employees bought the mill for $45,000,000 and renamed it Omak Wood Products, so they could save their jobs.

Aerial view of Omak taken by NASA at the International Space Station

Omak Woods Products' payroll decreased to 480 in the early 1990s and had to sell 45,000 acres (18,000 ha) of land to Crown Pacific. They used these profits to pay off their debt and complete a large project, although bad effects on the business occurred. In 1998, Omak Woods Products became bankrupt. Quality Veneer bought out the mill for $19,000,000. A non-union plant, this company paid significantly lower wages. Manpower and accident rates occurred more and there were decreased profits which thus affected morale from workers. Over a million dollars was spent during its first month of operation. During the Great Depression of 1933, many residents were forced to work at outside areas.

In an attempt to provide jobs, the United States Bureau of Reclamation promoted work which were available at Grand Coulee Dam in nearby Coulee Dam for an improvement project. It employed 5,000 people from 1933 and 1951. Historically the largest private manufacturing company in Okanogan County, Quality Veneer closed around 2000 having effected approximately 200 people. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation purchased the mill for $6,000,000 using loans and their own money. The company states that can keep the mill successful because of maintaining prices to pay for the property, having numerous natural resources and operating a co-generation plant. Its local high school has had baseball, basketball, and football teams. By 1950, the city was home to many general structures, including a then-relatively new church known as the St. Mary's Mission. Ross' daughter, born in May 1896, died in Bellingham at the age of 102 in late 1998.

Geography

Topography

Map of the city limits for Omak, defining its borders in purple

Omak Lake

The Okanogan River, coming out of the town of Riverside, defines the northeastern border of the city, while the southwestern border comes out of the city of Okanogan. Along the eastern and western borders are Okanogan as well; the terrain here is rather mountainous and hilly. The nearest Canada–United States border, which features an official crossing into Osoyoos, British Columbia from Oroville, lies about 45 miles (72 km) to the south. While the larger cities of Wenatchee, Spokane, Seattle, and Vancouver sit 96 miles (154 km), 140 miles (230 km), 237 miles (381 km), and 294 miles (473 km) away, the border of the American state, Idaho, coming from Washington is about 158 miles (254 km) southeast of Omak.

The nearest statistical region is the Wenatchee – East Wenatchee metropolitan area. A nearby census-designated place (CDP) northeast of the city was named North Omak due to its proximity to this community. The city lies at the geographical coordinates of 48°24′38″N 119°31′29″W. It is part of the Inland Northwest region (long known as the Inland Empire), consisting of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, northwestern Montana, and northeastern Oregon. Omak lies in the Columbia Plateau ecoregion near the Okanogan Drift Hills area at the foot of the Okanogan Highlands, in central Okanogan County. Flowing through the entire city, the most prominent water feature in it is the Okanogan River, a 115 miles (185 km)-tributary of the Columbia River that lies south of downtown. Starting in the adjacent Okanagan region of the British Columbia Interior, the river receives the Omak Creek from the east direction just off the city limits and runs south until the nearby city of Brewster.

Known for the 1,340 feet (410 m)-long Omak Rock, the Omak Lake that is 11.3 miles (18.2 km) miles southeast of the city, is located just off the municipality, officially in the city of Okanogan. It is a saline endorheic lake that covers an area of 3,244 acres (13.13 km²) at an elevation of 950 feet (290 m). Another lake, Crawfish Lake, sits 15 miles (24 km) northeast at the border of the Colville Indian Reservation and Okanogan National Forest, owned by the United States Forest Service; the latter's nearest city is Omak, which serves as a 1,499,023 acres (6,066.33 km²)-forest that is home to numerous mountainous terrains, peaks, and water features. One of its attractions is part of the Crawfish, which covers an 80 acres (0.32 km²) area in both the reservation and forest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.50 square miles (9.06 km²), of which 3.43 square miles (8.88 km²) or 98 is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km²) or 2 percent is water. This means that Omak makes up 4.91 percent of Washington's overall area, serving as the third largest place in the Okanogan County by area covering 0.07 percent after North Omak and Nespelem Community. Meanwhile, the larger urban area including Okanogan has a total area of 4.736 square miles (12.27 km²) Elevations around the area, which includes the Colville Indian Reservation that makes up a quarter of its city limits, range from 780 feet (240 m) above sea level at the mouth of the Okanogan River to 6,774 feet (2,065 m) near the Moses Mountain, although it is officially outside of Omak.

The average elevation at the central business district is 843 miles (1,357 km). The landscape at the nearby Moses Mountain consists of a summit, serving as a mountainous attraction for the public. Little Moses Mountain and Omak Mountain are close to that area, with elevations of 5,963 feet (1,818 m) and 5,749 feet (1,752 m) rather. The North Cascades, a section of the larger Cascade Region, is also nearby to the city. This section of the larger mountain runs through British Columbia and Washington. Meanwhile, the Coleman Butte mountain summit is situated directly off city limits, and climbs to about 1,450 feet (440 m) above sea level.

Climate

Omak
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     1.3     30 16     1.1     38 21     0.8     51 29     0.9     64 36     1     73 43     1.1     80 50     0.6     88 55     0.5     87 53     0.6     77 45     0.9     62 35     1.4     43 27     1.7     33 20 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches Source: Western Regional Climate Center The Weather Channel
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     34     −1 −9     27     3 −6     21     11 −2     22     18 2     25     23 6     29     27 10     15     31 13     12     31 12     14     25 7     23     17 2     37     6 −3     42     1 −7 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm

The city experiences a semi-arid climate, along with most of Eastern Washington in the United States. Its Köppen climate classification is BSk, meaning that it typically has little precipitation, hot summers, and moderate winters. As of 2012, average temperatures in Omak range from 16.6 °F (−8.6 °C) in January to a high of 88.8 °F (31.6 °C) in July; overall, 48.6 °F (9.2 °C), although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in 1939 and a record high of 114 °F (46 °C) was recorded within the city of Omak around 1950. The daily mean is 48.6 °F (9.2 °C) annually. Average monthly participation has ranged from about 40 inches (1,000 mm) in August to 1.66 °F (−16.86 °C) in December. More specifically, snowfall ranges from a low of 0 inches (0 mm) from April to October to a high of 7.7 inches (200 mm) in December.

On average, the municipality receives 68 days of precipitation, less than nearby communities across the Canadian border including Osoyoos (108.4 per 0.2 millimetres (0.0079 in), and Penticton (115.8 per 0.2 millimetres (0.0079 in). The city of Wenatchee, further south, obtains a little less amount of precipitation by 6 inches (150 mm) and is 5 °F (−15 °C) cooler on average. However, statistics are comparable throughout a year. Omak is located in plant hardiness zone 6a, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Omak was affected by the 1872 North Cascades earthquake, the state's largest historical earthquake, on December 14, 1872. The strong natural resourced, earthquake is the reasoning for the Omak Rock which is placed near a lake; the rock is centered around parts of where it significantly occurred. At this time, the rock was already there but survived the earthquake. Causing intense shaking in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta, the earthquake's magnitude was around 6.5 and 7.0. It was followed by an aftershock on December 30. Another major natural disaster of this type has not occurred in the area since.

In July 2012, a severe thunderstorm occurred in the city. The storm provided heavy rainfall, gusty winds and hail across Eastern Washington, including at this destination. This storm caused mudslides and flooding, and the highway between Omak and Riverside was closed temporarily therefore. Although repairs needed to be made to public streets, most major roads or buildings were not affected. Despite this, sandbagging was placed around the Omak City Hall to protect it.

Climate data for Omak
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	60 (16)	63 (17)	79 (26)	96 (36)	101 (38)	107 (42)	114 (46)	107 (42)	102 (39)	90 (32)	77 (25)	67 (19)	114 (46)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	30.2 (−1.0)	38.3 (3.5)	51.9 (11.1)	64.1 (17.8)	73.5 (23.1)	80.6 (27.0)	88.8 (31.6)	87.1 (30.6)	77.1 (25.1)	62.2 (16.8)	43.6 (6.4)	33.0 (0.6)	60.9 (16.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	23.4 (−4.8)	29.9 (−1.2)	40.4 (4.7)	50.1 (10.1)	58.4 (14.7)	65.4 (18.6)	72.2 (22.3)	70.5 (21.4)	61.2 (16.2)	48.8 (9.3)	35.5 (1.9)	26.9 (−2.8)	48.6 (9.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	16.6 (−8.6)	21.5 (−5.8)	29.0 (−1.7)	36.1 (2.3)	43.3 (6.3)	50.2 (10.1)	55.6 (13.1)	53.9 (12.2)	45.3 (7.4)	35.5 (1.9)	27.5 (−2.5)	20.8 (−6.2)	36.3 (2.4)
Record low °F (°C)	−22 (−30)	−26 (−32)	−7 (−22)	15 (−9)	19 (−7)	30 (−1)	35 (2)	31 (−1)	20 (−7)	8 (−13)	−6 (−21)	−21 (−29)	−26 (−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.32 (34)	1.08 (27)	0.83 (21)	0.87 (22)	0.98 (25)	1.13 (29)	0.61 (15)	0.49 (12)	0.56 (14)	0.89 (23)	1.44 (37)	1.66 (42)	11.86 (301)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	7.3 (19)	4.0 (10)	0.7 (1.8)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	2.5 (6.4)	7.7 (20)	22.3 (57)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	8	6	5	5	5	6	3	3	4	5	8	9	68
Source: Western Regional Climate Center, The Weather Channel

Cityscape and recreation

Conconully State Park

A number of parks exist around the city. A group called Omak City Park Board was formed to protect its public spaces. Eastside Park, with a total area of 76.6 acres (0.310 km²), is located in Omak directly across from the Okanogan River. Its facilities include the Stampede Arena, municipal pool, seven baseball fields, four soccer fields, four tennis courts, two basketball courts, a playing apparatus, an enclosed skate park, an RV park, a veteran's memorial garden, tourism booth, two picnic shelters and cooking areas, three restrooms, and a walking trail. Civic League Park is the city's oldest park, while Dalton Klessig Park is newest public park. The other public spaces are Julia Maley Park, Kiwanis Park, 25 acres (10 ha)- Triangle Park, and Oak Street Park. The nearest state park is the Conconully State Park, 17.8 miles (28.6 km) away, which is home to 81 acres (0.33 km²) of land. Its activities include camping, boating, fishing, waterskiing, horseshoes, interpretive activities, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking. Although there are no official neighborhoods in the city, Downtown Omak and East Omak are considered to be regions.

The post office in Omak is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

It serves as the economic heart of Omak, with most of its buildings and structures. Numerous churches are situated here, including the Omak United Methodist Church, Omak Foursquare Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, St Anne's Episcopal Church, Faithful Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Omak First Baptist Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses and First Assembly of God of Omak. The Omak Memorial Cemetery is a cemetery situated off the main highway in the municipality on route to Okanogan. There is one building in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), which is the main post office. Industrial work for the city is commonly performed at the North Omak Business Park, with an area of 118 acres (48 ha) of flat, dry land. The government operates a municipal court dealing with traffic infractions, parking infractions, and civil infractions.

The Breadline Cafe, a coffeehouse and restaurant located in the city, offers food and beverage services throughout a typical day. According to The Spokesman-Review, the cityscape is generally sizable, while it offers a rather "funky" restaurant (Breadline Cafe) according to rival newspaper Seattle Post-Intelligencer's writer Jeff Larsen. Comedy appearances and general acts have occurred at the coffeehouse before.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	520		—
1920	2,500		380.8%
1930	2,547		1.9%
1940	2,918		14.6%
1950	3,791		29.9%
1960	4,068		7.3%
1970	4,164		2.4%
1980	4,007		−3.8%
1990	4,117		2.7%
2000	4,721		14.7%
2010	4,845		2.6%
2011 (est.)	4,881		0.7%
Sources: Greater Omak Comprehensive Plan United States Census Bureau

The city's population grew by 2.7 percent between 1990 and 2000, 14.7 percent between 2000 and 2010 and 0.7 percent between 2010 and 2011. It first entered the census during 1910, when it had a population of 520. By the following census, it had grown up to 2,500 residents. At this time, it surpassed Okanogan (1,519) to become the county's largest city. The 1950 United States Census recorded approximately 4,000 residents, for which the statistic stayed around the same until around 1990.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 4,845 people, 2,037 households, and 1,230 families residing in the city making it the largest city in the Okanogan County. The population density was 1,412.5 inhabitants per square mile (545.4/km²). There were 2,168 housing units at an average density of 632.1 per square mile (244.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.1 percent white, 0.6 percent African American, 17.4 percent Native American, 0.6 percent Asian, 6.3 percent from other races, and 4.0 percent from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 12.6 percent of the population. The larger urban area had a population of 8,229, making it the largest of which in the county. The population density was 1.737 inhabitants per square mile (0.7/km²).

The historic St. Mary's Mission house

There were 2,037 households, of which 27.6 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8 percent were married couples living together, 15.3 percent had a female householder with no husband present. 34 percent of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99 as of the previous 2000 United States Census (statistics from 2010 were not released).

The median age in the city was 38.6 years. 24.9 percent of residents were under the age of 18; 8 percent were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8 percent were from 25 to 44; 25.4 percent were from 45 to 64; and 17.7 percent were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6 percent male and 52.4 percent female.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,393. About 20.0 percent of families and 25.3 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.0 percent of those under age 18 and 10.1 percent of those age 65 or over as of the previous 2000 United States Census (statistics from 2010 were not released). According to a 2011 population estimate released by the United States Census Bureau, Omak has a population of 4,881.

Economy

There are two movie theaters, including Mirage Theaters, that operate in the city.

Around 1992, there were proposals for a large retail store to open in Omak and Kennewick, specifically Walmart. Land was given to the city for its location which was approved for use by the Omak Planning Commission. In May 1993, Omak became the first community in Washington to open one of these Walmart retail stores. A 93,188 square feet (8,657.4 m²) retail centre was opened at this time. Shortly after its opening, numerous shoppers came around the area looking for items. Later, 200 employees were hired to work for Walmart, boosting the city's economic role; that location became the Okanogan County's largest retailer for a small duration ultimately.

Despite this, local retailers feared that the retail chain would devastate their local businesses. The store has since been upgraded to Walmart Supercenter-status and remains at the same location, serving the whole county as the only municipality with one of these stores. It is open 24 hours daily, unlike other Walmart locations in more populated places across the Canadian border, such as Penticton, Kelowna, and Vernon. Among hotels offered are Best Western, Rodeway Inn, Omak Inn, and Motel Nicholas. Thus, Omak is the economic center of Okanogan County and is experiencing significant growth according to the county government.

Breadline Cafe

There are two movie theaters, Omak Theater and Mirage Theater, that operate in the city. It is the headquarters of transportation organizations: Okanogan County Transportation & Nutrition and Cascade and Columbia River Railroad. Covering an area of 143,207 square metres (1,541,470 sq ft), the Omache Shopping Center operates in the city, and is home to 12 shops and services. Opened around 1987, it serves people from many smaller towns according to The Wenatchee World.

Aside from buildings and structures, Omak's economy is also represented highly by agricultural and woody areas. In the early 2000s, almost 90 percent of the manufacturing jobs covering the city's two mills. It also provided almost one-third of the employment in the municipality in 1999, with 425 private firms employing a total of 3,332 workers in all industries. The second largest economic factor are the transportation, communications and utilities at $28,369, while retail trades with a wage of $13,364 define the third largest.

Mechanization, foreign competition, timber harvests and cycling areas maintain a large impact on the general economy as well. The unemployment rate is 5.9 percent as of 2010, while the cost of living rate is 85.5, less than state and national average, as of 2012. At the 2010 United States Census, the per capita income for the city was $13,472, while each house or condo was worth about $123,426.

Culture

Events

Omak Theater

The city is well known for its rodeo Omak Stampede, which operates the Suicide Race, an associated horse race. The rodeo has been hosted since 1933, while the race was added in 1935. Horses and riders run down Suicide Hill, a 62-degree slope that runs for 225 feet (69 m) to the Okanogan River. This race and rodeo occurs in August every year. Most riders wear helmets in the Omak Stampede and Suicide Race, and are all required to wear life jackets. Horses and riders have to pass three tests to demonstrate their ability to run in the race and navigate the river: there is an initial veterinarian exam to make sure the horse is physically healthy, and a swim test to ensure horses can cross the river.

The stampede is held at the Stampede Arena, just off Eastside Park. During the Omak Stampede, the city has a population of about 30,000. Despite this, the event has been opposed by several animal rights groups, including the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), In Defense of Animals, and Humane Society of the United States, who are against the high level of danger posed to the horses. Numerous other minor events are also held.

Tourism

Loup Loup Ski Resort

Many presentations, ceremonies and performances occurred here, with approximately 560 seats available. The Okanogan County Tourism Council, an organization to ensure tourism in the county, operates in Omak. Situated near Eastside Park, the Omak Visitor Information Center is a visitor center inside city limits. It is deemed the "best little information center in the west" by its owners and is home to historical displays and a gift shop; it offers informational pamphlets for Okanogan County. The Omak Performing Arts Centre was constructed by Omak School District in 1989, beside a public middle school. The Loup Loup Ski Bowl, established in 1959, is a ski area located halfway between Twisp and Omak, with ski and snowboard lessons, rentals and programs offered.

It features a vertical rise of 1,220 feet (370 m) to a summit elevation of 5,280 feet (1,610 m) above sea level; about 550 acres (220 ha) is generally used for alpine skiing purposes, while cross-country skiing and other activities are provided. The lift system consists of one chair, platter lift and rope tow each. The only country club is the Okanogan Valley Golf Club, which lies near Okanogan. It has a 334 yards (305 m) and 284 yards (260 m) course. Movie theaters, Omak Theater and Mirage Theater; bowling alley, Valley Lanes; and license vendors, Big 5, Big R, Omak Ace Hardware and Walmart, serve as tourist attractions for the city as well.

Government

Omak City Hall

Omak is a single-tier municipality governed by a mayor–council system, classified as a city according to state law. The structure of the municipal government is stipulated by the Omak City Code. The mayor of Omak is Cindy Gagne as of March 2009, who has lived in the area since 1963. The Omak City Council is a unicameral legislative body, comprising seven positions representing geographical wards throughout the city. The mayors and members of the council serve long-terms, with a number of previous candidates. Meetings are commonly held at Omak City Hall.

Federally, the City of Omak is part of Washington's 5th congressional district, represented by Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers, elected in 2004. The congressional district surrounds the city of Spokane, and encompasses most Eastern Washington counties. Washington state is represented nationally by the state's senior member of the Senate, Democrat Patty Murray and junior member of the Senate, Democrat Maria Cantwell. The Governor of Washington is Democrat Jay Inslee, elected in 2012. The municipality has a planing council entitled Omak Planning Commission, which are a group of people whom make long term planning and comprehensive planning for the area. There are eight planning commissioners, of which terms expire from 2014 at the earliest to 2018 at the latest; usually, terms last for six years.

They operate the Greater Omak Comprehensive Plan, which has possible future improvements available for the city. Five city council members serve Omak's library and tree board as well, with regular meetings typically scheduled at the public library and other structures. Omak's Civil Service Commission operates meetings, with terms from 2014 to 2018. As of 2013, the city's revenue was $1,170,828, of which $1,207,026 was used as an expenditure leaving an overall fund of $765,001. The previous year had a revenue of $1,170,828, of which $1,207,026, the same, was used as an expenditure leaving an overall fund of $765,001.

Crime

Omak Fire Department

Omak has a relatively high crime rate compared to the Washington and United States average. According to Uniform Crime Report statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2010, there were 19 violent crimes and 134 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Of these, the violent crimes which consisted of four were forcible rapes and robberies, eleven were aggravated assaults, while 22 burglaries, 104 larceny-thefts, eight motor vehicle thefts and one arson defined the property offenses. Crime in the city has decreased over the past decade generally, with a rate of 404.5 in 2001, and rate of 257.5 in 2011; however, the highest crime rate did occur in 2004, at a 413.8 rate, although it decreased further after that year. Until 2013, when an 88-year old man was killed and his automobile was stolen, there was not a murder which occurred in the city for over ten years.

Law enforcement in Omak is provided by the Omak Police Department. With six police officers, two sergeants, a detective and chief, Larry Schreckengast, the police department provides service every day annually. They also grant bike, cab, pistol, animal, pawn and peddler licenses, in addition to specific applications and reports. Despite this, a number of improper actions from the Omak Police Department have occurred before, including inappropriate arrests for which they were sued for.

The Omak Fire Department handles fires which happen in the municipality and surrounding communities. An above average statistic, in 2012, there were 312 calls for service; this includes 80 fires, 105 rescue and emergency incidents, six hazardous conditions, 26 services, 41 good intent, 51 false and 3 excessive heat calls. The volunteers who assist the fire department, operating at the Omak Fire Hall adjacent to Omak City Hall, dealt with 2,044 fire calls and 2,576 training services. There is a chief, Kevin Bowling, with many volunteers as well. The Omak Fire Department states that a burn permit must be acquired to burn specific items for valid reasons.

Education

Schools and libraries

The Omak Public Library is a branch of North Central Regional Library.

The city's eight public schools are administered by the Omak School District, the Okanogan County's largest educational district, five of which are mainstream educational insinuations. There are three high schools in the system. Omak High School, which was built in 1919 as the district's first school, had an enrollment of 435 grade 9 to 12 students during the 2010–11 school year, while Omak Alternative High School provides alternative education and served 48 students from those grades during the 2010–11 school year. There are also virtual schools situated in Omak, one of which serves as a high school and is entitled Washington Virtual Academy Omak High School which had an enrollment of 164 as of the 2010–11 school season.

Omak Middle School and Washington Virtual Academy Omak Middle School serve as its middle schools; the former had an enrollment of 339 during the 2010–11 school year, while the latter served 362 pupils that season. Three elementary schools are maintained: East Omak Elementary School, with an enrollment of 346 as of the 2010–11 school year, North Omak Elementary School, having served 402 pupils in the 2010–11 season, and Washington Virtual Academy Omak Elementary, with a 2010–11 year enrollment of 443.

Among schools not operated by the Omak School District are a private Christian school, with Omak Adventist Christian School serving as Omak's Adventist Christian school. It has an enrollment of 16 students from grades one to seven. The General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church is affiliated with the school. Meanwhile, the Veritas Classical Christian School has previously operated in the Omak area, but its present status is unknown, with the facility not listed on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) as currently-operating schools in the United States generally would.

Headquartered in Wenatchee and serving many communities in Central Washington, public library North Central Regional Library (NCRL) has a location based in Omak, although it is branded as the Omak Public Library or Omak Municipal Library. It was established around 1956 under provisions of state law passed by the Omak City Council. The library is typically open every day throughout a year, with the exception of the summer season when it is closed every Sunday. Public city meetings are held at the Omak Public Library numerous times throughout a typical calendar year in separate rooms from where books are based.

Colleges and universities

Wenatchee Valley College, a community college, maintains a campus and technology preparation center in Omak.

Omak is home to three college and university campus: Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee Valley College North and Heritage University. Wenatchee Valley College serves as a community college, provides services for students with adult education classes, certifications, as well as 2-year associate degrees, and has its main campus located in Wenatchee, 96.3 miles (155.0 km) away from the smaller, but main Omak campus. This municipality's version of the college, which also have a smaller technology preparation center at Omak High School, was built around the 1970s.

Meanwhile, Heritage University serves as a university that offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in a number of academic disciplines which have been consolidated with courses offered at Wenatchee Valley College, with their main campus based in Toppenish, 215 miles (346 km) away from Omak's smaller campus that replaced the former Fort Wright College operated in the city.

Media

Summerland serves as Omak's sister municipality.

The daily Omak–Okanogan County Chronicle, founded in 1910, is the city's main newspaper. Until 1913, it was referred to as Omak Chronicle only. A column entitled "Exploring the Okanogan" has been wrote by Elizabeth Widel every week since May 1957, over the age of 90. Despite this, its former owner and founder, John E. Andrist, sold his paper in 2006 and died of respiratory failure around a year later. A memorial was held at the Omak First Presbyterian Church. An alternative publication is The Wenatchee World, who maintain an office in Okanogan, and provide headlines regarding Omak occasionally. Okanogan Valley Gazette–Tribune, serving Oroville, has also wrote stories relating to Omak on numerous occasions due to its proximity to the city.

There are five radio stations that operate here, including KNCW, KOMQ, KOMW, KQWS and KZBE although other stations such as KEEH and WXL86, based in Spokane, also serve the area; the Canadian station, Sun FM, can also be accessed. KNCW is owned by North Cascades Broadcasting, KOMQ by Spokane Public Radio, KOMW by North Cascades Broadcasting, KQWS by the Washington State University, and KZBE by North Cascades Broadcasting. The nearest major television market is the Seattle metropolitan area, although nearby Riverside broadcasts four licensed television channels including K08CY, K57BZ, K10DM, and K12CV. 509 is the area code serving Omak. The media market for the city, including its newspaper and radio stations, generally serves all areas of Okanogan County.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Omak Drive passes through a bridge to gain access to eastern Omak before it changes into Washington State Route 155.

There are no interstate highways in Omak, but there are four state roads that pass through. Washington State Route 97 and Washington State Route 20 pass through the city running northeast and northwest and access to Okanogan can be obtained using the highways. Meanwhile, Washington State Route 155 runs east and west through the municipality and can be using to gain access to nearby Nespelem which is aimed at the eastern direction. Washington State Route 215 serves as an alternative way to gain access to Okanogan and starts just after Downtown Omak and goes across a bridge along the Okanogan River. At Okanogan, it changes to Washington State Route 20. There are several county parkways in Omak. Riverside Drive connects into another county road, Main Street, which goes throughout the central business district of Omak and changes ultimately into Okoma Drive and Washington State Route 215, while Omak Drive can take a person through eastern Omak using a bridge to cross the Okanogan River before it changes into Washington State Route 155.

Bus service in Omak is provided by Okanogan County Transportation & Nutrition, who maintain their headquarters in Omak. They specialize in bus transportation services to Okanogan, Oroville, Tonasket and Twisp on a total of five routes leading up to Wenatchee. In 1975, they opened in an effort to provide food services to seniors, while in 1978, its bus service was established. Funding for the services are provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation and Aging & Adult Care of Central Washington.

The Cascade and Columbia River Railroad, headquartered in Omak, provides railway service from Wenatchee to Oroville and interchanges with the BNSF Railway at the Wenatchee area. It was established in 1996, although the same line was previously used by the Great Northern Railway, who initially built the line around 1914 for access to Canada. As of September 1996, it is operated by RailAmerica due to a purchase. The Cascade and Columbia River Railroad follows the north Columbia River to the Okanogan River. Commodities hauled on the railroad consist mainly of timber products, as well as limestone. It moved around 5,200 carloads in 2008 with a length of 137 miles (220 km). The railway passes through communities on-route to Oroville, including Omak and other nearby locations.

Owned and operated by the Omak City Council, Omak Airport is the airport that primarily serves the city, although it is located in nearby town Riverside about 4 miles (6.4 km) from central Omak. It was built around 1942 by the United States Army Air Forces as an emergency landing airfield strip primarily used by military aircraft on training flights, and was known as the Okanogan Flight Strip or Omak Flight Strip. The airport maintains a terminal and 4,667 by 150 feet (1,423 by 46 m) runway aligned 17–35, making it the third largest in Central Washington. Although it does not support commercial flights, it provides three daily charter flights or general aviation services to other destinations from Monday to Friday which are commonly used for commuter purposes. For the 12-month period ending on May 30, 2012, the airport had 23,750 aircraft movements and three based aircraft. The other aviation airfields in the city are the Wings for Christ Airport and Mid-Valley Hospital EMS Heliport. Both based inside Omak's city limits, the former is only available for private use, while the latter is a private hospital heliport generally used for medical purposes. No aircraft operations occurred at any of these aviation fields for the 12-month period ending on May 30, 2012. The nearest commercial airport is the Penticton Regional Airport, 83.3 miles (134.1 km) north in Penticton.

Utilities

Utilities in Omak are observed by the Omak City Council; they meter water services. Storm drain offerings, water services, solid waste and garbage services are provided as of 1984 for the first by the city council. There is a 10 percent utility tax, which funds emergency services, parks and street management. While a 10 percent utility tax is included, tax rates are significantly lower for eligible low-income seniors over 60 years old. Utility companies serving Omak include Waste Management, Inc (curbside recycling and solid waste removal); AT&T (telephone); and Comcast (telephone, Internet, and cable television).

Health care

The city's main hospital is Mid-Valley Hospital, a 30-bed medical facility owned and operated by Mid-Valley Medical Group, who maintain their main offices in the same municipality, but at a different address that is 0.5 miles (0.80 km) from the hospital. It is open daily, although departments inside the facility have separate hours. It provides a 24-hour emergency medical service, ambulance service, nursing care, birthing center, trauma center, surgical center, orthopedic medicine surgeries, radiology department, laboratory, pharmacy services, dietary department and respiratory therapy.

There are 10 physicians and dentists, 20 registered nurses and two licensed practical nurses who work for the Mid-Valley Hospital full-time, in addition to 1,153 admissions visit as of the most recent statistic census for medical facilities according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). Another medical facility operated is Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare, which was established in July 2002 and provides general health service. Washington Social & Health Services have an office in the city. Numerous nursing homes are also operated around the municipality. Among these are the Rosegarden Care Center, New LifeStyles, The Source for Seniors and Katimbang House. Meanwhile, clinics operate in the city, one of which was constructed around 1996 using $4,800,000.

Notable people

An Interior Salish basket with patterns similar to what Joe Feddersen creates in his work.

Joe Feddersen, a sculptor, painter, photographer and mixed-media artist known for creating artworks strong in geometric patterns reflective of what is seen in the environment, landscape and his Native American heritage, was born in Omak in 1953 to German American father and an Okanagan/Sinixt mother. Feddersen was first exposed to printmaking at Wenatchee Valley College under the direction of artist Robert Graves. In 1989, he obtained his Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Following this, he became an art instructor at Evergreen State College. A member of the Colville Indian Reservation, Feddersen returned to Omak in 2009 after leaving his teaching position at Evergreen State College.

Marv Hagedorn was born on March 2, 1956 in the city, and served as a Republican Idaho State Representative since his appointment by Governor Butch Otter in January 2007 representing District 20 in the B seat until 2012; he is a retired navy officer and sailor for the United States Army. Hagedorn was educated at Pensacola Junior College and the University of Maryland with a Presbyterian religion.

Don McCormack, a baseball player, was born in Omak on September 18, 1955. On September 30, 1980, McCormack made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he played only five games in Major League Baseball for the team, around 1980 and 1981, while he spent most of nine years playing in the minor leagues in the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Tigers farm teams. McCormack went on to manage the Reading Phillies (Eastern League) and formerly served as the bench coach of the Long Island Ducks (Atlantic League). Bud Harrelson took his place.

William Stephen Skylstad, born on March 2, 1934 in this municipality, is an American Roman Catholic Bishop. He is Bishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane in Washington retiring June 30, 2010. He is a former president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), having served after Archbishop Wilton Daniel Gregory of Atlanta, Georgia, and before Cardinal Francis Eugene George, O.M.I., of Chicago, Illinois. Bishop Skylstad was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker, in Oregon, effective January 24, 2011, upon the appointment of Bishop Robert F. Vasa as Coadjutor Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa in California.

International relations

According to the Lieutenant Governor of Washington, Omak serves as a sister municipality with Summerland, British Columbia, a district with a population of 11,280 as of the Canada 2011 Census. Located near the Okanagan Lake in the adjacent Okanagan–Similkameen regional district, Summerland was incorporated in August 1902, and is situated 96 miles (154 km) away. An agricultural community like Omak, it has numerous trails and bike routes.

See also

• Index of Omak, Washington-related articles
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Okanogan County, Washington
• Book:Omak, Washington
• Book:Transportation in Omak, Washington

References

Bibliography

• Cushman, Joseph (March 5, 2012) [First published 1918]. Some Pliocene and Miocene Foraminifera of the Coastal Plain of the United States. Vol. 8. Washington, D.C: United States Government Printing Office (original); Nabu Press (re-release). ISBN 9781276974233.
• Kirk, Ruth (June 1, 2003). Exploring Washington's Past. Seattle: University of Washington Press. ISBN 9780295974439. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Smith, Giselle (October 4, 2004). Best Places Northwest: The Locals' Guide to the Best Restaurants, Lodgings, Sights, Shopping, and More!. Seattle: Sasquatch Books. ISBN 9781570614170.

Further reading

• Lafountaine, Frank (June 22, 2005). The Omak Lake Monster. Omak: iUniverse. ISBN 9780595803774.

External links

• Official website
• Omak Chamber of Commerce