Small towns in Northern Washington (Colville, Oroville: crime, how much, schools)

[Huny]

Hello everyone, I am looking for more information about a few small towns in northern washington. It is very difficult to find any reliable information about these areas because they are so small, so any information would be helpful. The areas we need to know about are: Oroville, Curlew, Colville, and Metaline Falls. We are looking for some of the following information:

Average Temps and Snowfall

Average Growing Season (we keep getting mixed information from the "official sites)

Things to do ie, family fun, opportunities to meet other people etc. recreational activities

Schools and Crime

If you have lived, visited or have other information an "insider" would know about it would be greatly appreciated. We have four youngin's aged 2-9 years old and only want to relocate if it is better than what we have here in Arizona. Thanks

[ktristen]

My mother and stepfather live in Metaline, just across the river from Metaline Falls. They've been there since 2001 and love it. Of course the kids are grown (me being one of them). So I can't say much for the schools. I have been up there to visit several times (once in the winter). If you're into outdoorsy kind of things like hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, boating, swimming etc. there are lots of opportunties for that with all the water nearby. My folks have an ATV and a bass boat that they get pretty good use out of. The winters seem pretty long but the summers make up for it, I think. It's beautiful with plenty of clean air. I know that Ione (10 miles away) and Metaline Falls have different sorts of festivals at certain times of the year. I hear that the 4th of July celebration is pretty good too.
It does snow a lot in the winter. I'd have to ask my mom how much but it is in the mountains so snow is going to happen. I don't know that the growing season is that long, but my mom has grown all sorts of veggies in her garden. The daylight lasts a lot longer up north during the summer than in AZ. It'll be 9PM and the sun will be set, but still light out.
My mom is the town clerk for Metaline, by the way.