Copyright (c) 2012 The Star, All rights reserved. http://www.grandcoulee.com/ en-us News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area http://www.grandcoulee.com/ http://www.grandcoulee.com/cms_data/dfault/images/.TEMP/companylogoTEMP144x144-4507.jpg 144 53 The Star - RSS Feed http://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/open-registration-for-sharp-kids-thursday/551.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/open-registration-for-sharp-kids-thursday/551.htmlAn open registration for the SHARP Kids Summer Programs will be held Thursday, May 17, from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the GCD School District Office. These programs are open to any students enrolled in the GCD School District or homeschooling within the boundaries of the GCD School District. All students must be re-registered to participate in the SHARP Kids Summer Program. For more details on the...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/hundreds-compete-in-revived-rodeo/552.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/hundreds-compete-in-revived-rodeo/552.htmlThe Colorama Pro-West Rodeo last weekend attracted 202 contestants that competed in 270 events, officials said this week. That participation stood as a marked difference from a year ago, when the event almost didn’t happen. “It was the first time I remember when the stands were full,” Ridge Rider President George Kohout said. Contestants came from British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/newsbriefs/553.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/newsbriefs/553.htmlMoratorium on pot growing extended Electric City’s council voted to extend its moratorium on medical marijuana collective gardens for another six months at its Tuesday meeting last week. The old moratorium ended April 30. Solar eclipse viewing set up for Sunday You can join local astronomers as they gather at the Crescent Bay Lake area beginning at 4:45 p.m. on May 20 to view a once-in-18-years...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/fast-track-okd-for-new-school-project/554.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/fast-track-okd-for-new-school-project/554.htmlTick, tick, tick … the clock is ticking on the Grand Coulee Dam School District’s plan to “fast track” its K-12 facility project. Superintendent Dennis Carlson said last week that the district has received word from the state superintendent’s office that the new school project can move ahead immediately and that its schedule of going out for bid next January now is a reality....Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/cutbacks-proposed-for-area-post-offices/555.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/cutbacks-proposed-for-area-post-offices/555.htmlSix area post offices could lose some hours but remain open under the latest U.S. Postal Service plan to reduce overall costs. The Postal Service had earlier released a plan to close 3,700 rural post offices across the nation in an effort to stop the flow of red ink that has plagued the agency for several years. The new plan was formally announced May 10, and provides options for rural post...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/council-defends-sewer-plant-decision/556.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/council-defends-sewer-plant-decision/556.htmlCoulee Dam officials Wednesday night defended their decision to remodel the town’s wastewater treatment plant. “We’re not going to just patch it up and leave the problem for our kids to solve later,” Councilmember Bob Poch stated in response to the idea that less extensive fixes could be applied to the plant for less money. “I’m not a friend of breakdown maintenance,” Mayor Quincy...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/elmer-city-reviews-sewer-plant-plans/558.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/elmer-city-reviews-sewer-plant-plans/558.htmlElmer City’s town council got another look at Coulee Dam’s wastewater treatment plant project at its meeting Thursday night. Gray & Osborne, Coulee Dam’s engineering firm, put on a 30-minute PowerPoint program and answered questions from the council along the way. Elmer City has stated that it has hired a law firm to help the council examine a current 50-year agreement between the two...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/colorama-tradition/559.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/colorama-tradition/559.htmlParade watchers wave to the photographer (who was in the parade and took shots of most of the crowd) along the Colorama Parade route Saturday. If you were watching, there’s a good chance your photo is...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/two-ousted-in-tribal-primary/560.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/two-ousted-in-tribal-primary/560.htmlTwo sitting Colville Business Council members were voted out in the tribal primary election held May 5, not receiving enough votes to make it to the general election. The election was certified Thursday. Losing their seats were Sylvia Tatshama Peasley, Keller District Pos. 1; and Ernie A. Williams, Omak District Pos. 2. And it appears that some additional council members may have a difficult time...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/arming-the-coulee/561.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/arming-the-coulee/561.htmlArm wrestling champion Douglas Goodman, Rathdrum, poses with his awards and children Bret and Natalie after winning both...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/christmas-lights-discussed/562.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/christmas-lights-discussed/562.htmlIt appears that the community Christmas lights may go up this year. Coulee Dam Councilmember Ben Alling said Wednesday night that he had attended Electric City’s Hotel/Motel tax committee meeting, where it was suggested that the community Yule lights be divided between the three municipalities and put up by their respective public works departments. The Coulee Dam Town Council agreed that it...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/youth-pleads-guilty/563.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/youth-pleads-guilty/563.htmlA 16-year-old Coulee Dam youth, Dakota William Weed-Butz, was sentenced to 52 to 65 weeks incarceration after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of Rickey Burris, 15, also of Coulee Dam. Weed-Butz will spend his sentence in the state Department of Social and Health Services’ Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration facility. Weed-Butz is the son of Colville Tribal Police officer...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/coulee-cops/564.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/coulee-cops/564.htmlGrand Coulee 5/3 - Police assisted a family in Electric City who had found a male member of the family deceased. - A man on Roosevelt Drive told police that someone had used a glass cutter around the lock on his sliding glass door trying to get in. - An Electric City woman told police that her son was the victim of sexual harassment at a location in Lincoln County. Police are investigating. - A...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/our-take-on-the-news/565.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/our-take-on-the-news/565.htmlWe have to wonder what they were thinking when they signed an agreement with another town for 50 years with no way out. Elmer City’s town council in the 1970s agreed to a deal with Coulee Dam to pay that town to take their wastewater for 50 years. It states they can’t back out unless both towns agree and Coulee Dam owns the plant, the upgrade of which will cost its residents a quarter of the...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/wondering-why-gas-is-so-high/566.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/wondering-why-gas-is-so-high/566.htmlI am just wondering why the gas prices are SO high in our area? Every morning I wake up and watch the news a little before getting ready for work. The national news said today (5-11-12) that gas prices are 22 cents less per gallon now than they were a year ago. Other reports say how the cost of oil is dropping. I think on Monday it said that it had gone down 5 cents a barrel. I just wonder if...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/a-great-job/567.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/a-great-job/567.htmlA young man named Jake, I believe, has put in two days cleaning up along the fence next to the city park playground. I've seen at least three pickup loads of brush and trash hauled away. We ap...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/be-careful-what-you-wish-for/568.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/be-careful-what-you-wish-for/568.htmlAfter nearly 80 years of state control, the voters of Washington have decided to privatize liquor sales. As the implementation of I-1183 begins, questions start to arise. Will liquor be cheaper? Doubtful, as the current 10 different taxes remain and 1183 adds two new ones. In addition to that, distributor and retailer margins will more than replace the current state markup. Will selection...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/roll-on-columbia/569.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/opinion/roll-on-columbia/569.htmlIn 1942, the completion of Grand Coulee Dam was hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Seventy years later, most of us aren’t aware of what that dam or the others on the Columbia River continue to do for us. To commemorate Grand Coulee’s completion, the Bonneville Power Administration commissioned legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie to write songs praising the dam that harnessed the...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/lifestyles/an-oldie-but-goody/570.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/lifestyles/an-oldie-but-goody/570.htmlAs the days have lengthened, the sun has once again become our constant companion. And although I am still shocked every day at just how early that sun makes its appearance, I am warmed, literally and figuratively, by its presence. With the sun have come warmer days, bright, fragrant blossoms and the promise of those long-remembered days at the lake. Colorama has rung in the unofficial start of...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/lifestyles/may-fair-weather/571.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/lifestyles/may-fair-weather/571.htmlApril brought us a wide spread of temperatures here at the home weather station. I recorded a low of 27.3°F (April 1) and a high of 84.6°F (April 23) for a spread of 57.3°F. Precipitation for April was 1.08 inches, with the heaviest rainfall on the 26th. Mean precipitation for April is 0.82 inches, putting us about 0.2 inches above. We’re seeing a grand entrance of spring weather in May....Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/obituaries/marjorie-lou-johnson/572.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/obituaries/marjorie-lou-johnson/572.htmlMarjorie Lou Walden Johnson came into this world on May 5, 1923, and went home to glory on May 8, 2012, after 89 years. She was born to Daniel Blinn Walden and Esther Louise Harp at Clinton, Ill. Her parents preceded her in death. Marjorie started her schooling in Clinton and graduated from Hirsch High School in Chicago, Ill. On March 14, 1942, she was united in marriage to Charles William...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/obituaries/michael-l-larsen/573.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/obituaries/michael-l-larsen/573.htmlMichael L. Larsen died on Monday, Apr. 2, 2012, in Spokane, due to complications from a stroke. He was 64 years old. Mike grew up mostly in the Seattle area. He spent a few years in Vancouver, Wash., returned and graduated from Shorecrest High School in 1965 and then the University of Washington, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1970. Following his undergraduate...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/youth-night-at-the-nazarene-church/574.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/youth-night-at-the-nazarene-church/574.htmlA youth event will be held at the Grand Coulee Nazarene Church Sunday, May 20, at 6 p.m. A youth group from Tonasket host an evening of worship on Sunday, May 20, at 6 p.m. at the Grand Coulee Nazarene Church. This event with a worshi...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/senior-menu/575.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/senior-menu/575.htmlWED., MAY 16 - DINNER Chicken Noodle Casserole, Cole Slaw, Stewed Tomatoes, Bread Pudding. THURS., MAY 17 - DINNER Relish Tray, Meat and Cheese Pizza, Fruited Jello, Green Salad. Grocery Shopping & Errands with Sara. FRI., MAY 18 - BREAKFAST Ham, Veggie and Cheese Omelet, French Toast, Mixed Fruit, Orange Juice. MON., MAY 21 - BREAKFAST Bacon & Eggs, Hashbrowns, Toast, Apricots/Orange...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/meetings-and-notices/576.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/meetings-and-notices/576.htmlChamber to Meet The Chamber of Commerce will meet at noon on Thursday, May 17, at the Siam Palace in Grand Coulee. Grand Coulee Dam School District Superintendent Dennis Carlson will ask an important question of the community: Now that we’re building a new school, what could the community do with the current Grand Coulee Dam Middle School? Hospital Auxiliary to Meet CMC Auxiliary Guild will...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/raider-baseball-heads-to-state/577.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/raider-baseball-heads-to-state/577.htmlThe Raider baseball team is heading to state for the first time since 2002 after defeating Kittitas and Brewster last week in districts. The first game last week on Tuesday did not turn out so well for the Raiders as Riverside Christian won the pitching duel at Eastmont. Kramer Carlson pitched a complete game, striking out two and giving up only two hits. Carlson was backed up by a stout...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/lady-raiders-end-skid-at-hornets-expense/578.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/lady-raiders-end-skid-at-hornets-expense/578.htmlThe Lady Raiders ended their losing streak this week, beating Oroville in a burst of offense. In the first game on Friday it took the Lady Raiders all of three innings to dispatch the Hornets. Ciara Nault hit an out-of-the park home run for the first time this season. Raelynn Dennis pitched all three innings giving up only six runs. Hailey Chaney was behind the plate as catcher for the first...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/raiders-finish-third-and-fourth-at-sub-districts/579.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/raiders-finish-third-and-fourth-at-sub-districts/579.htmlRaider track travelled to Oroville on Thursday for the District 6 Sub District meet to determine who would move on to the Central Washington 2B Districts meet this Saturday at Eastmont High School. All members of the Raiders were allowed to compete in their events, but only the top four finishers would move on to the District meet. Kim Barry will be moving on in all four events in which she...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/stanczak-on-to-state/580.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/stanczak-on-to-state/580.htmlTanecia Stanczak qualified at districts Monday in Chelan to move on to the state B golf tournament held at Oakbrook Golf and Country Club in the Tacoma suburb of Lakewood May 22. Stanczak accomplished this by finishing with a score of 113, which placed her fifth in the district. Last year she was an alternate to state, and Head Coach Steve Files is proud of the way she has improved this year. Now...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/shephard-advances-in-tennis/581.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/sports/shephard-advances-in-tennis/581.htmlRaider tennis had a rough first weekend of district play, with many losing in close matches. Phoenix Shephard ran the gauntlet and will be moving on to this week's double elimination round of district play. He soundly defeated Josh Frey of Liberty Bell 6-0, 6-1, then played Xavier Valladares, in heat that had Shephard guzzling water before this match, Head Coach Steve Archer said. Shephard...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/mandatory-coaches-meeting/582.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/mandatory-coaches-meeting/582.htmlAnother season of adult co-ed summer softball is about to begin. Mandatory coaches meeting at Loepps Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $250 per team. Games star...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/button-winners/583.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/button-winners/583.htmlColorama Button drawing winners were announced Monday by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce. Tammy Norris won the 32-inch HDTV; Lindsey Rosco won the CD/DVD Player; Danna James won the Samsung Surround Sound system; Tina Herbert won the basket with rodeo tickets; Angela Adams won the BBQ; Kevan Kidder won the clamping chair set; Jim Keene won the Hometown Pizza certificate; Gary Gross...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/parade-results/584.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/parade-results/584.html• Grand Sweepstakes Nespelem School Royalty • President’s Award Clark 1956 Buick Century • A Community Floats 1st, Wilbur Community Float; 2nd, Arroyo Lil’ Bo Peep w/Sheep; 3rd, Nespelem Headstart “Under the Sea” • B Organization Float 1st, Lions Club “We Serve”; 2nd, Planet Earth Players; 3rd, Nespelem Veterans Powwow • C Commercial 1st, Fowler - Playhouse for the Rodeo;...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/memorial-bull-riding-event-a-success/585.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/memorial-bull-riding-event-a-success/585.htmlThe Cleatis Lacy Memorial Bull Riding event Sunday, a first for the Colorama Pro-West Rodeo, attracted 27 riders and was an outstanding success, officials stated. There wasn’t a dry eye in the arena as announcer Bob Garrett gave a eulogy for Lacy, and as a riderless horse with boots turned backwards in the stirrups entered and circled the ring. Lacy, a longtime resident of Grand Coulee, and a...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/grandmother-wins-playhouse/586.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/community/grandmother-wins-playhouse/586.htmlAn Inchelium grandmother of three won the DWK Fowler Construction kids’ playhouse last weekend. Andre Pakootas said she read about the playhouse drawing in The Star newspaper and drove here to buy tickets for the drawing. She said that she was delighted to win and that her grandchildren would also be delighted. Each year, DWK Fowler Construction builds a playhouse for kids and offers it up in a...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Starhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/federal-judge-approves-colville-tribes-193-million-settlement/587.htmlhttp://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2012/05/16/news/federal-judge-approves-colville-tribes-193-million-settlement/587.htmlA federal judge has approved a $193 million settlement agreement between the United States and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the funds should be transferred to the Colville Tribes within the next two months, Colville Business Council Chairman Michael O. Finley announced today. “We are pleased that the necessary final federal action has been taken in this matter, and...Wed, 16 May 2012 13:58:00 PSTArticles from the May 16, 2012 edition of The Star