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  • Five of seven keep Colville Business Council positions

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 29, 2022

    Results for seven elections for spots on the Colville Business Council show five incumbents keeping their positions, and two losing them. Absentee votes were certified Thursday, June 23, and added to the poll vote results that had been certified on Tuesday. In the race for Nespelem District Position #1 on the Colville Business Council, incumbent and current chairman Andy Joseph Jr won 370 to 232 votes against Corby Turner. In the race for Nespelem District Position #2, incumbent Shar Zacherle won 357-244 against former chairman Rodney Cawston....

  • Harris running for Grant County sheriff

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 22, 2022

    Joe Harris wants to be the sheriff of Grant County, having served for over 20 years in law enforcement following eight years in the marines. Harris started his career in law enforcement as an officer with the city of Quincy in 2001, then working for the Grant County Sheriff's Office in 2006, working for a year for the state attorney general in 2015, then as the chief of police in Mattawa until 2021. He finished his doctorate in Public Administration earlier this year, earning the degree...

  • Children help restore plant life in wildfire areas

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 22, 2022

    Children on the Colville Indian Reservation have been dispersing "seed bombs" in areas affected by wildfires in recent years to help restore native species to the areas. The "Healing the Earth" program is conducted by the Washington State University Colville Reservation Extension 4-H program, which partners and collaborates with the Colville Confederated Tribes and Bureau of Indian Affairs natural resource programs, including Environmental Trust, Range, Fish & Wildlife, and Mt. Tolman Fire...

  • North Dam Park is in trouble as funding hasn't been secured from the USBR

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 15, 2022

    North Dam Park, which hosts numerous events in the area, including Colorama, markets, softball tournaments, and more, is in danger of no longer being maintained, but funding could still be secured for 2023. A special meeting is scheduled for the local park district in charge on June 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the former middle school in Grand Coulee in the former teachers’ lounge there, which the public is welcome to attend. Years ago, the city of Grand Coulee had responsibility for the park, but relinquished control to the US Bureau of Reclamation, w...

  • Helicopter stationed at local airport ready to fight fire

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 15, 2022

    A UH60 Blackhawk helicopter demonstrated its fire-fighting abilities last week by sucking water out of Banks Lake through a "snorkel" into its 1,100 gallon tank, then dumping the water onto the runway at the Grand Coulee Dam Airport. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources contracts with the California-based company High Performance Helicopters to station aircraft throughout the state, including at the Grand Coulee Dam Airport, in case of wildfire. Administrative and Accounting...

  • Senior living project moving to next phases

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 15, 2022

    People agree that housing for seniors in the area is needed, but the effort comes with a hefty price tag in the $15-$20 million range. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Senior Center spent $7,500 on a feasibility study for senior housing in the area in collaboration with Centerline Development, which owns the former Center School and surrounding land on Spokane Way in Grand Coulee. The study’s conclusion that there would be demand for such a facility and service led to a $20,000 engineering study. The senior center contributed another $17,500 toward t...

  • GCD area in the spotlight of new promo video

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 15, 2022

    The Grand Coulee Dam area is in the spotlight of a new video being made to highlight the attributes of the area. Voortex Productions, out of Wenatchee, is working with the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce to produce a promotional video. "I am so excited about this project!" chamber Executive Director Rachelle Baughman said. "The purpose and mission behind this video is to highlight the Grand Coulee Area and unite the community. We want to give our community something to be proud of, as...

  • Girls beat boys in intramural softball game

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 15, 2022

    The Raider boys were no match for the Lady Raiders on the softball field in Grand Coulee in a fun, fastpitch softball game the girls won 17-11 last week. "I'm not sure who had more fun - the crowd, the players, or the umps," Lady Raiders Head Coach Jaci Gross said. "Everyone involved in the game had a blast and that was the goal. I really appreciated the boys coming out, playing fast pitch rules, and just going with it. Anytime we can get kids and the community together and make great memories,...

  • Youth basketball camp signups on Thursday

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 8, 2022

    Girls and boys who will be in 3rd-8th grade in the 2022-2023 school year can sign up tomorrow, for a basketball camp that takes place in July. Signups will take place June 9 at the Lake Roosevelt gym from 6-7 p.m. for a $75 signup fee. All proceeds will benefit local basketball teams, according to organizers. The camp itself will take place July 11-13, with 3rd-5th grade participating from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 6th-8th grade from 3-6 p.m. Local coaches will be joined by Jeff Niemi of Grays Harbor College. The fundamental games and skills...

  • Updated: TGIF: First "First Friday" happens this Friday

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 1, 2022

    Update: This Friday's June 3 event has been moved to the inside of the former Center School on Spokane Way in Grand Coulee due to the rainy weather. This Friday marks the first First Friday event for the Coulee, with vendors, food, and more to provide a fun time to start your weekend. The first Friday of each month means shopping and entertainment from June through October in a new kind of event for the area. This Friday, June 3, is the first of its kind, and future “First Fridays” will be held on July 1, Aug. 5, Sept 2, and Oct. 7. Vendors and...

  • Grand Coulee City Park getting upgrades

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 1, 2022

    Grand Coulee City Park is receiving upgrades this year including a half-court basketball court, a new barbecue pit area, walkways, and playground equipment. The park, located along SR-174 between a gas station and Mexican food restaurant, is benefiting from a $162,000 grant that the city was awarded last year from the Ephrata-based Paul Lauzier Foundation. Old playground equipment, including swings, teeter-totters, and a slide have been removed to make room for new playground equipment, while a “merry-go-round” device still remains. The cur...

  • "Lucky and Receiving" explains her role at Lake Roosevelt

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 1, 2022

    Ashley Atkins took on the role of Indian Education director this school year at Lake Roosevelt Schools and spoke to The Star recently about the importance of teaching Native American culture and history. "I will introduce myself in my language (Crow) first," she wrote in an email to The Star. "Kahay! Baalaashe' Amiiaxxisesh huuk, baashchiilitaailia, 'Lucky and Receiving' huuk. I am Apsaalooke from the great Crow Nation of Montana. My husband [LR science teacher Derek Atkins] is Psquosa...

  • Street work being done in Grand Coulee

    Jacob Wagner|May 25, 2022

    Part of Federal Avenue in Grand Coulee is receiving a half a million dollar makeover. Wheeler Excavation, LLC out of Benton City is the contractor for the project, replacing the main water line, installing a sidewalk and storm drainage, and rebuilding the street. The full project is expected to cost $535,555, Grand Coulee City Clerk Lorna Pearce said. The streetwork is being done with state Transportation Improvement Board money up to an amount of $524,096. The city will be paying for the...

  • Senior living study says project is a good idea

    Jacob Wagner|May 25, 2022

    A $7,000 study funded by the Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center found that developing senior housing in the area would be beneficial. The senior center pledged up to $25,000 for studies geared towards developing land currently owned by Centerline Development into living options for senior citizens. With this initial study saying it is a good plan, further studies would include financial studies, an architectural plan and legal expenses, among other items, totalling about $50,000. At a March 14 meeting at the senior center, Ian Turner and Nic...

  • Electric City looks again at building a park

    Jacob Wagner|May 25, 2022

    Electric City is forming a new committee focused on developing a city park, and Electric City residents can be a part of that committee. At a May 18 special council meeting, the council approved going forward with forming a new park committee focused solely on building a city park. Councilmember Brian Buche noted during the meeting that people have expressed interest in taking up the cause again. Buche was elected as part of a new administration in 2019, including all new council members, a new mayor, and a new city clerk, with the park being...

  • Speed limit reduction a topic of concern

    Jacob Wagner|May 18, 2022

    Some people aren't too thrilled about a possible impending speed limit reduction on a stretch of highway between Electric City and Grand Coulee. The upcoming construction of a pedestrian and bicycle pathway along Banks Lake connecting the Coulee Playland area to the North Dam area may come with a speed limit reduction from 45 miles per hour to 35 mph for an 800-yard stretch of road if the state Department of Transportation deems it appropriate. The path will narrow the roadway, which will...

  • Federal Avenue getting upgrades

    Jacob Wagner|May 18, 2022

    A construction project is beginning on a new waterline and paving on a section of Federal Avenue in Grand Coulee from Main Street down to Midway Avenue by The Star newspaper building. The street was closed Tuesday to through traffic. The project also involves putting in a sidewalk and storm drains on one side of the street. Construction is anticipated to be finished by July 7, City Clerk Lorna Pearce said at the May 17 council meeting. The Star reported in September of 2021 that the city's...

  • E-cycle your old TV or computer this weekend

    Jacob Wagner|May 18, 2022

    This weekend is the time, and the Delano Regional Transfer Station is the place to "e-cycle" that old TV or computer monitor that's been cluttering up your garage or attic. This week, May 19-21, you can take certain electronics to the transfer station for free to be recycled. The transfer station is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the 19th and 20th, and on Saturday the 21st from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. An electronics bin was previously outside of the gates of the transfer station, but some people...

  • Win for Lady Raiders Thursday would send them to state as district champs

    Jacob Wagner|May 18, 2022

    The Lady Raiders softball team has two shots at going to state following a hometown win last week against Brewster that started the postseason. The rain didn't dampen the spirits of the Lady Raiders, who hosted Brewster on May 14 in Grand Coulee, winning 12-0. LR scored three runs in the first inning, eight in the third and one in the fourth. On the mound for LR and shutting out the Brewster Bears were Presley Steffens and Aaliyah Marchand. Steffens pitched four innings, striking out two, and al...

  • Tennis competes at league tourney

    Jacob Wagner|May 18, 2022

    Raider tennis competed at the Central Washington 2B league tournament in Omak on May 11, and May 14 where several Lady Raiders qualified for the district competition today. In Omak, Amy Dorman won her matches in girls’ singles to qualify for districts. The girls’ doubles teams of Kaylee Landeros and Riley Ayling and Terai Bob and Raeanna Joe won their matches to qualify for districts. The boys’ season is done. “Reese Hansen won two [matches] and lost two and was one match away from going to the next round,” Head Coach Billy Monroe said. “He...

  • Bush heads to state golf

    Jacob Wagner|May 18, 2022

    Raider Terek Bush took fourth place in the District 5 tournament at Alta Lake Golf Course on Monday, qualifying him for the state tournament at Deer Park May 24. At Alta Lake, the Raiders competed with opponents from Oroville, Okanogan, Waterville-Mansfield, and Riverside Christian schools, with the top six boys and top five girls qualifying for state. "I think all the players were really feeling the pressure and Terek really handled himself well," Head Coach Steve Files said. Bush finished the...

  • Track and field athletes head to districts

    Jacob Wagner|May 18, 2022

    By Jacob Wagner Raider athletes qualified for districts after placing in league track and field championships last week. LR’s team competed at the Central Washington 2B league championship May 11 at Liberty Bell High School with other athletes from Bridgeport, Oroville, Tonasket, Liberty Bell, and Okanogan. Athletes needed to place in the top eight in each event to move onto the district meet, which will include athletes from those same teams. From LR, Raeley Portch qualified to compete in the 100-meter race, 300-meter hurdles, and the j...

  • A flying drone's eye view offers a different perspective

    Jacob Wagner|May 11, 2022

    You can see the world from a different perspective by flying a drone. Greg Behrens, a retired geologist from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, demonstrated his drone for The Star in April at his home east of Grand Coulee in the Spring Canyon area. Behrens got his drone in July of 2021 and his commercial license in October, but he didn't really need it; he just enjoyed the intellectual challenge of passing the test for certification and learning all there was to learn about it. "You have to...

  • Truck fire caught early and extinguished

    Jacob Wagner|May 11, 2022

    Firefighters from Coulee Dam, Grand Coulee, and Elmer City departments responded to a vehicle fire near the Coulee Dam Casino Tuesday. The fire burned inside the cab of a pickup truck. The cause is still under investigation. The fire, reported at 5:14 p.m., was extinguished by 5:25 p.m. Two fire extinguishers were used to put the fire out, which could have been worse, according to firefighters on the scene, who said it could have burned the truck to the ground. Firefighters at the scene of...

  • Tennis enters league tourney

    Jacob Wagner|May 11, 2022

    Raider tennis is beginning tournament play after wrapping up their regular season. The rain canceled matches with Oroville and Manson last week, so now LR is looking at the postseason. The Central Washington 2B league tournament starts today, May 11, in Omak at 12 p.m., and continues on Saturday, May 14, also at noon. Reese Hansen will compete at the boys’ number-one singles spot; Teyten Flores at number two; and Reniff Herndon at number three. Noah Hunt and Jaxon Krohn are competing at the number-one boys’ doubles spot. Zane Chaffee and Wya...

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