News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Spring has arrived! We all are feeling the relief from the overcast, damp, and cold winter weather; it’s behind us once again. Spring is here and summer is fast approaching. Some of you may recall this movie quote. A contestant is asked to describe her perfect date. “That’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25. Because it’s not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.” Our mood is affected by the weather. In the field of human psychology, some studies address the association...
With COVID-19 vaccines widely dispensed and masking requirements mostly lifted, will “work from home” end? Will workers return to downtown offices at pre-pandemic levels? Probably Not! One big reason it is expensive to drive and the waste of time and fuel idling in traffic jams. Another is safety. Gas prices continue to skyrocket. Last year, the average cost at the pump was $2.62 per gallon. By the end of March, Seattle’s gasoline increased to $4.88 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s latest sur...
Incidents of violence and other issues at Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High seem to be decreasing after a few measures have been implemented. In her report to the Grand Coulee Dam School District board of directors, Principal Sara Kennedy wrote that to address an “escalation in behavior incidents” they have implemented a few new measures. One new measure is that restrooms are now closed between class periods. Students can use the restrooms during class time after signing out of class, one at a time. Kennedy told the board that this has red...
K-12 schools have more guidance on how to conduct active-shooter lockdown drills with a new bill signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. The bill prohibits schools from conducting drills involving life-like simulations or reenactments of active shooter scenarios that are not “trauma-informed and age and developmentally appropriate.” Additionally, students, teachers and staff will be alerted before carrying out a shooting-safety lockdown drill. Prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, said the legislation is needed to protect sta...
Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School is purchasing a used car for its traffic safety/driver education program. The Grand Coulee Dam School District board of directors on Monday approved the purchase of a 2017 Ford Escape for about $25,000 from Jess Ford using school levy money. The class has been leasing a Ford Fusion from Jess Ford. Superintendent Paul Turner said the four-wheel-drive Ford Escape has low mileage and that the school should get a lot of use out of it over the coming years. “We’re a district that champion’s drivers ed,” Turne...
The Lake Roosevelt Raiders baseball team is off to a good start for the season with a 3-1 win-loss record so far. The Raiders lost their season opener to Cascade High School March 22 at the Peshastin-Dryden Sports Complex with a final score of 6-5. "We were ahead most of the game and they had a hit in the bottom of the seventh to score two runs to beat us," Head Coach Billy Nicholson said. "Everyone played well, we just didn't win." The next day in Okanogan, the Raiders beat the Bulldogs 7-6....
The Lady Raiders softball team has a 4-2 win-loss record after two wins and two losses this past week. LR lost a road game 11-9 against Cascade High School on March 22. LR Head Coach Jaci Gross explained that in the bottom of the seventh inning, Cascade hit a walk off homerun to win the game. Aaliyah Marchand pitched four innings for LR, striking out nine batters, walking four, and giving up four hits. Emma Marchand pitched the other three innings, striking out two, walking one, and also giving...
The Lake Roosevelt track and field team competed at the Ray Cross Invitational on March 26 where the all-girl team competed with over 30 schools of all sizes, ranging from 1B size to 4A. "This was a really big meet to start our competitions, and the experience will pay off as the season moves on," Head Coach Lori Adkins said. "The girls competed well against much larger schools." Adkins said most events had over 40 competitors. LR's highest placing athlete at the event was Carly Neddo, who...
At nearly midnight on March 10, the Legislature adjourned its hybrid session in Olympia on schedule. The 60-day Legislative session consisted primarily of Zoom meetings with some work completed in-person. It was a busy time for me as I continued as the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee’s ranking member. This session was particularly busy for education committee leaders due to continued school issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and school funding issues. I also sponsored a few individual bills and budget requests. In t...
School was disrupted last week by a possible threat that was later determined not to be credible. There was no school at Lake Roosevelt Schools on March 16, then only a distance-learning day March 17 due to the alleged threat through a reported remark on social media. The incident was described in a March 17 Facebook post shared on the Lake Roosevelt Jr/Sr High School page from the Grand Coulee Dam School District’s administration. The post explains that at 6:25 a.m. on March 16 “we got a call from a parent stating that their student received a...
A housing need for senior citizens may be addressed by local business owners and the Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center, which is helping to fund studies that could lead to a large project. Centerline Development, owned by Nic Alexander and Ian Turner, purchased the former school located on 8.3 acres between Spokane Way and Martin Road in 2019 for $155,000. The pair has planned to help develop senior citizen living quarters at the former school, as well as single-family homes on the surrounding property. “We’ve heard nothing but positive fee...
School was disrupted last week by a possible threat that was later determined not to be credible. There was no school at Lake Roosevelt Schools on March 16, then only a distance-learning day March 17 due to the alleged threat through a reported remark on social media. The incident was described in a March 17 Facebook post shared on the Lake Roosevelt Jr/Sr High School page from the Grand Coulee Dam School District’s administration. The post explains that at 6:25 a.m. on March 16 “we got a call from a parent stating that their student received a...
Guns, bullets, and other weaponry could someday be manufactured nearby. The Colville Confederated Tribes are receiving a $50,000 grant from Washington state’s Community Economic Revitalization Board, matched by $16,667 from the tribe, to conduct a feasibility study to look into placing a munitions manufacturing plant on or near the reservation. Tribal Business Council Chairman Andrew Joseph Jr said the tribes have not been in contact with any existing business in the pursuit of this project. “The Tribes noticed a void in the local market for...
In the United States, a law is presumed to be constitutional until proven otherwise in court. This process can take years, and a lot of money, to wade through the legal system and end up at the Supreme Court. As the challenge proceeds, we are still obligated to obey the law. We are a nation of laws. When a politician doesn’t like something, they seek to make a law prohibiting you from possessing or doing whatever it is that they don’t like. Even if it is blatantly unconstitutional. It’s easy to do when one party has complete control as well...
Saturday was a good day for the Lady Raiders, who defeated the Lady Bears in Brewster in both games of a double header. LR won the first game 10-0, and the next 14-4. “Great way to open up the season,” Head Coach Jaci Gross said. “We were tentative hitters, and that will change. We were pleased with our defensive effort. Specifically, the one-two punch of Aaliyah Marchand and Presley Steffens on the mound. We are very excited about our season this year.” Marchand struck out 11 batters in four innings in the first game, while Steffens struck...
Elmer City will be receiving $772,000 in state dollars towards a new fire station after the state House and Senate passed their 2022-23 supplemental capital budget. In March of 2021, Elmer City Public Works Director Jimmer Tillman, who has volunteered as a firefighter for about 30 years, told the town council he would be looking into options for funding a new facility for the Elmer City fire department, also known as Okanogan County Fire District #2. Earlier this month, the city found out they would be receiving $772,000 towards the project....
A report from the Okanogan School District determined that noises made during a basketball game were not racially motivated, but others, including Colville Business Council members, disagree. Reviewing game footage, Lady Raiders Assistant Coach Matthew Pleasants, himself an African American and Native American, took note of racist monkey noises being made while a Lady Raider, also an African American and Native American, shot free throws during a Feb. 18 basketball game in Okanogan. Pleasants reported the incident to the Washington Interscholas...
Communication between the Colville Tribes and the Grand Coulee Dam School District should be prioritized, officials from both groups say. At their meeting Monday night, GCDSD School Board directors hosted the chairman and other members of the Colville Business Council, the governing body of the Colville Confederated Tribes. With 37.8% of students in the district being enrolled tribal members, and more being of tribal descent, the school board has spoken frequently in recent years about wanting...
There should be plenty to do around town with 10 events planned for 2022 in the Coulee area, including a monthly market with beer and music, but the biggest event faces multiple challenges this year. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce has a slew of events scheduled for the year. The Triple Fish Challenge is scheduled for April 9-10; Colorama from May 6-8; the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on June 2; Koulee Kids Fest on June 18; the First Friday Night Market will run from June to October, the Festival of America on July 4; the Run...
There is an old saying: Don’t let the “perfect” be the “enemy” of the good! That is important to remember as we work our way out of the energy crisis exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While the Russians are razing the country and killing thousands of innocent people, many world leaders are slapping Moscow with heavy economic sanctions. Embargoing Russian oil and natural gas are examples. With the prohibition of Russian oil imports, there is a crude shortage in our country. Consequently, our drivers are shocked by the recent pric...
A lot can be accomplished in a lifetime. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce is starting a new award for lifetime achievement in honor of Colleen Manley who died unexpectedly earlier this year at the age of 63. “If you have been a part of this community, then you knew Colleen,” Chamber Executive Director Rachelle Baughman said at their March 8 meeting. “She was a huge aspect of this community. Colleen did a lot. She was a part of the chamber, she was a part of the Rotary, she was a part of the Lions. I’m not even sure of everything sh...
Coulee Medical Center employees walked into local businesses last Friday to spread awareness about colon cancer. The walk was a new local twist on a longstanding emphasis in medicine - prevention. Eighteen CMC employees walked from the hospital to more than 25 local businesses in Grand Coulee, where they gave gift bags that included pamphlets about colon cancer and CMC's services, stickers, bracelets, and fiber bars. Chief Medical Officer Doctor Sam Hsieh told The Star a bit about colon cancer...
It’s the year 2022, and racism is still an issue that children face at school. Following a report of racist behavior at a basketball game in Okanogan, the school district there has been investigating the matter, and a report is anticipated to be done later this week. Lady Raiders Assistant Coach Matthew Pleasants reported that while he was reviewing video of a Feb. 18 game in Okanogan, he noticed that some fans at the game had made monkey noises while a Lady Raider who is African American and a tribal member was shooting free throws. P...
"What a year to start a business," Morgan Tillman said last night about starting her Elmer City salon in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tillman's Apothecary Salon was awarded Business of the Year by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce. "It was quite a wild ride," Tillman said. "I'm thankful to be a part of the chamber and the community that's been so welcoming." "There's a lot of excitement around this business, which I think is fabulous," Patty Oliver of PK's Culinary...
It’s not often that we see an athlete at the top of his (her) game walk away from a multi-million dollar payday to go home and fight for his (her) country. However, that is exactly what world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk did after Russia invaded Ukraine. Usyk postponed his championship rematch with Britain’s Anthony Joshua and returned to war-torn Ukraine. He enlisted in the homeland defense force; however, he’s not alone. Fellow boxers Vasiliy Lomachenko and Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, did the same. “They are pro...