News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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A Grand Coulee woman appealed to the city council Tuesday, June 20, to approve a "dog rescue" at her residence. Dorothy Harris, who resides on Young Street, offered to work with Grand Coulee in writing language for an ordinance that would be acceptable to the council. However, zoning got in the way. Councilmember Tammara Byers, who chairs the city's planning commission, told Harris that "there's no way that we are going to allow a rescue operation into an R-1 (residential) zone." Harris told... Full story
A working smoke detector is credited with avoiding a bigger fire, as it allowed for getting a blaze under control at a mobile home at 904 King Street in Grand Coulee last Thursday evening. Volunteer Fire Chief Richard Paris said it appeared the fire started in an electrical connection on the underside of the trailer. Firefighters responded to the alarm at 7:10 p.m. and were able to leave the site within 45 minutes. The trailer resident and a neighbor were able to turn off the power and use a garden hose to knock the blaze down. The trailer was... Full story
Members of two Grand Coulee Dam School District unions responding to recent internal surveys outlined a number of complaints dealing with discipline, communication and training issues. The survey responses provide a glimpse into a district, many of whose workers are disillusioned enough that union leaders felt compelled to ask questions of the membership. While the survey respondents collectively fell short of painting a no-confidence opinion, several within the two unions stated that they... Full story
The annual Koulee Kids Fest kicks off this Saturday throughout the area. The June 17 event begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. Kids can get their passports at one of the following places: Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce office, Coulee Hardware, Loepp Furniture or the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center. Once kids get their passports, then it’s off for fun and games. There’s free mini golf, pedal boats, face painting, ice cream, kettle corn, a barbecue, chalk art, classic cars, fishing, disc golf, photo cutouts at the Coulee Pio... Full story
There is interest again in the purchase of Center School. The sale of the old school is among the goals set by the school board for the coming year. Superintendent Paul Turner advised the board that a person from Moses Lake is pursuing the purchase of the building and adjacent acreage (8.5 acres in all) from the district. Turner told the board that the party interested had toured the site and was actively pursuing the purchase. The school was purchased for $155,000 from the Continental Land Company in October 2015, and has been on and off the... Full story
The Regional Board of Mayors has asked that needed repairs at the Delano Transfer Station go out for regular bid. The group’s insurance firm, Clear Risk Solutions, had inspected the transfer station earlier this year and came up with an estimated $20,000 to $25,000 of needed repairs. Electric City, which manages the transfer station, had asked for bids from its small works roster since repairs were estimated to be under $35,000, not meeting the threshold for having to advertise and go out for the full bidding process. One bid was received f... Full story
A meeting last week to discuss Electric City’s park and recreation plan failed to attract local residents. However, it did attract a pair of city council members, the city’s planner and two members of the community park advisory committee. Councilmembers Birdie Hensley and Lonna Bussert, both park proponents, city planner Kurt Danison, and park committee members Brad Parrish and Cindy Greely all attended. The issue went to the council last night to see if members would approve money to move forward with engineering costs for the two pro... Full story
The city council at Electric City will have the opportunity next Tuesday, June 13, to select the design firm for its two proposed city parks. The community parks committee has recommended that a Lacey firm, Robert Droll, Landscape Architect, be selected to take the city through the design and engineering phase of the future project. City Clerk Russell Powers said last week that the city had received five proposals from its advertisement seeking either a landscape architect, or an engineering firm to do the advance work for the two Ice Age Flood... Full story
The fireworks over Grand Coulee Dam will occur this year on Saturday, July 1, officials said last week. The traditional Festival of America, the July 4 celebration, will be June 30 – July 1 this year, according to the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the event. "Our board labored over this for a long time and reasoned that because July 4 split the work week, members thought this was the best solution," chamber Executive Director Peggy Nevsimal stated. The Independence Day ho... Full story
This is all about kids. And everything is free! It’s the annual Koulee Kids Fest, Saturday, June 17, a one-day event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids can get their passports, free, at the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce office, Coulee Hardware, Loepp Furniture or at the Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam. There’s lots to do — and everything is free — so bring the kids and enjoy the day with them. There’s mini golf, free pedal boats, face painting, ice cream, kettle corn, a barbecue, chalk art, classic cars, fishing, disc golf, photo cut... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District is looking for additional parking for its staff. Superintendent Paul Turner told his board that discussions are underway with the National Park Service to use the lower end of the NPS complex for school parking. Turner said last Friday that, on occasion, parking around the new school complex is in short supply. “If we are eventually able to utilize some space across the street from the school for parking, it would be very helpful,” Turner stated. It is uncertain what kind of arrangement could be made wit... Full story
This year’s vegetable, fruit, and craft market will be offered on Wednesday evenings, the sponsors said last week. The market is sponsored by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, and will be from 4-8 p.m. each Wednesday, starting June 21 and ending Sept. 13. “We have six booths signed up already, for all 13 weeks,” chamber Executive Director Peggy Nevsimal stated Tuesday. The Wednesday Market will be at North Dam Park. Exhibitors pay $5 a week for booth space, or $50 for the entire 13 weeks. Additional information on the Wedne... Full story
Only one office in the coulee area will require a primary runoff to see who makes it to the general election Nov. 7. Three people have filed for Position 3 on the Coulee Dam Town Council, requiring the runoff election. In all other races, candidates will automatically move to the general election Nov. 7. Bruce Bartoo, Timothy Brooks and Marcia Warnecke each filed for the same council seat in Coulee Dam last Friday, which will bring on a primary election to select the top two on Aug. 1. Others who have filed for Coulee Dam council are David... Full story
The Lake Roosevelt Schools music department just won a $6,250 grant. Karen Pace, music director ,said the grant was given through the umbrella of the Washington Music Education Association. Pace directs four bands in the district and the district’s choir, for a total of about 165 students, Pace said Friday, plus elementary music. Shee put in for the grant in March and received word that the grant was coming through for the district earlier in May. The money will be used to purchase new instruments, repair older ones, and provide music stands a... Full story
Grant County Mosquito District 2 released its treatment schedule for the coming season. On Mondays, the district will treat in Electric City and Sunbanks Lake Resort; Tuesday at Steamboat Rock State Park and Osborn Bay; Wednesday in Grand Coulee; Thursday in Electric City and Sunbanks; Friday at Steamboat Rock State Park and Osborn Bay; Saturday at the airport and golf course; and Sunday in Grand Coulee. The schedule is subject to change for weather, wind, and rain. The district has only one licensed applicator at this time, Tim Weibe, who can... Full story
Electric City council approved contracting for a hearing examiner and hiring a code enforcement officer at its meeting May 9. Hearing examiner Andrew L. Kottkamp, of Wenatchee, will be paid $150 an hour. The hearing examiner duties call for him to be knowledgeable in all portions of Electric City’s municipal code and related ordinances, regulations, plans and policies applicable to any matter coming before him for a hearing. The contractor also must be knowledgeable with relevant state statutes and appellate case law. The hearing examiner w... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District issued a strong response to invitations for comments on a Bureau of Reclamation proposed modernization program. The Bureau had advertised for draft environmental assessment comments on its 12-year plan to modernize and overhaul generators in both the left and right powerhouses. The school district, long critical of a lack of financial support from the Bureau, stated in a letter dated May 12: “Regarding impacts on the district, it is clear the Bureau still does not understand the complexity and unique s... Full story
School Superintendent Paul Turner is doing his budget for next year, quite possibly the most difficult he will ever prepare. The Grand Coulee Dam School District is facing what he described to the board as a potential $745,000 shortfall if everything remains as it is today. Monday, Turner stated that he has constantly been revising budget plans for next year and he expects to start making some final decisions this Thursday after meeting with school administrators. The district has until June 15 to notify teachers if they are not going to be... Full story
The period for filing candidates intentions to seek elective offices is set for May 15-19, with the primary election scheduled for August 1 and the general election set for Nov. 7. The area’s two school districts, Grand Coulee Dam and Nespelem, each have four board positions that will be up for election this year. Seats in the Grand Coulee Dam District and their incumbants include Position 1, currently held by Carla Marconi, a four-year term; Position 2, held by Ken Stanger, a four-year term; Position 3, held by George LaPlace, a two-year t... Full story
A new 5K Colorama Color Run will be held at North Dam Park this year, adding literal “color” for Colorama to participants who want to revel in the spirit of the festival. The run begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at North Dam Park. For those who pre-register at grandcouleedam.org/colorrun or at the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, the cost is $22 and includes a T-shirt. Registration on the day of the run will cost $25, and a T-shirt is not guaranteed. Those on the run will receive a T-shirt and can get an optional spray of color at... Full story
Electric City has received an emergency grant from the Transportation Improvement Board to make needed repairs to nine small street problems. City Clerk Russell Powers said that the grant is for just over $30,000, and will take care of nine of the 12 requests made. As soon as he learned that emergency grants would be available, Powers said he submitted a list of 12 emergency repairs the city would like to make, along with pictures of the problems. “They approved nine, and we hope to have the work done in June,” Powers said Monday. Worst of the... Full story
There will soon be a lighted crosswalk on Highway 174, where employees at Coulee Medical Center cross the highway from where they park. A meeting was held recently with representatives from the Department of Transportation, Coulee Medical Center, Grant County PUD and Grand Coulee Mayor Paul Townsend. Townsend said it’s a “go,” and “the papers have all been signed.” Grant County PUD will install a streetlight near where the crosswalk will be located, the DOT will paint the crosswalk, and Grand Coulee will pick up the monthly energy cost. Tow... Full story
This year’s senior class is planning a trip to Seattle and places beyond for its “senior trip.” But the 25 seniors and four adult chaperones will have to be “early birds” if they expect to catch the bus before it pulls out at 5 a.m. for the two-day annual event scheduled for June 2-3. The Grand Coulee Dam School District board approved the trip at its Monday meeting. Seniors will leave early the first day and come back late — very late on the second day. Class sponsor Julie Friedlander presented the plan to the board Monday. The class has b... Full story
Electric City’s park plan got a boost April 11, when the city council looked favorably on recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Committee (PARC). The council agreed to move forward on hiring an engineering or landscape firm to draw final plans for both the McNett Avenue Park and the Grand Avenue Park, both new to the city. Council members specified that the city should use funds other than hotel/motel money to pay for the completed plans. The council had voted a year ago to set aside $40,000 from its hotel/motel fund to pay for e... Full story
Elmer City residents will see a 2-percent increase in their power bills as a result of an increase in electric costs from Nespelem Valley Electric, town council members learned last Thursday. The town was advised by NVE that its power rates would go from $0.07 per kilowatt hour to $0.0714 per kilowatt hour, the result of an increase from its supplier, Bonneville Power Administration. It was estimated that the increase to Elmer City residents would be about $22 a year. Dan Simpson, general manager of Nespelem Valley Electric, said in a letter... Full story