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Articles written by Roger S Lucas & Scott Hunter


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  • Study outlines town's sewage options

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Oct 4, 2017

    A study on Elmer City’s options for sewage treatment suggests the town may save over the long run by building a new treatment plant of its own, instead of extending its decades-long contract with Coulee Dam. Elmer City has received its wastewater treatment plant alternative study developed by Indian Health Services, and the report will get its first airing at the town council’s meeting, Oct. 12. The report provides several alternative routes for the town to develop its own sewage treatment system, or do nothing at all and remain with Cou...

  • Union surveys point out problems in school district

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Jun 14, 2017

    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...

  • Emergency declared and flood warnings issued in Okanogan Co.

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Apr 12, 2017

    Okanogan County commissioners declared a state of emergency Monday, due to threat of flooding and debris problems on county roads. Commissioners passed the resolution after county roads suffered damage from heavy precipitation recently. They acknowledged the continued threat of heavy rain has created a danger to public health and the safety of those using county roads. The Charlton Complex and other wildfires stripped vegetation from hills in the county, resulting in flash floods with mud and debris being swept over roadways. Commissioners...

  • Skewed crime stats put Grand Coulee in first place

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Jan 4, 2017

    Grand Coulee got first place, but not necessarily the type of first place you’d want to receive. An FBI report for the state of Washington shows that Grand Coulee, for its size, was rated first in the state for burglaries for the year 2015. Statistics show that Grand Coulee had 23 burglaries for its population of 1,056, a statistic skewed because it doesn’t account for the population of Electric City, which the Grand Coulee Police also support, noted Police Chief John Tufts. Two other nearby communities on the list include Winthrop, which was...

  • Blazes keep firefighters busy

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Aug 10, 2016

    A series of wildland fires around the region the last two weeks have kept fire fighting agencies busy and yesterday prompted a burning ban in Grant County. A nearly 2,000-acre fire about 15 miles south of Inchelium has been 65 percent contained, the Northwest 9 Management team reported Tuesday. Evacuation levels have been reduced to level one throughout the fire region, fire officials reported. The Kewa blaze started Aug. 2, and has burned 1,912 acres of rangeland and timber. The NW 9 Management incident commander, Brian Goff, reported that...

  • Man jailed after tussle with police

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Apr 20, 2016

    by Roger S. Lucas & Scott Hunter It took three officers to finally subdue a man originally pulled over on a traffic stop who now faces a handful of charges, including third-degree assault of the officers and resisting arrest. Floyd denies the charges. Arrested and taken to Grant County Jail Saturday was Lyle A. Floyd, 46, who owns the Body by Dam gym in Grand Coulee. In addition to giving an Electric City address, Floyd also lives in Nine Mile Falls, near Spokane. At 9:40 p.m., an officer got a call from a concerned motorist who had seen a...

  • Tourism group to take on Electric City city hall

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Mar 23, 2016

    Tourism interests expressed heated frustration with Electric City's council in a meeting last Thursday at Sunbanks Resort, frustration to the point of hiring a lawyer. The meeting, organized by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, included members of its board of directors and several lodging businesses in the area that collect a tax on tourists, which the city has decided to spend on a pathway project. The purpose of the meeting was to find a way to get Electric City to use its...

  • Historic registry might not be what you think

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Dec 16, 2015

    A state preservation official Thursday dispelled myths and disclosed some little-known facts about what happens when property is declared "historic" and entered on a registry. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Coulee Dam had invited Michael Houser, of the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, to speak about the registry issue at a joint noon meeting last Thursday held in the community room at town hall. There was interest in the town to see if some of...

  • New LR school opens with plenty of fanfare and lots of students

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Sep 17, 2014

    The new school complex in Coulee Dam opened Monday without a serious glitch. But there were kids, kids, and more kids. Following years of declines, student numbers on Monday were 22 percent more than the district had budgeted, a number that can substantially boost the amount of operating money the state allocates to the district. The first-day count was 394 for the elementary wing, plus 350 in the junior-senior high wing for a total of 744 students. The official beginning count won't be taken...

  • Harvest festival to offer celebration time

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Aug 27, 2014

    by Roger S. Lucas and Scott Hunter This year's Harvest Festival will feature a barbecue competition with some $3,500 prize money, as the event continues to evolve in its third year. That and a lot more will be part of the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce's Third Annual Harvest Festival, Sept. 12-14, at North Dam Park. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce's Third Annual Harvest Festival, Sept. 12-14, at North Dam Park will also offer wagon rides, helicopter rides, an apple and...

  • Firefighters busy over the holiday

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Jul 9, 2014

    A number of small fires marred the busy July 4 holiday weekend, Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Chief Richard Paris reported this week on behalf of several responding agencies, and one large fire near Keller was still being battled Tuesday morning. At least five of the fires were caused by fireworks incidents, but none covered more than small areas. Thursday night Electric City firefighters responded to a small fire just north of Devil’s Punch Bowl along Banks Lake. That fire covered a tenth of an acre. Friday night, July 4, Grand Coulee f...

  • Moose Lodge 504 and Bob Valen honored for year

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Feb 19, 2014

    The chamber of commerce named two of its own to awards last Thursday night as the "Achiever of the Year," and "Business of the Year." The awards are made by the vote of members of the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce. Named "Achiever of the Year" was Bob Valen, the chamber's own vice president and a retired National Park Service employee. Valen served over 35 years with the NPS, and in retirement has been as busy as ever. He also now serves as chairman of the Coulee Area Park &...