News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Ice climber Erik Coch nears the top of an ice formation near Devil's Punchbowl above Banks Lake along SR 155 Sunday. Randy Bracht belays him below at right, taking his turn after having ascended the ice a couple times already. - Scott Hunter photo...
Harriet Lorraine (Moore) Williams passed away peacefully in Spokane, Washington, Wednesday, January 26, 2022. She was born to George E and Lois A (Walling) Moore in Keller, Washington. In her early years, Sally could be found riding and raising horses in the Elmer City, Washington area. She had a great love for horses. She later married Richard Williams. After moving several times, the family settled in Kewa, Washington, running the Kewa Trading Post. There they raised six (6) children and helpe... Full story
Capital levy dollars, with some assistance from grants, have helped upgrade the heating and air conditioning (HVAC), roofing and electrical systems at the gym, as well as to replace asbestos-based wall panels, and could upgrade school facilities further if renewed by voters next month. Grand Coulee Dam School District Superintendent Paul Turner took The Star and The Tribal Tribune on a tour of the Career Technical Education building, also known as what remains of the old high school, to show...
Three school district levies are expiring at the end of 2022, and two proposed levies totaling the same tax rate are on the ballot for the February 8 election to replace them. The levies have collected up to $4.20 per $1,000 of assessed value from property taxes. Two educational “enrichment” levies expiring at the end of 2022 are being combined into one proposed levy, the Educational Programs and Operations Levy, which would collect an estimated $2.50 per thousand dollars of assessed property value. The capital levy would remain at the sam...
Anita Eylar has been selected to fill Council Position #1 on Grand Coulee's city council. The seat was left vacant with former mayor and longtime Councilmember Tamara Byers choosing not to run for reelection in 2021, then the winner of that election, Ben Hughes, moving out of the city. The city received letters of interest from three applicants for the open seat, including Eylar, Kim Christensen, and Ruth Dalton. At their Jan. 18 city council meeting, the council asked Eylar and Dalton...
Five more COVID-19 deaths have been announced in Grant County during the current case surge, which hdas seen 33 additional cases in local towns in the past week, with a 25.5% positivity rate in tests performed at Coulee Medical Center. Grant County Health District announced the five additional deaths on Jan. 20 on their website. The deaths, which occurred in January, were all women from Ephrata and Moses Lake, ranging in age from their 40s to their 90s. Three were not vaccinated and two had an unknown vaccination status. All five had... Full story
The year 2021 saw a higher-than-normal amount of ambulance and fire calls in the local area. Chief Ryan Fish of the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department shared the year’s numbers at Grand Coulee’s Jan. 18 city council meeting. In 2021, there were 555 ambulance calls, and 72 fire calls. This compares to 2019, when there were 485 ambulance calls and 42 fire calls, and to 2020, when there were 459 ambulance calls and 67 fire calls....
The state of Washington has changed how school districts are funded, placing greater responsibility on local levies to help the district sustain extracurricular activities, adequate staffing, and improved facilities for our children. A typical voice in support of levies tends to focus on issues such as our aging district infrastructure and non-taxed government lands. Voices against the levies tend to focus on mismanagement, lack of representation, and the perception that property taxes will increase. What none of these issues address is the...
Thanks go to The Star, Jacob Wagner and Scott Hunter for carrying out the school levy survey and printing the results and comments in the January 19, 2022 edition. Voters need to have factual information to help them decide whether to vote “Yes” or ‘No” on the levy. There are a few comments that were included in the article and a related “Letters from our readers” section that I would like to address. Ten years ago, after many years (decades?) of our community communicating the need to replace our three aging and unhealthy schools, Sen. Linda...
I am writing in support of the two upcoming levies for the Grand Coulee Dam School District. As a teacher for the district for 42 years, I have seen how levies have supported and provided opportunities for students and staff. The levies have provided support to the athletic programs, upkeep for our school buildings and provide programs that are available for our students. In supporting our levies, we are supporting and providing for the future of our students. Gary Darnold Retired teacher and coach for GCD School District...
Previously I’d mentioned how much I appreciate The Star seeking input by polling our community about the upcoming school levies. People need to be heard and I’m proud of those who’ve studied the issue and logically responded. Maybe the only real avenue they have. It takes courage to go against the establishment, but I can tell you these folks are not against kids. They see a lack of balance and dysfunction over time. Most of us love our local school district but the elected officials and superintendent are out of touch in many ways. Looki...
This is about places I’ve been that would make my bucket list if I hadn’t. 1 - First would have to be my favorite vacation spot, Grand Teton National Park. Place to stay: Jackson Lake Lodge, on Jackson Lake. It has always been the top spot for moose watching, but it also is a hiker’s paradise. We took a boat across the lake and it dropped us off at a trailhead that wound its way between two of the mountain peaks. We had walked about a mile and when turning a corner in the path we ran into two bull moose that cautiously eyed us as if we shouldn...
Grace C. Steffens, 96, passed away Monday, January 17, 2022, at her home in Electric City, Washington. She was born in Monticello, MN. to Anthony and Vera Dierich, the oldest of 9 with 3 siblings living. She married Joe Steffens in 1944 and the family followed him while working construction. In 1946 they moved to Electric City, where they made their home and raised 6 kids. They divorced in 1968. She met the love of her life in 1974, Jay Webley. They loved to go dancing, on trips, and also grew... Full story
Masquers Theater is proud to present Sean Grennan’s “Beer For Breakfast”! This hilarious play is about a group of middle-aged buddies that reunite for a “guys’ weekend” in a snowed-in cabin to eat chili, drink beer, and relive the good old days. Despite divorce, unemployment, and a stroke, spirits are high until Jessie, the wife of absent friend Adrian, shows up in his place. An epic battle of wits and stamina ensues: will the men win their right to an all-out guy fest, or will woman be crowned the stronger sex after all? This play is full of...
The Arbor Day Foundation has been inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees since 1972. And that simple mission has had a global impact. Join online at arborday.org/membership to join the foundation and select your membership type. 10 Free trees - Online enter your zip code to choose from a variety of tree packages specially selected for your area. They will be sent to you to plan in your yard. 10 Trees to the Forest - America’s forests provide habitat for wildlife, clean the air and filter drinking water for millions of p...
Our libraries are open for limited services at this time. The health and safety of our staff and visitors is our top priority, and we are closely following the Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery guidelines. Learn more about how we are taking your safety seriously. Drive-Up WiFi We’ve expanded the range of our WiFi at all 30 of our locations. WiFi is free and available 24/7. Curbside Pickup If you aren’t able to pick up your material in person, consider using our Mail Order Library! Prefer to stop by? Contact-free curbside service is av...
Confused in the Coulee AA meetings are held on Mondays and Fridays at 6 p.m. at the Vets Center in Electric City. Call Paul at 633-3377 days or 633-3345 evenings. New Hope Group meetings are held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Vets Center. These are open and non-smoking. A new Alcoholics Anonymous group is meeting each Saturday at noon at the Grand Coulee Community Church, 405 Center St. Meetings are open. More information call 509.680.9549 In Nespelem, the group Bound and Determined holds its meetings Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Catholic... Full story
Whitney and Brandon Schmidt of Electric City, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Selivia Lynn, born Thursday, January 5, 2022, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. She weighed 7 lbs. and was 21 inches in length at birth. Sibling includes Collin Schmidt age 7. Maternal grandparents are Keith Holmes and Sheryl Catron. Paternal grandparents are Marc and Yvonne Schmidt. Great-grandparents are Ruth Holmes and Merv Schmidt.... Full story
Ravina Pakootas and Jerald Boyd Jr., of Nespelem, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter RaeLynn Love Boyd, born Sunday, January 9, 2022, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. She weighed 7 lbs., 3 oz., and was 21 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandparents are Carly Orr ad Amanda Gendron. Paternal grandparents are Winfred Pakootas, Jerald Boyd Sr., Cheryl Orr and Daniel Schmidt. Great-grandparents are Janice Matt, Junky Pakootas, Toni Eaglebear and Rick (Pompa) Gendron.... Full story
Joshua and Reni Kelton of Spokane, Washington are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Ember Grace, born Sunday, January 23, 2022. She weighed 6 lbs., 12 oz., and was 20 inches in length at birth. Paternal grandparents are Bob and Barbara Kelton of Electric City, Washinton. Maternal grandparents are Troy and Marie Ogle of Chattaroy, Washington.... Full story
Grand Coulee Police 1/18 - Police responded to King Street and Dill Avenue where a man and woman reportedly were arguing loudly in a vehicle. Both said the argument was verbal only; no physical violence had occurred. They were going to separate places and police left. - Police responded to Kelso Avenue, where a woman had called 911 saying she would have a heart attack if her husband didn’t leave. She told police she was upset he was getting a car repaired, and would trust “some half-Indian guys.” Police asked how they could help before she clos...
The Lake Roosevelt Raiders basketball team played three games last week, winning two and losing one. LR lost to Tonasket 67-50 on the Tigers' home court Jan. 18. Then on Jan. 20, the Raiders hosted league rival Brewster Bears, squeezing by the Bears 74-70. The Raiders trailed 19-18 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Brandon Pino burst into flame, sinking back-to-back threes followed by layups, shifting momentum to the Raiders, who closed the first half up 36-30. The second...
The Lady Raiders basketball team hosted Tonasket and Bridgeport last week, demolishing them both. Lake Roosevelt defeated the Lady Tigers in Tonasket, 60-35 Jan. 18. "Coming off of [COVID-19] protocols and no practice for a week, we really came out and played well," Assistant Coach Matthew Pleasants said. The seven varsity players "all played huge," he said. "Aaliyah Marchand came back from a rolled ankle that sidelined her all the way back in December. Her presence on the floor makes a huge...
Six Raider wrestlers placed at the Quincy Mat Animal Wrestling Tournament on Jan. 22. Raiders earned two first-place spots, a second, a third, and two sixth-place spots. Wrestling in the 113-pound weight class, Roger Cate placed third by pinning Tim Pomeroy from Blaine just 37 seconds into the match. At 126, Colton Jackson took first with a pin of Blaine’s Cael Button 59 seconds into the match. Teyton Flores placed sixth at 145 after getting pinned by Eric Myrick from Royal 36 seconds into the third round. Landon Krohn took second at 170, l...
City of Grand Coulee, WA SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1082 On January 18, 2022, the City Council of the City of Grand Coulee, Washington, approved Ordinance No. 1082, which is summarized by its title as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF GRAND COULEE, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 17.60.170 REGULATING SHORT TERM RENTALS IN THE CITY; CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY PROVISION; AND SETTING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The full text of this Ordinance will be mailed upon request. DATED this 18th day of January 2022. Lorna Pearce, Clerk Treasurer... Full story
