News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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An investigative report issued by the city of Grand Coulee’s risk management firm details infighting between the chief of police and the mayor, charges and counter charges of nepotism and favoritism, micromanagement by the mayor and a breakdown in authority fueled by a lack of respect, personality conflicts, and an inability “to work together for the good of the city.” The Star obtained a copy of the year-old report after it was referenced in a city council meeting last week. At the Feb. 4 council meeting, Police Officer Sean Cook took issue... Full story
This week's photos are now online. More than 80 photos taken in the last week, some we really wish we could have used in the paper, are ready to view. Here's a slide show: 2-12-14 Star - Images by Scott Hunter... Full story
Police reports that The Star newspaper has regularly picked up at the police department now have to be picked up at the city clerk’s office, by order of Grand Coulee Mayor Chris Christopherson. The newspaper has had access to the reports directly from police officials for nearly two decades and are summarized in Coulee Cops each week. That ceased last week, and now The Star has to go to the city clerk’s office to get the reports. No explanation was forthcoming other than that the mayor had ordered it. The police department has provided unc... Full story
A family of fun seekers finds it on the popular sledding hill at North Dam Park Monday afternoon, following the first decent snowfall the area has had all winter. - Scott Hunter photo... Full story
Facing another litany of complaints about mismanagement, hospital commissioners Monday directed changes in two key policies that have angered community members and medical staff. The commission directed CEO Scott Graham to find a legal way to relaunch a popular lab test discount program that has taken place each spring for years but was halted last year on advice from the hospital district’s former attorney. The personnel/compliance com-mittee had been “bombarded” by concerns from the community after Lincoln Hospital of Davenport adver... Full story
Members of the Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center are still hopeful that they will someday be able to build a garage to house their two buses, even though the city of Grand Coulee is dragging its feet on the issue. Larry Curtis, appeared before the city council at its last meeting, his fourth time on the issue, asking the city what is happening on the seniors’ request to build a bus garage on property that borders on Federal Avenue. The property is not zoned for a separate garage unless there is also a residential building in the package. Each t... Full story
Play on the way The Planet Earth Players will put on “12 Angry Jurors” Feb. 20, 21, and 22, at the Grand Gallery of Arts on Grand Coulee’s Main Street. Tickets for the performances will be on sale at the door for $7. The play is directed by Darlene Morava. Calendars for the past The Coulee Pioneer Museum is considering the development of a historical calendar for 2015. Birdie Hensley said that it would include historical pictures and events. She said for people to check the museum’s Facebook page for additional information. Busy departm... Full story
Tom Poplawski, a retired state parks employee, was named to fill a vacant seat on Grand Coulee’s city council. Three people had submitted their names for the vacant position, but one withdrew his name the night the selection was made. Poplawski was sworn in last Tuesday night to fill the vacant seat, position 2, formerly held by Tim Alling, who chose not to run again for office. The new councilman served as park manager at Steamboat Rock State Park from 1996 to 2012, when he retired. Poplawski had a 37-year career in the state park system a... Full story
Grand Coulee will go out to bid on its Midway Avenue water project, the replacement of about 500 feet of line. The project will replace lines across Midway Ave. from Jess Ford, to Four Corners and to the Catholic Church. It will also replace lines from Safeway to the TeePee Drive-In. The city council gave Mayor Chris Christopherson the OK to execute a contract with Gray & Osborne, the city’s engineering firm. The project estimate, made a year ago, was for $100 per foot, or about $50,000. The job would be advertised, city officials said, Feb. 1... Full story
January kicked off our new year on the warmer and drier side. Here at the home weather station we had a January mean temperature of 31.5°F, while the overall mean is 26.9°F for a difference of 4.6°F. The low for the month was 14.9°F on Jan. 31 (all-time low was -17°F in 1950) and our high was 55.9°F Jan. 13 (all-time high was 61°F in 1981). Our January precipitation was on the low side. We measured only 0.49 inches, just about all of it from 4.9 inches of snowfall (actually, it is called Snow Water Equivalent or SWE). Our mean precip... Full story
It’s times like these that make you wonder if there’s something to astrology. There is always turmoil somewhere in the world, but when it rears its chaotic head in local communities, it begs the profound question, What the heck? With months of employee and community unrest surrounding Coulee Medical Center coming to a head, and a year of heated discontent within the city of Grand Coulee coming to the fore this week, it’s hard not to ask that question. There may be no sign of the Age of Aquarius in sight, but let’s hope that as the new year un... Full story
This is very short reply to the recent letter to the editor authorized by Mr. Truman Covington. First of all, the information referenced in your fourth paragraph is entirely inaccurate. Colville Tribal Federal Corporation – CTFC has completed Fiscal Year 2013 with the following benchmarks: • Completed FY 2013 highly profitable for the third consecutive year. CTFC operates from October 1st through September 30 each fiscal year. • CTFC was selected as “Minority Enterprise of the Year” by the Washington State Minority Business Council for the oper... Full story
What does the Banks Lake Highway sound like? Ka Thunk, Ka Thunk, Ka Thunk! What are the sounds of front-end alignment and lower back treatment? $$Ka Ching$$, $$Ka Ching$$, $$Ka Ching$$! Randy Spotts... Full story
It was great to see local businesses and homes decorated with Seahawks 12th man images. People in the coulee have always been supporters of our local sports teams, so it was neat to see them get on board and support our state team’s first Super Bowl championship! Let's hope they do it again next year. Go HAWKS! Winona Simons Coulee Dam... Full story
What happened to the good old days when we could just drop a superhero Valentine in the handmade pink heart taped to our secret valentine’s desk? Or we could just give her a stuffed animal or a small box of chocolate and our intentions were known. It’s harder and harder to find that special gift for your special girl. If you are reading this now and just said, “OH NO, I FORGOT!” no fear, it not till Friday and we’ve got some time. So here are a few ideas for you, some won’t make it here before... Full story
The Seattle Times headline said it all: “Obama running out of reasons to reject Keystone XL.” For five years, the Keystone XL pipeline has been mired in studies, red tape and delay. Now, the State Department has released its final report, concluding that the pipeline would have little or no environmental impact. The State Department has jurisdiction because the pipeline would cross the U.S. border, carrying 800,000 barrels of crude oil a day from Western Canada to Nebraska, where it would con... Full story
Ten Years Ago Growing concerns about why a police officer was needed in the schools were aired publicly Monday night at the shool board meeting. School resource officer Joe Lausing spent 40 minutes answering questions from the school board. Questions ranged from who monitors his visits to who evaluates his job performance. “This is an important position, not just for the schools, but for the community,” Lausing added in his address to the board. A suspected arson fire in a waste basket at LRHS prompted a lock down at all area schools last week.... Full story
Grace Ann Winiecki, age 53, who resided in the NHS-Northstar Specialized Services, Evans House in Virginia, Minn., passed away Friday, January 17, 2014, at St. Michael’s Nursing Home after suffering a stroke. She was born May 23, 1960, in Coulee Dam, Wash., the daughter of Arthur T. and Rosebud June (Chesley) Winiecki. Grace grew up in Coulee Dam, attended Lake Roosevelt High School, and later moved to Electric City, Wash. She moved to Virginia, Minn., in 2008. She was employed by the East Range Developmental Achievement Center; working, m... Full story
Income tax time is here! Free tax preparation is being offered at the Grand Coulee Senior Center again this year. Volunteers trained in cooperation with IRS and AARP will be available every Tuesday, Feb 11 - April 8, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. New this year: some volunteers have been certified to assist taxpayers with health savings accounts. This service is available to anyone with low or middle income. You do not have to be seniors or members of the senior center to take advantage of this free help. However, special attention is given to those... Full story
Wed., Feb. 12 – Dinner Grilled Pork Cutlets and Applesauce, Rice Pilaf, Squash/Rolls, Fruit Salad, Birthday Cake. Happy Birthday. Thurs., Feb. 13 – Dinner Swiss Steak, Boiled Buttered Potatoes, Green Beans, Peach Salad, Brownies. Grocery Shopping and Errands. Fri., Feb. 14 – Breakfast Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, Eggs, Applesauce, Orange Juice. Valentine’s Day, Senior Center General Meeting, 10 a.m. Mon., Feb. 17 - Breakfast Sausage Patties, Eggs, French Toast, Mixed Fruit, Orange Juice. Tues., Feb. 18 - Dinner Tater Tot Casserole, Assorte... Full story
Dr. Nicholas A. Donaghey has joined the Gillespie Eye Care team as the primary optometrist at its Grand Coulee location, 407 Burdin Boulevard. Donaghey received his bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas and his doctorate from the Ohio State University. The eye care practice, which also has offices in Quincy and Brewster, has recently gone through a complete refurbishment, including fixtures and technical equipment. Gillespie Eye Care purchased Family Vision Care in August, 2013.... Full story
No Chamber Meeting The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will not be meeting this week due to the awards banquet being held Thursday Feb. 13, beginning at 6 p.m. at Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grille. For more information contact Peggy at 633-3074. CMC Guild to Meet The CMC Guild (Auxiliary) meeting is set for Tuesday Feb. 18, at CMC from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month. GCHS Alumni Association Meeting The Grand Coulee High School Alumni Association will hold the first of three regularly scheduled meetings f... Full story
Four students from Carolyn McNeil's kindergarten class at Center School get in the mood for Valentine's Day by placing items in the class display of individual artwork in the hallway outside their classroom. From left are Alexis Clark, Annika Carson, Joclynn Everybodytalksabout and A'mya Adrian. - Roger S. Lucas photo... Full story
The Lady Raiders defeated Liberty Bell and Riverside Christian to extend their current win streak to four games last week. The wins help Lake Roosevelt secure second place in the Central Washington 2B North, with a 9-8 overall win-loss record and a 7-2 record in league play, with a chance to tie for the top spot. On their home court Feb. 7, the Lady Raiders frustrated Liberty Bell's offense in the first half. The Mt. Lions scored only two points in the first quarter and managed only eight for th... Full story
The Raider boys lost two games last week, just as squads are jockeying for district berths, giving them a 9-9 win-loss record overall, 4-5 in league play. The Raiders now need to win out to hold on to the number-two spot in the Central Washington 2B North to make it to the district tournament. Against Liberty Bell Friday, the Raiders came out flat, and the Mt. Lions took advantage of LR's sluggish start to build a big lead, 16-5 at the end of the first quarter on the Raider home court. Liberty... Full story
