News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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It will be interesting to see what emerges from a public records request in Grand Coulee causing the police department to review some 13,000 documents. It’s not clear what one of the department’s own officers is looking for, but what is clear is that it’s definitely relevant to the public interest. • Civil service commissions stand as a buffer between civil servants, who can make politically unpopular but correct decisions in the course of doing their jobs, and government administrators and politicians who may be influenced by other pressur... Full story
This week's extra photos are online, including dozens from the regional wrestling tournament in Reardan last week. Here's a slide show. 2-13-13 Star - Images by Scott Hunter...
A leaky roof over the Grand Coulee police department’s document room is adding to the city’s cost of reviewing some eight years of documents at the request of police officer Sean Cook. When asked about the request, Mayor Chris Christopherson said, “I wouldn’t try to make a story out of it because it isn’t relative to the public.” The Star learned that the records request had to do with the use of force by the police and other matters. Christopherson stated that anytime a police officer stops a person, that is considered use of force. That... Full story
The man you can’t say “no” to was awarded two plaques at the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 installation and awards banquet last Thursday night at Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grille. George Kohout, of Electric City, was first awarded a plaque for “Business of the Year,” awarded to the Ridge Riders club, of which he is president. Moments later Kohout was called to the front again, this time as the 2012 “Achiever of the Year,” an unprecedented double recognition, this time for his outs... Full story
Coulee Medical Center took a $1.9 million loss on its books for November, 2012, officials announced Wednesday after first briefing employees on the news. Most of the loss has actually accrued over time, but was recognized on the books now after a recent analysis of accounts. The adjustment does not affect cash, they said, and will have no effect on day-to-day operations. “During analysis conducted in the past several months, we identified the need to better address the past impacts of uninsured patients and those insured by Medicare and M... Full story
Pageant set for Saturday Local girls will come together in a no-makeup event designed to give them a chance to shine this Saturday, says Queen of Hearts pageant organizer Heather Downs. Some 17 girls of all ages have signed up for the pageant/show. “We’re having a lot of fun, and we’re making it more of a production this year, instead of a pageant,” Downs said. With her own 5-year-old involved, Downs said she is working to keep the event going to offer a healthy activity to encourage personal growth for local girls. “Girls around here just... Full story
Fish and Wildlife officials are seeking information about poachers who killed five whitetail deer near the Rosenberg Ranch in Lincoln County. The department was alerted to the poaching by an Electric City man who had been in the area shooting coyotes and stumbled across the deer carcases. Fish and Wildlife biologist Eric Braaten said only the back straps and rear quarters of the deer were taken, and the remainder of the deer were left behind. He said that entry to the property, which overlooks Lake Roosevelt, was through two gates. Those... Full story
A commercial property on SR-155, near Western Avenue, was cleared by the city last week because of a nuisance problem. Jeff’s Towing of Coulee City took a pickup truck, a large truck with a boom on it, a boat and a storage shed off the property at 20 Coulee Boulevard East. City workers acted on a court order in support of the city’s nuisance ordinance and an officer from the Grand Coulee Police Department was requested to stand by. After the large items were removed from the lot, city wor... Full story
The city of Grand Coulee is advertising for people interested in serving on the city’s Civil Service Commission. All three positions are vacant. City officials stated that positions for two-year, four-year and six-year terms are open and available. The Civil Service Commission provides for the administration of the city’s civil service process. Commissioners conduct interviews of applicants for open police positions and move forward their top three selections for consideration. The civil service is independent of city control and its rec... Full story
The Electric City Council put out the welcome mat for chickens at its Tuesday night meeting. Council members looked at the new chicken ordinance prepared by the planning commission and liked what they saw. After routine comments and suggestions, they passed it. Come Monday, Feb. 18, it will be lawful for residents to have chickens, up to six. You’ll still have to use your alarm clock because the ordinance specifies no roosters. There are a lot of regulations. No loose chickens. There’s a chicken license you have to get at city hall - $15 wor... Full story
Jess Ford’s detail shop, now being constructed across the street from the car agency, when completed, will allow the Ford dealer to have a tire alignment shop and also sell tires. Wade Jess, president of the dealership, said that moving his detail shop across the street will free up space in the agency’s main building to do wheel alignment and sell tires. Jess purchased the property, across the highway from the agency, and has installed a used vehicle lot there. Now a 30-foot by 60-foot bui... Full story
A school district food service truck stolen from its location at Center School sometime between Saturday and Monday was found abandoned near milepost 144 on Interstate 5 in western Washington, the Washington State Patrol reported. The truck was found Monday and was towed to a neutral location. District officials said a driver and mechanic are going to the site to recover the truck today (Wednesday). The theft resulted in cold district meals for students since the truck housed a large food warmer used by kitchen personnel to deliver warm meals t... Full story
Going 4-for-4 at the Built Ford Tough Series LiftMaster Invitational at the Honda Center, Shane Proctor (Mooresville, N.C.) won his second event of the 2013 season and successfully ousted Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) from the top spot in the world standings. Proctor is a 2003 Lake Roosevelt High School graduate. Proctor was the only rider to cover all four of his bulls, and the only rider to successfully make the whistle in the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, where he put up a score of 89.25 points on Buckmaster (Wentz Bucking... Full story
When we moved from Montana to Olympia 35 years ago, we saw enticing television and magazine ads for our neighboring states, but none for Washington. Fast forward to 2013 and nothing has changed. It was puzzling then, but even more perplexing today, considering the money and jobs at stake. Tourism in our state is no small potatoes, it is big business. Visitors spent $16.4 billion in 2011 and accounted for 150,000 direct jobs, which is nearly twice Boeing’s workforce in our state. But our state i... Full story
Valentine’s Day was taken over long ago by cards and flowers, candy and dinners accompanied by gifts. It is now a cash cow holiday for merchandisers. In addition, for many, it has become a day to honor women and girls in a fresh way. V-Day, introduced to the world by Eve Ensler in 1998, demands an end to violence against women and girls. Ask anyone and they would no doubt admit that they would love to be loved every day of the year, not just on one day. Ask anyone if they think violence is a way to show love and the answer would be no. Yet, o... Full story
Ten Years Ago Arguments against an additional drawdown of Banks Lake next August centered around two premises at a meeting in Coulee City last night: one legal, the other heartfelt. No one at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s meeting spoke in favor of the 10-foot drawdown, proposed to help endangered salmon by increasing river volume rushing past McNary Dam. Not refilling Banks Lake completely would leave one or two percent more water in the Columbia River. In the end, the wrestling powers in D... Full story
Raymond Lee Roysdon (Lewis) “Lee” passed away Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He was surrounded by many friends who considered Lee family. Lee was born to Otis Raymond Roysdon and Isabelle Roysdon on March 6, 1927, in Red Lodge, Mont. He grew up on a farm with his mother and stepfather C.A. Lewis, in the Del Rio area just north of Grand Coulee. He was preceded in death by his parents. Lee often loved to recount his many fond memories of growing up in the Gra... Full story
Hazel Margaret Foster, 77, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully from Grand Coulee, Washington’s Coulee Medical Center, with her daughter by her side in the afternoon of Monday, February 4, 2013. Born in Inchelium, Wash., the daughter of Forest and Agnes (Marchand) Butler; Hazel entered this world November 7, 1935. A life-long member of the Roman Catholic Church, Hazel was always very proud of her Native American heritage. On November 9, 1960, Hazel married her soul-mate A... Full story
During the early morning of Saturday, February 9, 2013, in Nespelem, Washington, Alton Everett “Al” Foster, 89, took hold of his beloved Hazel’s hand and together they walked to their eternal home. Al began this life’s journey in the Vancouver, BC, Canada, home of Robert Clayton and Edna Pearl (Chugg) Foster on August 13, 1923. Growing up in the Seattle, Washington, area, Al was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and served during World War II with the United States Army as a crimina... Full story
Harold M. Portch, 103, passed away peacefully at his home in Spokane February 1, 2013. He was born October 18, 1909, in Wilbur, Wash., to pioneer families, William A. and Katherine (Kunz) Portch. He graduated from Almira High School in 1927 and attended Gonzaga University in 1929. He returned to Almira and went to work for the Almira Market Co. He was later manager then owner of the market retiring in 1977. Harold was a charter member of the Almira Lions Club. He was Chief of the Almira Fire Dep... Full story
Chamber to Meet at Pepper Jacks The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 14, at noon at Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grille in Grand Coulee. Dennis Carlson, GCD School District Superintendent will speak about the new K-12 school building being constructed. He will have drawings and samples of materials that will be used during the building process. Lions to Meet GCD Lions will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Siam Palace in Grand Coulee. Order of Eastern Star Order of Eastern Star will meet T... Full story
Come and join the United Methodist Church for the six-week series for the Lenten season entitled “Final Words” by Adam Hamilton. This DVD series will explore the meaning of Jesus’ last words. Materials will be provided. The event is free and will be held Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 13 and 20. A potluck dinner will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13 to start the sessions off. Soup Suppers will be provided at remaining sessions.... Full story
Jim and Debbie Van Geystel, are excited to announce the engagement of their daughter, Amanda Van Geystel, to Josh Jorgenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Jorgenson of Orting, Wash. Both are graduates of Eastern Washington University. Josh earned his degree in economics and finance and is employed at American West Bank. Amanda graduated with her degree in education and is currently substitute teaching in multiple school districts. A July wedding is being planned in Spokane, Wash.... Full story
Shalane Cobos of Keller is proud to announce the birth of her daughter Kalea La’Velle Cobos on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 6 lbs., 8 oz., and was 19 inches in length at birth. Paternal grandparent is Leopoldo Herandez Cobos. Great-grandmother is Evelyn Etchison.... Full story
Carlie Seymour and Dillon Graves of Nespelem are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Jaycie Elizabeth Nikole Graves, born Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 8 lbs., 4 oz., and was 19.5 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandmother is Mitzi Adolph of Nespelem. Paternal grandparents are Nikki and Steve Graves of Lincoln, Wash.... Full story