News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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What happened to the osprey nest on the tower at the park below the Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam? You may see it again soon, at its new location, atop a pole that will be put in place by Wilson Construction and the Bonneville Power Administration. The osprey nest was removed last Wednesday from the 160-foot tower by a Wilson Construction lineman who climbed the tower and lowered the 100-pound nest to the ground. The nest was removed in preparation for the removal of the two powerline... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation is advising motorists and visitors to Grand Coulee Dam to anticipate traffic delays on highway 155 and closures of adjacent facilities while the Bonneville Power Administration prepares to remove overhead transmission lines. The overhead lines cross Highway 155, the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center, and the Lower Visitor Center Park. To ensure public safety, traffic delays and the closure of the visitor center and park will be required. Starting Feb. 23, helicopter crews will take part in classroom and possible flight... Full story
Chamber of commerce members and “Over the Dam” run officials got good news Thursday when they learned that despite work at the dam, the race can likely go on as scheduled. Public Affairs Officer Lynne Brougher told chamber members that there would be a free lane over the top of the dam and that the run could likely be held. A year ago, there had been some discussion the race might not be held across the dam because of construction. She told the 26 that turned out for the meeting that there would be heavy equipment on the top of the dam but tha... Full story
The mayor of Coulee Dam last week asked other mayors to help with the cost of entertainment for the July 4 celebration. The last couple of years, Coulee Dam’s town council has voted funds from its hotel/motel tax collections to put on entertainment during the area’s July 4 celebration. Coulee Dam is asking the other municipalities that collect hotel/motel taxes to contribute to the cost of entertainment and related expenses. Mayor Quincy Snow told the other mayors at that he has been in touch with a “Cajun” band to highlight this year’s enterta... Full story
Orrin Gross gets a congratulatory hug from his dad after winning the state championship at the Tacoma Dome last weekend, wrestling at 138 pounds in the 2B class competition. The story, more photos and community tributes inside. — photo courtesy of Roger Harnack, the Omak Chronicle.... Full story
NPS offers youth work Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is accepting applications for the 2012 summer Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program. Ten enrollees and leader positions will be recruited. These positions will be located at Spring Canyon, Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Gifford, Evans and Kettle Falls. Positions are open to those over 15, who won’t reach 19 years of age during their employment from about June 18 through August 11. Enrollees will be paid a minimum wage for a 40-hour work week. YCC enrollees who have participated for m... Full story
Nespelem School District voters approved a four-year $118,000 replacement maintenance and operation levy last Tuesday with a 68.8-percent “yes” vote. Only 125 voters out of 392 ballots mailed out returned their votes as of Feb. 17 in what is an important funding result for the district. Of that number, 86 voted “yes” on the levy issue and 39 voted “no.” The result was a welcome Valentine’s Day present and will enable the district to collect some $1.4 million in state equalization funds. The replacement levy will start off the first year co... Full story
Nespelem School District voters approved a four-year $118,000 replacement maintenance and operation levy last Tuesday with a 68.8-percent “yes” vote. Only 125 voters out of 392 ballots mailed out returned their votes as of Feb. 17 in what is an important funding result for the district. Of that number, 86 voted “yes” on the levy issue and 39 voted “no.” The result was a welcome Valentine’s Day present and will enable the district to collect some $1.4 million in state equalization funds. The replacement levy will start off the first year co... Full story
Three dates have been set for community cleanup this year. The Regional Board of Mayors last week set three dates when residents of the various cities and towns can get rid of lawn and garden debris. Electric City Mayor Jerry Sands, whose city manages the Delano Regional Transfer Station, said the spring cleanup drive where residents can get rid of lawn and garden waste is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, through Saturday, April 28. The methods the different cities and towns use for the cleanup vary, and residents can call their respective... Full story
A project to improve energy use in local schools could be materializing. McKinstry, an energy firm, will finalize a plan to correct a number of energy problems within the district. School officials were quick to point out that they wanted a plan they could look at, and accept different elements of, before incurring any cost to the district. The project would change or improve lighting, controls, and in some cases ventilation, within certain school buildings. Part of the cost of the project would come from a grant from the Office of the... Full story
A $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide funds for the Colville Indian Housing Authority to start work on its Lovejoy housing project in the Omak District, Executive Director Elena L. Bassett said. Bassett said the project will provide 20 single-family homes and probably be completed and occupied in 2014, at a cost of $4-5 million. She said a community center might be added if additional funding becomes available. Last year the Indian Housing Authority completed a 27-unit project called B... Full story
Electric City’s city council meeting lasted just 18 minutes Feb. 14, but it gave members plenty of time to rebuff a request by Grant County’s Economic Development Council on a funding request. The EDC had asked for $532.50 from Electric City, only to have Councilmember Bob Rupe ask, “What have they done for us on this end of the county?” Fellow Councilmember John Nordine said the work of the EDC helped keep taxes lower for everyone, including people in Electric City. Mayor Jerry Sands said the last time the city had responded favorably to an E... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation will spend $50 million on six rural water projects throughout the western United States, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced recently. Mostly dedicated to providing potable water to communities, the funding also includes $500,000 for the Odessa Subarea Special Study (Columbia Basin Project) to be used to complete the Environmental Impact Statement and associated analyses, such as hydrologic modeling, engineering and economic assessments, to complete the study on schedule. It will also provide $750,000 for... Full story
The mayor of Coulee Dam would like help from other towns putting on the annual July 4 festivities. He should get it, and be willing to take the concept several steps further. Mayor Quincy Snow notes the expense of putting on the entertainment. On the cheap, it’s around $15,000 by the time you add up band expenses, staging and lighting and sound technicians. He’s right to think the town shouldn’t put all of it on without help. He’s not quite right in thinking that it does. Coulee Dam has not been alone in funding the annual event. The overloo... Full story
Could pocket change have persuaded Ferris Bueller to forego his day off? That’s what I wondered when I read about a bold experiment by Dohn Community High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, this alternative school (serving mostly at-risk low-income and minority students) gives seniors a $25 Visa gift card each week they have perfect attendance, show up for class on time and stay out of trouble. Underclassmen receive a $10 gift card. The incentive program is f... Full story
Ten Years Ago Months of hard work and dedication from the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce culminated last Saturday when it kicked off its first “Balde” Eagle Festival. “I felt it went off well,” Chamber President Tim Alling said. “ I would have liked a few more people, but it was a decent crowd. Students at Nespelem School saw and heard a demonstration by the Lake Roosevelt boys’ basketball team on how to succeed in varsity athletics and life. Seven wrestlers went, and four return... Full story
Sheree Carol Thomas-Bird, 21, came into this world on December 3, 1990, arriving at Grand Coulee, Washington, into the home of Richard and Laura (Tulee) Thomas Jr. and departed from Nespelem, Washington, on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. Raised in the Shaker Church, Sheree played on her Yakima, Washington middle school’s basketball team and later attended high school in Omak, Washington. Always a hard worker, Sheree most recently was manager at the McDonalds Restaurant in Wolf Point, Mont., prior t... Full story
Larry Peha, 67, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, in Davenport, Washington. He was born on May 12, 1944, in Wilbur, to Ludwig and Dorothy (Dietrich) Peha. Larry attended schools in the area, graduating from Almira High School in 1962. He married Marjorie Evelyn Kruger in Almira on June 19, 1965. He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, past member of Almira Lions Club and served a term as Zone Chairman, Past 7th degree member of Highland Grange, Past Lincoln Mutual #1 board member, and was a member of the Almira Gun Club. He enjoyed... Full story
Several local girls took part in a “natural” pageant Feb. 11, that organizers say will be planned again for next year. The Queen of Hearts Natural Pageant was designed for children and young women, ages 3-20 to promote confidence, poise, public speaking abilities and interaction skills, say organizers Carol Schoning of Coulee Dam, and Heather Downs of Grand Coulee. Girls are recognized as “queens” and “princesses” and empowered as children and young women in the community, they say. Don’t confus... Full story
The Department of the Air Force awarded Staff Sergeant Nathan A. Harrell the Air Force Achievement Medal for Outstanding Achievement from Feb. 25, 2011, to July 1, 2011. Harrell distinguished himself by outstanding achievements as a U-2 and Global Hawk Fuels Systems repair craftsman, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, A1Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. During this period, in support of operations Enduring... Full story
Erin and Zach Thiefault of Spokane Valley, are proud to announce the birth of their son Tanner James on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. He weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz. Maternal grandparents are John and Patti Tufts of Electric City. Paternal grandparents are Dale and Cindy Carriere of Elmer City and Vern and Cammie Weston of Nine Mile Falls. Great-grandparents are David and Phyllis Tufts of Bremerton, Florence Weston of Spokane, and Terry McLeod of Nine Mile Falls.... Full story
Brenda L. Covington and James E. Andrews of Electric City are pleased to announce the birth of their son Aaron James Andrews on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee He weighed 7 lbs., 6 oz., and was 21 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandparents are Janet M. Norris and Alan E. Covington. Paternal grandparents are Gloria L. Atkins and Albert M. Andrews. Great-grandparents include Betty Norris and Pauline Pascal.... Full story
Chamber to Meet The Chamber of Commerce will meet at noon on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Pepper Jack’s Bar and Grille. Port Dist. 7 to Meet Grant County Port District 7 will hold its regular monthly meeting Thursday, Feb. 23, at5 p.m., at the Grand Coulee Dam Airport office. Presentations Given at the Senior Center Two presentations will be held at the Grand Coulee Senior Center on Thursday, March 1, beginning at 10 a.m. The first will be given by Sheryl Moore from the Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union on possible scams to be avoided. The second will b... Full story
Income tax time is here!! Free tax preparation is once again being offered at the senior center in Grand Coulee every Tuesday now through April 10 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Volunteers trained in cooperation with the IRS will offer free help to taxpayers with low to middle incomes in preparing their federal income taxes. Special attention is given to those 60 and older. Free e-filing is also available. Taxpayers should bring with them: a copy of last year’s tax return; Social Security cards or other official documentation showing social s... Full story
The Nespelem All Indian Basketball Tournament was held January 14-15, 2012. This year we had over 30 teams competing in (4) separate tournaments: Young Men, Women, 35 and over, and 50 and over bracket. This year was the largest All Indian Basketball Tournament in the Nespelem and Grand Coulee Dam area. The following represents how the teams placed, the tournament all stars, MVP’s, Mr. Hustle’s, Most Points in (1) game, Most (3) in one game, and tournament sponsors, and recognition of assistance. Team Places: 35 and Over 50 and Over 1st Pla... Full story