News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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A 10-passenger airplane lost power Thursday morning and had to make an emergency landing at the airport near Electric City. The turbine-powered Quest Kodiak left Paine Field near Seattle on a flight plan for Sandpoint, Idaho. Somewhere near Lake Roosevelt's Swawilla Basin, the pilot experienced engine failure, turned back to the airport here and made a dead-stick landing. The plane had been flying at 13,000 feet and made a gliding return to the airport. It later was taken to a nearby hangar... Full story
Public Hospital District 6 commissioners will gather in a special meeting Friday at 3 p.m. to consider the tendered resignation of Commissioner Greg Behrens. Commission President Jerry Kennedy confirmed that Behrens had given his letter of resignation March 20. Determining the process to appoint a new commissioner is the second order of business on the agenda, followed by a closed session to consider legal and personnel matters. Behrens has been on one side of a split in the commission in recent months over a controversy between administration... Full story
Guillermo Guzman, who served as a Spanish teacher at Lake Roosevelt High School until April, 2013, was given a final separation payment by school board action last week. Guzman was arrested in 2013 by the Border Patrol and Coulee Dam police on a variety of allegations, including the use of someone else’s Social Security Number, not being a citizen and working without a valid work permit. Guzman holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Washington. Guzman had been on paid administrative leave since he was arrested, and agree... Full story
Sometime soon, Grand Coulee police officers will be wearing cameras that record video and audio to record your conversation when you are stopped for a violation. The new equipment is in the trial stage now with only one officer, Dan Holland, equipped with the device while the department develops practices and procedures on how the program will work. The camera is about three inches by two inches and clips onto the officer's uniform at an angle that allows video and sound. The process allows... Full story
The local chamber of commerce will offer three runs and a walk on Colorama Saturday, all featuring a route over the Grand Coulee Dam. The Run The Dam will take place the Saturday of Colorama weekend, May 10. It will feature 5-kilometer, 10K and half marathon runs, plus a “Walk the Dam — Build a Gym” fundraiser for the local school district. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber is promoting the run as part of the Colorama Festival. Formerly known as The Over the Dam Run and last year as That Dam Run, the new event will be managed by chamber membe... Full story
The Christmas decorations are still up in Grand Coulee. Public works director Dennis Francis advised the city council Tuesday night that relying on volunteers to help take them down hasn’t been a viable option. Francis explained that the city doesn’t have the manpower to put the decorations up and take them down. He noted that the city has to borrow a bucket truck, and this year had to spend over $1,200 in replacement bulbs. The displays were purchased a number of years ago by local businesses through efforts of the Business Association in Cou... Full story
Voters in the Colville Tribes’ Omak District Sunday voted in a longtime member to fill a vacancy on the Colville Business Council, seating him next to his son, whom they had voted in for another vacancy March 1. Mel Tonasket, a one-time chair of the CBC, garnered 79 of 172 votes, according to a tribal press release issued Tuesday. His son, Richard Tonasket was chosen earlier for the first of two seats recently vacated as one member resigned and the council expelled another. The elder Tonasket is to be sworn into office today (March 19), r... Full story
Four town vehicles to be sold The town council of Coulee Dam voted Wednesday night to declare surplus four vehicles. Those include a 2003 Crown Victoria, a 2006 Chevrolet Impala, a 1992 Cadillac Eldorado (all from the police department) and a 1991 Ford ambulance from the fire department. Proceeds from the sale will go into the general fund until the town works on its next budget, and then decide where the funds will be placed. The sale will be handled through “PropertyRoom.com.” Hantavirus a spring risk With spring comes spring cleaning, and... Full story
The town of Coulee Dam is advertising for a new councilperson. Veteran Councilmember Bob Poch announced that he is quitting the council after a 28-year stint and it was time to hang it up. He was recently elected to another four-year term last November. Poch was honored at last Wednesday’s council meeting for his long service to the town. Mayor Greg Wilder thanked Poch for his contributions to community life and said the town would begin advertising for a person interested in serving immediately. “Poch’s long-term service is symbolic of a ded... Full story
A Spokane firm, Senske Lawn & Tree Care, submitted the winning bid to trim trees for the town of Coulee Dam. The firm’s bid of $75,618, was accepted by the town council at its meeting Wednesday night. The town had set aside $75,000 in this year’s budget for the tree trimming project. Senske’s bid was for 400 hours of service at $175.53 per hour. Public works director Barry Peacock told the council that he didn’t think it would take 400 hours to do the work and that this would bring the cost within the budgeted amount. The contract covers... Full story
Third Powerplant Overhaul Supervisor Brad Dudley points to components of G-24, a generator being overhauled in in Grand Coulee Dam's massive Third Powerplant. Dudley helped with a tour Monday afternoon of the dam by members of the Columbia Basin Tribes Coalition a day before they began a three-day technical workshop in Spokane to "bring together interested parties to discuss technical, cultural, social, institutional and economic issues associated with restoring adult and juvenile fish passage... Full story
OLYMPIA — Some Washington drivers could see a new fee added to their vehicle-tab transactions starting next year. Both the Senate and House agreed on a bill that would add a $5 fee for vehicle-registration renewals and purchases and a $12 fee for title transactions through public offices. Unless the bill is vetoed by the governor, a rare occurrence, it will become law. The money generated by the new fees would pay for a third 144-car ferry. Currently, private businesses that offer these services already charge an administrative fee, online a... Full story
For nearly three decades, Coulee Dam has benefited from the reliably calm and deliberate approach taken by Councilmember Bob Poch, who announced his resignation last week. While it’s understandable that after 28 years he’s decided to step away, he will not leave an easy vacancy to fill. Poch’s nearly unflappable public presence has often served to calm a brewing storm when the council meeting room filled with unhappy citizens. And anyone diligent enough to keep up with the sometimes arcane details needed to navigate municipal government for d... Full story
I would like to apologize to Dawn Lovelace and Wendy Hughes. Dawn, I did not read your letter in The Star. It was put down and never picked up again. Since we live up on the hill we don’t go to town but once a week and my computer is not used often. Dawn, I will always remember your quick response in giving us our beautiful Aubrey Jean! Wendy, I was not a patient, but I remember when you took care of my elderly father in the hospital. You were so very kind. You both are very much an asset to our community, and I hope there is some way to k... Full story
Why hasn't anyone gotten the Washington State Auditor’s Office involved or at least reported to them what is going on at the Grand Coulee City Hall between the mayor, city council and Police Department, including the chief because he knows what is happening in his department and city hall. Actually, as the protector of his community he should be the one reporting to the State Auditor’s Office of possible corruption. There are too many unanswered questions and accusations from all of them ... to me, it sounds like they were all involved in ???... Full story
After reading Angel Clark's letter in this newspaper, I was troubled by a few of the things that I read. I think some of that can be attributed to a misunderstanding of the U.S. Constitution. First, Angel states that "when our government permits businesses to refuse its citizens service based on religious belief, does it fail to be a government for the people?" What business does the government have telling a private business owner who they can and can't provide goods and services to? Do you really want more government intervention in private... Full story
I don’t have all the answers. There, I said it. Kids are now smiling and so is my wife. Now, with that being said, I think it is about time I wrote about the big issue in our community, the situation at the hospital. I use the word “situation” because that’s exactly what it is. The thing about a situation is that it can be changed and we usually allow it to happen to get to this point, either knowingly or with closed eyes. I must be honest, Coulee Medical Center is not where I go for my primary... Full story
[Editor’s note: The National Park Service closed the entire Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area during last fall’s government shutdown. The following is a letter to NPS from Lincoln County commissioners (and submitted as an opinion to The Star) arguing for a different kind of solution if such a funding shortfall happens again.] Director Jarvis, We are writing to request a modification to the National Park Service Contingency Plan that becomes effective upon a lapse in appropriation from congress. In light of the recent government shu... Full story
Clifford Wayne "Cliff" Avey, 86, passed away Monday, March 10, 2014, in Moses Lake, Wash.. Born February 28, 1928, into the Leavenworth, Wash., home of Clifford E. and Violet H. Avey. Cliff served with the United States Army during World War II, before being honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. On November 22, 1959, Cliff married Phyllis Jean Degn in Coulee Dam's Little LDS Chapel at Walnut and Yucca. A former member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Eagles #5077, Elks and Electric City... Full story
Wed., March 19 - Dinner Shepherd’s Pie, Mixed Vegetables, Pineapple and Beet Salad, Cheesy Garlic Biscuits, Cookies. Thurs., March 20 - Dinner Sweet and Sour Meatballs Over a Bed of Rice, Squash, Pea Salad, Fruited Jello & Whipped Cream. First Day of Spring. Fri., March 21 - Breakfast Sausage Links, Eggs, Country Potatoes & Toast, Apricots, Orange Juice. Mon., March 24 - Breakfast German Sausage, Eggs, Hashbrowns and Muffins, Fruit Cocktail, Orange Juice. Tues., March 25 - Dinner Vegetable Beef Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Fruit Salad, Ice C... Full story
Chamber to Meet The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet Thursday, March 20, at noon at La Presa. General business is on the agenda. PEP to Meet Planet Earth Players are planning a little theater meeting on Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at the Grand Gallery Theatre in Grand Coulee. Family History Center Available The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites all who desire to utilize the Family History Center in the Coulee Dam Chapel, located at 806 Spruce Street in Coulee Dam. The center is now open each Wednesday from... 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, thru April 8, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 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 60 or older. Free... Full story
Councilmember Donna DeWinkler presents former Elmer City mayor Mary Jo Carey with a plaque thanking her for her 16 years of public service, 10 of them as mayor. The presentation was made Thursday night at the town council's regular meeting. - Roger S. Lucas photo... Full story
Annie Joe Yallup and Brandon Simpson of Nespelem, Wash., are proud to announce the birth of their son John Michel Simpson, Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz., and was 20 inches in length at birth. Siblings include Ruby Ann Simpson, age 7 and Russell Spotted Elk Simpson age 3. Maternal grandparents are Linda M. Yallup and Patrick A. Yallup. Paternal grandparents are Lois Herman and John Herman. Great-grandparents include Kathleen Simpson and Patsy Randall.... Full story
This is the time of year to prune your shrubs that will bloom on this season’s growth. Generally these are shrubs which bloom after June. Some of these shrubs common in our landscapes are the Butterfly Bush, Spirea, Beauty Bush, and Snowberry. The spring blooming shrubs bloom on last season’s growth. Minor corrective pruning can be done now. This can include removing dead wood and broken branches, branches that lay on the ground and suckers at the base of the shrub. After the shrub blooms you can do more detail pruning described below. Som... Full story