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Articles from the March 27, 2019 edition


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  • Fire chief critical of new Electric City street plan

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 27, 2019

    Fire Chief Mark Payne doesn't think Electric City should get rid of the Western Avenue branch of the Y-shaped intersection near city hall that currently branches into Western and Stevens Avenue. Part of Electric City's projects to build sidewalks and improve streets in the city involve building a sidewalk that wraps around the front of city hall and would eliminate the Western branch of the "Y" incorporating that space into city hall's parking space in what is visualized as being a city center,...

  • City urges stance against I-1639 gun control measure

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 27, 2019

    Grand Coulee wants more government bodies in the state of Washington to stick up for gun rights in response to Initiative 1639, which passed in November 2018, and has been taking effect in stages since the new year. I-1639 took effect on Jan. 1, and raises the age limit for buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21. Beginning July 1, it requires purchasers to pass an enhanced background check, show proof of firearms training, and wait 10 days before getting the gun. The new law also makes gun owners guilty of “community endangerment” if the...

  • Our hero!

    Mar 27, 2019

    Delivering a sure sign of spring, finally, Hunter Piccinini, 5, points out a buttercup March 18 while hiking with his mom and dad behind the water tower above Banks Lake in Electric City. — Rose Piccinini photo...

  • Water valve mysteriously opened in Grand Coulee Dam

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 27, 2019

    A valve deep in the Third Powerhouse at Grand Coulee Dam was opened last week, partially flooding an elevator shaft and an elevator control room, authorities said. Police Chief John Tufts, of the Grand Coulee Police Department, was called to the Third Powerhouse at about 4 p.m. March 19, his written report states. Tufts was told that sometime between noon and 3 p.m. someone had opened a water valve on the “919 level,” that is, 919 feet above sea level, and that the valve was left open for about three hours, partially flooding the inside of an...

  • NPS will halt reservations during paving project

    Scott Hunter|Mar 27, 2019

    There could be complications this summer if you’re planning to use a paved parking lot at Spring Canyon or any other Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area facility, including campgrounds with pavement and boat launches with paved parking lots. The National Park Service will stop taking reservations for this summer for its facilities in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area and will offer refunds to those who’ve already reserved their campsites, the NPS announced Tuesday. A project to repave every bit of asphalt in the park this yea...

  • Animal control discussed among mayors, city council

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 27, 2019

    Anyone who has had problems with dangerous dogs in their neighborhoods may have a new reason to hope for improvement. Although it may not be financially practical for local cities to set up their own animal control facility, it’s possible the cities could contract with the Colville Tribes for those services. “The Regional Board of Mayors talked about having the cities basically get together and possibly contract [for animal control],” Grand Coulee Mayor Paul Townsend said at the March 19 city council meeting. “They were proposing to find so...

  • Proctor Bull & Steer Riding School returns

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 27, 2019

    A bull-riding champion will be teaching kids the daredevil sport of bull riding in Nespelem next week. Local legend Shane Proctor — former Grand Coulee resident, Lake Roosevelt High School graduate, and the 2011 National Finals Rodeo World Champion Bull Rider — is hosting his 10th annual bull- and steer-riding school at the Nespelem Rodeo Grounds next Tuesday and Wednesday, April 2-3. The bull-riding school starts at 9 a.m. A barrel-racing school follows April 4-5. The bull-riding school is all booked up, but is free to watch. Proctor will be...

  • Next year, cities may allow free dumping of junk, not just yard waste

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 27, 2019

    Wouldn’t it be nice to get to dump anything for free during the annual free spring clean up dump week? It won’t happen this year, but it may happen next year. March 30 to April 6 is the week when area residents can take their yard waste for free to the transfer station. The Grand Coulee City Council, mayor, and city clerk discussed allowing residents to be able to throw away anything for free, not just yard waste, during that week, at their March 19 meeting. “My thing is, we have an opportunity to utilize this to get some of these homes that we...

  • Next year, cities may allow free dumping of junk, not just yard waste

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 27, 2019

    Wouldn’t it be nice to get to dump anything for free during the annual free spring clean up dump week? It won’t happen this year, but it may happen next year. March 30 to April 6 is the week when area residents can take their yard waste for free to the transfer station. The Grand Coulee City Council, mayor, and city clerk discussed allowing residents to be able to throw away anything for free, not just yard waste, during that week, at their March 19 meeting. “My thing is, we have an opportunity to utilize this to get some of these homes that we...

  • Coulee Cops

    Mar 27, 2019

    Grand Coulee 3/19 - At Grand Coulee Dam’s Third Powerhouse, between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., someone reportedly opened a water valve that was left open for about three hours, causing some flooding inside an elevator shaft and elevator control room. An officer was unable to lift fingerprints from the valve. A note that was taped to the wall is being sent to the state crime lab to try to lift prints from it. The police report states that the valve will be secured in a way that only authorized employees of the dam can open it. 3/20 - Washington State P...

  • Threats to Medicare continue in 2019

    Bob Blancato|Mar 27, 2019

    Medicare faces numerous threats in 2019. It’s time for lawmakers and healthcare advocates to attack these challenges head-on. One threat stems from the Trump administration, which has suggested weakening the so-called protected classes provision in Medicare “Part D.” Medicare’s Part D drug benefit has enabled seniors to purchase subsidized prescription coverage from private insurers. Part D regulations require every plan to cover all medications in six protected classes of therapies, including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antineo...

  • After two years of exhaustive special counsel investigation, no Trump-Russia collusion

    Dan Newhouse Congressman|Mar 27, 2019

    After nearly two years, 2,800 subpoenas, 500 search warrants, and 500 witness interviews, we now know that Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation “did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.” The Department of Justice made clear that the special counsel’s report includes no new indictments or sealed indictments. After this thorough investigation, President Trump has been cleared of a charge that has divided the nat...

  • The choices we make

    Jesse Utz|Mar 27, 2019

    Every second of every day we make choices. Do I get up at 5 a.m. or hit snooze? Do I eat Lucky Charms for breakfast or oatmeal? Do I wear a blue shirt or a red shirt today? Every choice we make determines a direction. Some are less serious than others, but there are decisions that have much bigger consequences. Bigger still, some have life consequences that can set you down rough roads in life. The choices we make not only determine things in our lives, but others are affected as well....

  • Coulee Recollections

    Mar 27, 2019

    Twenty Years Ago The Electric City Town Council last night turned down a request from Rose and Andy Bise to operate a car detailing business out of their soon-to-be home. Grand Coulee Dam Area Junior Miss Brita Montes heads to Pullman Jan. 17 where she will participate in the state Junior Miss competition. The GCD Area Chamber of Commerce will conduct its annual installation banquet on Jan. 15. Five eighth graders came to the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce meeting last Thursday to present their design ideas for flood-proof housing....

  • Henry Peter Carstensen III

    Mar 27, 2019

    Henry Peter Carstensen III (Pete), 67, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2019, in Chandler, Arizona. Pete was born September 15, 1951, in Coulee Dam, Washington, to Henry Jr. and Yvaughnie Carstensen. He lived his entire life in Almira, Washington, on the north ridge. He graduated Almira High School in 1969. From there he attended both Spokane Falls Community College and Whitworth College, where he played football. As a "baby bull" he met Darcy Geib at a dance at the age of 14. This blooming ro...

  • Meetings & Notices

    Mar 27, 2019

    Chamber This Week Chamber will meet this Thursday, March 20, at Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grille beginning at noon. General business is on the agenda. Eagles Auxiliary to Meet Eagles Auxiliary will meet Tuesday, April 2, 6 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge. The group mets the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Senior Volunteers Offering Caregivers a Break Senior Center volunteers will be offering free activities for those with mild to moderate dementia whose caregivers need time for other tasks. For more information call Cheryl at 509-431-1027, Char a...

  • 10 years of service honored

    Mar 27, 2019

    At their March 14 board meeting, Ken Anderson, left, chairman of the Grant County Mosquito Control District #2 honors Carl Russell, board member, retiring after10 years of volunteer service for the district. - Commissioner Dennis Lohrman photo...

  • Tennis starts season

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 27, 2019

    Raider tennis players had their first week of play, during a week in which the last of four courts were finally cleared of the last of the snow by the Coulee Dam Volunteer Fire Department that Thursday. Two days before that, using only three of the four courts, the Lake Roosevelt girls won two out of their three games, but the boys lost all three. The Raiders hosted the Oroville Hornets in Coulee Dam March 19, when the girls' team won 5-0. "Our girls' team pretty much dominated the young...

  • This week in sports

    Mar 27, 2019

    Thurs., March 28 2:30 p.m., Raider Golf at Oroville 4 p.m., Raider Tennis at Entiat 4:30 p.m., Raider Softball at Omak Fri., March 29 11:30 a.m., Raider Track & Field at Glenn Wolf Memorial, Deer Park 3:30/5:30 p.m.,Raider Baseball here with Liberty DH Sat., March 30 11/1 p.m., Raider Softball here with Liberty Bell DH...

  • Bowling Scores

    Mar 27, 2019

    THURSDAY MIXUPS TEAM W L San Poil Valley 69 43 Only Nine! 63.5 44.5 The Star 47.5 64.5 High Game: Chance Epperson 246; Mae Stensgar 184 High Series: John Stensgar 663; Mae Stensgar 496 Splits: Frank Quinto 3-10; Chance Epperson 5-6 FRIDAY DAM KEGLERS TEAM W L #5 157.5 102.5 Native Spirit 139.5 120.5 Flying W 139.5 120.5 #3 126.5 133.5 #1 101 159 High Game: Dale Bjorson 255; Candy Weed-Butz 219 High Series: Kevin Rosenbaum 695; Candy Weed-Butz 497 SENIOR BOWLING Men's High Game/Series - Bob 201; Chase 438 Ladies’ High Game/Series - Sandy C...

  • February students of the month at Nespelem

    Mar 27, 2019

    Here are Nespelem Elementary School's students of the month for February!...

  • Legals for March 27, 2019

    Mar 27, 2019

    Notice of Change of Regular Meeting Date Public Hospital District No. 6, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, & Okanogan Counties, Washington Public Hospital District No. 6, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln and Okanogan Counties, Washington; which operates Coulee Medical Center and Coulee City Medical Clinic, will be changing the regular board meeting date for the month of March. The next Board meeting will be held Monday, April 1, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Coulee Medical Center training room. (Publish March 20 and 27, 2019) NOTICE OF STATE’S INTENT TO NEGOTIATE LEASE...