News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 32
Linemen for Wilson Construction climb a power line tower, now stripped of lines, to disassemble it in the lower Visitor Center park in Coulee Dam Monday. — Scott Hunter photo... Full story
Mixed martial arts match set for Saturday A mixed martial arts match will draw combatants to Nespelem Saturday from as far away as Portland, Ore., and Vernon, British Columbia, organizer Dan Nanamkin said. Nanamkin, who manages the Nespelem Community Center and is a recent MMA convert, said the event will offer 10 to 14 bouts between adults, plus some kids’ “grappling” matches, in which kids from Inchelium, Omak, and Nespelem will compete in a jujitsu-like sport. The events start at 7 p.m., with some local names on the bout roster, inclu... Full story
A Grand Coulee woman complained that her area was turning into a “ghetto,” and two men complained about loud music at last Tuesday night’s Grand Coulee City Council meeting. Becky Billups, who lives on Burdin Boulevard, told council that the collection of old cars, boats, trailers and debris was making her residential area look like a “ghetto.” The area’s new hospital, Coulee Medical Center, is but a half block away on the same street. One man referred to the general area as being owned by “slum” landlords. Ross Clune and Jerry Ratcliffe told t... Full story
The city of Grand Coulee has collected $47,900 in ambulance billings for 2011, the city council was advised last Tuesday night by Fire Chief Rick Paris. That sum represents about 26 percent of all billings for 2011. Statistics provided the council show that there is still $133,059 pending and an additional $4,710 has been disallowed. An additional $35,000 is owed by private parties, the report showed, putting the total accounts receivable not yet paid for 2011, at $165,924. The city hadn’t made ambulance billings since July, 2009, until P... Full story
The promotional material hinted at a possible bias in the way the tale might unfurl. Had the documentary film makers at WGBH Boston’s “American Experience” history series built into their telling of the story of “Grand Coulee Dam” a kind of modern hindsight sensationalism? A super-green perspective that sees no good in the harnessing of the great Columbia? Passages like “… this film explores how the tension between technological achievement and environmental impact hangs over the project's legacy” led me to wonder. After 90 minutes of watc... Full story
Tree cutting along the walking trail south of Pole Park is primarily for safety reasons, a Bureau of Reclamation spokesperson stated Monday. Lynn Brougher, public affairs officer, said the tree cutting will allow Bureau workers to mow along the pathway making it more possible for walkers to see any rattlesnakes that might be in the area. The Bureau is also cutting down and trimming trees on the upper side of SR-155, near Pole Park, because they are encroaching on the roadway. “Some are d... Full story
World champion bull rider Shane Proctor, along with some of his rodeo friends, will hold the “Shane Proctor Bull & Steer Riding School” at the Nespelem Rodeo Grounds, April 3 and 4. The event opens both days at 9 a.m. Proctor and a handful of his friends from the pro circuit, held a similar event last year with dozens of young “cowboys” showing up to receive instruction and encouragement from the pros. Proctor is a 2003 graduate of Lake Roosevelt High School and excelled in a number of sports... Full story
An energy savings project for Grand Coulee Dam schools got a little momentum Monday night when the board of directors approved a production schedule submitted by the firm of McKinstry. Superintendent Dennis Carlson said the schedule was based on the assumption that the district will receive a grant from the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. He told Grand Coulee Dam School District board members that the district faces a tight construction schedule and that by approving the schedule in advance the project can be moved on... Full story
A Ridge Riders riding clinic begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, continuing daily through Tuesday. At the helm is veteran organizer Janet Doughty, who this year is putting on her 36th riding clinic. The clinic offers riding instruction in four categories: Intermediates, beginners, advanced and adults. Doughty said that well known clinic instructor Tara Johnson returns this year, and will offer instruction in the four categories all four days. In addition to the 9 a.m. intermediate class from 9 -11; beginners ride from 11 a.m. to noon; those with... Full story
Eighth graders at the local middle school will be allowed to “move up” to practice with high school athletes in sports that don’t have enough players, following a turn-around decision this week. The Grand Coulee Dam School District board reversed itself from an earlier decision at its Monday night meeting. At issue was whether eighth graders at the Grand Coulee Dam Middle School could move up and play high school sports when there weren’t sufficient numbers turning out to field a team. The idea was revised a bit Monday night after an hour-lo... Full story
The owner of two convenience stores in town confirmed Monday that he’s interested in buying a third at the Four Corners intersection of highways 174 and 155. Asked about an online notice of a liquor license application for Jack’s Four Corners, Jack Madsen said an agreement in principle has been negotiated but not finalized and the deal is still “in the process.” He noted that applications for state permits, especially for liquor licenses, take a long time and that it would be costly to wait to apply for them until a sale is known to be final,... Full story
With the decision this year to revamp The Star Online, and starting to charge for full access to it, readers will soon find added benefits in subscribing and that the online version will supplement the printed one. The decision will mean that updates in between issues won’t be stealing any thunder from the printed newspaper, just preluding it, so there is added incentive to get news online faster. In addition, readers will find a few new features to the site we launched in February, which at present does not require a subscription, but will s... Full story
I approached Grand Coulee City Counsel meeting on Tuesday, March 20, with a request to have my neighborhood cleaned up. I wanted to know if there are any ordinances for our town in reference to filth, piles of junk, endless numbers of cars/trucks, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and trailers, whole unlicensed and non-driveable, and numerous parts lining streets and on every property in this neighborhood, stacks of tires (mosquito breeding grounds), garbage strewn everywhere, and another year of unkempt and unsightly yards. My neighborhood... Full story
The Star newspaper of Dec. 28, 2011, has the front page story of Jeanne Moon as the Volunteer of the Year for 2011. I’m sure Jeanne Moon well deserves this honor for all Jeanne does for the people in the Nespelem area and beyond! I would like to say thanks a bunch to Jeanne Moon and I hope you keep up the good work! According to the newspaper article, there were nine contestants for the volunteer of the year, with a total of 218 votes. All of the nominees deserve a big thank you for volunteering! My questions to all citizens of the Grand C... Full story
Having had two evening visits to our nice, up-to-date hospital emergency room, the first time I went there was no one to be seen, so I pulled the door open. Now when the front door is locked for the night, there is a sign saying, please KNOCK, do not pull door open. REALLY? Wouldn't you think that they could at least have a buzzer, like the old hospital? Carol Schoning... Full story
As the campaign for governor advances, the essential contours of the debate in Washington are visible for study by all voters: A governor’s leadership in education in any state is comparable to the defense function nationally/federally. On this, who would believe that McKenna, who in concert with other Republican officials openly considers ways to reduce education funding, can carry on the education function? The economy of Washington includes the private sector and the essential role of the governmental finance function. The essential p... Full story
The month of March marked two important American anniversaries that are seemingly disconnected, but that I find to be united in their achievements. You don’t have to be a cookie lover to pay tribute to the Oreo’s 100th anniversary, nor do you have to be former troop member to mark the Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary, but we can all be thankful for March 1912 when both organizations debuted. On March 6, 1912 the first Oreo was sold in New Jersey, and that happy little cookie has been findi...
Ten Years Ago The 10 members of Grand Coulee High School’s State B champions and their coach came together for the first time in 42 years last Saturday. Ken Hoke, Bill Trefry, Wayne Snyder, Bob Pachosa, Don Kurth, Coach Jim Savitz, Ray Rice, Mark Rauch, Ben Flowers, Jim Green and Terry Mort met at Pachosa’s Gold House Inn in Grand Coulee for his birthday party. Seventh-grader Ali Finch, and Craig Nissen, eighth grade, participated in the Regional Spelling Bee held at Bridgeport High School on Thursday, March 14th. Both students placed fou... Full story
Grand Coulee Police 3/19 - A man reported a suspicious vehicle at Grand Coulee RV Park. When police arrived the vehicle was gone, but found at a nearby apartment. No one was near the vehicle. - A woman asked police to dispose of her late husband’s prescription drugs. Police took the prescriptions to do away with them. - A burglary was reported at a house on Miller Street in Electric City but no one was home when the officer went to the house. - Police responded to a domestic violence call at a house on Electric Boulevard in Electric City. A man... Full story
Chamber to Meet The Chamber of Commerce will meet at noon on Thursday, March 29, at Pepper Jack’s Bar and Grille. Stefan Newbury of Tri-Freaks will give an update on Colorama’s May 12i Over the Dam Run. Grant County Port District 7 to Meet Grant County Port District 7 will hold its regular monthly meeting Thursday, March 29, at 5 p.m., at the Grand Coulee Dam Airport Office. Grant County Mosquito District 2 to Meet Grant County Mosquito District 2 will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 4, at 7 p.m. at the Electric City Cit... Full story
Paul D. Nachtigal, 60, of Electric City, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2012,at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He was born on April 24, 1951, in Hutchinson, Kan., to Paul and Ethel Nachtigal. Paul worked construction along-side his brother Donald for Penco Construction Company owned by their father. He lived in many places working construction until his love for hunting and fishing brought him to live in the Grand Coulee area. His favorite pasttime included spending time with his... Full story
James Lee Francis, 46, passed away of a fatal heart attack in Donaphin, Mo., early Saturday morning, March 24, 2012. All of his organs (excluding heart) were donated to Transplant Services so others may live in his honor. Jim was born in Portland, Ore., on May 14, 1965, to Kathleen and Jesse James Francis. He joined the Army at the age of 17 and was stationed in Germany as a generator mechanic. After suffering a bad accident, he was released from duty with a medical discharge. Upon coming home,... Full story
Memorial services for Harold W. Dugan will be held at noon, Saturday, March 31, at Spring Canyon Cemetery. It will be with OES ceremony and full military honors. Dugan passed away December 22, 2011. Remembrance of life will be held at 2 p.m. at the Coulee Dam Community Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. followed with a potluck. Anyone who knew him is invited to attend.... Full story
Income tax time is here!! Free tax preparation is once again being offered at the senior center in Grand Coulee every Tuesday February 14 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 s... Full story
National Arbor Day is April 29 this year, and the best way to celebrate is by planting trees. The Arbor Day Foundation is making it easy for everyone to celebrate the tree planters' holiday. Everyone who joins the Foundation in April will receive 10 free shade trees. National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, which is April 29 this year. By joining the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation in April, you will receive the following trees: red oak, sugar maple, weeping willow, baldcypress, thornless honeylocust, pin oak, river birch,... Full story