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Articles from the April 1, 2020 edition


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  • School meal deliveries just changed

    Apr 1, 2020

    Kids up to 18 years of age have been getting meals from the Grand Coulee Dam School District at their bus route pickup spots while school is out for the virus-related shutdown. That plan changed on Monday. Meal deliveries will now be made at eight specified places from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. just three days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Academic packets for students in grades 7-12 will also be available then. Nespelem School District will still provide Grab and Go meals to students in that area at the locations below. Here’s the d... Full story

  • Grand Coulee geology lecture on YouTube on Thursday

    Apr 1, 2020

    You can get a college level geology education specific to our area for free on Youtube! Geologist Professor Nick Zentner, who teaches at Central Washington University, has been holding lectures from his Ellensburg home on his YouTube page in a series he calls "Nick From Home." Zentner, who spoke about local geology last year at the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center, is "live streaming" his lectures from his yard, and the videos remain available beyond the initial live stream. Topics include...

  • Spring cleanup delayed!

    Apr 1, 2020

    The spring cleanup ad that ran in this week's Star was a mistake, a sort of unintentional April Fools mishap. The community spring cleanup is delayed until further notice.... Full story

  • This looks like a job for the Mask Avengers!

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 1, 2020

    In response to the coronavirus epidemic, locals have been making washable, reusable fabric respiratory masks for the local hospital, as well as for individuals and other organizations. A Facebook group has even sprung up called the Mask Avengers, with posts related to mask making. Linda Roberts is one of those making masks, having made 71 as of Monday, and with orders for more. Roberts said those 71 masks took about a week to make, with multiple masks given to UPS drivers (Linda's husband Merle... Full story

  • Some argue simple masks better than nothing

    Apr 1, 2020

    Although simple made-at-home masks lack the sophisticated filters that catch 95% of items as small as a virus, there’s heavy debate on whether official recommendations that people who are not sick should not wear them make sense. Current articles in Wired magazine and the Washington Post argue that society-wide wearing of simpler masks could significantly cut down on the spread of the novel coronavirus. All agree that the actual personal protective gear made for medical use should be dedicated to those health care workers on the front lines, b... Full story

  • Charlie Long commemorated for 60 years with American Legion

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 1, 2020

    Charlie Long has been a member of the American Legion for 60 years! Greg Behrens, vice commander at Post 157 in Electric City, presented the Coulee Dam man with a 60-year certificate March 25. Behrens said he had wanted to do a formal presentation but wasn't able to because of the coronavirus social restrictions. "It was kind of surprising," Long told The Star over the phone on Monday. "I didn't realize it had been that long." Behrens provided a description of Long's tenure in the army:...

  • No takers yet for daycare for children of medical and emergency workers

    Apr 1, 2020

    Local parents in the medical and emergency field have not yet taken advantage of daycare offered for their children by the Grand Coulee Dam School District, Superintendent Paul Turner told The Star in an email on March 27. “Currently we have no takers,” he said. “If we do in the coming weeks we will do what we need to accommodate their needs.” Schools are required to provide daycare to those students, per the directive of Gov. Jay Inslee, if daycare is needed so that the parents can do their jobs.... Full story

  • State scrambles to boost supply of life-saving protective items for health care workers

    Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service|Apr 1, 2020

    Millions of N-95 masks and other types of personal protective equipment are being delivered to Washington State as public health and emergency response officials scramble to obtain the equipment needed to respond to the growing COVID-19 outbreak. Jerrod Davis, assistant secretary for disease control and health statistics at the Department of Health, said there is significant global demand for these kinds of items and right now the state does not have enough to satisfy the needs of its communities. Davis explained that the state’s joint operatio...

  • Dump rates discussion spans months

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 1, 2020

    In a convoluted process, a raise in dumping rates at the Delano Transfer Station, approved in October by the Regional Board of Mayors, was approved again in March, but still must be approved by the four area towns before it might be implemented, with Grand Coulee so far not wanting to raise the rates. The Star reported in October 2019 that the RBOM had approved a half-cent-per-pound raise in dumping fees at the transfer station, which was said by then-city administrator of Electric City Russ Powers to be on track to lose approximately $29,000...

  • Thanks for recognizing local efforts

    Mary Jane Bailey|Apr 1, 2020

    Thank you, Roger Lucas, for your acknowledgement of Scott Hunter’s great importance of providing all of us the area news (“Local efforts make a difference” March 25). Also, thanks for your public recognition of the Port District, both Keenes, and a handful of volunteers who have kept the Banks Lake Golf Course operating for the past few years. They have sacrificed 6-7 months, and countless hours of their time each year to do this for the community. Help is always appreciated. Mary Jane Bailey...

  • Keep the Olympia coverage

    Jim Glick|Apr 1, 2020

    A few publications back, Feb. 5th, 2020, to be exact, you wrote an editorial regarding the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, of which you are a member of the board of directors. The editorial was quite informative. The main point I believe you were looking for is whether it’s worthwhile to keep the [coverage of Olympia] going. I don’t remember whether or not my wife or I responded to your online poll, but we want to reply with a resounding YES! We live in Olympia, and my wife and I disagree on the quality of the articles pub...

  • Going on a bear hunt

    Apr 1, 2020

    With all this social distancing going on it is becoming harder and harder to get out with family and do something exciting and new. Staying indoors can become tedious and mundane as we try and do the right thing and stay put. But there is something happening across America. Families are going on walks, and now there is something new to do while on your walk or drive as a family: Look for bears. Yep, I said it, we can look for bears. Not the hungry brown type that digs in our garbage cans this time of year, but the cuddly, furry, stuffed type... Full story

  • Community strength in unprecedented times

    Dan Newhouse|Apr 1, 2020

    We are in unprecedented times. The coronavirus outbreak has had a profound impact on the American people and our economy, but – together – we will make sure that impact is not a lasting one. As many businesses temporarily transition operations online, essential employees continue to practice safe operations, and our healthcare providers and first responders continue to selflessly serve on the front lines, keeping our families, friends, and neighbors safe and healthy. I am working in Congress to ensure our hospitals and clinics, small bus... Full story

  • Legals for April 1, 2020

    Apr 1, 2020

    City of Electric City WAC 197-11-970 Determination of nonsignificance (DNS). Description of proposal: Replacement of an existing lift station with a new station of like capacity at the same site as the existing. Proponent: City of Electric City, Washington Location of Proposal, including street address, if any: Southwestern End of W Grand Ave., Electric City, WA 99123 Lead agency: City of Electric City, Washington The lead agency of this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An... Full story

  • Carleen Marie Anderson

    Apr 1, 2020

    Carleen Marie Anderson, 72, a proud member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, passed away in her Elmer City, Washington home Friday morning, March 20, 2020. Born Thursday, July 17, 1947, in Nespelem, Washington, to Clarence and Julia Carson-Desautel, Carleen loved learning. Beginning in Omak, Washington's St. Mary's Mission, Carleen graduated from High School in Omak, Washington in 1965 - during which year she was also crowned "Miss Colville Confederated Tribes". Carleen went on to earn her... Full story

  • James Edmond Jackson Sr.

    Apr 1, 2020

    James Edmond Jackson Sr., 72, passed away Thursday evening, March 26, 2020, at his Coulee Dam, Washington home, surrounded by his loving family. James, known by many as "Indian Jim" was born Monday, February 16, 1948, in Wilbur, Washington, to Jess Irving and Nell Harrison-Jackson. Growing up James worked at the family business, Jackson's Service, and making sure his grandmother Fanny Harrison had firewood. A lifelong learner, James a member of the 1966 graduating Stoo-nik Class from Coulee Dam... Full story

  • Coulee Cops

    Apr 1, 2020

    Grand Coulee 3/21 - A man got his foot caught in the foot brace of his motorcycle while at a stop sign along SR-155, and possibly broke his ankle when the bike rolled back. He was taken to the hospital. His friends took care of the motorcycle. - An officer was called to assist with loud occupants at the Sky Deck Motel who refused to quiet down, but they weren’t in their room by the time the officer arrived. 3/22 - A man on King Street told an officer that another man had punched him in the face for no reason while he was sleeping. The o...

  • Meetings and Notices

    Apr 1, 2020

    Food Bank Hours Change The food bank will be open on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 2 - 4 p.m. This will be in effect until the Stay Home order is lifted. This will be drive through style to maintain social distance. Meetings Cancelled The Grant County Mosquito District 2 has cancelled its April 9 meeting due to the Coronavirus outbreak....

  • Casinos extend closure through April 30

    Apr 1, 2020

    3 Tribes Colville Casinos, including the Coulee Dam Casino, have extended their closure through April 30. An April 1 press release from 12 Tribes Colville Casinos details the closure. "Following guidance from the Colville Business Council, 12 Tribes Casinos has extended closures for all three casino properties- 12 Tribes Resort Casino in Omak, 12, Tribes Mill Bay Casino in Manson, and 12 Tribes Coulee Dam Casino in Coulee Dam," the press release says. "The closure has been in effect since March 17, 2020 and will last through April 30, 2020,... Full story