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Articles from the April 12, 2017 edition


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  • Emergency declared and flood warnings issued in Okanogan Co.

    Roger S Lucas and Scott Hunter|Apr 12, 2017

    Okanogan County commissioners declared a state of emergency Monday, due to threat of flooding and debris problems on county roads. Commissioners passed the resolution after county roads suffered damage from heavy precipitation recently. They acknowledged the continued threat of heavy rain has created a danger to public health and the safety of those using county roads. The Charlton Complex and other wildfires stripped vegetation from hills in the county, resulting in flash floods with mud and debris being swept over roadways. Commissioners...

  • Fire destroys home in Grand Coulee

    Roger S Lucas|Apr 12, 2017

    Fire destroyed a home at 323 Roosevelt Drive in Grand Coulee late Saturday evening. A family of four were away at the time of the fire; however, two dogs died in the blaze. The Jesus Llamas family rented the mobile home that was owned by the Loretta Bingham family. Firefighters from Grand Coulee and Electric City volunteer fire departments and the Bureau of Reclamation responded. Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Chief Rick Paris stated that fire and smoke was coming from the mobile home when...

  • Controlling the flow

    Apr 12, 2017

    As some 203,000 cubic feet of water per second flows downstream of Grand Coulee Dam Sunday evening, about 58,000 cfs comes down the spillway through seven outlet tubes while the Bureau of Reclamation coordinates river flow for flood control. The current forecast calls for Lake Roosevelt to be lowered to 1,222.7 feet above sea level to accommodate expected high snow melt runoff, which has not actually started down the river yet. - Scott Hunter photo...

  • Local hunter acquitted of hunting charges

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 12, 2017

    A landmark court ruling in Nelson, British Columbia. states that members of the Arrow Lakes (Sinixt) tribe are now allowed to hunt on their traditional lands, where their ancestors had hunted for thousands of years prior to European contact. The ruling also established that the Sinixt tribe is not extinct, which they never were. Richard Desautel, who lives in Inchelium on the Colville Indian Reservation and is a member of the Sinixt tribe, also known as the Arrow Lakes tribe, was acquitted of charges in Canada on March 27 of hunting without a l...

  • County investigating turberculosis case

    Roger S Lucas|Apr 12, 2017

    Grant County Health District reported this week that officials there are investigating what might be a single case of tuberculosis. The person in question was treated in several health care facilities in Grant County during the course of the illness. Officials at the county said it is the lone case now being investigated. Health officials have found some 200 persons, residing in Grant, Lincoln and Adams counties, who have been in contact with the person. All have been contacted by Grant County health officials and are being monitored for possib...

  • Two egg hunts planned for Easter weekend

    Roger S Lucas|Apr 12, 2017

    Two community Easter egg hunts are planned for the area this year. The Lions Club will hold its 80th community Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 15, at the former middle school field in Grand Coulee. It is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and is for kids up to 10 years of age. And the town of Elmer City will hold its Easter egg hunt at the park near Town Hall on Sunday, April 16. That event begins at 1 p.m. It is the second straight egg hunt in Elmer City, beginning a new series, Mayor Gail Morin stated. Elmer City last year had a turnout of...

  • Blaylock to retire, but will keep on hugging

    Roger S Lucas|Apr 12, 2017

    There will soon be new management at the Care and Share Food Bank. Fern Blaylock is retiring from that position after taking care of people's food and other needs for decades. Fern, 81, plans to retain her other job, as a volunteer at Lake Roosevelt Schools, where she gives more than a few hugs a day. With a glint in her eye, and probably regret in her heart, Blaylock took this writer on a tour of the various rooms at the Church of the Nazarene, where the food bank is located. In each room, she...

  • Parade set for May 13

    Roger S Lucas|Apr 12, 2017

    Parade forms went out this week to those wanting to en ter the Colorama Parade, May 13. You can enter by filling out parade forms found online at grandcouleedam.o y a cr/parade. Peggy Nevsimal, executive director of the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, said the parade will have eight categories: Community entry; Organization/club entry; Business entry; School band; Classic car; Hot rod; Equestrian and Junior entry. This year’s Colorama event will be the community’s 61st. Colorama this year will include a three-day carnival, three-day...

  • Triple fish challenge coming April 22 and 23

    Roger S Lucas|Apr 12, 2017

    It might sound a little fishy — that’s because it is. Here’s your opportunity to win an Achilles four-person inflatable boat and Yamaha outboard motor. All you have to do is place first in the 5th Annual Triple Fish Challenge tournament, April 22 and 23. The place: Banks Lake, boating from Coulee Playland. Entry fee is $20 for those up to 14 years old, $60 for those 15 years and older. You can submit your entry form online until midnight April 20, or in person from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 21, and registration will continue during boat inspect...

  • Don't keep the home fires burning

    Scott Hunter|Apr 12, 2017

    At one point it seemed that for several years, the local community slipped by without a home burning down. That was unusual, a local fire chief and I agreed, hoping the trend would continue. It didn’t. Although home fires are reportedly less common in recent years than in the decades earlier, they still happen too often. Families in this community have suffered three in the last few months, including one on the front page of this issue. Firefighters remind us to keep batteries in smoke alarms, and change them about every six months. Figuring ou...

  • Re: "Charges dismissed on former LR teacher"

    Bruce Holbert|Apr 12, 2017

    I just wanted to congratulate you on the Guzman story. At a time like this, stories about immigration have political ramifications, and it is courageous of you to publish this story, which approaches the process with compassion and a level, fair eye. Bruce Holbert...

  • Entrepreneurs remain key to America's success

    Don C. Brunell|Apr 12, 2017

    American entrepreneurs’ ability to invent, create and bring products and services to market makes our nation great. Their success generates the tax revenue that fund our schools and puts people to work. Many “big businesses” started in the imaginations of immigrants who came to our country — a place of boundless possibilities. America is a land where your station in life doesn’t matter and where hard work, innovation and perseverance are the keys to success. The story of M&Ms is a good example. Today, the Mars Company is a global giant mar...

  • A good and faithful judge

    Dan Newhouse Representative 4th Dist|Apr 12, 2017

    Fourteen months ago, the sudden passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia left a void on the nation’s highest court. Not only did the court lose an esteemed colleague, but the nation lost an eloquent advocate for constitutional limits on government and preserving the rule of law. In the intervening months, the question of who should replace Justice Scalia was put before the American people. Now, with Senate confirmation of U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch, a new voice advocating for judicial restraint and original i...

  • What a memorable week!

    Jesse Utz|Apr 12, 2017

    I had the honor and privilege of attending two events this week that moved me in such a way that I will always remember. I attended the Northwest Indian Youth Conference as a chaperone and our son’s wedding, as, well, me. Both were very special. At the conference I got to see a side of some young people that I don’t always get to see. Leaders emerged, responsibility followed and fears were conquered. The list of speakers was astounding. Simon Moya Smith from CNN spoke. He is one of the only Native American reporters working at a major net...

  • Seventy-one years ago

    Apr 12, 2017

    Dry Falls and Falls Lake near Coulee City, Washington. Taken on infrared film. - April 21, 1946 photo...

  • Meetings and Notices

    Apr 12, 2017

    Chamber This Week The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet at noon, this Thursday, April 13, at Siam Palace, Grand Coulee. General business is on the agenda. Coulee Creators Meet Coulee Creators meet every Tuesday 1-4 p.m. Contact Marlene Oddie 509-386-5715 or marlene@kissedquilts.com for details. Enter east end of building, push in door knob to release door latch. Grant County Demos to Meet Grant County Democrats will hold their April meeting on Tuesday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m., in the Democratic building at the fairgrounds. Gran...

  • Beginner and world champ

    Apr 12, 2017

    World champion bull rider and Grand Coulee Dam area native Shane Proctor helps a young cowboy learn the proper way to ride a horse during his eighth rodeo school April 5 at the Nespelem Rodeo Grounds. "It's been a great success," Proctor said of the two-day event. "I hope the kids can learn a lesson about the arena and about hard work." Why would someone want to get on top of a bucking bull? "It's a self-driven deal," Proctor explained. "They want to rise up to the challenge to conquer...

  • Nespelem Students of the Month

    Apr 12, 2017

    Students of the Month for March at Nespelem Elementary include, from left, top row: Eddy Frank, Harlen Dick, Cyila St. Pierre; front row: Mason Salque, Lilliana Dick, Cadence Clark, Brooklyn Tillman, Sitarah Palmer; not shown: Edward Mitchell Jr., Sara Stanczak....

  • Elijah Harris - young athlete on the rise

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 12, 2017

    Football season is a long ways away, but it's never far from Elijah Harris' mind. The 6-5, 230-pound junior at Lake Roosevelt High School is looking to move up to the college level of football. Colleges all over the Northwest and as far as Montana have their eyes on Harris, who excels as an athlete on both the offensive and defensive lines. "It is hard to pick what side of the ball [I prefer] because I have invested so much time into both," Harris said, "but I think the defensive side is where...

  • Raiders defeat Pioneers in non-league game

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 12, 2017

    The Lake Roosevelt baseball team traveled to Omak on Saturday, where the Raiders defeated the Pioneers in a decisive, 19-4 victory in the non-league game. With four runs in the first inning, and a whopping 11 in the second, the Raiders jumped out to an early and commanding lead. After five innings, officials called the game, with a final score of 19-4. "We played well against Omak," said Billy Nicholson, Head Coach for the Raiders. Tyrell Kiser shined for LR. In addition to pitching five...

  • This week in sports

    Apr 12, 2017

    Wed., April 12 2:30 p.m., Raider Golf at Pateros/Alta Lakes Thurs.,April 13 3 p.m., Raider Softball at Okanogan (DH) 4 p.m., Raider Tennis at Pateros Fri., April 14 3:30 p.m., Raider Softball and Baseball here with Brewster (L) (DH) Sat., April 15 9 a.m., Raider Track at Van Kuren Invitation, Cheney Tues., April 18 2:30 p.m., Raider Golf at Desert Canyon 3:30 p.m., Raider Track Ne 1B/2B League at Springdale 4 p.m., Raider Tennis here with Entiat 4:30 p.m., Raider Baseball at Pateros Wed., April 19 4:30 p.m., Raider Softball at...

  • Legals for April 12, 2017

    Apr 12, 2017

    Colville Tribal Correctional Facility (CTFC) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP #1 - Contractor for Medical Room Improvements The Colville Tribal Correctional Facility (CTCF) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP); seeking a contractor for Medical Room improvements including building a new wall with door, relocating cabinetry, and installing a sink with plumbing. (For a complete and full listing of the RFP, please call or email the Maintenance Supervisor.) RFP #2 - Seeking Fencing Contractor The Colville Tribal Correctional Facility (CTCF) is issuing...

  • Starting early

    Apr 12, 2017

    Walter Owhi of Nespelem tries to turn Miro Parrcoffin of Post Falls, Idaho, in a 7-8 age division match at the 30th annual Jason Crawford Memorial Wrestling Tournament at the Spokane Convention Center last Saturday. The event, known as the largest one-day youth wrestling tournament in the nation, attracts over 1,400 wrestlers a year. - Roger Harnack, Omak Chronicle photo...

  • Coulee Cops

    Apr 12, 2017

    Grand Coulee Police 4/4 - King’s Court RV Park reported that someone had ripped off a soap dispenser from the wall. The loss was estimated at $100. 4/5 - A woman told police that she left her purse at the bar at the Electric City Bar and Grill while she went outside for a smoke; when she returned, someone had taken her and her daughter’s Social Security cards from her purse. - While pursuing a drug call, police were flagged down by a man who reported that someone had stolen from his car his muffler system that he had just installed. - Tri...

  • Bowling Scores

    Apr 12, 2017

    COLUMBIA LEAGUE TEAM W L Team 6 32 28 Strike or Spare 26 34 Solid T Const. 25 35 High Game: Jesse Vieira 236 High Series: Jesse Vieira 634 Splits: Don Richer 4-9/2-7-8/2-7-8; Soy Redthunder 3-10 SENIORS 4-5-17 Karen Musser 136+150+141=427 Scott E. 141+128+210=479 Leo L. 120+116+112=348 Mike 173+140+165=478 Ray D. 167+166+154=487 DAM KEGLERS TEAM W L #5 167.5 112.5 #6 157 123 #4 133.5 146.5 #2 126.5 153.5 #3 106.5 173.5 High Game: John Stensgar 235; Candy Weed-Butz 180 High Series: Mark Tonasket 692; Mae Stensgar 498 Splits: Candy Weed-Butz...