News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Rickey Lynn Louie-Burris, who entered into this world on August 4, 1996, in Spokane, Washington, the daughter of Richard W. Burris and M. Lynn Louie, unexpectedly left us all on Wednesday, Apr. 18, 2012, from Nespelem, Washington. A member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, Rickey was always very proud of her Native American heritage, her parents being of the Colville and Blackfeet Nations. A sophomore at Lake Roosevelt High School, Rickey always loved sports having played on various school... Full story
Dakota Parish stands by his grass growing project in Center Elementary’s library last week during the school’s Earth Day recognition time. Second graders in Shamra Steffler’s and Alisa Lind’s class were told to “take something destined for the trash can and re-use it,” Lind said. Projects ranged from creative mobiles to Almeta Desautel’s experimental “lava lamp” in a baby food jar. — Scott Hunter photo... Full story
A teenage girl was killed in a car accident last week near Nespelem. Rickey Lynn Louie-Burris, 15, a sophomore at Lake Roosevelt High School, died last Wednesday evening in a one-car accident on Gold Lake Road. Reports were that speed could have been the cause of the accident. One person at the scene said the automobile was pretty well demolished. Details of the accident were not provided by Tribal Police after numerous attempts to obtain information. A person close to the scene stated that... Full story
The city of Grand Coulee received a scathing audit finding from the State Auditor’s Office for the calendar years 2009 and 2010. The SAO reported in audit findings released Monday that the city had overspent its budget by more than $400,000 in 2009, and that it had not billed for some $300,000 in ambulance services, and that then-mayor Tammara Byers had signed blank checks. “The city does not have adequate controls over financial operations, placing public resources at risk of loss or misappropriation,” the SAO findings state. During the audit... Full story
A man who has had a running battle with the town of Coulee Dam over water charges, appeared at Elmer City’s last town council meeting, charging that the town there is being overcharged by Coulee Dam for its sewer service. Greg Wilder brought agreement documents between the two towns and took issue with the way Coulee Dam is drafting its sewer charges, maintaining that Elmer City’s quarterly bill is 25 percent higher than it should be. Wilder said this has been going on for the past 10 years or more. Wilder told town officials that they sho... Full story
Comments from residents of Burdin Boulevard turned personal as a number of people addressed the Grand Coulee City Council April 17. Mel Toulou Sr., took issue with Becky Billups, who had attended two previous council meetings to tell members that her area on Burdin looked like a “ghetto.” Toulou told Billups, “I am not a ghetto rat.” Billups replied, “I didn’t say you were a ghetto rat, I said that the area looked like a ghetto.” The discussions almost got out of hand and Mayor Chris Christopherson stepped in and warned parties who were ther... Full story
Meeting on new school The Grand Coulee Dam School District will hold a meeting to update patrons on the new K-12 facility project on Thursday, April 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Coulee Dam Community Church. Phone lines cut Police found that a phone outage at Grand Coulee city hall and a few local businesses Monday was due to cut wires at a phone box above city hall. A crew had to be dispatched from Centurylink to splice the underground wires. Police reports stated that the wires were likely cut late Saturday night or Sunday. Damage was estimated... Full story
Paul Gauron owns a document shredding business, United Data Security, out of Spokane. His firm will be set up Saturday, April 28, at Strate Funeral Home, from 9-1 p.m., to shred your documents, courtesy of the Grand Coulee Dam Rotary Club and as part of Electric City’s Earth Day celebration. Gauron, a former mortgage banker, will have two large shredder trucks here to shred business and private-party documents and papers, free of charge. The firm was here last year, and Gauron told chamber of commerce members last Thursday that he would be here... Full story
The cause of a 42-year-old Grand Coulee woman’s death in February was an overdose of methamphetamine, the Grant County coroner said this week. Jamie Breckenridge was found dead along SR-174 near Spokane Way on Feb.12. Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison released information about Breckenridge’s death last Thursday after receiving a report from Washington State Laboratory. Breckenridge had last been seen Jan. 8, after telling people that she planned to go to the Snohomish area. She was found less than a mile away from where she was last see... Full story
An anonymous donor is pledging to match donations up to $250 to help raise money for the Grand Coulee and Coulee City Meals Programs. The match means your $1 contribution could become $2. Donations should be made payable to: Grand Coulee/Coulee City Meals Program” and you should note “challenge” in the remarks section of your check. Donations can be mailed to: Meals Program c/o GCDSC PO Box 636 Grand Coulee, WA 99133 For more information, contact Myrna at 633-2321. The total donation amount will be announced May 9 at the Senior Center birth... Full story
There’s going to be a little bit for everyone at Electric City’s second annual Earth Day this Saturday. While the program is geared for kids, there’s a little bit of kid in all of us, so you better show up and have a little fun. Probably one of the popular features of the day will be the Belgian horse team and wagon rides that will take off on Sunny Drive, kids and all. The day’s activities begin at 11 a.m. and conclude around 2 p.m. Always popular is the ride on a fire engine. Look for firemen and the big red truck in the area near city ha... Full story
Bonnie Wendt, who has taught piano in the area for generations, presented her last class in recital Sunday at the Coulee Dam Community Church, more than 50 years after giving her first lesson at the age of 16. “I taught the Everett children every Saturday,” she recalled of those first pupils, just after Sunday’s recital with her last nine students. Wendt taught Siam Palace owner Cheril Piturachsatit to play and Saturday presented her granddaughter Maeha, beginning with a duet with Wendt. Pitur... Full story
Is it right that we should be told how we use our land? Don’t we have a constitutional right to personal property? Is it really necessary for them to force these new ordinances on us? Why are they disrupting our friendly little town and causing turmoil? We as property owners and citizens need to look at what is going on here. How is it that they can tell us what we can build and how it has to be done on our own property? I know there have to be rules, and I agree with that, but they don’t have to go overboard. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not ag... Full story
It’s tough to know when to give up. As a society, we’ve recognized that every young person who fails to make it through our school system is much more likely to cause more problems for us all later on. On the other hand, kids who become discipline problems in schools can disrupt the learning experience for everyone else. How can teachers, school administrators, counselors, police and everyone else know where to draw the line? Maybe the best answer is simply, sooner. Consistant, fair discipline coupled with a safe, nurturing environment sup... Full story
As budget chair for the House of Representatives, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) is “The Man.” President Obama presented his budget, and Ryan has announced his. Dueling budgets. Under the Ryan budget, even if you’re part of the infamous 1%, your local services will be cut. That road expansion to bring in more trucks for new businesses? Gone. Federal funds to help expand the local airport for business or tourism – nope. Shoring up collapsing bridges and ruined roads? Wait your turn. And for the 99%, it’s slash and burn. Local job training to help t...
As I drove around the area recently, I started reminiscing of growing up in the area, and looking at some of the empty buildings kicked up some old memories. Why have there been businesses come and go and so many empty buildings decorate our streets? Economy? High costs? There are many reasons, but I asked a few of the long established businesses what they thought the key to staying in business all these years was. They all said local business. Local business keeps them afloat. Out-of-townies and tourism is profit. So plain and simple, “Shop L... Full story
Ten Years Ago The sun begins to set and a chilly wind cuts the air. Suddenly a small gate springs open and out sprints a small brown and white calf. Shane Proctor thunders out after the calf on a large horse with a lasso raised above his head, determination in his eyes. “Go, Go, go, hustle, hustle, hustle,” his father, Gordon Proctor yells behind him. Danielle Edwards of Hartline, is the Ridge Riders’ Colorama Rodeo Queen for 2002. The owner of Grand Coulee’s new gift store has a simple motto when describing what type of merchandise customers c... Full story
Landon Avery is pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of his parents Amber L. Francis and Branden D. Jorgensen. Amber is the daughter of Brenda Francis of Grand Coulee and is employed at the Colville Tribal Convalescent Center in Nespelem. Branden is the son of Virginia and Allen Jorgensen of Coulee City. He works on the Jorgensen Farm in Coulee City. The wedding will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2012, in Cole Park, in Coulee Dam.... Full story
Carey L. Reyes and Rodney J. Picking were united in marriage on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Hitching Post in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The bride is the daughter of Gary and Andrean Reyes of Elk and Diana Picard of Nespelem. Rodney is the son of Steve and Cindy Picking of Omak. Rod brings to this joining three children: Wyatt, Conner and Evelyn. Carey brings four children: Tabitha, Josie, Abe and Connor and two grandchildren Ayamae and Koen. A reception to celebrate their marriage will be h... Full story
Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Coulee recently purchased and installed a new organ with some memorial gifts. It will be dedicated Sunday, April 29, at the regular worship. The members look forward to the improved sound as the church celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.... Full story
Cassie Krus and Ricard Tupling are proud to announce the birth of their son Westley Lucas Tupling on Friday, Apr. 6, 2012, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 8 lbs., 15 oz. and was 21 inches in length at birth.... Full story
Shyanna Lanni and Mark Stanger of Omak, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Tanaeya Alexus Stanger on Monday, Apr. 9, 2012, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 7 lbs., 4 oz. and was 20 inches in length at birth. Siblings include Marlo, Markie, Trayten and Elijah Stanger. Maternal grandparents are April and Daniel Lightley. Paternal grandparents are Debbie and Mike Miller and Mark Stanger Sr. Great-grandparents are Joeann Spearson and Christina Goodwin.... Full story
Seth and Jessie Harding of Wilbur, are proud to announce the birth of their son Ethan Hunter Harding on Friday, Apr. 13, 2012, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 7 lbs., 3 oz., and was 20 inches in length at birth. Sibling includes Trent age 2. Maternal grandparents are Rick and Sandi Curd of Fruitland. Paternal grandparents are Pat and Nancy Harding.... Full story
Disabled American Veterans mobile service van will be here from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, at North Cascades National Bank, 608 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee. This is a free service not just for those members of the DAV. Bring claim number, social security number and any other pertinent documentation if you wish to use this service. For more information about the stop and DAV services, call Gregory Kotanchick DAVNSO at (206) 341-8267.... Full story
Tanisha Smiskin and Alan Stanger Sr., of Nespelem, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Myalove Jean Stanger on Saturday, Apr. 14, 2012, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 6 lbs., 6 oz., and was 21 inches in length at birth. Sibling includes Alan Ryne Stanger Jr. age 3. Maternal grandmother is Valerie McKay. Paternal grandparents are Myrna Moore and Jim Stanger. Great-grandparents are Myra LaRoque and Grace Moore.... Full story