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Articles from the May 1, 2019 edition


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  • Electric City fire chief facing disciplinary action

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    Electric City Fire Chief Mark Payne received a letter from the city regarding disciplinary action being considered against him for illegal burning practices. Payne, who forwarded The Star the letter, believes the action is directly related to his role as a key critic of a planned intersection change for which the city has taken heat. The Star was unable to reach Nordine for comment prior to deadline. The April 26 letter signed by Mayor John Nordine puts Payne “on notice of proposed discipline up to and including removal as fire chief and termin...

  • For Sale: Banks Lake Golf Course, good condition

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    Banks Lake Golf Course and surrounding land have been declared surplus items, opening up the possibility of them being sold. Grant County Port District 7 commissioners, who manage the golf course as well as the nearby airport, declared the golf course, the clubhouse, equipment, and surrounding land surplus at their April 25 meeting, with a total of 189.3 acres included, valued at $1.64 million. That surrounding land is estimated to be about 79 acres, separate from the golf course, and could...

  • School board hears deep concerns on a class

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    It’s hard for a child to learn in a classroom if other students are being disruptive, even violent. A conversation about this took place at the Grand Coulee Dam School District Board of Directors’ meeting April 22. Clarissa Cawston addressed the board, bringing up behavioral issues in her daughter’s second-grade class, where she began volunteering daily after noticing her daughter’s grades slipping. “She has one kid over here chucking stuff across the room, one kid over here just non-stop talking, one kid over here who will just walk out — and...

  • Construction resumes on fire station

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    Construction has resumed on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation fire station off SR-155, with completion anticipated for March of 2020. The $13.6 million contract was originally awarded to Innovative Construction & Design Ltd. in 2016, with construction beginning in April of 2017. The termination of that contract was confirmed by the bureau in March of this year, and construction has resumed in April by Northcon Construction. "Basically what is going on is ICD originally had the contract, and...

  • From LEGOs to drones

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    The classic toy LEGO has evolved over the years to incorporate robotics, and students at Nespelem Elementary are using LEGO robots to learn coding and robotics, skills that will be more and more valued in the future. For Inspiration of Science and Technology, or FIRST, is a global program in which students get hands-on experience with things like LEGO robots. FIRST Washington partnered with Nespelem Elementary for an after-school program that averages about six to seven kids, four days a week,...

  • Re: "What's wrong with universal health care"

    Steven Phillips|May 1, 2019

    What’s wrong with UHC, i.e., socialized medicine? Simple. First, we have the best and most accessible Health Care in the WORLD. Want to change that? Put government bureaucrats in charge! How is the Federal Government (FG) doing with almost everything else it runs? Health Care is by far too important to put into the hands of another failed FG bureaucracy. The problems we have with Health Care delivery and cost are largely CAUSED by government meddling now (no space to go into that here). Yet the real issue is not Health Care itself because O...

  • Our last whitewater trip

    Roger S Lucas|May 1, 2019

    It was probably my last whitewater rafting trip, maybe! A few years ago my wife, Dorothy, and I talked about taking a whitewater rafting trip, so I went to Leonard Taylor out in Electric City to ask him if he knew anyone who was still taking people on raft trips. Leonard knows the rivers in Idaho real well and at one time had his own boat. Leonard referred me to Bemer Rafts, which at the time was featuring a two-day run, starting on the Salmon River the first day and ending on the Snake River the second. There were about 25 of us that had...

  • Christians targeted on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka

    Dan Newhouse|May 1, 2019

    Easter Sunday is the holiest day for observant Christians worldwide. It is the day followers of Jesus Christ celebrate his resurrection, and many believers choose to be baptized or receive their first communion on the special day. It is the day on which Christians celebrate the central tenets of our faith, which is why the coordinated suicide bombings on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka that targeted minority Christians at four churches as well as foreigners at four hotels shocked that island nation and the world. The terrorists targeted Christian pl...

  • What would make Congress better?

    Lee H Hamilton|May 1, 2019

    A couple of weeks ago I was speaking to a group of students and decided to start with a point-blank question: Is Congress doing a good job? There were perhaps 100 people in the room, and not a single one raised his or her hand. So I asked the question a different way: Is Congress nearly or completely dysfunctional? Most hands went up. These were not experts, of course. But they weren’t wrong, either. Things aren’t working well on Capitol Hill. I can tick off the problems, and so can you. Congress doesn’t follow good process. It’s too polarized...

  • Sonja Everett

    May 1, 2019

    Memorial services for Sonja Everett will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, May 4, at the Coulee Dam Community Church. Sonja passed away February 14, 2019.... Full story

  • Deadline for flags

    May 1, 2019

    It’s just about time for the Isle of Flags dedication The deadline for ordering flags for the dedication is May 18. If you want o have a flag dedicated and in place to honor your deceased veteran or this year’s event, call Ben Alling at 633-0663 before the deadline.... Full story

  • Meetings & Notices

    May 1, 2019

    Chamber This Week Chamber will be meeting at noon this Thursday, May 2, at Siam Palace. Ryan Holterhoff, Public Affairs Officer at Grant County PUD will be the guest speaker. There will be no chamber next week as setup for the Colorama celebration will be going on. Food Bank Distributing Hours The food bank normal operating hours are every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. It is located at the Church of Nazarene, Hwy 174, Grand Coulee. Clients are encouraged to provide their own containers to carry groceries home in. Call Pastor Shawn for information:...

  • Coulee Dam restaurant lease OK'd for new owners

    Scott Hunter|May 1, 2019

    The city of Coulee Dam has OK’d a lease for the Melody Restaurant space in its community building, the city council Wednesday voting unanimously to approve it and promising cooperation on certain maintenance issues for the new operators. Jon Anderson and Stephanie Guin negotiated a deal with the business’ previous owner over a period of several months, he told The Star in March. They’ve been negotiating the lease with the city since, mostly while operating under the previous lease held by Juan Moreno, who has since been deported to Mexic...

  • Alzheimer's Association seeking volunteer support group facilitators

    May 1, 2019

    The Alzheimer’s Association is seeking local volunteers to facilitate virtual Family Caregiver Support Groups in Washington State and Northern Idaho. Caregivers of those with dementia often feel helpless and alone in their experience. A virtual support group facilitator has the ability to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these caregivers from anywhere in the state via telephone, Skype, or other means of virtual communication. Support group facilitators aren’t required to be experts. Our Chapter-trained volunteers receive exc... Full story

  • Colorama comes next week

    Scott Hunter|May 1, 2019

    It’s Colorama time next week, when the carnival comes to town, runners lace up those shoes, cowboys ride into town and people line the streets of Grand Coulee for the parade. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect. We’ll get into more detail with a special section in next week’s Star. Rainier Amusements will again bring in the carnival, as they did last year, beginning Thursday, May 9, at 4 p.m. Presale tickets are still available for less money than you’ll pay at the carnival. The Colorama Color Run is set for 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, a...

  • Lady Raiders continue to dominate in softball

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    The Lady Raiders defeated the Lady Shockers in a tight game on April 23, winning 6-3. "Emma Marchand brought home the win on the mound," Head Coach Jaci Gross said about the freshman who struck out 10 batters, walked two, and allowed just four hits. "The win was dedicated to Terry Warnecke, LR's pitching coach, who is battling illness at Sacred Heart," Gross added. Warneke is also the grandfather of Marchand. "All of the team wrote 'TW' on their arms and in face paint in his honor," Gross said....

  • Raiders' track and field shine at meets

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    The Raiders track and field team last week competed at Peshastin, placing well, and in Wenatchee, where high winds canceled some events and blew others off course. The Raiders competed with other North Central Washington teams in Peshastin April 23. “The Raiders shined as a team!” Head Coach Lori Adkins said. “The boys’ team placed second, amassing 155 points by taking many of the eight places available in each event. The girls did the same, placing third and earning 84 points. It was great to see the Raiders working together trying to earn th...

  • LR tennis faces three teams

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    The Raider tennis team has been busy, playing against Liberty Bell, Tonasket and Okanogan. The Raiders hosted Liberty Bell in Coulee Dam April 23, when the Raider girls won 3-2, and the boys lost 4-1. “First time in memory an LR girls’ team has defeated Liberty Bell, who are known for their strong girls’ teams,” Raider Head Coach Steve Archer remarked. “I was very proud of our girls. The closest match was at girls’ second doubles, Keziah Stice and Rainy Vargas. They barely dropped the first set in a close tie-breaker, roared back to win the sec...

  • This week in sports

    May 1, 2019

    Wed., May 1 2:30 p.m. Raider Golf, Alta Lake, Pateros Thurs., May 2 3:45 p.m., Jr. High Track here 4 p.m., Raider Tennis with Wilbur/Creston at Creston 3:30 p.m., Raider Softball and Baseball here with Manson DH Friday, May 3 12:45 p.m., Mini Bloomday, LRHS football Field 3:30 p.m., Raider Track at Ron Vanderholm Invitational, Royal City Sat., May 4 11 a.m., Raider Softball at Soap Lake DH...

  • Raiders defeat Shockers

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    The Raiders defeated the Waterville Shockers 7-1 after jumping out ahead in early innings April 23. The Raiders got on the board in the second inning when Nick Baker stole home plate as a pitch got away from the Shocker catcher. Cameron St. Pierre stole home later that same inning from another error. Brit Egbert scored a run for Lake Roosevelt in the third inning, and Egbert, Hunter Whitelaw, Tanner Whitelaw, and Malachai Rasmussen each brought a runner home in the fourth. Egbert, Tyson...

  • Raiders tee off at Desert Canyon

    Jacob Wagner|May 1, 2019

    Raider golfers teed up at the Desert Canyon golf course in Oroville last week. We’re getting to know each other quite well, since they are our only league opponent this season!” Head Coach Steve Files said about the Oroville Hornets. Darin Whiteman finished the course in 69 strokes, one stroke better than Jaxson Rise of Oroville. “Darin and Jaxson had quite a duel, with both players posting personal-best rounds for the season,” Files said. “They’ve played many rounds together over the years, since they’ve both been playing since the eighth gr...

  • Legals for May 1, 2019

    May 1, 2019

    CITY OF ELECTRIC CITY NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP Comprehensive Plan And Capital Facilities Plan NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public workshop will be held by Electric City from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on May 7, 2019 at City Hall located at 10 Western Avenue, Electric City, Washington, to receive public input regarding revisions to the Comprehensive Plan and Capital Facilities Plan. The draft amendments can be found on our website at www.electriccity.us under the Government Tab then Planning and Zoning. The public is encouraged to attend, comment and... Full story

  • Coulee Cops

    May 1, 2019

    Grand Coulee 4/23 - A man who lives in an apartment on Main Street was upset that a man moving into the apartment upstairs was making so much noise he couldn’t hear the TV, and also that his mirror had fallen off the wall and broken while they were moving in upstairs. There was no crime committed. - A caller on Goodfellow Avenue reported that an elderly woman had fallen on her front steps and was lying motionless. The caller didn’t want to check on the her, deciding it was more important to take a shower, the police report states. Police arr...

  • He huffed and he puffed

    Jesse Utz|May 1, 2019

    Last weekend the wind blew. It did not seem like an extraordinary wind. It was powerful, for sure, but it did not seem anything like storms we have seen here in the past. The wind howled, the trees shook, the roof rattled, and dust filled every open crevice. Sometimes it all depends on location and wind direction. Sometimes it happens when we least expect it. No one expected the phone to ring Saturday morning saying the words that were said. Let’s rewind a bit first. Karrie and I got up early Sa...

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