News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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School Superintendent Paul Turner is doing his budget for next year, quite possibly the most difficult he will ever prepare. The Grand Coulee Dam School District is facing what he described to the board as a potential $745,000 shortfall if everything remains as it is today. Monday, Turner stated that he has constantly been revising budget plans for next year and he expects to start making some final decisions this Thursday after meeting with school administrators. The district has until June 15 to notify teachers if they are not going to be... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation has a number of construction projects going on lately, and drivers will notice some delays, starting this week. ACCU Construction Inc., based in Santa Ana, California, got the $4 million contract, which involves repair to various roads and parking areas in the Grand Coulee Dam vicinity. The parking lot at the Bureau, the area by the administration building, the shop in the industrial area, and repaving the road and parking area down to the Left Powerhouse at the dam. The Bureau of Reclamation says that, weather... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation says that, weather pending, Highway 155 will be chip sealed from just south of Pole Park to just below the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center. Chip sealing, a common maintenance procedure, will take place from Monday, May 15 until Friday, May 19 with delays of up to 10 minutes.... Full story
This architectural rendering depicts what the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's new fire station off Highway 155 will look like in the evening about a year from now as construction is completed. Crews started working last month, closing off the end of B Street in Grand Coulee, which will still be used as a detour route during the Colorama Parade on Saturday. Reclamation awarded the $13.6 million construction contract to Innovative Construction & Design Ltd., a small business based in Post Falls,... Full story
The 61st Colorama Festival begins Thursday this week. Highlights of this year's Colorama Festival include the Ridge Rider Rodeo on Friday and Saturday and the new Rainier Amusements Carnival, featuring a ferris wheel, among at least a dozen rides. And there's a lot of great stuff in between. Helicopter rides will offer thrilling overviews of the area. About 70 vendors will sell crafts and more at North Dam Park, including all kinds of food. There's a new 5K Color Run on Saturday, and don't... Full story
Tribal members went to the polls Saturday in the primary election to determine who will run in the general election June 24. Six positions will be open this year, two that currently do not have incumbents. The vote totals are from the poll voting. Absentee ballots will be counted later this week. In the Nespelem District, incumbents in both Position 1 and 2 are trailing. In Nespelem Position 1, incumbent Ricky Gabriel collected 47 votes, with challenger Rodney Cawston getting 52. Others filing for Position 1, and their vote totals, were:... Full story
Several local educators in two districts were honored last month, chosen for accolades in front of their counterparts from district all over this part of the state. Their own union members voted to send them to ceremonies of the North Central Washington Educational Service District, after nominations by colleagues. From the Grand Coulee Dam School District, Jess Utz was chosen from the classified educator staff for the Excellence in Education award. Jeff Piturachsatit got the award from the... Full story
Lions to offer eye screening at CMC Grand Coulee Lions Club is joining forces with Coulee Medical Center for a free eye screening during Health Week May 15-19. The screenings will be made from 7-10 a.m. at the hospital. For more information you can contact Lions Club President Rick Bako (rbako@usbr.gov) or Betty at 633-0627. Planning commission rescheduled Grand Coulee’s planning commission, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. tonight (Wednesday), has been rescheduled to the same time Wednesday, May 17. The meeting is held in the city council chambers. T... Full story
The period for filing candidates intentions to seek elective offices is set for May 15-19, with the primary election scheduled for August 1 and the general election set for Nov. 7. The area’s two school districts, Grand Coulee Dam and Nespelem, each have four board positions that will be up for election this year. Seats in the Grand Coulee Dam District and their incumbants include Position 1, currently held by Carla Marconi, a four-year term; Position 2, held by Ken Stanger, a four-year term; Position 3, held by George LaPlace, a two-year t... Full story
The Cleatis Lacy Memorial Bull Ride, happening June 16, will move into the big time this year with a giant replay screen, rodeo officials said this week. George Kohout, president of the Ridge Riders, said last week that an agreement has been made with a Montana firm to provide a 12- by 24-foot replay screen to show off attempts by cowboys to ride their bulls. The big replay screen agreement was developed by Shane Marchand, who is coordinating the bull ride. Marchand had been in touch with Marty Lyon, of Lyon Productions, out of Montana, to... Full story
The city of Grand Coulee now accepts payment for utility bills and traffic fines by credit or debit card, City Clerk Carol Boyce said last week. The city will accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover Cards through a special linkup with GovPayNet, an Indiana firm. “Cardholders can pay their utility bills and traffic fines to Grand Coulee in the same way they might handle other transactions, anytime, day or night, without having to write a check or carry large sums of cash,” Boyce said. GovPayNet, accepts the payment online (ww... Full story
This coming weekend is typically one that is packed full for many local folks, in a good way. This year it promises much the same, weather holding. With Mother’s Day, the Colorama festivities, the big rodeo, and the old-home week atmosphere at local gathering places, there’s no excuse for boredom. The chamber of commerce never stops working at improving Colorama, a multi-faceted, complex enterprise, the successful completion of which will leave many revelers pleasantly exhausted, but not more so than its organizers. The Colorama Rodeo, the con... Full story
In spite of all the economic factors pointing in the opposite direction, our Okanogan PUD is pushing ahead with the electrification of Enloe Dam. This decision has no basis in reality and defies common sense. The estimated construction cost of $42.5 million dollars is only just a guess. The commissioners admit they have no idea what the actual cost will be. Whether $45 million, $60 million or even higher, this powerhouse will never pay off the borrowing required to build it. The annual losses of $2 million dollars projected by the PUD make this... Full story
There was nothing pretentious about Mike Lowry. What you saw is what you got! Lowry was one of Washington’s most colorful governors. He served one term from 1993 to 1997. He died on May 1 at age 78. There was nothing subtle about Mike Lowry. He was not afraid to mix it up publicly nor put his political future on the line when he believed in a cause. For example, in 1993 Lowry pushed legislation dramatically reforming our state’s healthcare laws. He and his Democrat colleagues jammed a bill through the legislature requiring all employers to pro... Full story
I have vivid memories of our local festival. The week-long wait as a child drove all the kids crazy. Watching day by day as carnival rides showed up and slowly erected themselves into something magical and astounding. Seeing trucks pulling horse trailers arriving to Coulee Country, ending their long journey in Delano, where we would all go to see the cowboys and cowgirls ride the beasts. Then there were the bands, floats and princesses from around the state that would crowd our little streets and delight us on a Saturday morning. That is when... Full story
An old round up of horses in the coulee before these grounds were flooded to form Banks Lake - Cleatis Lacy photo... Full story
John Whalawitsa, 63, of Elmer City, Washington, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2017. His wake will be begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2017, in the Catholic Long House in Nespelem, Washington, with Funeral Services to be held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 12, 2017, also at the Catholic Longhouse in Nespelem. A full obituary will be placed in next week’s paper. Please sign John’s online register book at www.stratefuneralhome.com. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee, WA is honored to be serving John’s family.... Full story
Janet M. Whittington, 62, passed away the morning of Monday, May 1, 2017, in Grand Coulee, Washington. A native of Toppenish, Washington, Janet was born Friday, February 4, 1955, to Jack and Irene Jump-King. Janet attended Toppenish High School, where she was active on the Girls' Drill Team and on the Girls' Swim Team, competing in the 50-yard and 100-yard races as well as three-meter diving, prior to graduating in 1973. Five months later, on Saturday, October 20, 1973, Miss Janet M. King... Full story
As part of Health Week at Coulee Medical Center May 15-19, Laura Strasser of Columbia Hearing Centers will provide FREE hearing screenings on Thursday, May 18, 7:00-10:00 a.m. For questions, call Laura at 866-369-1020.... Full story
Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union wished a fond farewell to Kris Hare, who retired on April 30 after 22 years of service. Hare began her career with the Credit Union on May 1, 1995 as an administrative assistant to then-CEO David Schmidt. For the last 14 years, she held the position of phone branch manager. In addition to her regular duties she also served as the secretary for the board of directors for many years. "The Credit Union and its many members will miss Kris' friendly voice and helpful... Full story
The Grand Coulee High School class of 1957 will be holding a 60th year class reunion dinner at Pepper Jack’s on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, beginning at 6 p.m. Dinner will be ordered from the menu beginning around 6:30 or so. For additional information, local area residents may contact Leroy Sanderson at 509-633-1012, while out-of-area classmates contact Jim Glick at 360-491-2349 or email backachers@aol.com.... Full story
Grand Coulee High School Alumni Association will meet at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, May 17, at Grand Coulee Community Church, 405 Center Street, one block south of the old GCHS building. The purpose of the meeting is to select recipients for the 2017 scholarship awards. Selection will be a little more difficult this year, as the Board of Directors voted to broaden the eligibility of students who may apply for the annual scholarships to include any graduating high school senior who is a direct descendant of alumni who attended the Grand Coulee... Full story
The Arbor Day Foundation is offering a handy tree-care booklet designed to help people plant and care for trees. Anyone can receive Conservation Trees, a user-friendly booklet featuring illustrations, colorful photos, and easily understood descriptions, by making a $3 donation to the Foundation this month. “Conservation Trees is an ideal resource for tree planters,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Taking care of existing trees is just as critical as planting new ones, and proper care ensures communities are a... Full story
No Chamber This Week The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will not meet this Thursday due to the upcoming Colorama festivities this weekend. Enjoy the weekend. Lincoln County Fire Dist. 9 to Meet Lincoln County Fire District #9 will hold its May meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, at the Nazarene Church, on SR-174, Grand Coulee. Taking Flags for Dedication The Isle of Flags is once again taking flags of deceased veterans for the upcoming Memorial Day Dedication at Spring Canyon Cemetery. Call Ben Alling at 509-633-0663 by May 20.... Full story
The Lake Roosevelt Lady Raiders girls' softball team defeated the Waterville Lady Shockers last week to finish their regular season, then lost to the Liberty Bell Lady Mountain Lions 13-2 on May 9 in the first round of districts. The Lady Raiders overwhelmed the Waterville Shockers last week to finish their season at 15-2 in the league, 15-4 overall. The May 2 win saw a final score for LR of 13-0. “We had great pitching by Tristen Adolph and Kourtney Harrington as well as excellent fielding by Gloria Michel at third,” Head Coach Alissa Mansker... Full story