News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Sometimes they’re necessary, but anyone who has been through a divorce, as two local municipalities are considering, can tell you how much tougher it becomes when there is no one with whom to split life’s workload. Childcare and laundry duties, lawn mowing, paying bills and more all fall to each person separately, effectively doubling the load on each former member of the marriage. That’s a cold economist’s way of looking at divorce, and it’s quite appropriate when considering a split between two towns formerly able to cooperate to more effi... Full story
Here's the latest update just in. Most of the Buffalo Lake Road Fire was quiet yesterday, giving firefighters the opportunity to continue improving containment lines and mopping up throughout its perimeter. In the southeast section, near Swawilla Basin, even with more fire activity, the rocky terrain made it difficult to thoroughly burn out the sparse fuels. Despite these challenges, crews located and built a new containment line that is closer to the body of the fire. This strategy will hasten successful containment. Utility crews were able... Full story
Firefighters will have to be alert against localized erratic winds today as temperatures near the Buffalo Lake Road Wildfire creep near 100 degrees. With the fire 70-percent contained, officials estimated its size so far at 10,962 acres and the cost to fight it at $450,000. Dollars well spent, if you are one of those folks whose home did not burn (none did) but came close “In my opinion, (local firefighters) did a phenomenal job of protecting … hundreds of houses,” said Type II Team Opera... Full story
The wildfire burning since Tuesday evening above Coulee Dam has scorched 7,800 acres so far, but only burned one old barn. No other structures have been lost, thanks to firefighters fending off the flames literally at the edge of their properties in some cases. Three homes were evacuated near Buffalo Lake Road. Others in parts of Coulee Dam and Elmer City have been told they should be ready to go, just in case. The Star received one unconfirmed report that an apartment complex in Coulee Dam was... Full story
Elmer City has advised the town of Coulee Dam that it will put in its own wastewater treatment plant, and leave the larger town to foot the entire bill for its planned sewer plant upgrade, already set to nearly double rates. In a letter to Coulee Dam Mayor Quincy Snow, Mayor Mary Jo Carey stated: “Based on the refusal of Coulee Dam to acknowledge Elmer City’s role as the joint operator of the plant that the two towns constructed jointly, we have come to the conclusion that Coulee Dam no longer recognizes the existence of the joint operating agr... Full story
A series of free concerts at North Dam Park and Events Center will kick off with a local group offering the first backbeat on Friday, then a Spokane trio coming Saturday night. Mister Meaner will offer a couple of hours of “classic rock,” they say, “stuff people actually want to hear.” That’s how rhythm guitar player and vocalist Tony Louie describes the band’s choices in music. “We’re trying to appeal to the older crowd of Grand Coulee,” added Mason Marin, lead guitarist. “Older” may apply... Full story
Bullish time starts tonight Pack the kids in the car and head out to the Rodeo Grounds tonight (Wednesday, Aug. 15) for the Ridge Rider’s bull riding event. A beer garden opens at 6 p.m. and action out of the chutes begins at 7 p.m. Some 36 bulls await dozens of cowboys who look to hang in there for an eight-second ride and a chance for glory and cash. Free concerts begin this week Each Friday and Saturday night through Sept. 1 will see live bands playing in a series of free concerts at North Dam Park and Events Center. All shows start at 6 p... Full story
Center School Principal Sue Hinton may not return this fall. The Star learned Tuesday that Hinton has been the subject of an investigation. She could not be reached for comment. Superintendent Dennis Carlson, who is vacationing in Idaho, confirmed Tuesday by phone that Hinton is on paid administrative leave. He wouldn’t confirm that she will not return to her position this fall, but word that she had already cleaned out her office was circulating in the community this week. “Sue is on paid administrative leave, and I have a meeting sch... Full story
A Burdin Boulevard dispute between the Toulous and Becky Billups cropped up again at Grand Coulee’s city council meeting Aug. 7. Shirley Toulou told the council that exhaust generated from vehicles using the graveled parking lot south of their residence is being sucked into their home through their air conditioner. It wasn’t the first time that the Toulous have complained about this. However, this time Mayor Chris Christopherson said city staff would look into the matter, but that it might be a civil issue. Christopherson had earlier war... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District board settled two contracts dealing with the district’s K-12 building project at a special meeting Wednesday night. The board formally awarded the construction management contract to Wenaha Group of Pendleton, Ore., for a total amount of $437,472. Wenaha was selected from a group of companies that interviewed before the board in July. A construction management firm makes certain that all procedures, plans, permits are in place and followed. One is required by the state when using public money in a building p... Full story
Two tall stumps at Mason City Memorial Park in Coulee Dam may soon be sculpted into animals and bird images. One of the huge trees was blown over and the other damaged during the area’s rain and wind storm July 20. The debris was cleared away and the stumps, one about 14 feet tall and the other 10 feet, were saved. Coulee Dam Mayor Quincy Snow, with an artist’s eye, wanted the huge trunks saved for possible sculpting. Likewise, area resident Reg Morgan wants the stumps saved and something done w... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $4 Million design and construction contract to Burke Electric, Bellevue, Wash., to replace a 30-year-old relay system that protects and monitors high voltage power lines linked to Grand Coulee Dam’s generators and switchyards. The Bonneville Power Administration is funding the project, which includes installing a new relay system for seven transmission lines between the 500-kV and 230-kV switchyards and Grand Coulee Dam’s Third Powerplant. Work also includes furnishing and installing several miles of fib... Full story
Jess Ford announced last week that the company has purchased 135 feet of Midway Avenue frontage across the street. Wade Jess, owner, said that he plans to locate his firm’s auto detail shop across the street and have room to show and sell more used cars. The frontage runs from Coulee Hardware’s product storage area house nearly to Jack’s Four Corner station. Jess said the Ford dealership has had limited space for more economical used vehicles and will now be able to provide more choices for c... Full story
The Button family continues its strong presence on Grand Coulee’s Main Street with the doubling of its present graphic design and signage business, Button It. Richie and Amanda Button also own the building next to them which was occupied by their jeweler grandfather Dick Button and purchased from Button’s aunt. The new portion of their storefront will house a large drive-in bay for sign installation and steel fabrication. “We are continuing the present roofline and eventually will do the same... Full story
Get out your sledge hammer and gold paint, you’ll need it Aug. 27. That’s the day set aside by the Grand Coulee Dam School District for a special “golden sledgehammer” ceremony connected with the demolition of A.E. Wright Elementary School. At 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 27, friends of Wright, interested citizens, teachers and former students will get an opportunity to say a few words about their experiences at the school, and maybe even take a whack with a sledge hammer. Members of the Wright family might be invited to attend, Superintendent Dennis... Full story
Mayors heard some good news Monday afternoon. A report circulated to the Regional Board of Mayors showed that the Delano Regional Transfer Station is about breaking even thus far this year. Figures show that the transfer station took in $3,591.17 more than its expenses during the month of July. That brings it within $809 of breaking even for 2012. July’s revenue was $44,574 with expenses at $40,983. Revenue for the year is at $232,633, the report showed. Part of July’s revenue was due to initial loads from Elder Demolition’s project at Wrigh... Full story
Park district commissioners heard concerns from a taxpayer Monday night on their hopes to collect taxes after a vote next November. Dave McClure, a rancher with a lot of property north of Nespelem, said he would have tried to disuade the commission from going for the vote had he known of their plans. In the November election, the Coulee Area Park and Recreation District will seek a levy of 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, which would cost the owner of a $120,000 home $18 a year. CAPRD is a junior taxing district, but has never... Full story
After publication last week, I realized too late that reader John Overby’s thoughtful letter mistakenly attributed my editorial stance July 11 — encouraging the community to contact federal representatives in support of federal funding of local school construction — in part to a statement written in a letter by a member of Congress. Authority to act was not cited from anyone’s letter, but from the very law Overby referenced in his letter. In the third from the last paragraph, The Coulee Dam Community Act of 1957 gives the secretary of the Dep... Full story
I would like to express my opinion on the park and recreation district’s idea to seek a levy to fund their ideas and expenditures. They make it sound like it will be a very small tax increase but when you add on all of the other taxes that are tacked on to our property tax bill, such as: county, port, mosquito, city, school, weed board, hospital, state levy and library it all adds up as does our property evaluation. We can’t even afford our golf facility. Someone needs to put a stop on the rampant spending on the federal, state and local lev... Full story
We live in a fantastic, caring and giving community. You have supported your Senior Center Meals Program and Home Delivery Program in many ways, such as contributions, donations, food and volunteering hands. We strive for continual improvement in quality and healthy meals for our seniors and guests and thank you for your essential help in 2012. We have a financial need. The Meals Program is now asking our community to join in our Fundraiser by contributing financial aid. Any denomination is greatly appreciated. Your Meals Program Staff look... Full story
The closing ceremonies of the London Olympics were Sunday night, and I can hardly imagine that we have to wait four more years to watch again. I love the Olympics, both winter and summer. First off, I like just about all sports. Second, there is just something so patriotic about watching an athlete with a gold medal around his or her neck, mouthing the words to our national anthem as it plays, watching Old Glory climb the flag pole above two other flags — and we watched that a lot this year. T... Full story
Ten Years Ago Messy home owners in the town of Elmer City will soon receive a notice at their home or a property they own which states that they must clean up or pay. Due to the overload on the town’s water pump, caused by the hot weather, the Town of Nespelem is asking residents to follow the following schedule for outside water use - Morning Hours 6-9a.m.; Evening hours 6-9p.m. Basketball players of all ages will be at the hoops in and outside of the Center School this weekend to participate in the inaugural Grand Coulee Dam 3-on-3 B... Full story
Dennis (Denny) Marvin Shear, 76, of Electric City, Washington, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, at Providence Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, of complications after surgery. Denny was born in Minomen, Minnesota, on May 13, 1936, to Donald and Bessie Shear. He moved to Mabton, Wash., where he worked in the hop fields and met Donna Fay Rousseau. They were married after he came home from serving his country in the United States Navy. Denny and Donna moved to the Kent valley in 1959 to work and... Full story
Carole Jean (White) Fisher went to be with our Lord Tuesday, July 31, 2012, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Carole was born November 29, 1941, in Wahpeton, N.D., to Harold V. and Dorothy I. (Speer) White. She spent her childhood in Wahpeton, graduating from Wahpeton High School in 1959 where she was a member of the Future Homemakers of America, Girls’ Glee Club, band, Girls’ Athletic Association and Thespian Troupe 26. She was also a First Class Girl Scout with Wahpeton Girl Scout... Full story
Funeral services for William Lee “Bill” Russell Jr., 59, of Wilson, Okla., were held Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at the Crystal Rock Cathedral in Ardmore, with Chaplain Jim Branch of the Christian Motorcycle Association officiating. Interment followed at Hewitt Cemetery in Wilson. Services were under the care and direction of Alexander Funeral Home of Wilson. Bill was born on September 27, 1952, at Fort Dix, N.J., to William L. Sr. and Lorene (Croan) Russell. He passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012, after a brave fight with cancer. Bill graduated from... Full story