News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Elmer City may test a force main that carries wastewater to Coulee Dam’s treatment plant to see how long the 40-year-old cast iron pipe is likely to last. The town applied for a grant of $30,000 for the test, which would help nail down the cost of a possible switch from using Coulee Dam’s to building Elmer City’s own treatment facility. Engineer Nancy Wetch, of Gray and Osborne, went over the likely cost differences with the town council Thursday night after having completed a cost study of the alternatives. Wetch explained two alter...
Climate change — or changes in weather trends over a long period of time — has been part of the national conversation for decades, and we’re curious what our readers have noticed in their subjective experiences of weather and climate in the Coulee, or wherever they may have lived. Please take this brief survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L855W8W and let us know.... Full story
If you see smoke north of Coulee Dam, there's no need to be alarmed as it is a prescribed burn near Chuweah Creek near Nespelem conducted by Mt. Tolman Fire Center. The fire center is close to a target goal of 5,000 acres of prescribed burning this year, according to Mt. Tolman's Lead Dispatcher Debbie Caudell, with prescribed burns this year having taken place near Mt. Tolman, the Swawilla Basin, Omak Lake, and the Straydog area near Inchelium. The prescribed burns target vegetative fuel that could otherwise be burned from wildfires, and have... Full story
A group of people met in Coulee Dam Tuesday to start a discussion about someday replacing the bridge over the Columbia River on SR-155. The current bridge, built in 1935, is half as wide, at 20 feet, as the state Department of Transportation would like - not to mention every truck driver who finds it necessary to wait for traffic before making an illegal wide swing into oncoming lanes to be able to make the narrow, right-angle turns. Discussion ensued about 1 p.m. around a table at the school...
The Electric City Council accepted the resignation of Councilmember Willie Bott at their May 11 council meeting. Health reasons were said to be the reason behind his resignation. Bott’s position is up for reelection this November, and the person who is appointed to the position will have to run for reelection at that time to stay in that position. Don Redfield was appointed as an interim council member and will hold the position until the city reviews any other candidates and appoints one, possibly Redfield himself. Others interested in f...
Five more people have died from COVID-19 in Grant County, including the county's first death of someone in their 20s. The deaths, announced in a May 18 press release from Grant County Health District, include: two Moses Lake women in their 60s, a Soap Lake man in his 50s, and two Moses Lake men - one in his 80s and the other in his 20s. The deaths bring Grant County's total Covid death count to 125. "COVID-19 continues to kill people from our community," Grant County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny said. "These reported deaths are not... Full story
A Senate Democrat and a House Republican have teamed up to introduce a bill that would benefit a local push to build a new energy plant in Grand Coulee. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04) reintroduced legislation this week to improve permitting for pumped storage hydroelectric projects and protect tribal interests in the process. The bill will also help increase renewable energy production, storage, and job growth in the...
Campgrounds in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, including Spring Canyon, have increased their fees. The LRNRA says camp fees are now $23 a night, up from $19, and that all vehicle-accessible campgrounds are now reservation only. Reservations must be made at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777, with LRNRA recommending making reservations ahead of time from home because cell phone service can be spotty along Lake Roosevelt. Boat-in campgrounds and shoreline camping are still available on a first-come, first-served basis. The...
While working at the Star, I learned early on just ask Gwen Hilson. She has worked at the Star for a zillion years and under three owners. When writing about people or places you always come up with questions,and it’s easier to ask Gwen than find a source that will provide answers. Gwen knows just about everyone and how they are connected to other people — where the skeletons are buried, so to speak. Not only is she a treasure trove of community knowledge, she can do several things at the same time and not lose a beat. She not only solves a l...
There’s been a lot of talk about our dams over the last few weeks, and I want to make it abundantly clear: Any “solution” for our salmon population that includes removing the dams on the Lower Snake River is a nonstarter. Rep. Mike Simpson’s proposed Columbia Basin Initiative seeks to breach the Lower Snake River dams in an attempt at boosting the native salmon population – while ignoring the very real issues, and solutions, that are impacting our fish populations. Our native fish species and the Lower Snake River Dams can — and do — coexist....
Although New Zealand and Washington are located half a world apart, they have lots in common — beautiful seashores, majestic mountains, crystal clear streams and lakes, and — vibrant salmon and trout fisheries. Both are struggling to rid their air sheds of CO2 and other greenhouse gases coming from the burning of carbon fuels (coal, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel) in vehicles, home heating and electric-power generation. New Zealand and Washington share a common goal to be carbon-neutral by 2050. The good news is both are endowed with lot...
Bumble bees are easily recognizable thanks to their loud buzz, fuzzy appearance, and distinct color patterns. Throughout the U.S. and Canada, nearly 50 different species play a role in sustaining our environment’s health. Their pollination contributes to a successful harvest and helps maintain diverse plant communities. Unfortunately, many bumble bees are experiencing dramatic population declines and face an uncertain future. While these declines are not fully understood, contributing factors include habitat loss, pesticide use, climate c... Full story
Bob Bruno, 78, passed away at his son Josh's home on Sunday, May 9th, 2021. Bob was born April 18, 1943 to Batiste and Evelyn (Eads) Bruno in Cle Elum, Washington. Bob graduated from Auburn High School and went on to become a builder. He was a gifted craftsman who specialized in log homes, though his talent extended far beyond. Bob built several prestigious projects such as the Trader Village Shopping Mall in Oak Harbor and the Eagle Lakes Ranch Lodge in Othello. His projects took him east to... Full story
Grant County Fire Dist. 14 to Meet Grant County Fire District #14 is changing their regular monthly meeting date for Monday, May 31, 2021 to Monday May 24,2021 7:00pm at the Electric City Fire Barn due to it being Memorial Day weekend. AA Meetings for GCD and Nespelem Area Confused in the Coulee AA meetings are held on Mondays and Fridays at 6 p.m. at the Vets Center in Electric City. Call Paul at 633-3377 days or 633-3345 evenings. New Hope Group meetings are held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Vets Center. These are open and non-smoking. A new...
Grand Coulee Police 5/11 - A man at Coulee Playland reported about $10,000 worth of fishing equipment stolen from his boat, including nine rods and reels, lures, and more. Photos were taken and a case report provided for the man’s insurance claim. - A man at the hospital refused to put a mask over his nose to see his doctor. The man said he has a medical condition that could cause him to pass out if both his mouth and nose were covered. He felt discriminated against and said that the mask mandate was not a law. An officer told him the h...
Raini Cawston and Edward Cohen of Nespelem Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Torin Jermaine Cohen, born Friday, May 7, 2021, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. He weighed 7 lbs., 1 oz., and was 20 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandmother is Lauren Cawston. Paternal grandparents are Stephanie Palmer and Edward Cohen.... Full story
Lila Bowden, of Wilbur, qualified for the Spring 2021 Dean’s List at Belmont University, the Nashville, Tennessee school announced this week. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C....
P.E.O. Chapter DG of the Grand Coulee Dam Area is proud to award our 2021 $500.00 scholarship in memory of Jeanie Beery to Lillie LaPlace. We would like to congratulate Ms. LaPlace for her achievements and send her best wishes for success with her educational, professional and personal goals. The P.E.O. Sisterhood is an organization dedicated to helping young women further their education. We pride ourselves as being women helping women reach for the stars. This scholarship may be used toward expenses at any college, university, or school of...
Lady Raiders finish with no-hitters and home runs The Lady Raiders softball team dominated this past week in the final five games of the season to finish with a 9-3 win-loss record. In Oroville May 11, the Lady Raiders shut out the Lady Hornets 16-0 in the first game of a doubleheader. Emma Marchand pitched a no-hitter and seven strikeouts. "Marchand was too much on the mound for the young team in Oroville," Head Coach Jaci Gross said. Offensively, Halle Albert and Sawyer Steffens each hit a hom...
Town of Nespelem NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Town of Nespelem in Town Hall, 330 9th, Nespelem, WA 99155, May 26, 2021, at 5:30 pm. Handouts describing the program in question are available online at the below links or by emailed request to Clerk Kelly Ross at townofnespelem@centurylink.net : https://deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/pqk57t1y3ne8rt0wbx2e149s904ekm4b https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/piibx6sbe28q5vcojbh6bz9p47uwuouf The purpose of the public hearing is to review community... Full story