News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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The old school will match the new one, and upgrades to existing facilities will become a reality, for $1.3 million. With the district's three schools ready to merge into its into its new K-12 complex this fall, the Grand Coulee Dam School District board approved plans to use the district's construction contingency fund to do three projects on already existing facilities nearby. Board members started the process of using some $1.3 million to make outside changes to the old gymnasium, re-do the... Full story
For the chamber of commerce’s Koulee Kidsfest, Grand Coulee Volunteer Firefighter Charlie Pope helps an interested boy don the gear worn in a real fire. The event drew about 100 kids to the fire engine in North Dam Park, one of many activities kids could take part in around town. Some 200 jammed the Grand Gallery Theatre for a magic show and iPad giveaway at the end of the day. More photos of the event are online at grandcoulee.com. — Scott Hunter photo... Full story
Residents of Electric City will soon be able to comment on the size of accessory buildings. The city council decided last week to move forward on a possible change in the comprehensive plan that would allow larger accessory buildings in the city. Electric City has been under pressure for over a year to allow larger accessory buildings. The city plans to soon send out surveys to all residents in the city to give them an opportunity to express their view of changing the comprehensive plan. City Clerk Jackie Perman said the city has already spent... Full story
Grand Coulee Councilmember David Tylor said that a meeting Thursday with two Electric City council members to discuss a new law enforcement contract went better than he expected. Grand Coulee Mayor Chris Christopherson had stated before negotiations could be started that, “They need us, we don’t need them.” “It was like throwing the gauntlet down,” Tylor said. Surprisingly, the meeting with John Nordine and Aaron Derr, the two Electric City council members on the negotiating team, went very well, he said. “I got the impression that Electric Cit... Full story
Those interested in being on a team have until June 23, to get their entries in for the Ridge Rider Ranch Rodeo set for Delano on June 28. It’s the second year for the Ridge Rider’s new venture into the Ranch Rodeo circuit. The entry fee is $200 for the team events, and $75 for the bronc riding event. Those competing are looking at $500 added prize money for both the team rodeo event and the bronc riding competition. Information on the event can be obtained from Bubba Egbert, who is in charge of the event, at 631-4200. Action begins at the rod... Full story
The polling results from last Saturday’s Colville Business Council election are in, and absentee ballots will still be the deciding factor in several of the races. In Nespelem District Position 1 race, incumbent Billy Nicholson trails his challenger, Amelia (Moses) Marchand, 106-100. In Nespelem District Position 2, incumbent Nancy Cawston Johnson led challenger Harvey Moses, Jr., 108-97. In Inchelium District Position 2, Marvin Joseph Kheel had a commanding lead over Yvonne Swan, 169-59. In Inchelium District Position 1, incumbent Jim Boyd i... Full story
Two south central Washington men were hurt when their car left the highway about 10 miles north of Coulee City early Sunday. Driver Juan Ceja, 19, of Grandview, and passenger Francisco Cacares Quetzeca, 25, of Sunnyside, were taken by ambulance to Coulee Medical Center. The Washington State Patrol reported that their 1997 Toyota Camry, southbound on SR 155, left the roadway to the left on the northbound shoulder, coming to rest on its wheels about 40 feet of the road about 3:15 a.m. The cause is under investigation.... Full story
Nespelem School District is searching for a new principal and superintendant after accepting the resignation last week of John Adkins. Adkins has held that office for five years. He has accepted the superintendent job at Wellpinit School District on the Spokane Indian Reservation, which serves about 500 students. Nespelem, with about 150 students in preschool through eighth grade, is beginning a search for a candidate to fill the spot “with a strong likelihood of an interim” superintendent/principal, according to Rich McBride, executive dir... Full story
More management changes at CMC Coulee Medical Center announced last week that three people will be leaving the management team. Chief Human Resources Officer Julie Bjorklund, Dietary Manager Grace Heaton and Director of Continuous Improvement Melanie Neddo will all be leaving at the end of the month or early in July. Bjorklund’s work will be absorbed by other HR office staff, Interim Chief Executive Officer Debbie Bigelow said in CMC’s email newsletter. And Chief Nursing Officer Ramona Hicks will inherit the administration of the dietary depart... Full story
Buyers, many of them with lumps in their throats, flocked to Lake Roosevelt High School's classroom wing Friday and Saturday to pick up items that were on sale in the soon-to-be-demolished structure. Many of those who showed up had been students at the school, and with a tear in the eye, scrambled through the rooms looking for just that right memento. Some were there trying to purchase the locker that they had used. Unfortunately, the lockers came in rows of four, five, and more. But people... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District is working with the town of Coulee Dam in an effort to get a police officer at the new school complex. The “resource officer” would be part of the Coulee Dam police force and his or her assignment would be primarily to schools. School district Superintendent Dennis Carlson stated that Coulee Dam will be seeking a grant that would provide 75 percent of the cost of the officer for the first three years, with the town picking up the other 25 percent of the cost. Under the grant, the town would provide full fun... Full story
Work will begin June 23, on a water project that will enable Electric City to provide water service to Sunbanks Lake Resort. The project will provide a 10-inch line from State Street to the entrance of Sunbanks, and then a six-inch line to service water needs within the park. The work is being done now, in spite of it being the high point of the tourist season, because health officials will not allow “The Cantina” restaurant at Sunbanks to operate until the water problem is solved. At a pre-construction meeting early this past week, it was est... Full story
Spending more than a million dollars to reside and reroof old school buildings, construct stares and fix tennis courts shouldn’t have to happen, but it’s a good thing that it will. Apparently, that’s due to good stewardship of the construction process for the new K-12 school complex and some good timing and decent luck during the bidding phase. Despite that good management, we should not lose site of the fact that buildings and property deteriorate and will again require repairs. If that means a few more dollars from each of us per year to so... Full story
We went to the light show with our grandchildren on Thursday night, June 5, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The colors and story were a great history lesson for us all. I remember going by at least every fall and winter on trips to relatives at Nespelem and hockey trips to camps in Canada. What a great thing the animals, eagles, army trucks, fish, etc. were. My granddaughter wanted to go to the fire station in Grand Coulee because she eventually wants to be an EMT. The guys were great about talking to her about the ambulance and other things to do... Full story
If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all. That is what my mother and grandparents told me a lot over my younger years, and I am sure you were told the same. I try and always keep that in mind when I write this little portion of the paper. As well as use that thought process in everyday life. I have not always been able to do that, I have said unkind things to many loved ones and strangers alike. OK, now that that is off my chest, I have some things to say about things going on in Coulee Country. We all know that I wri... Full story
Later this year, Alan Mulally will leave Ford Motor Company. On July 1, he turns the reins over to 53-year-old Mark Fields, closing a storied career at Ford and Boeing. While he hasn’t divulged his plans, hopefully he will bring his talents to government. Mulally inspires people with his confidence, humility and charisma. His turnaround of Ford has been spectacular. Yes, government is different than the private sector, but anyone who can bring together people with diverse interests and varied b... Full story
1 Years Ago In what resembled a crime scene from television, area law enforcement closed down Pole Park for several hours Friday until a U.S. Army bomb squad could safely dispose of a foot high round of unexploded ammunition. The bomb was disposed of after four hours with no problems. Local athlete, Mike Williams, a sophomore at Lake Roosevelt returned from the State's Special Olympics with a first place medal in the softball throw, a second in the 200-meter walk and a fifth in the 100-meter... Full story
Norman D. Easterly, 75, of Grand Coulee, passed away Friday, June 6, 2014, in his home. His wife Daveline was by his side at his time of death. Mr. Easterly had been sick for the past nine years. There will be no local services held per Mr. Easterly’s request. He will be laid to rest in Marion, Ill., with a graveside service at a later date.... Full story
Beth Moore Bible Study “Sacred Secrets” will begin Wednesday, July 9, at Banks Lake Bible Church. This is a six-week study and will be held from 7-8 p.m., Wednesday nights. To register, please call 509.633.0670 or 509.647.0210 and leave a message with your name and number. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, June 25.... Full story
Chamber to Meet The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet Thursday, June 19, at Merv and MaryJo Monteithís (44581 State Coach Rd., Grand Coulee) at noon. The group will be touring Spring Canyon Alpacas with their two new baby additions and also the lavender fields of D&M Gardens. Tropical Pig will be catering the event. Cost for lunch is $10. For more information call Peggy at the chamber office 509.633.3074. Family History Center Available The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites all who desire to utilize the... Full story
Plant Problem Diagnostic Clinics have started at the WSU Extension Office located in the Okanogan County Courthouse, room 101. These clinics are a part of the public service that the Okanogan Master Gardener volunteers contribute to the community and are designed to help the backyard and non-commercial gardener identify, diagnose and provide solutions to various problems they may be having in their own gardens. Gardeners are encouraged to bring in a specimen of a plant or insect problem for the Master Gardeners to identify. Plant Problem... Full story
Lyle and Ester Brown's 1956 Dodge Royal Lancer took the People's Choice award at last Saturday's Coulee Cruizers Show and Shine event at Banks Lake Park. - Scott Hunter photo 2014 Coulee Cruizers Show and Shine Winners CARS Pre 35: 1st, Darrel Francis, 1932 Ford Roadster 35-48: 1st, Bill Trefry, 1938 Chevy Deluxe; Tom and Judy Shaw, 1940 Ford Coupe 49-59: 1st Gorden and Linda Jorgensen, 1956 Chevy Delray; 2nd Wes Wittinger, 1949 Ford Coupe 60-69: 1st, Frank Henley, 1967 Chevelle SS; 2nd, Karl...
Ashley Clark and Arin Wall of Grand Coulee were among ninety of the GED and HS21+ diploma recipients whose accomplishments were celebrated at Big Bend Community College's completion ceremony Wednesday evening, June 11, in Moses Lake. More than 225 students earned GED certificates through Big Bend Community College's Adult Basic Education/GED Preparation program during the 2013-14 academic year. The work was completed by attending traditional and/or online GED preparation classes and taking the... Full story
Tyler Palmer, a fifth-grader at Grand Coulee Dam Middle School, won the SHARP Kids writing contest with his story about a time machine. Over the last eight weeks, students were asked to write a story on a topic picked for them. Entries were to follow the basics of creative writing — setting, character, problem and resolution — and judging included points for spelling, punctuation and creative thinking. Palmer’s entry, the winner among 20, is to the right.... Full story
Reading and writing tests for students in grades 10-12 and non-enrolled 12th graders in the 2013-14 school year will be held Aug. 12-14. Registration closes June 26. The High School Proficiency Tests are for students who did not meet standards, who did not participate in testing or those who transferred from other states or were in private schools. Student registration is now open through “Test Registration” (TR) system at http://www.k12.wa.us/testregistration/ with a full support line at 800.725.4311, option 3. This will allow help for stu... Full story