News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Is it surprising just how much innovation is required to build a community, or a school? Learning that some 4,000 concrete blocks will build a retaining wall for the new school site, one is tempted to draw analogies to the building blocks of community. As we enter fire season, remember to be careful out there. I don’t ever want to see fire descending the hillsides around town again, as we did last year, but I’m afraid we may yet again in our lifetimes. Yes, our climate is changing; it’s obvious. A firefighter who has been in that business since... Full story
A Spokane firm, Spilker Precast, is producing some 4,000 concrete blocks for an 1,100-foot-long retaining wall at the new K-12 school building site in Coulee Dam. The blocks, which will come in two sizes, one about 1,200 pounds and the other 4,000 pounds, will be used to expand the area of the school site. Owner Timothy Spilker said his company will be finished producing the blocks within a few weeks. The blocks will be set just below the hill that overlooks the football field and then the space... Full story
The Colville Tribal Police department will begin to handle law enforcement issues within the city limits of Elmer City beginning July 1. Elmer City’s town council approved the agreement at its meeting Thursday night, after having been approached by Tribal Police Chief Cory Orr several weeks ago. At that time Orr stated that tribal police would perform this function without cost to the town. It has been several years since the town has had a formal police department. Its own police department was disbanded years ago due to budget constraints. T... Full story
Chamber calls economic development meeting Inviting all local city elected officials, anyone who generates hotel/motel taxes, plus others, the chamber of commerce has called an economic development meeting for Monday at 2 p.m. at the Grand Coulee Dam Middle School library. How to increase tourism was one of four main topics to pursue that came out of a meeting several weeks ago with the Bureau of Reclamation. The meeting will be facilitated by Steve Becker, the director of marketing at Coulee Medical Center. It will also be attended by Edward... Full story
Tribal election polls Saturday recorded 1,619 votes in the election races for seven Colville Business Council seats, many of which will be determined with the count of absentee ballots on Thursday. In the Nespelem District, Ricky Gabriel polled narrowly ahead of Deb Louie 117-101 for Position 1. Neither is an incumbent but they’ve both held the job before. For Nespelem Position 2, incumbent Andrew Joseph Jr. garnered 209 votes to Enid Wippel’s 89. There were 423 absentee ballots to count for the Nespelem District as of Tuesday afternoon. Bal... Full story
A wildfire of unknown origin was contained by firefighters Friday night after consuming a little more than 200 acres of grass, brush and some trees just east of the Colville Indian Agency campus and within site of a housing development. The fire that started Friday afternoon just off Buffalo Lake Road apparently surrounded, but did not burn, two nearby houses. Fire engines were protecting those houses Friday evening as tenders ferried water to a hilltop and the farthest advance line of the fire... Full story
Rodeo activity heats up late this month with two special events at the Ridge Rider Rodeo Grounds. Friday night, June 28, the Ridge Riders present their 2nd Annual Cleatis Lacy Memorial Bull Riding. And on Saturday night, June 29, the Ridge Riders present the only Ranch Rodeo of the year. The Lacy Bull Riding Memorial event is named after Grand Coulee’s late Cleatis Lacy, a rodeo cowboy and rodeo hand whose career spanned several decades. The bull riding begins at the rodeo grounds at 7 p.m. with concession stands and the beer garden opening a... Full story
The July 4 “Festival of America” music in the park program will stretch over three days, Coulee Dam Mayor Quincy Snow, the organizer of the music, said last week. Music will begin Thursday, July 4, at 5 p.m., in the park below the Visitor Center, and conclude on Saturday, July 6, with a 6 p.m. presentation by The Cruizers. Kayla Newland, well known to coulee music lovers, and a local to boot, kicks off the music Thursday, July 4 at 5 p.m., bringing her country music theme to the park. At 6:30 p.m., reggae artist Raggs Gustaffe, will del... Full story
Josh Rabe “puts” Sunday night on the sixth hole of a new disc golf course, the development of which he spearheaded at North Dam Park, as Coulee Area Park and Recreation Commissioner Nate Piturachsatit waits his turn. It was one of the last times Rabe will be able to play the course; he’s moving to Alaska. — Scott Hunter photo... Full story
New activities will add to this year’s upcoming Festival of America, which will stretch over three days this year for the traditional July 4 celebration in the lower Visitor Center park below Grand Coulee Dam. Chamber of commerce Manager Peggy Nevsimal said a number of family-friendly, carnival-like games have been included this year on Saturday, July 6. Games include such events as a pie-eating contest, a ring toss, a dunk tank and a photo booth, among other activities. A fire truck will be on hand for kids to explore, Nevsimal stated. T... Full story
The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation will host a First Salmon and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to open a state-of-the-art hatchery June 20 in Bridgeport, near Chief Joseph Dam. The facility will significantly boost the availability of chinook salmon for the tribe and for sport fishing in the Columbia River as well as reintroduce spring chinook to the Okanogan River. The $50 million hatchery will release up to 2.9 million chinook salmon. The construction and program implementation was a collaborative effort between the Colville... Full story
A time long past, I was the contract city administrator for a small town in Oregon. Weekly, my young son (Joshua) and I would make the round trip journey from Seattle to Eugene … sometimes driving — sometimes on the Amtrak commuter train. I remember one of those trips more than the others. Joshua was jabbering without stop. A bit about this, some about that, more about nothing, less about anything … insistent and persistent chatter. Those of you parents that know your child, know my point! Then in the mix of gibberish I caught the words, “Papa... Full story
When looking at this whole issue, its worth understanding some history and background. The current system of tax treaties and international structuring arose from a desire by many national governments to try and maximize the tax revenue they collect. They did this by recognizing that there are constantly situations where an international corporation may be obligated to pay tax on the same revenue but numerous times. Of course, this would result in no net revenue and the corporation going bankrupt. Therefore in order to attract the good or... Full story
I write to reassure the public that Big Bend Community College will be open for summer quarter classes starting July 1 regardless of what happens in Olympia in the next few weeks. While we remain hopeful the Washington Legislature will reach a budget agreement by June 30, the citizens of our service district need to be assured that the top priority at BBCC is providing a high-quality education to our students. BBCC has the resources to operate through summer quarter while we wait for a budget agreement. There will be no disruption for students... Full story
Fishing is part of our way of life, and fish are a delicious and nutritious part of a healthy diet. Yet testing shows certain fish from the Upper Columbia River and Lake Roosevelt contain chemicals (mercury and PCBs) that can harm health. While some species have high levels of chemicals, other species are much lower. The chemicals are of greatest concern for babies and children. Women who are or might become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children should carefully follow the state’s meal recommendations to avoid or reduce exposure. Choosing f... Full story
Once again our communities must say goodbye to positive role models. As Josh and Rayne Rabe and Mr. Wilson and family prepare to leave our area, we must ask ourselves a question. Why do we constantly lose great people from our community? I see a pattern, and I think it’s one that is detrimental to our growth as a community. But let’s back up a bit. Josh has been the driving force for getting disk golf in North Dam Park, including fund raising and installation. He and Rayne have only been her... Full story
Correction In the May 29 Coulee Recollections, we unknowingly repeated an error originally made 10 years ago. The class speaker for the class of 1953 at Coulee Dam High School was Josef Gray, but his first name had been incorrectly written in the column 10 years ago as Josie. Thanks to class Salutatorian Donna Smith Cunning, who caught the error and notes that he was known all through high school as Joe Gray, and that he eventually became president of SeaFirst Bank. Ten Years Ago The saying “Good things come to those who wait,” could apply to... Full story
A “celebration of life” for Daniel McDermott is planned for Saturday, June 22, in two parts: • A 9 a.m. memorial hike up Steamboat Rock, and • A 5 p.m. celebration at the Banks Lake Golf Course.... Full story
Calvin R. Winstead Services for Calvin R. Winstead will be held Thursday, June 20, 2013, at 1 p.m., at the Strate Funeral Home Chapel in Grand Coulee. Mr. Winstead passed away on Friday, June 14, 2013, at his home. A complete obituary will be in next week’s issue. In lieu of gifts, the family requests donations be made the the Care and Share Food Bank, Grand Coulee, WA 99133... Full story
Hunter and Tanner Whitelaw are proud to announce the forthcoming marriage of their parents Tera McGuire and Jonah Whitelaw. Tera is the daughter of Rich and Judy McGuire of Grand Coulee. She is a cosmetologist at River’s Edge. Jonah is the son of Dave and Glenna Whitelaw of McGinnis Lake and is employed as a engine operator at Mt. Tolman Fire Center. The couple will wed September 14, 2013, at Sunbanks Resort in Electric City.... Full story
A celebration for Donna Mae Rickard’s 100th birthdaywill be held in Omak and Coulee Dam. The Omak celebration will be Monday, June 24, from 2-3:30 p.m. at Apple Springs, 1001 Senna. In Coulee Dam the event is scheduled for Sunday, June 30, from noon – 2 p.m. at the Coulee Dam Community Presbyterian Church at 509 Central Drive. A salad luncheon is planned. No gifts, cards welcome.... Full story
Grand Coulee Tigers graduating class of 1963 will host their 50th-year reunion with a spaghetti feed at the Eagles Lodge on B street in old Grand Coulee on Friday, June 21, Kaye (Pozar) Fegert said. A happy hour get-together will begin around 4:30 p.m., with dinner served from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost of dinner is $5 per person. All graduating classmates from any year are cordially invited to join the celebration, she said. “Join us and catch up with old friends and share memories and stories.... Full story
Daniqua Stensgar of Nespelem is proud to announce the birth of her son Kendryck Ashton Stensgar on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 6 lbs., 11 oz., and was 19 inches in length at birth. He joins sibling Elliyana Trevino 2. Maternal grandparents are Pamela Ludwig of Nespelem and Danny Joe Stensgar of Elmer City. Great-grandparents are Charlotte Swan Misiazek and Bruce Ludwig.... Full story
Samantha and Jesse Brunner of Almira are proud to announce the birth of their son Curtis Andrew Brunner born Saturday, June 8, 2013, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 6 lbs., 13.5 ozs., and was 20 inches in length at birth. Paternal grandparents are Rick and Molly Brunner. Great-grandmother is Anneliese Purdul.... Full story
Jennifer and Erin Nielsen of Grand Coulee are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Indra Anastasia Nielsen on Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz., and was 20 inches in length at birth. Sibling is Amunet. Maternal grandparents are Deon and Susan Dexter of Spokane. Paternal grandparents are Tenise Kessler of Connell and Brad Nielsen of Tonasket.... Full story
