News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Two retired school employees, one a janitor and the other a math teacher, gave the Grand Coulee Dam School District board Monday a taste of how they feel about the recent results of surveys that asked about discipline in the schools. Ray Wells, a retired janitor, spoke at length on issues he had while employed at the school. Wells came loaded with hundreds of documents from his experience of over 15 years at the school district. He told the board that he had made several complaints to the administration at the elementary school on conditions... Full story
If you're wondering if there will be a professional fireworks display off the top of Grand Coulee Dam on July 4, the answer is no. The annual Festival of America occurred last weekend, when the fireworks were a hit on Saturday night. Here's a bit of the finale. Fun fireworks finale from Scott Hunter on Vimeo....
Here's our complete guide to the Festival of America this Friday and Saturday.... Full story
Both Grant and Okanogan Counties imposed temporary burn bans on outdoor burning. Read the full press releases from each county below. Grant County Board of County Commissioners Press Release June 28, 2017 For more information contact: Grant County Fire Marshal's Office Grant County Courthouse Ephrata, Washington 98823 Phone: (509) 754-2011 ext 3001 GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IMPOSE TEMPORARY BURN BAN EPHRATA-The Grant County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) today imposed an emergency, temporary ban on outdoor burning effective immediately,... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District's preschool will move to the old middle school this fall, following a decision made at the school board meeting Monday night. "The elementary school needs the classroom for its growing early grades," according to Superintendent Paul Turner, who stated his concerns last Thursday. Earlier plans had called for the preschool to be moved to the former science classroom at the old high school, but costs to remodel the space had made this impossible, Turner said.... Full story
Taking their best guess, Nespelem School District set up a tentative plan to spend $4.7 million to run the school in the next school year, give or take $525,000. Financial officer Tanya Bunting said they won’t know exactly what money will come in until the state Legislature passes a budget. The $525,000 will depend on what formula the Legislature comes up with to fully fund public education, a state Supreme Court requirement under the McCleary decision. That process is hung up and threatening a state government shutdown by Friday if D... Full story
A boater cruises down Banks Lake Tuesday at the start of a very moderate weather week, expected to feature blue skies and pleasant temperatures. See the forecast on page 8. - Jacob Wagner photo... Full story
Carol Nordine filed her intent to run for a seat on the Electric City Council during a special three-day filing period last week. Nordine filed for Position 4 on the council currently held by Jeremy Miller, who did not file because, he told council members, he might move. Miller has held the position for only a few weeks and was selected by the council to fill the vacancy when Brad Parrish resigned after his wife took the position as deputy clerk. The filing period was June 19-21. Nordine was the lone person filing for the seat. If Miller... Full story
The Wednesday Market began last week and will continue on Wednesdays through Sept. 13. Chamber of commerce Executive Director Peggy Nevsimal said a number of exhibitors have signed up for the entire summer. The market runs from 4-8 p.m. each Wednesday at North Dam Park. Nevsimal said those who have registered for the entire summer will have produce, other food items, decorated gourds, baked goods, children's items and some surprises along the way. This is the first year that the market has been... Full story
Geologist Bruce Bjornstad came to Dry Falls-Sun Lakes State Park June 17 to give a guided tour of the Caribou Trail to a dog and about 10 human hikers who were local, from the Seattle area, and from as far away as New England. The approximately 90-minute guided hike started with Bjornstad showing maps of the area depicting what things were like during the Missoula Floods. He showed how a large ice dam used to be where the Grand Coulee Dam is now, and how that had diverted the Columbia River... Full story
Grant County Health District officials say there are three confirmed, and possibly more cases of whooping cough in the Ephrata area. Three cases have been confirmed and one additional probable case, with additional cases pending, health officials announced. Whooping cough (pertussis) is highly contagious, and in an effort to control the outbreak of the disease, county health officials have recommended antibiotics for a defined number of individuals who have come into close contact with ill individuals. Health officials stated that early... Full story
The city of Grand Coulee restricts the use of legal, personal fireworks to a single venue: off the top of North Dam. But even there, local police would like you to know, they still have to comply with state law. And that lets out any mortar-style fireworks to those under the size of a golf ball. Firecrackers are illegal, as are bottle rockets, or any other missiles or rockets and other fireworks lacking the proper state seal. Officer Gary Moore said last week that he’d rather not spoil anyone’s fun, but he will if he discovers illegal fir... Full story
I was surprised to see such a biased article on the front page of the paper on June 21, 2017. The article titled, “Proposed federal budget cuts would take money from public to give to private schools,” should have been in the opinion section. Rather than just reporting on the proposed budget and giving the details, the author wrote it with an obvious left wing slant. The author mentions something about jeopardizing the separation of church and state. First of all, this is mentioned nowhere in the Constitution. The 1st Amendment prohibits Congre... Full story
I recently asked local candidates to tell us about their candidacy. After polling local folks and hearing from more than a few folks on social media, it seems there are specific questions that we’d like to pose to the candidates. These are two of the more than 20 that I received. I will share a few as often as allowed. I have no favor towards any candidate in this election, no dog in the fight. I would just like to see an election that actually serves our community and results in a positive outcome. 1) Cole & Douglas Park, West Coulee Dam: B... Full story
I was very thankful to be asked to sit in on the LRHS Senior Oral Boards! I didn’t realize how much of a rewarding experience this was going to be. One thing I promised to address was the community service requirement. While most didn’t have a problem doing it, it was the wording that caused hard feelings. In a young person’s eyes, you see “community service” and that makes it look like it’s connected to doing something wrong. I heard, “When you’re on probation or in trouble, you get community service,” and I completely agree! I submitte... Full story
I was very thankful to be asked to sit in on the LRHS Senior Oral Boards! I didn’t realize how much of a rewarding experience this was going to be. One thing I promised to address was the community service requirement. While most didn’t have a problem doing it, it was the wording that caused hard feelings. In a young person’s eyes, you see “community service” and that makes it look like it’s connected to doing something wrong. I heard, “When you’re on probation or in trouble, you get community service,” and I completely agree! I submitte... Full story
I recently took part in some training, and they compared the four generations that are currently in the workforce: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials, all working together and the struggles with communication that occur daily. It is a lot to think about when you compare the different generations and you start to realize just why there is a communication blockade. “We are going to have a meeting.” That phrase alone can mean differences that reflect night and day when an employee hears it and prepares for what might hap... Full story
Robert L. Boucher, former Grand Coulee Dam area resident, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2017. Services will be held at the Grand Coulee Church of the Nazarene on Friday, June 30th at 11 am. A complete obituary will be in next week’s Star.... Full story
Beverly B "Bev" Davis, 68, beloved life-long resident of Nespelem, Washington, and proud member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, went on to join her elders Sunday evening, June 18, 2017, from Grand Coulee, Washington. Born Wednesday, February 9, 1949, in Nespelem, to Mose and Agnes Andrews-Davis, Bev graduated with the class of 1967 from Coulee Dam High School "Go Beavers" and then went on to college. Bev belonged to "Seven Drums" and enjoyed her work as a medical secretary, then as a... Full story
Although the elevation of Lake Roosevelt was just six feet below full Tuesday, at 1,284 feet above sea level, kids jumping off the swim dock at Spring Canyon were still jumping off the deeper edge. The Bureau of Reclamation said Friday the level of the lake is continuing to rise and is expected to reach 1,286 at the end of June. - Jacob Wagner photo... Full story
Forests across America are a prized natural resource, and anyone can help plant trees in these vital areas by joining the Arbor Day Foundation this month. Through the Replanting Our National Forests campaign, the Arbor Day Foundation will honor each new member who joins in July by planting 10 trees in forests that have been devastated by wildfires, insects, and disease. The cost for joining the Arbor Day Foundation is a $10 donation. America’s national forests face enormous challenges, including unprecedented wildfires that have left a b... Full story
No Chamber This Week The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will not be meeting this Thursday due to the preparations for the upcoming Festival of America being held June 30 and July 1 at the park below the visitor center in Coulee Dam. Coulee Creators Meet Coulee Creators meet every Tuesday 1-4 p.m. Contact Marlene Oddie 509-386-5715 or marlene@kissedquilts.com for details. Enter east end of building, push in door knob to release door latch. Local AA Meetings Confused in the Coulee AA meetings are held on Mondays and Fridays at 6 p.m.... Full story
Wed., June 28 - Dinner Nick's Beef Stew, Homemade Bread, Mixed Fruit, Ice Cream w/Topping Thurs., June 29 - Dinner Chicken Alfredo, Green Beans w/Onions, Cinnamon Pears, Cookies & Cream Cake Fri., June 30 - Breakfast Ham Scramble, Hashbrowns, Toast, Fruit Bowl, Orange Juice... Full story
Soccer will continue to be part of the Grand Coulee Dam School District’s athletic program, the school board voted Monday night. The girl’s soccer program was highly successful, Athletic Director Levi Seekins advised the board in a written memo. The program, which started last fall, had 18 girls turn out, and coaches are already involved in summer programs. The board had approved soccer on a trial basis a year ago and were quick to vote to continue the sport. “Soccer showed a lot of improvement as the year went on and we expect to do bette... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District board Monday night approved a number of supplemental contracts for various functions at the school. Aaron Derr was issued supplemental contracts as a district website administrator and a 12th-grade advisor. Carrie Derr was approved as K-6 ASB advisor and for technical support. Christel Pitner was approved as 10th-grade advisor; Julie Friedlander was approved as 12th-grade advisor; Karrie Utz and Kim Stanger were approved as Native American advisors; Lee Largent was given a supplemental contract for clean-up... Full story
