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Articles from the July 4, 2012 edition


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  • Distraught with leaders, tribal members will meet July 4 to seek answers

    Michelle Covington|Jul 4, 2012

    As you probably know, some tribes in the Northwest have started receiving their shares of a $1 billion settlement with the U.S. government over mismanagement of their money and trust lands. Some tribes like the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the recipient of the largest settlement at $193 million, are still awaiting payment. Shortly following the announcement of this award to the Colville Tribes, Council Chairman Mike Finley announced that 20 percent would be dispursed to the membership with the remaining 80 percent going to...

  • Small-hydropower bill passes

    Scott Hunter|Jul 4, 2012

    This could help explain and encourage the push for new permits to explore schemes for new, smaller hydropower in the local region, including a reservoir above the coulee opposite Million Dollar Mile, or a penstock under the city from Banks Lake to Crescent Bay. A tweet from U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, 5th District, Wash: House just passed 372-0 the #hydropower bill I co-authored w/ @RepDianaDeGette. READ: bit.ly/PDcgmr #energy PIC: twitter.com/cathymcmorris/… — CathyMcMorrisRodgers (@cathymcmorris) July 9, 2012...

  • Grant PUD Commission terminates general manager

    press release, Grant PUD|Jul 4, 2012

    EPHRATA, Wash. – After a three week personnel review, Grant PUD commissioners today agreed to terminate General Manager Tim Culbertson. “In our judgment, Mr. Culbertson’s decision to maintain a relationship with another utility employee makes it impossible for him to discharge his unique responsibilities as general manager without the appearance of a conflict of interest,” said Commission President Tom Flint. “The potential for such conflicts, whether actual or apparent, undermines the trust and confidence that the Board of Commissio...

  • Grand display

    Jul 4, 2012

    With a little less than a quarter of the Columbia River’s total flow going over the spillways at Grand Coulee Dam Tuesday morning, some 60,000 to 70,000 cubic feet per second tumbles through in the morning sun. Peaking spring runoff and recent heavy rains will likely keep the spill over Grand Coulee Dam going through the Fourth of July holiday, when Lake Roosevelt is expected to fill completely. — Scott Hunter photo...

  • July 4 festival offers annual fun

    Jul 4, 2012

    The July 3-4 Festival of America is just a day away, but there’s still time to get all those picnic supplies you need so you can eat outdoors and enjoy the many festive features of the event. The two-day Independence Day celebration is sponsored by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, the Coulee Dam Casino and the town of Coulee Dam. All the featured events will be staged at the park below the Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam. There are arts and crafts booths, food vendors, a lot o...

  • Port commissioner resigns post

    Jul 4, 2012

    Grant County Port District 7 Commissioner Larry Maier resigned his position Thursday night. Maier told fellow commissioners Orville Scharbach and Stan Conklin that he plans to spend time with family and do a little ocean fishing. Maier had been on the port district for nine years and only missed one meeting, that being while he was traveling in China. Maier was responsible, during his tenure, for locating a portable unit at the airport as a lounge for pilots and for use by commissioners as an office. The port district’s monthly meetings are h...

  • District responds to critic’s questions

    Jul 4, 2012
    2

    The Grand Coulee Dam School District board June 25 night approved a response Superintendent Dennis Carlson made to a number of questions submitted several weeks ago by Electric City resident Carl Russell. Russell had opposed the location of the new K-12 school complex and had submitted about 300 names on a petition asking that the board select a different site than the one selected in Coulee Dam and on the reservation side of the river where Wright Elementary and Lake Roosevelt High School is located. There was a delay in answering the...

  • Author to sign books Saturday

    Roger Lucas|Jul 4, 2012

    Wendell George will be at the Colville Tribal Museum Saturday to sign copies of his new book “Last Chief Standing.” It’s George’s second book, the first was titled “Coyote Finishes the People.” George is a member of the Entiat Tribe and has served on the Colville Business Council, acting as chief officer for several years. His book “Last Chief Standing” is a tale of two cultures describing how one Indian family moved from a nomadic existence into the modern world and resisted extinction. George’s great grandfather was Chief Chilcosahaskt and...

  • Tribal wildlife team collars two gray wolves

    Roger Lucas|Jul 4, 2012

    The Colville Tribes’ wolf trapping team has captured and collared two gray wolves over a two-day period near the San Poil drainage area. It was the first official report of wolves actually being on the reservation in over 100 years, officials stated June 8. In making the announcement, Colville Business Council President Michael O. Finley said the radio collars on the two wolves will help Tribal Fish & Wildlife officials track their movements. The wolf trapping team was made up of Randy F...

  • Running the world for peace

    Jul 4, 2012

    The World Harmony Run team moved through the coulee area mid-morning last Wednesday on its way from Seattle to Helena, Montana. The four-member team is made up of runners from New York, Ukraine, New Zealand and Mexico. Similar teams are running in 140 countries, on 7 continents covering 35,000 miles for world peace. The runs have been going on since 1987. The North American team will cover all 48 lower states. Separate teams are covering Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands. From the left are...

  • Star closed for the holiday

    Jul 4, 2012

    The Star office will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, July 3 and 4 for the 4th of July holiday. The office will reopen Thursday, July 5 at 9 a.m....

  • Re: Finley is lone incumbent to survive tribal election

    Laurie Kanzleiter Sison|Jul 4, 2012

    Please keep abreast of the situation going on with the $193 million settlement. There are things happening that are newsworthy and many hope will unseat those council who have been keeping themselves removed from the discussion demanded by our tribal members. At an important meeting that was called two weeks ago, only four council stayed the entire day to listen to members’ concerns. There is talk of working on recall petitions for Mr. Finley and those others who have been disregarding our people. Not sure what will happen, but this is a v...

  • How summers should be spent

    Jess Utz|Jul 4, 2012

    Well, summer might just be making an appearance in the Coulee, and it got me thinking. When I was a kid we spent just about all day outside. We just had to be home before dark. All day outside. I know, kids, it’s an absurd concept. When I was old enough to ride my bike without supervision (that may never have really happened) we were on the road. We rode all over, pretending we were star-fighters or Top Gun jets or big mean bikers. We set up race courses and jumps and pretended we were Evel o...

  • Hospitals and the Supreme Court Ruling: A Step Forward for Health Care in Washington State

    Cassie Sauer|Jul 4, 2012

    Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the full Affordable Care Act may continue. The Affordable Care Act is a landmark piece of legislation, and the Washington State Hospital Association supports it as a way to ensure all our residents have needed health care coverage and access to care. “There are now more than a million people in Washington State without health insurance. As the people on the front lines who care for the uninsured in times of crisis, we know the tragedy that befalls those without health insurance. People w...

  • Safe roads important to quality of life

    Don Brunell|Jul 4, 2012

    Any realtor will tell you people looking to buy a home want good schools and safe neighborhoods. They also look for decent roads for when they head to the mountains or the beach during holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day or July 4. They want to know that if they are in an accident, someone will respond quickly to help them. While Washington needs more money to build new highways and repair existing roads, streets and interstates, one area in which our state excels is emergency response. In...

  • School district makes personnel changes

    Roger Lucas|Jul 4, 2012

    The Grand Coulee Dam School District directors approved personnel issues at their meeting June 25. Renewals were approved for Sandy Davidson, accounts payable; Peggy Day, special education secretary; Lee Seekiins, 21st Century grant director; Mandi Strocsher, payroll/personnel director; Sue Hinton, Center School principal; Lisa Lakin, middle school principal; and Brad Wilson, Lake Roosevelt High School principal. Coaching assignments approved included: Lori Adkins, high school varsity track and high school winter cheer coach; Steve Archer,...

  • Coulee Cops

    Jul 4, 2012

    Grand Coulee 6/24 - Police told a homeowner on Silver Drive in Electric City to keep his dogs quiet. He said he would. - Dispatch advised police that a white Dodge Avenger was leaving Coulee Dam headed south on SR-155, and someone had seen a small child climb into the trunk. Police watched for the car for 20 minutes but it didn’t show up. 6/25 - An Electric City man who lives on Miller was cited for theft of rented/leased property and possession of stolen property after he failed to return a saw from Coulee Hardware. He had asked another p...