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Articles from the August 16, 2023 edition


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  • Sewer plant near-future operations uncertain

    Scott Hunter|Aug 16, 2023

    It’s not certain exactly how the wastewater treatment plant that serves the roughly 2,000 citizens of Grand Coulee and Electric City will keep operating after nine days from now. That’s when its current operator will retire. Currently, Grand Coulee has no one to replace that employee, and the city has been in talks to outsource operating the plant to an independent company on a contractual basis. That’s if the union representing employees will allow it, or if the contractor can justify that wage scale. All of that is uncertain, even unlik...

  • Fires erupt on dry, windy Friday

    Scott Hunter|Aug 16, 2023

    Update: 9:12 p.m. Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Dept Chief Ryan Fish said all Grand Coulee units were leaving Plum Point. Multiple fire departments were working the fire in Lincoln County. The fire began to grow again about 3 p.m. after it had looked like it was about under control until the wind kicked up. At 5 p.m. three Fireboss planes arrived, and worked for more than half an hour, repeatedly dousing the fire with water from Lake Roosevelt. By 6:30 p.m. flames were mostly knocked down but...

  • Body found on Omak Mountain

    Aug 16, 2023

    Less than an hour after a caller reported a blanket-wrapped, badly smelling object on Omak Mountain Aug. 9, Colville Tribal Police found a woman’s body that still has not been identified. Okanogan County Dispatch transferred a call to Tribal Dispatch about 5:25 p.m. The original caller reported being in the Omak Mountain area and seeing what appeared to be a blanket wrapped around something, covered with dirt and sticks, and which had the odor of a dead animal. Tribal police responded and searched the area. At about 6:12 p.m., tribal law e...

  • Heat in the wheat

    Aug 16, 2023

    Evan Jones finishes harvesting a field of wheat on George Dormaier and Sons land along Bodeau Road in Lincoln County Monday in shimmering heat as temperatures reach over 100. Wednesday and Thursday should be scorchers too. See our forecast on page 3. A National Weather Service excessive heat warning is in effect until 11 p.m. Thursday, but a fire weather watch was not set to expire until 8 p.m. Friday. - Scott Hunter photo...

  • Electric City voters to decide on shrinking city boundaries

    Scott Hunter|Aug 16, 2023

    Electric City voters will be asked to decide on whether to de-annex a part of the city they agreed to add back in 2009. The city council voted Aug. 8 that the city should place a measure on the General Election ballot in November to shed the city of some lands annexed to the east of SR-155 south of the causeway across Osborne Bay that belong to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation or the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Other lands on the other side of the highway, including the area containing Sunbanks Lake Resort, would remain within...

  • Colville Tribes grieves loss of former chairman Michael Finley

    Aug 16, 2023

    The Colville Tribes announced the passing of former Chairman Michael Finley Aug. 9 as The Lucy Covington Government Center began flying flags at half-staff in his honor. Among his notable accomplishments, the three-time chairman of the Colville Tribes presided over Colville’s Memorandum of Agreement in 2008 with the Bonneville Power Administration for acquisition and management of habitat for resident and anadromous fish. While chairman, Finley served also as chairman of the Inter-Tribal Monitoring Association for Indian Trust Funds. In 2012 t...

  • NNDF leader: See you later

    Aug 16, 2023

    he founder and executive director of the Coulee Dam-based Northwest Native Development Fund is leaving his post. Ted Piccolo announced the move in an email Tuesday afternoon, saying he was leaving the community development financial institution simply because it is time for change. “There may never be a ‘good’ time for a founding Executive Director to leave a company,” he wrote. “However, there are ‘best’ times. Some are better than others. Within the scope of managing change this is probably the ‘best’ time.” “Ted says see you later- Not go...

  • Ward honored in a new "spotlight"

    Scott Hunter|Aug 16, 2023

    Lacy Ward has been working hard and got caught doing it - by the new school district superintendent. Superintendent Rod Broadnax honored Ward Monday night with the first of what he calls the "Superintendent's Spotlight" for "going above and beyond." Broadnax said since his arrival July 1, he's been observing employees and noting who he thinks should be recognized for extra effort, noting Ward's work several times. Ward runs the SHARP Kids program, which engages students after school and had a...

  • Local chef started on Maui and needs to help

    Patty Oliver|Aug 16, 2023

    You may or may not know, but I started my culinary career on Maui. I went to culinary school and the Maui Culinary Academy, worked in restaurants and as a private chef across the entire island. I spent nearly five years on the beautiful island, and it will always be my home away from home. If my family weren’t here in the Coulee, I would probably still live on Maui. I love Maui. My heart is broken by the destruction that Maui has faced. Currently, Maui is struggling. Beginning last Tuesday, a series of wildfires attacked and wiped out homes, b...

  • Four towns and/or cities, but the largest community in the area needs some help!

    Birdie Hensley|Aug 16, 2023

    Four towns and/or cities, but the largest community in the area needs some help! The Community of Spring Canyon Cemetery was dedicated on March 30 ,1959, has 2,200-plus residents, 4.5 acres of grass, a park manager, council. The cemetery is privately owned by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Lions, but gets no state of federal money to operate. Like many other communities, Spring Canyon Cemetery board members are few and are aging and unable to do several of the tasks that are needed to keep up the cemetery in tip top shape. Yes, we have a grounds...

  • Happy drew the crowds

    Roger Lucas|Aug 16, 2023

    Happy Humphrey was a professional wrestler. He stood out because he weighed over 600 pounds. Happy came to Boise near the twilight of his career, and the place where he wrestled had to be reinforced due to his weight. The wrestling promoter had tried to convince me that I should cover pro wrestling. I told the promoter that I would cover Happy’s match if he would let me interview him before the match. Happy wore britches and a huge shirt, and he resembled a rodeo clown. He was huge. I challenged him and said I didn’t think he weighed over 600...

  • Looking back at the coulee

    Aug 16, 2023

    1 years ago Local bowlers recently brought home the cash during the 2013 Washington state women’s bowling tournament in Anacortes. Mae Stensgar and Candy Weed-Butts took first in doubles, their team Riverview Lanes II, which also included Sherry Potts and Jennifer Miller took seventh. Candy also took 26th in singles and 3rd in all events. Coulee Dam’s wastewater treatment project is apparently dead at least for now. The town’s plan to build a $4.92 million plant was derailed by objections from town residents and the council’s decision to go f...

  • Coulee Cops

    Aug 16, 2023

    Grand Coulee Police 8/6 - Police warned a Center Street dog owner about keeping his dogs in his yard after multiple incidents of it getting into a neighbor’s yard, scaring a resident there. - Police assisted Douglas County Sheriff’s Office by informing residents along SR-174 up to mile post 18 about an emergency evacuation notice due to a nearby fire. 8/7 - A Banks Avenue woman noticed a pistol missing after moving her brother out of her residence. A friend of the brother had been holding onto the pistol in a gun safe, along with other fir...

  • Free barbecue coming up

    Aug 16, 2023

    The Kindred Spirits Against Diabetes Motorcycle Organization Grand Coulee is offering a free community barbecue on Sunday, Aug. 20, from 1-4 p.m. at the newly remodeled Grand Coulee City Park on SR-174, near La Presa....

  • LRHS Class of '73 to celebrate this weekend

    Aug 16, 2023

    The LRHS class of 1973 is hoping everyone can attend the reunion set for the weekend of August 18 and 19. On Friday, August 18 the group will be gathering at Horn’s Electric City Bar and Grill beginning at 7 pm and Saturday, August 19 at Siam Palace for dinner beginning at 6pm, then onto MPH HiDam Tavern for more festivities. For more information contact Vicki Zowada, Karen Erickson, Shannon Hearne, Joan Gardner or Cathy Johnson. Hope to see you there....

  • DUI Emphasis Patrol Friday

    Aug 16, 2023

    MOSES LAKE, WA – In a continued effort to reduce traffic accidents during the Grant County Fair, increased safety patrols will be visible on Friday, August 18th throughout the Moses Lake area. The DUI emphasis patrols will be led by Washington State Patrol and joined by local law enforcement. The Grant County Fair is a much-anticipated annual event in Grant County that attracts thousands of Grant County residents and tourists to the Greater Moses Lake area. Many families celebrate by strolling the fairgrounds, enjoying the rides, and a...

  • Forms for school registration available online

    Aug 16, 2023

    On behalf of Lake Roosevelt Elementary and Jr/Sr High School staff we are pleased to introduce another tool to promote efficiency and accuracy to our “Back-to-School” registration. The forms needed to fully register students each year are now in Skyward Family Access. These forms are required for the safety and security of students; ie. student health information, emergency release, updated contact numbers, and expectations. Online forms can now be accessed at your convenience, using your login and password. Chrome books will be available in...

  • Legal notices

    Aug 16, 2023

    ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Town of Nespelem 2022 Reservoir Slope Stabilization Project Sealed bids will be received until 10:00 AM, Thursday August 24, 2023 at the Nespelem Town Hall, located, at 330 9th St, P.O. Box 240, Nespelem, WA 99155. No proposals will be accepted after the above-stated time. Immediately following the above stated time, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Each proposal must be submitted on the prescribed form and accompanied by cash, a certified check, cashiers check, or bid bond, payable to the Town of...