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Articles from the August 17, 2016 edition


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  • Reluctantly, Electric City hears consolidation survey results

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 17, 2016

    The chamber of commerce’s Economic Development Council finally got a hearing about its community consolidation survey in front of Electric City’s council, but it wasn’t easy. The EDC group attended the Aug. 9 council meeting and requested to present to the council the results of the survey that asked whether people would be in favor of consolidating two or more local towns. The group was initially turned down until Councilmember Richard McGuire asked that it be put to a vote. It passed 3-2, with councilmembers McGuire, Birdie Hensley and Lonna... Full story

  • Toxic bloom makes Scootney Reservoir possibly deadly

    Press release, USBR|Aug 17, 2016

    EPHRATA, Washington - The Bureau of Reclamation is alerting users of Scooteney Park recreation area, located 36 miles south of Moses Lake on Highway 17, that the Benton Franklin Health District has identified a toxic algae bloom on Scooteney Reservoir. The Health District is warning that current algae levels are not safe for humans or animals and could be deadly. Warning signs stating that all people and pets remain out of the water have been posted around the reservoir. Scooteney Park campgrounds and recreation area remains open, as do... Full story

  • Roads to USBR temporarily closed

    Scott Hunter|Aug 17, 2016

    Roads leading to the Bureau of Reclamation's east gate near Pole Park are closed today (Thursday) from 10 a.m. until about 3 p.m., the USBR said. Industrial Road from highway 155 and B Street are closed from Division Street. Potential contractors who may bid on building a new Reclamation Fire Station will be at the Grand Coulee facilities for an on-site visit....

  • Survey comments reveal mix of attitudes on consolidation

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 17, 2016

    Some comments from those responding to a survey about the possibility of combining two or more local municipalities show a mix of attitudes on the subject. The surveys were mailed to 2,235 households and also made available online and at local businesses. Here are examples from the 251 comments included with the returned surveys: - It makes good sense to combine these towns and their resources. - Stop arguing with each other and do something for the people for a change. - We think it would be unproductive to consolidate any of these towns.... Full story

  • Care Net opens facility to help pregnant women

    Scott Hunter|Aug 17, 2016

    An organization dedicated to "serving people facing unplanned pregnancy and related sexual issues" has opened an office in Grand Coulee. Funded by local churches, Care Net opened its fourth office Aug. 1 at 402 Burdin Boulevard in Grand Coulee. It also operates centers in Omak, Oroville and Brewster. All services are free. The effort is funded through local churches, and services are delivered in a completely non-judgmental manner, said Rachel Harris, the facility's only staffer, who works part... Full story

  • Public gives input on proposed trail system

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 17, 2016

    The Electric City council got an earful of complaints about the city’s proposed trail system at its meeting last Tuesday night. The complaints were a continuation of what the city has been hearing since the Pathway and Revitalization study began a few months ago. There was standing room only as local residents lined up and signed up to speak on the proposed trail. “We are not being told the truth” about the pathway, said one resident, Rhonda Erickson, who lives on Lakeview. “It’s been in the works for over a year.” The Star reported on... Full story

  • Tourism fund committee selected

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 17, 2016

    The Electric City Council last week selected Richard McGuire and Brad Parrish as representatives to the city’s hotel/motel tax fund committee. The two have been on the committee, and the appointment is for the rest of their terms — two years. The committee reviews requests for hotel/motel tax funds collected for boosting tourism and makes recommendations to the council as a whole. The city plans to advise those who have sought hotel/motel funds in the past to make their request during the month of September. These requests for 2017 funding wil... Full story

  • Newsbriefs

    Aug 17, 2016

    Councilmember resigns Erin Nielson has resigned his position on Grand Coulee’s city council. Nielson was in his second four-year term and submitted a resignation letter to the city this past week. Nielson, a Bureau of Reclamation employee, stated that he has taken a job in Boise, Idaho. EDC excited to work with city Economic Development Councilmember Bob Valen said last week that he was encouraged by Grand Coulee’s planning commission interest in their ideas. He told the chamber of commerce that the EDC had been “received very well” when pr... Full story

  • Looking to the stars

    Aug 17, 2016

    People gathered at Spring Canyon Wednesday night observe the night sky through their own and National Park Service telescopes in an event put on to help enthusiasts learn how to use them. NPS education specialist Janice Elvidge, right, looks up as a woman trains an eight-inch diameter scope on a celestial body. The group also caught sight of a few meteors in the August Perseid meteor shower. Elvidge leads several sky-watching events each summer. - Scott Hunter photo... Full story

  • A caring network can support far more than young mothers

    Scott Hunter|Aug 17, 2016

    My oldest daughter was a new baby when she attended my high school graduation, so I can attest to the importance of a network of support for young parents barely old enough to grasp the coming meaning of adulthood. Her mother and I had plenty of support from our family members, but that’s not always the case for many young people about to be charged with the most important job on earth — raising a child — and not a clue how to even begin. So a new venture in Grand Coulee should be a welcome development to the community. Care Net opened its d... Full story

  • Coach applicant says he is qualified

    Aug 17, 2016

    I have coached soccer for over 25 year, from ages 4 to 19, both boys and girls. I have multiple licenses, and I’ve trained thousands of kids in academies, clinics, and camps. I founded two soccer clubs: White Pass Soccer Club in 1995, and Clarkston Heat FC in 2004. I was named Reebok Coach of the Year in 2000, District 7, for the state of Washington (Washington State Youth Soccer Association). My soccer coaching and training experience for this area is unheard of. I applied for the head coaching position for the Lake Roosevelt girls’ high sch... Full story

  • Perspective changes everything

    Jesse Utz|Aug 17, 2016

    Have you ever witnessed something with a group of people and, while talking afterward, realize that you all saw something slightly different? Or have you ever heard a cop interviewing witnesses and all their stories are different? Perspective can have us all see the same thing differently. While looking at clouds floating in the sky, one kid sees a racing horse, while the other, looking at the same cloud, sees a man riding a unicorn in a parade. It is all about perspective. Perspective is important. Ask any photographer and he will tell you... Full story

  • Looking ahead and back at our weather

    Bob Valen|Aug 17, 2016

    At this midway point in August, it may be time to look into the crystal ball of future weather to see if we can spy winter predictions. There are a few things trickling down that are somewhat intriguing. First, the Climate Prediction Center’s three-and-a-half-month Long Lead Outlook is showing probable warmer temperatures for the Northwest and above-normal precipitation for Eastern Washington. Meanwhile, the latest El Niño has all but vanished down in the Pacific Tropical waters. So far, the predictions of it being replaced by a La Niña are... Full story

  • Seventy years ago

    Aug 17, 2016

    A Euclid truck dumps its load of rip-rap rock on the parking area near the left powerhouse. – August 12, 1946 photo.... Full story

  • Willard F. Rinker

    Aug 17, 2016

    Willard F. Rinker, 86, passed away following a brave battle with A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's Disease), early Thursday morning, August 11, 2016, at Coulee Medical Center, in Grand Coulee, Washington. Born, April 18, 1930, into the Del Rio, Washington, home of Wesley and Garnet Taylor-Rinker, Willard remained a lifelong resident of Douglas County. Following graduation from high school, he began his adult life as a rancher and farmer on his family's homestead. Saturday, June 18, 1949, Willard wed his wife... Full story

  • Delbert Langstaff

    Aug 17, 2016

    Delbert Langstaff, a longtime resident of Grand Coulee, passed away at the age of 59, on Friday, July 22, 2016, after a long battle with a rare form of cancer. Those that knew and loved Delbert found him to be generous to a fault. He was always willing to pitch in and help others until his energy would give out. He was always giving family and friends little gifts. He also would present different ones with colorful artwork he created himself. He loved hearing and telling goofy jokes and he... Full story

  • Ennis/Lauseng have a girl

    Aug 17, 2016

    Julie Ennis and Joseph Lauseng, of Grand Coulee, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Aundrea Lauseng, born Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee.... Full story

  • It's a boy for the Bartons

    Aug 17, 2016

    Matthew and Racheal Barton, of Almira, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Kaden Dale Barton, born Thursday, July 28, 2016, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. He weighed 7 lbs., 14.9 oz., and was 19 inches in length at birth.... Full story

  • Malott/Cawston have a boy

    Aug 17, 2016

    Jasmine Malott and Mick Cawston, of Nespelem, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Halyn Turtle-Rae Cawston, born Thursday, August 4, 2016, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. He weighed 5 lbs., 5 oz., and was 19 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandparents are Guadalupe Vargas and William Andrews. Paternal grandparents are Edward Cawston and Cheryl Dick.... Full story

  • A boy for Brisbois/Anderson

    Aug 17, 2016

    Mariah Brisbois and Jay Anderson, of Nespelem, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Jay Jarvis Anderson Jr., born Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. He weighed 8 lbs., 13 oz., and was 21 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandparents are Melvin Brisbois and Marietta Grunlose. Paternal grandparents are Clayton Anderson and Lydia Wyena.... Full story

  • Meetings and Notices

    Aug 17, 2016

    Chamber This Week The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will be meeting at noon this Thursday, August 17, at the Eagles Lodge in Grand Coulee. General business is on the agenda. Okanogan County Demos Annual Picnic Okanogan County Democrats will hold their annual potluck picnic starting at noon Sunday, Aug. 21, at Conconully State Park. Local AA Meetings Confused in the Coulee AA meetings are held on Mondays and Fridays at 6 p.m. at the Vets Center in Electric City. Call Paul at 633-3377 days or 633-3345 evenings. New Hope Group... Full story

  • Kids learn quilting in collaborative summer program

    Aug 17, 2016

    Local business and community organizations helped with a SHARP Kids summer program, resulting in a fundraiser and in learning about quilting. KISSed Quilts, Eagles Auxiliary, and members from the Coulee Creators all collaborated with fabric and hands-on assistance with learning how to sew during the SHARP Kids summer program for girls in fifth through eighth grades, under the direction of group leader Susan Duclos. A community project resulted, which produced a Lake Roosevelt Raider quilt that... Full story

  • Enforcement officer resigns

    Aug 17, 2016

    Gary Haven, Electric City’s code officer has resigned. Haven advised the city a week ago that he planned to quit the position he has held for the past eight years. He said Tuesday that it was “time for a change.” Haven who is also the code enforcement officer for the town of Coulee Dam, indicated Tuesday that he plans to continue in that position. Code enforcement officers address lapses in meeting city codes, including nuisance codes such as public safety violations including unmowed, dried yards and other fire hazards. “In the summer,... Full story

  • Labradicken class coming

    Aug 17, 2016

    A class on digitally editing photos, specifically to combine animals for fun, will be presented at the Grand Coulee Public Library Aug. 24 at noon. Luke Ellington of the North Central Regional Library will present the class to introduce participants to GIMP Image Editor, free software that can be downloaded from gimp.org. It's already available on library computers. The image of the chicken/dog above was edited in GIMP. - submitted photo, er, illustration.... Full story

  • Towns will cooperate on streets grant

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 17, 2016

    All four local municipalities are cooperatively putting in for a Department of Transportation TIB grant this week. If the grant applications are successful, it will enable the four cities and towns to get a better bid on the work, Elmer City Public Works Director “Jimmer” Tillman said Tuesday. The grant would be for chip sealing and crack sealing of selected streets within the four municipalities. Tillman, who sparked the idea, said that it costs a lot of money for contractors to come and set up, especially for smaller jobs. “If they had jobs... Full story

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