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Articles from the August 17, 2022 edition


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  • Perfect summer birthday

    Aug 17, 2022

    Rob Carroll takes a direct hit to his feet during a Sunday evening water balloon fight on Stevens Avenue in Coulee Dam as Westlyn Landeros prepares to launch a counterattack against either her brother Damon (not pictured) or Collin Chaney, left. Carroll decided to arrange the event, a neighborhood tradition he said had gone dormant for too long, for his own birthday. Neighborhood kids and friends used up 2,000 balloons in about 45 minutes, then had Glo Carroll's German chocolate cupcakes. -...

  • Dam security force looking at upgrades, seeks comments from public

    Jacob Wagner|Aug 17, 2022

    The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is open to receiving any questions, comments, or concerns regarding security upgrades they are planning on making at the Grand Coulee Dam and related facilities. The bureau has identified eight areas where it says security upgrades are needed, from new or upgraded gates and fences to a new security department office. The bureau "invites the public to identify issues or alternatives for consideration in the development of an environmental assessment for the Grand...

  • Local man gets 22 years after night of terror

    Scott Hunter|Aug 17, 2022

    A Nespelem man — who kidnapped three minor children at gunpoint in June of 2020, robbed and sexually assaulted another, stole a truck, committed arson, and led police on a high-speed chase — was sentenced last week to 22 years in federal prison in a case that authorities hailed as the result of great collaboration among several law enforcement agencies and the courage of his young victims. John Edward McGinnis, 35, of Nespelem, was sentenced Aug. 9 by United States Senior District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson to 264 months, followed by a fiv...

  • Short term rentals discussed more in Electric City

    Jacob Wagner|Aug 17, 2022

    Short-term rentals are an unpopular idea to some in Electric City, but the idea keeps getting brought up. The city voted down the idea of allowing short-term (under 30 days) rentals in 2019 after more than a year of discussing the issue. But the idea was brought up again last month, with the city council discussing various pros and cons to the idea, and rules they could make to address problems that can arise from short-term renters. Such rules could include requiring owners to live within a certain distance of a rental property, requiring the...

  • Next year looks most likely for Electric City path project

    Jacob Wagner|Aug 17, 2022

    A pedestrian and bicycle pathway connecting the Coulee Playland area to the Banks Lake Park area will probably be done next year instead of this year, and now has some extra funding. Last February, the pathway's construction looked likely for this summer, but at the Aug. 9 Electric City council meeting, City Engineer Steve Nelson of Century West Engineering said the project looks more likely to be constructed next year, although it could still go out to bid in 2022. He also said that an addition...

  • Grant County residents asked to take health survey

    Aug 17, 2022

    A survey being conducted by Grant County Health District asks residents a number of questions related to the quality of life where they are in the county, as well as general health questions. The survey, which is open until Sept. 15, asks if people feel like their community is a good place to grow old or raise children, whether economic opportunities exist, and about health-related questions such as risky behaviors within the community and what factors contribute to a healthy community. The surv...

  • Tribal leader will add perspective to new national wildfire commission

    Jacob Wagner|Aug 17, 2022

    Wildfires in recent years have had a devastating impact on the U.S., including within the Colville Indian Reservation, and a representative from the area will now serve on a federal commission tasked with addressing the issue of these fires. Recently appointed the Colville Confederated Tribes executive director and their former Natural Resources director, Cody Desautel is one of 47 people selected from 500 applicants nationwide appointed to the new federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and...

  • The facts on school district finances

    GCDSD School Board|Aug 17, 2022

    This letter is an effort to bring clarity and facts into the conversation about the financial operations of the Grand Coulee Dam School District rather than unsubstantiated opinions. This is the second installment of three total letters addressing issues related to the GCDSD. This installment will address financial management. ISSUE: School District Fiscal Management THE FACTS: Despite what some may suggest, the Grand Coulee Dam School District is not broke, but it is financially challenged. Public education in this country is a very, very...

  • Thanks for a great legion sale season

    Jim Brakebill|Aug 17, 2022

    After two years without the ability to open our doors, we are again at the end of our sale season as we come to the community to thank everyone for a fantastic TEN week run at the VET Center. Our American Legion Post appreciates everybody who has stopped by and shopped with us during our sale. Although it seemed like a very long stretch for those of us who worked every week to gather and prepare all the treasures that we had for sale, the time flew by as we greeted many of the same people on a weekly basis. With this year shortened by three...

  • Thanks for a great legion sale season

    Jim Brakebill|Aug 17, 2022

    After two years without the ability to open our doors, we are again at the end of our sale season as we come to the community to thank everyone for a fantastic TEN week run at the VET Center. Our American Legion Post appreciates everybody who has stopped by and shopped with us during our sale. Although it seemed like a very long stretch for those of us who worked every week to gather and prepare all the treasures that we had for sale, the time flew by as we greeted many of the same people on a weekly basis. With this year shortened by three...

  • A giant step for Raider Nation

    John Adkins|Aug 17, 2022

    Nancy Kuiper is the new Athletic Director for the GCDSD. She is such a phenomenal common-sense choice – THANK YOU! She is one of the top three Lake Roosevelt Raider multi-sport athletes of all time along with Dawni Bjorklund and Kasey Rey. All three were top tier student-athletes who excelled at high school state (champions/records) and collegiate levels. All have wonderful parents. Nancy has always been a role model and work horse. She has high expectations for herself and others. She hears and puts others first, collaborates, learns and is s...

  • That cold, clear, spring water

    Roger Lucas|Aug 17, 2022

    I got my desire to take drives from my dad who used to take us for rides all the time. He had an old car from the mid 30’s. I remember when my dad got his first new car, it was in the early 40’s before all effort turned to making things for World War II. The local Ford dealer drove up with a new car, came to the door and handed Dad the keys. He told him to drive it and, if he liked it, to come down and they would make a deal on it. In my earlier days, everyone had a canvas water bag hanging from their front bumper. We often drove up into the...

  • Drained Snake River reservoirs would resemble parched Rhine riverbeds

    Don Brunell|Aug 17, 2022

    If you want a glimpse of parched river bottoms behind “would be breached” lower Snake River dams, look at recent photos of European rivers and lakes. On parts of picturesque Rhine River there is often more dry land than flowing water. Europe is in the clutches of another drought — the second since 2018. It is so severe that countries across the continent are imposing water restrictions. There are massive fish kills and desiccated croplands. Shipping is endangered on the Rhine and the Danub...

  • Kenneth Terry Skorheim

    Aug 17, 2022

    Kenneth Terry Skorheim passed away July 12, 2022 at his home in Camano Island, WA. Terry was born March 16, 1944 in Auburn, WA to Ken and Doris Skorheim. He graduated from Coulee Dam High School in 1962 where he was a multi-sport athlete. He married Linda Skorheim (Gordon) on January 2, 1966; they later divorced. Terry graduated from Colorado State University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in outdoor education. Terry worked for the US Forest Service for 40+years in...

  • Health district offering free COVID vaccines

    Aug 17, 2022

    Grant County Health District (GCHD) is offering free COVID vaccine clinics at NCW Libraries Grant County community library locations in Coulee City, Ephrata, George, Grand Coulee, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, and Warden. These clinics offer COVID-19 primary and booster doses for all ages, 6 months and older. Only Moderna vaccines will be offered but anyone looking to get a booster can get a Moderna dose (regardless of previous vaccine types received). The clinics are walk-in only, no appointment is needed. No insurance...

  • Making the grade

    Aug 17, 2022

    Moyatat Bell, of Nespelem, and Jamie Finch, of Grand Coulee, are among the honor roll students at Spokane Community College for spring quarter of 2022, the college announced. Also on the list: Olivia Hill and Amanda Starzman, both of Wilbur. Spokane Falls Community College also released its honor roll for spring quarter. Kaidyn Johnson, of Electric City, made the list, as did Emily Nichols, of Keller; and Jordan Nestor, Cassandra Arroyo and Kiera Miller, all of Wilbur. To be named to either of the schools’ honor rolls, students must earn a g...

  • Coulee Cops

    Aug 17, 2022

    Grand Coulee Police 8/3 - Loepp Furniture and Appliance reported gas siphoned from a truck, and would provide security footage. - Police were unable to find anyone matching the description of a woman reportedly walking down Roosevelt Drive screaming about her son being on drugs and held hostage. 8/5 - An officer helped a couple exit their overturned truck on SR-174 near milepost 23. They were uninjured. They explained that they had purchased the truck and were using it to tow their other vehicle back to Lincoln County where they are from. A...

  • Legal Notices for August 17, 2023

    Aug 17, 2022

    Notice of Meeting Change The Coulee Area Park and Recreation District Board of Commissioners meeting normally scheduled for August 10, 2022 was postponed for lack of a quorum and rescheduled for August 24th, 2022 at 6 p.m. in the old Grand Coulee Dam Middle School teachers’ lounge. (Publish August 17, 2022) Town of Elmer City ACCEPTING BIDS The Town of Elmer City is accepting bids for a 2005 or newer, 1 ton, 4x4, flatbed truck with less than 200,000 miles. Sealed bid packet must have Snowplow Truck written on front and must be mailed, or h...