News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Wildfire activity has escalated recently after thunderstorms, many with little or no moisture, moved across parts of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, sparking hundreds of new fires. The situation results in firefighting resources being stretched thin. To date, 39,254 wildfires have burned nearly 7.1 million acres in the United States this year. This is the earliest the number of national acres burned has been more than 7 million in the past 20 years. Nearly 30,000 wildland firefighters and support personnel are battling... Full story
UPDATE 12:23 p.m. 8/19/15: New evacuation orders were just issued for Nespelem from the Mount Tolman Fire Center. Their information release follows: A LEVEL 1 EVACUATION: The LEVEL 1 Evacuation area includes: Level 1 – A Level 1 Evacuation means ALERT. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, and monitor local media outlets for information. Residents with special needs (such as a susceptibility to breathing problems in wildfire or those with animals/pets) should take n... Full story
In this annotated image from NASA's Earth Observatory site, several sources of the smoke choking the area become clear. The satellite image was taken Sunday. As of Tuesday morning, there were 105 large, uncontained fires in the nation, 35 in the Pacific Northwest; 166 new fires, 21 in the Northwest. - Sources: Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, GEOMAC, National Interagency Coordination Center.... Full story
Investigators have talked with "people of interest" in regard to two fires set by humans Thursday on Alcan Road between the Delano Transfer Station and SR-155. Grand Coulee, Electric City, and USBR firefighters, along with Grand Coulee police, responded. The fires, burning only about one-tenth of an acre, were quickly extinguished. About 16 firefighters with five wildland engines and one tender responded. The call went out at 4:15 and the fires were out by 5 p.m. It was nearly 100 degrees at... Full story
Fireworks for next year’s Festival of America have already been assured, Coulee Dam’s town council learned last Wednesday night. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Peggy Nevsimal told council members that a corporate sponsor has already pledged $10,000 toward the 2016 show. Nevsimal appeared before the council for a debriefing of this year’s festival to see what might be done to make it even more successful. Nevsimal said crowds were smaller this year because of the heat. There were reports of temperatures over 100 degrees at the park... Full story
The town of Coulee Dam is going to hire a code enforcer. The council gave its approval last Tuesday night, at least to try out the idea for the rest of this calendar year. The council approved a plan by the mayor to hire a code enforcer for 25 hours a month at $22 an hour, but stopped short of making it a permanent position. The town council took up the enforcement issue just prior to voting down a chicken ordinance that would have allowed residents to keep up to four hens. The code enforcer issue came up during earlier chicken discussions, whe... Full story
Electric City will hold a “Pig for the Park” barbecue on Sept. 12. The barbecue will get Electric City residents familiar with the city’s new neighborhood park on land purchased from the Banks Lake Bible Church. Councilmember Lonna Bussert, who, along with Councilmember Brad Parrish, has worked on the park idea through the purchase period and in the planning of the park, said tickets will be sold for the barbecue, and she encouraged people to attend for an afternoon of fun and information. The actual “Pig for the Park” feast will be in the gras... Full story
As I write this today, my mind is wandering. You see, I just finished burying a neighbor’s pet, and my heart is broken for the Hearne family at the same time. Also, all day long we were going through boxes that have been in storage, some since our house fire years ago. A day of remembering. My first memories of Kenny Hearne go back to our grade school days. He was in my brother’s grade and I remember him vividly. Kenny was a one-of-a-kind kid who did not take teasing easily. He was a serious person, but once you got to know him, he would ope... Full story
Imagine rolling into Olympia in your travel trailer each year for the start of the legislative session knowing your district has the highest unemployment in the state and the lowest average annual wage. Folks in your sprawling rural 7th District earn between $15,000 and $20,000 less than the state average wage. Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry and Okanogan counties are rich in minerals and have abundant forests and natural public grazing lands, but over the years mining, logging and lumber mill jobs dried up, in large part due to government... Full story
The bipartisan Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, HR2646, introduced in June by Rep. Tim Murphy and Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, has come under attack. The purpose of the legislation is to resolve a number of problems within our mental health care system, particularly for the treatment of America’s seriously mentally ill. The measures within this legislation would effectively improve treatment and outcomes for those with severe brain diseases, ultimately resulting in a significant reduction in homelessness and incarcerations. But v... Full story
Twenty Years Ago Colville Pump and Supply Company will attempt to revive an old, unused water well on Palmer Avenue in Electric City. Heater problems at the Coulee Dam pool may force an early closure, but the town council shortened the pool schedule last Wednesday night in hopes of keeping it open through August 25. Thirty Years Ago The Grand Coulee Fire Department was called out five times in two days when brush fires were spotted in two separate locations.... Full story
Kenneth Reed "Kenny" Hearne passed away Sunday, August 16, 2015, at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Washington, after complications from surgery. He was born August 19, 1976, in Grand Coulee, Washington, to Clay and Shannon Hearne. He went all his school years through the Grand Coulee Dam School District, graduating from Lake Roosevelt High School in 1996. Kenny enjoyed softball, computer games, hunting and going to the casino. He also enjoyed following the Dallas Cowboys and... Full story
Wed., Aug. 19 - Dinner Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Mixed Salad, Fruit Cup, Rice Krispies Treats with a Twist Thurs., Aug 20 - Dinner Chicken and Dumplings, Green Vegetables, Sunrise Salad, Fruit Parfait Dessert Fri., Aug. 21 - Breakfast German Sausage and Eggs, Hashbrowns, Toast, Fruit Bowl, Orange Juice Mon., Aug. 24 - Breakfast Sausage Links and Eggs, Pancakes, Fruit Bowl, Orange Juice Tues., Aug. 25 - Dinner St. Louis Ribs, Salad and Fruit Bar, Cook’s Choice Dessert Wed., Aug. 26 - Dinner Hot Chicken Sandwiches, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Mixed S... Full story
The LRHS class of 1985 will be celebrating their 30th year class reunion the weekend of August 21 and 22. Friday night, please meet at the Electric City Tavern for mingling and drinks. Saturday, a picnic for family and friends at Spring Canyon starts at 11 a.m. (Bring your own picnic/beverages.) Saturday night, there will be an appetizer/potluck at the Golf Course at 7 p.m. A no-host bar will be available. Sunday, a tour of the new high school is planned for those interested. Please contact Sjana Bird (Sjana.bird24@gmail.com) if you are... Full story
The final event for the summer reading program will be the SRP Gala at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, August 21, at the Grand Coulee Public Library. Check it out at www.ncrl.org/summerreading.... Full story
Jerry Beierman shows off his 33.5-inch long Armenian cucumber, grown at his home on Roosevelt Avenue. Beierman had a second cucumber that was only one inch shorter. He regularly grows unusually large vegetables. - Roger S. Lucas photo... Full story
Chamber Meets at Siam Palace for August The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will be meeting this Thursday, August 20, at noon, at Siam Palace, Main St., Grand Coulee. Bob Valen will be speaking about El Niño. 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 meetings are held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Vets Center. These are open and non-smoking. In Nespelem, the group Bound and... Full story
Jarae and Josh Cate, of Nespelem, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Brylee Kamay Cate, born Monday, August 10, 2015, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 7 lbs., 15 oz., and was 21 inches in length at birth. Sibling is Brody Cate, age 2-1/2. Maternal grandparents are John Gallaher and Jacqueline Miller. Paternal grandparents are Hank and Brenda Cate. Great-grandparents are Jim and Beverly Gallaher, and Roy and Bernice Cate.... Full story
Darlene Baker and Daniel Guthrie of Nespelem, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Riley Joel Guthrie, born Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. He weighed 7 lbs., 10 oz., and was 20 inches in length at birth. Siblings include Danny Guthrie, 9, and Billy Roberts, 2. Maternal grandparents are John and Debbie Baker, of Moses Lake, Washington. Paternal grandparents are Dan Guthrie, of Everett, Washington, and Kathy Guthrie, of Coulee City, Washington. Her great-grandmother is Johanne... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center enjoyed a good turnout for a fund raiser Saturday, where a crowd of 50 or so bought ice cream sundaes or nachos and listened to a group of musicians jam. From left, the players were: Michael Parks, Phil Grunlose, Jerry Nielsen, Paul Hagen and J.D. on drums. - Scott Hunter photo... Full story
A veteran living in a Housing Authority of Grant County apartment in Continental Heights was arrested last Tuesday and taken to county jail for abusing the 911 line. Tommy Hawkins had dialed 911, a police report states, to complain that he had to get to the hospital, but he was stuck by the dumpster that was in the way of his wheelchair ramp. When police called back, Hawkins told the officer, “I’m halfway in my door, stop calling me.” Police told him at the time, about 11:27 a.m., that they would see that the dumpster was moved. Police learn... Full story
A combination of law enforcement agencies reportedly seized a marijuana grow near Keller with an $8.5 million street value August 12. A story in the Tribal Tribune stated that tribal police, the Northwest Drug Task Force, U.S. Border Patrol, Tribal Natural Resources Enforcement and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, all participated in the raid. The seizure of 8,500 plants occurred last Wednesday in a heavily-wooded area where an irrigation system had been set up to water the marijuana plants. The story said the operation was consistent with... Full story
With football and cheerleading practices starting today, and the rest of fall sports starting Monday, a parent/coaches meeting is scheduled for next Monday, Aug. 24, in the Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School lunchroom at 6 p.m. Parents can meet with coaches, ask questions, and pick up forms that must be filled out for participation. Those forms are also available for download at the district website at www.gcdsd.org. Click on the “Athletes” toolbar. Scroll down to the forms you need, and click on the document, then select “open” on the sp... Full story
Calling all LRHS alumni, current LRHS players, and community members come help celebrate our beautiful new high school tennis courts! Mark your calendars with these three dates: Saturday, September 12 at 9 a.m. show up with your racket and a can of balls and we will put together some matches. Saturday, September 26 at 9 a.m., Doubles Tournament Saturday, October 3 at 9 a.m., Singles Tournament Fee: $10.00 OR 2 cans of balls Format will be determined by the number of entries. To enter, contact the tournament organizers, Steve or Janice Archer,... Full story
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE PASSED OF THE CITY OF ELECTRIC CITY, WA On the 11th day of August, 2015, the City Council of Electric City passed the following ordinance. A summary of the content of said ordinance, consisting of the title, provides as follows: ordinance no. 499-2015 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2015 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF ELECTRIC CITY, AS ADOPTED IN ORDINANCE NO. 487-2014 A full and complete copy of the above ordinance is available at City Hall, 10 Western Avenue, Electric City, WA, during normal working hours. Jacqueline M. Perman...