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Articles from the August 20, 2014 edition


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  • Payments to tribal members coming soon

    Scott Hunter|Aug 20, 2014

    A settlement administration firm in Montana is getting ready to distribute funds to individual tribal members under a settlement with the U.S. Department of Interior. But more than 1,600 members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are on a list of those whose whereabouts are unknown. Payments for the Trust Administration Class in the Indian Trust Settlement are expected to be mailed in the early fall, the settlement administrator, The Garden City Group, Inc., announced Wednesday. The settlement is for a nationwide class...

  • Man wants perpetual flooding solved

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 20, 2014

    A resident on Columbia Avenue in Coulee Dam is about to throw up his hands in resignation from the runaround he has been getting on a serious water drainage problem. During the most recent storm, his driveway, garage and outbuilding were all flooded. The problem is that the drain at the street side of his driveway will not take all the water that gushes down Douglas Avenue, runs along the curb, and spills over into his yard and into his garage. Daniel and Ann Marie Morfenski have talked with...

  • Man arrested for jewelry theft

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 20, 2014

    An Electric City man, already wanted on a warrant, was arrested Sunday on various charges, including possession of stolen jewelry. Arrested and taken to Grant County Jail was Jerome J. Harrington, 60, of 58220 Spokane Boulevard. When arrested Harrington had what was estimated at $15,000 worth of jewelry, including one very large diamond. Harrington is charged with breaking into an apartment occupied by Kelly Walker, 57, who lives in an apartment house on Continental Heights in Grand Coulee. Harrington is being charged with burglary,...

  • Wrapped in reptiles

    Aug 20, 2014

    Kids hold a big yellow python at the Grand Coulee Library, one of many scaly creatures brought to town by The Reptile Man, of Monroe, Wash. for a program Aug. 8. The library will offer a program at 10:30 a.m. this Friday, "Science: Weird but True." - Joette Barry photo...

  • Updated with new schedule: Heads up if you're heading to Spokane next week

    Scott Hunter|Aug 20, 2014

    Travelers headed to Spokane on US 2 this week should plan plenty of time to get there, the state Department of Transportation says, but the contractor has changed schedules to adust for congestion on US 2, easing it during high-use hours. Congestion near Airway Heights is expected to be high at times, as lanes of on- and off-ramps to Spokane International Airport close for "grinding." From the DOT: Spokane Airport Interchange and access road construction latest schedule adjustment SPOKANE – T...

  • Woman takes issue with complaint

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 20, 2014

    An Electric City woman read a prepared statement before the Electric City council last week, taking apart the city in general, the planning commission, and, in particular, Gary Haven, the city’s compliance enforcement officer. Linda Zernick, who lives at 218 Stevens, was trying to find out who made a complaint about her property, to no avail. She received in the mail a notice that she needed to bring her property into conformance with city ordinances or face a citation. A walk through of her property revealed that it is perfectly landscaped and...

  • Two top officers have 70 years in

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 20, 2014

    Grand Coulee police Chief Mel Hunt and Sgt. John Tufts have about 70 years of combined service to the area. That's about to change, with Hunt ending 39 years of service to the Grand Coulee area beginning in 1975 as a reserve office and ending Oct. 1, 2014, as police chief for the past 35 years. Sgt. Tufts started with the Grand Coulee police department in 1984, after spending two years as an Okanogan County deputy sheriff. He has been sergeant since 2002. Tufts said Monday that he plans to...

  • Newsbriefs

    Aug 20, 2014

    Civil service commissioner needed Kenneth Carroll has resigned his position on Grand Coulee’s Civil Service Commission, effective immediately. The commission is made up of three commissioners. A replacement selection will be made by Mayor Chris Christopherson. Chairman of the commisssion, Alan Cain, said that the commission will continue its work to advertise for and interview candidates for police chief. Dirty laundry Officials at Sunbanks Lake Resort reported to police that sometime Monday night, someone put mortar in their washing m...

  • Mayor takes issue with police articles

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 20, 2014

    Electric City Mayor Jerry Sands took issue at the city council meeting last Tuesday night, Aug. 12, with two stories about him that appeared in successive weeks in The Star newspaper. “It makes me look like a village idiot,” he told the council and some dozen members of the community who had come to the meeting. The first story had outlined how the mayor went to police headquarters in Grand Coulee and told Chief Mel Hunt to back off enforcing Electric City’s noise ordinance. Police had issued a citation to Electric City Bar and Grill becau...

  • Fire near Keller in mop-up stage

    Aug 20, 2014

    The Devil’s Elbow Complex fires burning north of Keller are mostly contained but fire lines were expected to be tested by winds, information from the fire management team said Tuesday. Containment lines have been cut by dozers or forged by hand crews around all but the steepest, rocky slopes, forming a perimeter around the 26,428-acre burn on the Colville Indian Reservation. All evacuation notices have been dropped to level one, meaning that “residents should be aware that there is a fire in the area and be cautious of firefighters, tra...

  • No treasure digging allowed

    Roger S Lucas|Aug 20, 2014

    A Spokane Valley man found that you can’t dig holes in a Grand Coulee park even though you are looking for buried treasure. Steven Harder, 46, was found Thursday, along with his metal detector, and dressed as a treasure hunter, digging in the park alongside SR-174 just west of La Presa restaurant. When police officer Joe Higgs got to the site, he found Harder with hand tools walking the park. He explained to Higgs that he was digging for buried treasure and always filled up the holes he dug. Higgs told the man that he was digging in a city p...

  • Consider future of Grand Coulee Dam Middle School

    M. Hall|Aug 20, 2014

    With the 2014 school year quickly approaching, and the transition for students to begin school at the new facility in Coulee Dam, has anyone put much thought into the future of the current schools that will be vacant once all the students have left, specifically Grand Coulee Dam Middle School? It seems this question has not been addressed or even seriously discussed. Is it fair to say that the city of Grand Coulee has not realized the opportunity they have for administrative expansion or at the very least, ensuring the local landmarks do not...

  • Thank you, firefighters!

    Harvey Moses|Aug 20, 2014

    I would like to personally THANK each and everyone of the firefighters for not only giving up your summer and personal time with your families, but putting your lives on the line doing battle with the Devil’s Elbow fire complex here on the Colville Indian Reservation. I almost envy your courage, as I sit in my "safe" home on Cache Creek, watching the caravan of rigs heading to and from the fire. Again, thank you for helping to keep us and our neighbors be safe, and God bless you for your service. Harvey Moses...

  • Moving rural America forward

    John Crabtree|Aug 20, 2014

    In January, President Obama declared that despite Congressional logjams, “America does not stand still — and neither will I. So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for American families, that’s what I’m going to do.” The Center for Rural Affairs has stood firmly in favor of the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan as a vital first step in reducing carbon emissions from existing coal-fired power plants, addressing climate change, and creating opportunities for renewable e...

  • V.B.S. brings life full circle

    Jesse Utz|Aug 20, 2014

    Once a long, long time ago, I was a little kid, believe it or not. Yep, I was and I attended a Vacation Bible School not far from where I lived in Electric City. I don’t remember a lot of the lessons, but I remember we had fun learning about God. What I do remember is a puppet show and an older boy there named Rusty. He was nice to me and he helped me memorize my memory verse. I know now his name is Rusty Bowman, and I know his parents more than I know him, but I will be forever grateful for h...

  • Coulee Recollectionss

    Aug 20, 2014

    1 Years Ago Clark Slattery, Coulee Dam, has been over charged for electricity for 29 years. Coulee Dam issued him a check this week for $3,800.00. Slattery says they still owe him about $15,000.00 but the city says the statue of limitations can only go back six years. The local Rotary Club and Lions Club will join forces to serve about 500-700 meals in conjunction with the Grand Columbian Triathlon, Sept. 18th. 20 Years Ago Local firemen once again are battling fire in Washington State. This...

  • Jennie May Mills

    Aug 20, 2014

    Jennie May Mills 74, of Creston, Wash., passed away peacefully at home Thursday, August 14, 2014, surrounded by the love of her family, including her husband of 51 years, John Mills. She is also survived by five children: Jody Mills (Diane), David Mills, Deanna DeBord (Joe), Caryn Mills, and Shelly Rose (Shelby). Ten grandchildren and 13 great grand children. Her kind, loving spirit will be missed by all who's lives she touched. A celebration of her life will be held at a later...

  • Reunion for Class of '84 this weekend

    Aug 20, 2014

    The LRHS Class of 1984 will be celebrating its 30 year reunion this weekend. Friday night the group will meet at the Electric City Bar and Grill. On Saturday a gathering at Spring Canyon will be held left to where the boats come ashore. Saturday night a banquet dinner at Pepper Jack’s begins at 6:30 p.m. with Love Stitch at 9 p.m. The cost for the dinner is $25. Please RSVP banquet on Facebook at 1984 class reunion or call Mark at 631-2039. See how the class looked 30 years ago on page 3....

  • Events going on at Spring Canyon

    Aug 20, 2014

    This week at Spring Canyon, the following ranger conducted activities include: The exploration center is open Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Hands-on activities, Junior Ranger activities, brochures and park information are offered. Crafts will be held from 2-3 pm. on both days. Parents must supervise their children. Fri., Aug. 22 & Sat., Aug. 23, 4:30 p.m., Bunchgrass Prairie Nature Trail Plant Walk. Join Ranger Deb on a 1/2 mile walk on the Bunchgrass Prairie Nature Trail in the campground at Spring Canyon. We will be talking about...

  • This week at the library

    Aug 20, 2014

    . Fri., Aug. 22, beginning at 10:30 a.m., the Summer Reading Program Gala – Science: Weird, But True. There will be a drawing for bicycles, donated by the local Free Masons of Washington....

  • CDHS Class of 1964 celebrates 50th reunion

    Aug 20, 2014

    Traveling from Maryland, Arizona, California, Montana, Alaska and many cities in Washington state, Coulee Dam High School Alumni of the Class of 1964 gathered on this past weekend to celebrate the milestone of 50 years since graduation from Coulee Dam High School. The event began with a fellowship time at Pepper Jack's Bar & Grille on Friday evening, Aug. 15. Saturday morning found alumni in the park at the Tribal Museum at a breakfast hosted by Darlene and Ian Wilder of Nespelem. The class...

  • Beta Upsilon members attend training convention

    Aug 20, 2014

    Lisa Wiese of Grand Coulee and Cathy Johnson of Wilbur, members of the Beta Upsilon Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG), returned from leadership development training for chapter leaders at the DKG International Convention. DKG is a professional honor society for women educators with approximately 90,000 members. Established in 18 member countries around the world. DKG defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. The leadership development training...

  • It's a boy for Louie/Mills

    Aug 20, 2014

    Amanda Louie and Alexander Mills III of Omak are proud to announce the birth of their son Alexander James Mills IV, on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 8 lbs., 3 oz., and was 20.5 inches in length at birth....

  • Meetings and Notices

    Aug 20, 2014

    Chamber This Week The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet Thursday, August 21, at noon, at La Presa in Grand Coulee. Launi Ritter of Heaven-Sent Computer Services will be the guest speaker. Next week Lynda Nutt of the Corps of Engineers will be the guest speaker. TOPS 1554 Meeting Date and Time Change TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 1524 meets on Tuesdays at 9:15 a.m. at Grand Coulee Senior Center prior to the exercise group gathering at 10 a.m. Come and join for the health of it. Time change for Chapter TOPS #WA1554. No...

  • Beat the heat, shop early mornings

    Frankie Delano|Aug 20, 2014

    Have you experienced or witnessed any run-ins in the Coulee this summer? Say what? You’ll probably recognize these examples: a run-in or a near miss run-in could easily happen in a parking lot (yes, the one where we mingle with visitors) and with that, let’s move on. It’s kind of like a no-choice-deal where all too often, the locals (we live here) get involved in parking wars over the best places to put your car in a lot. Jockeying around for a parking spot happens every day because we’re mingling with the out-of-towners and they seem to be i...

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