News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Coulee Dam instructed the town’s attorney last week to file a lawsuit against Elmer City for breach of a decades-old contract between the two towns, saying Elmer City isn’t paying its bills. Following an executive session of the town council Wednesday night, the council voted unanimously to sue. Mayor Greg Wilder said Elmer City was in arrears at least $55,000 in charges Coulee Dam has billed for processing the smaller town’s sewage, more if certain capitalized costs are included. “They’ve overcharged us for labor for years,” Elmer City Mayor... Full story
The fish pens in Electric City have a new manager, in fact a pair of them. Carl Russell, who has managed the fish pens for the past 25 years and is retiring, said last week that Greg Anderson and Bob Meeker have agreed to co-manage the popular fish net pen operation that raises hundreds of thousands of fish each year, supporting the local sport-fishing economy. Both have been involved in P.O.W.E.R. (Promoters of Wildlife and Environmental Resources) for some time, especially in the feeding... Full story
Students of Lake Roosevelt Schools will return to classrooms Tuesday, Sept. 6, and will be welcomed by a number of new leaders. Superintendent Paul Turner will begin his first year as the education leader, replacing Dennis Carlson, who retired June 30. Turner was assistant high school principal last year. Taking over as principal at Lake Roosevelt High School is Mark Herndon, from the Cape Flattery School District where he was principal of Clallam Bay K-12. Herndon had been hired as assistant principal at the high school, but was elevated when... Full story
A fairly upbeat report on crime statistics in Coulee Dam didn’t assuage fears among residents who expressed dire concerns at the town council meeting about increasing petty crime. Mayor Greg Wilder recited findings from USA.com, a site that compiles all kinds of statistics, but invoked the Mark Twain quote that there are “lies, damned lies and statistics.” That site noted last year that the town had the second-best record in the state. But Wilder said he’d also compiled stats from state sources on nearby towns and that Coulee Dam still looked... Full story
Two large airplanes were on the tarmac at the local airport last Thursday morning. One, a Metroliner owned by the Army Corps of Engineers out of Omaha, Nebraska, and the other a King Air 350 that brought a number of Bonneville Power Administration officials from Portland for a tour of Grand Coulee Dam. The Metroliner is configured for 19 passengers and brought a group of Army Corps officials for a tour of Chief Joseph Dam. Later, a second King Air plane arrived from Boise to transport a number... Full story
Grand Coulee is going to move forward and seek a grant to install LED street lights throughout the city, Mayor Paul Townsend said last week. The issue was brought up by public works Director Dennis Francis at the August 16 city council meeting. Francis told the council that the city regularly spends about $2,708 a month ($33,355 a year) on power to illuminate its many street lights. He estimated that the city could save about 30-40 percent of what it now spends by installing LED (light emitting diode) lights. Francis said Friday that the saving... Full story
Early deadline for Labor Day The Star newspaper will be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday. Deadline for news and advertising for the Sept. 7 newspaper is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. Parent night at LR schools tonight Tonight (Wednesday) is parent night at Lake Roosevelt Schools from 5-7 p.m. A representative from Hoffman’s Music of Spokane will be on hand in the elementary cafeteria to talk about renting or purchasing a musical instrument. Anyone wishing to sponsor a student’s rental for the year can call Karen Pace at 633-1442 or email her... Full story
Local fisherman Greg Anderson caught what must be a near-record catfish in Banks Lake recently. Anderson, from Coulee Dam, said he was fishing near the buoys at North Dam, when a 34.7-pound catfish struck his crappie jig. "It was about 45 minutes before I got my first look at it," Anderson said. Two other anglers in the boat helped him finally net the big fish. "It filled the net," Anderson stated. "I was really tired bringing the fish in. The head of the catfish was bigger than a football and... Full story
The US District Court for the District of Eastern Washington has ruled that Teck Metals Ltd. must pay nearly $8.3 million to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation for all past costs related to the Tribes’ ongoing legal battle to force the Canadian smelter company to clean up mine waste pollutants it sent across the border for decades, the Tribes announced in a press release. The Aug. 12 ruling by the Judge Lonny Suko is the most recent victory by the Tribes who, along with the state of Washington, successfully sued Teck to f... Full story
The Almira Community Church has delayed its Coulee Dam opening date for services to Oct. 9, Pastor Paul McArthur said last week. The opening for services had previously been set for Oct. 2. “Things have been progressing nicely,” McArthur stated. Workers have been doing some painting on the outside, windows have been cleaned, and inside the stone edifice others have been getting rid of cobwebs grown during no activity. It’s nearly ready for services again. The roof, due for repair, is still a question mark, McArthur stated. The church is still... Full story
People at last week’s Coulee Dam Town Council meeting speaking up about local crime were stating out loud what we’re all feeling: the community is not as safe as it once was. There have been times in the last three decades when petty crimes spiked in the local area, only to recede after one or two arrests. This may be different. It feels different. In the past, the local petty crime rate would rise and fall depending on which thief just got out of jail. Police knew where to find him or her, and it was only a matter of time before the rep... Full story
Jess, I have read some strange comments from you, but this one takes the cake and demands a reply. Are you and the other people serious about thinking “B Street” has been the reason for the crime and degradation in our area, a cloud over the town? “B Street” was just a street like any other street in town. My mother and grandmother both worked on B Street during the 30s. My grandmother made pies and potato salad by the tubs at a bakery, and my mother washed clothes six days a week at the local laundry while my dad and grandfather worked... Full story
It would not open up Electric City for potential growth, as the city has said they wanted. It opens private homes for burglary, vandalism, and there is no safety in this for children. (The Star reports we have plenty of crime already.) A neighborhood is not a place to put a water park because back yard and front yard privacy is eliminated and the neighborhood becomes congested with parking and noise; and it is no longer safe for children to walk and ride their bikes. Not everyone works from 9 to 5. Some work different shifts and weekends.... Full story
Anyone who has spent time in Central Washington knows the Columbia River is the defining natural feature of our region. As the largest river in the Western Hemisphere that flows into the Pacific Ocean, it has long guided the way of life for people living in the Pacific Northwest. From water storage and transportation to recreation, flood control, energy production, and wildlife habitat, our management of the Columbia River will continue to determine the economic future of our region. We share this magnificent resource with our neighbor to the... Full story
There are those who fear change, the unknown that comes with something new. We get used to the way things were done in the past, we become comfortable. So when in a single school summer, we get a new superintendent, a new school board member, a new principal, two new vice principals, a new athletic director and at least seven new teachers/staff members’ things can seem to be very uncomfortable in Raider Nation. But strangely enough it does not appear to be. Yes, we will miss the positive face and atmosphere that Mrs. Liberty brought through t... Full story
Looking east into the main unit generator room of the left powerhouse during the course of construction. On the left is shown the tip elf scaffolding erected by the contractor to provide access to the wall pours. On the platform in the foreground are three sections of the steel forms for the draft tubes. - Aug. 26, 1939.... Full story
Dorothy Fifield went to be with the Lord Friday, August 19, 2016. Dorothy was born April 16, 1936, in Ft Peck, Montana. As a young child she moved to Blaine, Washington, where she grew up. In 1954 she married Duane Terpstra. They had four children (one of which passed away shortly after birth). They raised their family in Monroe, Washington, for a while and later ended up in Arlington, Washington. In 1996, Dorothy and Duane moved to the Moses Lake, Washington, area where they retired. All of... Full story
Susan Lee Eyer, 70, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2016, at her home after losing her battle with cancer. She was born on May 4, 1946, in Coulee Dam, Washington, to Wilbur and Mary Lou Boydston. As a young girl she attended school in Coulee Dam public schools. In high school Sue participated in band, varsity tennis, and was a majorette. She then went on to attend Washington State University and received a B.A. in Home Economic Education. On July 20, 1968, she married Charles Leonard Eyer in Coulee Dam. The couple lived... Full story
A golf ball drop fundraiser Saturday at Banks Lake Golf Course netted the course $1,050, and provided prize money for three whose numbered balls fell closest to the pin. The 300 golf balls were dropped from a truck with a bucket from about 15 feet. The three closest balls were determined after Birdie Hensley measured the distances of the winning balls. First-place money of $225 went to Sally McDowell, of Elmer City; second place of $150 to Dyana Crummet, of Soap Lake; and third place to... Full story
Chamber This Week The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will be meeting at noon this Thursday, Sept. 1, at La Presa Restaurant on SR-174 in Grand Coulee. Rachel Harris will be talking about the new Care Net facility in town. Care and Share Food Bank Is Open Fridays The food bank at the Church of the Nazarene has normal operating hours every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. It is located at the Church of Nazarene, Hwy 174, Grand Coulee. The bank still can use clean, plastic grocery bags. Local AA Meetings Confused in the Coulee AA meetings are... Full story
The Raider football team showed a lot of promise on Saturday when they played Bridgeport in a pre-season “jamboree.” The Raiders scored three touchdowns, while only allowing one during the series of short scrimmages against Manson and Bridgeport. Sophomore quarterback Steven Flowers threw a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Nathaniel Hall. Junior running back Beau Michel ran in a touchdown. Flowers ran the third touchdown in himself, showing that he is a dual-threat QB capable of both passing and running. On the defensive end, def... Full story
Kim Iverson, left, welcomes Rowena St. Pierre and family to her preschool classroom during an open house at Nespelem School Monday night. Nespelem students and community were invited to a community meal Monday after the first half day of school for the new school year. - Scott Hunter photo... Full story
Grand Coulee's Public Library just finished its Summer Reading Program with 179 kids signing up and 115 completing the program, librarian Lisa Moore said. The readers also took part in a variety of activities. Here, Lacee Minkes-Olsen does some face painting on one of the readers. There also was a fishing pool, puppet show, theater and an appearance by a llama. - Submitted photo... Full story
Karah Duclos graduated from Eastern Washington University June 11, 2016, with a double major Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Professional Accounting, Cum Laude. She plans to pursue her CPA within the next year. She is the daughter of Klendon and Susan Duclos of Coulee Dam.... Full story
Senior League 8-24-16 Bob 162/167/173=502; Leo 179/132/154=465; Karen 172/130/167=469; Ray 172/146/127= 445; Dixie 138/148/125=411... Full story
