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Articles from the September 24, 2014 edition


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  • Parlette disappointed by FEMA denial of additional wildfire-victim assistance

    press release, Sen. Linda Evans Parlette|Sep 24, 2014

    State Sen. Linda Evans Parlette says she is disappointed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is sticking by its earlier decision to deny financial assistance to individual victims of this summer's wildfires in North Central Washington. "There are many whose lives were turned upside down and could benefit from a hand up – not a handout – from the government as they work to move forward," she said in a statement. "There is only so much the state can do, so the federal government's sta...

  • State Patrol detectives seek witnesses

    press release, Washington State Patrol|Sep 24, 2014

    At the request of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) assumed primary investigative responsibility for the fatal traffic collision involving an on-duty Grant County Sheriff’s deputy and a Jeep Cherokee. The crash occurred at approximately 9:35 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the intersection of Dodson Road and Road 5 NW. The deputy was traveling south on Dodson in a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado pickup when he collided with the eastbound 1996 Jeep. The driver of the Jeep suffe...

  • Electric City will negotiate on land for park

    Roger S Lucas|Sep 24, 2014

    One Electric City council member’s dream of a city park could soon be a reality. Lonna Bussert, who has shown interest in park matters ever since she has been on the city council, has finally started the ball rolling on getting one. Mayor Jerry Sands has advised the Baptist Church board that the city is interested in purchasing part of the Baptist Church’s school play area. The area being looked at is 80 feet by 180 feet, and is all of the playground’s lower tier and part of the upper tier. Bussert sees acquiring the property as a start. She t...

  • Hopeful tone set at Nespelem school

    Scott Hunter|Sep 24, 2014

    Despite a rocky start to the new school year, Nespelem School directors were optimistic at their Monday meeting, pointing to new leaders and attitudes in school administration. The last school year had ended with a flurry of late resignations, including that of then-superintendent and principal John Adkins. The school was bracing for budget hits as some students would switch to the new school in Coulee Dam. And as of Monday, the person they had planned on teaching fifth grade starting in October, had said she wouldn’t be coming. Despite t...

  • Painting the town

    Sep 24, 2014

    Vern Crim and several other Bureau of Reclamation workers apply a fresh coat of paint to the concrete in the median on SR 155 near the Visitor Center last Wednesday. The concrete is shaped to look like paving bricks. - Scott Hunter photo...

  • Grand Coulee Police Chief Mel Hunt is retiring

    Roger S Lucas|Sep 24, 2014

    Police Chief Mel Hunt retires next Tuesday after 39 years of service in Grand Coulee. It all started for him in 1975, when Hunt signed on as a reserve officer. Then things happened fast, and he was named chief in 1979. It was a big step then for an Oklahoma farm boy who had lived there and in Colorado before moving with his family to Grand Coulee, where his father, Lester Hunt, took a position with the Bureau of Reclamation. The idea of retirement came crashing in on Hunt at last Tuesday's city...

  • Seniors now have their bus garage

    Sep 24, 2014

    The Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center's new bus garage will house two buses they use to transport members to various outings including such things as shopping, doctor appointments and entertainment events. The building, off Federal Avenue, was built by Claw Construction, of Coulee Dam. From the left are Brandon Whitelaw, John Whitelaw and Jason Clark, all from Claw Construction; and Bob Schryvers and Larry Curtis from the seniors. - Roger S. Lucas photo...

  • School census counts 719

    Roger S Lucas|Sep 24, 2014

    Grand Coulee Dam School District had 719 students for its official start-of-the-year count last Thursday. That’s about a full classroom more than the district had at its first day count last September. The official count was 719 students. This shook down to 712.71 “full time equivalent” students, since some are only part time. Still, it was an abrupt increase as new facilities attracted new students. The secondary wing, the senior and junior high, had 330 students; the elementary wing had 389. The totals were down from the initial openi...

  • Newsbriefs

    Sep 24, 2014

    New time for council Grand Coulee’s city council voted last Tuesday night to start its meetings at 6 p.m. Prior to the new time, the council had been meeting at 6:30 p.m. The council regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday each month. Petitioner pushing for stops at 4-corners Ray Wells, an Electric City resident, asked Grand Coulee’s council for support for a petition drive to get the Department of Transportation to put in a four-way stop at Four Corners intersection. He told the council that he has collected 1,100 names on the pet...

  • New school libraries get new books

    Roger S Lucas|Sep 24, 2014

    The two new libraries at Coulee Dam schools have a lot of new books. And more are on the way. A good share of the new books in the elementary and secondary libraries have been placed there by North Central Library District, and Director Dan Howard said this week that a lot more are on the way. North Central, the hub for nearly 30 community libraries in Central Washington, connected with the Grand Coulee Dam School District because doing so fit the organization’s goal of creating an environment where lifelong reading can take place. District o...

  • New sewage equipment replaces old before a breakdown

    Roger S Lucas|Sep 24, 2014

    Coulee Dam town officials had their fingers crossed that a new clarifier would arrive before the old 35-year unit quit on them. It came Tuesday, and true to operator Tim Lynch's report to the town council, the new one was installed the same day. Lynch said it should be operable by the end of the day. But it took the combined efforts of a manufacturer's representative, a heavy equipment company and several town employees to pull it off, literally. The town council had voted $40,000 to replace...

  • Golf course success possible because of a lot of people

    Sally McDowell|Sep 24, 2014

    Many volunteers have made Banks Lake Golf Course a great success this year. There has been mention in The Star newspaper of some of the people who have helped give of their time, but not all the volunteers have been mentioned. I would like to let the community know who these people are. Early in the season, Orville Sharbach would be out raking the sand traps in the mornings before golfers even showed up. Hellen Olbricht helped get the ladies organized to weed the bunkers and plant flowers (Sally McDowell, Sandy Sheehy, Betty Davis, Donna...

  • They support Garth Dano for prosecuting attorney

    Mike and Carol Conley|Sep 24, 2014

    We would like to go on record supporting Garth Dano for the prosecutor job in Grant County. Garth is a long time Grant County attorney and has served his clients well. It is time that we bring new blood to this office. We know that he will be responsive to all of Grant County residents, which has not always been the case with the current office holder. We urge you vote for Garth Dano. Mike & Carol Conley Moses Lake...

  • When the circus came to town

    Jesse Utz|Sep 24, 2014

    Traditions are important but sometimes when one fades away it isn’t till it is long gone that you wish, somehow, it was still around to enjoy. As I think back to some of the Coulee traditions as a kid, I start to wonder, “What happened to that,” or “I wonder where that went?” So here are some things I miss around here. During Colorama every year kids could look forward to the carnival. Back in the day, to me, it seemed a lot bigger than it is nowadays. I remember one year it filled the entire Junior High field. Maybe someday we will get back...

  • Freshwater shortage looming as next world crisis

    Don Brunell|Sep 24, 2014

    Remember the rhyme of the Ancient Mariner: “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink?” Even though water covers 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, less than two percent is fresh water. Therein lies the problem. As the world’s population grows, demand for water is increasing; in periods of drought it becomes a crisis. California has been in the grip of a severe drought this year. As summer ends, we are beginning to see the economic impact, and it is staggering. The University of Californi...

  • Coulee Recollections

    Sep 24, 2014

    1 Years Ago A tough race exhausted athletes in the inaugural Grand Colombian Triathlon this week. 11 hours, 10 minutes and 46 seconds later the first competitor finished. It was a huge success promotors boasted afterwards and plans for next years event are already in planning. Vedder of Portland Oregon won the Full Iron for the men and June Jenkins of Canada won for the women. Raider Volleyball lost a close match this week, 3-2 in a spirited contest against Inchelium. Jordan Ruiz had four kills, Kristen James had two and Adrian Smith had two b...

  • Donna Mae Shaw Hamilton

    Sep 24, 2014

    Donna Mae Shaw Hamilton passed away suddenly Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. A memorial service is set for 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Strate Funeral Home Chapel in Grand Coulee. Everyone is invited. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Rotary Polio Plus. Send to the local Grand Coulee Dam Rotary Club, P.O. Box 367, Grand Coulee, WA 99133 A complete obituary will be in next week’s Star....

  • Don H. Gerard

    Sep 24, 2014

    Don H. Gerard, loving father and Papa passed away on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at the age of 81. Don was a hard working and fun loving man throughout his life. He loved his family, traveling worldwide, his cars and to people watch. Come and celebrate his life with his family, Steven, Gary and Tracy, Ron and Lisa, His seven granddaughters and eight great-grandchildren at the VFW Hall in Electric City, Wash., on September 27, at 1 p.m....

  • Faye A. Bain

    Sep 24, 2014

    Faye A. Bain, 71, born November 17, 1942, into the Redding, Calif., home of James Angus and Gertrude Mae Campbell died in her Electric City, Wash., home surrounded by family Saturday morning September 13, 2014. In 1957 15-year young Faye married Myron "Dick" Bain in Grand Coulee, Wash. Over 40 years ago Faye moved to Juneau, Alaska where she kept books for Bain Construction, was the Children's Department Manager in Behrens Department Store and finally went to work for the State of Alaska from...

  • Darrel W. Seibold

    Sep 24, 2014

    Darrel W. Seibold – Born March 1, 1938, in Electric City, WA, passed away September 7, 2014, in Desert Hot Springs, CA. Darrel was an iron worker and drove truck for many years, retiring to Desert Hot Springs, CA, twenty-two years ago. Darrel was a long time member of Jehovah's Witness where he made lifelong friends and enjoyed spreading the word. Darrel is survived by his son, Donald (Sis) Seibold, Colbert, WA, daughter, Julie Seibold Chiapetta, Spokane, WA, sister, Maureen (Carril) Cramer, N...

  • Bishop Wallace at St. Dunstans

    Sep 24, 2014

    Bishop Wallace of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane will be visiting St. Dunstan’s in Grand Coulee at 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 28. All are welcome to attend....

  • The plane truth

    Sep 24, 2014

    Mark Igo explains the ups and downs of his passion - radio controlled airplanes - to the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce last Thursday at The Siam Palace....

  • Meetings and Notices

    Sep 24, 2014

    Chamber Meeting at Siam Palace The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet this Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Siam Palace in Grand Coulee. General business will be discussed. Grant County Fire Dist. 14 to Meet Grant County Fire District #14 will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m., at the Electric City Fire Station. SAIL Exercise Classes For Age 65+ SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) exercise classes meet at the Coulee Dam Community Church, 509 Central Drive, Coulee Dam on Mondays, Wednesdays and...

  • Cross country opens with two-race week

    John McNeil II|Sep 24, 2014

    Raider Cross Country had a delayed start to the 2014 season as Moses Lake cancelled their Sept. 12 invitational. Instead, the Raider cross country team started at Bridgeport Sept. 16 with a 2.2-mile race. The Bridgeport Invite featured all Central Washington B schools, and was a good early season gauge of how the Raiders stack up to league competition. "This was our first two races of the season, and for this being early in the season all performed well, giving their team their best efforts,"...

  • Lady Raiders split matches

    John McNeil II|Sep 24, 2014

    Lady Raider Volleyball picked up its third win a row Sept. 16 at home against Oroville. “It was our first home game, the girls were pretty excited and a little nervous playing at home,” Head Coach Nate Piturachsatit said. “Once the nerves settled in, they took control. It was a fun game.” The Lady Raiders won the match in four games, 25-23, 25-10, 22-25, 25-21. Oroville is sitting at the bottom of the Central Washington 2B North with an 0-3 win-loss record in league. Piturachsatit was pleased with the performance of the Lady Raiders against...

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