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Articles from the October 31, 2018 edition


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  • Health district notes whooping cough case at Lake Roosevelt

    Scott Hunter|Oct 31, 2018

    The Grant County County Health District warned in an alert Tuesday that one of two cases in the county of a potentially serious, contagious illness involved a student at Lake Roosevelt Schools. Grant County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny issued the the alert to the Grant County media, stating that health district staff are investigating two Grant County residents with laboratory-confirmed whooping cough, also known as pertussis. The other case involves a student at Port Orchard Elementary in Moses Lake. “Exposure letters have been d...

  • Grand Coulee's place in music history

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 31, 2018

    Grand Coulee and its dam have been mentioned in songs by a number of popular artists over the years. Woody Guthrie started things off, penning a number of songs in 1941 mentioning Grand Coulee Dam. Most obvious is the song "Grand Coulee Dam," but the dam is also mentioned in what is easily one of the most famous and hauntingly beautiful folk songs ever written, "Pastures of Plenty," where Guthrie sings "Green pastures of plenty from dry desert ground/From the Grand Coulee Dam where the waters...

  • Swoosh and boo!

    Oct 31, 2018

    Second-grader and possible future basketball player Jace Lewis, dressed as a Zombie, makes a basket at the "Harvest Festival" held at Lake Roosevelt Schools Oct. 25. The event included a costume contest, food, games, and more, and was put on by The Grand Coulee Dam PTA, the Johnson O'Malley program, the Lake Roosevelt Elementary Associated Student Body and others. - Jacob Wagner photo...

  • Transgender policy, club approved at school board meeting

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 31, 2018

    The Grand Coulee Dam School District board has approved a policy related to transgender students and allowed the continuance of a club for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight ally students. At the Oct. 22 school board meeting, the board approved without much discussion a transgender policy that states: “The board believes in fostering an educational environment that is safe and free of discrimination for all students, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression,” the policy reads. “To that...

  • Restaurant owner sentenced in assault case

    Scott Hunter|Oct 31, 2018

    The owner of a local restaurant was sentenced Oct. 22 on assault and criminal trespass charges to which he pleaded in Grant County Superior Court. Juan Moreno, 41, pled guilty to one count of criminal trespass and entered an Alford plea to one count of fourth-degree assault. With an Alford plea a defendant is not pleading guilty to a crime, but believes he would be found guilty if the case were to proceed to trial. Grand Coulee police had arrested him July 23 after his estranged wife and her boyfriend said he threatened them with a knife and...

  • Coulee Dam leaders looking at rate hikes

    Scott Hunter|Oct 31, 2018

    Coulee Dam may raise its utility rates significantly over the coming years, if a discussion at last week’s town council meeting is an indication. With a shift in philosophies kicking in for the first budgeting season of a new council and mayor, town leaders were emphasizing a need to build up reserves for coming large expenses. Some reserves had been drawn down under the prior administration as then-mayor Greg Wilder felt it more prudent to take advantage of historically low interest rates where necessary, and to bring the town’s reserve fun...

  • Empower our Future meets a Natural Helper

    Oct 31, 2018

    At the end of last year, a group of people visited the school and brought a strong message. They not only came to Lake Roosevelt, but traveled to Nespelem, Omak, Paschal Sherman, Inchelium and Keller schools as well, bringing with them a message of self-worth, overcoming and positive actions. In Lake Roosevelt this has caused a ripple effect of good things, and I keep going back to that turning point of communication. When James Pakootas, Miah Bearcub, Lou Rouda, TS Solution and John Crown spoke on the stage in the Raider gym, I am sure they kn...

  • Coulee Dam should not subsidize Elmer City

    F. Gregory Wilder|Oct 31, 2018

    Last week The Star published “Town now planning entire lift station to serve Elmer City.” As a short response, Coulee Dam should not subsidize Elmer City. It’s unreasonable, it’s poor strategy (with some caveats), it’s a matter of fairness, and may violate the state constitution & statutes (as a gift of funds). During the planning, design, and approvals for the new Coulee Dam wastewater treatment facility, the town took all reasonable efforts to include and involve all those impacted and involved the stakeholders — specifically, since the T...

  • We Support Cindy Carter for re-election as county commissioner

    Oct 31, 2018

    Why: Cindy cares about Grant County and actively participates in making it better. Cindy listens and is passionate about finding positive solutions. Cindy is fiscally responsible and holds departments accountable. Cindy is dedicated to public service and has a great working relationship with us, department heads, and other agencies. Cindy is accessible and willing to help at all times. Cindy is well-respected and a trusted county leader. Please join us in re-electing Cindy Carter for Grant County Commissioner - District 3. Michele Jaderlund,...

  • The Grant County PUD needs experienced commissioners

    Oct 31, 2018

    Looming at the PUD is replacement of a complicated (and vital) energy sales contract, new infrastructure to meet growing power demands, and the resolve and creativity to finally finish building out the PUD fiber optic network. We need commissioners who actually understand how debt works — not folks who throw around scary debt numbers with no context. Terry Brewer and Patti Paris will begin on Day 1 of the new term as effective PUD Commissioners. No learning curve needed. Please look beyond the $$ onslaught of Ag Power User road and yard s...

  • Why I'm supporting independents, Democrats and Republicans

    Isabelle Spohn|Oct 31, 2018

    I urge voters to consider personal qualifications of candidates - rather than simply party affiliations. My votes for unaffiliated/independent candidates Ann Diamond and Salley Bull are for their ability to unite people rather than divide them. I support Democrat Christine Brown for joining these independents in their push for good healthcare for all. I support Republican Arian Noma for Okanogan County prosecutor because he addresses, with knowledge and passion, a consistently minimized issue. In 2015, the U.S. held 21.0 percent of the world’s...

  • Save our institutions

    Amedee Marx|Oct 31, 2018

    Our institutions are essential in preserving democracy. Some vital elements of our democratic institutions include a free press, judicial system, environmental protection, education, labor unions, intelligence agencies, election systems and health services. These institutions, and others, are under attack by the current administration by actions such as repeatedly discrediting the press and intelligence agencies, eliminating environmental regulations (clean air, water, climate change), and chipping away at healthcare. Our own election system,...

  • Robert Joseph Mueller

    Oct 31, 2018

    Robert Joseph Mueller, age 93, died on October 24, 2018, in Spokane, Washington. Bob was born December 4, 1924, in Aberdeen, SD, to parents Otto Edwin Mueller and Margaret Arntz Mueller. From April 1943 to August 1945, Bob was with the Army's 346th Infantry Division. He received two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart while seeing action in France and Belgium, including the Battle of the Bulge. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical...

  • The fix is in

    Oct 31, 2018

    State DOT workers fix the east end of the Columbia River Bridge in Coulee Dam Tuesday. The repair was needed after an overheight vehicle hit the "end portal," a piece of steel that had to be removed on Monday, taken to Wenatchee, and a new one painted and installed on Oct. 30 by the regional bridge crew of the Department of Transportation out of Wenatchee, explained Ryan Smith of the local DOT. Tony Gillin, bridge maintenance supervisor for the North Central Region of the DOT, said the unknown...

  • Trees of Sharing schedule set

    Oct 31, 2018

    ’Tis the beginning of the season for Trees of Sharing 2018. The Trees of Sharing program is a special way for Grand Coulee Dam area residents to anonymously bless local children who might not otherwise receive a gift at Christmastime. Trees of Sharing is for children up to age 18 residing in the Grand Coulee Dam area, including Elmer City and Belvedere. School-age children must be enrolled in the Grand Coulee Dam School District. This year’s Trees of Sharing schedule: • November 2 – November 16: Children’s names may be submitted on special ...

  • Eli Adrian Downs

    Oct 31, 2018

    Eli Adrian Downs passed away after a sudden illness on Saturday, October 20, 2018. He was born to Jim and Valerie Downs on December 28, 1982. He was the last of six children. He attended schools at the Ephrata School District, graduating from Ephrata High School in 2001. In 2001, he enlisted in the Air Force and following boot camp was accepted to the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal - Bomb tech). He completed the program and graduated, coming in close to the top of his class. Eli served six years in the Air Force before returning to civilian...

  • It's a girl for Hofman/Scott

    Oct 31, 2018

    Trina Arlene Hofman and Johnathan Robert Scott, of Coulee Dam, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Kelsea Raelynn Scott, born Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. She weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz., and was 20 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandparents are Senneatt Hodge and Kevin Hofman. Paternal grandmother is Sherette Scott. Great-grandparents are Linda Hogan and George Hogan....

  • Meetings

    Oct 31, 2018

    Chamber This Week This week’s meeting will be held at noon on Thursday, at Voltage Coffee House in Grand Coulee. General business is on the agenda. American Legion to Meet The American Legion Post 157 next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Vets Center in Electric City....

  • Snacks served as civics lesson

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 31, 2018

    A teacher is proposing a change of rules for high school students that would treat them more like adults in the classroom and let them eat snacks as needed while working. An ongoing, time-consuming issue at Lake Roosevelt is not allowing students to have any food or drinks in the classroom, as per a rule stated in the student handbook, according to civics teacher Brandon Keene, who used the issue as lesson in real-life civics. “Eating will always be a need for them,” said Keene, who also teaches world history. “We should not waste our class...

  • Requirements for emergency subs looser

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 31, 2018

    School updates requirements for “emergency substitutes” The Grand Coulee Dam School District board voted to update their criteria for emergency substitutes. Emergency subs are used when the reserve of regular substitutes, for which there are stricter requirements, has been exhausted. Previously needing an associate of arts degree, the criteria for emergency substitutes has been loosened to include those who are journeyman certified or who have taken as many or more college credits than required for an AA degree. “It gives us the latitude to ge...

  • Coulee Cops

    Oct 31, 2018

    Grand Coulee 10/22 - A tow tag was placed on a Honda on Hill Avenue and a letter sent to the registered owner. - A man reported he was being harassed on social media by another man. Police contacted the other man and told him not to contact the first man anymore. - A Roosevelt Drive woman filmed a chihuahua defecating in her yard, then showed the police. The dog was seen at a nearby residence, but the owner wasn’t home. The owner was mailed a $66 citation for having a dog at large. 10/23 - A man pulled over on Banks was cited for having an e...

  • Raiders win league football championship

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 31, 2018

    The Lake Roosevelt Raiders have won the league championship for the first time in recent memory. The Raiders won 32-14 on Friday against the Brewster Bears at home in Coulee Dam. Things went the Raiders' way from the get-go, recovering their opening kickoff to the Bears and starting with good field position. Steven Flowers scored soon thereafter, rushing for a touchdown and a two-point conversion to give the Raiders an early 8-0 lead. Hunter Whitelaw scored next for the Raiders, following a...

  • This week in sports

    Oct 31, 2018

    Thurs., Nov. 1 6 p.m., Lady Raider Volleyball Districts against Manson (winner to state), Royal City main gym Fri., Nov. 2 9 a.m., State Cross Country send-off assembly 7 p.m., Raider Football here with DeSales, winner on to state Sat., Nov. 3 State Cross Country - Sun Willows Golf Course, Pasco. 10 a.m., girls’ race, good luck Hannah Wapato; 11:30 a.m., boys’ race, good luck Soarin’ Marchand...

  • Volleyball finishes season; at districts

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 31, 2018

    The Lady Raiders won one and lost one in a volleyball district tournament held in Royal City last week, and a win against Manson on Thursday would send them to state. Against Tri-Cities Prep Oct. 25, the Lady Raiders lost in three sets, 19-25, 21-25, and 14-25 "We led in the first two sets and then lost momentum," said Head Coach Teri Sue Reed. "It was a game of really high and really low for us. We are working hard on evening it out." But the Lady Raiders did better against White Swan, winning...

  • CC team compete at districts

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 31, 2018

    Raiders Hannah Wapato and Soarin’ Marchand will be running at the state cross country tournament on Saturday. At the Districts 5-6 tournament at Blue Heron Park in Moses Lake Oct. 24, Wapato finished third in the 5,000-meter 1B/2B girls’ race with a time of 20 minutes, 30.29 seconds. Marchand placed 13th in the 5,000-meter 1B/2B boys’ race in 17:54.64. The top 21 girls and top 28 boys qualified for the state competition in Pasco on Saturday. “The race was great,” said Coach Ann Green of the districts competition. “As a team, everyone lo...

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