News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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If business wants well-trained workers, high schools need funding While I understand Don Brunell's [Association of Washington Business] lament regarding preparation of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, I would point out that there is far more to this subject than Mr. Brunell addresses. I am a [retired] professional auto and truck technician with management experience and multiple licenses and certifications, some now lapsed. For the past four years prior to retirement I taught Automotive Technology and welding in... Full story
Two months after running out of food and cutting back on days open, the Care and Share Food Bank is back up to speed, thanks to an overwhelming response from the community, said manager Fern Blaylock. “I am so happy,” she said Monday, wiping a tear on her cheek after receiving two checks from Charlie Long, who presented them on behalf of Zion Lutheran Church members and friends, and Thrivent Financial For Lutherans. The checks for a total of $2,285 were the latest in a continuing series of res... Full story
Odessa to get meat plant The Odessa Public Development Authority (OPDA) has signed a design-build contract with Spokane based Garco Construction for a new 7,000 square foot USDA livestock processing facility to be built in the Odessa Industrial Park. The facility will serve small to mid-sized producers. The new plant will offer USDA carcass inspection, processing, packaging and improved access to retail markets previously unavailable to local producers. It’s scheduled to open in May. The new facility will reportedly bring 10 to 15 jobs to b... Full story
A program will soon be underway to encourage high school dropouts to continue their educations through a new online program approved by the school board at its last meeting, The board authorized the hiring of American Academy, a national group, to seek out students who have dropped out of school for one reason or another and encourage them to get back on track. American Academy will hire mentors for the students to stay with them as they work online on specific subjects that will earn them high school credits and lead to graduation at Lake... Full story
Electric City will appropriate $20,472 for the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 tourism promotion program, following a vote of the city council last Tuesday night. Chamber of commerce Manager Peggy Nevsimal had presented a $61,000-plus promotional plan to Electric City, Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam councils. Electric City was the first to respond with a vote to provide one-third the funds from hotel/motel taxes, which must be spent on promotion of tourism. The plan provided for ways to attract visitors from within 100 miles a... Full story
Port District 7 commissioners suffered a bit of sticker shock last Thursday when an RV project they plan for the Banks Lake Golf Course was projected to cost nearly $1.5 million. The report was part of a feasibility study by USKH Engineering and presented by civil engineer Zak Sargent, of that firm. Commissioners had projected that the RV park would provide needed revenue to help with operation expenses. Rates for parking an RV at the park ranged from $20 a night in the off season to $40 during the peak summer season. The port commission had... Full story
Ready to party, attendees to the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Vintners and Brewers fund raiser find their seats and beverages in this long-exposure photo at the Vets Center Saturday night. The “Night in Paris” themed event was sold out at 180 seats. — Scott Hunter photo... Full story
Zion Lutheran Church’s women’s group presented a check recently to Myrna Schryvers of the senior Meals on Wheels for over $1,500 for both the Meals on Wheels program and for meals at the senior center. Clockwise are Mary Comrie, seated writing check, Arlyce Goetz, Myrna Schryvers, Maryann Boll and Evelyn Russell. — Roger S. Lucas photo... Full story
Area law enforcement agencies are looking for a Grand Coulee man wanted in connection with an alleged armed robbery of the Blue Moon Smoke Shop in Coulee Dam. A clerk at the shop said that Phillip Cody Ruiz, 23, entered the shop and said he wanted to purchase some cigarettes, but had left his wallet in the car. When he returned, clerk Sandra Waters was on her cellphone, and Ruiz ordered her to get off the phone and give him the money in the cash register. He ordered her not to call the cops or he would be back. Waters said that Ruiz, known to... Full story
There will soon be a quilt shop in Grand Coulee. Owner/operator Marlene Oddie, from College Place, has purchased the former ice cream shop across from the Teepee Drive-in, and will soon begin the process of getting it ready for an opening shortly after the first of the year. Oddie had been working out of her home in College Place, but finds herself in the Grand Coulee area after her husband Duncan, hired on at Grand Coulee Dam as a mechanical engineer. Oddie spent a number of years with Bank of America as a consultant and finally opened her... Full story
A documentary video, about a concerted cross-reservation effort to reduce traffic deaths from a high of about one every other week to two last year, has won an award. “Traffic Safety Successes on the Colville Reservation”, produced by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, received recognition from filmmakers earlier this month. During the 37th Annual American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, California, the documentary won the award for Best Industrial. The film was directed by M. J. Haught. “I am thrilled this film has helped to re... Full story
A 46-year-old man was arrested and taken to Grant County Jail after allegedly trying to elude police early Monday morning. The vehicle that Ernie Andrew Smith, of 57899 W. Cardinal Road, was driving was allegedly clocked at 50 mph in a 35 mph zone heading east on Alcan Road when Officer Heath Otto gave chase. Smith lost control of the vehicle and it hit concrete posts protecting a Grand Coulee water main and then continued on until it stopped at 901 King Street, Otto’s report said. Otto contacted Smith and had him spread-eagled on the ground w... Full story
Two people were injured in a one-car collision just west of Grand Coulee early Monday, the Washington State Patrol reported. Richard Field, 70, of Bridgeport was driving the 1999 Dodge Caravan east on SR 174 when it left the road on the right, stuck a rock wall, crossed both lanes and came to rest against the guardrail on the other side of the road about 5:18 a.m. He and passenger Linda Field, 65, were both taken to Coulee Medical Center by a third party, the report said. Both of them were wearing seat belts, and no alcohol was involved. The... Full story
Eloise Bowman is my nominee for volunteer of the year 2012. She leads a group of faithful volunteers at the Grand Coulee Senior Center Thrift Shop, where they often work twice weekly every week of the year, sorting, pricing and selling items donated from our community for our community. What a great way to serve EVERYONE! The donated items don’t just add income for the senior center. This outpouring of love helps those folks on limited incomes in our community by offering clothing and household items at reasonable prices; they also offer u... Full story
I would like to nominate Earl Cole for Volunteer of the Year. Earl has been helping elderly people with yard work for a good many years. If you need a tree pruned, a yard mowed, leaves raked or just about anything else, he has done it. Working at the transfer station I see him hauling load after load of yard waste. I always ask him when he will be finished and he usually says “just a couple more loads and I’m done.” That never happens though. Once people see him helping others he always has more. This past fall, Earl told he had one last load,... Full story
I believe that Robert (Bob) Hendrickson would be a person worthy to nominate for Volunteer of the Year for 2012. I have known Bob for more than 30 years. As a teacher, Bob impacted the lives of his students, those in the Resource Room and all the students at Nespelem Elementary School. For years Bob served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Master. How well I remember the Scout Family gatherings to make pizza, go sledding, and race pinewood derby cars. My favorite memory is watching and laughing as boys with rolled-up newspapers smashed soda... Full story
Mr. Kohout has been the driving force behind "defibrillating" the Ridge Riders' Club and making it once again a vibrant, active riding club. George has put the Ridge Rider grounds to very good use this past year with the "Bulls, Burgers, and Brew" bull riding competitions and other events. He is also active in big game wildlife management, and the local area service organizations, volunteering his time and energy for causes that are good for the community. During the raging, lightning-caused range fires of a couple of months ago, you didn't... Full story
One of the most important aspects of our work as PUD commissioners is communicating with those we serve. We recognize that the decisions we make as a board have a direct impact on families, farms and businesses in Grant County. As we move closer to adopting our 2013 budget and potentially determining how rates will increase, we want to reassure you that we take these decisions seriously and are doing our best to meet our customer’s needs. Following budget hearings and meetings with individual customer groups, we have reviewed our budget f... Full story
Ten Years Ago The best young boxers, from all over the state will make the trip to Coulee Dam this weekend to compete in a boxing tournament at Lake Roosevelt High School. A new full-time police officer should make attending schools in the Grand Coulee Dam School District safer for students. School Resource Officer Joseph Lauseng said his number-one job is life and protection but he also wants to improve the relationship between students and police. NESPELEM SCHOOL HONORS STUDENTS - The following who achieved the A honor roll for first quarter... Full story
Terry Lee Sharr, 57, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, after a short stay in the hospital. Born on March 6, 1955, to Harry and Joan Sharr, he was the eighth of 12 children. Terry never married and didn’t have any children, but was loved very much by all who knew him. He was born in Springfield, Ore., and grew up in Grand Coulee having graduated from high school there in 1973. Terry went on to Big Bend College’s nursing program, graduating as an LPN in 1975, then on to Columbia Basin Col... Full story
Michelle M. Prince, daughter of Sergeant First Class Sara Zlateff and Lieutenant Colonel Pat Zlateff both U.S. Army retired, has been promoted to Petty Officer First Class or PO1. She is currently stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, aboard the USS Vella Gulf CG72. Having just returned from her fourth tour in the Persian Gulf, she is awaiting orders for her next duty station. She has 12 years in the Navy so far. Her current duties include: Overseeing the 2 five-inch guns. The Armory, (weapons room)... Full story
Grand Coulee Police 11/26 - Police advised Safeway that one of its grocery carts was located behind the senior manor. A person was sent to collect the cart. - A man told police that he had paid a $300 bar bill at a local tavern with a debit card and when he checked with the bank the amount was $500. Since he had signed the debit slip, the bank told the man he couldn’t cancel the charge. The man is trying to get the charge corrected. - A woman whose three horses got out near the Grand Coulee RV Park collected them and returned them to the p... Full story
Chamber to Meet at Noon at Siam Palace The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet Thursday, Dec. 6, at noon at the Siam Palace in Grand Coulee. Rich Avey will report on Lions Club activities. TOPS Meetings TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 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. TOPS#WA1490, Coulee Dam meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., meeting following weigh in downstairs in the ground level fellowship hall in the... Full story
Wed., Dec. 5 - Dinner Baked Chicken, French Fries, Fruit Salad, Corn, Pudding. Thurs., Dec. 6 - Dinner Philly Dip Sandwich with Au Jus, Jay’s Homemade Chips, Pineapple & Cabbage Slaw, Peanut Butter Cookies. Fri., Dec. 7 - Breakfast Denver Omelette with Cheese, Ham, Green Peppers & Onions, Hash Browns, Toast, Mixed Fruit, Orange Juice. Mon., Dec. 10 - Breakfast Sausage Links, Eggs, Hash Browns, Toast, Pears, Orange Juice. Tues., Dec. 11 - Dinner Beef Stroganoff, Egg Noodles, Beets, Mixed Salad, Fruit Cobbler. Wed., Dec. 12 - Dinner Al N... Full story
Saturday morning Karrie, Nicollette and I got up and went to the Christmas Bazaar at Center School. It was a great time. We visited with friends we had not seen in months. We also purchased a few goodies and treasures we found there. I was also reminded of years ago, going to this same event. It seemed bigger then or maybe it was because I was smaller. The painted walnut tree ornaments are still there. I remember as a kid we always got one or two of those to hang on the tree. As a matter of fact... Full story