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Articles from the December 26, 2018 edition


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  • Geezer Beach driving concern expressed by Colville Tribes

    Jacob Wagner|Dec 26, 2018

    Federal and tribal officials said last week that the question of whether fishermen should continue to be able to drive on the sand along Geezer Beach behind the Grand Coulee Dam stemmed from tribal concerns. The Bureau of Reclamation has been collecting comments on the issue as they do an environmental assessment on whether to continue allowing people to drive on the beach. USBR Public Affairs Specialist Lynne Brougher said the idea of banning cars from the beach started when the bureau received a request to address the issue from the Colville...

  • Project would take decade, inject millions into regional economy

    Jacob Wagner|Dec 26, 2018

    The Bureau of Reclamation is looking to modernize three more generators in the Third Power Plant of the Grand Coulee Dam in a project that should get underway in about four years. The upgrade of generators G19-G21, if approved, would take about 10 years to complete, beginning in 2023 at the earliest, and would add tens of millions of dollars to the regional economy, a draft environmental assessment states. A similar project, modernizing G22-G24, started in 2010 and still continues. It has cost...

  • Top 10 movies to watch in the Coulee (and one TV show)

    Jacob Wagner|Dec 26, 2018

    Ah, small town life. Country living. Old pickup trucks, down-home diners. You gotta love it. Sometimes it's a bit dull, but only boring people are bored, so you have to create your own excitement. If you need a little help with that, then these 10 small-town movies might give you the entertainment you so crave. Here they are, in no particular order: the top 10 movies to watch in a small town. The Last Picture Show 1971, rated R directed by Peter Bogdanovich "The Last Picture Show" epitomizes sma...

  • Lake remains accessible, but without services

    Scott Hunter|Dec 26, 2018

    The Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will remain accessible to the public, but with no visitor services, during the current shutdown of the federal government. That’s according to a statement issued by the National Park Service unit on Saturday, after Congress and the president failed to compromise on a bill to keep the government fully open. “During the shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and pro...

  • Local man booked on vehicular homicide

    Scott Hunter|Dec 26, 2018

    A Nespelem man is being held on $500,000 bond in Spokane County jail after his involvement in a deadly car crash that killed a Spokane veteran three miles west of Airway Heights Dec. 19. Ryan E. Labreck, 36, of Spokane, died at the scene Wednesday morning after his 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, which was stopped in a turn lane as he waited to turn left from U.S. 2 onto Christensen Road, was struck from behind by a 2002 Dodge Caravan driven by Thomas Aripa, 45, of Nespelem, a Washington State Patrol investigation found. Labreck’s westbound Crosstrek wa...

  • A Husky Rose Bowl memory - from 1960

    Roger Lucas|Dec 26, 2018

    In a few days the University of Washington Huskies will be in the Rose Bowl. It will be their 15th appearance in Pasadena and the Huskies will have the opportunity to tilt the record in their favor, currently having a 7-7 record. Washington’s first appearance was in 1924, and their last in 2001. But this column is about Washington’s sixth appearance, in 1960, when they defeated the University of Wisconsin, 44-8, and how I got there. I was working for the Idaho Statesman in Boise at the time. One day the owner of the paper, Jim Brown, came and...

  • My hope for Christmas is that you would find yours

    Jesse Utz|Dec 26, 2018

    A young child cannot sleep the night before Christmas. Visions of the toys that will be there, the stockings overflowing with goodies, and the mouthwatering feast all keep a young mind from drifting off. Also, the thought of the little fat man in the red coat delivering something special and eating the cookies left for him, and the child’s desire of catching a glimpse of the mythical being add to the sleeping dilemma. These hopes and ideas are as pure as the freshly fallen snow when we are y...

  • No apparent reason for proposed Geezer Beach changes

    Gary Esmond|Dec 26, 2018

    I wish to express my concern about the proposed changes to the access at “geezer” beach. I see no reason for the proposed changes, other than paranoia over the possibility of some incident which might occur. I do not recall an incident actually occurring in that area; I can find no justification for the paranoia which apparently caused these changes to be considered. More actual incident reports (facts) are needed for any changes to be implemented. Gary Esmond retired U.S. Army, retired USBR...

  • Re: "Mayor subject of harassment complaint" in Dec. 19 Star

    F. Gregory Wilder|Dec 26, 2018

    I respect the electorate. Some had vetted — and others did not. And for my good reasons, I voted the minority (Gayle Swagerty) for mayor, based on my own vetting process … and she lost. After all, “it’s just an election”… and in a small community we expect changes of policy and paradigms. It’s a process — and an expected outcome. However, from that, it offers nothing until the future actions define it … and I, for one, am now redefined and very much awake! You should be too. Yes, I took the time to vet the process for both candidates: I did the...

  • Robotics team takes fifth at meet

    Scott Hunter|Dec 26, 2018

    Nespelem School District's robotics team competed in their first regional "First Lego League Robotics Competition" the first weekend in December. With a little over a month to prepare, the small team of five middle-school students competed against 23 teams in Wenatchee, Principal Marcy Horne reports. This year's competition theme was "Out to Orbit," and the team was judged on robot design for that theme, and on core values based on "PAX," Horne said, referring to a system the school has used...

  • State Parks reservations system temporarily out of service Jan. 8 to 15

    Dec 26, 2018

    OLYMPIA – Dec. 18, 2018 – Washington State Parks’ online reservation system will be down from Wednesday, Jan. 8 through Tuesday, Jan. 15, as the agency puts the finishing touches on a new and improved system to be launched Jan. 16. During that transition week, all Washington state park campsites, day-use shelters and accommodations will be first come, first served and payable at the park by cash only. On Monday, Jan. 14, the system is scheduled to open for existing customers to update their accounts, including changing passwords, but it will...

  • Meetings & Notices

    Dec 26, 2018

    No Chamber This Week Chamber will not meet this Thursday. Happy holidays. Meetings will resume Thursday, January 3, at Siam Palace beginning at noon. American Legion to Meet The American Legion Post 157 next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8 at the Vets Center in Electric City. Senior Volunteers Offering Caregivers a Break Senior Center volunteers will be offering free activities for those with mild to moderate dementia whose caregivers need time for other tasks. For more information call Cheryl at 509-431-1027, Char at 425-879-5...

  • Second Coulee Polar Plunge set

    Dec 26, 2018

    Those wanting to start the new year off with a shock should meet the brave souls at noon, New Year’s Day, at Spring Canyon for the second Coulee PolarPlunge. The group will be meeting down in the park close to the boat launch area. Watch for signs!...

  • Kayak paddle

    Dec 26, 2018

    Kayakers will be meeting at noon on New Years Day at Coulee Playland for a new year paddle. For more info call Rod Hardin 797-3562....

  • It's a girl for Moses/Davis

    Dec 26, 2018

    Leslie Moses and Jewie Davis, of Nespelem, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Hattie Leontine Davis, born Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. She weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz., and was 18 inches in length at birth. Siblings include Tahwyah Davis, Willie Davis, Tenrulia White Temple, Tyrone White Temple and Zola Daris. Maternal grandparents are Lilly Kauffman and Lester Moses Sr. Paternal grandparents are Arnold Davis Sr. and Joyce Yallup Davis.... Full story

  • LR wrestlers win dual meet against Cascade Kodiaks

    Jacob Wagner|Dec 26, 2018

    Raiders wrestled in a dual with Cascade last week, as well as sending a wrestler to the Columbia Burbank Girls Invitational. Raiders wrestled in a dual match in Coulee Dam against the Cascade Kodiaks Dec. 20, with one match going on at a time underneath a spotlight. The event was the first dual match LR has hosted in five years. Out of the 16 matches, which included three forfeits, as well as exhibitions, Lake Roosevelt garnered 39 points to Cascade's 31. Terrance Saulque stole the show,...

  • Ladies second after three losses

    Jacob Wagner|Dec 26, 2018

    The Lady Raiders had a bit of a rough week, but are still second in the Central Washington 2B league with a 5-1 league win-loss record, 5-3 overall. The Lady Raiders played in Okanogan in a non-league game on Dec. 18, losing 37-33. "We laid an egg," said Head Coach Peewee Pleasants. "I don't think we could have played any worse a game from an offensive standpoint. Our defense is what kept us in, gave us an opportunity to try to win down the stretch. That's one thing we can lay our hat on is our...

  • Tough losses followed by solid win for LR Raiders

    Jacob Wagner|Dec 26, 2018

    The Raiders suffered two losses, one league, one non-league, but closed out last week with a solid win. The Raiders are third in the Central Washington 2B league with a 4-2 league win-loss record, 5-3 overall. Brewster and Oroville are at the top of the league, both with a 5-1, 6-2 record. Tonasket is fourth right behind the Raiders at 4-2, 4-3. The Raiders played in Okanogan in a non-league game on Dec .18, losing 75-56. "We didn't come out ready to go," remarked Assistant Coach Ty Egbert. "We...

  • This week in sports

    Dec 26, 2018

    Thurs., Dec. 27 LRHS Basketball at Eagle Holiday Classic, West Valley HS, Spokane. Boys V vs. Medical Lake, gym #2 noon. Girls V vs. Liberty, gym #2 1:30 pm. Fri., Dec. 28 10 a.m., HS Wrestling Powerhouse Tournament here HS Basketball continues at Eagle Holiday Classic. Girls V vs. Lakeside, gym 2 9 a.m.; Boys V vs. Colton, gym #2 5 p.m. Sat., Dec. 29 11 a.m., HS Wrestling at ACH for Banks Lake Brawl Thurs., Jan. 3 HS Basketball at Lberty Bell. GVJ 4:30 Elem. Gym/BJV 4:30 HS/GV 6/BV 7:30 Sat. Jan. 5 HS Bakebll here with Waterville-Mansfield,...

  • Legals for December 26, 2018

    Dec 26, 2018

    CITY OF ELECTRIC CITY ANNUAL DOG LICENSE RENEWALS The City of Electric City would like to remind residents that dog licenses are required in the city. The 2019 dog licenses are available as of December 17, 2019. Prices are just $4.00 for spayed/neutered dogs and $9.00 if not. Please purchase licenses by January 31, 2019 to avoid late fees. A valid rabies certificate is required to purchase a license. Thank you for your cooperation. (Publish Dec. 19 and 26, 2018) Notice of Public December Meeting Cancellation Public Hospital District No. 6,... Full story

  • Coulee Cops

    Dec 26, 2018

    Grand Coulee 12/18 - An officer helped a Sunny Dr. man lift his wife into a wheelchair for an appointment. - A man reported a Honda Civic tailgating him while driving near Pole Park, then passing multiple vehicles in a no-passing zone. 12/20 - It was reported that a white car had been parked at Osborn Bay all day with its lights on. An officer found only a white truck parked there with three men bird hunting nearby. - A UPS driver told an officer that someone on Division Street would likely be reporting stolen packages from their porch. It...

  • Santa was everywhere

    Dec 26, 2018

    Santa visits with Pazel, Amaris and Shai Miller at the Grand Coulee Library Dec. 13, after arriving on a fire truck during an annual event there with cookies and door prizes, in one of several visits to the Grand Coulee Dam area. He also visited with kids at the Moose Lodge and at the Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union. - Scott Hunter photo...

  • Start off the new year with a First Day Hike at Washington state park

    Dec 26, 2018

    OLYMPIA – Dec. 12, 2018 – Washington State Parks invites the public to start the new year off with a First Day Hike on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at nearly 40 state parks across Washington. Some parks will offer more than one hike. “First Day Hikes are a terrific way to ring in the New Year and enjoy the substantial beauty of Washington state parks in the winter,” said Don Hoch, Washington State Parks director. “The First Day Hikes will have something for every fitness level and interest, including guided hikes with rangers, snowshoe treks, fat bike...