News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jeanne “Punkin” Marie (Toulou) Pachosa, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, beloved sister, and treasured friend to many. Jeanne passed away December 25, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on October 21, 1953, Jeanne was a proud member of the Colville Confederated Tribes Arrow Lakes Band. She married the love of her life, Jack Anthony Pachosa, on December 26, 1970, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and steadfast faith over... Full story
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jeanne “Punkin” Marie (Toulou) Pachosa, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, beloved sister, and treasured friend to many. Jeanne passed away December 25, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on October 21, 1953, Jeanne was a proud member of the Colville Confederated Tribes Arrow Lakes Band. She married the love of her life, Jack Anthony Pachosa, on December 26, 1970, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and steadfast faith over... Full story
‘Tis the time of year to be joyful, to celebrate and show appreciation, thankfulness and gratitude. Previously, I’d mentioned how I am keen on Jim Keene and many others but recently Addison Hansen, our previous neighbor, triggered this outpouring of appreciation here. She surprised my partner of 52 years with a thank you - happy holidays greeting and a beautiful piece of her artwork signed off with much appreciation. Addison is a former Raider and fine arts major. Her message to Mrs. A said, “Thank you for encouraging my creativity and culti...
Washington state school districts and entities were awarded nearly $8.4 million in grants this week to replace diesel school buses with zero-emissions models – including funds for one new bus for the Colville Tribes. One EPA grant for $260,000 will replace a Class 6 diesel refuse hauler on the reservation with a new zero-emissions school bus. The Colville Reservation is considered a “Justice 40 neighborhood,” an environmental justice designation stemming from a Biden administration executive order. The order set a goal that 40 percent of the o...
Following a public hearing Nov. 25, school directors decided students will attend Lake Roosevelt Schools for four days each week instead of five, beginning in the fall of 2025. People at the hearing expressed support and concerns, urged the board to consider how it would affect academic progress, and questioned whether enough research had been done into the idea. Superintendent Rod Broadnax assured people the decision would have no impact on the district funds and the board’s decision would have to be based on what’s best for the kids. Boa...
Two men whose crime spree ended with murders on the Colville Reservation in 2022 were convicted Monday in federal court of those and other crimes, including shooting a Colville Tribal Police sergeant. Zachary L. Holt, 24, and Dezmonique D. Tenzsley (a/k/a “Privilege”), age 35, were found guilty on all 17 counts presented at trial, including Felony Murder in Indian Country, Attempted Murder of a Federal Officer, Assault of a Federal Officer, Attempted Robbery in Indian Country, Robbery Affecting Commerce, as well as several firearm off...
Winona Winn "Wendi" Simons, beloved friend and family member, passed away peacefully at her home in Coulee Dam, WA, on November 12, 2023, at the age of 54 due to heart failure. Born in Spokane, WA, on August 9, 1969, Wendi was the cherished daughter of Karen Simons. She grew up in the Coulee Dam area, graduating from Lake Roosevelt High School in 1988. With a dream of a career in broadcasting, Wendi moved to Spokane to attend Bailie School of Broadcast, where she graduated and began her career... Full story
The Colville Confederated Tribes signed a formal agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce last week, committing the state agency to remove administrative barriers, improve communications and ensure data sovereignty in its work with CCT. Tribal Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson and Commerce Director Mike Fong signed the agreement on Oct. 23 at a ceremony at the Government Center, according to a news release. "The Colville Tribes welcomes a chance to work collaboratively with...
Notice of Election Okanogan County, State of Washington General Election Tuesday, November 5, 2024 A General election will be held in the below mentioned districts for the purpose of submitting to the voters for their approval or rejection the following. President/Vice President of the United States, U.S. Senate, Congressional District 4 U.S. Representative, Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Legislative District 7,... Full story
Fixing the heating and cooling system in Coulee Dam’s “Community Building,” where the Rio Grande Restaurant, the bowling alley and soon a reopened theater operate, just got a higher priority. The city council OK’d a plan to tap funds, if needed to patch the roof, as Larry Hernandez digs into his project to get a new HVAC system in the building. He’s been consulting with companies to get the place heated over the winter. Hernandez plans to re-open the Village Cinema, which close 11 years ago when the industry changed to require all digital p...
Live music, good food, and local and Indigenous artists will take center stage at Coulee Dam's saʔtítkʷ (River) Artist Celebration this weekend, at what organizers hope will become an annual event on the reservation side of Coulee Dam. And that's not even mentioning trick-or-treating and a costume contest with cash prizes happening Friday. Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Native Development Fund (NNDF), the celebration is centered on Mead Way, where most of the surrounding bus... Full story
The Colville Tribes this week recognized and honored the Colville Reservation WSU Extension 4-H Positive Youth Development program. The 4-H Positive Youth Development program educates young people with hands-on experiences, such as distributing seed bombs on burned sites and organizing Family Nite Out events, the Tribes stated in a press release Monday for National 4-H Week, October 7 – 11. In 2023, the program received awards for excellence in natural resource and environmental education. Youth who participate in 4-H gain valuable life s...
The Colville Tribes will receive over $400,000 for their inmate reentry program from a Department of Justice grant created to support public safety in tribal communities. Coming from the federal agency’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation funding, the award came as part of a package of federal grants totaling $6.9 million for state, municipal and tribal law enforcement programs, as well as medical examiner offices in Washington state. Specifically, the $424,623 for the Colville Tribes will go toward hiring a new reentry coordinator ...
Nespelem, WA) Garlic enthusiasts from the surrounding area gathered at a site located on Columbia River Road, Nespelem, WA, to learn about Inchelium Red Garlic. This variety is the oldest strain of garlic grown in North America. It originated in the small community of Inchelium, WA, for which it is named, and is believed to have been growing on the Colville Reservation before European Settlers arrived. This event was hosted by the Inchelium Red Garlic Revitalization Coalition (IRGRC). This...
It started as an answer to a job interview question in 2015, and next week, the Gathering of Wellness Powwow and Health Fair returns to the CMC grounds, across Highway 174 from the hospital campus in Grand Coulee. Though in its fifth year, it will be the first time since 2019 that Coulee Medical Center has offered the free community event, co-presented by the Colville Tribal Health Program. The powwow specifically began with the goal of improving CMC’s relationships with tribal communities, but everyone is welcome — and it makes for a great fir...
The Jess Ford Swing for the Good Golf Scramble was a huge success, said Run The Dam Executive Director Kelly Buche. Seventeen teams competed at the Colville Tribes Banks Lake Golf Course Saturday, Sept. 7, for 18 holes on a beautiful end-of-summer day. The top prizes of a new Ford F-150 and a five-day cruise were left unclaimed, but several tee shots came very close to making their mark for a hole in one, Buche said. In first place with 13 under par was 155 Fades Barbershop. Team members Corey...
A new Alternative Learning director at Nespelem School told its board of directors Aug. 26 he was excited for the program. “I just wanted to thank you all for the opportunity of bringing an alternative program to Nespelem,” said Mark Herndon, who made the move to Nespelem this fall after heading the ALE program at Grand Coulee Dam for several years. Nespelem’s program is integral to the startup last year of its emerging high school offerings, designed to develop a Career and Technical Education component, working with the Colville Tribe...
Elmer City officials and citizens met to look over a draft of the town's park and recreation plan Aug. 22. Planning consultant Kurt Danison of Highlands Associates presented the draft as the small group discussed ideas and additions or changes to it. The town hired Danison to help put together a master plan that will serve in the ever-important process of acquiring grant money for projects to improve the quality of life in the town with better recreational amenities. That process, itself, is...
I appreciate our local towns working together on the massive chip seal street project. It looks great and was needed. Now we all need to work together with expertise from Ryan Fish, Nic Alexander and others knowledgeable to make our emergency services more efficient and effective. Also, thanks to the Coulee Dam Shop crew for cutting back the overgrowth at the corner to the police station. I have seen many close calls there and worried about vehicles colliding. Now visibility is better for traffic flow. I’m thankful for the tremendous l...
Municipalities and others with public infrastructure projects they hope to see make a list for possible grant funding in Okanogan County are being encouraged to send in a letter now. The Economic Alliance said Tuesday it is accepting pre-application letters of intent to apply — from organizations, entities, municipalities, counties, private businesses and individuals in Okanogan County and the Colville Confederated Tribes — for the 2025 annual Okanogan County Public Infrastructure and Community and Economic development project pri...
Larry Hernandez sat alone Tuesday in the Coulee Dam theater that hasn't been operating as one since 2013, testing speakers with the big screen blank, streaming the audio from his phone via a Bluetooth connection, the 1985 movie "Back to the Future" blaring out. That alone could be taken a hopeful sign for the theater that closed 11 years ago as technological updates mandated by the movie distribution industry collided with small-town realities in many places that still operated with projectors...
Lake Roosevelt schools could move to a four-day school week in the 2025-26 school year, and an informal survey of the community showed a majority of respondents support the idea so far. Superintendent Rod Broadnax presented the school board Monday with the results from the voluntary six-question survey he put out to the public on the district website and Facebook page, asking people’s thoughts on how a four-day week would impact families, student learning, attendance and other metrics. 260 people responded. To the big question – “Do you feel...
The Grand Coulee Dam School District board unanimously appointed Buffy Nicholson Monday night to the seat left vacant when Deidre Ellsworth resigned in June. Ellsworth herself had been appointed just last November when Ken Stanger stepped down from the position. Nicholson, like Ellsworth a tribal member, and employee of Colville Confederated Tribes, will be sworn in by the next school board meeting. "I have 16 years experience in the child welfare field and have worked with at-risk youth in our...
The purchase of Banks Lake Golf Course by the Colville Tribes ends seven years of service to the course by Jim and Rose Keene. They took over management of the course under difficult conditions and put in countless hours of work to keep the course up and running. They have worked together with a mostly volunteer crew overseeing the everyday operations of the facility. Running a course is no easy task. It is a seven-day-a-week commitment for most of the year with some activity even when the course is closed. They deserve a very large “Thank Y...
Notice of Election Okanogan County, State of Washington Primary Election Tuesday, August 6, 2024 A Primary election will be held in the below mentioned districts for the purpose of submitting to the voters for their approval or rejection the following. U.S. Senate, Congressional District 4 U.S. Representative, Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Legislative District 7, State Representative Pos. 1, Legislative District...