Newsbriefs

Colorama huge hit

Despite the fact that new Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce Manager Peggy Nevsimal broke a collarbone Friday night, which kept her from seeing the fruits of most of her work on the event, reviews have been largely positive.

President Jesse Utz said Tuesday that he had just been told it was “the best Colorama ever.” And other board members say they’ve gotten similar unsolicited comments.

The biggest addition, and probably the largest amount of added work, had to do with the revival of The Beer Tent, a low-key, three-day venue with live music and beverages.

And a helicopter selling rides of six to 10 minutes made about 50 flights carrying two to three passengers each time.

Colorama goers spent more than $23,000 with food vendors and nearly $19,000 on discounted carnival tickets.

Nevsimal said Tuesday she didn’t have all the bills yet, but profit from the event is likely to more than double last year’s.

Sculpted trees

not stolen

Folks visiting Mason City Park in Coulee Dam might be asking, “Where’s the sculpted tree, did someone steal it?”

But it is all part of the town’s plan to provide a base for the sculptures, then secure the carved tree stumps back in place.

The town council voted to have permanent bases for the tree sculptures prepared and then strap the art pieces back on the base. The town is using about $15,000 from its hotel/motel tax account to pay for the work. The sculptures were originally commissioned after a wind storm in 2012 blew down two big trees in the park. That work was also paid for with hotel/motel tax funds — about $12,000.

Paving project done

The Lower Crest Drive paving project is completed, public works director Barry Peacock told the Coulee Dam Town Council last Wednesday night. He explained that the contractor, Granite Construction, would return in a few weeks to do the striping. The paving project also included guardrails. The road had been barricaded while the work was being done.

Texting and talking

to draw tickets

Between May 20 and June 2 motorists in Grant, Adams and Lincoln Counties can expect to see law enforcement patrolling city and county roads in search of unbuckled drivers and passengers and drivers using their cell phones.

Last year, during this same time period, officers on routine and extra patrols statewide issued 3,171 seat belt violations amongst the 11,047 motorists who were stopped.

Similarly, last year during this time period, 1,059 cell phone violations were written. However, taking a historical look, in 2010, (the same year cell phone use became a primary law in Washington), only 63 drivers were cited statewide.

In Grant, Adams and Lincoln Counties, the Ephrata, Othello, Quincy, Royal City and Warden Police Departments, the Adams, Grant and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Offices as well as the Washington State Patrol will be teaming up and participating in these extra patrols, with the support of the Central Basin Traffic Safety Task Force.