Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

Growing concerns about why a police officer was needed in the schools were aired publicly Monday night at the shool board meeting. School resource officer Joe Lausing spent 40 minutes answering questions from the school board. Questions ranged from who monitors his visits to who evaluates his job performance. “This is an important position, not just for the schools, but for the community,” Lausing added in his address to the board.

A suspected arson fire in a waste basket at LRHS prompted a lock down at all area schools last week. Coulee Dam Police stated they have a few suspects and the fire is still under investigation.

 Twenty Years Ago

Juanita O’Neal, daughter of Felix and Marcella McCraigie, Nespelem, was promoted to Petty Officer First Class. O’Neal serves aboard the U.S.S. Mars, a supply ship currently docked at Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. She is a 1981 graduate of LRHS.

Three wrestlers are moving on to the state tourney for Lake Roosevelt. Mike Murray 122, Kevin Hannahs 178 and Gary Clothier 101 will all represent the Raiders at the Mat Classic. 

Lady Raiders’ Basketball playoff hopes ended at Cashmere last weekend 45-43. Twice in the final 40 seconds, LR had chances to take the lead but the ball just did not go in the basket. 

The boys’ basketball team finished the season with a 75-62 loss to Cashmere knocking them out of any playoff games. Josh Pearson ended the night with 22 points to lead the Raiders but it wasn’t enough as the buzzer sounded at the end of the fourth quarter.

Thirty Years Ago

Popeye, a dance and gymnastics team made of 4th,5th and 6th graders performed last week for the chamber of commerce. Members of the team include: Stephanie Anderson, Tara Anthony, Holly Babler, Jennifer Barham, Kami Benson, Tina Bonneville, Shannon Broumley, Chris Brown, Holly Campbell, Jodee Feeley, Nikki Greer, Colette Helseth, Christina Holmes, Billie Jean Horton, Cheryl Kosewicz, Shannon Lippert, Lauri Maciejewski, Trish Orien, Deanna Peterson, Sherelle Ratcliff, Kathy Regruto, Mitzi Seymour, Sara Smith, Shana Smith, Geri Stauffer, Shannon Tracy and Craig Zlateff. Popeye is coached by Stewart Andy Anderson.

Forty Years Ago  

Shelly Minor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Minor of Coulee Dam, won the Betty Crocker Family Leader of Tomorrow Award at Lake Roosevelt High School. This is an annual award presented by General Mills. Shelly was also crowned “Miss Spirit” at half time of the basketball homecoming game.

Lake Roosevelt Raider Boys are now in first place after beating Cashmere 46-42 and Tonasket 41-39 this week. They now boast an eight-game winning streak.

Fifty Years Ago

 A local bakery produced a 60 -pound cake. Brant Quinton baked and decorated the huge wedding cake with white and pink trim. The cake will feed 250 cake eaters. Brent figures he spent 14 hours decorating the cake.

Beaver and Tiger basketball seasons both ended poorly with both teams done for the year with no playoff hopes alive. Keith Redthunder led the Beavers with 35 points in their final game against Pateros but they lost 83-41. The Tigers leading scorer was Kerry Perkins with 15 but lost to Soap Lake 80-60.

Sixty Years Ago

A fire of unknown origin destroyed Ed Bradbury’s home in Electric City Saturday night. No one was home at the time of the fire, they were visiting the Redmond home in Grand Coulee at the time.

Coulee Dam Beavers won their first round game in the Okanogan County Basketball Tournament, beating Molson 52-39. Gary Whitling led the Beavers scoring with 14.

Grand Coulee Tigers won their first round playoff game also in the Grant County Tournament with a 61-51 win over Coulee City. Roy Rice led them with 26 points.