Coulee Recollections

Ten Years Ago

The Coulee Dam Town Council approved a hotly contested budget last week before a packed house of community members who spoke their minds on several hot budget issues with the Mason City Park project and the rejection of a $90,000 grant from the county for park improvements, the top issue. Dick Taylor of the Coulee Dam Business Alliance, the driving force behind the park project, commented, "This is a major gift....the town's partnership is a relatively small, short-term loan to allow it to happen....take the leap. He stated, "It would have been more prudent to allow for final review of the budget before returning the money," referring to a letter already written to the county by Mayor Snow rejecting the $90,000 grant. Some community members spoke against the park project, noting that they didn't like using town funds for its maintenance or the overall concept for the park revamp. Kathy Skordas recommended looking at a gazebo instead of a building she thought would get little use. She also stated that she would object to the town loaning itself money from other town funds that the town might need for an emergency, a move that was called for in a plan to accept the grant. After listening to all of the comments, the town council closed the public comment section and went into its regular session. Without any discussion, it breezed through the agenda, approving an ordinance and the 2005 budget, the final axe to matching any town funds for the $90,000 grant.

At his Dec. 6 arraignment held in the Grant County Superior Court in Moses Lake, Chase Campbell, 20, pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree attempted murder for stabbing motel owner Dale Baty. On Thanksgiving eve, Baty responded to guest Campbell's banging on the wall of his private residence, by answering the door located next to the Grand Coulee Motel office. Kathy Baty heard her husband yelling and went to the door carrying a gun, only to find her husband on his knees. Campbell backed out and the Batys shut the door. Kathy called 911. Police and emergency crews arrived quickly, and identified five stab wounds on Dale, one on his back, head, face and neck; one of his wounds missed his carotid artery by about half an inch. Campbell left the scene on foot and was apprehended on hwy 155, north of Coulee Dam by Colville tribal police and Coulee Dam police officer Robert Collins. Officers found a hunting knife with a six-inch blade in a leather sheath on him. Grand Coulee Police took the suspect to the local hospital where Kathy Baty identified him as the man who stabbed her husband.

A trial date is set for Jan. 19 with a pre-trial evidence hearing scheduled for Jan. 12. Campbell is being held in the Grant County Jail in lieu of a bail set at $250,000. Baty is at home, recovering from his ordeal.

20 Years Ago

Parents Who Care, the program that replaced the old Parent-Teacher Association two years ago after parents chose to cancel that program, put on a unique educational fund raiser at the annual Coulee Dam Christmas Bazaar last Saturday where children shopped at a table loaded with gifts, 84 different items, priced from 50 cents to $10, all geared for families. The idea for the sale was to raise money for special events at Wright Elementary, according to Paula Weeks, PWC chairwoman. The kids loved it, she said. They worked for the money they came with. And it made for a nice place for them while their parents shopped at the bazaar. Over 400 sales were made for about $1,100 in revenue which covers expenses, sales tax, table rentals and to purchase the novelty gifts so PAC profit is $150 which will be used for purchasing supplies and treats, and special events.

Lake Roosevelt honored its fall sports athletes with awards and letters last Thursday as follows; Raider Football, Michael Brandon, MVP, Shad Moore, offensive MVP, Trevor Fields, Mr. Defense, Jackson Louie, Most Inspirational, Chris Valdez, Most Improved; Cross Country Team, Angie Happ and John Wilson, Team Captains, Missy Albert, Most Inspirational, Adam Sprankle, Most Improved; Lady Raider Volleyball Team, TeRay Warnacke, Team Captain, Angie Nanamkin, Practice Athlete, Karen Sherman, JV Most Inspirational, Laura Winn, JV Most Improved.

30 years ago

The Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department recently held their annual awards banquet with 76 firemen, E.M.T.'s and their guests attending the dinner and dance. Fire Chief George Kohout handed out special awards to: E.M.T.'s Carleta Ayling and Robert McGuire, for their dedication and extra effort; Ted Felt received a certificate of appreciation for making the most ambulance responses and Gordon Deppman, for making the most fire calls; Mike Mooney, a mechanic at Carlson Motors, was honored as Rookie Fireman of the Year 1984 and Ron Anson, Fireman of the Year.

Braving early December bad weather, twenty-one ladies attended the holiday meeting of the United Methodist Women's Society held at the home of Martha Jackson of Grand Coulee Heights. Rev. Barbara Essen was in charge of the installation of officers and Connie Gross presented a program with the help of Kit Deiser, Marsha Fields and Julie Davidson, followed by a gift exchange and treats. Others attending included Vi Avey, Vera Rice, Lela McKee, Ruth Knighten, Mary Palanuk, Eve Miller, Clara Whyatt, Gladys St. Dennis, Anita Boll, Ruth Isherwood, Helen Johnson, Peggy Nachtigal, Ima Jean Gordon, Betty Rosenow, and Stella Gustafson.

With the Lake Roosevelt Girls Basketball season underway, the Raiders varsity team is off to a great start at 3-0, and coach Jay Runkel attributes much of the season's winning start to the team's participation in a summer team camp. In last Saturday's win against Okanogan, the Lady Raiders kept the lead for the entire game with scoring for LR by: Lisa Martin, 17, Nancy Kuiper, 9, Deb Louie, 6, Jackie Miller, 8, Annabella Speck, 2, Carla Reyes, 1.

At Wilbur, the LR's won 55-41 with Annabella Speck, high scorer at 17, then Deb Louie at 13 points. The Oroville Hornets lost on the LR's home court 49-33, a week ago, with Jackie Miller, high scorer at 15 points. The LRJV squad narrowly beat Wilbur 41-40 with top scorers, Val Rinder, Michelle Campobasso and Dawn Bjorklund each scoring 10 points, Teresa Allen, 5 and Patty Michaud and Michelle Hall at 4 and 2. Against Oroville, Dawn Biorklund scored 15 points for a 32-11 win.

40 years ago

Veterans of World War I, Barracks and Auxiliary 2009 will meet this Friday (Dec.6, 1974) in the Coulee Dam City Hall at 12:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Put on your dancing shoes. Starting on Jan.7, 1975 at 8:00 p.m., the Grand Coulee Eagles Lodge will host ballroom dance lessons for six weeks, with instructors from Spokane who will teach the Ed Cheney Method of Ballroom Dancing. There's classes for beginners and more advanced dancers and the lesson package is priced at $25.00 per person. Everyone is welcome so call Cecil Trefry or Ted Rice for a reservation.

Delight Beaty, Juliene Hunter, Mindy Benson, Sallie Ogg, Jimmy Pachosa, Darren Morris, Geri Pitner, Todd Banks, Kenn Copple, Darla Mellor, Charlene Bot, Therese Graham, Jim Sanders, Greg Tucker, Eric Bute and Kevin Avery were featured in "A Thanksgiving Story," a play written and produced by the students of Mrs. Joyce Behren's fourth grade class at Center Elementary in Grand Coulee. Students from the school's other classes watched the play last Wednesday.