Coulee Recollections

10 years ago

The Colville Tribes’ new $8.1 million minimum-security prison, two years in construction, will house prisoners sentenced in the tribal court system, starting in September, says administrator John Dick. The new facility, located on School Loop Road near the Colville Indian Agency, will house up to 60 prisoners with rooms for 29 adults and 31 juveniles, including rooms for females.

The Grand Coulee Dam Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a new event for kids 12 years old and younger on June 10-12 throughout the local communities. Called the Koulee Kids Fest, the weekend event, starts Friday afternoon.

20 years ago

Two local fishermen, Larry Miller and Ron Cook, were fishing in their float tubes about 30 yards away from a boat that an elderly couple flipped upside down on Lymen Lake last Sunday. Cook said they went under once and popped back up. They were not wearing life jackets and were clinging to the bottom of the boat. Miller and Cook paddled over to them, turned the boat rightsideup and towed the couple to shore. Lymen Lake is between Disautel Pass and Aeneas Valley.

Vandals caused an estimated $500 in damages to Douglas Park in Coulee Dam last week by destroying flowers, stealing a set of tools and to the door of the men’s restroom. Police Chief Tom Edwards said police are unable to patrol the park because of its location.

30 years ago

According to Grand Coulee Dam Project Manager Don Tracy, the Bureau of Reclamation will start the Spillway Light Show on June 13 with a 30-minute spill down the face of the 550-foot dam at 1:30 p.m., followed by a one-and-a-half hour light show at 9:30 p.m. The program runs daily until Labor Day.

In the town of Coulee Dam, the Space Needle Tourist Information Booth is open for the summer season, under the direction of Ellie Brado, owner of Ellie’s Curio Corner.

The Coulee Dam Swimming Pool opens for the summer season on Saturday, June 15 this year with a schedule of 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., then 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Admission fees remain the same as last year: $1.00 daily, season passes at $15 for an individual or $35 for a family of any number.

40 years ago

The Grand Coulee Community Float took first place in its division at the Apple Blossom Festival in Wenatchee last Saturday. Featuring an unusual western theme, Bonnie Decker, Miss 1975 Grand Coulee Dam, is seated under a horseshoe spelling out Colorama Festival, on the float’s main section.

The Washington State Liquor Board announced last week that it disapproved an application for a Class E license to sell beer for home consumption at the Trading Post Store. In a letter to the Colville Tribes, the license applicant, this reason was given: Investigation discloses that it is not advisable to approve this license, it appears that the area is adequately served with Class E licenses at this time. Further, there are substantial local objections to the issuance of this license. However, a Class H license to Junction Enterprises to sell liquor-by-the-drink at Smitty’s Pancake House, Grand Coulee was issued.