Newsbriefs

Electric rates to rise in Coulee Dam

Coulee Dam residents can count on paying a little more for electric power next year, following a discussion at the city council last Wednesday.

Council members agreed to plan on writing in a 5-percent increase to electric rates to cover a 5-percent increase in wholesale electric costs from the Bonneville Power Administration, a 1.6-percent increase for city employees, and other rising expenses.

Stefani Bowden, the city clerk, said overall expenses would rise by $40,000 next year and the 5 percent would just cover it.

In the midst of its budgeting season, the council will meet Monday at 6 p.m. in a workshop to discuss the budget further.

Bowden’s preliminary budget showed anticipated expenditures of $10,947,768, which is about $726,000 more than expected revenue.

A final budget hearing is set to occur during the second council meeting of the month, which would have been the day before Thanksgiving, but is rescheduled for the following Monday, Nov. 27, at 6:30 p.m.

State patrol plans emphasis patrols during Thanksgiving/Apple Cup

The Washington State Patrol will be conducting special “multi-district” emphasis patrols from Nov. 16 to Nov. 26 as Washington State University students travel across the state for the Thanksgiving holiday break and Apple Cup 2017 in Seattle.

District 4 troopers in Spokane, Whitman and Adams counties, and District 6 troopers in Grant and Kittitas counties will be focusing on speeding, including driving too fast for conditions, distracted/impaired driving and other collision-causing violations during the emphasis.