Newsbriefs

Kettle Falls Marina gets 10-year contract

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represents Washington’s 5th District in Congress, including Lake Roosevelt, recently announced a decision by the National Park Service to award a 10-year concessionaire contract for the Kettle Falls Marina.

“Outdoor recreation is part of life in Eastern Washington, and the Kettle Falls Marina has served our community for decades,” McMorris Rodgers said. “I was proud to advocate directly to the National Park Service in support of a new contract and appreciate them following through. This announcement will provide long-term certainty for the marina and the thousands of people in Northeastern Washington who use it every year.”

In early 2017, the NPS had announced plans to close longstanding services at the Kettle Falls Marina. Shortly thereafter McMorris Rodgers wrote to Laura E. Joss, Pacific West regional director for the National Park Service, expressing deep concerns.

In a month, the NPS announced a one-year extension of services at the marina while evaluating the congresswoman’s concerns and the future of the marina.

Electric City council won’t go on retreat

The Electric City council decided not to go on a retreat this year, since they couldn’t think of an important reason to have one. The council decided last week that a better time for a retreat may be next year when there may be new council members or a new mayor.

Radar signs will show speed

The Electric City council voted Feb. 12 to accept a $6,670.50 bid from Traffic Safety Corp. to install radar speed limit signs on Coulee Boulevard, also known as SR-155, with one sign facing north on the highway between Miller and Hillcrest Avenues, and the other south of State Street near the Department of Transportation building, facing south.

The DOT will be responsible for managing the signs. The signs will also cost the city about $600 to hook up to electricity. The signs will tell motorists how fast they are going in relation to the speed limit.

Stressing the importance of safety, Councilmember Rich McGuire noted that a similar sign on SR-155 helps remind him to slow down as he enters Grand Coulee near the Four Corners area. The signs may be paid for with a grant, but if not will be paid for with money collected on vehicle license tabs by the Transportation Benefit District. There is no set time frame to install the signs, but Councilmember Aaron Derr pointed out it would be nice to install them before tourist season is in full swing.