Newsbriefs

Dean is new principal at Nespelem School

New Superintendent/Principal Effie Dean engaged the Nespelem School District Board of Directors in a broad discussion of coming issues Monday night, including a $4 million budget to be prepared with a 20-percent hedge against possible cuts in the 2020-21 school year; the state’s decision to definitely open schools this fall and include distance learning; upcoming bargaining sessions with labor unions; and a well that’s not pumping enough water.

Dean will call people this week to set up a task force to work on the re-opening of school amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

New business trying to come into Coulee Dam

The city council June 10 heard from Dan Moomaw, who has been working for months to try to open a coffee stand on Sixth Street, a task made harder by the difficulty meeting face to face during the pandemic. Officials were to meet with him by the end of the week.

Restaurateur negotiating with Coulee Dam

The Melody may become the Rio Grande if a man negotiating with the city on a lease is successful. The discussion at city council sounded like the two sides are close. Mayor Bob Poch said the individual is an experienced restaurant operator.