The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

School

enrollment

up again

Enrollment number for Grand Coulee Dam District schools continues to exceed predictions. January’s enrollment in all three schools was recorded at 667. That’s 27 over what the district budgeted for and 46 students over the same period a year ago. So far this year, enrollment is 205 students over the same period last year.

Runway

cracks

need fixing

Airport manager Bob Babler told Port District 7 commissioners that cracks in the 4,200-foot paved runway at the Grand Coulee Dam Airport need to be fixed.

The airport is owned by the port district.

The cracks allow water to seep under the pavement, potentially causing major damage. One commissioner stated that the runway crack repair was on the district’s long-term repair list. Babler had stated that the repair could cost about $35,000. Two engineers who were at the Thursday meeting, Todd Combs and J.R. Norvell from T-O Engineers, said they had walked the runway and the cracks needed attention.

County to bury

unclaimed

remains

Grant County will bury the cremated remains of 23 people after a memorial service at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

The remains have been stored at the office of County Coroner Craig Morrison, who has the authority to declare the decedents indigent.

Last year the cremated remains of nine individuals who had been identified as veterans, were inurned at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington with full military honors.

Balde Eagle

Festival could use help

The annual Balde Eagle Festival, which is put on for regional school students each year, has 196 of them registered for the event on Friday, Feb. 21.

Organizer Janice Elvidge, an education specialist with the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, says the event is just about ready to go, but needs three site coordinators to help at the three locations classes are offered: The Vet Center, St. Henry’s Catholic Church and the Ridge Riders Rodeo Center.

If you’re interested in helping, or in housing a presenter for the night, let her know at 509-754-7848 or email janice_elvidge@nps.gov. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 10.

Methodists

donate to schools

The school board accepted a $150 donation from the United Methodist Church women for the district’s dietary program. The donation was accepted by the school board at its Tuesday night meeting last week.