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

Earthquake hits

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck at 9:42 a.m. Tuesday, shaking the area just enough to trigger an automatic check of local dams.

The quake, which hit about seven miles north of Nespelem and six miles beneath the surface, shook windows in the new tribal government administration center being built there, where some people assumed it was a construction accident.

Investigation moves local

The investigation of financial irregularities at Grant County Mosquito District 2 has now moved to the Grand Coulee police department. Chief John Tufts said he is receiving information from both the state auditor’s fraud investigative unit and from mosquito district files in order to do the investigation. The investigation was requested by the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office through the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. A State Auditor’s Office investigation report stated that there had been $129,000 in misappropriated funds.

Looking for a few good picks

The “American Pickers” television show is headed to Washington state sometime in October. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce has been contacted to provide information on any likely place they can stop and dicker for some old items that they traditionally pick on their show. They are looking for a warehouse full of old items. Anyone who knows of such a place can call the chamber office at 633-3074.

Park fund raiser will help development

Tickets are on sale this week for Electric City’s “Pigs for the Park” barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 12, in the park-like area behind city hall. Proceeds go towards development of the city’s new park behind the fire hall. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children 6 to 12, but children 5 and younger will be served for free. Tickets are on sale at city hall, with Lonna Bussert and Birdie Hensley also selling tickets. The event begins at noon that day.

Big sound was not gunfire

On two occasions, Aug. 27 and Aug. 28, police were asked to check on gun shots in the Osborne Bay area. Police found that both times someone had fired a propane cannon designed to scare off wildlife. The noise was apparently bouncing off the coulee walls, allowing it to be heard a good distance away.

Civil service date changed

The Grand Coulee Civil Service Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, instead of its regular meeting date, which