Deadline approaches for flags

It’s just about time for the Isle of Flags dedication.

The deadline for ordering flags for the dedication is May 18. If you want to have a flag dedicated and in place to honor your deceased veteran for this year’s event, call Ben Alling at 633-0663 before the deadline.

Hospital debt to county cut by three fourths

Coulee Medical Center’s debt to Grant County has dipped below a million dollars, less than a quarter of what it was last October.

People applauded in the Hospital District 6 commission meeting Monday night as Chief Financial Officer Kelly Hughes reported the current amount owed on county “warrants” (essentially checks written that draw from county funds) was down to $986,987. Last fall it had peaked at over $4 million.

Volunteers clean up course

Fifteen volunteer workers showed up for the work day in mid-April at Banks Lake Golf Course. They removed debris from the trees, and generally worked to make the course presentable. The course has been busy with early golfers, Grant County Port District 7 commissioners reported at their meeting last week.

Tip: Presale carnival tickets save $10

Colorama advance carnival tickets are selling for $20, but that price goes up to $30 at the carnival.

The tickets are now on sale at seven locations: Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce office, The Star newspaper, H&H Grocery, Coulee Hardware, Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union, Loepp Furniture, and The Trading Post.

The carnival will be open four days this year: May 10, from 4-9 p.m.; May 11, 12-9; May 12, 12-9; and May 13 (Mother’s Day) 12-5. Rainier Amusements, of Portland, will be in its second year of a three-year agreement to supply the event.

Condotta will not seek re-election

Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Wenatchee, announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election in November. The representative of the state’s 12th Legislative District, which includes most of the Grand Coulee Dam area, will complete his term.

“It was a difficult decision. I have put my heart and soul into being a legislator for 16 years, but it takes a tremendous amount of time and commitment,” Condotta said. “The recent sessions have lasted as long as six months, and it is challenging to be gainfully employed while serving as a legislator. There are other new and exciting opportunities crossing my path, in and out of the Twelfth District I may not want to pass up.”

Other House Republicans who have recently announced they will not seek re-election include Reps. Dan Kristiansen, Larry Haler, Terry Nealey, Liz Pike, Jay Rodne, Melanie Stambaugh, Joyce McDonald and Norm Johnson.