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

Ridge Riders report break-in

The Ridge Riders Saddle Club, which puts on the Colorama Rodeo and the more recent bull ride and race horse race, suffered a break-in and damage last week.

Club President George Kohout said someone cut padlocks off gates and took an axe to the door of the shed that houses the bar of the Rattlesnake Saloon at the rodeo grounds last Wednesday night.

He said the Grant County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

Child safety seat event planned

Tribal Traffic Safety announced that certified Child Passenger Safety technicians will be offering free car seat inspections and education to parents and caregivers on Sunday, July 8, beginning at noon at the Celebration Grounds in Nespelem.

The event is part of Tribal Traffic Safety’s goal to promote seatbelt use on the Colville Indian Reservation. It will also include lessons on how to choose the right car seats for children, and how to install and use them correctly.

Tribal Traffic Safety will have a limited number of car seats available for expecting families, families that do not currently have car seats, children who have outgrown their current seats, or to replace damaged or expired seats.

Sales taxes increase in Grand Coulee

The sales tax rate charged in Grand Coulee just went up two tenths of one percent on July 1 to 8.1 percent, the result of voter approval last fall of a boost to aid maintenance of city streets.

For every dollar taxed, 1.6 cents will go to Grand Coulee, while the state of Washington collects 6.5 cents.

Fireworks danger noted

In 2017, 63 wildland and vegetation fires accounted for 76 percent of all fireworks-related fires reported to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, resulting in over $8,600 of loss and damages.

While discharging fireworks, a small fire can easily get out of control if fuels (grass and other vegetation) are present.

A person found responsible for starting a fire with fireworks can be required to pay restitution for the fire suppression costs and damages caused by the fire. This could be in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

In the event of a fire, call 911 first and, if safety allows, use a hose or a bucket of water to heavily soak the area. Be sure to check the area for hot spots that could rekindle later.

Sale of consumer fireworks began June 28 at noon and ends on July 5 at 9 p.m.

Attending a public display is a safe and fun alternative to enjoy fireworks, the fire marshal’s office asserted.

NPS to seek proposals for Kettle Falls

The Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area announced last week that it would seek proposals for a private concession to offer services at Kettle Falls Marina.

In response to public input, a press release said, the business opportunity for a 10-year contract includes new services not included in previous contracts, such as water taxi service and boat tours.

The contract would, however, continue amenities that have been in the area for years, such as fuel sales, sewage pump-out, a convenience store, and slip rentals for boat moorage.

The operator will also be able to provide houseboats and marine craft rentals, primitive cabins, water taxi service, and boat tours.

A site visit will take place on July 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interested businesses can tour facilities and view current operations. Appointments are required for the site visit through the National Park Service concessions specialist for North Cascades National Park and Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area by telephone (509-682-4921) or by emailing annelise_lesmeister@nps.gov no later than 4 p.m. Pacific time, July 10.