The biggest local festival of the year drew thousands to Grand Coulee Dam to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, live music and even the original laser show on the dam. What they couldn't see were the unusual challenges that started the week for Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce officials. With the festival looming on Friday, Krystal and Jillian Fillis, executive directors in training, knew they had a lot of organizational boxes to tick off by Thursday. But Monday morning they...
Firefighters kept at least two smaller blazes from turning into bigger ones this week as wildland fuels turned tinder dry. One blaze took off quickly about 11 p.m. July 5, right after a loud bang at the south edge of the town of Coulee Dam, setting the hillside near the Visitor Center ablaze. Several agencies responded quickly, including the Bureau of Reclamation whose land was burning near the Columbia River Inn. Coulee Dam Volunteer Fire Department requested mutual aid, bringing in Grand...
One of several groups of protesters spread out along Midway Avenue July 4, take an hour on Independence Day to object to the Trump Administration's policies. Several said they'd had a lot of friendly honks but only a couple single-finger salutes. - Scott Hunter...
Here are just a few things I’ve noticed recently that show we live in an area surrounded by amazing people. I was in awe watching the fire and law enforcement departments fight the recent fire and keep everyone safe in West Coulee Dam. Rick Paris stopped by and assured us things would be alright. People don’t get any better than him! The Festival of America was awesome. They didn’t skip a beat due to the theft of the Chamber’s trailer. Our local talent with Dylan and the teachers “Fuel for Ghosts” was great. Their genuine passion...
I was a church kid in the 1960s and 70s. Many of our “kid” songs were upbeat and contemporary. There were many stories and lessons in those songs, some of which many of us have seemingly forgotten over the years. One of my favorites comes to mind: “They’ll Know We are Christians by our Love.” If you were a church kid in the 60s and 70s, you’ll probably remember some of the words: “We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord,” and “we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,” and “we will work with each...
The Grand Coulee Star is a weekly community newspaper. It covers local news, community events, births, weddings, obituaries, police reports, and school happenings. It has an editorial page that regularly showcases conservative voices, including GOP Representative Dan Newhouse and business columnist Don C. Brunell, as well as letters from local citizens, and a political cartoon —a time-honored American tradition. Accusations that it is “liberal” are laughable. It’s a fantastic community resource that we should all be proud to support....
Over the years I’ve been amazed at some people that read the paper. Maybe I’ll just state it as is: some extreme right wings don’t like your reporting both sides of the news and threatened to cancel the paper. Over the years I personally think you’ve reported both sides fairly. Plus, you report some news that nobody is covering. Good job. On a personal note, I really didn’t care for the draft and was drafted, but with the draft in place more citizens were watching what the government was doing. Now with the all-volunteer military...
It’s been 20 years since the Lake Roosevelt High School Class of 2005 crossed that stage. Many of us moved away, started families, and built new chapters. But one thing hasn’t changed: the bonds we formed here. That’s why we’re inviting all LRHS alumni to join us on July 19 at Village Cinema for a relaxed evening with trivia, arcade games, free popcorn and soda, and a classic movie that takes us back to those carefree days. For those who want to catch up beforehand, Rio Grande is offering dinner specials for reunion attendees. BOGO...
I had written earlier that the Grand Tetons in Wyoming was my favorite place. They are, as far as scenery goes. However, as far as my personal experiences go, my best place would be the Snake River from one end to where it empties into the Columbia River. My wife’s family had a 350-acre irrigated farm near Buhl, Idaho overlooking the Snake River canyon. At about 4 p.m. each day, hundreds of pheasants would fly up onto their farm area from the canyon below. You could stand on the rocky ledges and see the canyon below come alive with...
July 11, 1804, personal enemies and political antagonists, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton met to settle their long-standing differences with dual. This extreme event reflected the hostility provoked by the developments of the nation’s political party system. As the two faced off, their pistols fired in close succession. Burr’s shot struck its target. Fatally wounded Hamilton, who died the following day. Both men were political leaders in New York. Burr, a prominent Republican. Hamilton...
The Ridge Riders Rodeo grounds will be hopping this weekend with another record-breaking attendance with kids from all over the Pacific Northwest traveling from cities such as Touchet, Palisades, Lopez Island, Graham, Monroe, Danville and Hermiston, to name a few. The Ridge Riders are cosponsoring again this year, with Eastern Washington Jr. Rodeo Association and the Caribou Trail Jr. Rodeo Association pulling in kids from all directions. Junior rodeos offer young athletes ages 3 to 18 the opportunity to compete in rodeo events, fostering...
Soap Lake — June 30, 2025 — Masquers Theater is thrilled to announce the return of its week-long summer theater camp for youth. This August, up to 35 children, ages 7–17, will spend their afternoons at Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, preparing to take the stage at the end of the week. The Masquers Summer Youth Theatre will run Monday, August 11 through Friday, August 15, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. daily, culminating in a public performance on Friday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m. This year’s production is A Twist of the Tongue, a fast-paced and...
Coulee Dam Police 7/2 - Reports were filed without further details, including one related to trespassing on Miller Avenue and one for a verbal disturbance on 3rd Street in Electric City. - A man reported that after returning to his property on Coulee Boulevard after some time in Arizona he found his residence had been burglarized with someone entering through a rear window and taking multiple items including a coin collection, personal documents, marijuana, and more. The man said that his girlfriend’s fifth-wheel trailer had also been...
Area AA Meetings In Electric City, the New Hope group holds its meetings Monday through Friday evenings at 6pm at the Vets Center. There is also a noon meeting every Wednesday. These meetings are open and non-smoking. For more information, contact Paul 631-4551 or Phyllis 631-1187. In Nespelem, the group Bound and Determined holds its meetings Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Catholic Church. Contact Myrna at 634-4921. Food Bank Closed July 4th Due to the 4th of July holiday on Friday the Care & Share Food Bankwill be ckosed. The will resume...
A celebration of life for Jewel McGuire will be held at noon at Spring Canyon park on Saturday, July 12. It will be potluck style so please bring a side dish or dessert if you can, if not, just yourself. Jewel passed away on January 20,... Full story
A Celebration of Life for Ambrose Edward-Dale Moore will be held at 3pm, Friday, July 11 at the Nespelem Community Center, 5 Circle Grounds Road, Nespelem. A dinner will follow. Moore passed away February 2.... Full story
There is a $50 charge for obituaries published in the Star. This includes a photo and up to 500 words. Reminders for Celebrations of Life and Death Notices are $25. Articles must be either e-mailed, faxed or dropped off at the Star office. They will not be accepted over the phone. The deadline to submit an article is Monday by 5 p.m. For more information, call 509.633.1350 or visit our website at... Full story
Town of Nespelem Public Hearing Notice is hereby given that the Town of Nespelem will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, July 9th at 5:15 p.m. to consider the Six Year Comprehensive Street Program for 2026 – 2031. All interested persons will be given opportunity to provide written or oral comments at said meeting. City Hall is located at 330 9th Street and is accessible to the handicapped. To join the meeting via Zoom, call City Hall for instructions. Kelly Ross Clerk/Treasurer 509-634-4691 (Publish July 9, 2025) NESPELEM SCHOOL DISTRICT... Full story