We're all in this together
We're all in this together
Kindergarten kids take off in the first heat of the Mini Bloomsday run at Lake Roosevelt Schools' ball field Thursday. The first Mini Bloomsday occurred in 1979, 47 years ago. The idea came from a first-grade teacher at the time, Carolyn McNeil. in 2026, the weather was way too perfect for the kids to be inside anyway. - Scott Hunter...
An early peek at a survey done by the Grand Coulee Dam School District to gauge feelings about the transition to a four-day school week for students indicates most parents are more pleased than not with the change, Superintendent Rod Broadnax says. Broadnax presented the school board the results so far at the last school board meeting April 27 and discussed it at an informal meeting with constituents at Voltage Coffee House the next morning during his bimonthly "Coffee with the Superintendent"...
by Scott Hunter As the Colorama Rodeo comes barreling at them, volunteers on Monday were fixing up the rodeo grounds to get ready, from minor to major improvements or repairs. John and Cheryl Pryor were concentrating on the stock chute gates, apparently fixing some small detail. Mike Clanahan and Randy Willette were placing huge concrete blocks inside a newly excavated flat space to hold more bleachers east of the Rattlesnake Saloon. Wayne Fowler, who got elected president after George Kohout...
My second-grade teacher, Sister Mary, would be shocked that I turned out to be a writer. Please allow me to explain. In recent years, many schools within the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia have barred teachers from marking student papers in red. Their thinking is that correcting young students with red pens is too confrontational and upsetting for the children. Many teachers prefer to grade in more soothing colors, such as green, blue, pink and yellow. Red ink surely wasn’t banned at St. Germaine Catholic School in the...
I sympathize with former FBI director James Comey – up to a point. It’s detestable, if not laughable, that the MAGA regime has twice indicted the former FBI director just to sate Trump’s revenge fantasies. Last week’s indictment – claiming he threatened Trump’s life because he posted a photo of seashells that spelled the numbers “86 47” – is further proof his Justice Department bootlickers are clueless as well as mendacious. Because, according to the Supreme Court, the First Amendment protects “political hyperbole” and...
May 10, 1869, Officials, workers and dignitaries of the Union and Central Pacific railways held a ceremony on Promontory Summit, in Utah Territory – about 35 miles form Promontory Point. The event was to drive in a Golden Spike, celebrating the joining of rails and the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. The topographical studies that were undertaken by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads was one of the first to occur in the Mid and Western United States. Today, traveling east-west on Interstate 80 closely follows...
Grand Coulee Police 4/21 - Police responded to The Moose Lodge area where a man was reported to be yelling and screaming in the street and urinating on a telephone pole before getting into the passenger seat of a vehicle. The responding officer was met with a “profanity laced” sentence when confronting the man. The man was clearly intoxicated, used obscene language and made obscene gestures. His friend came outside and said that she would take him home. Police warned that if he caused any more problems later, he would be arrested. 4/23 -... Full story
It’s about time for the Isle of Flags dedication. The deadline for ordering flags is Friday, May 15. For those wanting to order a flag to be dedicated and placed to honor your deceased veteran for this year’s event, call Ben Alling 633-0663 before Friday, May 15. It is suggested veterans who worked or lived in the GCD Area...
The next community clean-up day at Spring Canyon Cemetery on Saturday, April 25, from 9am to noon. If you have questions, call 509 633-0182 or 509...
I'm Alyssa Bolyard, a 21 year old from Elk, Washington and it is my extreme pleasure to represent the community of Grand Coulee as the 2026 Colorama Pro Rodeo Queen. It's safe to say this isn't my first rodeo, as I was raised in the rodeo world! My favorite events are the roughstock events. I am a big fan of Wacey Schalla because he has such a good attitude and uses his losses as learning opportunities to keep pushing forward. When I'm not traveling the rodeo trail, you can find me in the high...
A member of the Wild Card Trick Rider rides in with the flag and will perform again this year in the Colorama Pro...
From a clown with a pet bull to a flyover scheduled for a C-17 air taker out of Airbase Lewis-McChord, the Ridge Riders Saddle Club's Colorama Pro Rodeo is bringing everything its volunteers can muster to the Grand Coulee Dam community's annual spring rite. That will include the Cletis Lacy Memorial Bull Riding on Thursday night, along with mutton busting and panty pulling business types (trying to get them on a cow!). By Monday morning, Ridge Rider President Wayne Fowler said, they had 19 bull...
Spectators at Saturday's Colorama Pro Rodeo Saturday night might feel like the need to duck. A very large aircraft will be flying by the rodeo at 7:15 p.m., courtesy of the U.S. Air Force at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The Boeing C-17 tanker weighs 269,000 pounds without cargo. Fully loaded, it can take off weighing up to 585,000 pounds. Ridge Rider President Wayne Fowler said he is grateful for the help of Rep. Dan Newhouse and State Rep. Tom Dent for helping to make it happen. Fowler said the...
Loads of entertainment will be on offer this weekend, including musical groups from far and near, plus a dance troupe from Wenatchee that performs traditional Mexican dance in brightly colored dresses. That was a big hit with those who happened to see it last year. This year, the Sanzar Dance Company is to perform at North Dam at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 7. They're colorful, cheerful, lively and free. The chamber has also booked for the beer garden several music groups for the festival, including...
The annual Colorama Parade starts at 11 a.m. and will wind its way down Federal Avenue, then turn at The Star onto Midway Avenue, where people will line the road to wave and cheer, and children will dive for candy. Last year's Lake Roosevelt Elementary kindergartners march in the parade as a "drill...
This year there is a variety of vendors in the park for the Colorama festivities. North Dam Park will offer 25 different market vendors, and 14 food and drink vendors. Here’s a list. GriffGear 3D Sassy Grit Eluxoroma Breads Sticker City, LLC AB Tack Design Henna Me Pretty Victor Crafts Runa Arte Art to Suit You The Charm Bar Hooked On Homeplace Moonshine Organics Creative Faces and Body Art Love & Lumber Moonlight & Mermaids Mason’s Jars Adorn Handcrafted Jewelry Crystal Oasis Waterlilies Jewelry and Art Bliss Infusions Natives World...
Those buttons to promote the 16th Annual Colorama Festival for sale around town are also raffle tickets, the drawing for which takes place on the main stage at North Dam Park Saturday at 1 p.m. You must be present to win any of the prizes. Some of those include an Auntie Danee's gift card and Mel's Place gift cards; Rain Chains; free pizza vouchers; a plant gift basket; deluxe car wash vouchers; a pizza oven, and more. Generous prize donors to the chamber of commerce include Auntie Danee's,...
Please join us to celebrate the life of Willis Schrock on Saturday, May 16th at noon at the Grand Coulee Fire Department. Lunch will be served and if you wish to, you may bring a dessert for the potluck dessert... Full story
Larry Bruce McClain, 79, of Seaton’s Grove, passed away on April 30, 2026. Larry was born on June 21, 1946, in Coulee Dam, Washington, to Raymond and Alice McClain. He proudly served in the United States Army for four years. Following his military service, Larry built a long and dedicated career with the Bureau of Reclamation, where he worked for 33 years before retiring. In 1973, he married the love of his life, Helen Nelson. Together they raised two daughters and two stepsons; Alicea,...
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Callaway Isaac Piturachsatit on March 29, 2026. He was 10 years old. Callaway was born on March 24, 2016 in Wenatchee, WA to parents Jeff and Elizabeth. He was welcomed by his adoring sisters, Emmaline and Malayla, with whom he developed a close and cherished bond. He enjoyed most everything as long as he had family or friends to join him. He especially loved golfing with his dad and his sister Emmaline, playing Legos and riding bikes with his... Full story
With hearts full of love and sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Joan Carlson Gardner, who passed away on April 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Joan was a woman of remarkable strength and beauty whose warm spirit touched everyone she met. Joan was born on January 11, 1955, in Yakima, Washington, to Carl and Beverly Carlson. The third of six children, she spent her early years in Seattle before her family relocated to Grand Coulee. She graduated from Lake Roosevelt... 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
The Lake Roosevelt Raiders' baseball week took an unusual turn Tuesday night in Okanogan, where a 10-0 loss to Brewster in the Central Washington 2B league tournament became a forfeit win after the Bears were found to have used an ineligible pitcher, according to LR Coach Billy Nicholson. The ruling kept the Raiders alive long enough to face Okanogan later that night. The Bulldogs won that game 22-2, but Lake Roosevelt will continue its postseason Friday at Tonasket, where the Raiders will play...
Lake Roosevelt's softball team kept its late-season roll going this week, sweeping Almira-Coulee-Hartline and Inchelium to stretch its winning streak to nine games, counting two forfeits from Bridgeport. The Lady Raiders opened the week April 30 with two wins over Almira-Coulee-Hartline, taking the first game 7-2 and the second 7-3. In the opener, LR collected 11 hits. Juel Swager went 3 for 3 with two runs and a double, while Shae Crollard and Paisley Fury-Smith each had two hits. Crollard...
Lake Roosevelt track and field athletes continued building momentum last week, with the Raider boys showing depth at Tonasket and several athletes posting personal bests later in the week at Royal City. The Raiders competed Tuesday, April 28, at the Josh Rhoads Invitational at Tonasket High School. The meet is named in honor of a former Tonasket track and field athlete remembered for facing obstacles in life with strong character and positivity. Lake Roosevelt coach Lori Adkins said the Raider boys showed “strong team depth” at Tonasket,...
