News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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From the people who are adopting the Gerkhe Windmills for restoration to those volunteers who picked up a ton of trash around Osborn Bay this weekend, or those dedicated folks working to bring about assisted living homes, it seems there is no shortage of people eager to make this a better place. That goes for those preparing to put on events, too, whether it’s fixing up the Colorama Rodeo grounds, or working to boost the next Festival of America with extra oomph for America’s 250th birthday. It just feels like we’re all leaning toward somet...
Easter Lilies are now appearing in churches just as poinsettias do at Christmas. Both adorn the altars and pulpits during Christianity’s two most important holidays. Over the years, both continue to be the centerpieces of seasonal decorations. They are unique potted plants which aren’t suited for cut-flower arrangements and disappear when churches move back to ordinary times. While both are the icons, poinsettias have a longer shelf-life — Thanksgiving to Christmas. Easter Lilies have a three-week window — late Lent and Easter Week. Each ye...
Math doesn’t care about politics, good intentions, or how badly we want something to work. It doesn’t adjust itself to feelings or make exceptions when the numbers stop adding up. Over the years, I’ve used this column to talk a lot about the growing financial challenges facing counties across Washington, including here in Lincoln County. Those challenges haven’t gone away—they’ve only gotten worse. The Washington State Association of Counties’ recent Fiscal Health Survey confirmed what many of us already knew: counties are under increasing pres...
If there was one positive thing that came out of this year’s legislative session in Olympia, it was the passage of House Bill 1960. As most of you are aware, several industrial wind and solar projects are currently being proposed here in Lincoln County. Regardless of where someone stands on the philosophy of “green” energy, there is one huge problem that should concern everyone. While these developments can significantly increase the tax base, under Washington’s current tax structure, they end up shifting a large portion of the tax burden...
March 23, 1776, Patrick Henry delivered a speech to Virginia’s Second Revolutionary Convention. He argued for his resolution to raise a militia to defend the colony. Henry said, “This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery…” Henry, in part, closed his speech with, “Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! Is life so d...
All four local towns are suing each other. You could be forgiven if you didn’t know this; the biggest beef between them involves the spectacularly uninteresting subjects of their shared sewage treatment plants, which are spectacularly expensive by your and my standards. Which is sad, because that’s who has to pay for them. That seems obviously unavoidable, as sewer plants are one thing we don’t want to do without. But making them even more expensive than they already are by deciding to sue each other over disagreements regarding them just rubs...
God Bless the United States of America, and God Bless President Donald J. Trump. I love my country, and I respect and honor our President. He is a brilliant man and has our country and her people in his every thought and action. He also has the strength and fortitude to fight every step of the way for the sole purpose of doing what is right for our country and us. What a shame and a disgrace the Democratic Party has tried and continues to inflict on him and us because of their hate or fear of him. I truly believe it is the latter! I believe...
Recently, the Washington State Association of Counties released its 2026 County Fiscal Health Survey. The results confirm what many of us have been saying for years: county governments across Washington are under significant and growing financial pressure. Out of 39 counties, a majority report significant or severe General Fund pressure. Twenty counties say state mandates are the primary driver of their budget problems. Twenty-one report moderate reductions or delays in public safety services. Nearly two-thirds say long-term sustainability...
The geologist Nick Zentner will be at Dry Falls State Park Visitor Center this coming Sunday, March 1 at 1 p.m. in one of his "pop up" events, where the popular prof just shows up to talk with the geologically curious. If you're me, that sounds like a perfect Sunday afternoon. (If you're new here, this is one of the most interesting geological areas on the planet.) Zentner, the "Science Outreach and Education Coordinator" at Central Washington University, shares his knowledge in entertaining... Full story
The daughters of Albion Lounge on the grass And smoke cigarettes And write poetry Tinkering with instruments Somewhat disinterested Who do they have to impress Not even the deities With motion, ballerinas Leap forth into oblivion Headstrong and confident Taught strong exuberance Strutting in outfits Casual cool Chic Effortless Maintaining an image We all seek Flower petals and butterfly wings Picnic baskets and fine wines Cheese plates and sliced meats Aprons dawned for appetites Transcendence and philosophy Transforming effortlessly Booty...
Regarding Carl Russell’s letter to the editor, “Democrats have gone crazy.” I suppose he means they are insane. Wonder if he has given some thought to a safer, saner place to live. Here’s why. The population of the United States is over 345 million. Of that, 189.5 million are registered voters, 44.1 million are Democrats, and 37.4 million are Republicans. The remainder are not party affiliated, or they are Independents. Forty-four million insane Democrats are on a rampage, running loose, doing all sorts of crazy things. They outnumber the san...
During the 1992 presidential campaign, Bill Clinton famously intoned, “I feel your pain,” reassuring voters he understood what they were going through. Since then, similar statements of empathy have become a staple for politicians but too often they are just hollow words. Take small business owners, for example, which are the backbone of America’s economy. They are Washington’s forgotten constituency. Most elected officials have no idea what it’s like to risk everything you have or to struggle to meet payroll for your employees and their fam...
Last Friday, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a ruling that, for once, I can agree with — a decision that clears the way for a long-standing problem to be addressed. That decision stems from a lawsuit brought by the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC), in which Lincoln County, along with Yakima County and Pacific County, are plaintiffs, challenging how public defense is funded in Washington. The lawsuit was first heard in Thurston County Superior Court, where the judge ruled that counties did not have standing to bring t...
In the race to reshore manufacturing and stay ahead of foreign competition, America needs an abundance of added skilled workers and electricity sources. “Electrify Everything” has been our recent political mantra as key politicians race to replace natural gas and coal-fired generation with vast fields and wildlands of wind turbines and solar panels. However, that strategy has glaring glitches, which could derail our economic recovery and job creation. For example, it is bureaucratic nightmare siting power lines and reliable power plants. “Am...
Congratulations. You’ve just lived through one of the most unpredictable years in at least six decades, so you might already be primed to accept a little advice about the coming months: stay loose. The country has had enough political tension in 2025 for each of us to snap a whole box of Sharpies. That’s by design and not something any of us can control, so don’t let it control you. Instead, look for the bright side and the humor in the absurd, right after you decide to do something about it. You’ll live longer and think better when you let...
The Holiday Season is an especially tough time for anyone grieving lost loved ones. Evergreen wreaths placed on veterans’ graves across America help to ease that pain. On Dec. 13, an ISIS shooter killed two members of the Iowa National Guard and their American interpreter while they were serving in Syria, causing another tragic loss. More than 3.1 million red-ribboned wreaths were placed by thousands of volunteers, including many family members, on December 13. Those wreaths are made from clippings of balsam firs dedicated to deceased v...
The federal government will provide $12 billion to U.S. farmers who have been hurt by "unfair market disruption," President Donald Trump said at a White House roundtable event Monday. Trump said repeatedly the funding was available thanks to tariff revenues, framing his aggressive trade policy as a boon to farmers rather than a drag on their global market share as critics of the policy suggest. "I'm delighted to announce this afternoon that the United States will be taking a small portion of the...
As we finish the 2026 Lincoln County budget, the same themes I’ve consistently written about continue to be front and center: the 1% property-tax cap, runaway insurance costs, unfunded mandates, and a revenue system that simply can’t keep pace with reality. Washington law limits counties to a 1% increase in property-tax collections each year. That may have sounded reasonable back in 2001, but 1% doesn’t keep up when inflation as wages, utilities, equipment, and basic operating costs rise 5–10% annually. In 2026, that 1% increase, will generate...
President George W. Bush’s eulogy of Dick Cheney, his vice president, brought back memories of a kinder, gentler America — a time when those elected to office did what was best for our country not their political party. Bush reassuring words came after an unthinkable government shutdown (39 days) which paralyzed essential functions and threatened to stop flights during our country’s busiest travel time — Thanksgiving. The shutdown underscored how angry and bitterly divided our nation is today. The old adage “Don’t personalize difference” has be...
During his first year, President Trump has been globetrotting attempting to ink trade deals, repair tattered relationships, and attract manufacturing back to America. However, no mission has been more crucial than his recent trip to South Korea, Japan and China. Behind the bluster of new “reciprocal” tariffs was the simple fact that China is not only a manufacturing, trading and military challenge but it is our primary supplier of strategic metals. Not only is America short of RARE minerals, but metals such as iron, copper and aluminum. Wea... Full story
Please renew my subscription to The Star. The editor has won national and local awards; the paper provides important community news and a variety of insightful perspectives that entertain and enlighten its readers. The editor prints editorials from perspectives with which I sometimes disagree and perhaps which the editor himself has reservations over as well. Yet, consistently, his belief in permitting his community to speak through The Star overrules whatever his own political perspectives might be. The community is fortunate to have such an...
Recently, governors Bob Ferguson (Washington) and Tina Kotek (Oregon) asked the federal court to lift a stay (hold) on litigation primarily directed at tearing down the four lower Snake River dams. President Trump’s executive order stopped federal agencies from taking part in litigation. It halted “behind the scenes” efforts to spend billions to tear down Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams. Lately, breaching proponents switched their tactics to federal dam operations that curtail hydroelectric production and incre...
Anyone following state news lately may have observed the following “bridge events”: 1) SR 165 has been closed permanently at the Fairfax bridge over the Carbon River due to bridge support failure. This has closed the northwest entry into Mt. Rainier National Park. 2) The bridge on SR 410 between Buckley and Enumclaw has been closed for bridge truss repair after a Vac Truck struck the bridge. 3) The SR 169 bridge over the Green River gorge area between Maple Valley and Enumclaw has been closed for girder repair. The latter two have resulted in...
The mood of the nation is ugly and getting worse. Deadly violence from guns, knives, fire-bombings and vehicles is rising. Social media is toxic. Things have to change for all of our sake. The tone of the discourse is hateful. For those of us who started as journalists in the late 1960s, we are left wondering if public trust can be restored and civility is again possible. Over the last 40 years our family has vacationed at the same place on the beach. While the buildings have been refurbished, the complex is still largely unchanged. As long as...
Once again, we come to the community to thank everyone for a fantastic Summer Season at the VET Center. Our American Legion Post appreciates everybody who came by and shopped with us during our sale season. Although it seemed like a really long stretch for those of us who worked every week to gather and prepare all the treasures that we had for sale, the time flew by as we greeted many of the same people on a weekly basis. With all the community support, our sales assisted us with gaining the funds we need to help Veterans in the area. Our...