News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Electric City council plans to review, again, benefits for its employees at its June 13 meeting. The council is looking at providing 11 paid holidays and several other benefits when they pass the final employee package at the next council meeting. The 11 holidays are: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King’s birthday (third Monday of January); Presidents’ Day, (third Monday of February); Memorial Day (last Monday of May); Independence Day (fourth day of July); Labor Day (first Monday of September); Veterans Day (11th of November); Thank... Full story
The Turkish government is obviously familiar with the concept of “chutzpah,” if not necessarily the word. Ankara summoned the American ambassador to protest allegedly “aggressive and unprofessional actions” by the Washington, D.C., police. Their offense? Intervening after Turkish security personnel mauled peaceful protesters outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington. Video of the incident is jaw-dropping. About a dozen people protested Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- arriving at the ambassador’s residence after a Whi... Full story
In the last decade, there has been a highway construction boom in Texas. On the other hand, lawmakers in Olympia still scramble to fund road maintenance. Texas, a state with a population of 27 million, is flush with cash thanks partly to a 10-year voter approved initiative which will pump $2 billion a year into highways. Then recently, that state’s legislature added $9 billion to further help relieve traffic congestion. “What’s Texas doing that we aren’t?” The answer is private-public partnerships. Since 2011, the state’s transportat... Full story
Raider Darin Whiteman traveled to Richland, Washington, last week to compete in the 1B/2B boys' state tournament. "Darin battled hard under perhaps the toughest conditions imaginable for a state tournament," his coach, Steve Files, said. At Horn Rapids Golf Course, the competitors faced temperatures in the 90s and winds of 15-20 miles an hour. "It ended up being a grueling seven-hour endurance test," Files said. "Darin got into trouble on two or three holes with a couple wayward shots, but... Full story
The spring runoff from melting snow in Canada is now coming down the Columbia River, and Lake Roosevelt is beginning to refill. Following the long 2016-17 winter, Lake Roosevelt has been kept at a low water level in anticipation of the large mountain runoff to come. Currently, with the water level at an elevation of about 1,256 feet above sea level on Tuesday, the target for May 31 is for the lake to be no higher than 1,262, according to the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. The lake is completely fu... Full story
The Lake Roosevelt Schools music department just won a $6,250 grant. Karen Pace, music director ,said the grant was given through the umbrella of the Washington Music Education Association. Pace directs four bands in the district and the district’s choir, for a total of about 165 students, Pace said Friday, plus elementary music. Shee put in for the grant in March and received word that the grant was coming through for the district earlier in May. The money will be used to purchase new instruments, repair older ones, and provide music stands a... Full story
“We will have a balanced budget next year,” Superintendent Paul Turner stated last Friday. He confirmed this before the Grand Coulee Dam School District board Monday night, going over a number of steps he is proposing to eliminate what he sees as a potential shortfall of about $740,000. Turner said changes to personnel and programs that he hopes to implement have moved the district to within $100,000 or so of his goal. The district will have until July to make final adjustments to its budget, but has until June 15 to notify teachers if the... Full story
Some 66 anglers caught and released 461 walleye over the course of the Gordon Steinmetz Memorial Spring Walleye Classic at Coulee Playland last weekend, but the biggest catch was likely the tournament, itself. Bill and Robin Harrison ranked highest with a total two-day haul of 36.42 pounds of walleye, a total helped considerably by the biggest fish of the event at 9.5 pounds. The tournament brought in those 66 teams, 132 anglers, plus others in their entourages, a number that likely produced a l... Full story
A million-pound load of equipment will slow traffic on local highways from Coulee City to Grand Coulee next week as it creeps to its destination just north of Grand Coulee, with delays expected of up to 90 minutes at a time. Drivers probably should not plan to travel on SR-155 late Tuesday night, May 30, nor early Thursday morning, June 1, when a huge piece of equipment will be blocking traffic for up to an hour and a half. An Oregon company will be moving a million pounds along the route from Coulee City to Grand Coulee, then up SR-174 on... Full story
You will be able to drive “street ready” ATVs in Grand Coulee beginning May 31. Grand Coulee’s city council approved an ordinance last Tuesday night that allows all-terrain vehicles on city streets and on state highways, as long as they have the appropriate equipment. The council took a page — in fact, took the entire ordinance — from Electric City, and passed it without fanfare. Two area citizens — Bill Moore, from Grand Coulee, and Ron Pulsipher, of Electric City — spoke before the council voted, encouraging the elected officials to... Full story
There's a new restaurant in town. The Coulee Dam Casino's Spillway Bar and Grill had its "soft" opening May 15 and is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Casino's new format upstairs, where Colville Tribal Federal Corporation offices were once located, is a mixture of gaming and food service. The tribal business arm offices have moved to the new tribal headquarters building on the Colville Indian Agency campus near Nespelem. Meanwhile, the casino downstairs is getting a facelift. The... Full story
Twelve new flags will be dedicated on Memorial Day, May 29, at the special Isle of Flags ceremony at Spring Canyon Cemetery. The ceremonies kick off at 11 a.m. with master of ceremonies Richard Black (Navy captain retired) getting the program started. He will deliver the memorial address. The 12 new flags honor Brandon W. Buche, Bert E. Carley, Jimmy Lee Easling, Larry M. Haag, Rodrick B. Hartman, Michael “Mick” McNeilly, Erskin R. Prevett, Michael N. Somday, James A. Stansfield, Mary E. Muller Sullivan, Patrick M. Sullivan, and Mike Tow... Full story
A few races for local public office will be contested in this year’s primaries, but the real issue is the number of offices for which nobody filed a candidacy. A special three-day filing period has been set up, May 23-25, for those who would like to file for offices currently slated to remain empty. Okanogan County announced a special three-day extended filing period May 23-25 until 4 p.m. They can file online, but filers must still appear in person at the auditor’s office by 4:30 that day, which is also the deadline to pay any fees. The top... Full story
Recently, Washington state’s largest environmental, wildlife and natural resources agencies recognized 43 large forest landowners for their “exemplary efforts” to upgrade forest roads and stream crossings which improved salmon habitat and water quality. After investing more than $300 million collectively, these landowners rebuilt 25,000 miles of forest roads, replaced over 6,000 in-stream barriers to migrating fish, and opened in excess of 3,500 miles of previously blocked spawning habitat. The recognition is milestone in collaboration and a re... Full story
Nancy Armstrong-Montes was honored with the Friends of Children award by the North Central Washington Educational Service District at a banquet in Wenatchee. Armstrong-Montes, who retired from teaching in Nespelem a few years ago, now volunteers on the school board, in the kitchen, the classroom, administration office and just about anywhere else there is a need, commented Superintendent Rich Stewart, who nominated her. "Rarely have I ever come across anybody that is so selfless," Stewart said,... Full story
The Lake Roosevelt Lady Raiders finished their season at the regional level in Ephrata on Saturday in losses against Kittitas and Tri-Cities Prep. Against Kittitas, LR lost 14-4 in five innings. Against Tri-Cities prep, down 11-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Raiders scored three runs to force a sixth inning. In the sixth, Tri-Cities scored three more runs, which LR was unable to answer, resulting in another 14-4 loss, thus ending the Lady Raiders season.... Full story
Five members of the Lake Roosevelt tennis squad competed in the district tournament in Omak last week, where their season ended. All five LR competitors lost, facing stiff competition from A schools at the tournament held at Omak High School and the North Cascades Athletic Club on May 18 and May 20. “Unfortunately they all followed the same path and lost two in a row and were thus eliminated from the tournament,” remarked Head Coach Steve Archer. Savannah Hobrecht, in girls’ singles, lost 6-0, 6-0 against Cashmere’s Aleah Kert, and lost 6-3, 6-... Full story
Five members of the Lake Roosevelt track and field team competed at the 2B District 5/6 Championships in Quincy on Friday. “The Raiders put up a great effort as they closed out their season,” remarked Head Coach Lori Adkins. “The experience was invaluable for our younger athletes who came close to moving on in their events.” The relay team, which consists of Cameron Tillman, Traey Clark, Matthew Tillman, and Kyle Edmo, finished the 4x100-meter relay, in which each runner covers 100 meters, with a time of 47.86 seconds. “Our relay team came... Full story
Grant County Mosquito District 2 released its treatment schedule for the coming season. On Mondays, the district will treat in Electric City and Sunbanks Lake Resort; Tuesday at Steamboat Rock State Park and Osborn Bay; Wednesday in Grand Coulee; Thursday in Electric City and Sunbanks; Friday at Steamboat Rock State Park and Osborn Bay; Saturday at the airport and golf course; and Sunday in Grand Coulee. The schedule is subject to change for weather, wind, and rain. The district has only one licensed applicator at this time, Tim Weibe, who can... Full story
Electric City council approved contracting for a hearing examiner and hiring a code enforcement officer at its meeting May 9. Hearing examiner Andrew L. Kottkamp, of Wenatchee, will be paid $150 an hour. The hearing examiner duties call for him to be knowledgeable in all portions of Electric City’s municipal code and related ordinances, regulations, plans and policies applicable to any matter coming before him for a hearing. The contractor also must be knowledgeable with relevant state statutes and appellate case law. The hearing examiner w... Full story
KELLER FERRY – The Keller Ferry that crosses the Columbia River on State Route 21 is in service after repairs were completed on the north shore loading ramp. ### WSDOT...
The Grand Coulee Dam School District issued a strong response to invitations for comments on a Bureau of Reclamation proposed modernization program. The Bureau had advertised for draft environmental assessment comments on its 12-year plan to modernize and overhaul generators in both the left and right powerhouses. The school district, long critical of a lack of financial support from the Bureau, stated in a letter dated May 12: “Regarding impacts on the district, it is clear the Bureau still does not understand the complexity and unique s... Full story
[Update] The company planning the move of the big transformer has delayed the move after "discrepancies" were noted during a "weigh and measure" session with the state Department of Transportation, the company said. No word yet on a new schedule. Original story: Drivers probably should not plan to travel on SR 155 late Monday night/Tuesday morning, nor early Wednesday morning when a huge piece of equipment will be blocking traffic up to 90 minutes at a time. An Oregon company will be moving a million pounds along the route from Coulee City to...
The Bureau of Reclamation has a number of construction projects going on lately, and drivers will notice some delays, starting this week. ACCU Construction Inc., based in Santa Ana, California, got the $4 million contract, which involves repair to various roads and parking areas in the Grand Coulee Dam vicinity, including the parking lot at the Bureau, the area by the administration building, the shop in the industrial area, and repaving the road and parking area down to the Left Powerhouse at the dam. The Bureau of Reclamation says that,... Full story
Colorama was a huge success! That assessment came early this week from a variety of sources, not the least from the chamber of commerce and Ridge Rider officials, the two sponsoring groups. Even Grand Coulee Police Chief John Tufts commented on how busy traffic was during the Colorama events. "We didn't have any major problems, but the area was very busy," Tufts stated. Chamber Executive Director Peggy Nevsimal was quick to point out that 123 turned out for the first-ever Color Run, and 68... Full story