News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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The school board has set four main goals as the Grand Coulee Dam School District heads into the new school year. Superintendent Paul Turner and members of the board met in a long evening retreat to discuss school affairs and to set some specific goals a few weeks ago. The four major goals are: • Improve student attendance and how attendance relates to a good education. • Address specific facility issues. • Improve communications and promotion of Lake Roosevelt. • Fine tune the budget process. On the attendance issue, the board is considering a... Full story
The Electric City Council reprimanded one of its own members for violating rules of procedure at its meeting last Tuesday night. The complaint against Councilmember Birdie Hensley originated from an online posting she’d made that stated that Electric City parks planned to have a Christmas tree event at North Dam Park. But Hensley had not cleared that with the full city council. The complaint was filed with the city clerk by Councilmember Richard McGuire and automatically placed on the council agenda. The reprimand motion was passed, 3-2, w... Full story
A large number of “not in my neighborhood” trail opponents turned out last Tuesday night to express their fears about Electric City’s Pathway and Trails plan. Their appearance and comments dominated the first half of the city council meeting, and Mayor John Nordine’s explanation that no decision has been made about the trail was less than convincing to the crowd. Several had signed up to address the council, but it was largely left to Cheryl Edick, who lives on Lakeview Avenue, to provide the reasons why they were opposed to the “waterf... Full story
Thieves hit the school district's bus operation again last weekend. This time they siphoned gas from one bus and stole two batteries from the district's boom truck. Bus officials stated early Tuesday that they called the Coulee Dam police department Monday after the thefts were discovered, but still hadn't seen an officer come to the bus area to investigate. Moments later, a police officer did show up to take a small baggie of crystals from bus personnel, suspected to be methamphetamines, and st... Full story
Paul Bowden joined the Coulee Dam police force Monday. Bowden comes to the Coulee Dam Police Department from Wilbur where he served as an officer for 12 years. The new officer was appointed a sergeant. Coulee Dam has been advertising for a police chief; however, acting Chief Larry Hall will continue in his present role, town officials stated. Bowden’s wife, Stefani, is Coulee Dam’s town clerk. The two served together before, when Stefani was the clerk in Wilbur. The new police sergeant was born in California, and raised in Wilson Creek aft... Full story
It was like grill heaven Sunday at North Dam Park. Seventeen grills were cooking and grill masters turned out from Idaho, Oregon and throughout Washington, going after prize money and having fun at the same time. Many of the top 10 competitors in the Northwest competed. It was the final event of a two-day Harvest Festival, in its fifth running. Vying for the big bucks, a Tacoma, Washington griller, Pitbull BBQ, picked up the top prize of $2,000 and the grand champion award. Wine Country Q, from Duvall, Washington, picked up reserve grand... Full story
This would be a good weekend to stay in the Coulee and take advantage of the many facets of the fifth annual Harvest Festival. Gather the kids, the grandkids, and be at North Dam Park for a celebration designed for all ages. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce has put together a host of events within the Harvest Festival so that all ages can have fun. The event will run Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18. For the kids, there will be pumpkin and zucchini decorating, water balloons, face painting and a bubble station 10-4 Saturday. Fo... Full story
So you’ve always wanted to run across Grand Coulee Dam. Now is your opportunity! Join the third annual Run the Dam crowd, at 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, and take part in one of the scheduled distance runs - 5K, 10K, or half marathon. The event begins on the east side of Grand Coulee Dam, takes runners up through “old Grand Coulee’s” B Street, along Banks Lake and finishing at North Dam Park, site of the Harvest Festival. Race coordinator Kelly Buche said Monday that 115 had registered for the race, 33 for the half marathon. “That’s more than d... Full story
Elmer City hired its own lawyer in response to a threatened lawsuit from the town of Coulee Dam. The Elmer City Council was unanimous in its decision last Thursday night to oppose a lawsuit by Coulee Dam, which claims it is owed some $55,000 in wastewater treatment charges. Coulee Dam processes Elmer City’s sewage with the two towns 41 years into a 50-year agreement. “We don’t owe Coulee Dam any money,” Elmer City Mayor Gail Morin said Thursday, after coming out of an executive session and a phone conversation with the town’s attorney,... Full story
The Regional Board of Mayors heard Monday of plans for public meetings to further explore the idea of consolidating local towns. Presenting for the chamber of commerce’s Economic Development Council was Bob Valen, a member of the group. He said the council had made formal presentations before all four town councils and would like to hold public meetings to get first-hand input from area residents. A recent consolidation survey sent out by the EDC showed enough support to continue discussions, and Valen suggested that a Wenatchee firm, SCJ A... Full story
There will be free food at the Zion Lutheran Church Thursday, September 22. That’s right, free food. It’s made possible through Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest, and co-sponsored by Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union and Microsoft Data Center Operations in Quincy. The Second Harvest truck will be at the Zion Lutheran Church parking lot, at 348 Mead Avenue, in Grand Coulee, from noon until 2 p.m. that day. No appointment or documentation is required. Food items will be free to anyone wanting them. The organizers need 24 volunteers to ass... Full story
The school district plans to build a security fence behind the bus garage to try to stop the flow of recent thefts. Superintendent Paul Turner told the school board Monday night that the security measures would cost the district about $16,000. He indicated that he would seek another bid to see if he could get a better price. The report of gas, tires and parts thefts was made to the board by bus garage manager Bill Kemble. He said that thieves had taken 250-300 gallons of gas, several tires and mechanical parts. Kemble said that on one occasion... Full story
The school board is being pushed to make decisions on overcrowding at the new school. Could a portable classroom be in the district’s future? It’s a possibility, says Grand Coulee Dam School District Superintendent Paul Turner. The most critical grade level is the second grade, with the fifth grade also being pushed. The two second grade classes are maxed out now and quite possibly will turn away new students. “The optimum class size for grades 1-6 is 24, with the maximum size at 28,” Turner stated. The district, according to Turner, has a p... Full story
Car thefts and prowls have been on the increase in the area for the past few months, according to law enforcement officials. Grand Coulee police Chief John Tufts said last week that there are a number of factors in the rise of crime involving vehicles. Probably the number-one factor is that these kind of crimes can usually be traced to drug-related crime, Tufts stated. There are a number of things that he suggested to keep from becoming a victim of a vehicle-related crime: • Don’t leave your keys in the ignition, it’s an open invitation for c... Full story
It’s “Pig for the Park” time again in Electric City. The community picnic to benefit a park will happen Saturday, Sept. 10, the second year running. City Councilmember Lonna Bussert is spearheading the picnic again this year. It begins at noon this Saturday, and proceeds go toward the development of the city park near the fire department headquarters. Bussert said the picnic will cost $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 and children 5 and under get in free. The Whitelaws — John, Jack, and Dave — will again be in charge of the barbecue.... Full story
There’s truly something to do for everyone at this year’s Harvest Festival, Sept. 17-18 at North Dam Park. Some things you need to get registered for and are unique, to say the least. Get a team of six together and register for the Human Foosball event. It costs $30, but there’s prize money to win, and it’s only $5 each for team members. Also register for the Run the Dam race, which starts by crossing the dam. That’s Saturday. See runthedam.com for details and to register. Food and craft vendors can call the chamber office to register... Full story
The Coulee Medical Center Guild will kick off its plans for a Breast Cancer Run at the upcoming Harvest Festival, Sept. 17-18. Guild President Clea Pryor said her group will have a booth at the festival site - North Dam Park - and will register people who wish to take part. The run is to call attention to breast cancer, Pryor stated. Registration cost is $15, and those taking part will receive a T-shirt with an appropriate message on it. The Oct. 8 run will begin at CMC and go to North Dam Park... Full story
Lake Roosevelt schools were swamped last Wednesday night as students and parents were introduced to teachers and staff in anticipation of Tuesday's school opening. Students on the elementary side were able to visit their respective rooms and get acquainted with their teachers. Traditionally, elementary teachers spend extra time setting up and decorating their rooms for the beginning of school. On the junior/senior high wing, students could meet teachers, collect their class schedules, pay their... Full story
The fish pens in Electric City have a new manager, in fact a pair of them. Carl Russell, who has managed the fish pens for the past 25 years and is retiring, said last week that Greg Anderson and Bob Meeker have agreed to co-manage the popular fish net pen operation that raises hundreds of thousands of fish each year, supporting the local sport-fishing economy. Both have been involved in P.O.W.E.R. (Promoters of Wildlife and Environmental Resources) for some time, especially in the feeding... Full story
Students of Lake Roosevelt Schools will return to classrooms Tuesday, Sept. 6, and will be welcomed by a number of new leaders. Superintendent Paul Turner will begin his first year as the education leader, replacing Dennis Carlson, who retired June 30. Turner was assistant high school principal last year. Taking over as principal at Lake Roosevelt High School is Mark Herndon, from the Cape Flattery School District where he was principal of Clallam Bay K-12. Herndon had been hired as assistant principal at the high school, but was elevated when... Full story
Grand Coulee is going to move forward and seek a grant to install LED street lights throughout the city, Mayor Paul Townsend said last week. The issue was brought up by public works Director Dennis Francis at the August 16 city council meeting. Francis told the council that the city regularly spends about $2,708 a month ($33,355 a year) on power to illuminate its many street lights. He estimated that the city could save about 30-40 percent of what it now spends by installing LED (light emitting diode) lights. Francis said Friday that the saving... Full story
Local fisherman Greg Anderson caught what must be a near-record catfish in Banks Lake recently. Anderson, from Coulee Dam, said he was fishing near the buoys at North Dam, when a 34.7-pound catfish struck his crappie jig. "It was about 45 minutes before I got my first look at it," Anderson said. Two other anglers in the boat helped him finally net the big fish. "It filled the net," Anderson stated. "I was really tired bringing the fish in. The head of the catfish was bigger than a football and... Full story
The Almira Community Church has delayed its Coulee Dam opening date for services to Oct. 9, Pastor Paul McArthur said last week. The opening for services had previously been set for Oct. 2. “Things have been progressing nicely,” McArthur stated. Workers have been doing some painting on the outside, windows have been cleaned, and inside the stone edifice others have been getting rid of cobwebs grown during no activity. It’s nearly ready for services again. The roof, due for repair, is still a question mark, McArthur stated. The church is still... Full story
An idea to better define Grand Coulee’s business district was well received by the city’s planning commission, and could turn out to be a partnership effort with the city and the Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Council (EDC). City Councilmember Tammara Byers, who also sits on the planning commission, told fellow council members that the EDC had offered up some good ideas and that the commission would continue working with them. The EDC has proposed signage and lighting changes on what has been described as the city’s busines... Full story
The public interest in consolidating local cities impressed at least one city official last week. Grand Coulee Mayor Paul Townsend said that the number of people interested in the consolidation of Grand Coulee and Electric City was "impressive." A report last week to the city council on the results of a consolidation survey by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Council was the second of four presentations planned before municipalities in the area. A week... Full story