Here's what our elected legislators in the state House of Representatives and the state Senate did last week on various issues, according to Washington Votes. This week, the House passed a number of non-controversial bills with... — Updated 1/26/2014 Full story

A worker burned in an accident at Grand Coulee Dam last November is due to be released from hospital today, the Bureau of Reclamation has informed an irrigation district. The Columbia Basin Development League reported to members... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

Kristen Smith and Corey Stanford of Electric City are proud to announce the birth of their son Liam Dean Stanford born Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 8 lbs and was 20.5 inches in... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

Meagan Bellamy and Andre Picard of Coulee Dam are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Makenzie May Picard born Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014 at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 5 lbs., 6 oz., and was 19 inches... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

Matthew and Elizabeth Simpson of Coulee Dam are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Natalie Rose Simpson on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. She weighed 6 lbs., 13 oz., and was 21 inches... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

As I was standing in line at Safeway the other night, the young lady at the register was trying to buy a few things and apparently she did not have enough money. She was embarrassed and a look of worry covered her face. She was... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

Each week, the Star Newspaper is hand delivered to my door — by our ever faithful deliverer, Felix Marcolin. Each week, I look forward to sitting down and reading it. But as of late, I almost cringe when I read the letters to t... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

Jerry Birdwell’s Volunteer of the Year award was most greatly deserved! Knowing Jerry the way I do, I know it was a childhood dream realized! He always wanted to ride on a float in the Colorama parade with people hurling water b... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

I am so disappointed to see these letters accusing any administrators, doctors, nurses, or staff of hidden motives especially to say that we do not need Mr. Graham's kind in our town. I wonder if this writer has ever met Mr.... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

I hesitate on doing this only because I think people believe what they want to believe, regardless of the facts. That said however, I’ll say a few things regarding gas prices in the GCD area. As most you know, and what was a... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

The following statement has been sent to all school superintendents in the Okanogan Valley Superintendents’ Association. Lake Roosevelt HS AD Rich Black has kept me informed in relation to the possible realignment of the Central W... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

OLYMPIA — Discover Pass revenue is going up, but not fast enough. With the general fund money gap, it’s hard to keep parks open. But they are managing by trying to promote the pass program and reduce staff. Three years after Washin... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

Authorities clamped down on a local fire chief this week, who said he didn’t know burning the kinds of materials he had in his burn pile was illegal. He’s not alone in a lack of understanding of this state’s laws regarding outdo... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

Lincoln County Sheriff Wade Magers last week awarded Wilbur resident Seth Coffman for his role in the saving the life of a woman thrown from a boat near Keller Ferry Marina in 2011. Magers gave Coffman a letter and a “Lincoln C... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

New Wood Resources announced Jan. 16 that David Niessner has joined the company as general manager of Omak Wood Products in Omak, Wash. Niessner will help manage the 90-person team at Omak Wood Products, which was formed through... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

Playland holds steady The Electric City Council approved Coulee Playland prices and fees for the coming tourist season. Manager Hal Rauch informed the council that most rates for overnight stays will remain the same. Rauch stated... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story

The Bureau of Reclamation announced last week that Kerry McCalman of Denver, Colo., has been named the interim power manager at Grand Coulee Dam, starting last Wednesday. McCalman is Reclamation’s senior advisor for Hydropower a... — Updated 1/22/2014 Full story