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Articles from the March 16, 2022 edition


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  • Local kids to put on "The Emperor's New Clothes" Saturday

    Mar 16, 2022

    Students of every age at Lake Roosevelt Schools are busy this week learning their parts for a play they'll put on in just a few days. Join the Emperor, his friends and subjects, and the busy Silkworms this Saturday March 19, 2022 when the Missoula Children's Theatre and 28 local students present an original musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic, "The Emperor's New Clothes." Playing the title character of the Emperor is local student Noah Hunt. Other featured performers...

  • Updated: No school today due to potential threat, distant learning tomorrow

    Mar 16, 2022

    There is no school today, March 16, for Lake Roosevelt students due to a possible threat to the school, and tomorrow will be a distance-learning day. School is anticipated to resume in person on Friday. A 6:55 a.m. post on Lake Roosevelt's Facebook page from LR's administration said that "this morning we were informed of a possible threat to the school. We are working with law enforcement and will conduct a full investigation. We are cancelling school today out of an abundance of caution. We will keep you informed with as much information as... Full story

  • Elmer City gets funding for new fire station

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 16, 2022

    Elmer City will be receiving $772,000 in state dollars towards a new fire station after the state House and Senate passed their 2022-23 supplemental capital budget. In March of 2021, Elmer City Public Works Director Jimmer Tillman, who has volunteered as a firefighter for about 30 years, told the town council he would be looking into options for funding a new facility for the Elmer City fire department, also known as Okanogan County Fire District #2. Earlier this month, the city found out they would be receiving $772,000 towards the project....

  • Report says racism incident unfounded

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 16, 2022

    A report from the Okanogan School District determined that noises made during a basketball game were not racially motivated, but others, including Colville Business Council members, disagree. Reviewing game footage, Lady Raiders Assistant Coach Matthew Pleasants, himself an African American and Native American, took note of racist monkey noises being made while a Lady Raider, also an African American and Native American, shot free throws during a Feb. 18 basketball game in Okanogan. Pleasants reported the incident to the Washington Interscholas...

  • Tribal council members meet with school board

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 16, 2022

    Communication between the Colville Tribes and the Grand Coulee Dam School District should be prioritized, officials from both groups say. At their meeting Monday night, GCDSD School Board directors hosted the chairman and other members of the Colville Business Council, the governing body of the Colville Confederated Tribes. With 37.8% of students in the district being enrolled tribal members, and more being of tribal descent, the school board has spoken frequently in recent years about wanting...

  • Fishing, festivals, a circus, and more planned for the area

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 16, 2022

    There should be plenty to do around town with 10 events planned for 2022 in the Coulee area, including a monthly market with beer and music, but the biggest event faces multiple challenges this year. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce has a slew of events scheduled for the year. The Triple Fish Challenge is scheduled for April 9-10; Colorama from May 6-8; the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on June 2; Koulee Kids Fest on June 18; the First Friday Night Market will run from June to October, the Festival of America on July 4; the Run...

  • Patience is an adaptive skill

    Scott Hunter|Mar 16, 2022

    As the pandemic eases, it looks like no end is in sight for the continuing need for us all to remain flexible in our ideas, schedules, plans and expectations, and that’s a good thing. The human skill at adapting has never been more crucial. Last week, a “Grant County Leadership” online meeting of municipal and health officials, chambers of commerce, journalists, and others, which has been meeting biweekly for months, decided to switch from pandemic mode to recovery mode with a sigh of relief. But even at that, it was noted that switching back...

  • Leaps of abstraction

    John M. Adkins|Mar 16, 2022

    A while back a person told me I’m always fighting for the underdog. I liked Underdog as a kid but was more of a Popeye fan. I was hoping the GCDSD high brass would not feed me more spinach. However, more cans were opened with leaps of abstraction by the GCDSD Board. Blaming the failure of both levies on the pandemic and reminding us that elections have consequences is unbelievable. These disastrous results are due to their poor decision making over the last few years. This is a self-inflicted wound that they’re responsible for. Now they want to...

  • Things that might have been

    Roger S. Lucas|Mar 16, 2022

    I thought for most of my life that I would be a lumber grader. My training was initially at Potlatch Forests Inc., in Potlatch, Idaho, just nine miles from my home in Palouse. I had been there for four years and decided after I met my wife to leave PFI and move to southern Idaho. Dorothy was from Buhl, about 120 miles east of Boise. Of course, I needed work, so I found a job grading lumber in Gooding. The mill owners had a second mill in Fairfield, so I split some of my time there. If you know Idaho at all, you know how bad winters can be. The...

  • Delivering wins for Central Washington

    Dan Newhouse Congressman 4th District|Mar 16, 2022

    As the Congressman for Washington’s 4th Congressional District, my number one priority is advocating for the people who live and work right here in Central Washington, contributing to our communities and economy. That’s why, last week, I voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This legislation not only delivers on many of Central Washington’s top priorities but preserves long-standing conservative principles and takes significant actions to strengthen our national security. Decisions about the needs of our communities shoul...

  • American LNG can replace more Russian gas

    Don C. Brunnell|Mar 16, 2022

    There is an old saying: Don’t let the “perfect” be the “enemy” of the good! That is important to remember as we work our way out of the energy crisis exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While the Russians are razing the country and killing thousands of innocent people, many world leaders are slapping Moscow with heavy economic sanctions. Embargoing Russian oil and natural gas are examples. With the prohibition of Russian oil imports, there is a crude shortage in our country. Consequently, our drivers are shocked by the recent pric...

  • Alva P. Reeves Jr.

    Mar 16, 2022

    Alva P. Reeves Jr. Al Reeves, 89, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2022, in Brewster, Washington. At his request, no services are planned. A complete obituary will be in next week’s Star.... Full story

  • Robert (Bob) Hamlin

    Mar 16, 2022

    Robert (Bob) Hamlin, 78, passed away at his home in Coulee Dam, Washington, on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. He was born June 7, 1943, in Seattle, Washington to James and Evla Hamlin. He was in the Navy from 1962-1964, afterwards he worked for Allied Doors until his retirement. Robert married Sarah Payne in November 1981. Together they managed Reynolds Resort on Buffalo Lake for 20+ years. He also did flower arrangements/deliveries for Seaton's Grove Greenhouse, drove for Jess Ford and volunteered... Full story

  • Lifetime achievement award started in honor of Manley 

    Jacob Wagner|Mar 16, 2022

    A lot can be accomplished in a lifetime. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce is starting a new award for lifetime achievement in honor of Colleen Manley who died unexpectedly earlier this year at the age of 63. “If you have been a part of this community, then you knew Colleen,” Chamber Executive Director Rachelle Baughman said at their March 8 meeting. “She was a huge aspect of this community. Colleen did a lot. She was a part of the chamber, she was a part of the Rotary, she was a part of the Lions. I’m not even sure of everything sh...

  • Chamber positions are announced

    Mar 16, 2022

    The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce announced officers and board members at their annual membership meeting March 8. Hollie Reed is taking on the secretary position, which is the only change in officers. Natalie Nachtigal-Dennis will remain as president, Patty Oliver as vice president, Scott Hunter as past president, Alicia Adamson as treasurer, and Morgan Tillman, Nic Alexander, Solveig Chaffee, Sarah Holt and Matthew Pleasants serving as board members at large. Rachelle Baughman, formerly Rachelle Haven, is executive...

  • It's a girl for the Victors

    Mar 16, 2022

    Natasha and Alexander Victor of Electric City, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Nova Maria Victor, born Friday, February 25, 2022, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. She weighed 8 lbs., 3 oz., and was 21 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandparents are Stella Youraf and Vincent Tufaiel of Pakistan Multan. Paternal grandparents are Kamran Victor and Mable Victor of Spokane, Washington.... Full story

  • Next state land free days are March 9, March 19 & April 22

    Mar 16, 2022

    OLYMPIA – March 3, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites visitors to enjoy a state park on Wednesday, March 9 in honor of Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday, on Saturday, March 19 in recognition of Washington State Parks’ birthday and on Friday, April 22 in celebration of Earth Day. Visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass for day-use visits to a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on these d...

  • Coulee Cops

    Mar 16, 2022

    Grand Coulee Police 3/8 - Police helped the two vehicle owners at the senior center exchange information after someone backed into a parked car. - A Continental Heights man told police that a woman wasn’t supposed to be at the apartments there. Police told him that she was allowed to be there if a resident invited her there. They didn’t find any records of her being banned from the property. The man also said the woman knew who had stolen his vehicle previously and wanted police to talk to her. Police didn’t speak to her and were unable to cont...

  • Legals for March 16

    Mar 16, 2022

    CALL FOR BIDS Town of Coulee Dam Park Maintenance Landscape Services The Town of Coulee Dam will receive sealed bids for Coulee Dam Park Maintenance Landscape Services. Bid Package and Specifications may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at 509-633-0320 or cdclerk@couleedam.org. Sealed Bids should be mailed to the Town of Coulee Dam, 300 Lincoln Ave, Coulee Dam, WA 99116, or hand delivered to the Clerk’s Office, by 11:00 a.m. on March 30, 2022. The Town of Coulee Dam reserves the right to reject any and all bids. (Publish March 16 & 23, 2...

  • Council debating hiring for parks, police

    Scott Hunter|Mar 16, 2022

    The town of Coulee Dam is short one person on the city crew, and the city council is debating whether to keep it that way to shift money to maintenance projects. Two council members, Keith St. Jeor and Dale Rey have argued in two meetings in the last month that the city should contract for some work done, including park maintenance, not re-hire for the position left open by the death of an employee. St. Jeor and Rey argued heavily in favor of contracting out for the work last month but wanted to wait on further discussion until Mayor Bob Poch,...

  • COVID-19 rates remain low

    Mar 16, 2022

    There have been four more COVID-19 deaths in Grant County reported in the past week, and just two new cases in local towns as infection rates remain low. The deaths, reported on March 10 by the Grant County Health District, occurred in February among two men and two women, all unvaccinated, three with underlying health conditions. They were residents of Moses Lake, Ephrata, and Quincy, and were in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. According to data from Coulee Medical Center, from March 8-14, 75 covid tests were performed, with only six, 8%, testing...