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Articles from the April 25, 2018 edition


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  • School levy approved for August ballot

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    Local area voters will be faced with deciding on approval of a school levy that would restore six figures of property taxes per year to the school district for the next four years, but not raise tax rates higher than they were in 2017, putting them back to 81 cents lower than they are for 2018. Property taxes supporting the school district currently take $4.01 per thousand dollars of assessed property value towards a local “operations and maintenance” levy. In spring of 2019, that number drops to $1.50 per thousand, a difference of $2.51 res...

  • Shredded stage curtain needs a replacement

    Scott Hunter|Apr 25, 2018

    The curtain on the stage in the Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School gym, the one the class of 2018 will walk under to pick up their diplomas in June, is falling apart, a problem possibly remedied by spaghetti. At least that's what the Grand Coulee Dam Rotary Club hopes to do with a fundraising dinner this Saturday at the school cafeteria. The club, famous locally for its spaghetti, is selling tickets for the dinner that will be dished up from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The curtains, said music...

  • Newsbriefs

    Apr 25, 2018

    Performances coming up Young students at Lake Roosevelt School will put on an elementary musical called “School Is Cool” Thursday at 1:30 p.m. It’s written by four fifth-grade students. Acting is done by the fifth- and sixth-grade students, with a chorus consisting of the third- and fourth-graders. They will perform it in the elementary school gym. Donations accepted The Grand Coulee Dam School District board approved donations at their meeting Monday night: $3,000 from Colville Tribes to the Northwest Indian Youth Conference for the Nativ...

  • Major street will get treatment this year

    Roger S. Lucas|Apr 25, 2018

    Drivers on a main Grand Coulee street will notice a major maintenance effort this year, as Spokane Way and other streets receive a pavement treatment. Grand Coulee has hired Gray & Osborne as its engineering firm to oversee a pavement maintenance project expected to be done sometime this year. Public works Director Dennis Francis said the chip-sealing project will begin at SR-174, and come down Spokane Way to the Teepee Restaurant, then start again on the other side of Midway Avenue, up Second Street to B Street. Some small “dig outs” are als...

  • PUD installing new meters

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    Grant County Public Utility District has been installing new “advanced” meters in homes and businesses, a move the utility says will save $35.6 million by 2029. If you see someone on your property, doing something with your electricity meter, it should just be someone working for Grant PUD installing new technology capable of transmitting electricity usage data remotely, negating the necessity for a meter reader to stop by on a monthly basis. Chuck Allen, public affairs officer with Grant PUD, made a presentation about the new meters at the...

  • Two jailed in Grand Coulee drug bust Friday

    Apr 25, 2018

    A Grand Coulee man and woman were jailed Friday and more arrests were expected after a search warrant served on a home yielded meth and heroin, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported. Grant County’s Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET), the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team (TRT), and Grand Coulee Police raided the home at 212 Dill Avenue early Friday morning. There, they found meth, heroin, scales and packaging materials, a GCSO press release said. Michael Capshaw, 36, was arrested at the home and is lodged in the Gra...

  • Colorama carnival to return

    Roger S. Lucas|Apr 25, 2018

    Carnival tickets are on sale this week, offering substantial savings for early birds, a chamber of commerce official reported. Executive Director Peggy Nevsimal stated those who purchase carnival tickets by Thursday, May 10, will save $10. Tickets for early buyers are $20, while the same ticket will cost $30 the day of the carnival. Nevsimal said tickets will be available at the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce office, Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union, Coulee Hardware, The Star newspaper, Loepps Furniture, H&H Grocery and the Trading...

  • Earth Day draws crowds, drones

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    The Colville Tribes hosted their ninth annual Earth Day celebration on Friday, giving away T-shirts and raffle items, hosting a free barbecue, and teaching children and adults alike about Earth Day-related topics. Hosted at the powwow grounds in Nespelem, booths provided information on electricity, forestry, recycling, drainage and runoff of different soil types, how to reuse old clothes, invasive species, health and nutrition, and much more. A popular booth hosted by M3 Consulting Group had bot...

  • Why you should care about a curtain

    Apr 25, 2018

    This community can be counted on to step up to address a need, but we don’t always know about them. This week, the Rotary club of which I am a member is pointing one out that has gone unmet for a very long time. Those of you who have lived in the community for a long time may remember when the old community theatrical troupe, The Planet Earth Players, put on the musical “Oklahoma,” decades ago. The curtain in the high school gym was very old then, and it’s a lot older now. Embarrassingly old. But it’s never been an immediate need. Kids don...

  • Holocaust remembrance fading

    Dan Newhouse Representative 4th Dist3|Apr 25, 2018

    Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate, the late Elie Wiesel, once said of that horrific state-sponsored genocide that, “to forget the victims means to kill them a second time. So I couldn’t prevent the first death. I surely must be capable of saving them from a second death.” The world-renowned author sought to prevent victims from being forgotten through writing many books on the persecution through his experience and by helping establish the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Wiesel’s words underscore the gravity of the dut...

  • Skilled trade jobs go unfilled in our robust economy

    Don C. Brunell|Apr 25, 2018

    Millions of college graduates find themselves saddled with crushing debt, and more than a third of them won’t be working in their chosen profession. Many will be working for low wages. Meanwhile, millions of high-paid jobs are available in the skilled trades – electricians, plumbers, manufacturing workers, pipefitters, mechanics, appliance repair, computer techs, medical assistants and welders. Known as blue collar jobs, they routinely pay $45,000 to $65,000 a year or more. According to Salary.com, the average heavy equipment operator in Sea...

  • Senior Profile: Alyssa Hobrecht-Flores

    Jesse Utz|Apr 25, 2018

    Sometimes life just happens. That was the summary of my sit-down chat with this powerful young lady getting ready to walk the stage and get her diploma at Lake Roosevelt. Alyssa Hobrecht-Flores is ready, and if her life to this point has taught her anything, it is that she can conquer it all. Here is a little bit more of my emotion-filled conversation that covered many areas with Ms. Hobrecht-Flores. Senior years have a reputation of being stress filled and fast paced. So when I asked Alyssa...

  • Judith (Judi) Margaret Savage

    Apr 25, 2018

    Judith (Judi) Margaret Savage passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018, in Boise, Idaho. She was born in Long Creek, Oregon, March 29, 1941, to Orville "Cook" and Levon "Bonnie" Allen of Fox, Oregon, attended first grade in John Day (Bertha Johns, teacher), Fox and Long Creek, graduating from Long Creek High School in May of 1958. She married James Madras Hunt in September of 1958 and they both worked for her grandparents at Farra's Saddle and Harness Shop in John Day. She studied under her grandfath... Full story

  • Mary Ann Berland

    Apr 25, 2018

    Mary Ann Berland, 81, passed away Sunday afternoon, April 22, 2018, in Wilbur, Washington. She was born January 8, 1937, in Billings, Montana, to John W. and Ruth Egan. On November 17, 1956, nineteen-year-young Mary Ann Egan married Barney R. Berland in Livingston, Montana. In the mid-1980s, Barney and Mary Ann purchased the gas station at 212 Midway Avenue in Grand Coulee, Washington, and converted it into a convenience store – "Midway Mini Mart." A lifelong horse lover, Mary Ann enjoyed going... Full story

  • Bridge underbelly work

    Apr 25, 2018

    Workers perform maintenance work under the Columbia River Bridge in Coulee Dam Monday as flaggers stop traffic on SR-155. - Scott Hunter photo...

  • Luella (Lou) Chamberlain

    Apr 25, 2018

    Luella (Lou) Chamberlain, 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 20, 2018, at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Washington. She will be missed by friends, family and all who knew her. No services are planned at this time.... Full story

  • Shredders succeed

    Apr 25, 2018

    The Grand Coulee Dam Rotary Club's "shred day" event succfeeded in shredding up more than 6,000 pounds of documents brought in by people, many of whom also donated to a collection that topped more than $300 for the Care and Share Food Bank Saturday. The event, sponsored by Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union and North Cascades Bank, was the fifth such day organized by the club. - Scott Hunter photo...

  • It's a boy for the Billups

    Apr 25, 2018

    Jesse and Neshia Billups, of Grand Coulee, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Cairo Sage Billups, born Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee. He weighed 7 lbs., 2 oz., and was 20-3/4 inches in length at birth. Maternal grandparents are Samen and Sasja Farag. Paternal grandparents are Casey and Terrie Billups....

  • Meetings and Notices

    Apr 25, 2018

    Chamber to Meet The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet at the Siam Palace at noon this Thursday, April 26. General business is on the agenda. The public is welcome. Coulee Creators Meet on Tuesdays Coulee Creators meet at 412 Federal Ave. Room 207, Grand Coulee. Contact Marlene Oddie at KISSed Quilts or 509-386-5715 for further details. Hours are normally Tuesdays 1-4 p.m. Grant County Fire Dist. 14 to Meet Grant County Fire District 14 will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 30, at the Electric City Fire...

  • Pitner chosen for Gates Scholarship

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    After winning a tough tennis match on Friday, Lake Roosevelt student Rylee Pitner, to her delight, checked her email to see she had been selected for a Gates Scholarship. The scholarship, given by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is given out to 300 students each year, nationwide, and will provide funding for Pitner's next five years of college. Pitner intends to study animal sciences at Washington State University. The website for the scholarship, www.thegatesscholarship.org, describes...

  • Tracksters set personal records

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    The Raider track team went to Tonasket and Quincy this past week, with individuals setting personal records along the way, including Shyniah Dogskin placing first in the shot put event in Tonasket, and Addison Hansen placing first in javelin at Quincy. “We had an awesome meet,” Head Coach Lori Adkins said about the April 17 meet in Tonasket. “The athletes competed hard and brought home improved results. Our team is starting to be noticed as a force by other coaches and athletes.” “Throwers dished out lots of great stats for the boys and girls...

  • Lady Raiders bat off Billygoats, Fillies, Tigers

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    The Lake Roosevelt Lady Raiders had a busy week, defeating Pateros at home in Grand Coulee, defeating Manson in a doubleheader on the road, and splitting a doubleheader with Tonasket. The Lady Raiders defeated the Pateros Nannies 18-7 on the Grand Coulee home field April 17. In Manson for a doubleheader on April 19, the Lady Raiders won both games, 28-2, and 34-1. Then on April 21, the Lady Raiders held a doubleheader at home with the Tonasket Lady Tigers, winning the first game 11-5, losing...

  • Raiders play strong tennis matches

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    Raider tennis players faced off against Oroville and Omak last week. Hosting the Oroville Hornets in Coulee Dam April 19, the boys' team won 3-2, and the girls' team won 4-1. "It was a strong win for the boys' team, only dropping one doubles match," remarked Head Coach Steve Archer. "Oroville only had one girl; she played twice and both Rylee [Pitner] and Hannah [Wapato] defeated her. Alexia [Ryan] played one of their boys and defeated him." In Omak on April 20, the boys lost 4-1, and the girls...

  • Golfers play Gamble Sands

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    Raider golfers traveled to the Gamble Sands Golf Course in Brewster to play 18 holes with teams from all over the state April 18. “It was a fantastic venue and event,” said Head Coach Steve Files of the event which had 28 (teams) competing, total. “That’s the most we’ve ever seen for sure, pretty impressive. Great, high-stakes experience for our players as they begin ramping up in preparation for the district tournament.” After facing winds and rains in recent matches, the Raiders experienced nice weather for the event at the resort cour...

  • Baseball plays Pateros, Tonasket

    Jacob Wagner|Apr 25, 2018

    The Lake Roosevelt Raiders spent some time on their home diamond, getting a narrow win against the Billygoats, and losing both games of a doubleheader against the Tigers. The Raiders defeated the Pateros Billygoats 12-11 in Coulee Dam April 17. But then the Raiders hosted the Tonasket Tigers for a doubleheader April 20. Tied 12-12 in the seventh inning of the first game, the Tigers scored seven runs for the win in the eighth inning, for a final of 19-12. The Raiders lost the second game to the...

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