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Articles from the May 6, 2020 edition


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  • Golf resumes, but with limits

    May 6, 2020

    The ban on golf during the COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted by the governor, but there are plenty of restrictions on how play can resume, including how many people can golf together, ride in a cart, and more. The Banks Lake Golf Course is operating under new guidelines to comply with Gov. Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-25-2 that allowed golf courses to open, effective May 5. “Outdoor recreation activities including golfing are authorized to commence so long as participants fully comply with social distancing and coronavirus related hygiene req... Full story

  • Fishing resumes on area lakes

    Scott Hunter|May 6, 2020

    Fishing has resumed in most of the state following Gov. Jay Inslee's adjustment to his Stay Home – Stay Healthy orders. Fishing has not opened up all the way on the Colville Indian Reservation, however, as the Colville Tribes is keeping it closed to non-members until May 29. The state opened boat launches on Banks Lake Tuesday, and anglers were on the water in the early morning. On Lake Roosevelt, within Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, boat launches are open as water levels allow, t... Full story

  • Foundation wants to help local area

    Scott Hunter|May 6, 2020

    A charitable-giving organization that manages millions and has grown 380 times its initial size in 24 years is reaching out to smaller communities, including this one, wanting to make a bigger impact. Not that it hasn’t given to local causes in the past. Just recently, the Ephrata-based Columbia Basin Foundation has given the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce $1,000 for local business support, and it’s donating another $1,000 to the Care and Share Food Bank, both under the foundation’s “ReCOVIDery,” initiative to help during the COVID... Full story

  • Distance learning at LR schools, now and later

    Jacob Wagner|May 6, 2020

    In the Grand Coulee Dam School District, teachers, students, and parents have been navigating the uncharted waters and new paradigm of "distance learning" for the past few weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and education leaders expect it to continue as a feature of schooling after the crisis ends. "I am really proud of the work that we've done through the past few weeks with implementing our distance learning plan," said Kirk Marshlain, principal of Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School.... Full story

  • School budget looks fine for coming school year

    Jacob Wagner|May 6, 2020

    Grand Coulee Dam School District’s budget is anticipated to be in good standing this coming school year, but maybe not the year after. “I think we’re going to be OK,” Superintendent Paul Turner told the school board April 26 in a meeting held via Zoom. “My bigger worry is 2021-22.” The optimism was a shift in tone from the previous board meeting in which larger cuts were anticipated in school revenues due to the strain on the state’s funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, Turner said that cuts aren’t anticipated to be made by state l...

  • Colorama will be missed this year, but the memories!

    Jacob Wagner|May 6, 2020

    With this year's Colorama festival cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to take a look back at the history of the event that has been an integral part of the coulee community in one shape or another for over six decades. The festival evolved over the years. According to books on the subject compiled by the Coulee Pioneer Museum, which reference old newspaper articles, the Grand Coulee Rodeo, which was first held in 1935 or 1936, evolved into the Western Festival in 1954, a joint...

  • Proud and thankful for this community

    Nicole Rasmussen|May 6, 2020

    I cannot stop thinking back to state volleyball, state football, and most recently state basketball. Standing outside with my students and their homemade signs waving and cheering as the fire trucks, police cars, and buses came through the bus lane cheering our athletes on as they made their way to the state tournament is something that I will never forget. My husband and I have been a part of multiple programs in various states, including private and public schools, and both college and high school programs. NEVER have I ever experienced a...

  • Disappointed in graduation plans

    May 6, 2020

    Having just read the new senior graduation plan, as a grandma of a senior, I am upset. It feels like after 13 or 14 years of supporting, praising, fighting for, crying with, and celebrating, grandparents not only have no input, but can now park where they can and there will be a virtual version of graduation, IF you have a smart phone, otherwise? I heard from my senior, who is pretty upset, as the plan is for only 10 at a time on the field and they must wait in vehicles until their 10 are called (so mostly virtual for them, as well). A group...

  • Sometimes you have to learn the hard way

    Roger S Lucas|May 6, 2020

    A short item in the Sunset Magazine caught my eye just as we were planning a quick early summer vacation. lt featured a bed and breakfast in Lamoille, Nevada, only a few miles from where Dorothy and I were married in Elko. Over the years we have traveled Nevada from all directions and knew of its beauty. A quick call and we had reservations. When we arrived there we became aware that you can’t always trust what you read. They were cleaning the place, and it was a mess. They explained that they had winter guests for skiing and hadn’t cleaned up...

  • The US Construction Railroad

    Dan Bolyard, THem Dam Writers online|May 6, 2020

    Bids to build the construction railroad were received May 17, 1934, and 22 firms competed for the work. The two low bidders were L. Coluccio of Seattle, and David H. Ryan of San Diego. Irregularities were found in the Coluccio bid, resulting in an investigation of the bids. They came in at Ryan at $235,570 and Coluccio at $236,925. The contract was awarded to Ryan on July 17, 1934, and a notice to proceed was issued August 8, 1934. Ryan claimed to be able to outbid anyone else by already being...

  • A plan for the People's House

    Dan Newhouse|May 6, 2020

    Throughout these unprecedented times, members of Congress — like many families across the country — are facing uncertainty about returning to work. While we understand that it will take time to return to business as usual, we should be taking important steps to ensure the legislative branch remains representative of the American people. Our Founding Fathers designed Congress to operate under certain procedures to best represent the American people. As a former Member of the House Rules Committee, I have a unique understanding of and app...

  • James Howard Gallaher

    May 6, 2020

    James Howard Gallaher, 82, of Nespelem, Washington, passed away on April 20, 2020, at Grand Coulee, Washington. Jim was born to Bud and Juanita Gallaher on December 15, 1937, at the Colville Indian Hospital in Nespelem, Washington. He graduated from Nespelem High School in 1955. Shortly thereafter he began work at Biles-Coleman Lumber Company and continued to work in the logging industry on the Colville Reservation for the rest of his career. In 1957 he married Beverly Morin, in Coeur d'Alene,... Full story

  • Local doctor caps a message for creativity during crisis

    Jacob Wagner|May 6, 2020

    We are all frontline workers, a local doctor says, and we need to be creative in our lives. Dr. Sam Hsieh, a general surgeon and chief of staff at Coulee Medical Center, has given out over 100 caps with a special Chinese character on the front within an imperfect frame and the word "#Frontline" on the back. Hsieh's goal is to give the caps, made by Sunflower Graphics in Grand Coulee, out to all the health care workers at CMC. The symbol, according to a letter Hsieh gives out with the caps,... Full story

  • It's a boy for George/Scranton

    May 6, 2020

    Kenndra George and Martin L. Scranton II, of Coulee Dam, Washington, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Kelvin Lee Scranton, born Thursday, April 16, 2020, at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, Washington. He weighed 8 lbs., 3 oz., and was 21 inches. Maternal grandparents Ivan Lee FireCrow of Omak, Washington, and the late Nancy M. George. Paternal grandparents are Martin L. Scranton and Patricia A. Scranton, both of Coulee Dam. Great-grandfather is Harold L. George Sr. of Nespelem, Washington.... Full story

  • Meetings & Notices

    May 6, 2020

    City of Electric City Upcoming Meetings The City of Electric City has two upcoming meetings with both conducted telephonically. The first one is the Regional Board of Mayors at 4 p.m., on Monday, May 11. The second meeting is the Electric City monthly council meeting to be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12. At this time, no public comments will be taken for either meeting, however, the public can listen in on either meeting at a special call-in telephone number that will be available on the City of Electric City’s website at w... Full story

  • New superintendent chosen for Nespelem School District

    May 6, 2020

    The Nespelem School Board of Directors announced their selection Tuesday of Dr. Effie Dean as the new superintendent/principal of the school. Dean will be joining the school district beginning July 1, 2020. Dean is replacing Dr. Mary Hall, who has retired as superintendent. Dean will also be assuming principal duties, replacing Marcy Horne. In the last three years, Dean has served as the assistant superintendent at the Royal City School District, Hall said. She has also served for six years as principal and director of special education at...

  • Internet available outside of schools

    May 6, 2020

    In an effort to give students access to the internet, which they may not have at home, the Grand Coulee Dam School District has expanded Wi-Fi signals to access the internet outside of Lake Roosevelt Schools and at the former middle school. A student can sit in a vehicle and access the internet if needed to do work for the new “distance learning” method of education that schools are using during the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Paul Turner told the school board during a Zoom meeting April 26 that expanding internet signals outside the bui... Full story

  • Coulee Cops

    May 6, 2020

    Grand Coulee Police 4/28 - A physical altercation was reported near Alcan Road and King Street. Neighbors said the people involved left in an SUV heading east on SR-174. - A man sleeping in his car at Jack’s 76 gas station said he had been driving for four hours and fell asleep while waiting for his girlfriend to text him back. The man said he would leave. 4/29 - A man spoke to police about letting a friend borrow his car, and his friend then selling it to someone in Moses Lake. An officer told him he’d probably have to go through the cou...

  • Legals for May 6, 2020

    May 6, 2020

    Colville Tribal Police Department Nespelem, Washington FOUND PROPERTY / COMPLIANT# 20-0370 The Colville Tribal Police Department holds found property, which included currency and was turned into the Police Department on March 21, 2020. The owner of said property has sixty (60) days from this notice to describe the found property in order to claim it. If the property is not claimed within sixty (60) days, the Colville Tribal Police Department may destroy, sell at auction or retain the property depending on the item and circumstances. You may... Full story