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Articles from the May 31, 2017 edition


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  • Coulee Dam must hold primary election in August

    Roger S Lucas|May 31, 2017

    Only one office in the coulee area will require a primary runoff to see who makes it to the general election Nov. 7. Three people have filed for Position 3 on the Coulee Dam Town Council, requiring the runoff election. In all other races, candidates will automatically move to the general election Nov. 7. Bruce Bartoo, Timothy Brooks and Marcia Warnecke each filed for the same council seat in Coulee Dam last Friday, which will bring on a primary election to select the top two on Aug. 1. Others who have filed for Coulee Dam council are David... Full story

  • Breaking News: Keller Ferry scheduled to be out of service on Thursday, June 1

    May 31, 2017

    From a press release from the Washington State Department of Transportation: KELLER FERRY – The Keller Ferry that crosses the Columbia River on state Route 21 will be out of service on Thursday, June 1, beginning at 7 a.m. for relocation of the north shore loading terminal. There is no estimated time for service to resume, but, barring any unforeseen problems, it is hoped the ferry will be back in service by Friday morning. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes during this work. The north shore ferry loading terminal is relocated to a... Full story

  • Folding in memory

    May 31, 2017

    Boy Scouts of Troop 24 perform a ceremonial folding of the flag at the annual Isle of Flags Memorial Day Ceremony at Spring Canyon Cemetery Monday as Sara Zlateff, sergeant first class, retired, explains the meaning of each of the 13 folds. A dozen new flags were dedicated in memory of service members this year, making a total of more than 600 flags flying for the annual remembrance. - Scott Hunter photo... Full story

  • Big tent circus coming to town

    Jacob Wagner|May 31, 2017

    The circus is coming to town, and no, not your in-laws. An actual circus! The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, to be exact. Complete with lions, tigers, a huge tent, and a variety of other entertainment. The circus will take place at North Dam Park on Thursday, June 8, with two 90-minute shows starting at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The circus has been featured on National Geographic's Explorer television series, Entertainment Tonight, the A&E special "Under the Big Top," and in "On the Road with Circu... Full story

  • Nordine to manage food bank

    Roger S. Lucas|May 31, 2017

    There will be a new Care and Share Food Bank manager July 1. Carol Nordine, former Electric City city council member, will take over food bank duties from Fern Blaylock. Blaylock, now 81, has a hard time remembering when she started at the food bank, since it has become such a big part of her life. But she is off on another of her favorite things, helping kids at Grand Coulee Dam District schools. "Fern was a fixture when I came to this position 20 years ago," said Teny Archer, who supervises... Full story

  • New orchard owners to reopen fruit stand and more

    Roger S. Lucas|May 31, 2017

    The new owners of the former Shaw's Fruit and Produce in Delano, Dave and Alma Draper, plan a Grand Opening June 1. The name of the business will be Alma and Dave's Fruit and Produce. The couple bought the property from long-time owner and operator Roy Hamilton earlier this year. And kids, the Drapers wanted you to know that the "Pumpkin Patch" will return. The space is all ready to be planted. Plans for the future call for the addition of an espresso stand layout with pastries, sandwiches and... Full story

  • Cain hopes to add local fireworks

    Jacob Wagner|May 31, 2017

    If you hear a loud explosion, hopefully it's just local man Alan Cain, who recently received his Pyrotechnics Display Operator License allowing him to use display-type fireworks that normal civilians can't get their hands on (lest they lose some fingers). To get the license, Cain had to prove he had experience in at least six fireworks shows. Cain said he has experience with about 27, including baseball stadiums, events in Spokane, and other areas. Also needed to get the license are four... Full story

  • Raising the roof

    May 31, 2017

    The DWK Fowler construction crew hoists up the roof on the new mosquito district building Friday. The building, seen alongside SR-155 near the south end of town, will be used to house equipment. - Gwen Hilson photo... Full story

  • Correction

    May 31, 2017

    Kelly Steffens is running for Grand Coulee Dam School District board of directors in District 5 against incumbent Richard Black. The Star used an incorrect first name in a story last week.... Full story

  • Fish pen project gets grant

    Roger S. Lucas|May 31, 2017

    POWER, the organization that manages the fish pens in Electric City, was advised last week that it has received an $8,275 grant. The Department of Fish and Wildlife stated in a letter to Carl Russell, longtime POWER (Promoters of Wildlife and Environmental Resources) member, that the local grant request ranked high enough to receive the grant, despite cuts in funding. The “Banks Lake Rainbow Trout Net Pen Project” was one of 91 groups seeking funding for various wildlife projects in the state. The local fish pen operation receives about 150... Full story

  • Electric City to review employee benefits

    Roger S. Lucas|May 31, 2017

    Electric City council plans to review, again, benefits for its employees at its June 13 meeting. The council is looking at providing 11 paid holidays and several other benefits when they pass the final employee package at the next council meeting. The 11 holidays are: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King’s birthday (third Monday of January); Presidents’ Day, (third Monday of February); Memorial Day (last Monday of May); Independence Day (fourth day of July); Labor Day (first Monday of September); Veterans Day (11th of November); Thank... Full story

  • Not on our soil

    Rich Lowry|May 31, 2017

    The Turkish government is obviously familiar with the concept of “chutzpah,” if not necessarily the word. Ankara summoned the American ambassador to protest allegedly “aggressive and unprofessional actions” by the Washington, D.C., police. Their offense? Intervening after Turkish security personnel mauled peaceful protesters outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington. Video of the incident is jaw-dropping. About a dozen people protested Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- arriving at the ambassador’s residence after a Whi... Full story

  • Texas flush with transportation cash

    Don C. Brunell|May 31, 2017

    In the last decade, there has been a highway construction boom in Texas. On the other hand, lawmakers in Olympia still scramble to fund road maintenance. Texas, a state with a population of 27 million, is flush with cash thanks partly to a 10-year voter approved initiative which will pump $2 billion a year into highways. Then recently, that state’s legislature added $9 billion to further help relieve traffic congestion. “What’s Texas doing that we aren’t?” The answer is private-public partnerships. Since 2011, the state’s transportat... Full story

  • Peacocks gone with the wind

    Jesse Utz|May 31, 2017

    Thirty-plus years just does not feel like enough time. The Peacocks are about to pull up roots and travel the nation on a permanent road trip. We have gotten used to the snow bird effect, but this time it will be for much longer. Barry and Viv are spreading their wings and are going to soar. Barry has been helping people for years. With the city, with the church and with friends, he is a man’s man. He has helped many a person over the years and has been a staple to the area. He has helped Karrie... Full story

  • Seventy-two years ago

    May 31, 2017

    The sheep of Joe Hodgin travel from winter quarters at Adrian, Washington, to their summer range in the Colville National Forest. - May 9, 1945 photo... Full story

  • Samuel Salvador Rey

    May 31, 2017

    Former Elmer City, Washington, resident Samuel Salvador Rey, 91, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 28, 2017, at his home in Boise, Idaho. Sam was born on December 10, 1926, in Wyoming to Serafin and Belinda (Belle) Cruz Rey. In 1945, he married Gladys Leone Parry in California. From this union, they were blessed with six children: Terry (Connie), Dale (Becky), Trudy, Michael (Janet), Greg (Judith) and Doug (Jane). In 1990, he married Margaret Schmidt in Kelowna, British Columbia. They made... Full story

  • Steep work

    May 31, 2017

    Workers remove shingles from the Coulee Dam Community Church May 17 in preparation for re-roofing the 11,000-square-foot building. The total project will likely end up costing from $105,000 to $110,000 said Coulee Dam/Almira Community Church Trustees Chairman Mel Stone. The facility was given to the church by the Presbyterian Church last year, and the gift included $69,000 that had been saved up for the big roof job, Stone said. He said about 55-70 people attend on Sundays, and the church has... Full story

  • Meetings and Notices

    May 31, 2017

    Chamber This Week The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet at noon, this Thursday, June 1, at the Eagles Lodge, Grand Coulee. Upcoming summer plans are on the agenda. Title VI/JOM Parent Advisory Meet set Title VI/JOM Parent advisory group will be meeting Tuesday, June 6, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High, room C212. A light meal will be provided. Discussion of the 2017-2018 Title VI Grant Application is planned. Participation is welcome! Wenatchee Valley Erratics Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute... Full story

  • Darin Whiteman competes at state golf

    Jacob Wagner|May 31, 2017

    Raider Darin Whiteman traveled to Richland, Washington, last week to compete in the 1B/2B boys' state tournament. "Darin battled hard under perhaps the toughest conditions imaginable for a state tournament," his coach, Steve Files, said. At Horn Rapids Golf Course, the competitors faced temperatures in the 90s and winds of 15-20 miles an hour. "It ended up being a grueling seven-hour endurance test," Files said. "Darin got into trouble on two or three holes with a couple wayward shots, but... Full story

  • Lk. Roosevelt level rising with runoff

    Jacob Wagner|May 31, 2017

    The spring runoff from melting snow in Canada is now coming down the Columbia River, and Lake Roosevelt is beginning to refill. Following the long 2016-17 winter, Lake Roosevelt has been kept at a low water level in anticipation of the large mountain runoff to come. Currently, with the water level at an elevation of about 1,256 feet above sea level on Tuesday, the target for May 31 is for the lake to be no higher than 1,262, according to the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. The lake is completely fu... Full story

  • School board briefs

    May 31, 2017

    • Grand Coulee Dam School District board member Richard Black will pass out diplomas to over 40 seniors at ceremonies scheduled for June 10. He was selected from among members of the board at its May 22 meeting. • The school board has delayed its next meeting to June 5 to allow any senior not on the graduation list to make an appeal before the school board. • The school district will accept up to 16 students for summer driver education classes. The cost is on a graduated scale, Superintendent Paul Turner stated. For a class of 11 stude... Full story

  • School to receive music grant

    Roger S Lucas|May 31, 2017

    The Lake Roosevelt Schools music department just won a $6,250 grant. Karen Pace, music director ,said the grant was given through the umbrella of the Washington Music Education Association. Pace directs four bands in the district and the district’s choir, for a total of about 165 students, Pace said Friday, plus elementary music. Shee put in for the grant in March and received word that the grant was coming through for the district earlier in May. The money will be used to purchase new instruments, repair older ones, and provide music stands a... Full story

  • Take home medals

    May 31, 2017

    Madison Clark won four medals at the 2B State track meet in Cheney, Washington recently. She was a member of a 400-meter relay team which placed second, took 2nd in the 400-meter dash, and 7th in the 200-meter dash, and was also a member of the 800-relay team which placed 4th. Other members of the relay teams were Jamie Ross, Jessie Reed and Karlee Maioho. Jacob Clark also competed at state but was still recovering from pneumonia. Madison and Jacob attend Wilbur High School and are the children of Andy and Casey Clark, and the grandchildren of... Full story

  • Coulee Cops

    May 31, 2017

    Grand Coulee Police 5/22 - A woman called police to report that someone had broken into her apartment, taking nothing, but leaving a meth pipe behind. An officer collected the pipe for destruction. 5/23 - An officer assisted a suicidal woman on Spring Canyon Road until a Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy arrived to take charge. The woman was taken to Davenport. - A Toppenish man was arrested and taken to Grant County jail on a warrant after police pulled him over for failing to stop at an intersection. He was also cited for driving with a s... Full story

  • Taking a left in Grand Coulee

    May 31, 2017

    A transformer at a Coulee City railway siding awaits delivery to a Bureau of Reclamation facility this week in Grand Coulee. The 346-foot rig was scheduled to beging the journey from Coulee City Tuesday night, stop for the day at a scenic overlook just south of Electric City, then resume the trek about 1 a.m. Thursday morning. It should arrive about 5 a.m. at the switchyard on SR-174 north of Grand Coulee overlooking Grand Coulee Dam. Moving no faster than 25 mph, the million-pound vehicle will... Full story