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Articles from the June 27, 2018 edition


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  • School levy on August ballot would just maintain

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 27, 2018

    Voters will decide if the Grand Coulee Dam School District will function on the same amount of money it has been, or be forced into a budget made much tighter by the new school funding law passed by the state Legislature last year. The district’s proposition for a four-year “Capital Levy Ffor Safety, Technology Aand Facilities Improvements” will be on the Aug. 7 ballot. Money from the general fund that currently goes toward certain things, such as technology, would, if the levy passes, come from the levy, freeing up money in the general fund...

  • Final vote count for CBC

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 27, 2018

    The official vote counts of Saturday’s general election for the Colville Business Council, including the absentee ballots, are in, with several incumbents voted out including the current chairman of the council that governs the tribes. In the Omak District Position 2 race, Margie Hutchinson won the election with 391votes over current chairman Michael E. Marchand's 253. In the Nespelem District Position 1 race, Janet (Wak Wak) Nicholson’s won 428-390 over Jarred-Michael Erickson. In the Nespelem District Position 2 race, Andrea George won 334...

  • Slide repair to start

    Jun 27, 2018

    An aerial photo shows a temporarily repaired slide area on Peter Dan Road where the dark spot marks temporary asphalt over a hump created by a landslide. Okanogan County on Tuesday accepted a bid of $2,011,679.50 from Selland Construction of Wenatchee to perform work on the landslide area. The work includes clearing the landslide and stabilizing the hillside. The road will be closed from July 16, when Selland Construction plans to begin the work, until Aug. 24. Construction is anticipated to be...

  • Recent fires show the season is here

    Scott Hunter|Jun 27, 2018

    Local firefighters were busy over the last couple weeks, from fighting wildland fires to attending to one right behind the fire station in Grand Coulee. Firefighters were called to help on a large fire that burned more than 2,000 acres just north of Soap Lake a couple weeks ago that garnered a state fire mobilization after two Grant county-wide calls slowed it down, said Grand Coulee Fire Chief Rick Paris. It took several days to control. Last Wednesday, a fire north of Rebecca Lake Road drew every local agency in a rapid response amid signific...

  • International peace run includes dam

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 27, 2018

    The Sri Chimnoy Oneness-Home Peace Run passed by the Grand Coulee Dam last week, spreading a message of peace and carrying a torch that has traveled the world. The group consist of 12 runners from California, New York, and Hawaii, as well as from Puerto Rico, India, Mongolia, Italy, New Zealand, Ukraine, and other countries. The whole team ran about 70 miles on June 20 when they arrived at the dam, with some people running as many as 15 miles, others running three. Founded in 1987, the group...

  • Fireworks will top festival on July 4

    Jun 27, 2018

    That’s the clue for a good time here July 3 and 4, when the Festival of America occurs below the Visitor Center at Grand Coulee Dam. The celebration is put on by the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce. Please see the separate Festival of America section inside this week’s Star. The annual patriotic celebration begins Tuesday in the park below the Visitor Center, and ends after the giant fireworks event Wednesday night. In between will be plenty of basking in the sun, picnic eats, music, the traditional family get-togethers, and the ever-...

  • Newsbriefs

    Jun 27, 2018

    Early deadlines for holiday Because of the Independence Day holiday, The Star will be published on July 3 (Tuesday) instead of on our usual Wednesday schedule. The deadline for ads and news copy will be Friday, June 29. No-shows for school board The Grand Coulee Dam School District board meeting, scheduled for June 25, was moved to June 26 with a modified agenda due to a lack of quorum. Superintendent Paul Turner was there on June 25, with Ken Stanger being the only board member present. Coroner: Drowning death was accidental Grant County...

  • Eagle Scouts tour dam bicycling cross country

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 27, 2018

    A large group of Eagle Scouts took a hard-hat tour of the Grand Coulee Dam June 25, going deep into the dam to explore the inner workings of the marvel of engineering. The group, known as Eagle Scouts Cycling Across America, is currently bicycling across the country, starting in Seattle and ending in Virginia later in the summer. The group of 32 people, ranging in age from 16 to 67, includes people from 12 different states, with many hailing from Virginia and Pennsylvania, in particular. "It's...

  • Local libraries to host Grant PUD as part of summer program

    Jun 27, 2018

    Grant PUD to present "It's not magic, it's water" throughout the summer Grant PUD will participate in the North Central Regional Library's summer reading program as they share an interactive presentation about how the naturally occurring water cycle allows Grant PUD to generate electricity. In addition, attendees will learn how electricity is delivered to homes and businesses. The program provides hands-on activities for children. Participants can act out the "Water Cycle" play, create a...

  • Sunrise Disposal to use new technology in their trucks

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 27, 2018

    Grand Coulee Councilmember Mike Horne said at the latest council meeting that Sunrise Disposal, who performs garbage collection service in the area, will be using new global positioning system (GPS) equipment in their trucks around the time that their contract with the cities expires at the end of 2019. The GPS system will allow truck drivers to check off houses that they’ve stopped at as they go along their routes. “It’s going to make things a lot easier,” Dick Howe of Sunrise Disposal said, explaining the system at an Electric City council...

  • Nice save

    Jun 27, 2018

    Brett Leadingham of the Wannabes softball team bobbles, then catches the ball near first base on Monday when they played against the Smokin' Joes team at North Dam Park in a recreational league game. - Jacob Wagner photo...

  • New athletic director, teacher hired

    Jacob Wagner|Jun 27, 2018

    Lake Roosevelt Schools will have a new athletic director, physical education teacher, and football coach in Tim Rasmussen, and new elementary school teacher in his wife, Nicole Rasmussen. The Rasmussens are returning to their home state of Washington by way of Texas, where they’ve worked at a school the past few years. “We’re excited to have them,” said Superintendent Paul Turner. “Tim’s going to fill a void we’ve been concerned about, and (Nicole) is a rockstar....

  • Declaration spells out the United States difference

    Scott Hunter|Jun 27, 2018

    A certain seemingly innocent, even holy-sounding, reference made recently by a high government official in defense of an unpopular policy should give Americans pause. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions sought to shore up the position of the government by using the authority of scripture, quoting the Apostle Paul when he advises following the laws of the earthly government. “I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of o... Full story

  • Thankful he got out

    Dave Noggles|Jun 27, 2018

    As a former employee at the Grand Coulee Dam School District (30 years plus), I would like to respond to the article in last week’s Star entitled “High staff turnover this year in GCD school district.” I am now retired from the district, and I have to say that I was so “thankful” to be able to do so when I did and to “get out” of the school district. I couldn’t agree more with Aaron Derr’s statement: “On several occasions we have formally expressed our concerns about discipline inconsistencies, bullying of other students and staff and not being...

  • Re: "Trump, GOP get failing grades on new tax law"

    Carl Russell|Jun 27, 2018

    I know you are a liberal but at least you could try to be objective in your selection of the guest editorials. For instance, the so-called Americans for Tax Fairness. This organization is not for fair taxes; they are for higher taxes for everyone. Let me ask you a question. 1- Why do you think the economy is booming? 2- Where is the employment coming from? 3- Who hires workers, the poor? 4- When the economy gets better, what happens to the taxes coming into the treasury? 5- His statement on the wages going down is totally false according to...

  • Ugliest town in the west can do better

    Roger Lucas|Jun 27, 2018

    I entered Electric City the other day through its southern portal, and was shocked. I don’t know why; I had entered the city through its south end a hundred times before. But this time the many eyesores along the entrance to the city stood out like sore thumbs. There are a number of eyesores — all, I think, owned by individuals — that would shock anyone. I wondered, are all these landowners from Kansas, and why had they all settled here? Maybe the former city attorney had it right after all. He painted a welcoming sign on the front of his b...

  • The toxic effects of detention centers for young children

    Charles H. Zeanah and Carole Shauffer|Jun 27, 2018

    Amid all the confusion about zero tolerance and executive orders over the crisis at the border, one thing is clear. At least 2,000 children are still detained away from their parents in shelters across the country. Many — no one knows exactly how many — are under age 5, housed in “tender age” shelters in South Texas. Government officials claim they are safe and well cared for, but nothing could be further from the truth. Years of research shows us that group care is harmful to children of all ages and especially toxic for infants and young c...

  • Legals for June 27, 2018

    Jun 27, 2018

    Town of Coulee Dam Notice of Public Hearing NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held to consider the Six-Year Comprehensive Street Program (TIP) for 2019 – 2024. The Public Hearing will be held in the Coulee Dam Town Hall Council Chambers, 300 Lincoln Ave, Coulee Dam, Washington, at the regular council meeting of Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., at which time the public may give written or oral testimony. Stefani Bowden Clerk/Treasurer (Publish June 20 and 27, 2018) City of Electric City Notice of Sale of Surplus Item T... Full story

  • Catherine Olive (St. Clair) Kirk

    Jun 27, 2018

    Catherine Olive (St. Clair) Kirk, 69, of Brewster, Washington, passed away peacefully in her sleep November 23, 2017, at the University of Washington Hospital with complications from her 35-year battle with a genetic liver disease. She was surrounded by family and friends who reminisced with her, prayed with her and sang her favorite songs and hymnsCathi was born January 16, 1948, in Coulee Dam, Washington. She moved to Brewster at the age of 10. She was blessed to have four sisters and two... Full story

  • Meetings and Notices

    Jun 27, 2018

    Chamber This Week The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce will meet this Thursday, June 28, at noon at Sunbanks Resort Lodge Cantina, outside of Electric City. Scott Hunter, owner of the Star newspaper, will be the guest speaker. The public is welcome. Important Meeting at the Senior Center An important meeting on the explanation of programs through Central Washington Againg and Adult Care will be held Thursday, June 28, at 4 p.m. at the GCD Senior Center. Food Bank Open Fridays The food bank at the Church of the Nazarene has normal...

  • Coulee Cops

    Jun 27, 2018

    Grand Coulee 6/19 - Coulee Gas reported a counterfeit $20 bill that police collected and will send to the U.S. Secret Service. Police were unable to identify the customer who used the bill in security footage. - An Elmer City man wanted on a warrant ran from police after being spotted in the Delano area. An officer chased the man, who gave himself up and was taken to Grant County Jail on the warrant. He was also charged with resisting arrest and obstructing an officer. - Police looked into a report of possible squatters at an abandoned house...