News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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A study that determined the local market area could support a community wellness center — where people could swim and exercise year round, where community events, classes and meetings could be held and that could grow into much more — came as a gratifying confirmation of a long held hunch for many of us. With that independent confirmation, backed by real numbers instead of guesses, comes a new demand on this community: figure out if you really want it, then do what it takes to make it happen. Several years ago, a group tasked with thinking of... Full story
SPOKANE, WA, (Aug 9, 2012) –Today, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the availability of emergeng for damage to forested lands resulting from a microburst storm of emergency funding for damage to forested lands resulting from a microburst storm on July 20, 2012. The storm, which took place in Ferry County, produced winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. This resulted in extensive property damage, power disruption and forestland destruction. The County was declared an emergency disaster area by Ferry County Com... Full story
If you want it, you can have it. That’s the bottom line of a study on whether building and operating a center for the community to come together — for events and meetings, fitness pursuits, indoor swimming and more — is at all feasible. The report, delivered Monday night to a group that has been exploring the possibility, outlines a community/wellness center that could easily be sustained, while adding good jobs to the local economy. Gary Leva, of Gary Consulting Group of Spokane, was retained last winter to honestly assess whether the idea... Full story
Port District 7 commissioners decided to continue operation of the Banks Lake Golf Course even though the agency has lost over $100,000 in the past four months. Only a handful of citizens turned out for a meeting held at the airport office last Thursday, called after commissioners learned of the extent of the losses July 26. David Comrie asked commissioners, “Who is the port district accountable to?” The response was that the port uses taxpayer money to operate. New Commissioner Jerry Birdwell expressed the attitude of the board when he sai... Full story
A full moon rises over Grand Coulee Dam Aug. 1 as if to usher in a new month, new heat wave and new fire season tinting the sky around it. — Scott Hunter photo... Full story
About 30 people turned out Monday night at Electric City’s fire hall to show support for a community watch program. The meeting largely was to determine what kind of interest people had in developing a community watch plan to help fight crime in the community. Birdie Hensley, who has been behind the idea, read a list of the type of police report incidents the past month in Electric City to show the group that there is a lot of illegal activity in the city. The idea of a city curfew came up again, but the group was reminded that the city m... Full story
A series of free concerts is scheduled for North Dam Park and events center this month, starting on Friday, Aug. 17. That’s when a local rock group called Mister Meaner will take to the “stage” at the bottom of the grass amphitheater. The very next evening a cool trio from Spokane, The 45s, will rock your Saturday night with a rock-a-billy sound. Think “The Stray Cats” and you’ll come to close to hearing this fun band. The next weekend starts with a Friday night concert by Thirsty Perfect, a Coeur D’Alene, Idaho Christian rock band, sponsor... Full story
In 2010 Dana Barkdull weighed 329 pounds and decided to make a change. A year and a half later she ran her first half-iron distance triathlon. By that time, she had dropped to 254 pounds. The half iron distance, though (70.3 miles of swimming, biking and running), was still a huge challenge, undertaken only after prayer. Barkdull realized she would cross the finish line after the official race ended. She expected to be alone, without support. Instead, she approached the clearing and saw a huge... Full story
Invited out to the ball games The 13-team recreation softball league will hold its annual tournament next Thursday through Saturday Aug. 16-18 at North Dam Park, and the community is invited to go to the games. NCNB to host school supply drive North Cascades National Bank (NCNB) is hosting a school supply drive to support local schools. Donations will be accepted at any NCNB branch during regular banking hours throughout the month of August. Each branch has wish lists available for the schools in their community and all donations will benefit t... Full story
The Tropical Pig, a new eatery in Electric City, will open within the next few days. Owner Robert Dzurich has taken a small space, formerly housing a t-shirt shop, and turned it into a colorful and spacey restaurant. Dzurich said the business will be largely “take-out” but that there will be some tables for those wishing to eat on premises. The Tropical Pig features barbecue-style food, including baby back ribs, and all the trimmings that go with it. Prices will range from $7.95 for hot san... Full story
Cory Willis is the new Les Schwab manager, taking over his duties at the tire and service store Aug. 1. He replaces Terry Strawn, who took a position as manager of a Les Schwab store in Snohomish. Willis comes from Reno, Nevada, where he was assistant manager in one of the four stores in that city. The new manager and wife, Shannon, along with Sam, 16, and Shalayne, 13, are looking for a place to live here. Willis said Sam, a baseball pitcher is involved in a program to develop his skills there... Full story
The Ridge Riders will beef up the summer next Wednesday night with another bull riding event. The rodeo grounds open at 6 p.m., Aug. 15, for what could become a frequent event next year. Bull riding begins at 7 p.m. Ridge Rider President George Kohout, whose organization has been especially active this year with a number of new events, would like to put on a series of mid-week bull riding events during the 2013 tourist season. Next week, Sorrel Katich, a Keller area rancher, will supply about 36 head of bucking bulls for a cowboy list of riders... Full story
Colville Tribal members have until Aug. 11, to return a referendum ballot on whether enrolled members want to have the tribe disburse another 30 percent of settlement funds. Members received about $4,000 each last Friday, which amounts to 20 percent of a $193 million settlement with the federal government. Tribal election officials said ballots need to be postmarked by Aug. 11, and they didn’t know when the ballots would be counted. The Colville Business Council made its pitch to retain the money and invest in reservation needs in an e... Full story
In the July 11 issue of The Star, Roger Lucas’ article on Linda Evans Parlette’s advocacy for an additional $15 million to upgrade the school district’s existing fields, track and gym, the following quote was cited: “This belief is supported by the Coulee Community Act of 1957 which states, ‘It is of prime importance to the government that these communities continue to function as wholesome and attractive communities suitable as residences of personnel essential to the care and operation.’” Sen. Parlette cited this statement in letters to Re... Full story
As we near the new school year, I’d like to remind all the good folks in the Grand Coulee Dam area about the Box Tops for Education program. It’s a program that has helped schools earn cash by clipping Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products. For every turned in clipped coupon, Center Elementary earns a dime. Last school year they earned $955, which goes back into the school to purchase playground equipment, award ribbons and prizes. Hats off to our community for helping Center Elementary with their 2011-2012 earnings. And tha... Full story
In response to the recent articles pertaining to Burden Boulevard, I am compelled to set the record straight. I am an old man of the block, at 70 years of age, who is in tune with what goes on around the block. I, like many other people here, would gladly share what we have if anyone ever needed to borrow a cup of sugar, eggs, bread, coffee, or even just a simple spice for cooking. You can ask anyone of the block, and I am certain they would say the same. Even when someone has a cook out, they will bring you a dish because we share most... Full story
While attention focuses on congressional action on the Bush tax cuts, another tax bill is quietly tiptoeing through the Senate. The Senate Finance Committee has reported out the corporate tax extenders bill, a collection of dozens of tax breaks, many targeting industries whose lobbyists have filled campaign larders with cash. These tax breaks all expired at the end of last year, and are on track to be renewed for another year with little debate or scrutiny. In today’s climate of tight budgets and growing public outrage over tax laws that c... Full story
Ten Years Ago A new X-ray machine sits in storage, while a decades-old vintage model remains in use at Coulee Community Hospital because it’s tough to fit new codes into an old building. The machine could be considered symbolic of CCH’s uncertain future and the choices facing taxpayers and hospital leaders who must contend with governmental regulation, deteriorating conditions and the need to either build new or fix old. A Coulee Dam woman recently converted her backyard shed into a place in the Grand Coulee Dam area for people to receive fre... Full story
Ryan Tracy and Linsey McLennan were married on Friday, July 27, 2012, in San Diego, Calif. The wedding was an elegant ceremony in front of family and friends at the Women’s Club at Mission Beach. The bride and groom were married on the sand with a beautiful backdrop of Mission Bay. After the wedding, the couple took an extended trip back to Seattle, by way of Highway 101. A delayed honeymoon to New Zealand and Australia will take place in December of this year. Linsey is the daughter of Tom a... Full story
Walt Netzel passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2012, in the bed that he had built, in the house he had built, with family present. Walt was born in 1923 in a little town in northern Wisconsin, where he grew up loving the outdoors, a love that lasted all his life. After finishing high school in Crandon, he entered the University of Wisconsin School of Electrical Engineering. His time there was interrupted by service in the Army Signal Corps for three-and-a-half years. Most of his service was in China and India. After the war ended, he stayed on to... Full story
Shirley M. Best, 76, our wonderful wife, loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. The daughter of Charlie O. and Edith McCullough; Shirley Mae entered this world December 19, 1935. During her childhood, Shirley’s parents worked for Kaiser Shipyards in Portland, Ore., building Liberty Ships for World War II. Her family then moved to the Grand Coulee area, where she was a member of the 1953, Coulee Dam High School graduating class. Shirley’s next and gre... Full story
Henry “LeRoy” Wood, born Feb. 23, 1933, in Crawford, Neb., moved to Washington state with his family in 1950. LeRoy went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. LeRoy was a faithful and loving husband, a caring and devoted father, and a loving grandfather. He is proceded in death by his father Leo Wood, mother Margerett ‘Davis’ Wood, brother Leo Keith Wood, brother Lein David Wood, and sister Shirley May Wood. LeRoy is survived by his wi... Full story
Grand Coulee Church of the Nazarene will be holding a movie night on Saturday, August 18, from 5-8 p.m. Families with children sixth grade and younger are invited to take in a free “Veggie Tales” movile. Also, free family photos will be offered along with outdoor games, free food and popcorn. To request your free ticket call 633-2186 or drop by the church.... Full story
Grand Coulee All School The final plans for the Grand Coulee All-School Reunion Aug. 17-18 have been made, with a self-guided tour of the old high school from 10 a.m. to noon and then the potluck picnic at the North Dam Park on Saturday starting at noon and continuing until all are through talking and catching up with each other. There will be door prize drawings and live music starting at 5 p.m. The Friday night schedule for individual class get-togethers are tentatively set with a no-host buffet at Pepper Jack’s for all wishing to attend w... Full story
Senior Meals Wed., Aug. 8 - Dinner Pot Roast with Potatoes, Carrots & Onions, Fruit Salad, Rolls, Cake. Happy Birthday! Thurs., Aug. 9 - Dinner French Dip with AuJus, Seasoned Fries, Pea Salad, Pudding & Fruit Parfait. Grocery Shopping and Errands with Sara. Fri., Aug. 10 - Breakfast Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Eggs, Bowl of Fruit, Orange Juice. Board meeting 9 a.m. General meeting 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13 - Breakfast Meat & Cheese Omelet, Pancakes, Seasonal Fruit, Orange Juice. Tues., Aug. 14 - Dinner BBQ Beef, Mac & Cheese, Veggie Salad Bar,... Full story