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Articles from the October 30, 2019 edition


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  • Readers split on idea of four-day school week

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 30, 2019

    Readers responding to an online poll are split on the idea of changing to a four-day week at Lake Roosevelt Schools, with most being against it. An article in last week’s Star described a nuanced discussion that took place among Grand Coulee Dam School District board members and the superintendent on the topic of going to a four-day school week. The discussion touched on some of the ramifications of making such a change, including how it would affect childcare and how long it would extend the school day. Although clear answers on these q...

  • Cute punkins

    Oct 30, 2019

    Braelyn Jordan loads up on the last day to get pumpkins at the Full Circle Pumpkin Patch, the Pinar family's project near Almira Saturday as a rain storm in the background heads her way. Our weather hobbyist is back on the beat after a hiatus, and his forecast is on page 8. - Scott Hunter photo...

  • Recycling arguments on recycling

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 30, 2019

    Recycling isn't as easy as it sounds, and there are a lot of different views on how efficient it is. With the Coulee set to get a recycling container at the Delano Regional Transfer station, education on recycling is being emphasized. The topic was discussed at the Oct. 14 Regional Board of Mayors meeting of three mayors, a city administrator, a concerned citizen, the transfer station operator, and a Sunrise Disposal owner who was on the phone. Kim Christensen of Grand Coulee raised the topic,...

  • Work done on Northrup Canyon's "old wagon road"

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 30, 2019

    Work was done recently on the “old wagon road” trail at Northrup Canyon, including using a “trackhoe” as well as laying down gravel in areas. The Washington State Park Service approved the work which was done by the Crab Creek Riders, a chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of America. The work was done to “improve the conditions of the trail for safer public access,” explained Jared Liening, a park ranger at Steamboat Rock State Park. “It’s smoothing it out and applying gravel in areas that needed it due to washout and erosion slipping off of...

  • Newsbriefs

    Oct 30, 2019

    Lake Roosevelt to honor Veterans on the morning of Nov. 8 Lake Roosevelt Schools will be hosting an event honoring area veterans, open to the public, on Friday, Nov. 8, beginning at 9 a.m. in the gym in Coulee Dam. The event will include performances by music students of all ages, an American Legion Post 157 flag ceremony, a Powerpoint presentation of veterans past and present, Native American honors, and a reception. Tribal planner tapped for state Commerce spot The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that Ernie Rasmussen of...

  • The best candidates want to give back

    Roger S Lucas|Oct 30, 2019

    There are a lot of reasons why people seek public office. Probably the best reason is when people feel the community has been good to them and they want to give something back. It usually, but not always, comes after families are raised, and there’s more time for public service. This reason probably produces the most effective elected officials. Another reason is that someone encourages someone to run because if they get a friend in office then they can work the system. This seems to be the standard reason today. You see it being played out e...

  • Two kids and a lady

    Jesse Utz|Oct 30, 2019

    Sometimes things are very fun around this place. Since Karrie has a new job title of Grandma, the fun level has picked up dramatically. There are tears sometimes, but so it goes with a 9-month-old and a 1-plus-year-old toddler. There are fun times and stressful times but all valuable times. Have you ever watched a baby fall asleep in her highchair? It is hilarious for all except the babe in question. Opening her eyes when you try and give her a bite, very slowly and looking at you annoyed...

  • We need regular ways to hold presidents accountable

    Lee H Hamilton|Oct 30, 2019

    “I ask how and why this decision was reached,” Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said in the Senate recently. He was calling for an investigation into President Trump’s decision to pull US forces out of Syria. “Are we so weak and so inept diplomatically that Turkey forced the hand of the United States of America?” A good question, but if the Senate does launch an investigation, do you imagine Romney will get even close to posing it directly to the President? I didn’t think so. We have a presidential accountability problem that has significant...

  • Amongst the giants of American exceptionalism

    Dan Newhouse|Oct 30, 2019

    All of Central Washington’s constituents are special, and I am proud to represent each of them in our nation’s capital. One constituent I am most proud of is General James N. Mattis, decorated four-star general and former U.S. secretary of Defense. He exemplifies the American principles of hard work, patriotism, and integrity. He can communicate and resonate with everyone — from heads of state and members of Congress to local business leaders and young students. His military and civilian service serves as an example for all, and I am honor...

  • Four tips for flu season

    Greg Frank|Oct 30, 2019

    You know the signs. The thunderous cough. The pounding headache. The full-body fatigue. It’s the flu. Last fall and winter, influenza sickened roughly 40 million Americans and killed 60,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This year’s flu season is nearly upon us. Here are four tips to stay healthy. 1. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. People should get the flu vaccine early. Every year, this shot prevents up to 6.7 million flu cases, 87,000 hospitalizations, and 10,000 deaths. The vaccine also hel...

  • Meetings & Notices

    Oct 30, 2019

    October Chamber Meetings at La Presa Chamber will be meeting at noon this Thursday, Oct. 31, at La Presa Mexican Restaurant. Julia True-Fowler from Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will be the guest speaker. Food Bank Hours Normal operating hours are every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. It is located at the Church of Nazarene, Hwy 174, Grand Coulee. Clients are encouraged to provide their own containers to carry groceries home in. Call Pastor Shawn for information: 633-2566. Senior Volunteers Offering Caregivers a Break Senior Center...

  • Legals for Oct. 30, 2019

    Oct 30, 2019

    Public Notice Town of Coulee Dam Notice is hereby given that the Town of Coulee Dam will hold a 2020 Preliminary Budget Hearing on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to provide either written or oral comments concerning the 2020 Budget at said Hearing. Stefani Bowden Clerk/Treasurer (Publish October 30 and November 6, 2019) Okanogan County Fire District 2 NOTICE OF BUDGET MEETING Okanogan Co. Fire District 2 will hold its budget meeting at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, November 12th, a... Full story

  • Coulee Cops

    Oct 30, 2019

    Grand Coulee Police 10/21 - A man was trapped inside of a motorhome on Cardinal Road by wood and other debris placed in front of its door by a woman from whom he was supposedly buying it. While he was in jail, she had moved the motorhome onto another woman’s property, who wanted her and her boyfriend banned from the property. Police told them they were banned, and that the motorhome issue was a civil matter. 10/23 - Damage was reported to a business sign on Midway Avenue. It was suspected to be possible retaliation for an altercation between t...

  • State Parks announces final free days for 2019

    Oct 30, 2019

    OLYMPIA – Oct. 29, 2019 – Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer its two final free days of 2019 in November. On these free days, day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass for vehicle access. The last two free days of 2019 are Monday, Nov. 11 and Friday, Nov. 29. Since the free days were first designated in 2011, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission established Nov. 11, Veterans Day, as one of its free days to honor those who served in the armed forces. In 2017, the agency also set aside the day aft...

  • Bowling Scores

    Oct 30, 2019

    THURSDAY MIXUPS TEAM W L #4 16 12 #1 15 13 #2 13 15 #3 12 16 High Game: LJ Stensgar 278; Mae Stensgar 181 High Series John Stensgar 615; Mae Stensgar 537 Splits: Mae Stensgar 3-10 FRIDAY DAM KEGLERS TEAM W L #2 96.5 63.5 #1 53.5 66.5 #4 86 74 #5 79 81 #6 68 92 #3 57 103 High Game: John Stensgar 278; Candy Weed-Butz 201 High Series: Dale Bjorson 753; Candy Weed-Butz 490...

  • This week in sports

    Oct 30, 2019

    Wed., Oct. 30 3:45 p.m., LR Cross Country Districts, Moses Lake Fri., Nov. 1 7 p.m., Football at Brewster Sat, Nov. 2 5 p.m.,LR Volleyball at Liberty Bell TBD, LR Soccer at Bridgeport...

  • Cain seeks GC city council seat

    Scott Hunter|Oct 30, 2019

    Alan Cain has served on the Grand Coulee City Council for about a year-and-a-half, ever since being appointed to the seat vacated by a previous council member. He's running to keep that seat. Cain moved to the city in 1992 and worked as a registered nurse at the hospital. Then, as the internet was rapidly evolving, he started a company to provide that service for several years. Retired now, Cain, also a cartographer, has put his city planning skills to use on Grand Coulee's Planning Commission,...

  • Wright seeks GC city council seat

    Scott Hunter|Oct 30, 2019

    Tracy Wright says she decided to run for city council in Grand Coulee after the city violated her and her partner's Fourth Amendment rights. She and her partner, Cameron Whitney, who is running for mayor, had a disagreement with the city over their use of a recreational vehicle parked in their backyard with a lake view, which was advertised on a short-term stay website. "Since we are members of this community, we decided to try to change things within instead of the tried and true method of suin...

  • Scout's project will fix field shortfalls

    Oct 30, 2019

    Reniff Herndon will fix what's wrong on the track and field facility the local high school team uses to practice, hopefully this year, for his eagle scout project. Herndon will address recent changes handed down from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association that changed standards for the long jump and shot put pits, placing those at the former middle school in Grand Coulee out of compliance. If he can't get it done before the end of 2019, he'll get the corrections made before the...

  • Elementary gym floor to be replaced

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 30, 2019

    The gym floor at Lake Roosevelt Elementary needs replacing only five years after the gym, and the school, were built. The Grand Coulee Dam School District board approved the payment of $15,000 toward the replacement floor, the rest of the cost being covered by Northern Hardwood, the company that had installed the original floor, who verbally agreed to cover the rest of the roughly $30,000 total cost of replacing the floor, even though it is no longer under warranty. "The membrane has shifted and is coming loose," Superintendent Paul Turner...

  • Sarah Marie Elliott

    Oct 30, 2019

    It is with deep sorrow that the Elliott family is sharing the loss of their beloved daughter, sister and auntie. Sarah Marie Elliott, age 37, passed away as a result of a sudden cardiac arrest in her home in Grand Coulee, Washington on Friday, October 18, 2019. Sarah was born July 2, 1982 in Soap Lake Washington to Donald and Janice Elliott. Her life started a little different than most at the time. Sarah was born at home with the assistance of a mid-wife (Jeannie Weber) and her maternal aunt... Full story

  • Chase Marchand: Chasing the finish line

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 30, 2019

    A Raider had the best time in the state for 1.5-mile races, the ninth best in the nation. Lake Roosevelt's eighth-grade cross country runner, the aptly named Chase Marchand, had an impressive year, putting up the best finish time in the state for 1.5-mile races, the ninth best in the United States, when he ran in Omak Oct. 9, finishing in 7 minutes, 55.3 seconds. Marchand had six first-place finishes throughout the season, one second place, and two thirds. Some of his other first places include...

  • 69 cheers for spirit

    Oct 30, 2019

    Shaleese Flowers warms up before the halftime performance Friday night of some 69 elementary school cheerleaders in training who participated in a cheer clinic all week with Coach Lori Adkins and the LR winter cheer squad. - submitted photo...

  • Raiders clinch league lead with Tiger defeat

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 30, 2019

    The Lake Roosevelt Raiders defeated a worthy competitor from the Central Washington 2B league Friday, solidifying the Raiders' status as league champs. Even if the Raiders were to lose to Brewster on Friday, resulting in a three-way tie between LR, Brewster, and Tonasket, the Raiders hold the tie-breaker, Head Coach Tim Rasmussen said. The Raiders executed a solid win against the Tonasket Tigers Oct. 25, defeating them 37-6. Both teams had a win-loss record of 2-0 in the league, 5-1 overall...

  • Lady Raiders trounce Tigers

    Jacob Wagner|Oct 30, 2019

    The Lady Raiders are entering the post season of volleyball on Saturday after trouncing the Lady Tigers in Coulee Dam last week. The Lady Raiders won decisively, 3-0, against the Tonasket Lady Tigers in three sets, 25-18, 25-21 and 25-17 in Coulee Dam Oct. 22. Ellie Hansen led the ladies in blocks with five; Audrey Hansen led in kills with 12; Aliah Capshaw led in digs with 11; Mikaylah Thompson led in aces with 3; and Megan Abel led the ladies with 17 assists. LR was scheduled to host Soap...

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