News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Sorted by date Results 4940 - 4964 of 6741
City workers and volunteers put up the big holiday welcome sign at the south end of Electric City. The holiday decoration, almost 20 feet high, took a crane and a lot of people to put it in place. Those working on the project were Ken Dexter and Donna Deckman, from the city crew, and volunteers Tag Greer, Gary Haven, Gary Norris, Tom Poplawski, Monty Fields, Keith Young, Jack Thune, Hal Rauch, Kevin Tipps, Rich Gerard and Karyn Payne. Pictured from left are Poplawski, Fields and Thune. - Roger... Full story
As it stands today, Electric City will be out of police coverage for its residents on Dec. 31. It’s a money issue. Electric City pays for police protection from Grand Coulee, which wants more. Council committees of the two cities met a couple months ago and agreed to a price for coverage in 2015 at $115,000 — up from $77,000 in 2014. That would give the two cities time to come up with a comprehensive plan that could lead to a two-city police department. A week ago, Grand Coulee sent a contract offer for that amount to Electric City and to dat... Full story
As Coulee Medical Center works to build up its business to a sustainable level, it’s finding success with a homegrown approach to recruiting talent, Chief of Staff Dr. Andrew Castrodale said Monday, and it needs to. The feasibility study that underpinned the decision to build a new hospital several years ago called for staffing the facility and its clinic with four physicians by this time, plus a variety of “mid-level” health care providers. It’s been kept open by just two staff physicians, one of whom just left town on a one-year sabbati... Full story
People in Electric City interested in putting up larger shops and garages, or in preventing others from doing so, can attend a couple meetings in January on that subject. Electric City has scheduled two meetings in January to discuss and make decisions on zoning changes on accessory buildings. The first meeting, Jan. 6, will be a public workshop of the planning commission on various changes being considered. The second meeting, Jan. 22, will be a public hearing on amendments to the city’s zoning code. Changes to the zoning code as it relates t... Full story
Jessica Schneider from the J.R. Newhouse accounting firm, left, tells tasters about wine samples at the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Vintners & Brewers Tasting & Auction Saturday night at Coulee Dam Town Hall. The bottom line for the candy cane-themed event isn't known yet, said Executive Director Peggy Nevsimal on Monday. But since live auction proceeds alone were nearly double last year's, it's safe to say it was a success. - Scott Hunter photo... Full story
Big Bend Community College will soon be hanging its shingle out at the former Grand Coulee Dam Middle School annex building. It will be the beginning of a Community Knowledge Center, where students and local residents can take advantage of a range of activities still to be developed. Barbara Collins, who heads the program for BBCC, said the initial activity will be a beginners’ computer class starting in mid-January. Big Bend has a number of Community Knowledge Centers, including those at Wilson Creek, Warden, Royal, Mattawa, Odessa and Q... Full story
The first Vintage Christmas Market went well at Coulee Dam's town hall Saturday, organizer Natalie Nachtigal-Dennis said. She said we wanted to bring back a type of bazaar she recalls from her childhood here that was a big community event. Vendors told her they did well, and many have asked to be put on her list for next year. - Scott Hunter photo... Full story
Students, are you having trouble with your homework and your parents can’t help? Then North Central Regional Library might be your answer. Kim Mehr, out of the Wenatchee Public Library, and representing NCRL, made a presentation last month to students in seventh through 12th grades about services available for them, and homework was one of the topics. Students must have a library card, easily obtainable at any NCRL branch, and go online to the regional library home page at www.ncrl.org. Click on the Research & Homework tab. You can access i... Full story
Every school has its own culture or identification. The new Lake Roosevelt School is no exception. The character of a school is not easily transferable from one location to another, and because of this, officials are trying to help the new school complex develop its own and unique culture. Associate Principal Ronanda Liberty reported to the school board recently on efforts she is making, working with staff and students, to develop the school’s own unique signature. A school is just four walls, so to speak, until staff and students arrive. They... Full story
When it rains, it pours. At least most of the time. It rained inside Lake Roosevelt High School's gym last week - that's right, inside. Circumstances and a winter rain caught school officials off guard and it resulted in a wet gym floor that led to the cancellation of a basketball game Nov. 25. The old gym is scheduled for a new roof and new look, but a couple of things got in the way. School officials had scheduled a new roof for the gym but had to wait to see if there would be enough money... Full story
Sharing is caring The Trees of Sharing program will touch 148 children from 58 local families this year. Area residents are encouraged to purchase gifts based on the information on the tree ornaments. It is suggested that gifts be in the $20 range. Trees of Sharing are located at Flo’s Cafe, Safeway Pharmacy, North Cascades Bank, Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union and Harvest Foods. Gifts need to be placed under one of the trees by Dec. 13-14. If you have questions call Linda Black, 633-3611 or Mary Ann Boll, 633-0305. Counting the days The s... Full story
Remember that 911 outage last spring when the entire state had no emergency phone service? You would if you’d tried to place an emergency call that wouldn’t go through. The staff at the state’s Utilities and Transportation Commission remembers, and they are recommending penalty against Centurylink of more than $2.9 million. A UTC investigation found that some 5,840 emergency calls failed to go through in that six-hour period April 9-10, the agency said in a press release. All 6.9 million people living in Washington lost 911 service durin... Full story
Electrical fires in homes account for over 26,000 residential fires annually, resulting in 280 deaths and over $1 billion in property loss in the United States, the Washington State Fire Marshal’s office reports. “Traditionally, we see more electrical fires occur in Washington State during the winter months,” says State Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy. “Loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires can be avoidable if you exercise a few simple steps.” He suggests the following guidelines to help families are safe from shock hazards a... Full story
Cafe Espresso will soon offer inside service with Wi-Fi, television and a number of new drink offerings. The new, enlarged building in front of Coulee Hardware on Midway Avenue will provide seating for a number of customers at three tables and a big easy chair for those who really want to relax. The coffee house will open in about two weeks. Coffee drinks are being offered inside Coulee Hardware while construction is going on. Pictured from the left are Kim Tipps and Teri Shattuck. -- Roger S.... Full story
Grand Coulee’s city council changed its mind last week about protecting its next police chief by passing an ordinance removing the chief from Civil Service. Two weeks earlier, the council had voted 4-1 to keep the chief of police position under the protection of the Civil Service Commission, which is designed to shield public employees from political backlash. This time the vote was 3-2 to remove the chief from Civil Service protection. Councilmember Erin Nielsen asked why the ordinance was on the agenda, since the council had already voted f... Full story
Here's a quick video to give you a flavor of the event happening now....
Motorists stop on SR 155 about 5 miles south of Electric City where boulders blocked the highway to Coulee City late Tuesday. Traffic bound for Grand Coulee was reportedly forced to turn around and take alternative routes, which were laden with a fresh, heavy snow. - Nora Jenn photo... Full story
The Grand Coulee/Electric City police contract for 2015 is in limbo. Electric City Mayor Jerry Sands said this week, “we haven’t seen any contract, yet.” Ever since voters turned down a real estate levy request by Electric City by a two to one margin (232-116), a police contract has been in question. The special levy would have raised $65,000 for Electric City. “Apparently residents don’t want police protection,” Sands said. The two law enforcement council committees had met several months ago and pounded out an agreement for $115,000 fo... Full story
Elmer City wants to provide overdue pay raises for two town workers but leaders have to figure out how to pay for it, after a proposal to raise utility rates was blocked last week. Mayor Gail Morin said that the two workers, Town Clerk Renée Tillman and public works Director Jimmer Tillman, both receive far less than workers in cities and towns nearby and haven’t had their salaries keep pace with the cost of living. The clerk now receives $18.50 per hour and the town’s 2015 budget would increase this to $19.50. Works Director Tillman rece... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District board made two decisions on athletic policy Monday night, one over the objections of one of its members. School board Director Ted Piccolo had issues with changing district policy so that student athletes can be failing one class and still participate in sports. The policy requires athletes to carry a 2.0 grade point average (C average) to participate in sports. The change the board approved allows an athlete to carry one failed grade. “I don’t think it’s too much to ask that a student passes all their... Full story
The deadline for nominations for the annual Volunteer of the Year award is until Monday, Dec. 1. Letters of nomination should be as specific as possible about why the candidate should be honored, including contact information for the nominator and for anyone who could speak about the nomination. Send nominations either through the U.S. Post Office or by email: - by email to star@grandcoulee.com or - by mail to Volunteer, PO Box 150, Grand Coulee, WA, 99133. - Or deliver your letter in person to The Star, 3 Midway Ave., Grand... Full story
Star closed for holiday The Star newspaper office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27 & 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. The office will open for business again on Monday, Dec. 1, at 9 a.m. Local will march in Macy’s Parade Lynda Nutt, who worked for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Visitor Center, will be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City as part of the “Red Hot MaMas.” She says the group will be on directly after the 121st commercial, behind the Paddington Bear balloon. The group was also in the 2005 Macy’s Pa... Full story
Electric City plans to add at least 15 new street lights next year. The initial cost is about $2,000, and it will boost the city’s electric bill a bit higher. The decision to move forward on the street light program was made last Tuesday night and spelled out in the 2015 city budget. The city initially will pay for the trenching for the lines, and the rest of the expense will be handled by Grant County PUD. The PUD recovers its expense by the monthly fee it charges for electricity. The city now pays about $975 a month for energy costs for i... Full story
An effort to develop an Electric City park moved one step closer Nov. 11 when the council matched the property owner’s asking price. The council voted to offer the Banks Lake Bible Church $25,000 for a double lot near the old Baptist Church school, which measures 80 by 160. Councilmembers Lonna Bussert and Brad Parrish explained to the council that the property had been appraised at $45,000 if used for a residence and $35,000 if used for other purposes. The church group was asking $25,000, and even offered to carry a contract if the city w... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District board Monday night approved a five-year grounds contract with Oasis Lawn Care for an annual cost of $37,600. The contract includes mowing, trimming and edging, lawn aeration, pruning, fall leaf removal, weed eating the hillside above the athletic fields, chemical and fertilizer applications and summer irrigation. Oasis provides its own equipment, and where it can, its proposal stated, tries to hire Lake Roosevelt graduates, and students returning for summer work from college. Superintendent Dennis Carlson... Full story
