News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Sorted by date Results 4974 - 4998 of 6653
Grand Coulee’s Civil Service Commission will act deliberately and carefully as it progresses in finding a new police chief for Grand Coulee, according to Chairman Alan Cain. Speed is not the answer, Cain stated. “We are satisfied that we have a qualified interim chief in Sgt. John Tufts, and so we are going to take our time and do this right.” Currently the commission is in the process of developing qualifications for the job. Longtime police Chief Mel Hunt plans to retire Sept. 30. After qualifications are developed the commission will begin... Full story
There may soon be more room for that load of stuff you wanted to haul to the dump. The Regional Board of Mayors is considering the purchase of another transfer trailer. The mayors have sought a used trailer to provide extra dumping room for several months but have been unable to find one. A used one would cost from $40,000 to $50,000. The mayors Monday looked at a new one from Wilkens Industries, Inc., from Morris, Minn., at a cost of just over $100,000. The sticker price shock was enough to delay making any decision Monday. Transfer station... Full story
Nespelem School held a welcome back barbecue on its new school year orientation day last Wednesday. School board member Nancy Armstrong-Montes, left, serves up watermelon to an incoming student. - Scott Hunter photo... Full story
Truck declared surplus Grand Coulee’s city council declared surplus a 1977 Ford F900 pumper truck at its meeting last Tuesday night. It’s now up for sale and only has about 20,000 miles on it, but it has other problems relating to pumps, etc. The council also put some computer equipment on the surplus list. Serving the library Joyce DeChenne was named to fill a vacant position on the Grand Coulee Library Board. She was recommended to the council by chair Diane Canady. She replaces Terri McPherson who had served two terms on the board. The app... Full story
A man flies above the surface of Banks Lake just off Coulee Playland Sunday using a jetpack. The devices suck water through a long tube from the lake, holding the operator aloft by the thrust generated by pushing it out two exit tubes. The photo was taken by Linda Palmer, who thought that it "sure looked like fun."... Full story
Due to the cooler temperatures and moisture accompanying early fall weather and a reduction in the overall fire hazard, the Grant County Board of Comissioners and the County Fire Marshal announced Sept. 8, that the County Wide Burn Ban is being lifted, effective immediately. Although the ban is lifted, please remember that the use of burn barrels is strictly prohibited. In addition, only natural vegetation may be burned (no household garbage). For information regarding this otice, please contact the Commissioners’ office at 509.754.2011 ext. 4... Full story
A Nespelem man was sentenced in federal court Sept. 3 for assault with a dangerous weapon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington said in press release last week. Vernon Mason Saulque,32, pleaded guilty May 21, to four counts of the charge. Last Wednesday in United States District Court, Chief Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Saulque to a 21-month sentence on each count, to run consecutively, for a total of 84 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of court supervision after he is released. A... Full story
The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $1.85 million contract Sept. 2 to ABB, Inc. in Cary, North Carolina, to replace transformer oil coolers at Grand Coulee Dam. Over the past several years the existing transformer oil coolers have shown the need for replacement, the bureau said in a press release. The contract will require furnishing and installing new transformer oil coolers, as well as disposal of the existing ones. The work is scheduled to be complete by April 30, 2015. “This project is just one way Reclamation is continuing to ensure effici... Full story
KELLER– The Keller Ferry across the Columbia River on State Route 21 is out of service until further notice, the Washington Department of Transporation said Tuesday afternoon. Water is seeping into one of the Sanpoil's internal compartments through a hairline crack below the waterline. The DOT advised the US Coast Guard of the issue shortly after 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9, and the vessel was taken out of passenger service. The 1.75-inch hairline crack is located on the port side of the vessel abo... Full story
A burned-out house that has been the focus of concern in Coulee Dam will soon be razed. Coulee Dam Mayor Greg Wilder said last week that he has received indication of cooperation of the property owner to assist the town in covering the expenses of tearing the house down and cleaning the property. The house at 609 Holly Street burned about two years ago and residents along the street have been raising their voices to get the property cleaned up. Just recently, one of the wind storms added fuel to the fire as two very large limbs were torn from... Full story
Rotary Club members gather in the elementary wing library of Grand Coulee Dam School District's new school complex in Coulee Dam during a tour of the facility last Wednesday. Overhead skylights on the second floor pump in light and will save on electricity. Along for the tour, Rotary District Governor Bruce Falkins, of Kelowna, British Columbia (center), said he was surprised to find the most impressive club project results in the international district in Coulee Dam. The local club vocally... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam School District has expanded the open house for its new K-12 school complex. Superintendent Dr. Dennis Carlson said Tuesday that the district will have a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, with tours of the new complex to follow. Carlson said that another tour will be added from 6-8 p.m. to accommodate those who work in the daytime and can’t get to the earlier open house. The new school will welcome students, Monday, Sept. 15. Last week the final material from the demolition of the classroom wing of Lake R... Full story
Grand Coulee’s new police officer is on the job. Christopher McClanahan completed his academy training and began duties in the department Sept. 1. Chief Mel Hunt said that McClanahan was voted vice president of his academy class and placed second in his class academically. McClanahan placed first in firearms at 99.1 percent and first in the class overall. Hunt said it was the highest any of his officers have scored at the academy. “Officer McClanahan is to be congratulated on his efforts and all the extra work he did,” Hunt state... Full story
The town of Coulee Dam has submitted grant requests to the State Transportation Improvement Board for three major projects. The first is for improvements around the new K-12 school complex. A second is for the reconditioning of Sixth Street, and the third for improvements to Lincoln Avenue. In the school portion of the grant request, the town points out that there will be an increase in general traffic, an increase in heavy vehicles such as school buses and heavy delivery vehicles and an increase in pedestrian traffic. The town’s submission i... Full story
Game officials are looking for information in regard to the shooting of a doe in the Washington Flats aea. Warden Glenn Steffler, of the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, said he came onto the still nursing doe Wednesday, Aug. 27. Steffler said the deer had been dead only 12-24 hours. He said the deer was shot by a small caliber gun. He is asking anyone who might have information about the shooting to call him at (509) 754-4624.... Full story
Sunbanks Lake Resort’s fall Rhythm & Blues Festival kicks off tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 4) and run through Sunday, Sept. 7. Thursday bands will begin playing at 8 p.m. in the Coulee Cantina (directly behind the lodge). Music on the main stage begins Friday at 5 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. A variety of bands will play each evening until about midnight. Bands featured include The Fat Tones, LeRoy Bell, Junkyard Jane and Too Slim and the Taildraggers. Promoters stated that there will be a total of 19 bands performing during t... Full story
When you think of a Harvest Festival vegetables and fruits come to mind. The Chamber of Commerce’s Harvest Festival, Sept. 12-14, the third annual, at North Dam Park, is entirely different. It’s a fun festival for the entire family and a good way to polish off what has been a great summer. And it’s free! Always wanted to take a helicopter ride? You can do it at this year’s Harvest Festival, at a nominal price. Soar through the sky and look down on the things you’ve seen all year long except from a different vantage point. Rides are available... Full story
School supply drive went well The annual August drive to collect school supplies and money to buy them went well at North Cascades Bank, local branch Manager Sjana Bird said, noting that not as many supplies were brought in by donors but more cash was. She said the branch collected $905 to help buy needed school items for students. “We got some cash and we’re going to go spend it,” she said. Another fire contained The 400-acre burnout to secure the line along the Entiat River Road and Shady Pass area went well on Thursday and the Duncan fire... Full story
Grant County residents may dispose of household hazardous waste free on Friday, Sept. 12, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Delano Regional Transfer Station. Only hazardous waste generated by households will be accepted. Hazardous products have labels with words such as warning, danger, caustic, flammable and poison. These chemicals should be disposed of through hazardous waste collection opportunities, not in the garbage, down the drain, or on the ground. Examples include oil-based paint, contaminated used motor oil, thinners, household batteries,... Full story
Mayor Chris Christopherson made an appointment to the Grand Coulee Civil Service Commission last week, bringing it up to full strength. Named to the three-member commission was Bill Moore, a retired school teacher, and former city council member. Moore replaces Kenneth Carroll, who resigned earlier this month. Moore taught social studies, general math, shop and traffic safety during his 32-year teaching career. He retired in 1997. The commission is made up of Chair Alan Cain, Mark Graves and now Bill Moore. The Civil Service Commission meets... Full story
issues consumers scammer alert The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert Thursday providing taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves from telephone scam artists calling and pretending to be with the IRS. These callers may demand money or may say you have a refund due and try to trick you into sharing private information, the IRS said. Con artists can sound convincing when they call. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus... Full story
The school board Monday night was told not to believe rumors going around that the new school would not make the start date of Sept. 15. In fact, Grand Coulee Dam School District Superintendent Dennis Carlson told members of the board, the special ribbon cutting for the new school will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 12, with tours for the public immediately after. Seems there has been talk about town that the school won’t be ready for students on opening day. Only a rumor, Carlson stated. He added that teachers were asked about the “what ifs... Full story
Grant County Port District 7 is in its third year as manager of Banks Lake Golf Course, which is inching forward and soon will be in the black, according to port commissioners. The Port District took control of the golf course in the spring of 2012, under distressed circumstances. Now, with a membership of 86 and a successful year of managing the course, primarily with volunteers, things are looking good, Port District Chair James Keene said last week. Commissioners praised volunteers for... Full story
Big Bend Community College has improved on the success rate of its students over the last couple years, boasted college President Terry Leas last week, speaking at a Rotary Club luncheon in Grand Coulee Wednesday. Leas said a common state measurement for gauging a college’s success with student learning looks at the percentage of students getting a C average or greater. In the 2013-14 school year, 84 percent of BBCC’s student earned at least a C average in traditional classrooms, up steadily from 81 percent the year before, and 76 percent the y... Full story
It sits on a flat area overlooking the Columbia River at the north end of Coulee Dam and may someday be the site of a development to assist visitors to the area. The gift to the town by Diane Hartzell, an Anacortes resident, was made last Thursday with a signing ceremony at city hall. The property was owned by Hartzell's father, Melvin Hartzell, who worked on Grand Coulee Dam in the mid 1930s when the large concrete structure was just starting to take shape. He had always wanted to build his... Full story