The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

I well remember the feeling when I heard the clang of the prison door at Walla Walla closing behind me. This needs some explanation. When I was with the newspaper in Bothell, I heard of some of the reforms at the state prison at... — Updated 1/19/2022

In life it is very important to make progress from being fully aware of current reality and learning from the patterns involved. We should always strive to improve and find balance from our mistakes. This is not happening at the... — Updated 1/19/2022

The Grand Coulee Dam School District (GCDSD) is seeking voter approval for two separate levies in the upcoming election on February 8, 2022. The intent of my letter is to provide the facts regarding these levies and enable voters... — Updated 1/19/2022

We have had great luck with neighbors. Thinking back to our earliest days together, and up to the present time, we have always had good neighbors. Just recently, and after our latest snowfall, is a good example of good neighbors.... — Updated 1/12/2022

Trees of Sharing 2021 culminated Saturday, December 18 with the delivery of wrapped Christmas gifts to 118 children in 54 families. The Trees of sharing Committee thanks every person who supported this project by making a cash... — Updated 1/12/2022

As a parent of students at our local schools, I plan to support the levies that are coming up on the ballot in the next few weeks. I hope you will too.   Generation Z will need to solve a lot of problems over the coming... — Updated 1/12/2022

It’s not going away if we accept defeat, it will just keep attacking. Complaining about the unfair, changing “rules” is useless. There are no rules but one: Don’t give up. A good friend who knows better couldn’t help... — Updated 1/12/2022

Christmas is the season of hope and joy, and as we look to the brightening days ahead, it is important we bring that same sense of love and generosity that has filled our hearts and homes over the last few weeks with us into the... — Updated 1/5/2022

With an infrastructure package on the books and the Biden administration’s $1.8 trillion “Build Back Better” measure preoccupying the Senate after passing the House, government spending is very much on Americans’ minds.... — Updated 1/5/2022

Long periods of open time have allowed me to get back to my stamp collection. I had a small collection as a child and then put it all behind me until later in life. My collection had been collecting dust until about six months ago... — Updated 1/5/2022

News media can present news about the coronavirus pandemic responsibly, without a constant drumbeat of doom even when it’s not called for. That doesn’t always happen. I call your attention to the editorial cartoon at right.... — Updated 1/5/2022

When Toyota speaks, car buyers listen. Hopefully, our elected officials will as well. It is one of the world’s two largest auto and truck manufacturers--twice the size of GM, our biggest. Toyota warns the world is far from ready... — Updated 12/29/2021

Our longest fire camp experience was near Prairie City, Oregon, a 21-day ordeal where our kitchen unit served 1,500 firefighters and support personnel. My wife and I worked a couple of seasons for OK Cascade, a Bothell company... — Updated 12/29/2021

With the cold temperatures and winds Okanogan County has been having and will continue to have, it is essential to take precautions, the county’s emergency management team advised in an alert on Tuesday, as temperatures head... — Updated 12/29/2021

It can be difficult to accept that someone else’s ideas might be valid if they directly conflict with your own experience. That’s where much of our public discussion on very important topics often falters. Going into a new... — Updated 12/29/2021

I still remember a question I got years ago. It was at a public meeting in southern Indiana, where a young woman commented that I’d traveled throughout the US and wanted to know: What was my impression of Americans? I didn’t ev... — Updated 12/22/2021

A few weeks ago, I was speaking with former Defense Secretary General James Mattis about some of the lessons he’s learned over the years. One of his biggest takeaways? How incredible of a community Central Washington is, and... — Updated 12/22/2021

As a kid, I loved the snow. In Palouse we got a lot of it. When it came down, I knew it was time to get out my Flexible Flier sled. The Fliers were the sleds of all sleds. When there was a good base, we would gather on North Hill... — Updated 12/22/2021

Cheers. This is a festive time of year and I want to cheer on a few who make our community wonderful. First, I want to thank our Raider Cheerleaders. Almost two dozen students turned out and they are rockin’ our athletic events.... — Updated 12/22/2021

On Friday, the Labor Department announced that consumer prices increased by 6.8 percent in November compared to last year, the largest annual increase in over 39 years. If that doesn’t make apparent the impacts President... — Updated 12/15/2021

The annual Coulee Polar Plunge is set for noon, Saturday, January 1, at Spring Canyon near the boat launch. Brave kayakers will also be afloat at that time. Everyone is invited.... — Updated 12/15/2021

I try to avoid questionable sources of information, but I came across some gossip on Elf Net that I am obliged to pass along to you. It seems that Santa will be delivering by robot this year, and some really bad grinch is... — Updated 12/15/2021

I have driven north and south and east and west in Kansas. I have searched over the two trips through there to see if I could remember one redeeming quality about the state. My first trip through the state was enroute to Kansas... — Updated 12/15/2021

In a space of 7 miles Here’s a further perspective. Four communities, or neighborhoods, that have a combined population of 3,378 (current Census), a distance of 7 miles or 15 minutes from the southernmost to the northernmost... — Updated 12/15/2021