Opinion
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The first locomotives at dam construction
The first locomotives to haul construction material for the dam were old and tired. Two were on hand in 1935 and had been bought by MWAK to get trains moving. For the section from... — Updated 8/5/2020
From the egg biz to driving grain trucks, farmers deserve a good harvest
A drive through the Hartline area the other day showed piles of wheat forming outside granaries, an indication of an abundant harvest. I was born on a farm about four miles south of Palouse, delivered by my aunt while my dad went... — Updated 8/5/2020
Climate change and mule deer habitat
In past columns, I’ve shared information regarding climate change and the measurable impacts that are occurring. The impacts are measurable, and the science on climate change is being documented around the world. Back in June... — Updated 8/5/2020
City council, are you crazy?
To the Grand Coulee City Council and mayor: Why do you hate our community? We are in the middle of the worst pandemic in our history! Businesses closed, people out of work, and mask shave to be worn at all times, and you pass an... — Updated 8/5/2020
Good news that undoubtedly would please Scoop Jackson
America desperately needed some positive news and a reprieve from the coronavirus pandemic and rioting which is ripping apart our country---most notably in Seattle, Olympia and... — Updated 7/30/2020
Original Grand Coulee outlaw, Texas, Jack Part 1
Once, long before anyone even decided to put a dam at the Columbia River, there was a small community in the north end of the Grand Coulee. At first, sparse pioneers with cattle... — Updated 7/29/2020
Latino Americans deserve their seat in the nation's capital
If you have ever visited Washington, D.C., or even looked into planning a trip to the nation’s capital, you know there are quite a few sights to see. Washington, D.C. is a hub for both American history and cultural exploration,... — Updated 7/29/2020
Home coming
Many years ago, a local family uprooted and went east. They left behind the oldest son who had just graduated and laid down some roots of his own, but they took the middle child... — Updated 7/29/2020
Imagine a world without music
It’s almost unimaginable. Music, whether we realize it or not, plays an important part in all our lives. My earliest recollection of music was when I was very young and my father sang to me. My father had an ocean of Irish... — Updated 7/29/2020
It's time to learn what our system's about from the inside
I’ve spent a long time in politics, and over those years one thing has remained constant: a lot more Americans criticize government than serve and do something about it. There have been times when I’ve felt a bit resentful.... — Updated 7/22/2020
B Street Fire
It was a sultry Saturday evening, July 24, 1937. The blaze started about 9:15 p.m. in the rear of the Public Market grocery, and quickly ate the half block of frame buildings locate... — Updated 7/22/2020
A Coulee Country scavenger hunt
When you live in the same area for a lifetime you come to know some things. So let’s have a little fun and I will take you on a scavenger hunt with clues to certain locations to... — Updated 7/22/2020
About immigrants
Ever wonder why some of our elected officials have it in for immigrants? All of us could easily trace our citizenship back to the time that our forebears arrived on our shores. In a sense we are all immigrants, some more mindful... — Updated 7/22/2020
The future was on display, and it looked better
No matter what you think of the plans for the upcoming school year, the good news is that along the way to hacking out a path through an impossible situation, the Grand Coulee Dam School District directors Monday displayed what cou... — Updated 7/22/2020
Siphons critical for moving water to farms
Siphons were a large part of the irrigation project enabled by the pumping plant at Grand Coulee Dam. Most of them were placed in locations where a simple canal would not be... — Updated 7/15/2020
The U.S. has no choice but to lead
The United States is the most powerful country in the world. By any measure, we are preeminent. We have challenges and vulnerabilities, and we are not as dominant as we once were, but no one else comes close to America’s... — Updated 7/15/2020
Rural communities have finally been heard on grizzly bear decision
The proposal to introduce grizzly bears into the North Cascades Ecosystem has been looming over the communities of Central Washington since I was elected to Congress. I have worked with officials in the past two Administrations to... — Updated 7/15/2020
I scream, you scream, we all scream …
I got to witness something very special last week. I will tell you about that in second,d but first I just want to remind you that it is summer. It happened when we were not looking... — Updated 7/15/2020
It's a war, so let's fight it
In the 20 years it took for the United States to dig itself in, then out, of Southeast Asia in the Vietnam War, more than 58,000 American military personnel died. In the last 173 days, an invisible enemy has killed more than... — Updated 7/15/2020
Technology vs. wildland fire
We know all too well the complete destruction that wildfires can cause. Over the past several years we’ve witnessed numerous, nearby, destructive wildfires. We are not immune to t... — Updated 7/8/2020
The 1952 Grand Coulee Dam Commemorative Postage Stamp
In August 1933 the Wilbur Commercial Club contacted Washington Senator Clarence Dill proposing a postage stamp commemorating the start of construction at Grand Coulee Dam. This... — Updated 7/8/2020
Treasure the time
This past week our family has lost three men who were mentors or treasured icons in our eyes. They were irreplaceable, and that got us as a family to really treasure those... — Updated 7/8/2020
Be aware of rocks
A highway sign “beware, rocks” would have been better stating “be aware of rocks.” Those of us who have lived here for a bit are fully aware that we live in a rocky environment that has historical significance. My... — Updated 7/8/2020
The Next Generation of Hydropower
As I have said in the past and will continue to vocalize in our nation’s capital: Hydropower is truly the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest. From the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest power producing hydroelectric dam in North... — Updated 7/8/2020
