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

We are all different. If we were not, it would be impossible to recognize people we know, including our close friends and relatives. Sometimes we don’t like people who are different, whose beliefs differ from ours, or whose b... — Updated 7/26/2023

While pondering the pathetic fates of three Trump legal eagles – Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, and Lin Wood – I’m reminded of a line from an old Jackson Browne song: “The strangled cries of lawyers in love“ Plus, this old cliche: ... — Updated 7/19/2023

Heat-related deaths are one of the deadliest weather-related health outcomes in the United States. WHAT IS HEAT- RELATED ILLNESS? Heat-related illness, also called hyperthermia, is a condition resulting from exposure to extreme... — Updated 7/19/2023

I recently returned to Palouse to say goodbye to my final classmate. Bob Olson and I were born in 1930, at the beginning of the Great Depression. We entered the first grade together in 1936, midway through some very hard times. In... — Updated 7/19/2023

Native communities are disproportionally impacted by the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIW). Having engaged with the tribes and law enforcement officers throughout Central Washington; it’s clear t... — Updated 7/12/2023

While taking a walk recently I had the opportunity to visit with my neighbor, Brad McConnell. Brad has lived next to me for nearly five years and this is the most extensive visit we’ve had. As we were talking about travel, he s... — Updated 7/12/2023

Recently, while in Coulee Dam visiting family, I had the opportunity to visit the Colville Tribal Museum. Having grown up in the area, this is something I have wanted to do for some time. I was not disappointed. Upon entering, we... — Updated 7/12/2023

Mel Johnson is an oil painter I first met while living in Bothell. I used a framer in Lake Forest Park to frame pictures I liked. Knowing I was a reporter, he said that I ought to do a story about Johnson. He had a couple of... — Updated 6/28/2023

Wind, solar, and other renewable energy projects offer a significant opportunity to revitalize rural communities and diversify the local economy. Increased tax revenue from renewable energy projects enables school districts,... — Updated 6/28/2023

Several years ago, the Grand Coulee Dam School District decided to fence off its “bus barn” near the baseball field in Coulee Dam due to repeated thefts happening at night. Earlier this month, as city officials gathered at the Del... — Updated 6/28/2023

That shaking you feel is not an earthquake. It is our country’s founders rolling in their graves. Here in Florida, on the front burner of the next presidential election, politics is all about how we use the bathroom. At M... — Updated 6/21/2023

When we used to return to Southern Idaho to visit my wife’s family, we were usually treated to something special by her brother, Robert Compton. He is still known affectionately as “Uncle Bob.” This particular time we got in his c... — Updated 6/21/2023

The federal debt ceiling crisis was averted but tax cheats benefited. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contained $79 billion for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); $45 billion of it was to audit individuals or businesses... — Updated 6/21/2023

I understand the old “why should I have to if they don’t have to.” I’m talking about the police officers assigned to the USBR. I wouldn’t think they need protection inside the project grounds. Security is for the perimeter... — Updated 6/21/2023

Sometimes, there’s a gap between what is right and what is legal. Government is good at falling into those. Locally, the four mayors who comprise the Regional Board of Mayors are asking their councils to consider a problem: an E... — Updated 6/21/2023

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a resounding victory for individual property rights for the people of Central Washington and rural America when they unanimously sided with the Sacketts in the Sackett v. EPA case. The... — Updated 6/14/2023

If you could, you would end up with someone who has the human characteristics of Colleen Leskinen. Colleen lives a couple of miles out of Nespelem. She was mayor there for 14 years, but if you know her it is probably for her... — Updated 6/14/2023

After the latest reactive management decision from our local GCDSD Board, community and staff members who are furious about the superintendent selection asked me to share their total lack of trust in these elected officials. As som... — Updated 6/14/2023

We recently attended the Isle of Flags Memorial Day celebration at Spring Canyon Cemetery. My wife, son and I raised a flag in honor of my father, Sid Roberson, who served in the US Army between the Wars. During my 18 years... — Updated 6/14/2023

Three-day holidays are the worst for people speeding into town. With summer, people are speeding to their favorite campsite. Sixty miles an hour is reckless driving in city limits and against the law. Where are the officers? At... — Updated 6/14/2023

When checking into a motel or hotel have you ever wondered who had stayed in this place? In this country, places seldom reveal who has been there before you, like it would be an invasion of privacy. That’s not true in many p... — Updated 6/7/2023

I want to give the Grand Coulee Mayor and the City Council members a big THANK YOU for putting in the new playground equipment and especially the basketball court. I drive by the park several times a week and have always seen... — Updated 6/7/2023