News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Sorted by date Results 1907 - 1931 of 3733
Sometimes you never know where your road trip will take you. The plan was to head to Conconully, Washington, to see their annual Independence Day Celebration. We had a plan when we went to bed on Friday, but Saturday morning had its own time schedule. It started with a loud boom that shook the house at about 5:30 a.m. In that half-asleep, half-awake state, I assumed it was a firework, but soon realized I was awake and something was not right. As I got up to investigate, I soon realized that ever...
The most important thing for Americans to remember on July 4, 2018, is that we are Americans. Regardless of political party affiliation, philosophy, religion, creed or race, no matter if we are conservative or liberal, veterans or war protesters, soldiers or civilians, we are Americans. We are petty and noble, hateful and loving, proud and humble, but we are Americans. We may differ, as we always have, on what that even means, or on how to solve our problems, but we will eventually rediscover that we are Americans. So enjoy the national...
Last week I got an email with a photo showing a cloud that had erupted into a rainbow of color. There is a name for what happened: it’s called cloud iridescence or irisation. Some call it cloud rainbows. What happens is individual ice crystals or water droplets in the cloud reflect, refract and disperse incoming sunlight. It’s like what happens when a rainbow develops. A rainbow is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets, causing a spectrum of light to app...
The Jetsons television series about a space-age family featuring “Rosey the Robot” gave us a preview of life with robots, kiosks and interactive television. In 1962, it was a fictitious cartoon; however, in 2018, many of the Jetsons’ conveniences are a reality. Take fast-food restaurants, for example. Faced with a growing shortage of workers and increased costs, some are turning to robots to flip hamburgers and clean grills — mundane, unpleasant and hard-to-fill jobs. Wendy’s installed self-clea...
A lot can happen in a week or two. From Father’s Day to the 4th of July is a busy time in most families. Camping, vacations, fishing trips and camps can take up a lot of this timeframe, but sometimes things can change, and things can look a little different. Also, depending on who you are, things can change. I could write about a little blue truck or a union gathering. But I am not today. I could talk about the “Best Father’s Day Ever” or on running into a Proctor in Pasco, but I will wait on...
A certain seemingly innocent, even holy-sounding, reference made recently by a high government official in defense of an unpopular policy should give Americans pause. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions sought to shore up the position of the government by using the authority of scripture, quoting the Apostle Paul when he advises following the laws of the earthly government. “I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of o... Full story
As a former employee at the Grand Coulee Dam School District (30 years plus), I would like to respond to the article in last week’s Star entitled “High staff turnover this year in GCD school district.” I am now retired from the district, and I have to say that I was so “thankful” to be able to do so when I did and to “get out” of the school district. I couldn’t agree more with Aaron Derr’s statement: “On several occasions we have formally expressed our concerns about discipline inconsistencies, bullying of other students and staff and not being...
I know you are a liberal but at least you could try to be objective in your selection of the guest editorials. For instance, the so-called Americans for Tax Fairness. This organization is not for fair taxes; they are for higher taxes for everyone. Let me ask you a question. 1- Why do you think the economy is booming? 2- Where is the employment coming from? 3- Who hires workers, the poor? 4- When the economy gets better, what happens to the taxes coming into the treasury? 5- His statement on the wages going down is totally false according to...
I entered Electric City the other day through its southern portal, and was shocked. I don’t know why; I had entered the city through its south end a hundred times before. But this time the many eyesores along the entrance to the city stood out like sore thumbs. There are a number of eyesores — all, I think, owned by individuals — that would shock anyone. I wondered, are all these landowners from Kansas, and why had they all settled here? Maybe the former city attorney had it right after all. He painted a welcoming sign on the front of his b...
Amid all the confusion about zero tolerance and executive orders over the crisis at the border, one thing is clear. At least 2,000 children are still detained away from their parents in shelters across the country. Many — no one knows exactly how many — are under age 5, housed in “tender age” shelters in South Texas. Government officials claim they are safe and well cared for, but nothing could be further from the truth. Years of research shows us that group care is harmful to children of all ages and especially toxic for infants and young c...
Grand Coulee Dam Area Lions participated this weekend in the annual Koulee Kids Fest and Coulee Cruizers Auto Show. The Lions have sponsored a station for the Kids Fest for several years. The Grand Coulee Dam Area Lions was chartered in 1936 and has had an active club in the area since. Sometimes the Lions are not on the front lines or as visible as some, but each year they are active in the community. This kind of fundraiser by the Lions puts money into the club’s project fund, which is used for several projects throughout the year. Some of t...
This is the time of year for final report cards, so it’s a good time to grade President Trump and congressional Republicans on their massive tax cuts mostly benefiting the wealthy and corporations. Six months after enactment, their new tax law is seriously underperforming, failing to achieve passing marks in one important subject after another. Tax Fairness: Once the law is fully phased in, 83 percent of the benefits will go to the wealthiest 1 percent. Those one-percenters will get an average tax cut of over $50,000 this year. Folks making und...
Justin Trudeau may be the annoying, youthful avatar of chic progressivism — but he’s not our adversary. After leaving the G-7 summit, President Donald Trump blasted the Canadian prime minister on Twitter as weak and dishonest, in the kind of invective once reserved for “Little Rocket Man.” The Trump presidency routinely produces unprecedented events, and here is another: Never before has a president of the United States spoken as scornfully in public about the head of state of a friendly, allied country. Particularly one who has appeare...
First off, a disclaimer: I know many of you will disagree with me on this topic, but please bear in mind that if we want change, we have to be the change. For years, Lake Roosevelt schools have gotten a bad rap. I am not saying it is not deserved, and I am not saying that everything is perfect now or that everything is fixed, but we are making progress and trying. The main issue, in my opinion, is the way we speak of our own schools. The way we portray things is just as important as the history.... Full story
Every so often, I jot down a list of the things that discourage me about our country. There’s the widespread disregard for our core values of tolerance and mutual respect, for instance. Or our declining national optimism. There’s wage stagnation, income inequality, a high poverty rate, failing infrastructure, inadequate healthcare coverage, a dysfunctional Congress. … You get the idea. This is not really a list of failings. It’s a to-do list. How do we make progress on it? Well, I’ll tell you: politics. American politics can be an inefficie...
It happened not long after graduation started in the Lake Roosevelt 2018 ceremony. A shift occurred. One more graduate was added to the class, and there was not a dry eye in the gym. It first appeared in the class speaker’s address. A slight mention of a teacher that “roasted” students, then as the valedictorian’s speech turned from one of them to one of him; followed by a video sequence that told everyone that there was one more to be added to the program. If we did not know yet, an award f...
Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes billions of dollars in payments to farmers across the country. Farmers rely on this money as part of a safety net, which helps them mitigate risks involved with working in agriculture. Congress put in place common-sense limits on farm program payments, but left damaging loopholes. Currently, farmers are required to be actively engaged in farming to receive these payments. “Actively engaged” farmers should be on the farm or in the tractor, as well as investing in land, equipment, or pro...
Strike, ball, foul ball, you're out, you are safe - all calls you would expect from an umpire. Right? Meet one umpire that has added a whole lot more. Kenny Dexter. Ken was the public works director for Electric City, retiring about a year ago after nearly 40 years on the job. He not only had a long career working for the city, but Ken has been a softball umpire for about 20 years now, and is still at it. He's added a new dimension over the years to umpiring. Sitting in the stands, you probably...
Love your articles, Mr. Lucas. Thought you might get a chuckle out of this. Roosters — noisy critters and necessary to get more baby chicks. Wonder how many people hate roosters but eat lots of chickens – whole, parts and eggs? I have a neighbor who had chickens, a dozen laying hens — fresh eggs, so good. I kept hearing a rooster crow every morning and sometimes through the day. I finally commented to the neighbor, “I enjoy hearing your rooster crow.” She grinned and said, “Yes, and I get an egg from her every day; I hate roosters. “I was ther...
Here’s a switch! Rather than closing another pulp and paper mill, a new one is under construction right here in Washington. Columbia Pulp’s plant on the Snake River will use a new technology that pulls cellulose out of the abundant straw left over from wheat and alfalfa harvests. The $184 million plant near Dayton is scheduled to open later this year. Traditionally, pulp comes from wood either grown specifically for paper making or as byproducts from sawmills. When fully operational, it wil...
“This is bittersweet.” “I was not prepared.” “No one told me about this.” “Every time you think something will be easy, it is not.” These were all phrases that scooted through my head as the date of June 9 approached. June 9, graduation day for the 2018 seniors at Lake Roosevelt. I am excited for them, but also there is a pain deep within my heart. This is a special class. Beyond special. I took the position of Pathways Coordinator this year, knowing full well I was going to get the chance to w...
Let’s start off with some facts about our oceans: The Earth’s oceans cover 71 percent of its surface and contain 97 percent of the Earth’s water. Less than 1 percent of the Earth’s water is fresh water, while 2-3 percent is contained in glaciers and ice caps. The oceans contain 99 percent of the living space on the planet. Digest those numbers as we take a look at some ocean research and ocean-research tools being used today that are helping us understand global weather and the changes now occ...
After attending the opening of the wine bar on Main Street Friday night, the ribbon cutting at the new art gallery on Spokane Way on Saturday, and getting a bite and a cup afterward at the new coffee house a block away, a niggling, suppressed hope fought its way to the surface. Its seed has always been present, but lately held at bay. Statements from some who return to the coulee after long absences that “this place never changes,” and our own feeling that we’ve been using the word “potential” about the economics of the area for too long for...
There are biblical references to false statements and rumors. It is not a new issue, but currently the problem is amplified by an electronic twist. The printed word on paper has been a mainstay of the American experience since well before the American Revolution. Ben Franklin was in the printing business in the 1720s. The print medium, including newspaper, has survived the advent of radio, television, and computers. The news content of all of those media was generally subjected to editorial review to ensure accuracy. But a new development,...
I had the privilege of going to Keller last week to see one of my heroes. Yes, one of my heroes was in Keller; her name is Erin Gruwell and she is the teacher the movie “Freedom Writers” is based upon. As I sat there in Keller school and listened to how she got there and her story, I quickly realized that this all was not about her. It was about the students of Mrs. Clark, a teacher in the Keller School District. In a very cool turn of events and much like in the movie this little class in Keller, Washington wrote a letter to Mrs. Gruwell and...