News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Sorted by date Results 2355 - 2379 of 3733
When someone mentions artists in the Coulee, we almost always think of Keith Powell. We have all seen his handiwork on buildings, paintings or other stuff around the area, and this Friday a dream of his is coming true as he has a “Grand Opening” of his art gallery in Spokane. I can remember Keith from when I was very young. He came to our school once, probably for an art lesson or an assembly. What I remember most is he did not look like your average artist. He looked more like a country western singer or a fur trapper from Hudson Bay Com... Full story
Hydraulic jets wash the gravel as it is screened into the proper sizes at the aggregate processing plant. On several occasions the plant processed material at the rate of 4,000 tons per hour. - Nov. 3, 1939.... Full story
In school we start each day with the Pledge of Alliance. At sporting events the National Anthem starts each contest. Buildings across the nation start each day with the early morning rising of the red, white and blue up the flag pole, and on military bases across the world a horn plays and salutes follow. But yet we still hear the voices throughout the day bad mouthing our country, our government and our troops. We see the flag being burned, hate being fueled and America slowly being tarnished by bureaucrats, the radical and the misguided. But... Full story
Looking east into the main unit generator room of the left power house during the course of construction. The downstream wall is near completion for bays L1 to 9 inclusive, and construction of the powerhouse room is in progress at L-9, 8 and 7. - Oct. 30, 1939.... Full story
Fellow citizens of Coulee Dam, thanks to all of you for your encouragement while I collected signatures for our letter to Mayor Wilder and our council members the week of Oct. 14 thru Oct. 19. Saturday morning was cold with a chance of rain and I had my doubts. So, I started this effort where I felt the most comfortable and I felt I had the best shot at success — the north end of Ferry Street at the home of Clea Pryor. My timid knock on Clea’s door and a poorly rehearsed presentation were rewarded with a smile, a signature and a “Go get’em.” Be... Full story
The local and state races this year are bigger than the “he said, she said” and “I feel wronged because I didn’t get my way” hype going around Okanogan County. The races are about two commissioners and a citizen who dared to challenge the established machine in Olympia and locally that is kept well-oiled by Westside special interest groups such as Futurewise and Conservation NW. It’s about the recent Hirst decision by WA Supreme Court justices that impacts private landowners and whether they will be granted the right to access the water they... Full story
I am one of eight citizen volunteers from Oroville, Okanogan, the Chilliwist, Twisp, and the upper Methow who have recorded notes of county commissioner proceedings during the past year. This effort was initiated because minutes had been posted weeks or months late, and commissioners had been unresponsive to citizens on essential issues. On Oct. 27, 2015, the commissioners discussed sending juvenile offenders to Martin Hall in Medical Lake while the Superior Court judges and Juvenile Administrator were out of town; it didn’t appear on the a... Full story
Wow, that was some bake sale and auction for Sheilah Kennedy’s fund raiser! One buyer paid $250 for a $12 peach pie. The money she raked in helped pay for a full-page ad in my local paper. After reading the ad, I realized that Sheilah is being too modest. Let me add a few of her accomplishments while Commissioner that she neglected to mention: -She voted to support the Gebbers family corporation by vacating the Three Devils Road, against the wishes of the people of Chilliwist. This led to litigation and extensive legal fees. -She voted to p... Full story
I have friends from all walks of life and beliefs and believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and it isn’t my job to change them. Therefore, I normally do not have anything to do with politics outside of researching and voting my own ballot. I do feel compelled to write this letter in support of Commissioner Sheilah Kennedy after witnessing the lies and misinformation being spread around our county this year. I sit on the Okanogan County Fair Board. Every time a situation has come up, I was always able to pick up a phone any t... Full story
Thanks to those who have spent untold hours fostering transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in our county government by volunteering for Represent Okanogan County (ROC.) This group welcomed Okanogan residents and voters of various persuasions since its inception, putting political differences aside to accomplish these goals. It’s been the belief of ROC supporters that public involvement with the current election would eventually lead to less litigation, more efficient use of tax dollars, and more responsiveness to the needs and w... Full story
As the Grant County Treasurer for 30 years, I have worked with a few state treasurers as president and other roles. State treasurers and county treasurers need to have a close relationship and understand each others’ roles in efficient money management and as stewards of public monies. Duane Davidson has held multiple terms as president and other leadership roles with the County Treasurers Association and has shown the qualities of experience and management your next state treasurer needs. His organizational skills and understanding of the b... Full story
I believe I am the only person who knows both Nick Wallace and Judge David Estudillo on both a professional and personal level. Judge Estudillo and I both started our careers at Jeffers Danielson, a Wenatchee-based firm which had a Moses Lake branch at the time. David (as I called him then) started in 1999 and I started in 2000. We worked together there for just short of two years. Since then, we have attended some birthday parties and barbecues together with common friends when he was visiting from the Seattle area. I have appeared before him... Full story
County commissioner meetings are public - anyone can observe. Since they are open, the audience should be able to hear and understand the activities of the meeting, and maybe even ask questions. Most organizational meeting standards include advance notice of agendas, timely approval of minutes, available materials for topics discussed, time for discussion, and a record of decisions made. County Commissioners make their executive decisions through resolutions, which are normally recorded in the meeting minutes or may be attachments to the... Full story
I was Republican leader on the House Capital Budget Committee when Rep. Hawkins was appointed assistant leader. The capital budget is critically important, supporting school facilities, public lands, parks and other “brick-and-mortar” investments. Final negotiations surrounding the capital budget often mean long and unusual working hours for the leader and assistant leader. Unfortunately, Rep. Hawkins was “missing in action” many times during those negotiations. Even after we explained the importance of the negotiations, he seemed unable to gra... Full story
It’s D-Day for American voters. With Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump carrying unusually low approval ratings and having a deep antipathy for one another, no matter which one ultimately is elected, the nation will be bitterly polarized. Hopefully, each has a plan to bring us back together after Nov. 8. America thrives on a peaceful transfer of power. It is one of the important traditions which has been handed down since John Adams succeeded George Washington on March 4, 1797. For guidance, Clinton and Trump ought to look to Gerald Ford. F... Full story
The three federal agencies whose dams control the Columbia River system are rethinking the whole complex process, and that should make everyone pay close attention. Next Tuesday, the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers and the Bonneville Power Administration will hold in Coulee Dam the second in a series of 15 public meetings from Wenatchee to Missoula to Astoria inviting the public to comment on the scope of work to include as it launches another massive effort to rethink the system in favor of ensuring endangered fish survival.... Full story
I have been following with great interest/alarm the news about recent thefts in the coulee area. Unfortunately I have found myself a recent theft victim. The item taken did not have a great monetary value (it was a Halloween decoration) but more sentimental value as a friend had drawn hand-made designs on the large plastic skull to make it spooky/cool looking. I felt as much sadness as anger at the theft. Sad that items that aren’t tied down can’t be left outside anymore. And anger that someone would feel they have the right to take som... Full story
I’m writing in support of Chris Branch for Okanogan County Board of Commissioners. Having dealt with the BOCC for over 10 years since returning to Okanogan County from working with King and Kitsap County governments, I’ve found that Okanogan County is by far the least effective, most unproductive of the three. They have disregarded advice of their departments, advisors, and citizens only to have the related decisions challenged in court. This wastes time, effort, and most importantly — my tax dollars. As a small business owner, I find this... Full story
Vote for Ashley Thrasher as County Commissioner. Why? Ashley’s truly special. Meet her in person and you’ll immediately feel this. A smoke jumper recently turned carpenter, she is sharp as a tack, hard-working, does her homework. She’s not affiliated with a political party. She thinks smart management of a county should be non-partisan, not governed by a Democratic or Republican platform. She offers an exceptionally fresh perspective, really “independent.” She’s a key member of a growing three-generation Okanogan County family. A devoted aun... Full story
Until just recently, I worked in the Grant County Clerk’s Office. For over 15 years, I served as a Deputy Clerk for the Superior Court, and one of my responsibilities was to work with our judges in the courtroom. Over a year ago, Judge Estudillo was appointed by Governor Inslee, who obviously recognized that experience does matter. Judge Estudillo was obviously very experienced in courtroom procedure and the law when he came to our court. I did not vote for Governor Inslee, and almost never agree with his views on running our state g... Full story
I had a great weekend. Opening day of hunting season and a long overdue time spent with my stepson. Great conversation, teachable moments and the realization that a little boy had become a man sometime over the last few hunting trips were the bulk of the weekend wrapped into a neat little package. No deer as of writing this, but I know I was not the only father and son duo that conquered the sage-filled hills of Coulee Country in search of the elusive third point. Anyone who has hunted at all knows how difficult hunting in the desert terrain... Full story
Upon completion of excavation and foundation grouting, a gantry crane runway was laid on the pumping plant foundation rock at elevation 1163. - Oct. 12, 1939.... Full story
The first annual Breast Cancer fun walk/run was a success. Over 100 people registered for the event but due to other commitments and the cooler weather not all were able to participate. We would like to thank all our sponsors: monetary — A. J. Gerard, Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union and Costco (north Spokane branch). Food Donations: Safeway for the water, Ed’s Meats for wieners and Franz bread for the hot dog buns. Gift Certificates: Loepp Furniture, Hometown Pizza, Coulee Hardware, Pepper Jack’s, Café Espresso, Fusion Café, R&A Café, LaPresa,... Full story
There certainly is a distinct advantage to living in Grant County for well over 46 years. The advantage is knowing a lot of people you can talk to honestly about just everything. Now this election is a great topic of conversation. The presidential elections just seems to get a rolling of the eyes with a sign of “Be glad when it’s over and done!” Now the race for Superior Court Judge is an interesting one. Nick Wallace has receive $35,380 in campaign contributions. All but nine of those contributing were our neighbors here in Grant Count... Full story
One of the most challenging decisions we, as voters, make is choosing judges we believe will do the best job of upholding our U.S. & State Constitutions, Bill of Rights, and laws. This year, we have contested elections for three State Supreme Court Justices and a Grant County Superior Court Judge. Because I am often asked, for Supreme Court Justices, I am supporting David DeWolf, Pos 1; Greg Zempel, Pos 5; and Dave Larson, Pos 6. Closer to home, my choice for Grant County Superior Court is the appointed incumbent, Judge David Estudillo, who has... Full story