News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Sorted by date Results 2506 - 2530 of 3733
Relax. That’s right, I said it. Relax. You have had a strenuous senior year and you are thinking that this has been so hard. Note that I said “thinking.” I use that word because for most of you, you think the last four years were the most grueling, difficult and dramatic times that will ever be. But, unfortunately, they won’t be. Soon you will be thinking back, wishing life were as simple as it was in 2016. So relax, and while relaxing do this other “R” word: reflect. Very soon, you will know the pressures of adult life, and that is where thing... Full story
This undated picture is of an Indian fishing camp at Kettle Falls.... Full story
Lest we get into the “it will never happen here” mood, let’s remind ourselves that the existence of this community was preceded by a very nutty idea that was laughed at by the whole nation. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was derided for supporting the building of Grand Coulee Dam. That is, until he looked like a genius when the nation suddenly needed its hydropower to fight World War II. But big dreams are easy for those of us with noses to the grindstone to dismiss. Grasping their particulars often requires more time and energy than... Full story
As a member of the Washington State Council on Aging, I am asking you to join me and my fellow members, and Governor Jay Inslee, in honoring Older Americans during the month of May. A meeting in April 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to his designation of the month of May as “Senior Citizens Month.” Every President since Kennedy has issued such a formal proclamation, currently named “Older Americans Month,” proclaiming the month of May as the time that the entire nation pays trib... Full story
The big weather story, from my perspective, was the record-breaking snowmelt here in the Pacific Northwest. During April, western snowpack dropped at record speed, according to data from the fifth and final 2016 forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). "In the Pacific Northwest, low precipitation and high temperatures led to a dramatic reduction in snowpack," reported NRCS. "Peak stream flow is arriving weeks earlier than normal this year."... Full story
Last week I started a peek into the Senior class which, before we know it, will be stepping out on stage and receiving that coveted paper that says, “Congratulations, you have met all the requirements …” and lets them know that the next step is totally up to them. We are talking about young adults like Bubba Garcia, who decided his future last year when he swore an oath, entered into the armed forces and spent his summer at boot camp. With a focus and vigor, he knows what he wants and is fighting a very strong fight to achieve it. Bubba... Full story
Mildred Brown, 3 years old, shows a string of silver trout dipped from the river below the falls at Grand Coulee Dam by her father. Every spring there is a "Silver" downstream migration at the dam. Thousands of trout are injured in their sudden descent through or over the 350-foot dam and are easily netted by the local residents. - April 14, 1949... Full story
There is no disputing that any organization has a right to control who speaks for it, but that doesn’t translate into a right to censor speech. Birdie Hensley was officially admonished by her colleagues on the Electric City Council last week for doing her own research on questions she has about the city’s direction. It seems that she is free to research on behalf of herself as a city councilmember, but not on behalf of the city council. … Got that? That comes pretty close to being a hair split by semantics. It’s probably not couth for members... Full story
I just wanted The Star to know how much we appreciate Jesse Utz’s column “Jess, Shut Up.” My wife and I have been subscribers of The Star since we moved here in 1999. It is refreshing to see a paper where Christianity is not maligned, as in most newspapers today. We have known Jesse and Karrie since we came to the Coulee, and I can vouch for both of them as to their walk, always the first to volunteer to help in whichever way they are able to help. Thanks, Jesse. Jack and Sharon Zielsdorf... Full story
Human beings and nature exist on the same moral plane. An eco-centric world view, should be regarded as a precondition for an aesthetic and ethical appreciation and love of our (yours and mine) environment. Self-determination is a foundational principle in the world’s eye. American education is the total laziness towards taking into consideration anything, or anyone, besides yourself. Law and forestry are good examples. In law, the historical construct of our country through Manifest Destiny is mismatched so that cultural relationship held b... Full story
This is the time of year when a small group of people in our community start to panic. A whirlwind of activity surrounds them, with every day being one step closer to that goal they have coveted for the last 13 years: graduation. The senior class of 2016 at Lake Roosevelt is no exception. Papers, projects and deadlines are consuming them as we speak, all hinging a wager on whether they get that little piece of paper that signifies the first step in adulthood. But if we are to be honest, the learning of life lessons is just about to start and,... Full story
A Ridge Rider Trail Ride. – 1950... Full story
Reading Connie Babler’s letter to The Star April 13, 2016, brought back many happy memories of going to school in Coulee Dam and growing up in such a great place. The idea of a “memorial” representing all four schools is a great idea. And all four “alumni” should get together — there are many of us living around the area and I’m sure they have lots of ideas. Let’s hear from them! Thank you, Connie. I doubt if all the “alumni” knew about “four schools.” Thera Phillips Foster Coulee Dam alumni Class of 1951 “Go Beavers... Full story
In response to the letter from Connie Babler a couple of weeks ago, the Grand Coulee Alumni Association would like to clarify a few things. First of all, the main concern of our association is that the names of the combined schools be remembered. We are looking for ideas on how to design an appropriate remembrance for this purpose. The endeavor will require co-operation between all the school districts involved and for there to be equal monies, input, and interest of all involved. Any interested parties are welcome to attend the next Alumni... Full story
Kirk Adams has earned the reputation as a visionary leader who gets things done for people with disabilities. Those qualities, coupled with hard work and determination, rewarded him with the nation’s top job advocating for the blind. In May, Adams, who grew up in Snohomish, becomes only the sixth American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) president since the non-profit was formed in 1921. It is the organization where the legendary Helen Keller’s archives reside. Carl R. Augusto, retiring AFB pre... Full story
Most of you probably have no idea who this is. Some USBR employees know him, but more importantly a handful of high school kids know him too. Recently Mr. Hill came to Lake Roosevelt and spoke some truth into the ears of our young adults with a positive but straightforward message, hoping that his words would shake some loose from the confines of their own situations. Like me about 10 years ago, when you first meet Rich, you are intimidated. He is a huge man, with muscles that bulge like a profe... Full story
When the 70-ton steel closure gates were not needed for river diversion purposes, the contractor suspended them from special storage barges anchored in the right forebay. – April 1, 1939... Full story
There is one type of election where we, as voters, have a right to expect accuracy — elections for our judges. These are the facts about the judicial elections this year in Grant County: Judge David Estudillo was appointed last year, after an extensive evaluation process, to replace retired Judge Evan Sperline, who retired from the Grant County Superior Court. The law requires Judge Estudillo to stand for election this fall to retain his position. So Judge Estudillo’s judicial race is not a decision about who should replace Judge Sperline. That... Full story
A lot of stuff has been happening across Coulee Country, and the entire nation, for that matter. Theft, drugs, abuse and neglect are just a few of the plagues that are ravaging our neighborhoods and nation, and I might even say world. I use the word “plagues” because it has risen to an epidemic of biblical proportions. The question that always follows is, “What will we do about it?” The first answer is always tougher laws, more officers, and more education. But we have done that. There is not...
Even though President Barack Obama has less than a year remaining in office, his administration is cranking out new government regulations at a record pace. The rush reflects the President’s plan to use his final months to cement his domestic-policy legacy. Unfortunately, that process circumvents Congress, which is constitutionally charged with writing our laws. The new rules are sweeping and cut across labor, health, finance and the environment. They range from setting overtime pay for white-collar workers to more obscure matters, such as r... Full story
We live in an astounding time of technological progress, during the “Information Age.” Since the 1990s, the Internet has flourished and created a digital marketplace, revolutionizing the world economy and the way commerce is conducted. Private enterprise has developed an incredible number of innovative services for millions of consumers. Keeping the Internet free from government micromanagement and open to innovation for years to come must be a top priority. Turn back the clock for a moment to 1934, which is the year the Federal Com... Full story
One of the two dining rooms in the contractor's mess hall. - January 1935... Full story
Citizens would do well to continue their skepticism regarding a curious study underway by Okanogan County commissioners on whether to ship out to other locations juvenile offenders in its justice system, rather than house them in county. The advantages of doing so are anything but clear, at least based on documents The Star requested that outline a cost study already completed. If shipped to Martin Hall, a privately run facility in Medical Lake under consideration, the annual extra cost would easily clear a quarter of a million dollars, not... Full story
I would like to respond to the Grand Coulee alumni group fund raising article that appeared in The Star newspaper March 30, 2016, and thank them for getting this fund raising started. I want to correct the information of only three high schools being involved; there were actually four high schools. When the Grand Coulee Dam was started in 1932-33, there were four main towns in the area, including the city of Grand Coulee, with the Grand Coulee High School Tigers, and the town of Coulee Dam, which was originally only on the west side of the... Full story
A crisis is upon us. A father recently reached out to me and had an idea for a column. He had noticed a scary situation taking form with a group of young people. This group was and is a tight-knit community type of clique that speaks of death constantly, especially suicide. This misled group counsels each other, hides each other and recruits others that are in vulnerable situations. They have formed a pact or a family of the misguided, if you will. This whole area has been affected by the sorrowful effects of suicide. We have seen it take our y... Full story