News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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This is the main stem of the main canal of the Columbia Basin Project. It carries more water than most rivers in the state of Washington. Here, one mile north of Adeo (does anybody know where this is?), the main canal can transport 9,700 c.f.w. Data: bottom width, 50 feet; width at top of the lining, 120 feet; water depth, 21 feet; freeboard, 2.6 feet; velocity of water, about 4 mph; gradient of slope, 1 foot in 10,000 feet; lining, 4-1/2 inches thick with 3/8 inch, round reinforcing steel on... Full story
It seems to us that we have a group of council members that likes to spend a lot of money. We live on Sunny Drive in Electric City. A few years ago council members proposed a park on the lake, just below our property, due to opposition they decided to buy a lot – to the tune of thousands of dollars just for the lot. They haven’t even started work on that project and now the plan is to build paths and trails for many more thousands of dollars. The “alternate route” they propose would create many problems and we totally reject this proposa... Full story
The path route pictured in The Star newspaper, Jan. 13, behind Electric City homes and through natural wildlife habitat is NOT set in stone. In an era where preserving our natural wildlife habitats and delicate environments has gained importance, there is also an eye for improving small towns, making certain changes inevitable. However, let’s make changes that protect our natural wildlife habitats, connect people to our businesses, improve our storefront streets for both residents and visitors, and in so doing entice the new businesses that a... Full story
I grew up with Dan Peterson as my pastor in the Bothell/ Inglewood area, where he moved after working on the Coulee Dam Community Church. He would be very sad to hear of your church’s demise. Dan told many wonderful stories about building the church and your marvelous community. It sounds like the church has had a long and happy life. I hope someone can find a second use for it now, keeping it in use for years to come! Deb Hester... Full story
Sickness can be a war on many fronts. From the common cold to a major disease, it affects us in a wide variety of situations that cause us to go to war for ourselves. Sometimes it is a battle of one and sometimes you must devise a plan filled with many faces to assist you on your germ war. Right now in our community and around the globe, viruses and genetic mutations and bacteria and major diseases have crept in during the darkness and infected us, our family and our neighbors. But there is a hope and the fight has begun. Not too long ago (you... Full story
At the close of 1939, Consolidated Builders had completed 68.5% of the contract work for Grand Coulee Dam. With more than 9,000,000 cubic yards of concrete in the structure, the right and left abutment sections were within 100 feet of the top and ultimate height, elevation 1311.08 feet. The spillway section was still below the construction deck level, elevation 1180, but progressing on schedule. With the exception of the station service and control bays, the left powerhouse building was nearing... Full story
Regarding the Electric City trail, with the (Jan. 20) meeting being at 1:00 in the afternoon and I work for a living, I cannot make it. I wish for this letter to be my thoughts and my opinion on this matter. Now, I’m no letter writer, so I’m just going to use the format of listing my concerns and thoughts. 1. It seems to me it would make more financial sense to widen and fix the road to have this trail. We would only be dealing with the State of Washington (D.O.T.) and the cities involved, plus we would be fixing, like one stated in The Star, a... Full story
“[Brad] Parrish stated that phase one of the trail system, from Coulee Playland to North Dam Park, would eliminate ‘a very dangerous’ stretch of narrow roadway that walkers and bicyclists have to face today.” Knowing there is already a dangerous stretch of roadway that walkers and bicyclists have to face today seems like the logical place to start. Why not put the focus there and make the necessary improvements for everyone’s safety? The speed limit is 35 mph and the state already owns the roadway and the right of way. Monies from Electric... Full story
On 1/11/16, the Spokesman Review announced that Okanogan County is one of five Washington counties that each donated $1,000 to the American Land Council (ALC), an organization supporting the militant (Bundy) takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. As of last April, 47 counties nationwide had given an average of $4,660 apiece to this organization. The ALC supports the transfer of ownership of federal public lands to local governments. Do we really want our hard-earned tax dollars spent in this manner, considering the very... Full story
In a recent letter to the editor, the mayor of Coulee Dam states that it is the duty of the town council to “protect the infrastructure” of the town. The basic essence of protection is to replace the bad with the good or the wrong with the right. Councilperson Gail Swaggerty said that the cherry trees on Stevens are the “wrong trees.” Councilperson David Schmidt said the cherry trees on Stevens are the “wrong trees.” David Schmidt even signed the recommendation to remove the cherry trees. A stewardship forester with the Washington Department... Full story
Most of you know nothing about a secret operation that is going on at Lake Roosevelt. But I am about to let you in on an undercover operation that has been lifting the spirits of staff and blessing everyone from bus drivers to teachers at the school. A secret group of community members has been bringing lunches, snacks and, yes, red apples to everyone at LR randomly throughout the year. Birthdays are never forgotten either, with little tags on a treat wishing you well on your special day. More than one staff member has said that this group of... Full story
The power barge, "Paul Bunyan," was built by Work Progress Administration forces and launched into the Columbia River Reservoir on January 4, 1939.... Full story
Grand Coulee’s mayor is right when he says in a front-page article this week (“New twist could bring towns’ functions together”) that his city has “a lot to offer” other municipalities in considering how the four in the Grand Coulee Dam area might benefit by combining efforts. That’s basically because working together is usually a better way to solve problems among people of good will: problems such as how to pay for police services, firefighting and ambulance service; water, sewer and street maintenance, and the education of our children. Tha... Full story
Thank you for the excellent bicyclist photo on page 4 of The Star 1-13-2016 edition. However, I’m curious as to the intent of the photo title, “Maybe not YOUR first choice.” A more appropriate and effective title would be “A winter ride in the Coulee — a GREAT choice,” perhaps inspiring people to get outside for a bike ride or some other activity. The Coulee area has many fine natural qualities to explore and enjoy during the winter season as well as other times of the year. Walt Hunner The Bicyclist Electric City Editor’s response: As... Full story
In reading a recent letter to the editor concerning the appraised value of the street trees in Coulee Dam, a number of questions came to mind. Does the letter reflect the view of the entire Coulee Dam Town Council? What is the number of the town ordinance that the letter refers to? If the ordinance declares that the town trees be maintained and encouraged, does that mean that the town is in violation of its own ordinance due to the years of neglect in whole or in part? What does the appraised value of a street tree have to do with the town’s bu... Full story
As you know, the town council directed that the Public Works Department to remove a healthy ornamental cherry tree within the town’s right-of-way. Subsequently, the mayor immediately directed that the town administration (including Public Works) take NO action, pending a review of our attorney(s) and the CDMC requirements thereto. I am suggesting that the council rescind its prior action. The town council cannot deliberately cause us to violate our own applicable code provisions. If you want to ignore/violate our code, first change the o... Full story
Experience + your current situation x encouragement = decisions being made. That sounds simple enough, and I am sure there are a lot of other factors involved, but really this is the basis for our decisions. Plus all you math geeks (Jeremiah and Jeff) love to get math involved in everyday life. Commercials bombard us, politicians preach at us and influences direct us as we navigate our ship on the strong currents of life. Sometimes we run our boat ashore and cause damage until we get it fixed and move on. Life experience can be as simple as... Full story
Winter's icy grip on a spillway bridge pier at Grand Coulee Dam during construction. –- Nov. 12, 1940... Full story
A story that starts on page 2 this week comes through The Star’s association with the state association that works with colleges in the state to encourage and support journalism education. “Governor, DNR 2016 budget proposals seek wildfire fighting, recovery funds” was written by a student through a special arrangement between The Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation and the University of Washington’s journalism education program. You’ll likely see more coverage from the state’s capital again this winter as The Star uses stori... Full story
The town of Coulee Dam has declared by ordinance that it is in the best interest of the public that the trees be maintained and encouraged. The municipal budget supports the maintenance of the trees as directed by the ordinance. Knowing the appraised value of the trees within the urban forest of Coulee Dam gives context to the budgeting, planning, and management of this portion of the infrastructure of the town. So how is this value determined? The appraised value of the trees in Coulee Dam is based on replacement costs and a process of... Full story
This last weekend was the start of the NFL Playoffs. Wins by the Chiefs, Seahawks, Steelers and Packers set things up for an action-packed football weekend coming up. But I want to talk about the game between the Bengals and the Steelers and the absolute disgust I felt at the end of that game, which in some ways might reflect America today. It was a good game. Players were leaving their mark and making big plays to help their team, but none of that will be remembered because of the selfish play of a few. Players from both sides are guilty and... Full story
When Boeing rolled out its first 737 MAX last month, there was little fanfare. Nevertheless, its importance to the company’s future and our state can’t be overstated. The good news is Boeing delivered more airplanes last year than Airbus, and it has a backlog of 5,800 orders. However, a yellow flag goes up when it comes to the 737 MAX. It is behind the Airbus A320neo in development and sales. According to the Seattle Times, “Not counting Airbus sales in December — those figures are still to come — the European jet maker’s A320neo in 2015 had... Full story
A worker rappels down the spillway of Grand Coulee Dam, where floating caissons and catwalks can be seen in the river below during annual spillway bucket repairs. – February 9, 1950... Full story
If you add the column marked “Appraisal” in the recent tree inventory for the town of Coulee Dam, you will get a total of $3,182,930 for the 680 trees inventoried. This number does not reflect the 300 – 400 trees that are not on the inventory. Regardless of the value of the trees, what does this number mean to the citizens of Coulee Dam? Can the town use the trees as collateral for a loan to help pay for the new sewer plant? Could the trees be sold? Should the town increase their insurance to cover the loss of a tree? How much is the stree... Full story
A program by King 5 News recently raised the question of whether the Gebbers family business (in Brewster) received “special treatment” (by the state Dept. of Natural Resources) in receiving $1.9 million for use of their untrained employees and equipment to fight fire during the Carlton Complex fires. Our state auditor found that normally-expected information wasn’t included in this contract with DNR. Even in the heat of the moment, why would apparently untrained Gebbers’ employees be paid good wages for firefighting when even experie... Full story