News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Sorted by date Results 2811 - 2835 of 3632
As a matter of fact, we view the four towns as one in many ways, but in purely practical terms joining just two would be very good start. In any large city, the populations of Electric City, Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam and Elmer City would barely qualify as a neighborhood, let alone four municipalities each with separate mayors and councils, budgets to work out and utility bills to track. Combining the towns seems so obviously a good idea. But smaller steps often make the start of a long and worthy journey. Two of the cities already share so much... Full story
The elections are over, back to business with Congress as they have many unsettled issues in need of attention. The VA scandal is still a priority for Congress to settle. Although the VA has made some progress toward veterans care and benefits improvements, it is not yet 100 percent thought out. Our Congress needs transparency in bipartisanship and to be held accountable. A quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the Country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.” We veterans need a square deal... Full story
The flags along the 155 corridor are all ripped and unsightly. Should be replaced or removed immediately. Disgraceful for viewing on Veteran’s Day. Phil Berry... Full story
I was standing at the Veterans Assembly last week at the high school during the National Anthem and found myself thinking of not only the 30-plus veterans on hand for the event that we were honoring but of other vets that lost their lives giving the ultimate sacrifice. I then thought of my grandfathers who served and how proud they both were to be Americans. I then thought of my uncles and some of the horrible things they had to go through in Vietnam and their return. I had to fight back the tears as I looked up at old glory and studied the red... Full story
There is a new look to Bavarian tourism these days. In the past, tourists flocked to Munich’s city square like Seattle’s New Year’s revelers at the Space Needle. They came to see the ancient Glockenspiel, a giant cuckoo clock on the city hall tower, and then dash to the nearby famed Hofbrauhaus for beer, brats and Bavarian music. Now the Glockenspiel has some real competition. It is BMW World, a mammoth, ultramodern, high tech new car showroom adjacent to the 1972 Olympic Stadium. It is so large prospective buyers can take a “Beamer” for a test... Full story
1 years ago Grady “Skip” Lael joined the Marine Corps exactly 61 years ago, in 1943 on Veterans Day, serving 29 and a half months with the Amphibian Tractor Battalion in one lone, famous campaign in the Pacific, the taking of Iwo Jima. He landed at Iwo on Feb. 19, 1945 and left on March 26. He said that his Battalion’s job was to get men and materials on shore under fire fights everywhere. Lael looked through binoculars to see the Marines raise the first flag on Mt. Suribachi and that flag was a small one that a Marine had on his back. “It w... Full story
It was somewhat comforting Tuesday morning watching Coulee Medical Center personnel practice skills they hope they never need. Comforting, that is, between ugly realizations and visions of what it means to contract the Ebola virus — or to deal with it as a healthcare worker. Anyone who has closely followed the Ebola crisis that this year managed to trickle a few cases into the United States from Africa where thousands have died, should be at least a little concerned, even here. We can take comfort that our local healthcare leaders are f... Full story
I wish to thank the entire community for their support following the passing of my wife Donna. I have received hundreds of cards and condolences since the sudden event. I cannot personally respond to them all, so I will address many of you via the newspaper. Donna’s wish was the support of “Polio Plus” through Rotary International’s program. So far, a total of $3,435 has been donated. I appreciate all of you. The many meals and foods that have been delivered to me is overwhelming. In the six weeks since her passing, I have seldom had to cook... Full story
Recently, I’ve noticed that a lot of the local businesses are imposing a fee when paying with a debit, credit, and even EBT cards. I am a frequent shopper to some of these places and I am getting a little annoyed with having these illegal fees passed on to the customers. I have expressed my displeasure with this practice to some of the businesses but they have fallen on deaf ears. One business told me to just bring cash next time, and another told me I could eat somewhere else if I didn’t like it. I would like to let the community know tha... Full story
In the movie “Pay It Forward,” Haley Joel Osment creates an idea to make the world a better place. Help someone, just because they need it, and expect nothing in return. Just tell them to pay it forward. This movie is a family favorite of ours and a saying we have said to others. And we have been on the receiving end of this philosophy. Even recently at a local store when our debit card was not working and my wife was preparing to decide what items to put back when a stranger stepped up and pai... Full story
It’s often difficult to “connect the dots,” to show people how the global marketplace affects their daily lives. But plunging gasoline prices are giving Americans a first-hand lesson in the law of supply and demand. The law of supply and demand holds that when a commodity is in short supply, the price of that commodity goes up. When the supply of that commodity increases, producers compete for market share by lowering their prices. As a result, consumers benefit. That’s what’s happening with gas prices. The price of gasoline has been dropping... Full story
1 years ago With the third year of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant ending, the Grand Coulee Dam School District is seeking alliance with local cities to fund the fourth year and possibly extend the program for a second term. Administered by the federal Dept. of Justice, COPS has invested $10.6 billion in 50 states to put police officers in schools and other crime preventative measures. Joe Pakootas, chairman of the Colville Business Council, said he’s happy about the deal with the Douglas County Public Utility District, s... Full story
Since 9-11 I have watched the evolution of Bureau security in and around the Dam. For a long time, it appeared that the after a shaky start, the program would mature with age. I now think I was wrong. In the beginning, the powers that be did everything they could to have a security “presence.” That presence was to make sure us local terrorists didn’t fish in peace, walk on the Bureau’s hallowed ground in the early morning or evening or stop our cars and take pictures. Moreover, the Bureau gave the security staff guns and formed swat teams.... Full story
OK mates: It’s time to bid adios to the Airport Addition. During the past 34 years our three kids have graduated from college and are well on their way to seeking their fortunes, or so they tell us. Linda and I thought we were hove to as well as two bugs in a rug. We have made many life-long friends over the decades. Trying to name them individually is difficult but we remember many: Employees of the USBR, NPS, the clergy and parishioners of St. Henry’s, medical professionals and their sta... Full story
Voting for a property tax increase for Electric City (E.C.) police protection is one thing, but in effect giving the city government a blank check to determine the type of police services is another. E.C. recently sent a letter to the voters outlining five options for police services. The letter does not include how the specific option to be implemented would be determined. One of the options is to establish a new Electric City-only police department. The costs were approximated, but would likely be much higher to provide 24/7 police coverage... Full story
The Grand Coulee Dam Area Rotary Club has started planning for a few community projects. One project is to gather all the individual services club, church and other not-for-profit organizational signs that are individually placed along State Roads 155 and 174 and place them all on one of four large “welcome” boards at four new locations. Those locations will generally be on the north end of State Road 155 near Coulee Dam and the south end near Electric City. Also, on State Road 174 on the eas... Full story
These ridiculous moratoriums against legal marijuana businesses only stops jobs from coming to our community! I understand that the people that are opposed to these businesses have all the money they need to get by. ALL THE REST OF us have to go without jobs or travel to work. Phyllis M. Melberg... Full story
I have had the privilege the past few months to have had a couple of chats that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Sometimes in a world of fast paced mayhem and “gotta go” attitudes, a quick chat with someone you know or with a stranger can be a highlight to a day. So this week I want to share with you two of the chats. I mentioned in a column awhile back about going to the ghost town of Liberty, WA to take care of my wife’s family property. Well, we ventured back again a few weeks ago a... Full story
Some of our national news media and some politicians have sensationalized Ebola. Is that reasonable? We cannot know the future. Ebola may eventually become the Halloween trick of the century, but right now it is not. We are frightened by things we do not understand and by things we cannot measure. Politicians attempt to gain influence by promoting fear of “isms.” Once, it was communism. More recently, it is terrorism. An “ism” is completely unmeasurable. Ebola is a new disease, and we are fearful of this unknown thing that we do not yet und... Full story
1 years ago Marine Lance Corporal Rusty Marchand, a 1999 Lake Roosevelt High School graduate and former student of the Nespelem School, was home on leave this month, returning to his base at Twenty Nine Palms, Calif. where he will serve out the remaining 13 months of his tour-of-duty as a mechanic and truck driver. While at home, Marchand visited Nespelem Elementary School classes, talking about his experiences in Iraq. 20 years ago Joining the Immediate Care Clinic is its new manager, JoAnn Ehlers of Grand Coulee. She has worked in the... Full story
Gayle Swagerty spoke for quite a few people in the entire community this week when she asked why there is no recycling program organized by the four towns whose waste disposal is governed by the Regional Board of Mayors. The mayors’ response was that it’s not economically feasible to sustain such a program in an area of this population. That may be so, but the mayors should let the market prove it. Evidently, that’s not an option currently because the waste disposal contract gives the regional refuse hauler the right to run a recycling progr... Full story
All of the members of American Legion Post 157 in Electric City would like to thank everyone who helped to support our annual Summer Yard Sale event, this year. For all of those who donated items, all who came out to buy items, and all of the volunteers who helped us to organize, clean, and move all of the items, we thank each and everyone of you! Our Post was able to raise enough money, this year, to not only keep the doors open and lights on, but also to fund our Scholarship Award, and look at putting together some new community and veteran e... Full story
I remember when I was working in the Vancouver, WA area and living in Electric City next to Bill he asked me if I could stop by the Washougal fish hatchery in western WA. and pick up two holding nets for this project. Barely got in my little pickup but I got it done. Next time I came home, they were in the water in Banks Lake. Great achievement. Fred Hanks... Full story
I’m trying to figure out how Grand Coulee was able to pass an ordinance in just a few short weeks on accessory buildings when Electric City has not been able to do it for at least a year. I am one of the people that have been trying to get bigger accessory building for over a year now. I have been to most planning meetings, public meetings and filled out surveys. Also, most city council meetings when I know they are going to talk about the issue of accessory buildings. If anyone can shed some light on this matter, I would love to hear from y... Full story
If you have been around the high school the last few years you know why this lady is a “gem.” If you have not, well let me throw some names at you: Rose Butterfly, Rebecca Hunt, Tiffany Peone, Leland Wellons, Craig Nissen, Kacey Palmer Ankney, Kassandra Norton, Meghan Francis, Amelia McClung, Matthew Timentwa, Charlie Knight, Johnny McCraigie, Kendall Piccolo, Brandin Smith, Daniel Campobasso and Chyenne Kelly-Marconi. What do they all have in common? They are Lake Roosevelt graduates and Gates Millennium Scholarship winners. Seventeen win... Full story