Local News

Health officials have confirmed a case of measles in a Stevens County resident, according to the Northeast Tri County Health District.

Jan. 28 Traffic Report

A structure fire has been confirmed at 1025 E. Ivy in Colville; please avoid the surrounding area while emergency services respond.

“Every child is an artist.”
It is Donna Matter’s heartfelt belief that all children contain untapped creativity and that it is her purpose to provide them with an outlet.
The Kettle Falls Children’s Art Program, located at the Kettle Falls Library, was launched 10 years ago by Donna Matter and her husband, George Matter.

AAA officials stated that Washington state has the third-highest gasoline prices in the nation behind Hawaii, which is at $4.41, and California, which averages $4.27 per gallon.

Over the past two years, the Statesman-Examiner has followed local industries as they face the challenges of their trades. This week’s edition checks in with the local medical industry, reporting on medical care, support services, and recent changes in state and national mandates that may impact patients in northeast Washington. 

The Christmas Tree Labyrinth at the Chewelah Center for the Arts wrapped up its second season this past weekend, closing after several days of post-holiday operation that stretched into early 2026. Built from more than 200 reclaimed Christmas trees, the installation invited community members to slow down and experience a moment of calm after the holidays.

“I was approached by lifelong friend Dick Nichols, who asked me to put on a fireworks show for the 250th celebration of the signing of the [Declaration of] Independence. I am not sure why he asked me, maybe because he knew I would not turn him down,” Matlock said.

Orient School hosted their annual community stocking raffle fundraiser, raising $1,210.50 to benefit Orient School’s eighth-grade Sneak and Graduation Ceremony. The winner was resident Chuck Omit, whose name was pulled during Orient School’s winter program, held on Dec. 19 at the Kettle River Grange.

Northeast Tri County Health District announced they recently honored the legacy of longtime public health leader Mary Selecky, whose career spanned decades of service to northeast Washington and the state.

The 15th annual Santa Fly-In returned to Colville Municipal Airport on Dec. 20, drawing more than 100 community members to the airport for a holiday morning featuring Santa’s arrival by plane, hot cocoa, and gifts for children.

Twelve years ago, Lisa and Jerry Adams pulled onto a farm in Idaho to inspect a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro that had served as a primary family vehicle for decades. It was weathered and worn, but for the Adams family, the $8,000 price tag represented far more than a vintage chassis – it was the beginning of an 11-year education for their son.

A years-long mystery surrounding a fatal 2019 plane crash involving Colville resident Terry Coleman has taken a step toward resolution after a team of volunteers located the missing aircraft in Sullivan Lake last month.

A Stevens County drug investigation led to the arrest of a woman accused of exposing her young child to fentanyl earlier this year. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, detectives with the Spokane Valley Police Department and members of the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force took Briana Smutz into custody on Dec. 3, without incident.

In a ceremony aimed at celebrating “extraordinary service” and “selfless dedication,” Heroes Homestead, together with Lithia Auto Group and Camp Chevrolet, bestowed the Community Leadership Award upon Loon Lake resident Sharon Russell on Nov. 16. According to organizers, the award recognizes individuals whose actions...

The Colville High School Knowledge Bowl team is busy competing once again for another ambitious year. After achieving a third-place finish at the state championships last March, the coaches are adamant about pushing the team to their full potential this season.

The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) announced on Nov. 3 that automatic voter registrations (AVR) failed to process in Ferry and Stevens counties, beginning July 16. According to state officials, AVR applications are generated automatically when someone applying for state services presents proof of citizenship, but each one must still be reviewed by the county election administrator.

Chewelah’s most successful events, as the first-ever Quartzite Mini-Con packed the Mistequa Casino Hotel on Saturday with cosplay, gaming tables, local authors, families, and fans from across the region. Attendance swelled to an estimated 500 people over the course of the day, an overwhelming response...

“This community is very generous, very generous,” said Tiane Shoemaker, executive director of the Colville Volunteer Food & Resource Center. “They are seeing a need, and they don’t want their fellow community members going hungry,”. Six volunteers filled boxes for their outdoor market, assisted families, and organized stock as clients lined up outside, while Shoemaker led a tour of the facility.

Pehl grew up in Colville until the age of nine and attended Colville High School for a year before finishing his education in Spokane, according to the obituary provided to the Associated Press.

The convention, organized by Nancy and Steven Cross, is a first-of-its-kind event for Stevens County.
“It was Steven being insane honestly – no one else is crazy enough to try this,” Nancy joked. “It’s just the crazy Cross family working on it right now.”
The Quartzite Mini-Con isn’t about corporate booths or big-name celebrities. It’s about community.

The Hunters Community Fair officially crowned its 2026 Royal Court on Oct.11, celebrating tradition, leadership, and the future of its youth. The three young women crowned were: Queen Hailey Leaden, Princess Miki Hellie, and Princess Tommie Guatney.

When the temperatures plummet and some people need a place to get out of the weather, the Warming Center opens its doors. A refuge for those in need, the Warming Center has been operating in Colville for 15 years. The center, located in the American Legion Hall at 103 6th Ave. in Colville, is scheduled to open on Nov. 1.

Peacebuilding was chosen as the club’s 2024-2025 theme, “inspired by Rotary International’s focus areas; to support this, they learned peace literacy skills and decided to install a peace pole at their high school,” said Amy Cobos, an Interact liaison.