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Barman’s Building Begins New Chapter - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Barman’s Building Begins New Chapter August 20, 2025 By: Meredith Carroll Barman’s owners Scott Aslakson (left) and Andrew Ross in front of the store. Photo provided by Meredith Carroll. After sitting vacant since 2017, the Barman’s building is about to reopen as Barman’s Gift and Home. Barman’s was originally established in 1887 by David Barman as a department store 115 years ago. Scott Aslakson and Andrew Ross, owners of the Alpine Theater and Auto Vue Drive-In, purchased the building in 2021. “We plan on opening in early to mid-September,” said Aslakson. “We will be selling gifts and home merchandise. There will be seasonal items, women’s accessories such as bags, scarves, and bath and body. Home décor will include linens, candles, and dishes. We will also have a kids’ section. And gourmet foods plus homemade fudge like in the previous department store. In our displays, we’ll have truffles and chocolate bars. I made sure that the merchandise we’re carrying is not stuff that can be carried in other stores in town. That wouldn’t be fair to other businesses.” He added, “We plan on keeping the big piano, and we’ll have someone come in on Fridays and weekends to play live music.” “We have good things planned for the fall and the holidays,” said Ross. “The Christmas parade used to be the Barman’s Parade. We don’t have a lot of details on that. It was decades ago. But we’re going to start that tradition up again.” Ross continued, “The Barman’s Holiday Parade will take place in partnership with Colville Together. The parade will end with Santa Claus coming on a firetruck from the North Pole. He will walk to the Colville Christmas Tree, light it, and then Santa will come inside Barman’s and pose for Christmas pictures with our old, antique sleigh.” “We’re also hoping for an announcer and small stage for the parade,” said Aslakson. “We will have a huge Christmas selection, including a gift wrapping counter. Our display window will have the Christmas sleigh, the nutcrackers, trees, and 72-inch wreaths.” “The City of Colville is on board with the Christmas event, but it hasn’t been approved as yet,” said Ross. “We’re still working on the finer details for crowd control and the contest.” Ross, a Colville native, serves on the airport board and the parking commission for the City of Colville. He met Aslakson in Redmond, and they have been together for more than nine years. Aslakson, who hails from Puyallup, works as a retail merchandiser and as a real estate broker, while Ross maintains his Seattle-based tech company. Together, they run the movie theater, the drive-in, and now, Barman’s. “We don’t have a lot of free time,” said Aslakson. “I would like to enjoy some stuff. Once the business is established, then we’ll have some free time.” But, when taking into account their five-year plan, free time appears to be a long term goal. “In the next month or so, we’ll finish up with renovations and architectural updates and open Barman’s,” said Aslakson. “In the next five years, we’ll be doing some major renovations so that we can transform Barman’s into a higher end boutique hotel. The goal is to bring more people into Colville. We’ll add a restaurant and we may make Barman’s Gift and Home into more like a hotel gift shop.” “We’ll add a rooftop restaurant and lounge area,” added Ross. More immediate plans include leasing out space inside of Barman’s to one of the local businesses. “On September 15, Milk House will be moving into the leased space,” said Ross. “The space will be completely separate from Barman’s.” Barman’s Gift and Home will be open Monday through Saturday from 1-6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is located at 230 S. Main Street in Colville. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Colville Notches Several Podium Finishes in East Valley - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Colville Notches Several Podium Finishes in East Valley December 31, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The Colville wrestling team picked up multiple podium finishes at the East Valley Winter Clash on Dec. 22 at East Valley High School, with Crimson Hawks wrestlers competing across five weight classes against a deep regional field. Colville placed two wrestlers at 113 pounds. Andy Ussery delivered the team’s top finish at the weight, placing third after a strong tournament run. Ussery opened with an 8-0 major decision over Kettle Falls’ Mason Snider, then advanced via medical forfeit before pinning Newport’s Alex Garris in one minute. He was edged 8-6 by eventual champion Josh Bair of Kettle Falls, and dropped a tight tiebreaker match to Hanford’s Slade Clayton to settle into third place. Teammate Asher Culler also competed at 113 pounds and placed sixth, gaining experience in a demanding bracket. Vincent Canada turned in one of Colville’s strongest performances at 138 pounds, battling through the consolation bracket to place third. Canada opened the tournament with a major decision win over Newport’s Johnny Hamilton, rebounded from an early loss, and then strung together four straight victories. His run included a technical fall over Cheney’s Hawika Lourdea and three pins, capped by a 41-second fall over East Valley’s Gianni Salina in the third-place match. At 157 pounds, Trent Seitters matched that third-place finish with an all-pin tournament. Seitters recorded falls over Republic-Curlew’s Mason Simons and Cheney’s Avree Goodner before a forfeit loss in the semifinals. He responded with two more pins in the consolation rounds, including a fall over Northwest Christian’s Noah Stegman in the third-place match. Colville also earned points at 175 pounds, where Caesar Stuart placed seventh. Stuart opened with a close 15-12 loss to Colfax’s Austin Campbell and later finished the tournament with a forfeit win in the seventh-place match. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Lady Bulldogs Battle Defensively, Fall in Pair of League Tests - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Lady Bulldogs Battle Defensively, Fall in Pair of League Tests December 17, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Kettle Falls' Rose Kelly handles the ball near the key. Photo by Reeva Mertens-Martin. Defense kept Kettle Falls within reach, but scoring droughts proved costly as the girls basketball team dropped two Northeast 2B North contests last week. Kettle Falls fell 34-25 to Newport on Saturday, Dec. 13, in a low-scoring road matchup after opening league play with a 62-18 loss to unbeaten Northwest Christian on Friday, Dec. 12. The Bulldogs also suffered a 45-36 nonleague loss at Tonasket earlier in the week, leaving them at 2-4 overall and still searching for their first league win. Against Newport, the Bulldogs struggled to find consistent offense but stayed competitive behind a strong defensive effort and rebounding presence from Wyn Edwards, who finished with 11 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Eighth-grader Brooklyn Wilkin added nine points, knocking down two three-pointers to account for much of Kettle Falls’ perimeter scoring. The Bulldogs trailed 22-14 at halftime and remained within striking distance entering the fourth quarter before being held to just two points in the final frame. Kettle Falls shot 7-for-48 from the field and committed 16 turnovers, but limited Newport to just 34 points, holding the Grizzlies to two points in the fourth quarter as well. The Bulldogs’ contest against defending state champion Northwest Christian t saw their opponents jump to a 24-2 first-quarter lead. Edwards led all Bulldogs with 15 points, including two three-pointers. Earlier in the week, Kettle Falls traveled to play at Tonasket, where the Tigers pulled out a 45-36 win. The Bulldogs remained within reach throughout the game, but were unable to generate enough offense down the stretch. The Lady Bulldogs traveled to Davenport on Tuesday, Dec. 16; game results were not available at press time. The team is scheduled to host Reardan on Friday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m., followed by a trip to Omak Saturday, Dec. 20, for a game at 2:30 p.m. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Regina "Jeanne" Rene Smith | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Regina "Jeanne" Rene Smith 72 Oct 31, 1952 - Oct 8, 2025 Regina “Jeanne” Rene Smith, age 72, passed away on Oct. 8, 2025 at her Colville area home. Jeanne was born on October 31, 1952 in Brewster, Wash., the daughter of Roy Lee and Ruby Mae (Taylor) McMillan. Jeanne was raised in the orchards from Brewster and Yakima to Naches and Cowiche, Wash. She said she could do anything because she grew up on a tractor and was a farm-girl through and through. Jeanne graduated in 1970, from Naches High School. She met Paul Morton and they began dating. On April 7, 1973, they exchanged vows and, upon his enlistment into the military, Jeanne continued to reside in their home until his enlistment ended. They then resided in Montana on a mile square ranch, for a short time before returning to Washington state. Jeanne worked in the home while they lived in Curlew and later Colville, Wash. She loved her role as a stay-at-home-mom raising her sons; Ryan, Matthew and Steven. Jeanne had an eye for finer details and a passion for weddings which inspired her to open the “Bridal Corner” a store that offered wedding dresses, alterations, wedding cakes and her incredible planning abilities. Upon selling their property where their home and business were located, they closed the store and moved to where the family home is still located near Colville. Jeanne was hands-on throughout the construction of their home. She then worked for a time at Ranch and Home in sales and retail. With her attention to detail, she was a natural for accounting. Jeanne began as an accountant for Ron Bacon and later for Fogle Pump and Supply. She worked several years for the Fogle family and retired not just once but twice. Jeanne remarried in 1999 to Gary Smith and together they remained on their home and property. In July of 2014, Jeanne went back to her roots as “mom.” She welcomed three more children in their home with the adoption of Tristyn, Carson and Peyton. She loved her role as a mother and grandmother from which she never wanted to retire. Her health began a gradual decline with the progression of her encephalitis but her heart grew more in love every day. Jeanne grew an amazing garden and found solace in caring for her plants which she nurtured from seed to harvest. She was always engaging her family in outdoor and indoor activities and often took them to Spokane for roller skating, carousel rides and shopping get-aways. She had hummingbird feeders filled around the home and enjoyed the colorful guests that visited them. The seasons of blooming lilacs, sunny days, blackberry picking and boating were some of her favorites. Jeanne is remembered for her selflessness, trustworthiness, and devotion to the bible, prayer and her faith. Jeanne was actively involved in the Woodland Theatre as a performing artist and seamstress. Her beautiful voice filled not only the stage, but her home, with her the melodies that carried in her heart. Theatre masks were kept and treasured as memorabilia from the many plays she enjoyed. Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband; Gary Smith at the home; six children, Ryan Morton (Kritstal) of Queen Creek, Ariz., Matthew Morton of California, Steven Morton, Tristyn Morton, Carson Morton and Peyton Morton all of Colville, Wash.; step-children, Martie Rohr (Chris) of Marysville, Wash., and Jody Smith (Christy) of Memphis, Texas; grandchildren, Jessalyn Morton, Hailey Montalvo, Kaden Montalvo and Westyn Madrano; three siblings, Jim McMillan (Rose) of Twisp, Wash., Gale Johnson of Ellensburg, Wash., and Phillip McMillan of Bakersfield, Calif.; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family. The funeral service for Regina “Jeanne” Rene Smith will begin at 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at the Momentum Church in Colville, Wash. The graveside service and vault interment will follow at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville. Memorial contributions may be given to the Momentum Church or Turning Point USA. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements. Previous Item Next Item

Larry Clifford Gleave | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Larry Clifford Gleave 81 Nov 22, 1943 - Sep 11, 2025 Larry Clifford Gleave, age 81, a longtime resident of Arden and Colville, Wash., passed away on Sept. 11, at his home. Larry was born on November 22, 1943 in Colville, Wash., the son of Walter and Hazel (Titus) Gleave. He was raised in Arden where he attended grade school in a one-room school house. Larry then finished his education at the Colville High School and graduated with the class of 1961. Following high school, Larry then moved to Everett, Wash., and worked at Boeing for a year-and-a-half before returning to the Colville area. He then logged with horses alongside his brother Floyd. On March 14, 1964, Larry exchanged vows with the love of his life, Rosemary Ivana Sundheim. This began a loving marriage of 55 years where Larry doted over his Rosemary every day. He worked locally for the Vanstone Mine, and then returned to logging with Fred Lotze and for himself. The job he enjoyed most was working the cattle ranch on the homestead where he lived for 60 years. Larry retired in 2010 after running heavy equipment with his son, Gleave Excavation. Larry and his grandson, Travis had a breeding program for performance horses (roping horses). He filled his day with horse projects, tinkering and purpose throughout his retirement. Larry was cut from a cloth where long days and hard work was the only expectable course in a day, every day. He found enjoyment while riding his horse and had a passion for team roping. It was rare when Larry took a vacation, but Rosemary enjoyed bringing him to his brother's beach house on Rockwood Beach. He was always willing to “show ya” how to do something and share his great sense of humor. He traveled with his kids as they would rodeo in the summers and was always supportive with words and works of encouragement. His family will forever offer their reflections of Larry as a loving, caring and attentive husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Larry was a founding member of the Old Timers Rodeo and a longtime member of the Colville Valley Roping Club. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary, and siblings, LeRoy Titus, Richard Gleave, Floyd Gleave, Robert Gleave, Don Gleave and Sharon Sundheim. Larry is survived by his children, Mary Furtner of Colville, Wash., Roxane Edison (James) of Medical Lake, Wash., Larry Gleave (Erin) of Cheney, Wash.; grandchildren Cassie Haddock (Steven), Travis Eller (Taylor), Chance Gleave (Kaitlyn Meek), Tylor Edison, Cheyanne Gleave, Jake Edison; great-grandchildren Kade, Brynlee, Jon, Greyson, and Rosie; siblings Dale Gleave of Colville, Wash., Bonnie Warner of Nebraska, Eugene Gleave (Pam) of Colville, Wash., and Linda Gallo of Colville, Wash.; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family and friends. A memorial service for Mr. Larry C. Gleave will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, at the Arden Community Hall in Arden, Wash. Memorial contributions may be given to the Arden Old Timers Rodeo. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements. Previous Item Next Item

Feed & Frippery Updated Store in Kettle Falls - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Feed & Frippery Updated Store in Kettle Falls July 9, 2025 By: Meredith Carroll Feed and Frippery outside view. Photo provided by Meredith Carroll. The Feed & Frippery in Kettle Falls is much more than meets the eye; it’s a one stop shop for hay, bait, small batch sourdough, locally sourced coffee, cleaning supplies, handmade jewelry, and much more. “This store used to be Weeks Outfitters, owned by my husband Jeremy, but I have reopened at Feed & Frippery,” said store owner Sarah Weeks. “Jeremy operated this as a feed supply and outfitter, but he couldn’t be here to run it. So, I took over, changed the name, and put my own style into it.” Upon reopening it, Weeks decided to add her own twist to the business. “I’ve brought in a little more feminine energy, and more homey energy. I changed the sign and added some wall décor.” Weeks said that she will continue to supply straw, alfalfa, and grain as well as sell bait and necessities for local campers in need of a general store. She’ll continue to be well stocked in dog treats, animal feed, and limited cleaning supplies. “But the ‘frippery’ part is what’s new,” she said. “‘Frippery’ applies to things we enjoy but don’t necessarily need. They’re things that bring us joy.” Weeks said she has worked to curate small batch laundry soap, local cheeses, baked goods, and all kinds of artwork and décor. “I want to add in a candy counter. I’m also hoping to sell some clothes, but that’s a whole different beast,” Weeks said, adding that she also offers engraving, custom t-shirts, metal, wood, and leather craft. “A lot of what I sell comes from consignment vendors,” said Weeks. “I currently have 26 vendors. I also have an independently owned salon in here.” The salon is called The Beauty Garage, and is owned and operated by Angelina Sink. “She is the only gal around who does permanent makeup and jewelry,” Weeks said. Sink also does nails and is currently in school to do hair. Feed & Frippery officially opened at the end of June. “It has been a smooth transition. Since my business is located at an old service station, I really want to play off the old service station vibe. We are a work in progress,” said Weeks. “I also have a store mascot. Roddy is my chihuahua. He lives with me and comes to work with me,” Weeks said. “What I offer at Feed & Frippery is supposed to make you a little happy,” she said. “We all need at least five minutes of something to make us happy.” Weeks’ hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Feed & Frippery is located in Kettle Falls at 1161 Highway 25, at the corner of Old Kettle Highway and Highway 25, and can be contacted at 509-936-4556. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Out of the Past: 07/09/2025 - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Out of the Past: 07/09/2025 July 9, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum George Seal hauling ore over the mountains in the late 1800's between the Columbia river and the Addy train station. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— The Colville-Spokane stage line has received the third new Pierce Arrow stage of the parlor car type, which makes all new equipment for the line from Colville to Spokane. Occasionally, there are young men and women raised and schooled in the Colville valley who rise to distinguished places among the citizens of the United States. This week we can chronicle such an item of two Colville boys who have reached another steppingstone to higher fame. The young men are William McMillan and Siegfried Strauss, both recently graduating from medical colleges as MDs. 75 Years Ago— A flying saucer traveling at a terrific rate of speed was reported seen over Christina Lake Wednesday morning. Construction of new law offices for John T. Raftis and realty offices for the Squire-Beardslee Realty Company was begun in the Forman building this week. If pigs sneeze frequently and their snouts are pushed in or twisted, swine raisers may have a serious disease problem in their herds. Addy Grange will hold a “free” dance Saturday night in celebration of full payment for their Grange Hall which was built two years ago. 50 Years Ago— With the notice from the Small Business Administration that the Jessie Webb Vocational Center’s loan application for $100,000 has been approved, the Center will proceed with the purchase of Colville Floral and Nursery from Charles and Rhoda Simpson. Karen Smith, the former Karen Wickstrom of Colville, has been named tourist promotion director for Alaska Airlines. She will be stationed at Sea-Tac Airport. Smith is a 1962 Colville High School graduate. 27 Years Ago— The Parking Commission made both its grievances and wishes known to the Colville City Council at the June 27 council meeting. Dan Blackman, chairman of the commission, said the goals largely happened. But the shortage of parking has since become a major issue in Colville, and the commission lacks both the authority and the funds to negotiate or buy new lots or spaces. Construction of the modern “giant” consumed months and months. People passing through and entering Colville’s northern city limits were continually greeted by the rather large and impressive structure being built just off Highway 395. The state-of-the-art facility, completed in April, is the new home to Aladdin Hearth Products. 10 Years Ago— On Monday evening, June 29, Stevens County experienced a wind event that caused extreme damage to properties along Highway 20 East, in the Crystal Falls area. With thousands of trees uprooted or snapped off, both state and county roads were blocked and power lines were knocked down. The windstorm affected more than 770 residents. RICE—Dan and Sally Lester of Rice, Wash., were surprised to be awarded Volunteers of the Year by the Washington State Grange organization. Nominees are not Grange members, so the competition is tough and not limited in numbers. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Local Ranchers Voice Complaints Against State Agencies and Policies - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Local Ranchers Voice Complaints Against State Agencies and Policies December 3, 2025 By: Tamara Lee Titus The Stevens County Cattlemen’s Association (SCCA) issued a press release on Nov. 21, urging farmers, ranchers and landowners in eastern Washington to report “aggressive” state agencies through an online portal (usda.gov/lawfare) created by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “We are seeing our state regulatory agencies get increasingly hostile with landowners and cattlemen,” said Scott Neilson, president of the SCCA. “Whether this is with Department of Ecology (DOE) when it comes to access to water, or with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) refusal to confirm wolf depredations or remove problem wolves, these agencies are operating in a way that hurts local residents and economies,” Nielsen stated. USDA officials said their mission is to keep America's farmers and ranchers in business and ensure the nation's meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. They distribute federal funds along these lines and, according to Nielsen, “The money is supposed to go to helping agriculture, yet our state agencies are using it to cripple ranchers.” Per the SCCA press release, “The Department of Ecology is projected for the 2025-2027 fiscal year to receive over $469 million in federal funds representing over 20% of their combined operating and capital budgets. The WDFW is expected to receive over $172 million to their operating budget representing 21.8% of total operating budget funds.” This money is supposed to also help cover costs incurred by ranchers in loss of cattle due to predator attacks, according to Nielsen, who said, “The state is given money to give ranchers as compensation, yet they cap it at $30-$40,000 a year; the feds are saying ‘why are we giving them all this money to have them cap it out to producers?’” The SCCA press release included an announcement from Brooke Rollins, USDA Secretary of Agriculture, made in April of their move to "launch a new web portal to help ranchers, farmers and landowners report cases of lawfare from government agencies.” Rollins defined “lawfare” as legal action undertaken as part of a hostile campaign against a group.” Nielsen said, “These agencies are significantly funded using federal dollars, and we anticipate that with enough public comment, these USDA funds will either influence state management to work in a productive manner with Agriculture, or United States Department of Agriculture funds should be withdrawn from the state of Washington.” Some complaints that ranchers have voiced to Nielsen include the concern that the state agencies are not user friendly. He said, “Multiple producers have claims that are more than the department will pay out and the department protocol is to give you a form and tell you to call a number that is inactive." He explained, “You have to do the form properly and if it’s not, they send it back repeatedly and then send you an offer for only a fraction of what you asked for.” Nielsen said that claims often lead to litigation, costing the rancher time and lawyer fees, which interferes with production. He also shared that the ranchers feel they have to fight all the way through the process, which seems counterproductive. The process Nielsen referred to is to prove wolf predation on rancher’s livestock. He said, “The wolves are a major concern for producers in the area. There have been hundreds of losses in one year in Stevens county, but only a few confirmed depredations. The WDFW will say there has only been four to six, and the criteria to get a confirmed depredation is that you must have hemorrhaging.” According to Nielsen, for an animal that has been killed and not found for a few days, this is very difficult to prove because, by then, the body is scavenged. “You must prove the animal was alive when the wolf bit it; it’s a high bar. The department will push back saying the animal died there and wolves just scavenged [after the fact],” he added. Nielsen continued, “Depredation means an attack on a cow by a wolf; it doesn’t necessarily mean the cow was killed. Frankly, they are likely still alive when a wolf bites a cow…you can see the bite marks usually on the rear flanks, where wolves generally attack. It is a little bit unusual to find a dead one.” He called the process “unfair because bitten up ones we can find, but to get to removal you have to have a dead one, and you have to reach their number of three attacks in 30 days, or four [attacks] in 10 months for them to start to consider it.” Nielsen persisted, “It’s really damaged relations with local staff and ranchers. They treat us fair, they come out and do an investigation, but then it gets evaluated by a team of people who have never been to the scene and seen it. The original point of all of this is that I don’t think that that is what the Department of Agriculture intended when they gave money to Department of Fish and Wildlife.” When contacted about this recent SCCA press release, the WDFW eastern region director Mike Kuttel Jr. stated, “WDFW is committed to a self-sustaining population of gray wolves in Washington, along with livestock protection, through strategies including proactive and reactive non-lethal measures, incident response, and stakeholder engagement. Our conflict specialists work closely, and regularly, with ranchers and farmers to find solutions to conflicts with wildlife. Part of their job is to stay in close contact with producers in their area.” Regarding the SCCA’s claim that the WDFW has refused to confirm wolf depredations or remove problem wolves, Kuttel Jr. said, “WDFW received only one official request from Stevens County producers in 2025 to investigate suspected wolf depredations on livestock. If the department isn’t notified of producers’ concerns, we have no opportunity to investigate depredations. Investigations are a requirement for those seeking compensation for losses from probable or confirmed wolf depredations or for WDFW to manage wolf-livestock conflicts in a way that minimizes livestock losses by the producers.” He continued that, “In past years, WDFW has investigated livestock depredations and lethally removed wolves in Stevens [County] and neighboring counties under the guidelines provided in the Wolf-Livestock Interaction Protocol.” Kuttel Jr. asserted that the “WDFW values input provided by Stevens County farmers and ranchers and have provided opportunities for engagement and feedback regarding management through public meetings, accessibility to staff on a daily basis and through the Wolf Advisory Group (WAG), which advises WDFW’s director, Kelly Susewind, on management of wolves in Washington. It has five members that represent the ranching/agricultural community and includes a member from the Stevens County Cattlemen’s Association.” According to WAG’s website, this group is tasked with recommending strategies for reducing conflicts with wolves outlined in the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. Specific issues include: encouraging livestock producers to take proactive, preventative measures to decrease the risk of loss; providing compensation for economic loss due to wolf predation; monitoring recovery of the wolf population and its effect on prey species; and providing information to the public on wolf recovery in Washington. Per WDFW website, gray wolves are listed as endangered under state law throughout Washington, and, “Under state law, illegally killing a wolf… is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.” Kuttel Jr. said, “WDFW is committed to working with the producers of Stevens County. We understand the hardship that conflict with wildlife can present and we work to find ways to mitigate it. We have staffers that not only work but live in Stevens County. The area’s farmers and ranchers are their neighbors, and staff know their concerns first-hand.” Nielsen remarked, “The more problems people have with wolves, the less they work with the department, because it’s become such a dysfunctional model. They [the ranchers] will try and do what the department asks… yet they [WDFW] keep adding on, most of what they are asking are things that serve as a stall tactic.” He said there are multiple investigations on the Sherman pack which started depredating early in the spring, stating, “They [WDFW] removed one wolf all season from that pack and I believe that pack has killed or maimed hundreds of cattle.” Nielsen commented, ”Much of that process could be working the way it’s supposed to. I am closer to it, because I am involved and can see where the breakdowns are happening. The policy side is where the problems are coming from.” Nielsen said policies coming out of the DOE have resulted in letters sent to local residents regarding water rights for cattle and the potential to pollute. This is another form of “harassment," that could be reported through the lawfare web portal, according to the SCCA press release. In a USDA’s press release, the portal is described as a way to address “senseless politically motivated prosecution” being driven by federal funds. Nielsen said, “There are ongoing battles regarding cows’ access to water, and anything short of a tank, but that’s not consistent with the law. The DOE has a terrible overreach; they don’t want cows having access to live water.” He continued, “They argue they have authority over ranchers and if a cow has access to water, it causes pollution. Yet the Natural Resources Conservation Services has said that most of that pollution is coming from home septic systems, soaps or stream temperature. I don’t believe our farms are causing the water pollution; they aren’t proving it’s impaired from livestock. They are overstepping the conservation district.” Brook Beeler, DOE eastern region director, stated, “Just three weeks ago, Ecology director Casey Sixkiller and I sat down with Stevens County ranchers, landowners, and elected officials in Chewelah to hear their concerns and talk about how we can work together to protect water quality. We are committed to building positive, collaborative relationships with landowners. These partnerships are important because they help us identify lasting solutions that support both working lands and clean water. We encourage members of the agricultural community to contact us directly with any questions or concerns about our work.” Beeler continued, “In the Colville Valley, and throughout the state, our approach is to work with landowners to offer both technical and financial assistance to support cleaner water. We also connect landowners with trusted partners, such as the local conservation district, which provides additional programs and resources. Much of the funding our agency receives gets passed on to communities in the form of grants and loans to support clean water work. This includes programs to repair and replace leaking septic systems and grants to local organizations that work with landowners.” Nielsen said, “This portal is for far more than just northeast Washington; it’s nationwide, but they are getting an amazing number of hits about agency overreach in the state of Washington. We can’t make the WDFW do anything, but they can stop funding them if they don’t do anything about this. We want to get some eyebrows raised about the DOE letters, or not being treated right in the wolf issue. The sheer volume of complaints from Washington will bring attention.” Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Inchelium Downs Springdale Twice - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Inchelium Downs Springdale Twice January 7, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen The Inchelium boys basketball team continued to build momentum last week, earning back-to-back wins over Springdale to improve to 6-3 overall. Inchelium most recently picked up a 49-41 nonleague victory over the Springdale Chargers on Friday, Jan. 2, at Wellpinit High School. The Hornets pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Springdale 19-10 to seal the win. Derek Perez led all scorers with 23 points, including a key 3-pointer, as Inchelium broke open a game that was tied 30-30 heading into the final period. Cameron Abrahamson added 11 points for the Hornets, while Gage Stensgar chipped in seven. Inchelium went 9-for-17 from the free-throw line and used its defensive pressure to close out the contest. Inchelium edged Springdale 54-52 on Dec. 30, in a tightly contested game at home. Perez again paced the Hornets, scoring a game-high 27 points while converting 7-of-10 free throws. Abrahamson added 14 points as Inchelium built a slim halftime advantage and held on down the stretch. Springdale made a push in the third quarter, scoring 20 points to briefly take the lead, but Inchelium responded in the fourth quarter behind steady offense and solid defense. Neil Benniger led the Chargers with 16 points, while Jonah Howder added 14 points. The Hornets faced Selkirk on Tuesday, Jan. 6; results were not available at press time. The team is scheduled to play Columbia on Friday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Kettle Falls Boys Basketball Drops Pair of League Games - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Kettle Falls Boys Basketball Drops Pair of League Games January 28, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Jaxon Fandrey scored nine points in Kettle Falls' loss to Reardan on Jan. 20. File photo. The Kettle Falls boys basketball team dropped a pair of NE 2B league games last week, falling to Reardan and Davenport. Kettle Falls opened the week on the road Jan. 20, with a 70-26 loss to league power Reardan. The Screaming Eagles jumped out to a 21-10 lead after one quarter and never let up, outscoring the Bulldogs 43-15 over the middle two quarters. Reardan (15-2 overall, 9-1 league) was paced by Fred Frolov, who scored a game-high 23 points, while Justin Vaughn added 14 points and knocked down four 3-pointers. Kettle Falls was led by Jaxon Fandrey with nine points, followed by Mace Thivierge with eight points. The Bulldogs struggled offensively throughout the night, shooting just 10 field goals as a team. Kettle Falls returned home Friday, Jan. 23, but couldn’t slow down visiting Davenport in a 66-51 league loss. The Bulldogs were locked in an 11-11 tie after the first quarter and trailed just 20-22 at halftime before Davenport used a strong second half to pull away. The Gorillas (9-7, 5-4) erupted for 46 points after the break, including a 25-point fourth quarter, behind Bennett Wagner’s 23-point performance. Wagner connected on four 3-pointers and also fouled out late in the game. Caige Colbert added 20 points for Davenport. Thivierge led Kettle Falls with 21 points, hitting three 3-pointers and going 4-for-5 from the free-throw line. Zac Burch and Fandrey each chipped in eight points. Following the losses, Kettle Falls sits at 8-10 overall and 4-6 in NE2B play. Results from the Bulldogs’ road game at St. George’s on Tuesday, Jan. 27, were unavailable at press time. Kettle Falls is scheduled to host Chewelah on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Ode to an Older Time: Marvin Rose - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Ode to an Older Time: Marvin Rose October 8, 2025 By: Nancy Weigel Marvin Rose is celebrating 100 years since his birth in Rice, Wash., in 1925. He was the second oldest out of eight kids. Rose said he and his siblings used to ride horses to school in the morning and sleds in winter. Rose said his family moved from Rice when he was young, going to Pleasant Valley for school until moving to Colville in the seventh grade. He said he started working for a dairy farm at age 14, and worked from then until he was drafted. His favorite subject in school was math, where his home room teacher got him into it, and he used to eat lunch with her every day. Rose said his youngest brother got measles and was in and out of the hospital one summer; once winter hit, his brother got pneumonia and passed away. Just 28 days later, his baby sister went to sleep for her afternoon nap and never woke up, passing away from what was later called SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Rose said he attended Colville High School, but before he could graduate, he was drafted into the Navy in World War ll, serving for two years. He met his wife, Sally Rose, in New York, on a blind date, and said they were married for 67 years. When he came back to Stevens County, he worked as a meat cutter for a meat locker in Kettle Falls from the years 1946-1971. He had three kids, Roberta Willey, Barbara Collier, and Bob Rose. He said one of his favorite memories is taking his family to Kamloops Island in Kettle Falls, to camp all the time in the summer. Rose said he has also worked as a truck driver for a feed store in Kettle Falls, a school bus driver, and as the head of maintenance for Kettle Falls School District. He said he bought 8.8 acres in 1969, and started living there. He retired in 1987 and focused on taking care of his fields. He said he had a team of four horses that plowed his field. Rose noted that he used to dress up as Santa Claus during Christmas and visit people's houses in his horse and carriage. He would pick up gifts left by parents and bring them to the door. Rose said his favorite memory as Santa Claus occurred when he gave one boy presents, and the boy asked him, “Why do you have Mr. Rose’s horses?” Rose said he laughed, and told the boy his sleigh “broke down” and he had to borrow the horses. When asked if he had any regrets, he said he's “happy with what's been. It's unbelievable that I’ll be 100 soon.” Rose’s daughter, Barbara, said “he's a very loving and supportive father; I always felt cherished.” When asked for a piece of advice for the younger generation, Rose said, “Find a job that you like, and you'll never work a day in your life.” He said he enjoys reading his daily devotions, reminiscing, and just spending time with people important to him. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Levi Elsworth Brown | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Levi Elsworth Brown 83 Jul 27, 1942 - Nov 8, 2025 Levi Elsworth Brown was born in Gallion, Ohio, July 27, 1942. He entered rest Nov. 8, 2025, in Colville, Wash. He was born to Clessan and Fern (Lockwood) Brown in Gallion, Ohio. Clessan passed away and Fern packed up the family along with her brother-in-law, and his family. They all moved to Sarns Valley, Ore. They lived there for eight years. Their mom remarried and they all moved to Kewa, Wash. Levi graduated from Inchelium High School. Mom became a widow again with a six-month-old baby and the family moved to Colville, Wash. Levi had his heart set on joining the Army. He was stationed in Germany, he worked on the big cats; he loved it. After four years, he returned home and went to work at Boise Cascade. He married Ellen Sailor, most Friday nights they would get together with two other couples and play Pinochle. He really enjoyed himself with his wife. They went fishing, gathered firewood, and bowled. They also traveled all over the country having fun. They had no children, but had a hand in raising nieces and nephews, they all held a special place in Levi and Ellen’s heart. After retiring he enjoyed going to the Casino in Chewelah, having his prime rib dinner, playing a few games, then heading home. He was preceded in death by wife Ellen (Sailor) Brown, father Clessan Brown, mother Fern Waller, brother Clarence Brown, sister Margret Brown Laird, sister Marie Harris Harriman and her husband, Scott Harriman. Levi is survived by brother David Brown of Boyds, sister Elly Huguenin of Colville. Service will be held at the Free Methodist Church on Hawthorn, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m. Previous Item Next Item