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Stevens County Commissioners Heated Over Veteran Relief Policy - 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 Stevens County Commissioners Heated Over Veteran Relief Policy November 12, 2025 By: Cami Krema The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met on Nov. 7. The Stevens County commissioners met on Nov. 7, to discuss the county’s new Veterans Relief Fund (VRF) policy. During the meeting, the commissioners found themselves unable to reach an agreement on approving the new policy and whether it would benefit local veterans. According to the state legislature, a veterans relief fund policy is a set of guidelines for providing short-term financial assistance to eligible veterans and their families who are experiencing a financial crisis. These policies outline eligibility requirements, the types of expenses that can be covered (such as rent, utilities, and medical or vehicle costs), and the limitations on the amount of aid available. The primary purpose is to offer temporary support to help a veteran regain financial stability, not to provide long-term or automatic entitlements. The commissioners had previously met on Oct. 29, and Nov. 6, to review the new policy draft. Stevens County auditor Lori Larsen has also had a role in drafting the new policy. During the meeting she stated that she removed references to Stevens County Veteran Service Office, made changes to the policy’s formatting, and eliminated sections that called for coordination between Veteran Service Office and other agencies. The commissioners also emphasized the need for consistency, specifically in terms of how veterans receive funding, indicating that some veterans in the past have been treated as more important than others. Elizabeth Snell with the Veteran Advisory Board gave a statement to the commissioners regarding how veterans will be impacted by changes to the VRF. Snell said she believes that the policy should offer an alternative decider because the auditor’s office may have a conflict of interest when deciding funding. Snell then stated concerns over the length of time it could take for veterans to provide proof of income, saying it could take up to six months. She also shared concerns over privacy, stating that confidential health information could become easily accessible through the VRF application. Veteran Donna Meyer, who is also involved with American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, spoke to the commissioners and recommended that a clause be added around how big the VRF balance could get and when excess money would be returned to taxpayers. Meyer said she felt dismissed after bringing up her concerns; attendee Nancy Cross said commissioner Young indicated that Meyer’s concerns “didn’t need to be addressed.” Meyer said, “The RCW (Revised Code of Washington) states that some of that money needs to be returned to the taxpayers and the RCW unfortunately doesn't direct how to return it or at what percentage of the VRF.” She added, “[The commissioners] didn't want our input at this point and Lori (Larsen) never really wanted our input.” Steven Cross, a veteran and member of the Veteran Advisory Board, said, “The fact that [the county commissioners] didn't trust members of the Veterans Advisory Board to help veterans with this policy and funds, that kind of rubbed me wrong.” Meyer, Steven Cross and Nancy Cross all stated that they were given less than 15 minutes before the meeting to review the new VRF policy, and that the commissioners did not review the document in its entirety before voting on its approval. After public comments were given, commissioner Greg Young motioned to approve the VRF policy with the changes proposed by Larson. Commissioner Mark Burrows opposed the motion, stating that he thought they would review the VRF “line by line with the Veteran Advisory Board.” He said that the policy felt rushed and advised that the commissioners take their time to approve the new policy, especially considering that “the current system still works.” Burrows said, “A veteran that needs wood pellets, firewood, heating oil, or food can still apply for it and get it.” He added that he was “opposed to adopting this policy without fully vetting out every line of it and having input from people who actually do the work.” Commissioner Monty Stobart entered the conversation and said he felt the new policy is “a step in the right direction” because the current policy has loopholes that could put the county at liability according to their attorney. He said the new policy protects the commissioners from a potential lawsuit. Burrows said the new policy is “not as clean as it’s being suggested,” and indicated that a previous action Stobart took “created a fulcrum” for the commissioners to have to pivot on. He then quoted the auditor as saying that there have been zero refusals to pay claims under $750 under the last several years and implied that Stobart wants to rush through approving the new policy because of a “questionable circumstance he (Stobart) highlighted with an anonymous veteran.” Burrows then referenced a letter Stobart had written that had “thrown the Veteran Advisory Board chairman under the bus and insinuated that he was participating in fraud or gifting,” expressing discontentment that the letter was written as though Stobart were speaking for all of the commissioners. Burrows claimed that Stobart “threw the program under the bus.” Shortly after, the discussion ended and the commissioners approved the new policy with a 2-1 vote, Burrows opposing. Nancy Cross said, “It just felt sneaky to push [the policy] through without listening to public concern.” Steven Cross said he announced his resignation from the Veterans Advisory Board upon hearing the decision to approve the VRF policy. He has since retracted his resignation and is waiting to hear from the county commissioners if he will be reinstated. After the vote, Stobart made to leave the room, despite attendees still asking for clarification on their decision and the future of the VRF policy. According to Nancy Cross, Tom Hicks, who is a Veteran Service officer and attended the meeting, had his hand raised and was asking the commissioners to review the policy again. As Stobart walked by him, he “swatted” Hicks’ hand down. Both Nancy Cross and Meyer watched the altercation and said that Hicks responded by telling Stobart not to hit him. Stobart said he was not trying to hit Hicks, he was trying to grab him, to which Hicks told Stobart not to touch him. “It was completely unexpected and wildly unprofessional,” Nancy Cross said. Meyer said, “Everybody said they're kind of stunned to see a commissioner actually touch a member of the audience in anger.” She added, “You just kind of feel like you're in the Twilight Zone at that point.” After the exchange, Stobart left despite community members asking the commissioners for clarification on their decision. Meyer said multiple people who witnessed the altercation with Stobart encouraged Hicks to report it to law enforcement. The county commissioner meetings on Monday, Nov. 10, were cancelled due to “no quorum available;” it was noted on the agenda that Stobart was “out of office.” Stobart did not respond to request for comment. According to the state legislature, a veterans relief fund policy is a set of guidelines for providing short-term financial assistance to eligible veterans and their families who are experiencing a financial crisis. These policies outline eligibility requirements, the types of expenses that can be covered (such as rent, utilities, and medical or vehicle costs), and the limitations on the amount of aid available. The primary purpose is to offer temporary support to help a veteran regain financial stability, not to provide long-term or automatic entitlements. The commissioners had previously met on Oct. 29, and Nov. 6, to review the new policy draft. Stevens County auditor Lori Larsen has also had a role in drafting the new policy. During the meeting she stated that she removed references to Stevens County Veteran Service Office, made changes to the policy’s formatting, and eliminated sections that called for coordination between Veteran Service Office and other agencies. The commissioners also emphasized the need for consistency, specifically in terms of how veterans receive funding, indicating that some veterans in the past have been treated as more important than others. Elizabeth Snell with the Veteran Advisory Board gave a statement to the commissioners regarding how veterans will be impacted by changes to the VRF. Snell said she believes that the policy should offer an alternative decider because the auditor’s office may have a conflict of interest when deciding funding. Snell then stated concerns over the length of time it could take for veterans to provide proof of income, saying it could take up to six months. She also shared concerns over privacy, stating that confidential health information could become easily accessible through the VRF application. Veteran Donna Meyer, who is also involved with American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, spoke to the commissioners and recommended that a clause be added around how big the VRF balance could get and when excess money would be returned to taxpayers. Meyer said she felt dismissed after bringing up her concerns; attendee Nancy Cross said commissioner Young indicated that Meyer’s concerns “didn’t need to be addressed.” Meyer said, “The RCW (Revised Code of Washington) states that some of that money needs to be returned to the taxpayers and the RCW unfortunately doesn't direct how to return it or at what percentage of the VRF.” She added, “[The commissioners] didn't want our input at this point and Lori (Larsen) never really wanted our input.” Steven Cross, a veteran and member of the Veteran Advisory Board, said, “The fact that [the county commissioners] didn't trust members of the Veterans Advisory Board to help veterans with this policy and funds, that kind of rubbed me wrong.” Meyer, Steven Cross and Nancy Cross all stated that they were given less than 15 minutes before the meeting to review the new VRF policy, and that the commissioners did not review the document in its entirety before voting on its approval. After public comments were given, commissioner Greg Young motioned to approve the VRF policy with the changes proposed by Larson. Commissioner Mark Burrows opposed the motion, stating that he thought they would review the VRF “line by line with the Veteran Advisory Board.” He said that the policy felt rushed and advised that the commissioners take their time to approve the new policy, especially considering that “the current system still works.” Burrows said, “A veteran that needs wood pellets, firewood, heating oil, or food can still apply for it and get it.” He added that he was “opposed to adopting this policy without fully vetting out every line of it and having input from people who actually do the work.” Commissioner Monty Stobart entered the conversation and said he felt the new policy is “a step in the right direction” because the current policy has loopholes that could put the county at liability according to their attorney. He said the new policy protects the commissioners from a potential lawsuit. Burrows said the new policy is “not as clean as it’s being suggested,” and indicated that a previous action Stobart took “created a fulcrum” for the commissioners to have to pivot on. He then quoted the auditor as saying that there have been zero refusals to pay claims under $750 under the last several years and implied that Stobart wants to rush through approving the new policy because of a “questionable circumstance he (Stobart) highlighted with an anonymous veteran.” Burrows then referenced a letter Stobart had written that had “thrown the Veteran Advisory Board chairman under the bus and insinuated that he was participating in fraud or gifting,” expressing discontentment that the letter was written as though Stobart were speaking for all of the commissioners. Burrows claimed that Stobart “threw the program under the bus.” Shortly after, the discussion ended and the commissioners approved the new policy with a 2-1 vote, Burrows opposing. Nancy Cross said, “It just felt sneaky to push [the policy] through without listening to public concern.” Steven Cross said he announced his resignation from the Veterans Advisory Board upon hearing the decision to approve the VRF policy. He has since retracted his resignation and is waiting to hear from the county commissioners if he will be reinstated. After the vote, Stobart made to leave the room, despite attendees still asking for clarification on their decision and the future of the VRF policy. According to Nancy Cross, Tom Hicks, who is a Veteran Service officer and attended the meeting, had his hand raised and was asking the commissioners to review the policy again. As Stobart walked by him, he “swatted” Hicks’ hand down. Both Nancy Cross and Meyer watched the altercation and said that Hicks responded by telling Stobart not to hit him. Stobart said he was not trying to hit Hicks, he was trying to grab him, to which Hicks told Stobart not to touch him. “It was completely unexpected and wildly unprofessional,” Nancy Cross said. Meyer said, “Everybody said they're kind of stunned to see a commissioner actually touch a member of the audience in anger.” She added, “You just kind of feel like you're in the Twilight Zone at that point.” After the exchange, Stobart left despite community members asking the commissioners for clarification on their decision. Meyer said multiple people who witnessed the altercation with Stobart encouraged Hicks to report it to law enforcement. The county commissioner meetings on Monday, Nov. 10, were cancelled due to “no quorum available;” it was noted on the agenda that Stobart was “out of office.” Stobart did not respond to request for comment. 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

Ainslee Marie Green — a community announcement published by the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville and Stevens County. 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 Births Ainslee Marie Green Ainslee Marie Green was born on July 3, 2025 to parents Hope Green and Jeremiah Baker of Republic, Wash. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, and has two brothers: Ezekiel Baker, 6, and Malekai Baker, 3. Her maternal grandparents are Amber Green of Republic, Wash., and Charles Schultz of Spokane, Wash. Her paternal grandparents are Naomi Lovett and Dale Baker of Republic Wash. Her maternal great-grandparents are Diane and Kevin Green of Republic, Wash. Her paternal great-grandparents are Linda Lovett of Republic, Wash., and Letha Baker. Previous Next 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

Carol Lawayne (Knott) Karaba | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Carol Lawayne (Knott) Karaba 86 Oct 17, 1938 - Jun 20, 2025 Carol Lawayne (Knott) Karaba, 86, passed away June 20, 2025, in Port Angeles, Wash. Carol was born October 17, 1938, in Cle Elum, WA, to Lila B. (Crowe) Knott and Ernest W. Knott. Raised with two older brothers, Carol was bold and independent from an early age. She completed high school at Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1956 and studied at UW while working at Boeing. At this time, she married James Giulietti Sr. and had two sons, James Giulietti Jr. and Michael Giulietti, before ending the marriage in 1962. In 1966, Carol married Ray Ackenhausen and moved to Port Angeles, where she raised and fostered several children and ran Em’s Hobby & Cycle Shop until her divorce from Ray in 1978. In 1994, she married her longtime friend Joseph Karaba and moved to Ft Worth, Texas, to support his career at American Airlines. In 2003, they retired to Kettle Falls/Colville, wishing to live a simpler life in the fresh air of Carol’s childhood home. Carol could often be seen in Colville with her signature blue heeler dogs, sporting bandanas. Her, Joseph, and their dogs lived happily until Joseph’s passing in 2021. In 2024, she moved to Port Angeles to be closer to family. Having accomplished her goal of outliving everyone, she passed away peacefully on a sunny June day when she was ready. Carol is survived by her sons, James Giulietti Jr. and Michael Giulietti Sr., several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and longtime friend Christy Burdick. Following her wishes, a viewing will be held July 8, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle, Wash., followed by a burial at 1 p.m. Previous Item Next Item

Sherman Wolf Pack Strikes Again - 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 Sherman Wolf Pack Strikes Again October 29, 2025 By: Staff Report An update on the Sharman Wolf Pack from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff announced that they investigated an injured calf in the Sherman wolf pack territory in Ferry County on Oct. 14. WDFW staff determined the injuries as a confirmed wolf depredation, and the calf was euthanized due to the severity of the injuries on Oct. 15. A King County Superior Court Commissioner, at the request of Washington Wildlife First and other petitioners, granted a temporary restraining order on Oct. 14, prohibiting WDFW from taking lethal removal action on the Sherman Pack. According to officials, the court will hold a preliminary injunction hearing on Oct. 28. WDFW officials documented the facts from the Oct. 14 depredation investigation, but are not considering lethal removal at this time. For more information, visit wdfw.wa.gov . 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

Spiringdale Cheerleaders Call for Community Contribution Response - 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 Spiringdale Cheerleaders Call for Community Contribution Response November 26, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Springdale mayor Stefany Smith has asked the community to rally behind the Mary Walker High School cheer team and provide contributions and donations to help purchase their first set of official uniforms in nearly a decade. “I have been the Mary Walker High School cheer coach for almost 10 years and we have not had official uniforms in this time,” Smith said. “We have pieced together what we had and now are not able to do that anymore, as over the years items have gone missing or they are very outdated.” According to Smith, participation has surged this year, creating both excitement and a greater need for new gear. “This year, our numbers for cheerleading have been incredible. We had an average of 12 for football and now have 14 for basketball season,” she said. “We wouldn't even have enough if we could work with what we have.” Smith said, while the cheerleaders have been fundraising, the cost of outfitting a team adds up quickly. A full uniform – including skirt, vest, spanks and an undershirt – averages about $250 per athlete. Smith said she has personally purchased all the hair bows, and the team has already secured new poms. She also noted she has earned her stunt certification and hopes to take the team into competition next year. “I know we have an awesome community who loves to support our children,” Smith said. “I am asking for any help possible to reach our goal of purchasing new uniforms for basketball season. I know this is last minute but I also know there are so many great community members that would help us reach our goal. We are close.” For more information, contact mayor Smith directly at Springdale town hall at 509-258-7258. 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 City Council Reviews Poool Attendance and LED Project - 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 City Council Reviews Poool Attendance and LED Project October 29, 2025 By: Isidora Patrick The Kettle Falls city council gathered on Oct. 21, to lay the groundwork for the 2026 budget and property tax process, while also giving the green light to an exciting new LED community sign in partnership with the Kettle Falls Rotary Club. During the public hearing on 2026 property and ad valorem taxes, city staff noted that figures from the assessor’s office were not yet available, so the ordinances were introduced without final numbers. The council plans to hold another public hearing and adopt the finalized tax ordinances once the information arrives. Sherry Palmer from the Upper Columbia Pool District brought a wave of good stats from the summer; the Kettle Falls pool saw 4,780 visits, 1,394 walk-ins, and 154 children learning to swim. She highlighted the popularity of new offerings like aerobics classes and teen nights, and shared that the district is planning ahead by saving for future maintenance. After approving the consent agenda, council members listened to staff updates. Police chief Brandon Hoover reported three DUI arrests and ongoing vehicle upkeep, while Public Works director Dave Willey discussed the leaf pickup season and the unique challenge of securing a crane for the new community sign installation. The council welcomed engineer Matt Morkert from Community Engineering Consulting, who expressed his enthusiasm to support the city’s infrastructure projects and pursue new grant opportunities. Grace Powell of the Kettle Falls Rotary unveiled plans for a double-sided LED sign to replace the old sign. With Rotary already funding half the project, Powell said the new sign will offer remote updates, automatic dimming, and a vibrant space for community announcements. The council unanimously approved the partnership with Rotary and the project to bring it to life. Finally, the council introduced ordinances 1845 and 1846 related to 2026 property and ad valorem taxes and scheduled a tentative budget workshop for Nov. 12. The meeting concluded with a brief public comment session, during which the mayor and council expressed heartfelt gratitude for the community’s ongoing involvement. Details for the next city council meeting have not yet been released. 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

Northport Volleyball Claims Fourth Straight NE 1B Title - 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 Northport Volleyball Claims Fourth Straight NE 1B Title October 29, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Northport is a small town in northern Stevens County, just a short jaunt from the Canadian border, that has dealt with threats from some of the state’s largest wildfires and suffered the loss of a member of its baseball team and their superintendent. Despite the hardships and losses, the Northport volleyball team has earned the NE 1B North Division title. “Our community has endured so much tragedy in the last six months that it has made all of us take a step back and reflect on what truly matters,” Northport head coach Shyanne Guglielmino said. “We have learned not to take things for granted and to enjoy every minute with our loved ones. Playing volleyball has been an outlet for all of us, and the gym is an escape from the overwhelming grief that members of our Mustang family are dealing with. At the end of the day, we're just happy to be together and be able to play a game that we all love.” Featuring a balanced lineup, a literal switch-hitter on offense and a legacy that stretches back years, the Northport volleyball team came in focused, poised and dominant. The Mustangs clinched their fourth consecutive division title with wins over Selkirk and Cusick over the weekend. They once again asserted themselves as one of the most consistent small-school programs in the region. The week started with their toughest test in league play on Oct. 23 against Republic. This match had plenty of swings and quality volleyball. Republic came out hot, winning the first set 25-11, and then survived 27-25 in the second set. Northport stormed back and dominated the Tigers 25-7 in the third set, but Republic was able to win a close fourth set 26-24. Kate Beardslee turned in one of her best performances of the year, posting 18 kills, 18 digs, and three aces, while Dalilah Colton tallied 23 assists. Liesel Stark added three blocks. It was no doubt a preview of two quality squads duking it out if they meet up in the postseason. It did, however, add some drama in Northport’s final two games of the season. “We had to beat Cusick and Selkirk yesterday, Oct. 25, to clinch the north as we tied with Republic in wins/losses,” Guglielmino said. “Our only losses were with each other, so it came down to Azzie points (we ended with 100 and Republic with 95). Yesterday were our final regular season games, which ended up being very important for those Azzie points. If we had lost either one of those games, Republic would have taken the #1 seed out of the North.” The Mustangs made quick work of the Rangers on Oct. 25, on the road behind a balanced performance that showcased both their front-line power and back-row defense winning 25-11, 25-16, 25-20. Senior Beardslee tallied nine kills and a block to lead Northport at the net, while Colton orchestrated the offense with 19 assists and added four aces from the service line. Defensively, Mallaine Hackenberry anchored the backcourt with 10 digs. On the same day, Northport took a three set victory over Cusick on the road, 26-24, 25-13, 25-21. Beardslee once again delivered, finishing with 12 kills, 13 digs, and three blocks in an all-around performance. Colton contributed 17 assists, continuing her strong playmaking down the stretch, while Stark added three aces. “We knew this season would be a challenge due to us graduating several seniors and other teams like, Republic, having lots of talent,” Guglielmino said. “We have been fortunate the last three years to take the north and have the opportunity to host the first round of playoffs. I think that was a big motivator for us this season as we recognize how important hosting playoffs is.” Injuries and lots of illness played their roles during the season, but Northport battled through those issues and are scheduled to host their first-round game on Thursday, Oct. 30. “We were still able to pull it off,” Guglielmino said. “I'm very proud of the girls, they responded well to adversity and achieved their goal.” The Northeast 1B League champs will be crowned on Saturday, Nov. 1, in Wellpinit. Northport will host their district opponent on Oct. 30, and if the Mustangs advance through the bracket, the league championship game will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. 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

Bulldogs Win Homecoming Thriller - 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 Bulldogs Win Homecoming Thriller October 29, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen In front of a roaring Homecoming and Senior Night crowd, the Kettle Falls Bulldogs capped their football season with a dramatic victory, edging Liberty 16-14 on a last-second touchdown Friday, Oct. 24. The win gave Kettle Falls a 4-3 record, the program’s best finish since 2011. Liberty struck first in the opening quarter, taking a 7-0 lead that held through halftime. But Kettle Falls came out of the locker room determined to respond. The Bulldogs marched down the field on their opening second-half drive, with running back Aiden Fowler capping it off and adding a two-point conversion to put Kettle Falls ahead 8-7. Liberty answered in the fourth quarter, punching in a score with six minutes left to reclaim the lead at 14-8. Still, the Bulldogs refused to fade. Behind steady leadership from quarterback Cody Adams and relentless running from Fowler, Kettle Falls drove deep into Liberty territory in the final minutes. With the game, and the storybook season, on the line, the Bulldogs faced 4 th and goal from the 2-yard line with just four seconds remaining. Fowler took the handoff and bulldozed his way across the goal line as time expired, tying the game. On the ensuing two-point attempt, Fowler again muscled through a pile of defenders to give Kettle Falls the winning points. As the clock hit zero, the crowd erupted and players stormed the field, celebrating one of the program’s most memorable finishes in years. Fowler finished with 30 carries for 103 yards, two touchdowns and two two-point conversions, while Alex Mazanek added three catches for 43 yards. 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

Thai Restaurant Opening in Chewelah - 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 Thai Restaurant Opening in Chewelah November 5, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen After three years of serving up Thai flavors at the Chewelah Farmers Market, Thai StreetFood by Nina is taking the next big step in opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant inside the Chewelah General Store (209 E. Main Ave.) on Nov. 20. According to owner and chef Niranut “Nina” Peck, the new location will be open Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and will feature a special Saturday BBQ menu from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. “We are so excited – we will be able to provide another option for the community to eat and enjoy our food,” said Peck. Peck’s inspiration for cooking comes from her mother, she said, who raised her as a single parent in Thailand by selling food on the street each morning. “We sold food on the side of the street every early morning till noon," Nina said. "My mum and I woke up at 4 a.m. to prepare food before I started school. Then at like 8 a.m. I would go to school, and she would cook and sell food by herself until noon.” Though Peck admitted she didn’t love waking up before dawn as a teenager, she said the lessons stuck with her. “At that age, I really hated to wake up and cook, but since moving out of my mum’s place, I realized cooking is still in my blood," Peck said. "I just hated waking up at 4 a.m. and not being able to sleep in and enjoy time.” Peck said she learned to cook entirely from her mother and through her own curiosity. “I learned all from my mum and some dishes I learned from TV and YouTube since I love cooking so much,” she said. “Sometimes when I have a chance to go to a hotel buffet in Thailand, if I have a chance, I talk to the chef and get some trick or secret from them too.” Although she’s never owned a restaurant before, Peck has years of experience cooking, selling, and learning from professional chefs. "I have never done a restaurant before in my life,” she said. “But when I was in Thailand, I had opportunities to be mentored by several chefs." After moving to Chewelah nearly three years ago, Peck said she quickly found a home in the town’s farmers market community. “I first started being a food vendor at the Chewelah Farmers Market…then I fell in love with all my vendors at the market, the town, and people here,” she said. “Most of them are so kind, helpful, and sweet. And I had a lot of good feedback about my food, so I decided to start my first business here.” Thai StreetFood by Nina will feature a rotating menu of authentic Thai dishes. “Our types of dishes we would like to serve are curry, stir-fried, soup, some noodles, and more special Thai dishes each day,” Peck said. Customers will be able to dine in, take out, or order catering, and Peck said she plans to continue offering creative specials and seasonal flavors. Peck said the community’s support has been overwhelming since announcing the opening. “I’m so surprised, everyone is so supportive and encouraging. They have been very positive and excited for us to open,” she said. “We just wanted to have something fun that celebrates food, family, and community,” Peck added. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there.” 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

Northport Volleyball Secures Fifth Place Playoff Seed - 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 Northport Volleyball Secures Fifth Place Playoff Seed November 5, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The Northport Mustangs battled through a grueling stretch of postseason volleyball, bouncing back from an early loss to finish fifth place in the Northeast 1B tournament, and advance to the District 6 1B playoffs. The Mustangs opened tournament play on Thursday, Oct. 30, dropping a 3-1 match at home to Valley Christian. The visiting Panthers (10-8, 8-6) proved resilient in the opening-round matchup. Northport responded with determination in the evening match, sweeping the visiting Panthers 3-0 to stay alive. Northport then traveled to Wellpinit Nov. 1, for the next stage of tournament play but fell 3-0 to Wilbur-Creston. That loss set up a fifth-place showdown with Republic later in the day. In the evening contest, the Mustangs put together one of their best performances of the postseason, sweeping Republic 3-0, a team that previously defeated them in the regular season. The victory lifted Northport to a 14-5 overall record and secured fifth place in the tournament. With the result, Northport advanced to the District 6 1B tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Rosalia High School. Game results were not available at press time. 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 Paper Carrier Celebrates One Year on the Job - 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 Paper Carrier Celebrates One Year on the Job August 20, 2025 By: Emma Lee Conyer While some 13-year-olds may spend their after-school hours scrolling through phones or playing video games, Blake Nance of Colville has spent his Tuesdays over the last year delivering newspapers. This month marks Nance’s first anniversary of delivering papers for the Statesman-Examiner , a job he calls “the best first job.” At just 13 years old and heading into eighth grade at Colville Junior High, Nance has already built strong connections across town. “I like meeting everyone and seeing their businesses,” Nance said. “I’ve gotten to know people and have conversations. It’s fun seeing places I might want to work in the future.” Nance’s route stretches across Colville; he said it takes him two to three hours each week to complete, depending on the weather, which can be the hardest part of the job. “There was one week in December I had to go through a snowstorm, and this week it's been super hot,” he said. His motivation is a mix of short-term treats and long-term goals. “I’m saving for my first car,” Nance said. “And I like being able to buy gifts for people with my own money.” Along the way, other perks of the job have also given him more motivation. “I get fun tips sometimes, like cookies, fancy coins, candy, and pizza slices,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like a celebrity. People even gave me cool stuff for my birthday and Christmas.” Nance’s route has also opened his eyes to places in Colville he was not familiar with. He said that living outside of town, he hadn’t spent much time walking through Colville. Now, he said, “I like walking around town. I see old businesses close and new ones open. It’s cool.” He said he’s even learned a bit of local history along the way. “Some people didn’t know there were still paperboys. They tell me how they used to do it on bikes and throw the papers on porches. I think that would be fun.” Nance said he first heard of the paper carrier job from his grandmother when she noticed him working hard at yard work and asked if he’d be interested in a paper route. He said he was nervous on his first day, especially walking into businesses to hand deliver papers to people he did not know, but now he moves with confidence and curiosity. 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

Northport Boys Stack Personal Bests at 1B Regional Cross Country Meet - 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 Northport Boys Stack Personal Bests at 1B Regional Cross Country Meet November 5, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Northport’s boys turned in a wave of personal-best (PR) performances at the District 6 1B regional at Colfax Golf Club on Oct. 31, punctuating a steady, late-season climb against a deep field. Sophomore Trae Smith led the Mustangs with a 22 nd -place finish in 18:22.3 (PR), pacing a pack of seven Northport runners who all crossed within approximately two-and-a-half minutes of one another. Senior Pete Beardslee was next in 30 th at 19:03.4, with sophomores Canyon Hoskins (35 th , 19:39.0 PR) and Cameron Mawdsley (37 th , 19:44.4 PR) close behind to keep Northport’s scoring tight. Fresh faces rounded out the effort: freshman Isaiah Kingsbury clocked 20:20.1 (47 th , PR), eighth-grader Ty Smith ran 20:30.1 (48 th ), and freshman Hunter Creach posted 21:00.6 (51 st , PR). Valley Christian senior Wesley Hendrickson won the race in 16:04.1, followed by Chesterton Academy’s Gabriel Cary (16:21.0) and Colton’s Tanner Baerlocher (16:28.5). 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