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Letting Kids Into the Jungle - 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 Letting Kids Into the Jungle July 9, 2025 By: Meredith Carroll Jungle Kids storefront. Photo provided by Penny Pittman. A new child care center is about to open its doors in Colville: Jungle Kids is owned and operated by Penny Pittman, who has been involved in the child and day care business for 30 years. “My husband Dave and I moved to Colville about a year ago from Selah, Wash., when we bought Tri County Stove and Spa,” said Pittman. “Where we live right now, it’s too far out to run a home day care.” Pittman spoke about how she will run the child care center. “I’ll utilize BrightWheel’s top-rated curriculum to provide educational structure,” said Pittman. “We will serve nutritious meals, consisting of three meals and two snacks, daily.” According to Pittman, Jungle Kids’ focus will be on delivering high quality care, ensuring a safe environment that fosters the Early Learning Core Competencies for future growth, while supporting emotional, physical, and motor skill development. “We are currently hiring, aiming to provide care for up to 40 children and employ six full time staff members, supplemented by part time staff. Volunteer assistance is welcome,” Pittman said. ” Pittman stated that the challenge will be finding qualified employees. “Employees will have to have a TB test, first aid/CPR certification, a health card, background check, and complete 30 hours of State Training and Registry System,” said Pittman. “Some of the aspects of training include raising a child, development, health/safety, early learning curriculum. We will pay for the training for those who do not have it, but it must be completed. “Jungle Kids originated as Lil’ Playmates Daycare in 1993 and underwent a name change approximately 20 years ago,” said Pittman. “I decided to adopt a more playful name. Jungle Kids Early Learning Childcare incorporates cute animals. My longtime friend and employee, Tracy Hancock, was the one who coined the name. I came up with the motto and the toucan as the mascot.” Since moving to Colville, Pittman expanded the cast of characters with the help of Wicked Designs, who also contributed to the day care center’s new design. Pittman fell in love with the building before she even moved to Colville, but at that time, it was Kelsi’s Closet. “One day, Dave and I were driving by, and we saw that Kelsi’s Closet was moving. We called and met the owner of the building and found out that it was available for lease.” Pittman said she signed the contract in February, 2025. “It took six months to bring the building to code, put in walls and a kitchen, add a bathroom, and install floors,” she said. “We just had the fire inspection, and all we need is to put in quick release handles and carbon monoxide detectors. As soon as we do that, we will pass inspection and be able to open our doors.” Pittman has designed the facility to have four classrooms. “We will have two staff members for every 10 children, and two staff members for every eight infants. It’s really hard in this rural area to find people with qualifications in child care without having to provide the training,” said Pittman. “Two women that I’ve hired are already fully qualified. “Our community really needs a child care center,” said Pittman. “With this venture, I’m stepping into new territory.” Pittman said that everyone is itching to start working. “I plan to be open by Aug. 1, at the latest, and I already have 21 kids enrolled.” Pittman’s five year plan is to open up a second Jungle Kids location in Selah. She travels between both places frequently, spending time with family and her fifteen grandchildren. “I’m really excited for Jungle Kids and the community. Colville will have child care that can be counted upon. “I want to give a huge thank you to the Bob Stevens and TEDD Program, Rural Resources, Northside, Wicked Designs, Simply Wired, and to family, friends and all staff at Tri-County and the Colville community for supporting me in my new journey,” said Pittman. After opening on Aug. 1, Jungle Kids will operate Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jungle Kids is located at 282 W. 1 st Avenue in Colville. For more information, call Pittman at 509-952-9001. 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

Janice Pernsteiner | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Janice Pernsteiner 62 Sep 5, 1963 - Jul 21, 2025 Janice Pernsteiner passed away on July 21, 2025, in Spokane. She was born in Spokane on September 5, 1963, the daughter of George and Agnes Pernsteiner. The family moved to Colville in 1976, where Janice attended school and became active in the Special Olympics. After completing school in Colville, Janice moved back to Spokane under the care provided by Catholic Charities and later by Life Inc. Janice was preceded in death by her parents George and Agnes. She is survived by her siblings: George (Cheryl) of Portland, Ore., Becky (Mark) of Bisbee Ariz., Mike (Candy) of Evans, Bob (Cathy) of Clarkston, Wash., Mary (Lee) of Highgate Center, Vt., and Bill (Jana) of Sequim, Wash. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, Sept. 5,, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Kettle Falls, Wash. Mass will be held at 10 a.m. with internment to follow. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements. Previous Item Next Item

Clark Dixon Ashworth | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Clark Dixon Ashworth 77 Dec 24, 1947 - Sep 22, 2025 Clark Dixon Ashworth passed away on Sept. 22, from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was born in Washington D.C. on Christmas Eve, 1947. He went home to live with two older sisters, Ann and Jill, and his parents Dick and Vivian Ashworth, in Falls Church, Va. After his sister, Gretchen, joined the family, they moved to Potomac, Md., where they later welcomed sister Brooke. At that time, Potomac was a small semi-rural community with lots of woods, streams and farms; an ideal place for a kid to grow up, and plenty of space to escape “the sisters.” Clark became a competitive swimmer at the local swim club and completed high school at Richard Montgomery in Rockville, Md. He then attended his father’s alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. There he spent time with his parents’ families who lived nearby and engaged in some extracurricular experiences which led to his next adventure, service in the U.S. Navy. Clark served as a helicopter air crewman antisubmarine warfare specialist on an aircraft carrier in the North Atlantic, with stops at Guantanamo Bay, and other areas along the east coast and Caribbean. After his discharge he served two years in the reserves during which he completed his bachelor’s degree at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. In 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn Fantasia, and moved soon after to Seattle, Wash., to pursue a doctorate in psychology at the University of Washington. Following completion of his Ph.D., he joined the UW faculty where he taught in the Psychology department, provided statistical analysis for students in various doctoral programs, and was a member of the Department of Family Medicine. At a grants management workshop on campus he met his second wife, Elissa Dyson, and their desire to live in the country, and hIs work with the UW’s Rural Health Research Program, led them to Colville where they settled in Onion Creek, and Clark began his 40-year career as a licensed psychologist serving the Tri-County area. The things that gave Clark’s life meaning were many—topping the list was his work at NEW Family Counseling, and the clients and colleagues at the heart of that endeavor. Clark kept a full clinical schedule until March of this year; he always said “why should I re-tire, I’m not tired!” He saw his last client (virtually) a couple weeks before his death. Then there was Spring Hill, the home he fell in love with the first time he drove up that (long!) driveway. Although they weren’t yet married, he and Elissa dreamed of having a family, and the existence of Onion Creek School in the community sealed the deal. He was happy to welcome three children, Sarah, Kate, and Gregory, who would attend that school and participate in the construction, firewood and other projects that matched his motto “work is fun.” But then there were breaks for ski vacations, bike trips to blues festivals and the music he loved, and escapes to the sun and sands of warmer climes. Finally, there was skiing. Although an injury in 2016 ended his days on the slopes, he maintained his membership in the National Ski Patrol where he had served at 49° North one day a week for 30 seasons. The camaraderie and dedication of his fellow patrollers were a source of inspiration and enjoyment for him. He never stopped checking the snow reports daily for all the hills he’d skied. The last years of Clark’s life were challenging. Neuromuscular deterioration that affected all parts of his body meant his normally active life was over. Finally learning in May 2025 that he had ALS helped explain the seemingly unrelated series of symptoms he had experienced for some time. This is typical of this disease; and it is also notable that significantly more military veterans are diagnosed with ALS than the general public. As a result, the VA was very supportive, and, Always Caring Home Health Services, Hospice of Spokane, and many other individuals helped care for Clark and Spring Hill in the past few months. A special thank you to his companion dog, Stella, who gave him great joy in his final years. Clark was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Gretchen Brumback. He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Elissa Dyson, and children, Sarah Linn Ashworth of Olympia, Kate Merritt Ashworth (Dean Marriner) of Andover, England, and Gregory McClure Ashworth (Jordan) of Freeland, Wash., and four grandchildren, Olivia and Ellie Ashworth, and Charlie and Atticus Marriner. He is also survived by sisters Ann Croll of Durango, CO, Jill DeCesare of Princess Anne, Md., and Brooke Wisner of Hebron, N.H. A Celebration of Clark’s Life will be held at the Colville Center of the Community Colleges of Spokane on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 3-6 p.m.. Memorial contributions can be made to the ALS Association (PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-0022) or the 49°N Ski Patrol (49°N Ski Patrol, 1205 Pinebrook Drive, Chewelah, WA 99109). Previous Item Next Item

Colville Craftsmanship on Global Stage: Local Family Brings Custom Camaro to Arizona - 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 Craftsmanship on Global Stage: Local Family Brings Custom Camaro to Arizona December 24, 2025 By: Shannon Chapman A fully restored 1968 Chevrolet Camaro sits in the Country Chevrolet showroom in Colville, Wash., before being transported to Arizona. The vehicle, which underwent a total structural restoration, features a custom red paint job with charcoal racing stripes and a modernized billet grille. Photo by Aaron Pierson, General Manager, Country Chevrolet. 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. At the time of the purchase, their son, Kalos, was only 3 years old. While most children his age were playing with die-cast miniatures, Kalos was beginning a childhood defined by the echoing clangs of a family garage. The couple said their goal was to ensure that, as Kalos grew, he would learn the “grueling, rewarding reality of manual labor and the patience required for a long-term commitment.” "We wanted to teach him the value of hard work and time," Lisa Adams said. "It was about showing him what it takes to build something from nothing, and having him see that process from the time he was a toddler until now." The Adams plan to complete their decade-plus lesson Jan. 17-25, 2026, at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in Arizona. Known as "The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions," the event serves as a global stage for the industry. The Adams' custom masterpiece, designated as Lot No. 813, will cross the block in front of a live television audience and hundreds of thousands of in-person enthusiasts, according to event organizers. The Camaro is the result of 8,561 hours of personal labor, according to the Adams. The restoration was a multi-generational mission led by Jerry Adams, a 20-year retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief. Working in their home garage in Colville, Wash., the project became a cornerstone of family life, involving Jerry, Lisa, Kalos – who eventually learned to turn wrenches on the very car he grew up with – and Lisa’s father, Jim Langevin. "Veterans always need to stay busy," Jerry Adams said of the project’s intensity. "This wasn't just a hobby for us; it was a mission to preserve a piece of American history while building our own." According to Jerry Adams, the technical transformation of the vehicle was documented in a massive, 10-inch-thick binder that chronicles every receipt, photograph, and modification. The family performed a complete frame-off rotisserie restoration, which included replacing every body panel with new metal. The "rough-in" panel replacement was handled by Casey’s Autofab before the car returned to the family garage for the intricate assembly. While the family managed the mechanical engineering, they sought out a local specialist to provide the car’s world-class finish. The Adams said they entrusted the paint job and body work to Jon Entwistle, a long-time resident of Colville. Under Entwistle’s hand, the Camaro was coated in a striking PPG "Caught Red Handed" finish with gunmetal gray pearl accents. According to Adams, the deep, mirror-like surface serves as a visual testament to the generational skills passed down through the Entwistle family. The Camaro is powered by a 454ci V8 engine built by Blackfoot Racing and Gibson Performance Engines, featuring forged internals and port-polished 049 oval heads, Jerry Adams said. Thunder Racing Dyno tested the powerplant at an impressive 603 horsepower and 590 foot-pounds of torque, according to performance records. The engine is mated to a Silver Sport Tremec TKX five-speed manual transmission and a narrowed Currie 9-inch rear end. Jerry Adams said inside, the car features a fully custom TMI leather and suede interior completed by local shop CNT Upholstery. Modern amenities were integrated as well, including a Vintage Air climate control system, Dakota Digital gauges, a leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel, and a premium Alpine sound system. To ensure the 603-horsepower machine handles as well as it looks, Jerry Adams said the family installed a full Ridetech coilover suspension and Wilwood six-piston disc brakes. According to the event’s websitebarrett-jackson.com/2026-scottsdale , the auction event kicks off Jan. 16, 2026, with a "Rock the Block" concert featuring country superstar Cole Swindell. According to the Adams family, the event also marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. As they prepare to watch the gavel fall, the couple said they are already scouting for their next project: a vintage truck and a "sleeper" car that maintains a stock aesthetic while hiding high-performance secrets. "The car is beautiful, and we are proud of the technical achievement," Lisa Adams said. "But the 12 years of memories and the character our son built in that garage is what we are truly taking home with us." 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 Bite Back; Bulldogs Rebound with Road Win After Tough League Loss - 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 Bite Back; Bulldogs Rebound with Road Win After Tough League Loss December 17, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Kettle Falls' Mace Thivierge goes up for a shot against Northwest Christian. He scored 36 points against the Crusaders. Photo by Reeva Mertens-Martin. After suffering its first loss of the season against State 2B power Northwest Christian, the Kettle Falls boys basketball team bounced back Saturday, Dec. 13, with a convincing 67-39 road victory over Newport, improving to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in league action. A demonstratively different team this year, the Bulldogs didn’t tally their fifth win until Jan. 14 last year. Mace Thivierge continued to be one of the most potent scorers in all of northeast Washington. Against the Grizzlies, he poured in 20 points as the Bulldogs slowly pulled away from Newport. Kettle Falls led 29-16 at halftime, outscoring Newport in every quarter. Zac Burch added 16 points to the Bulldogs’ total, meaning that the Grizzlies couldn’t focus their defense just on Thivierge. The win came one night after a hard-fought home loss to unbeaten Northwest Christian, who is fresh off a fourth-place finish at the state tournament last season. Thivierge exploded for a game-high 34 points, including five three-pointers, but the Bulldogs couldn’t overcome a fast start by the Crusaders, falling 73-61. Northwest Christian’s offense focused on two focal points – Caleb Grant and Jonah Pope – who combined for 58 points. Despite the loss, Kettle Falls showed resilience. They were outscored by 13 points in the first quarter, but didn’t wilt. In the fourth quarter, Kettle Falls outscored the Crusaders 20-7. The Bulldogs showed they can travel long distances, picking up a 61-47 nonleague road win at Tonasket on Dec. 9, improving to 4-0 at the time. Thivierge scored 18 points, while Zander Johnson added 13 and Alex Mazanek chipped in nine, including a three-pointer. Kettle Falls used a strong third quarter to take control against the Tigers, outscoring Tonasket 21-7 and holding off a late push to secure the win. Through six games, the Bulldogs have the second-most potent offense in the entire league, scoring 380 points total. Their defense has given up the second-fewest points as well. The boys team faced Davenport Tuesday, Dec. 16; results were not available at press time. They are scheduled to host Reardan on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m., then travel to Omak on Saturday, Dec. 20, for a game at 4 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

Christopher James Collins — 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 Christopher James Collins Christopher James Collins was born on Jan. 5, 2026, to parents Cheyanne Cable and Richard Collins of Chewelah, Wash. He weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces at birth. His maternal grandparents are Kristi Hale of Northport, Wash., and Michael Francis of Alabama. His paternal grandparents are Angie and Christopher Collins of Chewelah, Wash. His maternal great-grandparents are Dee McLaughlin of Northport, Wash., and Daniel Villines of Everett, Wash. His paternal great-grandparents are Tessie and Richard H. Collins of Chewelah, Wash. 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

Teresa (Nana) Irene Vining | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Teresa (Nana) Irene Vining 63 Nov 7, 1961 - Oct 15, 2025 Teres (Nana) Irene Vining, a devoted wife, daughter, loving stepmother, Nana, great-Nana, friend, and faithful servant of the Lord, went home to be with Jesus on Oct. 15, 2025 at the age of 63. Her life was a testament to grace, grit, strength, determination, and unwavering faith. Teres was born in Cutbank, Montana on Nov. 7, 1961, to Nick and Joan (Hurst) Negu. Teres was then raised on a ranch in northern British Columbia, Canada, where her love for horses and ranch life began. Her first job was with George Juker, working with race and chariot horses. After moving to the United States, where she lived with her Uncle Dick Hurst and his family, Teres graduated from Kettle Falls High School in 1979. Her journey into the world of cutting horses started with Billy Collins, setting her on a path that would span states and touch countless lives. She began her professional career working for Harlan Radomske in Ellensburg, Washington, starting colts by Doc Bar Gem. Her talent and dedication led her to the Doc Bar Ranch in California under Charlie Ward, and later to Texas, where she worked with esteemed trainers such as Barbara Schulte and Tom Lyons. One of Teres’ greatest career accomplishments was participating in several NCHA Futurity Cuttings. Teres returned to Kettle Falls to visit family often. It was on one of those visits, in 1990, that she met a handsome young man, Randy Vining. After several years of dating, she moved to Washington to begin their life together. Teres jumped right into parenthood to Randy’s three young children, Joy, Ryan, and Randy Jr. She was a great cook, attended sporting events, provided structure, and created a warm and loving home for Randy and the children. Being a horse trainer, she made sure the kids also had a horse, Chaps, of their own to ride and work as well. Teres continued to work and managed the Ron Knutson Ranch in Valley, Washington, for 15 years, and later trained horses independently while also assisting with trainings and cuttings at Bonina for Bob and Nina Lundgren. Teres was a devout Christian who loved the Lord above all else. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she instilled these values in her family through her example, Bible studies, and constant prayer. She played a major role in strengthening Randy and the kids’ faith. She found immense joy in her role as a wife, stepmom, Nana, and great-Nana, cherishing every moment spent with her family. Teres loved caring for and training her horses, working alongside Randy with the cattle on their ranch, working harder than anyone around, and devoting hours to reading her bible and sharing her knowledge of it with her family and all who crossed her path. Another hidden talent that she didn’t display to many was her pencil drawings, she was quite the artist. She enjoyed hunting and did so as often as she could. She was famous for calling Randy to tell him to hurry up and get home; they had work to do because she had just gotten an elk or a buck. She was tough and resilient. Her legacy of love, faith, and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Teres could not only do anything she put her mind to, but she did it well. She is survived by her beloved husband, Randy Vining of Chewelah; her mother, Joan Negu of Kettle Falls; daughter Joy McIrvin and husband Dave of Colville; son Ryan Vining of Spokane; daughter-in-law Cristy of Deer Park; son Randy Vining Jr. and wife Rhea of Daisy; brothers Ross Negu and wife Lisa of Idaho, and Ryan Negu; brother-in-law Tracey Vining and wife Fran of Kettle Falls, and Sister-in-law Kim Frostad and husband Troy of Yakima. Teres was a proud Nana to Haley (Joel), Autumn (Chayce), Katie (Dalton), Dawson (Essence), Sydney, Mackenzie, Cooper, and Bradyn, and a joyful great-Nana to Benjamin, Gemma, Birkley, Scarlett, Wynter, Judah, Barrett, Abigail, Ivey, Rhyatt, and a baby boy on the way. As well as numerous extended family members, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service will be held at the Colville Ag & Trade Center on Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. Previous Item Next Item

Ring the Bell - 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 Ring the Bell July 16, 2025 By: Meredith Carroll Current view of church bell. Photo provided by Meredith Carroll. There are some who might say that a church isn’t complete without its bell. According to Dolores Smyth’s article, “What Is the Origin and Purpose of Church Bells?” church bells have been associated with churches since the fifth century, when they were used to call the community together for church services, as well as to alert for danger, births, and deaths. “The church bell has been a part of the Free Methodist Church in Colville since 1898,” said Elly Huguenin, who is a member, a volunteer, and subject matter expert on her church’s history. She has also been the church’s children’s ministry director. “Our church was founded in Colville in 1895 with only six members. In 1898, Mrs. Dingle raised the money to buy a church bell.” The woman who raised money for the church bell – known only as Mrs. Dingle – supplied the remaining money herself. According to Huguenin, “No one knows what the original cost of the bell was or where it came from. “On June 6, 1966, just after midnight, the church caught fire and burned to the ground,” said Huguenin. “The bell fell clear through to the basement, but it wasn’t damaged. We thought that in the fire, it had lost its sound. It was saved through, and wasn’t hurt. We think that the furnace caused the fire.” The church, erected after the fire of 1966, was built between 1966 and 1969 and is located on the corner of Elm and First Street. The Colville Free Methodist church occupied the building until 2019, when it purchased what is now the current location on the corner of Hawthorne and Madison. Restoration on the current church site was completed in 2022, according to Huguenin. The Elm and First Street location still stands today, and it is now owned by another congregation. “Restoration was completed in time for Palm Sunday Service,” said Dale Kaufman, pastor of the Colville Free Methodist Church. “This was also my first service as pastor. More additions have been completed since, and in the next several years, the hope and plan is to construct a Ministry Center with a gymnasium and more classroom and worship spaces.” “We finally hung the bell this spring,” said Huguenin. “Why did it take so long? Well, there’s been a lot of questions about that. Mostly, it’s because there have been other priorities.” “These other priorities were that our building needed complete restoration and renovation before it could be occupied,” said Kaufman. “Also, the field where the bell sits was overgrown with weeds, so it needed to be brought into shape before the bell could be displayed in a good manner. All of that takes time and money, which needed to be raised and the work completed, all of which was done without our church going into debt or borrowing any money at all. Our people are pretty proud of this.” “Our church bell is restored and hanging outside of our building,” said Huguenin. “The only thing missing is a clinger. We are not allowed to put a clinger inside of the bell. The city won’t let us ring it.” She added, “We restored the bell quietly, without celebration or honors. We just wanted people to know the story of the bell.” “The church has plans to erect a plaque memorializing the bell in the next couple of months,” said Kaufman. 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: 10/08/2025 - 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: 10/08/2025 October 8, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Car takes off the new highway onto the old road. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— CHEWELAH—The Congregational Church of Chewelah last Sunday celebrated the 46 th anniversary of the founding of the first protestant church in Stevens County, Sept. 14, 1879. The occasion also marked the anniversary of the first public address made in Washington by the Rev. Cushing Eells, missionary, who on Sept. 16, 1838, spoke to a gathering of Indians at Chewelah on his first tour in the state. Between 50 and 100 families are to find homes on the rich bench lands south of Kettle Falls, according to plans which have been under way for some time, and which are now announced. The lands south of the town of Kettle Falls, which are watered by the irrigation ditch of the Fruitland Irrigation Co., have never been entirely utilized, although they offer some of the finest home, farm, and orchard sites in the northwest. 75 Years Ago— Next year should see the breakthrough on the new highway between Kettle Falls and Republic, over the Sherman Creek route. The completion of this road will make a direct route between the two towns. The distance will be 28 miles. 50 Years Ago— A new, $225,000 grocery store construction was started this week on the north city limits of Colville. Bob Porter, owner of Porter’s Polka Dot, along with Sasquatch Local Development Corp. of Spokane, contracted Bryan Construction Co. of Colville to build the 9,600 square foot food store. Colville has been selected by the Washington State Bicentennial Commission as one of the cities to host the performance of the State Traveling Festival “Spirit of 76.” Gracing one of the rustic old walls of the Kettle Falls Railroad Depot is an old clock. The antique, which according to Kettle Falls Depot relief agent Alton Sanders keeps impeccable time, has an interesting story behind it. The clock, which is an original piece of equipment of the Northern Railroad, will, according to a notice located inside the clock, be granted to the Stevens County Historical Society, if and when it is replaced. (Burlington Northern donated the clock to the Historical Society, where it has been on display since 1977.) 25 Years Ago— Modern firearm whitetail and mule buck season opens Saturday in most areas of eastern Washington. A three-point minimum is required for mule bucks in most areas, while any whitetail buck with visible antlers is legal. A total of 2,617 veterans and dependents turned out for the third annual Tri-County Veterans Stand Down last week. David Tonasket rushed for a career-high 309 yards and four touchdowns as Inchelium cruised to a 64-14 win Friday afternoon over outmanned Curlew. 10 Years Ago— Washington state’s minimum wage will stay the same in 2016 – $9.47 per hour – because the national Consumer Price Index did not increase. Vern Vaagen of Colville recorded his first-ever hole-in-one last week when his tee shot on the 190-yard, par 3, 11 th hole at Dominion Meadows Golf Course found the bottom of the cup. Vaagen, a regular with the Wanderer’s Senior Golf Group, was using a Nike driver. 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

Newly Completed Chewelah Mural Combines Local and World History - 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 Newly Completed Chewelah Mural Combines Local and World History November 5, 2025 By: Tamara Lee Titus Sherri Ballman and Dennis MacDonald work on the years’ long American Legion mural. Photo courtesy Sherri Ballman and Dennis MacDonald. “It tells the story in time,” American Legion member Dennis MacDonald said when discussing the final painting day of the mural on the west wall of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 54 in Chewelah. This wall faces Highway 395 and is located at 111 S. Park Street near Main Street. MacDonald added that the mural is designed to honor veterans. The timeline from conception to completion for this project has spanned two years, starting with the initial proposal in 2023. “It was my dream,” said MacDonald, who is also president of the Riders, a nonprofit motorcycle enthusiasts group within the American Legion. “We started the process of getting the approval fall of 2023.” According to MacDonald, it took four months and, “Like almost all of the American Legions, we have what we refer to as the elders, in an affectionate way. By gender, men aren’t very good at change to begin with, so you have a board of five or six elderly men, and they are of the mindset, ‘Why would we change anything?’” MacDonald, who grew up in Chewelah, said he believed that “just putting a [drab] color on the outside of the building isn’t going to attract anyone. And it’s been that way since I was a little kid here. And they’ve all been happy with that.” By completing this mural, he hopes it will change the opinion of the VFW from “a facility known mainly as a place where gentlemen get together and drink [to what] it was designed to be: a meeting place, a melting pot of nothing but emotions, stories and carrying on family names.” Sherri Ballman, a local professional artist and American Legion Riders member, was the primary artist of the mural. “I hope we get more members from this,” Ballman said. “We do a lot of cool stuff. We are trying to make it more inviting.” MacDonald explained, “I had to go to four different meetings and make everybody understand it’s not going to cost anything. We had a couple of key players that were a part of the elders group who saw the vision and knew that there’s going to be a changing of guard in every facet of life. So when that comes, we have to be able to have something to pass on, something that people want.” He said the group considered receiving funding from the city, but ultimately declined. “There was a program here in town for the beautification of all the buildings. If you spent $4,000 upgrading your building, and you complied with the colors and everything they wanted, they would give you $2,000. The difference between what they wanted and what we wanted for the American Legion was considerable,” MacDonald said. Instead, the Riders raised the money for materials themselves and supplied all the volunteer labor to make their dream possible. He elaborated, “We do tons of fundraisers, we try to help people and other organizations, and of course, you have to take care of home base. We decided we would just do it, and the legion wouldn’t have to pay anything at all. The Riders group would absorb the cost of doing the whole thing. We wanted to take it on. “Within the Riders group, there are 20 members, 17 of whom are active,” said MacDonald. “The American Legion consists of families. At the top, you have the American Legion, next, you have the VFW-Veterans of Foreign Wars. Then, there is The Auxiliary (women’s group) and Sons of the American Legion, which is comprised of people who didn’t serve, yet can become Legion members through their grandfather's or father’s service. The last one that came along is the American Legion Riders. We are the newest to the families of the American Legion, and with that we have young blood.” Ballman added, “We spent more than $4,000 making this happen. It was a lot of repairs, a lot of paint; it was all on materials, none of the labor.” She commented on her experience during the process of approval: “They [the elders] were still apprehensive and wanted to make sure it was going to be suitable. So, I drew out a concept of it. They had to see some of my artwork, so we brought some in, so they could approve.” MacDonald quipped, “It was truly like applying for a job, yet the job isn’t going to pay.” Ballman said she was raised in Chewelah and attended elementary school with MacDonald. Her five-year-old granddaughter, Margaret Holm, has also been a contributing artist on the wall, the youngest participant in the project. MacDonald’s grandson, Colton McCroskey, age 6, too, has lent a hand to the efforts. During the fall of 2023, the Riders began work. MacDonald said, “The wall was plain and it was falling apart. A lot of these buildings are what we refer to as ‘pumice block ’; grey blocks with two holes in them. A lot of places put a stucco facade on them. The facade that was put on this one was concrete. So when it was breaking out, we had to take hammers and chisels to it. We spent the majority of that fall just cleaning and repairing the wall. They knocked mud out and mudded back in, replaced wood, removed concrete…It’s a very old building.” It wasn’t until the summer of 2024, they were able to begin painting. MacDonald said of the delay, “When you think you are just going to take a wire brush to clean a building up and get to work, well, that is definitely not what happened.” He also suffered a heart attack in July 2024. “I wasn’t a lot of help to the group for a while,” MacDonald remarked. “But everyone persevered and continued to make things happen.” Members of the Riders painted the base coat and Ballman started the panels. The mural is comprised of five vertical panels touching the street, a vertical end cap on the north corner and one large horizontal expanse across the top that includes an American flag, soldiers from all the Armed Services, and images of the Battle of Iwo Jima, the Arlington National Cemetery and the Post 54 sign. “Each panel is associated with a specific war or group within the VFW. Each one has a story,” MacDonald said. MacDonald and Ballman both put forth that the mural was a collaborative experience with community influence and involvement throughout, beginning with the south end, the first panel, which depicts Vietnam. Ballman said, while painting this first panel, “I was just going to do the gun and the paratroopers, and this guy, Dennis Bean, [American Legion member] kept riding up on his wheelchair everyday to watch to see what was going on. And he finally said, ‘Are you going to do any special forces?’ And I said, ‘Well, I hadn’t thought about it, but I can. He told me his story from when he was in Vietnam. [Although] I had already painted that guy’s uniform, he said, ‘Can you make it special forces?’ So I made it be him; I had to change his uniform because he wanted it to be the tiger-striped uniform.” Ballman said she also updated the patches to accurately reflect his status. “There was only one paratrooper mission in Vietnam and he was part of that. So, that was how that panel evolved,” she said. The second panel from the south showcases the Coast Guard. MacDonald clarified, “We didn’t really have any local individuals involved in that one. The Coast Guard is kinda new, and it’s only been in the last couple of years that the American Legion recognized the Coast Guard. That one we also wanted to have for our sign that explains what the American Legion is. Sherri and my daughter, Amanda McCroskey, made the wooden scroll sign on the second panel. “The third panel represents women and WWII,” MacDonald stated. “My want was to be sure we put a nurse on there; probably one of the most unsung heroes of anywhere. Nobody really thinks of them until you are looking up at one. By the time you are looking up at one, that is the only person in the world that matters to you at that moment. If it hadn’t been for two nurses, I wouldn’t be here,” he described gravely. MacDonald added that the Legion was founded to help soldiers “Transition from wartime to civilian life and the nurses were a big part of that.” Ballman further clarified,“They didn’t know what PTSD was back then, and so they would open it up and have nurses there to help these people and give them a place to talk. They called it ‘shell-shock’” Ballman said, “The nurse we used [in the mural] was actually a long-time resident of Chewelah, her name is Marie Alm.” MacDonald said Alme served in World War II. “Her daughter, May, sent us pictures of her. Her daughter is a member of VFW, but lives back east. The club is trying to figure out if we can help her come out to see the mural. We have several people who knew this family and this lady, and they said it is more of a portrait of her than a rendition. Sherri hit it,” he celebrated. The other woman shown in the panel is local VFW member Donna Meyers, who was in the Air Force. Ballman said, “She was on surveillance plans; she didn’t fly. We had to figure out a way to use her, so we took a World War II female pilot and put her face on it.” The fourth panel is dedicated to the Navy. “If we ever got more advice from anyone, any branch, it was the Navy. The numbers on the submarine represent the gentleman in here who served on that submarine: Ben Paramore,” MacDonald revealed. “Paramore, one of the elders, was also a huge advocate of this project.” MacDonald shared an anecdote illustrating Ballman’s attention to detail in this panel, “The submarine that Sherri found that carried the name that Paramore served on, somewhere in there had an upgrade and it had hand railing put on the deck. Everything she put up there, she put up to be a representation of that vehicle, whatever it may be. Ben [Paramore] came out and looked at it; he was all excited and he didn’t say one thing. Yet, in our texting back and forth, he said, ’By the way, I didn’t serve on the one that had handrails. I served on the older one that didn’t. But everything’s great, you don’t have to change anything.’ So, I shared that with Sherri and I will be darned if that hand railing didn’t disappear.” Referring to the fifth panel depicting a code talker from World War II, when the Navajo language was used by the military to communicate in secret, MacDonald said, “[With this mural] we were fortunate to capture things that some people really don’t know anything about. We have a local Native American member [Dan Nez] who is actually Navajo as a part of our organization. He represents the code talkers.” Consistent with the pattern throughout the mural, Ballman found an anonymous picture of a code talker, and she changed the face to look like Nez’s. MacDonald stated, “This tells a local story, but it tells a worldwide story. It’s very encompassing.” Ballman also emphasized, “A big point we strived for is that we didn’t want any blood and gore and no sadness, kneeling at a cross, anything like that. Just all positive and feel good.” MacDonald said, “If you take a minute and absorb everything that she put on this building, some facet of a true American’s life, they will feel the same thing they would if there was somebody kneeling at a cross. Just because those people were represented here, it truly doesn’t mean they came home. It’s always the backstory; it doesn’t get told very often, but it’s the backstory that kept everything upfront working. Not many families don’t have a story of someone who served or multiple somebodies who served. Sherri’s family served; her husband and son served in the Marines.” The final panel is the corner piece; Ballman announced, “What I am painting today is a picture of Dennis’ grandson, Colton McCroskey, and he is going to be at the bottom of this, saluting all the above. [McCroskey] will be in color, while all the rest is black.” “All the rest” refers to a symbolic representation of all the wars post World War I that the United States participated in, starting with a motorcycle from World War II, a tank from Korea, helicopters from Vietnam, jets from Desert Storm, a black stealth bomber for anything modern, which MacDonald suggested, "looks like a bat” and “a rocket at the top for the Space Force,” Ballman finished. MacDonald explained that they added that “because NASA has become part of the Armed Forces.” “In the beginning, I thought this would just take a couple of weeks, but it’s been a couple years more like.” Ballman said. “This summer in July, my husband, who had Alzheimer’s, came up missing and he still hasn’t been found in four months, so that slowed down things. Staying busy helps,” She confessed. Overall, she said, she is “so excited to be done. I loved doing it, but it’s taken up a lot of 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

Father Charles Henry Klutz | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Father Charles Henry Klutz 91 Sep 5, 1934 - Sep 15, 2025 Father Charles Henry Klutz, age 91, a 12-year resident of the Colville, Wash., community, passed away on September 15, in Colville. Fr. Klutz was born on Sept. 5, 1934 in Patterson, Calif., the son of Frank Paul and Wilhemina Irene (Camara) Klutz. He was raised in the Patterson and Petaluma, Calif., area, where he attended and graduated from high school. He then attended college, earned his bachelor’s degree, and was ordained a priest in the Eastern Catholic Church in 1963. Fr. Klutz began a family and they resided in Seattle, Wash., where he served the Priest of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East. In the late 1970s, Fr. Klutz relocated to Chicago where he continued his work at St. John’s Holy Apostolic Assyrian Catholic Church of the East. He retired in 2008 and continued in service of the church for five years until moving to Colville with his wife, Barabara. Barbara passed away on Oct. 24, 2013 and Fr. Klutz remained in Colville near family. He was a voracious reader from titles of fiction and philosophy to history and theology. Fr. Klutz worked in participation with Arch Deacon George Toma on the creation of the Catechism. He anchored himself in the sacraments and a life in service to the church. His prayer life was unceasing to the point that he wore the sacramental beads into pieces. Fr. Klutz loved to turn introductions into friendships and was fully present to those sharing in passing moments to continued conversation and presence. His wisdom, faith and love for people will be dearly missed. Fr. Klutz was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by one sister, Marilyn Ginger. Fr. Klutz is survived by his sons, David Cole (Kris) of Texas City, Texas, Richard Klutz (Ruby Tamayo) of Mukilteo, Wash.; daughters, Rebecca Kouf of Colville, Wash., Ruth Ratzlaff (Terry) of Enderby, British Columbia; siblings, Robert Klutz and Marjean Cannon both of California, 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service for Father Charles H. Klutz will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville, Wash. The graveside service will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Colville. Arch Deacon George Toma will officiate. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at danekasfuneralchapel. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements. Previous Item Next Item

Local Residents Receive State Recognition - 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 Residents Receive State Recognition July 2, 2025 By: Meredith Carroll Gines wins medals at district track meet. Photo provided by Kaylin Gines. A local student and a school volunteer have received awards and recognition by the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), an organization formed to promote leadership in communities, provide legislative support for education, and assist in the development of excellence in both student learning and opportunities for leaders ( wasa-oly.org ). WASA presents annual, statewide awards to those who show excellence in certain categories, two of which have been given to local recipients. The first honor is the Community Leadership Award which was given to Elissa Dyson, of the Onion Creek School District. “The award is a nice recognition for those who exhibit leadership in the community,” Dyson said. “I have served as Onion Creek School District board chair for more than 20 years. I assist with facilities and transportation, have facilitated the successful coordination with other districts, and I have a long history of service.” In addition to serving on the board, Dyson has worked with the students to publish a newsletter, participated in summer programs, and has had a hand in educational activities. Dyson started her long career of volunteering with Onion Creek in 1985, after her family relocated from Seattle. “During my entire service, I have never been a paid staff member,” Dyson said. “I’ve always volunteered my time.” She added that, “This award is special to me because between 1998 and 2018, I was the chair of WASA’s partner organization, the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA). Every school district in the state of Washington is a member and participates in legislation and lobbying.” Dyson said she is proud to have visited every school in Washington with fewer than 2,000 students. “It took me 12 years to visit more than 200 schools,” she said. Dyson’s award comes with her decision to retire from service. “I actually made the decision in 2021 that I would not run for reelection in 2025,” she said. “I’m almost 78 years old. It’s time for me to have a little more freedom to travel and do other things. It will be hard, though. I’ve done this longer than I’ve done anything in my life.” Some of the best aspects of Dyson’s time with the Onion Creek School District, she said, was because of the people. “There are a lot of really great people involved in public education. I appreciate getting to know wonderful people, administrators, students, and teachers. There have been so many rich experiences.” But the last few years have been very challenging, according to Dyson. “It seemed like the first 35 years I was on the school board, everyone was unified in terms of goals and beliefs. And then, once we got into the pandemic, things fractured. Politics came into play. All of a sudden there was a rift. Politics has no place in education.” Dyson continued, “One thing I learned is how important schools are in the life of small communities. I plan on continuing my involvement with the district. I will still work with students on the newsletter and stay involved with what’s going on.” Kaylin Gines of Mary Walker High School in Springdale was given the WASA Student Leadership Award. This award recognizes outstanding student leaders who exhibit a leadership role in their school and promote social justice in their community. “I was nominated by the superintendent, because I do a lot of leadership,” said Gines. She is involved in a peer mentorship program, participates in public speaking and community service, and is a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). “I also participate in the Tree of Sharing, which is a charity that helps people in need during the holidays.” Gines is also on her school’s volleyball team and trains her horse outside of school, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. “I really like being busy,” she said. “That’s how to make school more enjoyable. It means a lot to be able to mentor eighth graders as they prepare for high school. And since I love volleyball, I help out with that, coaching little kids. I’m actually being recruited by colleges for volleyball.” Gines added, “There aren’t a lot of negatives to the things I do, but sometimes it can be a lot to handle.” For more information about WASA, visit their website, wasa-oly.org . 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