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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

Citizens Weigh in on Vote-At-Home Effectiveness - 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 Citizens Weigh in on Vote-At-Home Effectiveness September 24, 2025 By: Chloe Harrington Stevens County Auditor Lori Larsen partnered with the auditor of Pend Oreille County, Marianne Nichols, to support Washington's vote at home system through their op-ed, “Vote-at-Home is the Law – and it Works.” Larsen said t it began with a call from a local Stevens County voter. “[The voter] wanted to check in with me and make sure that I remained confident in the security, effectiveness, and integrity of voting by mail,” Larsen said. “He invited me to share my thoughts more broadly, and I thought that was excellent encouragement. I wanted to [show] how we got here and the processes that came out of voter desire.” Nichols stated her eagerness to join Larsen, saying, “My biggest hope is that people will understand that vote-at-home is safe, but to also try and answer some other questions that are out there; there is a lot of disinformation.” Larsen said, “I wanted to [show] how we got here and the processes that came out of voter desire.” The op-ed stated, “As county auditors in Washington state, we serve in the executive branch of local government and are responsible for administering elections in accordance with state and federal law. That includes elections for local, state, and federal offices. The U.S. Constitution grants states the authority to conduct federal elections, and Congress sets certain minimum standards.” The op-ed continued, “Here in Washington, our legislature has determined that vote at home is the official method of conducting elections – and that’s not just the law, it’s a system that works.” After sharing the op-ed with their colleagues of the Washington State County Auditors, it was cosigned by “23 elected elections professionals from across the state – underscoring the shared confidence in the transparency, access, and integrity of Washington’s vote at home system.” Larsen said, “For those of us that work in this space, we know this is tight. It is predictable. Our processes and machinery are accurate, but not everybody lives in this role. So this inquiry from the Stevens County voter was my prompt: it's time to say this again, [vote-at-home is] accurate, and folks deserve to be reassured. “Of course,” Larsen continued, “you see a number of bills filed in the Washington state legislature every session concerning elections.” In a single legislative session as co-chair of the legislative committee for the Washington State Association of County Auditors, Larsen said she tracked 70 bills that would directly affect county auditors, 40 of which were elections related. She said, “Some of those seek to go back to in-person voting [and] precinct level ballot tabulation, but those are not bills necessarily getting committee time. It's more about having the conversation, I think. And I'm grateful for repeated opportunities to speak to the strength of the system that we have now.” Larsen said that the citizen who initially inquired about vote by mail “was watching the conversation nationally,” when several days prior President Trump stated his intent to eliminate vote-by-mail. “These concerns turned citizens to their local officials to find out what they think,” she said. “A lot of people, especially in rural areas, consume their news through a national source or lens. It is what comes on their cable, so they don’t necessarily have the same level of understanding or expertise [about] how Washington does business when it comes to elections.” The chair of the Stevens County Democrats and official election observer, Lisa Wolfe, said, “I think that [the] support across the state was fabulous. It's actually pretty amazing to watch them go through the process and elections.” The op-ed presented that “vote-at-home works because it reflects the way people live.” It stated, “Voters can take their time, read through ballot measures and voter pamphlets, and return their ballots from home – or in-person – when it’s convenient for them. Participation is easier and more deliberate, especially for those with demanding jobs, caregiving duties, limited mobility, or long travel distances to the nearest polling place.” Nichols said that the process allows voters to “spend time actually engaging in the process and to think through it.” She continued, “We've really tried to take everything into consideration and make it as easy as possible for people; we even pay for the postage to come back to us now.” Wolfe added, “I view moving away from voting by mail as a problem [because] it feels like it is a backdoor attempt at voter suppression in our state, and I don't support that at all.” She continued, “Vote by mail has opened up voting to people who would not be able to make it to a polling place on Election Day. They are open from seven to seven, but you have people who work. You [have] kids; you got to pick up from school; you got to make dinner. It is so hard to put everything into a day. It doesn't make sense to throw one more thing at them – that they have to be in a certain place at a certain time. Going back to one day would allow way too many people to not be able to do it. It is that inflexible, and absentee ballots would not take care of it.” The op-ed said, “Years ago, when absentee voting required a specific excuse, voters steadily requested more flexibility. Our legislature responded – first by expanding absentee access, then by allowing counties to convert to vote at home elections where it made sense.” Larsen said that the difficulties processing ballots in the 2004 Washington gubernatorial election between Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi also prompted the state to find more cost effective avenues. The op-ed continued, “In 2011, Washington became one of the first states in the nation to adopt vote at home as the statewide standard – a move built on decades of experience, careful planning, and voter trust.” The chairman of the Election Integrity Committee, Eric Simpson, said, “Initially, it was sold to people as a very convenient way to vote – which it is. But I think when it was rolled out, people were a little more trusting of the government than they are now. I know from what I have seen through the precinct caucuses in the county convention – the feedback I got from the citizens that showed up – [voters] were very concerned about the elections.” He also commented on the op-ed, “Personally, I think she did a good job describing the conventional thinking of how vote by mail works. But I don’t think that she did a good job addressing a lot of the concerns that people have about the vulnerabilities of mail-in voting.” Larry Batterton, the chair of the Stevens County Republican Central committee, said, “Having several other people on my committee read through [the op-ed], the common response was [that we] don't argue with the points that she wrote. The veracity and the professionalism of the county election office is not a question that we have, and we have put this in the form of a resolution in the past. But it's a narrow picture of the larger voting issue. It is other pieces of the election puzzle that really caused me concern about mail-in voting in general. Voter fraud is a real concern among most conservatives, and I believe even some liberals. And that's the reason that most conservatives, including our Central committee, are very in favor of going back to vote in person and proof of ID.” Explaining the vote-at-home process, the op-ed stated, “Ballots can be returned in-person and into secure storage at the County Auditor’s Office, via any official drop box, or through the United States Postal Service. In addition, voters can sign up at VoteWA.gov to receive text notifications tracking their ballot’s journey – from issuance to acceptance.” Larsen said that she chose the phrase “vote at home” for the op-ed “as an acknowledgement that some people are unsure about the U.S. Postal Service.” Nichols agreed that the ID verification is the biggest contention, but “that's not what the law requires at this point.” She said, “If the law changes, absolutely, we'll do what the law tells us to do. But right now, the law is written. So we can make sure people at home get that ballot.” She continued, “We have so many checks and balances in place. The signatures are the big thing we check. People don't always believe us, but we check every single signature that comes in. We all have to be trained through state patrol training every single year on it. We take [it] seriously if there is somebody that's voting inappropriately.” The op-ed stated, “We are proud of our dedicated elections staff, whose professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to transparency are at the heart of every successful election.” Nichols said that in her 19 years as Pend Oreille County auditor, she has seen only three or four instances of forgery, “and they've been taken care of.” Larsen said, for example, “If you go back to the unanticipated state-wide recount of last year's primary in the commissioner of public lands race, I think that state-wide there were just a tiny handful of adjustments made to the final vote count. Our results after hand counting every single ballot cast in Stevens County resulted in zero change in vote counts.” Nichols said that Pend Oreille had the same success in the recount, which “spoke volumes” to her confidence in the system. Wolfe said, “I've observed the county's processing of ballots using vote by mail. They're very professional; the procedures that they use are defined by the state. It's actually pretty amazing to watch them go through the process.” Simpson has also observed at the county center multiple times and said, “I have never seen anything in that office that would cause me any concern. The issues that I see primarily are [that] the voter rolls are not well maintained. There does not seem to be a lot of proactive effort on the part of the county auditors to ensure that the voter rolls are accurate. For example, in the 2024 election there were seven votes counted from the [395 Chewelah Business Plaza], and that's not a residential address.” Batterton said that, while Stevens County verifies signatures manually, the signatures prove the citizenship of the voter without correct voter rolls. “There are major questions of the completeness of the voter rolls in Washington and whether they meet federal standards; one of those standards is verification of citizenship.” According to Batterton, Harmeet Dhillon of the federal Department of Justice elections department requested that the Washington Secretary of State (SOS)– as well as around 20 other states – present all voting registration records. He said, “It's difficult to get information on the voter rolls in Washington, because the state tends to block avenues that reveal that information.” Several years ago, the SOS promoted legislation that limited voter data access to once per month, Batterton explained. “There were people gathering data – [finding out if] there are significant numbers of double votes –[but] it's a matter of being able to track that frequently enough that you can see statistical information.” Simpson said, “After 2020, a lot of blue states passed laws prohibiting access to the electronic images of the ballots – and this specifically did happen in Washington. So instead of addressing the concerns that people had with possibly the count not being accurate, it looks like they just tried to make it more difficult for people to have access to be able to verify that the results are accurate.” Nichols said, “The last few elections, we've seen another side of things for people who don't love it. They want to vote in person.” The op-ed stated, “We believe that changing or eliminating Washington’s vote at home model is not necessary, not efficient, and not more secure. It would impose significant costs, reduce accessibility, and dismantle a system that has earned the trust of millions of Washington voters. We often hear from voters who wish results could be finalized on election night. We understand that desire – but elections are large, complex operations.” Simpson responded that he believes “part of the reason they're so complex is because of mail in voting. When it was done at a precinct level, it was actually a very simple operation. It would require more people on election day to administer the elections, but you wouldn't have people in there counting ballots for six or seven weeks with early voting.” However, Larsen and Nichols continued in their op-ed, “In our field, there’s a well-known principle: you can have two of the following – fast, accurate, or affordable – but not all three at once. If speed were the top priority, we would need to dramatically expand staffing, technology, and overnight operations. Returning to polling-place voting would multiply costs even further. Staffing polling sites, facilities, purchasing equipment, training workers, and providing oversight to ensure those duties are performed without error or fraud – all of it would be enormously expensive. And for what gain? Not greater accuracy. Not better security. Just more cost, more complexity, and less access. We prioritize accuracy and fiscal responsibility. Vote-at-home allows us to serve all voters while using public funds efficiently and transparently. It reflects the lessons we’ve learned over decades of service.” Nichols said, “Pend Oreille, for over 20 years, has been doing it this way. I can't imagine what that would look like – having to conduct two separate elections. Because you're going to have the majority of people that still want to vote at home and a handful of them who want to vote at polling places. We [would have] to set up polling places for just a handful of people.” For more information about the op-ed or at-home voting, contact the Stevens County auditor’s office at 509-684-7511. 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

Chewelah Boys Basketball Aims to Climb the NE2B Under New Head Coach - 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 Chewelah Boys Basketball Aims to Climb the NE2B Under New Head Coach November 26, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The Chewelah boys basketball team enters the winter season with a familiar core, a large group of upperclassmen, and a new coach. First-year head coach Tom Skok said he’s taking over the program with the goal of building momentum and a team identity centered on toughness and chemistry. “I would like to build on the momentum our team gathered last year,” Skok said. “We have a number of returners and a solid group of sophomores; the trick will be to build some continuity with our group so that we play as a whole and not individuals.” Turnout is slightly smaller than in recent years, but the roster brings a healthy mix of returning experience and developing talent. “We only have three seniors but that is pretty well balanced out by eight juniors, which gives us 10 upperclassmen,” Skok said. “We also have 14 underclassmen, so we are pretty even amongst the grades.” Having the numbers is key in the 2B ranks, according to Skok, and Chewelah will be able to juggle lineups and work on its developmental pipeline. Skok said he isn’t looking to center the offense around a single star. Instead, he hopes the Cougars can become the kind of team that forces opponents to guard every player on the floor. “Ideally, I would like to play as a team and make it hard for our opponents to zero in on any one player,” he said. Still, Chewelah returns a proven scorer in junior Ryen McMillan, who will be a focal point of opposing defenses. “Our most experienced scorer is Ryen McMillan, so people will have to pay attention to him, or he is capable of putting points on the board,” Skok said. The NE2B doesn’t offer many easy nights and Skok said he expects that trend to hold. “Our league is stacked,” he said. “We will look to climb up the ladder this year as compared to the last years, but every game will be a battle. I would imagine that Reardan will still be the team to beat, even though they have lost a couple great high school players.” Though new to the boys basketball position, Skok is far from new to coaching. After years as an administrator prevented him from leading teams, he said he saw this as the right moment to step back onto the sideline. “When I became an administrator in the Chewelah School District I was no longer able to coach,” he said. “So now that I am back to filling a teaching role, I wanted to get involved with coaching again. I felt this was a great opportunity, so I put my name in the arena and was fortunate enough to land the job.” His coaching philosophy is rooted in fundamentals and character. “I would like to instill teamwork, hustle, and hard work in our players,” Skok said. “There is a great group of kids playing basketball this year, and I hope to make the experience for them as good as possible.” Skok has taken several Chewelah teams to state in different sports and has created solid programs in softball and girls basketball when he was holding the clipboard. “Barring these last three years of not coaching, I have coached three sports a year for almost 20 years, so I am very excited to get back at it with the boys team,” he said. With a veteran scorer, a deep junior class, and a coach eager to return to the sideline, Chewelah aims to move up a crowded NE2B ladder this season. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Colville Girls Soccer Falls the Lakeside in NEA District Title Match - 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 Girls Soccer Falls the Lakeside in NEA District Title Match November 5, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The Colville Crimson Hawks battled to the final whistle but couldn’t crack Lakeside’s defense in the District 6 Northeast A championship on Nov. 1, falling 3-0 to the top-seeded Eagles at Spokane Falls Community College. Lakeside (10-2-4, 7-0) struck just one minute into the match on a goal by Tea Simonson, then added second-half tallies from Izzy Delzer and Lainee Huggins to pull away. The Eagles peppered the Colville defense with 17 shots, while the Crimson Hawks were limited to one shot on goal. Colville goalkeeper Joslyn Craddock turned in a busy performance with eight saves, keeping her team within striking distance until late in the match. The loss came just days after Colville also fell to Lakeside, 3-0, in their regular-season finale on Oct. 28, in Nine Mile Falls. In that contest, Delzer, Simonson and Saige Karsten provided the scoring for the Eagles, who have not lost in league play this fall. The Crimson Hawks (4-10-2, 3-4 NEA) faced Riverside in a loser-out District 6/5 crossover qualifier on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Results from the match 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

Kettle Falls Girls Soccer Split Final Regular-Season Games - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Kettle Falls Girls Soccer Split Final Regular-Season Games November 5, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The Kettle Falls girls soccer team closed out its regular season with a win and a narrow loss last week, earning the Bulldogs a postseason berth in the District 6 2B/1B playoffs. Kettle Falls defended its home field with a 2-1 victory over Newport on Oct. 28, improving to 5-9-1 overall. The Bulldogs battled through a tight Northeast 2B matchup, edging the Grizzlies. Two days later, the Bulldogs hit the road to face Chesterton Academy in Spokane and fell just short, 2-1. Despite the setback, Kettle Falls earned the No. 6 seed in the District 6 2B/1B tournament and faced third-seeded Davenport on Monday, Nov. 3, in a loser-out opening round game at The Hub in Liberty Lake; 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

Chewelah Hospital Cuts Patient Services; More Closures Could Follow - 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 Chewelah Hospital Cuts Patient Services; More Closures Could Follow August 13, 2025 By: Cami Krema Cuts to Medicaid as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, may cause hospital closures across the country, including 14 in Washington state. Of these 14 hospitals at risk, Providence St. Joseph’s in Chewelah is among them, which has already announced closures to two of their patient programs. Providence St. Joseph officials acknowledged these cuts, stating, “We are focused on the potential overall impact of the cuts while continuing to serve the health care needs of our communities.” According to the bill’s language, cuts will roll back increases in Medicaid reimbursement rates, which are the money hospitals receive for providing health care services to Medicaid patients. Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) officials stated, “To be very clear, the cuts to Medicaid will be devastating to Washington’s hospitals, rural and urban alike.” Officials added, “We are absolutely concerned that hospitals will close. For those that do not close, we expect a significant contraction of services, and it will negatively impact every patient in Washington through reduced access and longer wait times for care.” WSHA officials also cited data that suggested approximately two-thirds of the payer mix comes from Medicaid or Medicare, with higher levels in rural eastern Washington. According to Mai Hoang’s article, “14 Rural WA Hospitals Deemed at Risk of Closure from Medicaid Cuts,” published by Cascade PBS, Medicaid officials stated that reimbursements typically go back to the hospitals to help cover Medicaid-funded services. Hoang also quoted officials who stated that hospitals have an obligation to treat uninsured patients and patients on Medicaid, regardless of the rate, which means the declining reimbursements could become financially unsustainable, leading to staffing cuts or closures. In Chewelah, Providence St. Joseph officials stated that, “The passage of H.R. 1 (also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) by Congress poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of our communities, placing essential health programs and services at risk while stripping access to health care for millions of Americans.” They added that these reductions will limit health services, lead to care delays and longer wait times, especially in emergency departments, and place undue strain on overburdened health care providers. Just days after making these statements, Providence St. Joseph officials released another statement on Thursday, Aug. 7, saying that the hospital will officially close its DominiCare and the outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapy clinics on Oct. 3. There will be 60 positions impacted by these closures, according to Providence. “This decision, though difficult, is a necessary step to ensure that Providence remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of our community,” said Chief Executive Susan Stacey, RN. Providence officials said that Orthopedic Physical Therapy services will continue at Providence Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville. A former employee of Providence St. Joseph, not authorized to speak on the record, expressed the opinion that it’s not always feasible for Chewelah patients to travel out of the area to receive care. “Many people in our community are elderly or low-income and will have difficulty traveling, especially in winter.” The former employee also spoke of the consequences of losing these services. “Some [patients] won’t get therapy. More people will likely have falls or impaired mobility that impact their function. All will have to find a way to overcome the travel obstacle to obtain care.” Chewelah resident Chuck Ritchie spoke about how essential the physical therapy clinic has been for his own recovery. After suffering a serious illness that caused significant impacts to his nervous system and left him unable to walk, Ritchie relied on the clinic’s services for his recovery. “The therapy team at St Joseph's was absolutely crucial to my recovery. It was months of hard work, sweat, and tears as I learned to cope with my new body, then slowly, as I regained strength and my nervous system healed, I learned to walk again,” Ritchie said, adding that “the care team at St Joseph's weren't just my therapists, they became family. They were there cheering me on when I had success, and picking me up when I fell. I truly owe my life to them.” Ritchie also said the closing of the physical therapy clinic could have negative impacts on the community. “I'm not alone, I run into people who have their own stories of the care team changing their lives. It is absolutely heartbreaking to hear the physical therapy department at St Joseph's won't be there for the next person that needs them. This is a huge loss for our community. I can't express in words the value of what we've just lost.” The cuts could also mean fewer people are covered under Medicaid or any insurance program. According to Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Center for Children and Families, 2023 data showed that 23.3% of Stevens County residents rely on Medicaid. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Lady Chargers Close Regular Volleyball Season Strong - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Lady Chargers Close Regular Volleyball Season Strong October 29, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The Springdale Lady Chargers closed out their regular season in dominant fashion last week, sweeping both Wilbur-Creston-Keller and Chesterton Academy to lock down fifth place in the NE 1B standings. The wins pushed Mary Walker’s record to 8-4 in league play and 13-8 overall as they head into this week’s district tournament with plenty of momentum. The Chargers handled visiting Wilbur-Creston-Keller on Oct. 21, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 behind a balanced offensive attack led by Kaylin Gines, who tallied 12 kills and three solo blocks while hitting .478. Ashlynn-Mae Ford and Kazlin Rainer each added six kills, while McKinley Schroeder chipped in five kills on a .500 hitting percentage. Setter duties were split between Kameron Cloninger and Addisyn Matherly-Stricker, who each dished out 12 assists. Defensively, Gines anchored the back row as well, collecting 21 digs, while junior Imani Hutchinson added five. At the service line, Rainer led the way with four aces and 11 points, while senior Aubrey Ferguson added a steady nine points and Schroeder served up two aces. The team served at a 93% clip overall. Springdale carried that momentum into their road trip to Spokane on Oct. 23, where they swept Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame 25-22, 25-12, 25-23. The Lady Chargers used strong serving runs and steady net play to put away the Saints in straight sets. With the pair of wins, Mary Walker finishes the regular season riding a two-match winning streak and the Lady Chargers will open district tournament play this week, aiming to extend their postseason run and build on a strong finish to an impressive 2025 campaign. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Kettle Falls Boys Basketball Brings Back Experience for 2025-26 - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Kettle Falls Boys Basketball Brings Back Experience for 2025-26 November 26, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen After a rebuilding year that saw just five wins, the Kettle Falls boys basketball team enters the 2025-26 season with some hunger; their coach emphasized the team is ready to eat in the competitive Northeast 2B North. While he’s steering clear of specific benchmarks, head coach Cameron Stewart said the tone is clear. “As far as win totals or where we will finish in the league, I don’t like to make predictions,” he said. “I will say that I expect improvement from last season.” Steward said the Bulldogs returned only one starter last year; this year, Kettle Falls has 20 players turning out, giving the Bulldogs their strongest numbers in several years. Stewart said he expects to carry two seniors, five juniors and one or two sophomores on varsity. The lineup will be anchored by a trio of veteran seniors who logged major minutes a year ago. Mace Thivierge, a 6-foot-2 senior guard and second-team all-league pick, is expected to be the team’s focal point. “He was also our sixth man the previous season, so he’s very experienced,” Stewart said. “Mace is very competitive. He loves to win and hates to lose even more. He’s very skilled, can really shoot the ball, and has a high basketball I.Q. He’s really matured over the last year, and I look forward to seeing him become a stronger leader. I know he’s ready for that challenge. He’s going to receive a ton of attention from opposing teams, so other guys have to step up and make plays on a consistent basis.” In the paint, 6-foot-5 post Jaxon Fandrey brings strength and experience after starting every game last winter. “[Fandrey’s] a smart kid, very strong, and works his tail off,” Stewart said. “He was a difference maker for us last year and I’m excited about his progress going into his senior season.” Senior guard Cooper McKern returns after starting 20 games last year – most of them while playing through a broken shoulder suffered during football season. “Up until then, he was probably our best on-ball defender, and his offense was starting to emerge,” Stewart said. “Cooper has a big-time motor, and his skills and athleticism have improved in the off-season. Offensively, he attacks the basket, and he’s developing a nice jump shot. Defensively, he’s just relentless. He has that Dawg in him that you love to see.” Sophomore guard Zac Burch is one of the team’s emerging talents. “[Burch is] athletic and scrappy, has great hands and a nose for the basketball,” Stewart said. “He still needs a lot of refinement but he’s a kid who’s going to get us extra possessions and fill the stat sheet with his hustle. He really excels in transition, and we intend to play faster this season.” A strong junior class – Alex Mazanek, Cody Adams, Ben Higgins and Zander Johnson – adds athleticism and depth, each bringing “a different dynamic” to the lineup, according to Stewart. Versatility may also define this year’s team. “I think we can be versatile defensively because we have some quickness and, hopefully, some quality depth,” Stewart said. “We can play man or zone, fundamental half court defense, or trap and press. I think our guys will execute our offense much better this season. Our returning guys are pretty familiar with our concepts, and we will be faster in transition this season.” With an experienced roster and, elsewhere, heavy roster turnover across the Northeast 2B North, Stewart said he sees opportunity. “We feel like the North is pretty wide open, but it’s safe to say that Reardan is the favorite,” he said. “They have size, athleticism, and great shooters. More importantly, they play excellent defense.” Northwest Christian remains a contender with a returning all-league standout, while Saint George’s – despite graduating its trio of all-league seniors – remains dangerous. “I have a ton of respect for their coaching staff. They always get the best out of their players,” Stewart said. Davenport returns one of the league’s top scorers in Cage Colbert. Chewelah brings back dynamic senior guard Ryen McMillen. Newport, meanwhile, enters with a new staff and several new faces. Kettle Falls won’t be leaning on predictions, but with veteran leadership, athletic depth and more experience under its belt, Stewart said he believes the Bulldogs will look much more like the program that won 17 games two seasons ago. “I think our guys are hungrier this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing who steps up,” Stewart said. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Colville Seniors Shine in Win Over Northwest Christian - 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 Seniors Shine in Win Over Northwest Christian October 29, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen On a night filled with emotion, the Colville Crimson Hawks sent their seniors out in style Friday, Oct. 24, defeating perennial 2B powerhouse Northwest Christian 44–35 in a thrilling back-and-forth battle at home. The non-league victory capped Senior Night with fireworks on both sides of the ball, as Colville used a dominant rushing attack and key defensive stands to fend off a late Northwest Christian surge. Senior quarterback Brock Benson led the charge with 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries, while completing nine out of 11 passes for 82 yards and two scores. Fellow senior Mason Beardsley added 92 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, including a clutch fourth-down conversion late in the game that helped seal the win. “Mason has been a great player for us all year,” said head coach William Benbrook. “He did a great job running behind the excellent blocking of the O-line. We knew he was going to be getting the ball a lot this game. His 4 th down conversion helped us seal the game! It was a very pivotal play that kept NWC's offense off the field and set up a touchdown later in that drive.” After falling behind 7–0 early, Colville erupted for 22 unanswered points in the second quarter, with Beardsley and Benson finding the end zone multiple times. Benson connected with junior Baxter Phipps on a short touchdown pass and later hit senior Bridger Lewis for a key two-point conversion. The Hawks added two more scores in the second half, including a 38-yard Benson touchdown run to secure the victory despite a furious 28-point fourth quarter from Northwest Christian. For Benbrook, the win was a reflection of the team’s maturity and determination on a night that can often be distracting as it's the final home game for some players. “All week we talked about making the best possible memories on senior night,” he said. “We leaned into the atmosphere and challenged the seniors to do everything they could to win on possibly their last home game. The challenge for the underclassmen was to do everything they can and play for the seniors. It was a great win against a team that beat us last year.” The Crimson Hawks’ defense, led by Benson (10 tackles), Lewis (12), and Beardsley (eight), came up with timely stops throughout the night. It wasn't easy as the Crusaders big play ability was on display. Colville's defense, however, kept the game under wraps until a late surge by Northwest Christian made it interesting. Benbrook credited his players’ resilience and focus through a challenging schedule. After two league games, Colville had two straight games against 2A squads – both losses – and then returned home to take on a 2B powerhouse. “Our focus has always been to be playing our best football when we have league games,” he said. “With our schedule built the way it was this year, it has allowed us to grow and get better every week. As a team, the boys have been very focused on getting to week nine and playing to our full potential. Every game has been to help us get ready for this week.” Colville faces Lakeside in Suncrest on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. The winner will be crowned NEA League champion. The Crimson Hawks won the same matchup last year in a 13-12 donnybrook. 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

Busy Year for Colville Farmers Market - 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 Busy Year for Colville Farmers Market September 3, 2025 By: Isidora Patrick Farmers Market wrap-up. W ith just a month left of farmers' market season,. Kelli Lippert, farmers' market coordinator for Colville, gave some insight on the market this year. According to Lippert, this year has been busier than the previous, with more vendors participating as well. She also said that Wednesday markets seem to see more customers as community events on Saturdays sometimes detract from the market. Many v endors stated that July through September is the busier part of the season, according to Lippert; this may be due to most produce being at max harvest during these months. Lippert discussed how some of the longer-standing vendors have chosen not to participate in the market next year, but for good reason. These vendors are planning to open shops of their own, Lippert said, which could supply them with a more consistent profit. W hile growth may be an overall goal for many vendors, when asked what their favorite part of the farmers market was, a majority spoke about the joy their products brought customers, along with the social connections they are able to make. According to Lippert, the farmers market has participated in many programs this season as well, including EBT and SNAP food benefits. She noted that Providence has had a booth every Wednesday, offering free blood pressure checks for patrons. She also discussed how the Rotary Club of Colville has participated in the “no produce left behind” program. This program allows the Rotary Club of Colville to use grant funding to purchase unsold produce at the farmers market and donate it to local food banks. Lippert added that the Rotary Club of Colville is planning to do aPumpkins for Polio fundraiser in September. She said the club will have a booth every Saturday, selling decorative pumpkins; the funds raised will go towards polio v accines in other countries. For more information, visit newfarmersmarket.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