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Out of the Past: 12/24/2025 - 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: 12/24/2025 December 24, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Keller House Christmas Santa 2024. Photo courtesy Stevens Country Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— Next Monday, Dec. 28, will be observed throughout the nation by dinners and meetings as the birthday anniversary of Woodrow Wilson, the apostle of world peace, who died in his struggle to attain world peace. The first real snow of the season came Monday, to a depth of about 4 inches, dispelling any ideas that December might pass without a white covering for the ground. A greeting card at the beginning of the New Year is a pleasing reminder of friendship. Hundreds of beautiful new cards for New Year’s greetings are in the Examiner line of greeting cards. Many varieties of sentiment and design, 5c and 10c: The Colville Examiner . 75 Years Ago— Florida or California has nothing on Colville. They play golf here on Christmas. Golf course manager, Paul Burgeess, reported play on the local course all through the holiday. The greens were in excellent shape, he reported. Civil defense forms will go into the mail next week. Fred Wilson, county defense coordinator, said volunteer workers will begin mailing forms Tuesday. Individuals will be asked to give information on available firearms, housing, transportation, heavy machinery, miscellaneous equipment and livestock. “It’s unlikely that any part of the county will become a major bombing target,” Wilsdon explained. “Our first job will probably be assisting other areas by handling evacuees from larger cities in the state.” 50 Years Ago— Letters to Santa Claus winners were named by the Statesman-Examiner this week. They included first place: Ricky Ghramm, Kettle Falls; second place: Valerie Nullet, Kettle Falls; third place: Susan Bertlow, Colville; honorable mention, Grace Leaf, Addy; honorable mention, Lorianne Schernitzki, Kettle Falls; honorable mention, Becky Droter, Colville. Santa Claus came to Addy early Saturday afternoon when the local volunteer firemen gathered the children of the community to their firetruck and drove them around town. Fifty sacks of treats were distributed to the youngsters. A Christmas Tea honoring the Sisters of Mount Carmel Hospital was the highlight of the December meeting of the Hospital Auxiliary held Dec. 8, at the hospital. 25 Years Ago— Workers earning minimum wage in Washington will make $6.72 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2001, a 22 cents-per-hour increase over the current minimum wage. At Thanksgiving time, the average for a gallon of self-service unleaded gas was $1.70. Now, the price is $1.64. Mid-grade and premium at self-service pumps is also six cents lower. The Colville Piecemakers Binky Patrol will be hosting its next “Bink-A-Thon” serving get-together on Dec. 29. Binky Patrol quilts are donated to local shelters to help the homeless and needy, especially teens and children. 10 Years Ago— Carter Toyota in Colville has once again stepped up to be the primary sponsor for this year’s Fireworks Show at the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rogers announced last week that former Stevens County Commissioner Malcolm Friedman will serve as her Northern Region Representative. The office is in Colville. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Local Wrestling Earns Multiple Podium Finishes - 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 Wrestling Earns Multiple Podium Finishes January 14, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Colville's Haiden Sackman won the Bordertown Throwdown's top wrestler award. On the same weekend, she placed in a gymnastics tournament. Photo courtesy Colville Athletics. Sackman Places First, Again Colville’s Haiden Sackman had another championship run at the Bordertown Throwdown: Ladies Only tournament, while teammate Kirya Zier also had a podium appearance. At 120 pounds, Sackman delivered a flawless performance, going 7-0 to claim first place and score 28 team points. Sackman recorded six pins on the day, including falls over wrestlers from Priest River, Almira Coulee-Hartline, Lewiston, Moscow, and Clarkston. Her longest match lasted just over five minutes, and she capped the title run with a series of quick pins in the later rounds, including a 39-second fall in Round 6. Sackman’s title run was one of the most complete performances of the tournament, and she won the wrestler of the tournament award. Zier, 125 pounds, competed in a demanding bracket to earn a seventh-place finish and 12 team points. Zier picked up a pair of wins by fall and forfeit, including a pin over Aubrey Hessitt of Clarkston, and closed her tournament by winning the seventh-place match by forfeit. Colville’s Davis Claims Title, Two More Place The Colville Crimson Hawks were led by Bryce Davis, who captured the 138-pound championship with a dominant run through the bracket during the Blackhawk Invite at Cheney High School on Saturday, Jan. 10. Davis scored 30.5 team points, opening with a technical fall before recording three straight falls to reach the finals. In the title match, Davis sealed first place with a 16-5 major decision over Jaiden Peak of West Valley (Spokane). Trent Seitters placed fifth at 150 pounds, scoring 14 team points. After dropping a quarterfinal bout, Seitters battled back through the consolation bracket with a pin of Clarkston High School’s Ty Fleishman, and finished his day with a fall over Bryan Castro of Connell in the fifth-place match. At 190 pounds, Braedon Heater also earned fifth place, contributing 15.5 team points. Heater recorded a pin and a technical fall in consolation action before closing his tournament with a first-period fall over Phoenix Jansen of Clarkston. Chewelah’s Tapia and Katzer Earn Podium Finishes The Chewelah Cougars saw two wrestlers place at 157 pounds at the Blackhawk Invite on Jan. 10. Titan Tapia completed a fourth-place finish after an impressive run that included a technical fall and two pins early in the tournament. Tapia rebounded from a semifinal loss with back-to-back consolation wins before falling in the third-place match. Dakota Katzer added a fifth-place finish at the same weight class. Katzer advanced to the semifinals with a pin and a technical fall, then bounced back from a close consolation loss to win the fifth-place match by decision over Nelson Nygard of Eastmont. Kettle Falls Bulldogs Rack up Titles The Kettle Falls Bulldogs dominated the Crusader Classic at Northwest Christian Schools on Jan. 10, with three individual champions and several additional placers across the lineup. Josh Bair won the 113-pound title, recording a pair of falls to finish unbeaten on the day. Ezekiel Evans captured first place at 150 pounds with three straight pins, while Kincaid Freer claimed the 157-pound championship, also winning all of his matches by fall. Kettle Falls added multiple podium finishes beyond its champions. Gideon Evans placed second at 126 pounds after reaching the finals with two pins. Michael Winn (120 pounds) and Joseph Young (132 pounds) each placed third after battling back through the consolation bracket with pins in their placement matches. Lee Fowler (106 pounds), Landon Tryon (165 pounds), Aiden Fowler (190 pounds) and Harley Rowe (215 pounds) all earned fourth-place finishes, giving the Bulldogs scoring contributions throughout the weights, demonstrating the team’s depth. The Bulldogs also continued their momentum in dual competition, earning a 44-30 road win over Northwest Christian earlier in the week. Gideon Evans opened the night with a quick pin at 126 pounds, and the Bulldogs closed the dual with another pin at heavyweight. Bair, Baylor Rosen, Aiden Fowler and Rowe all added wins by forfeit, while Ezekiel Evans scored bonus points with a technical fall at 157 pounds and Freer earned a hard-fought decision at 165 pounds. Springdale Wrestlers Post Strong Finishes The Chargers banner also found success at the Crusader Classic, placing three athletes on Jan. 10. Seth Finley earned second place at 132 pounds after advancing to the finals with a technical fall and a pin. Mykah Patterson earned a runner-up finish at 157 pounds, reaching the championship match with two falls before finishing second. Tyson Kane added a fourth-place finish at heavyweight, battling through the consolation rounds with three straight pins. 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

Checking in on Local Farms - 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 Checking in on Local Farms July 23, 2025 By: Meredith Carroll Hay being harvested. Photo provided by Front Porch Website. As summer heats up and brings with it fires and droughts, the farmers of northeast Washington continue to tend to livestock, harvest crops, and figure out ways to thrive amid nature’s hurdles. The Statesman-Examiner checked in last week with a couple of local farmers to see how things are going. River’s Edge Ranch is located less than two miles from Chewelah and is owned by Jennifer Sather and her husband Ian. The ranch produces grass fed beef, lamb, and goats; eggs and poultry; meat bundles and specialty meats; wool; seasonal produce, and Berkshire cross pork. They also harvest occasional seasonal veggies. The ranch has faced challenges as a result of the weather. “This year has brought us odd weather,” said Sather. “We haven’t had a ton of rain, and the crops are not as plentiful. We’ve had to cut back on what we sell to keep what we need for our stock. “It isn’t easy being a farmer,” Sather said. “People think that we’re more well to do than we really are. Everything is expensive: the equipment and the animals. Some piece of equipment always breaks down, and parts are hard to come by. We are self-funded. We don’t get any grants or government subsidies.” Sather’s swather, a machine used to cut and lay crops, recently had a control board go bad. “It’s taken 13 months, and I still can’t find a replacement part,” said Sather. “So, I’m making lease payments on a piece of equipment that doesn’t work. We ended up having to buy another, used swather, which cost us $9,000. The one we’re making payments on that broke down is a $30,000 machine.” According to Sather, companies won’t service equipment of a certain age. “They want you to go out and buy a new one. I can’t even move the broken machine out of the way. We need a new baler, too, but since we had to replace the swather, it’s on the backburner.” She added, “Our livestock is doing pretty good. This includes our sheep, goats, and poultry. They are thriving pretty well, despite the fact that things have been on the drier side because of the weather. We did get our hay, just not as much as we would have liked. “Also, we just had a calf attacked and killed, likely by a bear. Predators are definitely a challenge, and we have been working to beef up protection and put up game cams. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to lose that calf,” Santher said, “but it’s also a significant loss to our ranch. It’s a loss in production. And the feed and time and energy investment in calves is great. Losses affect the herd in overall stress and lack of gain due to predator pressure, so it’s a culminating loss to the ranch. We work very hard towards the safety of our animals. We attempt non-lethal hazing of predators which has been successful up to this incident. “The Farmers’ Markets are going well this year, though,” Sather said. “We’ve seen an increase in sales across the board. Lots of people have attended the farmers’ markets. And we’ve harvested enough hay for ourselves. Unfortunately, though, we’ve had to cut hay sales to our goat farmer friends” Front Porch Farm, established in 2003 and located in Arden, is celebrating a good season. Owner Dee Acheson said he always wanted a farm, and is proud to have founded this first generation farm. “Now, 25 years later, we have three generations working the farm,” Acheson said, adding that Front Porch Farms has a diversified selection of products ranging from organic vegetables, hay, and beef cattle. “We have enough to sell at three farmers’ markets as well as provide for our own farm,” Acheson said. Front Porch Farms operates a store front where it also sells antiques. “We are doing well. We always do well. We continue to grow over the years. The community is faithful in supporting us. “This has been a dry year, though,” said Acheson. “But one good thing was that Front Porch Farms has irrigation rights to the Colville River. This was one of my requirements for buying the farm. “It’s a use-it-or-lose-it kind of thing, though,” Acheson continued. “The Department of Agriculture will confiscate water rights if they are not used.” He added, “We do have some difficult bugs, and we take care of those with organic spray. We don’t have any elk or wolf problems here yet, and that’s probably because of our open, visible location near the highway.” Acheson described the struggles Front Porch Farms faces. “Everything,” Acheson said. “When things go wrong, they go wrong all at once on a farm. We have a limited amount of help.” But Acheson and his three generations of family helping out have continued to make Front Porch Farms successful. 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

Watch Out for Ninjas! - 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 Watch Out for Ninjas! July 30, 2025 By: Meredith Carroll Preschoolers on balance beam. Photo provided by Meredith Carroll. KIPS Gymnastics (KIPS), home to tumblers, flippers, and balance beam artists from preschoolers to preteens, is hosting summer camps and programs designed to teach kids gymnastics on a smaller scale. “We offer these camps as a way to introduce kids to gymnastics without a big commitment, so they can get a taste of it while having fun,” said Sadie Greenhagen, who has been coaching gymnastics at KIPS since 2022. “We just finished our Ninja Camp last week, which was offered to both of our age groups. “Ninja Week focused on balance, big bar circuits, floor circuits, jumping, and wall climbing,” said Greenhagen. “As with all of our camps, we offered age appropriate lesson plans. For Ninja week, the kids made headbands, Ninja turtles, and tie-dyed t-shirts.” During Ninja week, after learning basic skills, the children participated in timed races and were rewarded with a group photo posted on Facebook. “The week went pretty well,” said Greenhagen. “I floated around and helped with the circuits. I had a lot of fun ideas, there were new obstacle courses, and all of the kids were having fun. It was a success. We had about 18 kids enrolled for the preschool age group.” KIPS is owned by Christine Moss, who started out coaching her daughters into competitive gymnastics. Her daughters, Samantha Dyar and Kinzie Owens, continue the tradition of coaching at the gym. KIPS offers preschool classes Tuesday through Thursday, and Recreational classes Monday through Thursday. “I love starting my day with the little kids and then working with the older girls in the afternoon,” said Greenhagen. “I really love what I do.” For more information, call 509-684-5138 or visit kipsgymnastics.net . KIPS Gymnastics is located at 465 W. 2 nd Ave., in Colville. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Colville Girls Basketball Puts Together Strong Holiday Stretch - 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 Basketball Puts Together Strong Holiday Stretch January 7, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Colville's Andee Kroiss goes up for a layup against Chewelah in the Crimson Hawks' 56-22 victory over the Cougars in nonleague basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 3. Photo by Derek Dobell. The Colville girls basketball team showed strong competition during the holiday break, winning two of three nonleague contests to improve to 6-4 overall heading into January. Colville closed the week with a decisive 56-22 road victory over the Chewelah Cougars on Saturday, Jan. 3. The Crimson Hawks set the tone early, jumping out to a 17-7 first-quarter lead and holding Chewelah scoreless in the second quarter to take a commanding 35-7 advantage into halftime. Andee Kroiss led Colville with 15 points, while Aubree Kubesh added 13 points as the Crimson Hawks used balanced scoring and defensive pressure to pull away. Colville limited Chewelah to just eight field goals in the game. Sara Vioni paced the Cougars with 14 points. Earlier in the week, Colville narrowly defeated the 2A North Central Wolfpack 47-46 in a thriller on Dec. 30 at West Valley High School. Kroiss scored a game-high 21 points to lift the Crimson Hawks, who survived a tight contest that remained in doubt until the final seconds. Colville led 15-7 after the first quarter, but North Central battled back behind 19 points from Arkayla Brown. Georgia Beardslee added 11 points for the Crimson Hawks before fouling out, while Colville held on despite being outscored at the free-throw line. The Crimson Hawks opened the tournament on Dec. 29, with a 44-30 loss to the Colfax Bulldogs. Colville led 11-5 after the first quarter, but Colfax took control in the middle periods behind a 19-point performance from Allie Jenkin. Beardslee led Colville with 11 points, while Kroiss added nine. The Crimson Hawks struggled offensively after the opening quarter, scoring just 19 points over the final three periods. The Lady Hawks faced East Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 6; results were not available at press time. The team is scheduled to play Okanogan on Friday, Jan. 9, at 7:15 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

Cougs Boys Basketball Wins Two Tourney Matchups - 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 Cougs Boys Basketball Wins Two Tourney Matchups December 10, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Chewelah’s boys basketball team began last season 0-5 and still finished with eight wins. This season, the Cougars are already 2-0 after their first weekend of play under new Head Coach Tom Skok. For their season opener on Friday, Dec. 5, it wasn’t an exceptionally easy matchup as they faced Tip-Off Tournament host Northport, who were coming off an 81-69 victory over Wilbur-Creston-Keller earlier in the week. But the Cougars’ offense clicked, and they came up with a 73-63 victory. The next day, they faced off against an Inchelium squad that had defeated them a year prior. The sharp-shooting Chewelah squad hit six 3-pointers, including three by Ryen McMillin, who finished the game with 13 points to lead all scorers. The Cougars had a four-point deficit in the first quarter but outscored Inchelium 11-6 in the second quarter for the 18-17 halftime lead. They pushed that lead to six points in the third quarter. Frank Sety finished with four field goals, including two 3-pointers, for 10 points. Stancil ate at the free-throw line, hitting eight of nine shots for 11 total. Blake Schlining also scored 11 points off four field goals. Inchelium was led by Derek Perez’s 12 points. The Cougars traveled to Republic on Tuesday, Dec. 9; results were not available at press time. The team is scheduled to host Omak on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Rep. Engell Raises Eastern Washington Concerns with Gov. Ferguson - 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 Rep. Engell Raises Eastern Washington Concerns with Gov. Ferguson November 19, 2025 By: Cami Krema Gov. Bob Ferguson (left) and Rep. Andrew Engell (right) discuss issues surrounding the state at the Knight's Diner in Spokane. Photo courtesy Andrew Engell. Representative Andrew Engell (R-Colville), met with Washington state governor Bob Ferguson in Spokane on Nov. 8, to discuss local issues and explore common ground. Engell said that his goal for the meeting was to help build trust in the state government, reduce tension between the urban and rural communities, and ensure the east side of the state is heard. Engell discussed the issues he brought to Ferguson, which included: Food Safety Modernization Act regulations and how they affect rural farming Wolf management in Stevens and Ferry counties How the Growth Management Act affects rural communities The relationship between the Department of Ecology and farmers Childcare center closures due to new teacher regulations COVID-19 vaccine mandates The need for more sustainable transportation Columbia River salmon and sturgeon mandatory endorsements Gender inclusivity policies in schools The banning of septic system types Attacks on hydropower L&I and local business The potential closure of NEW Family Life Services’ Crisis Pregnancy Center Engell said that while they weren’t able to review each point in depth, he was able to summarize them for the governor. “Those points were preparation for me, and were something I could give him [to review],” Engell said, adding that he started the conversation by telling Ferguson, “A lot of people here feel pretty beat down and like they're just losing. It creates a lot of this tension. I want to try to make this better.” Engell said that Ferguson seemed to agree, adding, “So I gave him these specific examples of some things that I felt should be bipartisan.” Engell continued, “I ran on the concept that I was still conservative, but I believe in treating everybody with respect and well,” and said that he and Ferguson found common ground in their shared faith. “That means that we're supposed to treat everyone as people created in the image of God, in which [Ferguson] agreed with.” Engell said that, after he gave his talking points to Ferguson, one of the first issues they addressed was the crisis pregnancy center. He said he heard from those working at the center that Ferguson was trying to shut them down, which piqued the governor’s concern. “Ferguson was quickly like, ‘Tell me more about this,’ and [I told him] I don't know that that's true at all. All I know is that [the crisis pregnancy center] said it to a group of 300 people. That's indicative of our challenge of a low trust environment. Maybe it's a rumor, who knows where it came from? But [the center is] concerned enough they made an issue out of it and told a bunch of people.” Engell said he told Ferguson, “You can count on me to be truthful whenever I can. Everybody makes mistakes, but I have a commitment to truth. And if we can have an open door policy, I'd like to be able to ask you about these things when I hear about them and I'll commit to not spreading false information and helping to focus on correcting these misquotes.” He added that Ferguson, “seemed to appreciate that,” and indicated he was looking into all of the crisis pregnancy centers in the state, adding that he would also look into what might be making the centers feel that way. Engell said another point the two spoke about in depth were federal regulations that potentially harm rural farmers. “My farm was put out of business by federal regulations,” Engell said and discussed how he was a certified organic vegetable farmer who sold garlic online. “[The regulations] were not really designed for tiny little farms like mine. I'm just like, ‘I can't figure out how to do this.’ In hindsight, now I'm really a lot better at jumping through hoops and I probably could have figured it out. But when you're barely surviving, any extra regulatory weight at all can be the last straw.” Another issue Engell discussed was the Department of Ecology’s regulations surrounding farmers and potential pollution. “You don't have to be proven [to be] actually causing any pollution,” he said, adding that the department could see cows near water and determine there is an “opportunity to pollute.” Engell said, “That’s considered a crime now in Washington.” He continued that it’s hard to convince farmers to alter their methods because they’ve “been doing this for generations. And all of a sudden now they're deemed a polluter without any kind of proof.” Engell added that Ferguson “seemed to be sympathetic,” and agreed they had to be more careful with regulations like that. “The point is, you have people and organizations and groups that feel like ‘the state is coming after me. They're trying to put me out of business. They're trying to kick me out of the region,’” he said. Engell also said that farmers are a minority group in the state. “The minority people live in rural areas. The majority of people live in these other areas and they have a different frame of reference when they're [creating] these regulations, and [farmers] are not involved in the decisions.” He said that when new regulations come out that affect farmers, many of them feel confused and frustrated. “Sometimes there might be a public benefit and it might be great, but if we aren't explaining it well enough to those people, if they just feel like they’re being beat for no reason, even if there is a reason, that's a problem in and of itself. It undermines trust in government,” Engell said. He continued that, along with rebuilding trust between people and the government, the two also discussed problems with bi-partisanship and sensationalism. “We need to get to the facts, and argue over real problems,” Engell said. Food security was another issue that Engell addressed with the governor, saying they both had concerns about people not getting their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Engell said, “[Ferguson asked] ‘how can we help here?’ I told him I thought helping the food banks is a good way because it's a cheaper way to help the people who need to help the most. He did find $2 million last week to give to the food banks.” Engell also said that Ferguson asked him if he would consider accompanying him to Washington D.C. to meet with Dr. Oz and advocate for Washington’s health care. Engell did not have additional details about the invitation but called it “an interesting opportunity,” and added “if [the governor and I] could be unified on the fact that we both want to preserve access to healthcare for patients in Washington, I'd see that as a positive.” Engell said he used his meeting with the governor to talk about his policies that he feels could benefit the 7 th district including: a warranty for license plates if the paint chips off within a certain period of purchase; allowing physician assistants to perform certain procedures when a physician is not on site; making it easier to harvest trees along power lines and around houses without having to get a permit; bringing in nursing programs that would be easier to access to address the state’s nursing shortage; and adjusting gravel pit fees. “We want to be engaging with the people in charge. In this case, it's the Democrats,” Engell said. “There's no question that [Ferguson and I are] on different sides of the political aisle, but I hope we share the interest in making a government that works better for people. [Ferguson] says he wants to be the governor for all of Washington. I'm like, ‘I want to help you do that.’” Engell added that “really, the focus is, we have to figure out how to bring down this political rhetoric. The polarization is way too bad, it's messy. Most people are tired of it. I mean, so many people have family and friends that no longer speak to them anymore because of this. This is not how it’s supposed to work. [Ferguson] seemed to be in agreement, that he wants to bring this down. He wants to be the governor for all of Washington.” Reflecting on the experience overall, Engell said, “I appreciated the opportunity to meet with [the governor]. I'm not joining him; but at the same time, I don't want to disrespect him either.” 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

Hansen Reflects on Brief Stint on Chewelah City Council - 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 Hansen Reflects on Brief Stint on Chewelah City Council December 17, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Brandon Hansen has resigned from his position on the Chewelah city council. In his letter of resignation, he stated, “It’s my understanding that the state statute indicates that I would continue to serve in the seat until the next election. I appreciate the trust placed in me this past year and the opportunity to serve our community. However, after careful consideration, I have decided to step down from this seat.” Hansen elaborated, “I was originally appointed to the council rather than elected. While I was grateful to receive support from voters in the recent election, I did not receive enough votes to feel I have a clear mandate to serve as their representative. Respecting the will of the voters is essential to me, and the community should have the opportunity to voice who represents them.” While recognizing that he is entitled to the seat under the Revised Code of Washington, he maintained, “If there is something I really feel strongly about, it is elections and people having the right to choose their representatives. I don't believe the percentage of votes I received in the election gives me a mandate to continue representing the community due to a technicality.” Hansen added that his family is also facing new, significant health concerns, clarifying, “I do not want to continue in a role where I may be distracted or unable to give the full focus and dedication the position requires. Chewelah deserves council members who can be fully present and engaged.” Discussing the highlights of his time on the council, Hansen said, “Working with my fellow council people. They really do care about the community. They had the best interests of Chewelah in their heart.” He shared that, within the role, he learned a lot and made a point to come prepared to each meeting, having a full understanding of the motions proposed and topics discussed. “I also ran a write-in campaign during the time. I enjoyed my time in the role and engaging with residents about the community,” Hansen said. Appointed in July 2025 to fill Traci Ling’s vacated seat, Hansen said his motivation to serve stemmed from witnessing tension build between the previous mayor and the council. “I did not like the discourse that was occurring publicly. I wanted to bring a voice more focused on economic development to the council and also a younger perspective,” Hansen stated. During his career as a journalist, Hansen admitted he has covered many stories on city councils and county governments, adding, “It has been a valuable learning experience working on the other side. While I was on council briefly, it really showed me that serving on local government is very important, and one has to approach it seriously, no matter how small the issue. Why? Because out of all government contact, your local government affects people's day-to-day lives the most.” As far as the challenges encountered, Hansen stated, “Chewelah has to work against several economic headwinds. Some of these challenges are specific to Chewelah, or to rural communities as a whole.” He cited the aging demographic, lack of housing and a lack of career-minded jobs in town as a few. “The arts/recreation/community event groups have been carrying the water for Chewelah for some time now. For young families, however, it’s a bit tough making headway in the town,” he said. Hansen said he grew up in Chewelah, graduating from Jenkins High School in 2003. He attended college at Eastern Washington University and then embarked on a journalism career that took him to Montana, western Washington, and back to Chewelah in 2016. Moving forward, Hansen said he plans to focus on family and continuing to provide for them. He honored his wife, Morgan, remarking, “She has been extremely successful and brave in her ventures in both business and career. Our two boys, Henry and Teddy, are rambunctious little redheads, so trying to keep up with them will also be a full-time job.” When asked if he had any advice for anyone considering serving on the council, he commented, “I think some people get into this thinking they're going to do ‘this, this and this.’ In reality, a city council member isn't someone who calls the shots; they are there to serve the community. For a small town, a lot of this is not headline-grabbing, interesting stuff; it's things like fuel rates at the airport, budget lines, and listening to community members about speed bumps and campground fees.” When reporting on elections, Hansen said he’s witnessed some candidates feel they are going to bring in a national political agenda, or do “great things and then quickly find that is not what the elected position does.” He added, “I beg anyone running in our local elections to actually understand what the governing body does before running in the seat.” Hansen wished the best to the new council members and new mayor, Lindsay Baxter, stating, “I think it will be a fairly harmonious council moving forward. Lindsay has impressed me with his passion for the community and his willingness to listen to diverse viewpoints.” Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Out of the Past: 07/30/2025 - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Out of the Past: 07/30/2025 July 30, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum A&W Great Root Bear surprises local children. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— “You should capitalize your scenery,” said E. L. DeLestry, editor of Western Magazine of St. Paul, Minn., after viewing Kettle Falls and the Columbia River scenery last Sunday in company with a party of Kettle Falls and Colville people. More than 2,500 drivers’ licenses were distributed by the county auditor throughout the county besides the number that were sent direct to auto dealers and garages, and a large number has been distributed by the Colville Examiner . Beginning today, everyone who drives a car must have a new drivers’ license. The licenses were issued in 1923, and since, expired last evening. 75 Years Ago— A flying saucer came to Colville this week. Jim Murdock, mechanic at Dallas Garage, saw one at 7:30 a.m. Sunday over Draper’s mill. Murdock said the silver saucer appeared over Mingo Mountain. He watched it for about 30 seconds. Electric refrigerators were the biggest electrical appliance sales item in Colville during June, according to a sales summary released by the Washington Water Power Company this week. Electrical dealers in the city sold a total of 63 refrigerators during the month, the report showed. The figures were taken before the current war scare boom. 50 Years Ago— “A great kid pleaser” – The A&W Great Root Bear was in Colville at the A&W Restaurant and drew oodles of kids. Free candy and balloons were handed out by Root Bear and Ron Derogatis, A&W owner-manager. Dave McCloud played the major role. Bryan Construction of Colville started construction this week of the new $50,000 Mode O’Day building at 120 N. Main Street. The new building will be situated between Walden Insurance Agency and the offices of Dr. Lawson and Fine and Beardslee Realty. Wayne Henderson of Orient, present leading cowboy in the Washington Rodeo Association, took second in calf roping and teamed up with his brother, Chris, to take second in team roping at the Deer Park Rodeo last weekend. 25 Years Ago— Political candidates and dignitaries from around the region joined Pend Oreille County residents for a grand re-opening of the venerable Tiger Store last Saturday. The dedication was part of last weekend’s Downriver Days celebration in neighboring Metaline, Metaline Falls and Ione. Colville city council members voted to change the style of stairway to be included in the boulder retaining wall between Birch and Astor Streets that is scheduled to begin this week as a part of the Colville 2000 Project. The approved plan called for reinforced concrete stairs. The stairway will now be made of cut stone. The cost is estimated at roughly half of the initial $63,000 price tag. 10 Years Ago— The Woodland Theatre stage was stripped to its figurative “bones” last Wednesday and Saturday as volunteers wrenched up nails and boards in the beginning of the stage’s refurbishing project. In June, Colville City Council bequeathed $5,000 from the Vinson Fund to the Woodland Theatre, located in Kettle Falls. The 85 th anniversary of the Colville Kiwanis Club beef barbecue will be held Thursday, July 30, at the Colville City Park. 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

McMillan Uplifts Chewelah Boys Basketball; Girls Team Drops Two 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 McMillan Uplifts Chewelah Boys Basketball; Girls Team Drops Two Games February 4, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Ryen McMillan. Photo by Jessica Sety. McMillan’s 26 lifts Chewelah boys past St. George’s Ryen McMillan continued to be a top scorer in the NE2B League, as he poured in 26 points as the Chewelah Cougars rallied for a 56-54 nailbiter victory over the St. George's Dragons on Saturday, Jan. 31. Chewelah (11-9, 4-7) shook off a slow start after falling behind 18-6 in the first quarter, then outscored the Dragons 35-23 over the middle two periods to take control. The Cougars closed the game at the free-throw line, finishing 11-of-16 from the stripe. McMillan hit 10 field goals, including two 3-pointers, and went 4-of-5 at the line. Asher Stancil added 18 points, while Blake Schlining scored seven points. St. George’s (6-14, 4-7) was led by Liam Darcy, who scored 14 points, and Colin Brennan, who added 11 points. The Dragons were hot from range, hitting 10 3-pointers, but were limited to 23 second-half points. The win followed a 56-46 league loss earlier in the week against the Davenport Gorillas on Jan. 27. Caige Colbert scored 24 points as Davenport pulled away in the fourth quarter with a 19-6 scoring edge. Chewelah was tied 9-9 after one quarter and led 31-23 at halftime before the Gorillas’ perimeter shooting turned the tide. McMillan led the Cougars with 19 points, while Frank Sety added 15 on a perfect 5-for-5 night at the free-throw line. Chewelah struggled to keep pace from deep, hitting just two 3-pointers compared to Davenport’s eight. Results from Chewelah’s matchup against Kettle Falls on Tuesday, Feb. 3, were unavailable at press time. District tournament play will begin on Thursday, depending on seeding. Chewelah girls drop pair of league games The Chewelah Cougars girls' team endured a tough week in NE2B play, falling to the Davenport Gorillas and the St. George's Dragons in back-to-back games. Chewelah dropped a 75-16 decision at Davenport on Jan. 27. The Gorillas jumped out to a 32-5 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Kayla Davis led the Cougars with six points, while Sara Vioni added five points. The Cougars returned home Jan. 31, but were unable to slow St. George’s in a 67-34 defeat. The Dragons built a 49-15 halftime lead and maintained control throughout the second half. Elise Warren paced Chewelah with nine points, while Jessika Davis and Sara Vioni scored eight points apiece. 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

Murderer Re-Sentences After 2021 Supreme Court Ruling - 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 Murderer Re-Sentences After 2021 Supreme Court Ruling November 5, 2025 By: Staff Report Convicted killer Justin Crenshaw, who was convicted of murdering 18-year-old Sarah Clark and 20-year-old Tanner Pehl in 2008, faced his victims' families in a Spokane courtroom when he was re-sentenced on Oct. 13. While the murders occurred in Spokane, victim Pehl had connections to Stevens County. Pehl grew up in Colville until the age of nine and attended Colville High School for a year before finishing his education in Spokane, according to the obituary provided to the Associated Press. Judge Dean Chuang made the decision to uphold Crenshaw’s original sentence after hearing testimonies from more than 30 family members and friends of the two victims. Crenshaw was resentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Additional statements were received by Chuang from Crenshaw himself, his mother, and his fiancée, along with testimonies from a psychiatrist and a representative from the Department of Corrections (DOC). Crenshaw, who was noted to be an acquaintance of the victims by the victim’s families, killed Pehl and Clark, stabbing Pehl 14 times and Clark 26, before posing their bodies with swords and setting the house where the killings took place on fire, according to court documents. The house on Elm Street in Spokane was the Pehl’s family home. When investigating the case, law enforcement noted a bloody fingerprint that eventually tied Crenshaw to the crime. Tanner's loved ones say precious family mementos were used to stage the crime scene. Tanner’s sister, Katie, said in a past interview, “Justin had ransacked the house, making it look like a robbery. Everything was in disarray. Our whole childhood was on the floor and there [were] blood and bloody footprints everywhere.” Crenshaw, who was 20 years old at the time of the crime, was convicted of the double murder and sentenced to life without parole in 2010. Eleven years after his sentencing, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled it “unconstitutional to impose a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole to anyone who committed aggravated murder between the ages of 18 and 21,” which prompted resentencing hearings across the state, including Crenshaw’s. During the resentencing, Pehl’s and Clark’s loved ones relayed the lifelong effects they have experienced as a result of the killings, and added that releasing Crenshaw would be an issue of safety. The DOC representative told the court that Crenshaw had 18 infractions in the state prison system, including assault, rioting, participating in gang activity and more. Court documents also reported that Crenshaw has had six prison infractions in other states since his incarceration for the double murder, including the killing of a cellmate and the stabbing of another inmate. Clark’s father implored the judge to uphold the original sentence, stating that none of the facts of the case had changed, and that Crenshaw had acted in a “premeditated, violent, and disgusting way” when he murdered Clark and Pehl. Pehl’s mother also spoke, stating that Crenshaw had “tortured” the two victims. After listening to the victim’s loved ones, Chuang concluded that Crenshaw exhibited “intentionality, cognitive reasoning, premeditation, and extreme violence” in the murders of Pehl and Clark. Although the 2021 court ruling noted “youthful behavior” as a reason not to impose life sentences for crimes committed by 18-21-year-olds, Chuang determined it not to be a factor in Crenshaw’s actions. The judge then resentenced Crenshaw to two life sentences without the possibility of parole to be served consecutively, during which Crenshaw made several outbursts, including cursing at the judge, calling his lawyer “ineffective,” and refusing to sign the resentencing documents. He also said he would appeal the resentencing. Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam said the Prosecutor’s Office is extremely pleased with the outcome of the resentencing. 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 Boys Hit 12 Three-Pointers Against Newport - 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 Boys Hit 12 Three-Pointers Against Newport January 28, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Parker Darnold passes the ball for Colville during their nonleague victory over Newport last Saturday, Jan. 24. Photo by Brandon Hansen. The Colville boys basketball team had a good weekend when they needed it. The Crimson Hawks picked up back-to-back nonleague victories over Deer Park and Newport to even their record at 8-8 overall after an early-week loss to NEA League foe Lakeside. Colville fell 65-48 in a road loss to Lakeside on Jan. 20, before rebounding with a 70-44 win at Deer Park on Friday, Jan. 23, and a dominant 90-37 home victory over Newport on Saturday, Jan. 24. At Lakeside, Colville struggled to recover from a slow start, falling behind 40-26 at halftime. The Eagles pushed the lead to double digits in the fourth quarter behind Blake Hanson’s game-high 19 points. Jet Bateman and Brock Benson led the Crimson Hawks with 12 points apiece, while Parker Darnold added 10 points. Colville was limited to just three 3-pointers in the loss. The Crimson Hawks bounced back with a balanced performance at Deer Park, pulling away in the second half for a 26-point win. Benson poured in 20 points to lead Colville, while Bateman finished with 12 and Darnold added nine points. Colville knocked down seven 3-pointers and outscored the Stags 22-8 in the third quarter to seize control. Chase Bates led Deer Park with 12 points. Saturday’s home finale against Newport was all Colville. The Crimson Hawks jumped out to a 25-8 first-quarter lead and never looked back, soaring to a 53-point victory. Darnold scored 19 points to lead Colville, Quentin Huggins added 15, and the Crimson Hawks drained 12 3-pointers as a team. Benson chipped in eight points, while multiple players contributed in the scoring column as Colville finished with 35 made field goals. Jamieson Oaks led Newport with 10 points. With the two wins, Colville gained momentum heading back into NEA League play. Results from the Tuesday, Jan. 27, NEA League matchup against Lakeside were unavailable at press time. Colville is scheduled to play at Riverside on Friday, Jan. 30, at 5:30 p.m. and at Medical Lake on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7:15 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