Search Results

Stevens County Farms and Ranches Look Ahead to 2026 Season - 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 Farms and Ranches Look Ahead to 2026 Season January 7, 2026 By: Meredith Carroll Mama and calf on the River’s Edge Ranch. Photo by Jennifer Sather. As northeast Washington transitions into the new year, local farmers say they are working hard to stay prepared for what has become an unpredictable winter. While some people may enjoy the winter’s mild temperatures and lack of snow, local farmers and ranchers have expressed mixed feelings. Factors that also include the economy and political issues have farmers and ranchers coming up with creative ways to remain in business. For the past two years, the Statesman - Examiner has been checking in periodically with a variety of local farmers and ranchers as they navigate their way through the trials that nature and regulations throw their way. This article features the perspectives of a husband and wife-owned ranch and an organic farmer. Jennifer and Ian Sather own River’s Edge Ranch, located less than two miles outside Chewelah. The ranch raises goats, lamb, poultry, grass-fed beef, specialty meats, and Berkshire cross pork; they also produce eggs, meat bundles, wool, Tallow body products, and seasonal produce. They also harvest occasional seasonal veggies. According to Jennifer Sather, coyotes are the biggest problem the ranch is facing. “This time of year, predators are out there looking for something to eat,” she said. “We use livestock guardian dogs that keep the coyotes at bay, but they have a large area to cover. We’ve lost chickens and a lamb. Some of our animals tend to move into areas where the dogs can’t always protect them.” According to the Department of Natural Resources, mild winters can have an effect on the vulnerability of livestock to predators. In milder winters with higher temperatures and less extreme precipitation, natural prey (such as deer, rabbit, small mammals) become larger and healthier, and therefore more capable of escaping predators. As natural prey become less accessible to predators, these predators resort to scouting out vulnerable livestock that are trapped by fencing and enclosures. “The increase in predators also affects our herd’s health,” said Sather. “We had a bear return to the ranch. It didn’t kill any animals. But the cows’ behavior changes, and the pressure affects their weight, their calves’ weight, and their productivity.” The mild winter has also resulted in unseasonably damp, muddy conditions. “It’s a challenge for feeding. But also, if we don’t get snowpack, it will jeopardize our crops next season. It’s miserable to work in the wet mud. We’re not used to it. But on the bright side, at least we don’t need stock water heaters.” Moving into the new year, farmers and ranchers continue to work through increased inflation, low crop prices, and federal funding cuts. “Things are hard for everybody,” said Sather. “There’s been a lot of volatility. When cattle prices were high, many ranchers sold at auction, which reduced local meat availability. When prices tanked, we chose to hold on. It was a strategic decision – if we sold live, we’d have nothing to sell locally. It’s more work, but we understand why some ranchers make that choice.” One emerging trend for consumers is to shop local; farmers' markets are also becoming a more appealing solution. “We attended the Colville Farmers Market more often in 2025,” Sather said. “People want to know where their food comes from and what they’re really getting. Big box stores are turning people off, and when we’re present and accessible, folks can get to know us, understand our products, and trust that everything is locally sourced. That connection has made a real economic difference for us.” Upon entering the new year, River’s Edge Ranch plans to offer a selection of new products alongside their current selection of meats and eggs, such as pet food and treats. “We have an egg handler license, which allows us to sell at the farmers' markets,” Sather said. “We’re also selling tallow and pet treats at the Columbia Creamery and Milk House Market. We’re adding locations for people who can’t drive the distance to our farm or can’t make it to the farmers' markets.” River’s Edge Ranch is located at 2246 Walking Horse Way in Chewelah. For more information, visit rivers-edge-ranch.com . John Progar is the owner of Meadowlark Farms, a small operation located on three acres outside of Rice. Progar said he is proud to grow organically, choosing not to use herbicides, certain types of sprays, and bug killers. “I adhere to organic growing principles, honoring quality, commitment, and concern. I do have some hired help, but I’ve pretty much been by myself for the past three years.” With the unseasonable warm winter, Progar said he has jumped at the opportunity to complete projects that he normally wouldn’t be able to get to because of the cold. “I’m getting a lot done,” he said. “I’m repairing fences. Once they are buried in snow, it’s hard to do. I’m doing farm cleanup projects, getting the tractor out to build, and repairing the chipper. Now is the only time I have to do these things. We get to clean the greenhouses and the fields and plant cover crops. “And also, I will finalize my seed orders. This is also a time of reflection for me. I get to look at what went right and what I can do better. The mild winter is great for me right now.” He added, “But the climate’s been changing. The mild winters, the extremely hot summers, all have a negative effect on us.” According to the National Institutes of Health, the warmer winters and even hotter summers pose an unprecedented threat to agroecosystems. The effect on crops could include loss of soil organic matter and micronutrients, as well as a significant drop in production. “The warmer winters also cause an increase in the insect population,” Progar said. “Earwigs, caterpillars, and especially aphids. They eat the crap out of our veggies. Farmers are constantly upping the ante regarding pest control. But since I grow organically, I don’t use a lot of pesticides. Because of that, I have crop losses, decreased yields, and increased labor costs because we have to clean the crops.” But even with these challenges, Progar said he considers 2025 to have been a good year. “The farmers' markets were great this year. It was a nice season. We have a supportive community, and we were busy to the last day. I had carrots, onions, and greens. I did a one-day event at the Ag Center as part of the craft show, and in November, I did an event at the Crossroads Event Center. I was harvesting until mid-November.” As January unfolds, Progar said he looks forward to settling into the plant business. “I’ll order pots, soil, and gardening items. It’s a lot of planning. I’ve expanded my business into selling plants in the spring. I have a growing interest in flowers, too. After 17 years in the business, I know what people want.” Progar, just like other local farmers and ranchers, says he is struggling to work through increased inflation, low crop prices, and federal funding cuts. “Colville is a poor community,” he said. “I contract with the Hunger Coalition in order to distribute food to people in need. I also partner with Senior WIC (Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program), EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), and Market Match. Not only does it affect those who directly benefit from these services, it also affects farmers and me directly. I sell my surplus to these services at a reduced price. So those in need will not be able to access it, and I lose the income from selling my surplus. “These have been nice programs. We haven’t yet seen how these cuts will be made. We’ll see next year. It’s a real changing political climate. The current administration is clearly cutting back in these areas. A lot of farms will be affected by these cuts.” According to the United States Department of Agriculture, farm labor costs have increased 47% since 2020. “Things are getting expensive,” Progar said. “There are higher prices in everything: seeds, soil, fertilizer. It’s not cheap to farm. Also, it’s hard to find products made in America. So, I have to buy some things overseas, and I have to pay the tariffs. “But the biggest challenge is how few people want to go into farming anymore. People aren’t willing or capable. There’s just not a lot of labor here in this rural area. The larger farms have been hit by immigration issues. Family farms are going away. Young people don’t want the lifestyle.” Meadowlark Farm can be reached at 517-414-0399 or at meadowlarkorganic@gmail.com . Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Bulldogs Basketball Notches League Win, Advances in Districts With Weekend Victory - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Bulldogs Basketball Notches League Win, Advances in Districts With Weekend Victory February 11, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen The Kettle Falls boys basketball team picked up a pair of important wins last week, edging Chewelah Cougars in NE2B play before rolling past Lind-Ritzville/Sprague in the opening round of the District 6 2B tournament. At Kettle Falls on Feb. 3, the Bulldogs held off Chewelah 49-44. Mace Thivierge led Kettle Falls with 15 points, while Cooper McKern added nine points. The game stayed close throughout, with Kettle Falls taking a slim 15-12 lead after the first quarter. Chewelah answered in the second and led 24-23 at halftime. Kettle Falls was able to regain the lead in the third quarter. Chewelah was paced by Asher Stancil and Frankie Sety, who scored 12 points apiece. Kettle Falls followed up the league win with a 59-46 victory over Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos on Saturday, Feb. 7, in a District 6 2B first-round game at West Valley High School. Cody Adams scored a game-high 22 points as the Bulldogs jumped out to an 18-10 advantage after one quarter and extended the margin to 33-22 by halftime. The Bulldogs knocked down eight 3-pointers in the win, five of them from Adams. Cole Rouleau and Damon Schilling each scored 10 points to lead Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, which cut into the deficit in the third quarter but couldn’t get closer than double digits that late in the game. With the win, Kettle Falls improved to 10-11 overall and advanced to face Colfax on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in a district quarterfinal at West Valley. Results from that matchup were unavailable 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

Edwards Leads Bulldogs Through League Win - 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 Edwards Leads Bulldogs Through League Win February 11, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Wyn Edwards continued a strong finish to the season with a pair of 22-point performances, but the Kettle Falls Bulldogs split their latest two outings, falling to the Liberty Lancers in the opening round of the District 6 2B tournament after earning a league victory earlier in the week. Kettle Falls is 7-14 on the season. Liberty defeated Kettle Falls 47-35 on Saturday, Feb. 7, in a district first-round game at West Valley High School. Alyssa Babb scored 13 points to lead the Lancers, who knocked down eight 3-pointers as a team to pull away late. Kettle Falls stayed within striking distance through three quarters, trailing 35-28 entering the fourth, but Liberty closed the game with a 12-7 run to secure the win. Edwards led all scorers with 22 points for the Bulldogs, going 8-of-10 from the free-throw line, while Cambria Thivierge added six points, including a pair of 3-pointers. With the win, Liberty advanced to face Northwest Christian in a district quarterfinal on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Kettle Falls dropped into a loser-out game scheduled for Saturday at West Valley. Earlier in the week, the Bulldogs picked up a 40-19 Northeast 2B North league win over the visiting Chewelah Cougars on Feb. 3 at Kettle Falls. Edwards again led the way with 22 points as Kettle Falls jumped out to a 12-2 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Thivierge added nine points for the Bulldogs, who held Chewelah to just five points in the first half. Kayla Davis and Jessika Davis scored six points apiece for Chewelah. 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

Warren VIII Leads Chewelah Boys Cross Country to State Runner-Up Finish - 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 Warren VIII Leads Chewelah Boys Cross Country to State Runner-Up Finish November 12, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Chewelah's boys cross country team completes season. Chewelah’s boys cross country team completed one of their finest seasons in school history with a second-place team finish at the WIAA 1B/2B State Championships on Nov. 8, at Sun Willows Golf Course. Led by senior Emmitt Warren VIII, who clocked 15 minutes, 59.3 seconds to take second place overall, the Cougars tallied 77 points – finishing just behind powerhouse Freeman (61) in the 16-team field. Warren, known for his smooth stride and front-running style, stayed within striking distance of Cle Elum-Roslyn’s Waylon Stoneburg-Schafer through the first two miles before the sophomore pulled away to win in 15:40.8. Warren crossed the line 19 seconds later, securing his second straight top-five finish at state. Behind him, sophomore Justice Whittekiend placed seventh overall in 16:56.6, continuing his breakout season as one of the top underclassmen on the team. Junior Blake Schlining followed in 14th (17:20.7), and junior Francis Sety added a key 24th-place finish (17:36.9). Sophomore Kyle Foster rounded out Chewelah’s scoring five, finishing 31st in 17:55.5, while juniors Titan Tapia (59th, 18:51.0) and Jayden Miller (60th, 18:52.7) provided additional depth. Freeman’s pack-running style edged out the Cougars for the team title, but Chewelah’s consistency and youth signal even brighter days ahead – four of their top seven runners will return next fall. Kettle Falls sophomore Mason Reeves posted a solid race in his second state appearance, placing 54th overall in 18:30.4 among 143 runners. Reeves ran aggressively through the middle mile to stay in the top half of the field and led the Bulldogs’ effort at Sun Willows. 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: 12/17/2025 - 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: 12/17/2025 December 17, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Avey Brothers Lumber Co. in the 1960's. Boise owns it now. Note the log pond and the Teepee burner in the photo. Both are part of sawmill history now. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— The Minzell-Randall Co.: new Ford agency opened for business this week on North Main Street, between Second and Third Streets. The discovery of a rich deposit of zinc ore was reported at the old Royal Gold property west of Northport. High grade zinc ore 2 or 3 feet in width was opened at a depth of 10 feet in an old shaft. The property was incorporated 30 years ago by A.H. Styles and good assays of gold were there, it was reported. Radio station KFOA of Seattle broadcasted a description of the natural resources of Stevens County Monday night. 75 Years Ago— Members of the Stevens County Sportsmen’s Association will meet on Tuesday night in the Elks lounge to elect officers for the coming year. The association has a membership of over 600 sportsmen in the area. The county jail could be mighty small and crowded come Jan. 1, if a lot of county drivers don’t get their new license tags pretty soon. Stevens County has 77 students enrolled in Washington State College this semester, according to tabulations made by registrar Harry Chambers. 50 Years Ago— Official announcement of Boise Cascade’s purchase of Avey Bros. Lumber Co. of Kettle Falls from its owners Pack River had not been made at press time. Last week, Avey Bros. employees were informed that Boise Cascade had purchased the mill. The State Department of Agriculture will hold a public meeting in Colville on Monday on the application of new owners of the Colville Livestock Market to continue to conduct a weekly Wednesday sale. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Maier and Ted Morris have acquired the Colville Livestock Auction, Inc. from the previous owner, Mrs. Mallnee Pehrson. 25 Years Ago— A 338-page historical perspective that chronicles Colville of another era has just been printed by the Statesman-Examiner . The expansive book, titled “Little Journeys Around The Town,” was written by noted Colville newspaperman and historian, J.C. Harrigan. The book was compiled and edited by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society. The book’s co-editors are Shirley Dodson and Susan Dechant. Colville city council members voted at last Tuesday’s meeting to proceed with preliminary engineering for Phase Three of the Colville 2000 Project, the Truck Route. 10 Years Ago— The Colville Chamber of Commerce held their Gala Dinner on Dec. 12, and pulled the winning tickets for this year’s Christmas Tree Extravaganza. According to the Chamber, all 10,000 tickets were sold. Talking about the disposal of contaminated occurrences at the Stevens County Landfill, what has recently been out of the ordinary is an unprecedented quantity: 7,200 tons from one source, according to Dennis Durbin, Stevens County’s Solid Waste manager. 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

Jan. 28 - Traffic Report - 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 Jan. 28 - Traffic Report January 28, 2026 By: Staff Report 395 Traffic Alert 10 am. Fatal accident between Grote Road and Larson Beach Road results in Hwy 395 shutdown for several hours. No estimated time for reopening. 395 Traffic Alert 10 am. Fatal accident between Grote Road and Larson Beach Road results in Hwy 395 shutdown for several hours. No estimated time for reopening. 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 Basketball Looks to Build Consistency After Home Losses - 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 Basketball Looks to Build Consistency After Home Losses December 17, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Colville's Crew Bridgeman launches a shot for the Crimson Hawks during a mid-week matchup against Reardan. Photo by Brandon Hansen. The Colville boys basketball team endured a challenging week at home, dropping back-to-back games to Reardan and Chelan. Colville fell 75-44 to Reardan on Dec. 9, after the Screaming Eagles jumped out to a fast start and never looked back. Reardan scored 25 points in the opening quarter and maintained pressure throughout, building a 43-22 halftime lead. Parker Darnold led the Crimson Hawks with 10 points, while Lareall Fredrickson added nine. Brock Benson chipped in seven points, and Cooper Haynes and Crew Bridgeman scored six points apiece. Colville struggled offensively, shooting 1-of-2 from the free-throw line and committing 15 turnovers. Three days later, the Crimson Hawks showed improved offensive rhythm but were unable to slow Chelan in a 72-53 loss on Saturday, Dec. 13. Chelan used a strong third quarter to pull away, outscoring Colville 24-12 in the period after leading 31-23 at halftime. Colville responded with its best offensive quarter in the fourth, scoring 18 points, but the deficit proved too large to overcome. Darnold again paced Colville with 12 points, while Jet Bateman added 11. Fredrickson and Brock Benson each scored eight points, and Haynes finished with six. Colville knocked down 10 three-pointers and improved at the free-throw line, going 7-of-12, but committed 14 turnovers. The boys hosted Deer Park on Tuesday, Dec. 16; game results were not available at press time. The team is scheduled to travel to Tonasket on Friday, Dec. 19, the game begins 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

Colville United Indoor Soccer Competing in Spokane Winter League - 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 United Indoor Soccer Competing in Spokane Winter League December 10, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The Colville United Indoor Soccer team has nine seniors on the roster and several underclassmen. Playing in a Spokane winter league, the team will be honing skills that the Crimson Hawks will no doubt use this spring. Courtesy photo. With a roster stacked with experience and talent, the Colville United boys indoor soccer team is spending the winter competing in Spokane, using the off-season opportunity to build momentum toward spring. Head Coach Kassy Dupuis said the team features a strong mix of upperclassmen and rising young players. “We have nine seniors, one junior, two sophomores, four freshmen, and two eighth-graders,” Dupuis said. That depth gives Colville United confidence on both sides of the ball. “Our team is well-rounded this year. With nine seniors on the roster, we expect to see depth in both offense and defense,” Dupuis said. She said she expects the group’s leaders to shine throughout the winter campaign. “Trent Rarrick, Parker Sackman, Ari Stewart, and Patrick Wolf will lead our team offensively,” she said. “With Colin Schaffer and Connor Schneider leading in defending the goal.” Dupuis added that the team’s top scorers so far have been Rarrick and Sackman, with strong support coming from Wolf, Long, and Kayson Dupuis. The Spokane indoor league is smaller this year, but Colville is still seeing top-tier competition. “The Spokane league struggled this year to gain teams,” Dupuis said. “There’s only one other team we play against who has a varsity and junior varsity program. The team is made up of many highly skilled players who play year-round in competitive club leagues.” Even with a condensed schedule, Dupuis said the development opportunity is priceless for a program with high expectations each spring. “This is a great program that allows players to play more soccer, build skills, and create team connections for the spring high school season,” she 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

Out of the Past: 12/10/2025 - 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: 12/10/2025 December 10, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Great Northern Railway clock from around the turn of the century. It moved from the Marcus depot to the Kettle Falls depot in 1940. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— Colville has a chance to gain fame throughout the nation by being the place of origin of a new apple, an improvement on the Delicious which is probably the most popular eating apple on the market. J.M. Scroggs, living two-and-three-quarters miles northeast of Colville, has propagated a new apple by means of select grafting. He raised two boxes of this new variety in the fall of 1921, and his trees have been bearing ever since. It was five years old when it bore its first crop. The Haun building south of the Rickey building on Jan. 1, will be occupied by a Piggly Wiggly grocery, operating on the plan of customer selecting and carrying of goods. The lease is for five years. 75 Years Ago— Charles Hodde, state representative from Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties, was virtually assured re-election as Speaker of the House of Representatives in Olympia this week. Colville residents were reminded this week that an ordinance forbids the leaving of sawdust and wood sawing refuse in the streets and alleys of the city. KETTLE FALLS—The Kettle Falls football team, co-champions of the Tri-County Football League, will be guests of the Kettle Falls Lions Club Thursday at the grade school. 50 Years Ago— Burlington Northern has informed Jim McMillan, president of the Stevens County Historical Society, that the offer for the old clock at the Kettle Falls station is still good. Students of the Baptist Christian Academy were visitors to the Statesman-Examiner last week to see how a newspaper was put together and printed. Visiting were Mike McPhee, Gordon Mace, Dale House, Carma House, Cynthia Mack, Toni Gallo, Dan Spring, Lydia Greenwood, Marty Koker, Matthew Koker, Rhonda Gallo, Becky Greenwood, Beth Vincent, Ricky Schuimaker, Randy Mack, David Rogers, and Lawrence Mace. 25 Years Ago— A county budget has yet to be approved but Stevens County auditor Tim Gray said that it is already apparent that the county will be plagued by a shortfall of approximately $1.6 million. Individual departments have been instructed to adjust their budgets as close as they can to their 2000 budgets. It was a great week for the Colville High School wrestling team. Colville won five straight matches last week to kick off the regular season. 10 Years Ago— Lou Janke secured his first full mayoral term in Colville when Stevens County 2016 election results became official on Nov. 24. OLYMPIA—Road usage charging as a potential transportation funding source will be a focus of discussion when the State Transportation Committee meets. The commission will hear feedback from its 25-member steering committee on road usage charging as it considers next steps for the state to pursue whether, when, and how to establish a road usage charge system in the future. 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: 07/02/2025 - 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: 07/02/2025 July 2, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Colville July 4, 1886 parade. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— Last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were earthquake days for the west and northwest. The shock was felt more at the Colville Flour Mill than any other place in the valley. John Bresnahan stated that the building swayed back and forth, and he estimated that at the top of the building, the swaying was about six inches. July 4 Headlines—Independence Day celebration in Colville. Baseball: Colville vs. Springdale. Immense pyrotechnic display in the evening. 75 Years Ago— Negotiations are already underway for the establishment of a state park at St. Paul’s Mission on Lake Roosevelt, overlooking Marcus Flat. (Became property of National Park Service in 1974). Another Lassie film and a Western are booked together at the Alpine Theater Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Old times will come alive at the city park here Sunday. Attorney Thomas Oakshott, director of the Eastern Washington Historical Society, will be the principal speaker. His topic will be “When Stevens County Was Young.” 50 Years Ago— Rapidly nearing its anticipated opening in October is the ferro-silicon building at Northwest Alloys, Inc., the new multi-million-dollar plant at Addy. A federal court this week issued a temporary restraining order stopping arrests or citations by the State Game Department of sportsmen fishing on the Colville Indian Reservation. Four Colville boys won their way last weekend at Greenacres Raceway to the Yakima High School Moto-Cross Championships at Seattle International Raceway. Those placing in the top four in their respective classifications were Steve Fogle, Don Lentz, Mike Clark and Mickey Mumau. 27 Years Ago— CHEWELAH—One of eastern Washington’s premiere community events will unfold this weekend when the old-fashioned “Chataqua” celebration gets underway at Chewelah City Park. The town of Northport celebrated its 100-year anniversary with a three-day extravaganza full of old-fashioned fun, entertainment and food last weekend. Gabe Cruden, Orient-area resident, has joined the Statesman-Examiner reporting staff. Readers may recall examples of Cruden’s photography in past issues of the Stateman-Examiner . He has been employed previously at the Examiner as a darkroom technician and as a staff photographer. 10 Years Ago— Hawthorne Street will re-open to traffic on Wednesday after almost five months of repair work and reconstruction. The annual Colville Fireworks show promises to be more spectacular this year, according to Northeast Washington Fair manager, Lori Matlock. The Colville Community Center (The Hub) celebrated on June 16, when the final payment of $42,032.12 was made to the contractor on The Hub construction project. 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

Jameson Judd Heidinger — 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 Jameson Judd Heidinger Jameson Judd Heidinger was born Aug. 11, 2025, to parents Kylee and Kaleb Heidinger of Colville, Wash. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces at birth. His maternal grandparents are Keith Frazer of Yelm, Wash., and Grace Frazer of Tacoma, Wash. His paternal grandparents are Brandon and Heather Judd of Colville, Wash., and Jacob Heidinger of Marcus, Wash. Previous Next LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Kettle Falls Basketball Edged by St. George’s - 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 Basketball Edged by St. George’s February 4, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Mace Thivierge. File photo. Late Surge Lifts St. George’s Past Kettle Falls Liam Darcy scored 15 points, and the St. George's Dragons pulled away in the fourth quarter to hand the Kettle Falls Bulldogs a 49-46 NE2B boys basketball loss on Jan. 27. Kettle Falls (8-11, 4-7) trailed 16-12 after the first quarter but battled back to stay within striking distance throughout, entering the fourth quarter down just 36-35. The Dragons outscored the Bulldogs 14-10 over the final eight minutes to secure the home win. Mace Thivierge led Kettle Falls with 14 points, hitting five field goals and knocking down two 3-pointers. Zander Johnson added nine points, while Zac Burch scored seven points as the Bulldogs connected on five shots from beyond the three-point line. Kettle Falls stayed competitive at the stripe, going 11-of-14. Results from Tuesday’s game against Chewelah were unavailable at press time. District tournament action begins on Thursday, Feb. 5, once seeding has been settled. Big Third Quarter Sinks Kettle Falls Girls at St. George’s A strong third-quarter surge by the St. George's Dragons proved too much for the Kettle Falls Bulldogs, as the Bulldogs fell 52-33 in a Northeast 2B North girls basketball game on Jan. 27. Kettle Falls (6-13, 3-8) stayed close early and was tied 10-10 after the first quarter, but St. George’s outscored the Bulldogs 21-11 in the third period to break the game open. Brystal Neilsen delivered a dominant performance for the Dragons, finishing with 25 points and 19 rebounds. Kettle Falls was led by Wynn Edwards, who scored 22 of the Bulldogs’ 33 points. Edwards went 9-of-19 from the free-throw line and hit a 3-pointer. Cambria Thivierge added four points. Results from Kettle Falls’ home game against Chewelah on Tuesday, Feb. 3, were unavailable at press time. District tournament action begins on Thursday, depending on seeding. 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