Search Results

Nana’s Closet Soon to Offer Back-to-School Essentials - 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 Nana’s Closet Soon to Offer Back-to-School Essentials August 13, 2025 By: Meredith Carroll Patty Adamson organizing donations for Nana’s Closet. Photo provided by Patty Adamson. Operation Santa of Kettle Falls is expanding outside of the holiday season. The same outfitter that has been helping families in need, since Judy Davis founded it in1982, is broadening with a new initiative: Nana’s Closet. “Nana’s Closet is a branch of Operation Santa,” said Patty Adamson, longtime volunteer with Operation Santa and manager of Nana’s Closet. “There is a huge need for kids going back to school. Kids will need clothes and back to school supplies.” Adamson added, “Nana’s Closet will outfit kids with everything they need from head to toe. This will include clothes, underwear, school supplies, backpacks, hygiene items, and shoes.” Nana’s Closet plans to be open for three weeks before school starts, from August 20 through September 3. “It will operate like a little store, where a family can come in, browse the shelves and racks, and try things on,” Adamson said. “The difference is that we will be open by appointment only. This is to ensure the privacy of the family. Also, it is a small space, and we want the family to have a nice shopping experience with no pressure.” The merchandise will be geared toward kids, Adamson said, but Nana’s Closet will carry clothing from baby to adult. Volunteers will be available to help folks try on clothing. “Each person will be able to choose three to four outfits, and then they can leave. If we run out of inventory, then we plan on setting up a donation drive.” Adamson, who is known as Nana to kids all over the community, said that Nana's Closet was named after her because everyone thinks of her as a grandma. “I love that I get to be a part of this,” she said. “I love that Kettle Falls is a community that comes together for everything.” Adamson moved to Kettle Falls five years ago from Snohomish; as soon as she moved to the area, she saw a Facebook ad looking for volunteers for Operation Santa. “Chuck and Shelby Omit run Operation Santa now that Judy passed. Christmas time here is magical. The things that happen during December are magical,” said Adamson, adding that, “If someone says they need something, it magically appears. We all work together to make this happen, and we’re going to do the same thing with Nana’s Closet. “Most of the donations come from the community, but Boise Cascade has donated brand new school supplies,” said Adamson. “Walmart has also given us a lot of new items. And all of our hygiene supplies and makeup are brand new and come from Project Beauty Share. They help us to do more than give out clothes. We want kids to feel good and confident when they return to school.” Nana’s Closet continues to accept donations and volunteer help ahead of their opening. “We are working hard at getting everything set up so that we will be looking like a department store when we open on August 20. We save the best of the best items for back to school,” Adamson said. For information call Patty or Tom Adamson at 509-419-8682, Chuck and Shelby Omit at 509-769-8997, or visit Operation Santa or the Kettle Falls Community Resource Page on Facebook. Nana’s Closet is available by appointment only. 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

Eliana Izel Alvarez — 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 Eliana Izel Alvarez Eliana Izel Alvarez was born to parents Anastasita Tochinskaya and Emmanuel Alvarez. She weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces at birth, and has three brothers, Roman, age 8, Gabriel, age 6, and Vitaly, age 1. Her maternal grandparents are Vitaly and Vera Tochinsky of Evans, Wash. Her paternal grandparents are Raul and Maria Alvarez of Mexico. 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

1B Boys Basketball Enjoys Hot Streak While Facing Stiff Competition - 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 1B Boys Basketball Enjoys Hot Streak While Facing Stiff Competition January 14, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Inchelium improves to 5-2 in League Play. Warriors handle Chargers in league matchup. Wellpinit runs into Almira Coulee-Hartline Buzzsar. Chargers secure home win. Northport is still undefeated in league play. Inchelium Improves to 5-2 in League Play The Inchelium boys basketball team put together a dominant three-game stretch last week, rolling to a pair of lopsided wins and a road blowout to improve to 10-3 overall and 5-2 in Northeast 1B North play. The Hornets capped the week with a 92-52 nonleague win at Nespelem on Saturday, Jan. 10, erupting for 35 points in the third quarter to turn a close game into a runaway. Gaige Stensgar led the way with 24 points, while Colton Abrahamson added 20 and Ricky St. Pierre chipped in 12 points. Inchelium netted seven 3-pointers and shot 40-for-92 from the field. One night earlier, Inchelium overwhelmed Columbia-Hunters 74-26 at home on Friday, Jan. 9. The Hornets jumped out to a 37-7 lead after the first quarter and never let up. Stensgar scored 20 points, Derek Perez added 17, and St. Pierre finished with 10 points as Inchelium buried 10 3-pointers and committed just five fouls in the win. The week began with a 66-25 league road victory at Selkirk on Jan. 6, as the Hornets’ defense held the Rangers to single digits in every quarter. Warriors Handle Chargers in League Matchup Wellpinit edged Springdale 55-49 on Thursday, Jan. 8, in a Northeast 1B South contest at Mary Walker High School. Springdale, which entered the game at 2-3 in league play, kept the game within reach throughout but was unable to close the gap in the final minutes. Wellpinit Runs Into Almira Coulee-Hartline Buzzsaw Wellpinit followed that win with a difficult road test on Friday, Jan. 9, falling 76-41 to Almira Coulee-Hartline (ACH) in a Northeast 1B South game. ACH jumped out to a commanding 27-6 first-quarter lead and never looked back, building a 53-11 advantage by halftime. The Warriors showed improved energy in the second half but were unable to recover from the early deficit. Thomas Dakota led Wellpinit with 16 points, sinking three 3-pointers. Wynecoop-Holt added eight points as the Warriors connected on five shots from beyond the arc. Despite the loss, Wellpinit closed the week with a 6-5 overall record and remained in the mix in the league standings. Chargers Secure Home Win Springdale opened the week with its most dominant performance of the season, rolling to an 88-37 home win over Odessa on Jan. 6. The lopsided victory gave the Chargers their fourth win of the season. Northport Still Undefeated in League Play The Northport boys basketball team continued its dominant run through Northeast 1B North play last week, picking up three wins to remain unbeaten in league action. The Northport Mustangs improved to 10-4 overall and 7-0 in league play after defeating Selkirk, Nespelem, and Cusick in a busy stretch that showcased the team’s depth and offensive firepower. Northport capped the week with a 72-49 road win over Selkirk on Saturday, Jan. 10. The Mustangs controlled the game throughout, handing the Rangers their sixth league loss of the season. A night earlier, Northport overwhelmed Nespelem 79-33 at home on Jan. 9, jumping out early and never letting up. The Mustangs’ defense limited Nespelem to just 33 points while the offense pushed the tempo and spread the scoring across the lineup. The week began with a hard-fought 73-62 league road victory at Cusick on Jan. 6. Northport withstood a strong effort from the Panthers and closed out the game late to stay perfect in Northeast 1B North play. 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

Request a correction to published content in accordance with Statesman-Examiner editorial standards. Request a Correction Submit a correction with the Statesman-Examiner . If you believe we’ve made an error, please submit a correction request using the form below. Include the edition date, the article title, what was printed incorrectly, and what the corrected text should be. Please include your contact information in case we need clarification. Contact Information First name* Last name* Email* Phone* Publication details Edition Date* Date of Printed Edition Article Title* Correction details What was printed that was incorrect?* What was printed? (incorrect text) What is the correct text?* Corrected text I certify that the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and submitted in good faith. I understand the Statesman-Examiner may contact me for clarification or verification How should we contact you? Email Phone Submit

Kettle Falls Drops Two Games After Christmas - 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 Drops Two Games After Christmas January 7, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Kettle Falls' Zac Burch goes up for two points on a breakaway. Photo by Brandon Hansen. The Kettle Falls boys basketball team dropped two games over the holiday break, falling to 5-7 overall in the early portion of the winter 2025-26 season. Kettle Falls opened last week with a 67-54 loss to the Medical Lake Cardinals on Dec. 30 at West Valley High School. The Bulldogs led 16-8 after the first quarter, but Medical Lake used a strong middle stretch to seize control, outscoring Kettle Falls 22-13 in the second quarter and 21-12 in the third. Gabe Smith poured in 20 points to lead the Cardinals, while Hudson Gilbert added 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Kettle Falls was paced by Mace Thivierge, who scored 19 points and hit three shots from beyond the arc. Zac Burch chipped in 12 points, and the Bulldogs knocked down seven 3-pointers as a team, but struggled to keep pace after halftime. Kettle Falls returned home on Jan. 3 and ran into a hot-shooting Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors squad, falling 73-46. After a competitive opening quarter that saw the Bulldogs hold an 18-17 edge, Almira/Coulee-Hartline took control by outscoring Kettle Falls 20-6 in the second quarter and never looked back. Max Grindy led all scorers with 30 points for the Warriors, including four 3-pointers, while Kettle Falls again leaned on Thivierge, who finished with a game-high 26 points. The Bulldogs hit four 3-pointers in the contest. The Bulldogs played St. George’s on Tuesday, Jan. 6; results were not available at press time. The team is scheduled to face Chewelah on Friday, Jan. 9, 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

Out of the Past: 09/17/2025 - 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: 09/17/2025 September 17, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum The remaining Chloride Queen mine buildings. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— The annual fair at Yep-Kanum opens next Wednesday with a gorgeous street parade and pageant at 1 o’clock. From then until midnight on Saturday will be a joyous time in Colville – for this is the seasonal reception which Colville gives to the surrounding country. The Chloride Queen – for many years but a prospect – is now a producing mine. The ore bodies are being mined, the values are concentrated at the property, and Colville now has a regular shipper in its territory – a shipper which has passed from the prospecting to the mining stage permanently. The Chloride Queen Mine is on Clugston Creek, 14 miles north of Colville. It was located in 1885 by the Kearney brothers, original operators of the Old Dominion Mine. About 1890 the property was passed to Paul LaPlant and R. E. Lee. 75 Years Ago— The long-anticipated opening of Barman’s new store at Main and Astor Streets was scheduled this week to be Nov. 1, or sooner, according to Louis Strauss, owner. The curfew law will go into effect in Colville, Wednesday night. Police Chief Merle Carr announced this week that the curfew bell will be sounded nightly beginning next Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Chief Carr said that all children under 16 years old will have to be off the streets at that time. “Cinderella,” Walt Disney’s famous technicolor cartoon production, will head the double feature bill at the Alpine Theater Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 50 Years Ago— Lee W. Cagle and Vern Hotchkiss will square off in the November general election for the position of mayor of the city of Colville. Cagle drew the largest number of votes in the five candidates race with 322 votes, while Hotchkiss collected 176. “Colville is the right size community to turn drug abuse around,” Capt. Ed Braun of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department told Colville Chamber of Commerce members Tuesday. “Your community still has three important things. It has the family, the church and the neighborhood; you can talk to the youth of your city.” 25 Years Ago— METALINE FALLS—The Cominco Ltd., through its American subsidiary, Cominco American Inc., plans to spend $70 million in U.S. funds to rebuild the old Pend Oreille Mine north of Metaline Falls. The target date for re-opening is sometime within two years. KETTLE FALLS—A second fire within a time frame of just over a week has claimed yet another local area business. This time, a building across the street and used by Fuhrman’s Feed and Supply in Colville was consumed by fire. Lindquist Grocery and Shoes, located in the heart of Kettle Falls reportedly caught fire at a time after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to Mrs. Lindquist, owner. 10 Years Ago— Construction on the handsome new Saundra’s Furniture and Design home in downtown Colville is getting closer to the finish line. The new store will open late this fall. The downtown “anchor” business was destroyed by fire in February 2013. The new store was relocated to a refurbished warehouse on Wynne Street during new construction. Hannah Johnson of the Stevens County Stompers recently competed in the USA National Clogging Championships in Nashville, Tenn. Johnson is now a two-time “National Choreographed Solo Clogging Champion. She also won first place in her age division in Masters Traditional. 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 Wins Banks Lake Brawl - 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 Wins Banks Lake Brawl January 7, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Kettle Falls' Charlie Hood took first place at 144 pounds at the Banks Lake Brawl. Photo by Tasha Hood. The Kettle Falls wrestling team produced five tournament champions at the Banks Lake Brawl, and won the team title as the Bulldogs nearly doubled up the second-place team with points scored. Kettle Falls' champions included Charlie Hood at 144 pounds, Baylor Rosen at 150 pounds, Kincaid Freer at 157 pounds, and Landon Tryon at 165 pounds. Harley Rowe added another first-place finish for the Bulldogs at 215 pounds, highlighting a day that saw Kettle Falls wrestlers competing deep into their respective brackets. Several Bulldogs earned runner-up finishes, including Lee Fowler (106 pounds), Michael Winn (120 pounds), Joseph Young (126 pounds), Tanner Schumacher (132 pounds), and Nathan Thurman (138 pounds). Josh Bair placed third at 113 pounds, while Ezekiel Evans finished third at 150 pounds, placing Kettle Falls near the top in one of the tournament’s deeper weight classes. The Bulldogs also picked up valuable team points from fourth-place finishes by Michael Moreau at 190 pounds, Hunter Smith-Rowe at 215 pounds, and Zhaine Herrera at 285 pounds, rounding out a complete team effort across the weights. 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

Discover upcoming community events, festivals, meetings, and activities across 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 Featured Community Events Promoted listings with enhanced visibility on the Statesman-Examiner events calendar. Upgrade your event listing with a featured advertisement. Submit a Featured Event Community Events Bingo Fired Up Pizza Feb. 11 & 18, 2026 6-7 p.m. 206 E Main Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Call: 509-936-9121 Sit N Fit Senior Citizens' Center Feb. 11, 16 & 18, 2026 9-10 a.m. 302 E Main Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Call: 509-688-5808 Music Makers Colville Library Feb. 11 & 18, 2026 10:30-11:30 a.m. 195 S Oak St, Colville, WA 99114, USA Call: 509-684-6620 Kid's Book Club Loon Lake Library Feb. 11, 2026 1 p.m. 3988 WA-292, Loon Lake, WA 99148, USA Call: 509-233-3016 Kettle Falls Things with Strings Kettle Falls Library Feb. 11 & 18, 2026 3-4 p.m. 605 Meyers St, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Call: 509-684-1475 Bingo Kettle Falls High School Feb. 11 & 18, 2026 5:30 p.m. 1275 Juniper St, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Kettle Falls Tech Hour Kettle Falls Library Feb. 11 & 18, 2026 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 605 Meyers St, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Winter Pickleball Chewelah Court Center Feb. 11, 13, 15, 16 & 18, 2026 8:30-11:30 a.m. 243 Par Pl, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Call: 509-935-6807 Chill with the Chamber Fired Up Pizza Feb. 11, 2026 12-1 p.m. 206 E Main Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Chewelah Tech Hour Chewelah Library Feb. 12, 2026 3-4 p.m. 311 E Clay Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Call: 509-935-6805 Colville Book Club Colville Library Feb. 12, 2026 1-3 p.m. 195 S Oak St, Colville, WA 99114, USA Call: 509-684-6620 Writing Group Kettle Falls Library Feb. 12, 2026 6-8 p.m. 605 Meyers St, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Valentine's Bingo Colville Pour House Feb. 12, 2026 6 p.m. 202 S Main St, Colville, WA 99114, USA Trivia Quartzite Brewery Feb. 12, 2026 6:30 p.m. 105 W Main Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Colville Storytime Colville Library Feb. 12, 2026 10:30-11:30 a.m. 195 S Oak St, Colville, WA 99114, USA Call: 509-684-6620 Kraigmire Karaoke Oasis Tavern Feb. 12, 2026 8:30-11:30 p.m. 109 N Park St, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Loon Lake Storytime Loon Lake Library Feb. 12, 2026 10:30-11:30 a.m. 3988 WA-292, Loon Lake, WA 99148, USA Call: 509-233-3016 Chewelah Chamber of Commerce Meeting Mistequa Casino Feb. 13, 2026 7-8 a.m. 2555 Smith Rd, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Call: 509-935-8595 Grief Support Group Kettle Falls Library Feb. 13, 2026 1-2 p.m. 605 Meyers St, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Come in on the Chorus Chewelah Center for the Arts Feb. 13, 2026 7-8 p.m. 405 N 3rd St E, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Rhyme & Wine Woodland Theatre Feb. 14, 2026 7 p.m. 120 W 3rd Ave, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Blues Jam Fired Up Pizza Feb. 15, 2026 4-7 p.m. 206 E Main Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Call: 509-936-9121 Social Hour Chewelah Senior Center Feb. 16, 2026 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 301 E Main Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Brick Builders Club Chewelah Library Feb. 16, 2026 3:30-4:30 p.m. 311 E Clay Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Call: 509-935-6805 Colville City Departments closed for President's Day. Feb. 16, 2026 Colville, WA 99114, USA Kettle Falls Baby Storytime Kettle Falls Library Feb. 16, 2026 10:30-11 a.m. 605 Meyers St, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Call: 509-738-6817 Stevens County Libraries closed for President's Day. Feb. 16, 2026 Every Child is an Artist Kettle Falls Library Feb. 17, 2026 3-4 p.m. 605 Meyers St, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Call: 509-738-6817 Colville Tech Hour Colville Library Feb. 17, 2026 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 195 S Oak St, Colville, WA 99114, USA Call: 509-684-6620 Hunters - Advanced Beekeeping Hunters Library Feb. 17, 2026 3 p.m. 5014 Hunters Old School Rd, Hunters, WA 99137, USA Chewelah Storytime Chewelah Library Feb. 17, 2026 10:30-11:30 a.m. 311 E Clay Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Call: 509-935-6805 Kettle Falls Storytime Kettle Falls Library Feb. 17, 2026 10:30-11 a.m. 605 Meyers St, Kettle Falls, WA 99141, USA Call: 509-738-6817 Loon Lake - Advanced Beekeeping Loon Lake Library Feb. 17, 2026 3 p.m. 3988 WA-292, Loon Lake, WA 99148, USA Call: 509-233-3016 Chewelah City Council Meeting Chewelah Municipal Building Feb. 18, 2026 6:30-8 p.m. 301 E Clay Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA Upcoming Events Have an upcoming event in Colville, Stevens County, or the surrounding region? Submit your event and we'll help spread the word! Submit your Event You are seconds away from getting this done. 🤩 
 ⚙️Google Calendar Connector and add your Google Calendar URL to connect. Open the 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 City of Colville Event Calendar Looking for government meetings, city programs, and official community announcements? Visit the City of Colville’s Calendar of Events for the latest updates directly from the City. View the Colville City Calendar Stevens County Government Calendar For county meetings, public hearings, planning sessions, and official notices, visit the Stevens County Government Calendar. It provides up-to-date information on Board of County Commissioners meetings and other county events. View the Stevens County Calendar

Lyla Ann Ackerson — 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 Lyla Ann Ackerson Lyla Ann Ackerson was born on Oct. 2, 2025, to parents Savannah and Cody Ackerson of Colville, Wash. She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, and has one brother, Miles, age 2. Her maternal grandparents are Roxy and Ron Boone of Spokane, Wash. Her paternal grandparents are Mo O’Fearna and Brett Vanderhoof of Bullhead City, Ariz., and Gary Ackerson of San Remigio, Cebu, Philippines. 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

Out of the Past: 09/10/2025 - 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: 09/10/2025 September 10, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Bank of Colville and Post Office early 1900s. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— The oldest building on Main Street, and one of the few early buildings remaining in Colville, stands in modest retirement just south of the Robbins Lumber Co. brick – former home of the Bank of Colville. This building, which has had a number of uses varying from domestic occupancy to commercial and newspaper shelter, was constructed about 1880 by John U. Hofstetter for a carpenter’s shop, and used by him for several years. Work is in progress on the permanent highway between Chewelah and Cusick over the summit, the work in Stevens County being under the supervision of John H. Savage, Stevens County Commissioner. The road into Cusick in Pend Oreille County is in charge of the Pend Oreille County Commissioner from the Cusick District. 75 Years Ago— John Acorn is the new mayor of Colville. Acorn was appointed to the post by the city council Tuesday night after Paul Burgess resigned. Burgess quit the post after moving out of the city. The Atomic Energy Commission recently was queried by a worried citizen as to whether a fast man could outrun a slow neutron. The answer is no. Even a slow neutron, one of the many nuclear particles shooting from a bomb burst, travels at great speed. KETTLE FALLS—Election of senior officers held last week at the high school ended with Francis McKern, president; Ralph Hirsch, vice president; and Pat Reader, secretary-treasurer. 50 Years Ago— A giant jump in attendance was recorded for the Northeast Washington Fair last weekend with a recorded 1,000-plus increase in attendance. According to fair manager Marion Garvey, exact figures for attendance, which she estimated passed the 15,000 mark, would not be forthcoming until all reports are final. Colville postmaster Gordon Carr announced changes in postage costs effective this Sunday. First class mail remains at 10 cents for the first ounce, but is lowered from 10 cents to 9 cents on the second ounce. Wildfires in the forests and on the range lands of Washington state totaled just over 1,500 for the period through Aug. 31, this fire season. 25 Years Ago— A spectacular Friday night fire, that sent flames upwards of 100 feet into the Colville sky at its zenith, destroyed a historic warehouse building and $1.5 million worth of surplus military clothing stored inside. The complex was located at the corner of W. 1 st and Railroad in Colville. Washington state’s first ever primary voters pamphlet is going in the mail, marking the start of a comprehensive voter education effort that offers a variety of ways for citizens to access information about the hundreds of candidates appearing on the Sept. 19 primary ballot. An outstanding array of local fruits, vegetables and meat products will be on display and available for tasting at this year’s final Farm Tour, Saturday at Riverview Orchard. 10 Years Ago— KETTLE FALLS—Preparations for the third annual Festival of Neighbors in Kettle Falls have been finalized. One of the community’s major celebrations will be held at Happy Dell Park on Sept. 12. As if a group of catastrophic wildfires in the past two years haven’t been enough, southeast Okanogan County residents were rattled on Tuesday morning by an earthquake that apparently was felt as far as 25 miles away. The quake was felt as far as a portion of the Colville Indian Reservation. 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

A Look at the Local Medical Industry - 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 A Look at the Local Medical Industry January 14, 2026 By: Meredith Carroll Heartland Clinic exterior. Photo by Meredith Carroll. Over the past two years, the Statesman - Examiner has followed local industries as they face the challenges of their trades. This week’s edition checks in with the local medical industry, reporting on medical care, support services, and recent changes in state and national mandates that may impact patients in northeast Washington. In Colville, with an approximate population of 5,000 that has remained steady since 2022, the reported rate of citizens without medical insurance also remains as a steady 5% ( datausa.io ). By contrast, citizens saw an insurance rate increase across the country last year, with some out-of-pocket rates for individuals going up 50%, according to Johns Hopkins University. The problems of medical insurance and the ability to provide services are detailed in a study titled “Barriers to Care and Healthcare Utilization Among the Publicly Insured” published by the National Institutes of Health. The study stated that even patients who can afford to keep their medical insurance may face high deductibles and have to choose whether or not to seek medical care, even in an emergency. The National Rural Health Association stated that alternative models to the traditional healthcare industry are becoming an increasingly appealing solution in rural locations such as Stevens County where doctors may be scarce. One such alternative is Direct Primary Care model Heartland Medicine, located on Main Street in Colville. “I started Heartland Clinic in 2019, because there was a need for expanded access for people without insurance and a need for urgent care as an alternative to the emergency room,” said Dr. Barry Bacon, who has been a family doctor in northeast Washington since 1990. “We practice cradle-to-grave-medicine, which includes delivering babies to performing surgeries to geriatric care.” According to Bacon, the Direct Primary Care model is based on funding that comes entirely from members of the clinic who pay a monthly fee. This fee gives members access to on-site services such as x-rays. “We also negotiate for the lowest possible costs for various services, including lab fees, medications, and off-site imaging,” he said. “We have done well in 2025,” stated Bacon. “We have more than 800 members who provide a solid income for the clinic. We’ve been in operation for seven years and have only had to increase our membership fees once. “Our mission is to provide care to people who can’t afford care. We are not insurance. Because of that, we can’t afford to cover the big ticket items. But we are prevention and primary care. We hope to prevent some of the catastrophic events.” A significant contributing factor to the rising costs of medical insurance is administrative cost. According to the American Hospital Association, the cost of non-medical care services such as staffing, coding, billing, and claims cost Americans hundreds of billions of dollars each year. “Compared with other countries, the United States’ administrative costs for health care is out of line,” said Bacon. “The cost per person in the U.S. averages out to $1,000 per person per year. That amounts to 17% of our gross national product going into health care costs. “Because of the increased costs, we are not visiting the doctor’s office as often as we should. The cost per visit is too high.” Heartland Clinic, backed by the Direct Primary Care model, is much more affordable, Bacon said. The clinic negotiates for reduced costs for medications, tests, and lab work and does not charge insurance companies, and that helps to keep costs low. “If I charged insurance companies, then I’d have to hire a coder and a biller, and then the administrative costs would increase,” Bacon said. “People are going to have to make really difficult decisions. We try to fill a gap, we have compassion for people who are suffering in the community, and we have the ability to help. People don’t have a whole lot of options.” Bacon recommended that people hang onto their high deductible plans, if they have them. While Heartland Clinic treats many levels of urgent medical situations, it is not a hospital and cannot replace an emergency room, he said. “I have a lot of concern moving into 2026,” Bacon said. “Not only are administrative costs increasing, so are drug costs and epidemics that include obesity, addiction, and mental illness. If we address these epidemics, it would save us a lot in health care. We need to address the things we have control over and make a commitment to what we can do. “It would do well to become less self-focused and look at what happens in the community. We can do something about this. We can invest in our community and work to restore lives, reunify families, work on our education and employment, and work on recovery.” Bacon said he foresees a surge in the Direct Primary Care model due to the increase in people without insurance in 2026. “We may see other businesses like Heartland running in our community.” Like Heartland Clinic, Providence Hospitals incorporates a model intended to care for those in need; its mission statement includes the steadfast service to all, “especially those who are poor and vulnerable” ( providence.org ). Providence Hospitals is a nonprofit, Catholic-based healthcare system based in Renton, Wash., and includes 51 hospitals, over 800 medical facilities, and several assisted living facilities in the western United States. Providence Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville and Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Chewelah fall under the jurisdiction of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Ron Rehn. As CAO, Rehn said he is responsible for ensuring quality access to medical care, financial responsibility and accounts. “The main focus of Providence is rural care and creating access for our rural neighbors,” said Rehn. “Access to high quality care in Stevens County is paramount. This means ensuring access to delivery for childbirth, emergencies, and 24/7 access to care. “Providence takes care of residents regardless of ability to pay.” Providence provided $25.6 million in free or reduced care for underinsured or uninsured patients in 2024, according to Rehn. Providence has charity care programs and also provides patients with the opportunity to set up payment programs. “We accommodate those who fall in the middle,” said Rehn. “They’re making just enough money to not be eligible for public programs, but don’t make enough money to have medical insurance. There is an income component to the charity programs. But we will see all patients in our emergency department. We take good care of people.” In rural communities, there is a larger percentage of Medicare and Medicaid patients, and according to Rehm, this affects medical care in Washington state. “The decisions, policies, and new laws have a large impact in rural areas and communities,” Rehm said. “We haven’t yet seen the changes that have been enacted in 2025. “We anticipate seeing big changes in 2027, and our responsibility is to fill in the gaps and make sure that we match needs with programs. We do a needs assessment every three years, and some of our current goals are to consolidate rehab services, expand on home health care in Chewelah, and sifting out. In other words, can needs be met by others in the community?” He said. Rehn continued, “We will be expanding some of our services, the details of which will be disclosed later. “We do not anticipate closing any of our services. The federal government has classified ours to be Critical Access Hospitals, which means that these are rural hospitals that have been designated by Medicare to make sure that essential health services are available. There are only 39 Critical Access Hospitals in Washington, and I am responsible for two of them.” Rehn said one of the primary goals for himself and his service area in Colville and Chewelah is to maintain excellence in the hospitals and primary care. Colville’s family practice residency is the first in the nation to graduate two family practice physicians in one year, Rehn said.. “The goal is to make sure that we have the physicians, the ER (Emergency Room), the hospitals… and also the deliveries and the workforce development. We need people in all of these categories for our small hospitals. “We have a rural workforce, so we want to reach out to local people to enroll in our trained programs. We train nursing assistants and collaborate with Colville High School to get students into this program. This year, we are expanding this program to meet students where they are. We also train people for our facilities, labor, and food programs. We help with financial assistance and provide scholarships for training.” Rehn added, “In the news, we hear talk about the negatives in medical care in rural areas, like hospitals closing and services being cut. But Providence works hard to preserve the commitment to serve the rural community. We are outstanding in continuing to provide that care.” 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

Hunters' Education Available Before Fall 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 Hunters' Education Available Before Fall Season August 6, 2025 By: Staff Report The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is encouraging new hunters to complete the mandatory hunter education course as soon as possible during the summer offerings. “Many WDFW volunteer instructors hold hunter education classes in the summer, making it easier to get into a class,” said Dave Whipple, WDFW hunter education section manager. “In the fall, those same volunteers are out hunting, which means we have fewer courses available. Completing the course now ensures you will be able to participate in hunting seasons this fall and beyond.” According to Whipple, WDFW offers in-person hunter education courses as well as hybrid courses that combine online and in-person learning. Per Washington state law, all hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, must complete a hunter education course to buy a hunting license. To learn more, visit the WDFW hunter education webpage at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements/education/basic . 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