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Out of the Past: 08/13/2025 - 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: 08/13/2025 August 13, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Fishing at Kettle Falls. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— Carl Johnson of the R. E. Lee Company succeeded in landing a 30 ½ pound salmon at Kettle Falls on Sunday. The Yep-Kanum parade, the opening day of the Yep-Kanum and Fair celebration, will depict as nearly as possible the progress of the Colville country from the year 1825, the time when old Fort Colvile was located on the Columbia River at Kettle Falls, to the present time. Excavation work started on Tuesday for the new building for the Colville Bakery next to the R. E. Lee Company on Main Street. The Marshal oven for the bakery arrived Thursday weighing 27,000 pounds. 75 Years Ago— Two barns and a chicken house were destroyed by fire at the Melvin McCarthy place in Echo Valley last Friday. The fire was one of 11 battled by the state forestry service during the week. Construction of a new aluminum cattle barn was begun at the district fairgrounds in Colville this week. An announcement was made this week of the inauguration of a new bus line between Colville and the Utah Construction project near the Little Pend Oreille Lakes, according to Ernie Keinbaum, manager. The 32-passenger bus will make one round trip daily, leaving Colville in the morning and returning in the evening. 50 Years Ago— Subscribers to the Statesman-Examiner will receive the supplement the “Addy Souvenir Edition” this week. This edition, which has been in preparation for over a year by the Statesman-Examiner , tells the history of this now famous Stevens County community. It includes early stories and photos, plus an aerial view of Addy and of the Northwest Alloys plant. While rummaging in the basement under Millie’s Shoes in Colville, Howard Oens, newspaper plant foreman for the Statesman-Examiner , found a package of old vintage pocketknives. The knives themselves are single bladed with a cheap metal handle. On the blade of good steel, has “Saxonia Cutlery Co., Germany” inscribed on it. Cindy Perryman, age 7, of Colville, will reign as the Queen of the first annual Pee Wee Rodeo, sponsored by the Deer Park Fair Association. 25 Years Ago— Colville city council gave city staff the okay at the Aug. 8, council meeting to go ahead with the design on Phase Two of the Colville 2000 Project. In keeping with the idea that the Stevens County Historical Society Museum is a family-oriented place to visit, the Society is planning a good old-fashioned “Family Fun Day” on Sunday. 10 Years Ago— Lightning strikes late last week, combined with high winds, stoked dozens of fires around the northwest and burned northeast Washington into something of an inferno. At the Tuesday Colville city council meeting, long-time senior citizen activist and community volunteer Glenda Pittman was honored with a proclamation declaring Aug. 22, “Senior Citizen’s Day” in Colville. West Elep Street was also honorably dubbed Glenda Pittman Way. 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

Heroes Homestead Recognizes Loon Lake Resident with Community Leadership Award - 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 Heroes Homestead Recognizes Loon Lake Resident with Community Leadership Award December 3, 2025 By: Staff Report Sharon Russell (left) received the Community Leadership Award from Erin Bowers with Lithia Auto Group (right). Photo courtesy Heroes Homestead. In a ceremony aimed at celebrating “extraordinary service” and “selfless dedication,” Heroes Homestead, together with Lithia Auto Group and Camp Chevrolet, bestowed the Community Leadership Award upon Loon Lake resident Sharon Russell on Nov. 16. According to organizers, the award recognizes individuals whose actions “embody the highest ideals of civic engagement, inspiring others to persevere in service and uphold the values that strengthen our communities and nation.” Organizers said Sharon Russell’s life is a “testament to duty, resilience, and joyful service rooted in profound military heritage.” Born at Fort Ord, Calif., she spent her formative years moving between the United States and Germany, following her father’s “distinguished career” as a U.S. Army combat engineer. “Embracing each new duty station with enthusiasm, Sharon absorbed the cultural richness of European and Asian tours, shaped by her parents’ deep sense of ambassadorial responsibility and patriotic commitment,” organizers said. Her own legacy of service began with active duty in the United States Army during Operation Desert Storm, where she rose to the rank of captain, before resigning her commission to fully support her husband, Colonel Steve Russell, throughout his military career. Even while battling cancer, Heroes Homestead officials said Russell has “refused to diminish her commitment to others,” by leading the annual Loon Lake 5 Mile Walk. In conferring the Community Leadership Award, the selection committee stated, “Sharon Russell exemplifies the quiet yet powerful leadership that transforms communities. With grace, determination, and boundless optimism – even in the face of cancer – she inspires others never to grow weary in doing good, proving that one committed life can ripple outward to strengthen an entire region.” To learn more about the Heroes Awards Night, visit heroeshomestead.org/Heroes_Homestead_Awards_Night . 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

Haden Wins Championship at Lady's M2 Mallet - 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 Haden Wins Championship at Lady's M2 Mallet January 7, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen The Chewelah Cougars had a highlight championship run from junior Naomi Haden and a resilient showing from Cougar boys. Haden delivered a standout performance on Jan. 3 at the Lady’s M2 Mallet, capturing the 125-pound championship in a 19-wrestler bracket. Wrestling four matches, Haden went 4-0 with three falls in rapid fashion – at 39 seconds, 29 seconds, and 18 seconds – and capped the day with a 16-7 major decision in the finals. The title continued a remarkable start to the season for Haden, who improved to 12-0 overall with 11 falls, establishing herself as one of the region’s most dominant competitors early in the winter. Chewelah sent six wrestlers to the Freeman Winter Classic on Dec. 30, with illness and injuries limiting the Cougars’ lineup. Despite the reduced numbers, the group produced multiple placers and showed depth across the weight classes. Junior Titan Tapia turned in a perfect 3-0 performance at 165 pounds to claim an individual championship, recording one fall and two decision victories. Senior Dakota Katzer placed fifth at 157 pounds, finishing 2-1 with a fall and a technical fall. Junior Brody King battled to a sixth-place finish at 138 pounds, going 2-2 with two falls. Sophomore Trevin Stauffer posted a 2-2 record at 132 pounds with two falls, while freshman Blaine Gibson earned his first career victory at 144 pounds, finishing 1-2 with a pin. At heavyweight, junior Wyatt Gould placed fourth at 285 pounds, going 1-1 with a fall in his debut season and earning his first career placing. 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

Quartzite Mini-Con Brings Pop Culture to Chewelah - 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 Quartzite Mini-Con Brings Pop Culture to Chewelah November 5, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen For one day this fall, dragons, wizards, and superheroes will descend on Chewelah. The Quartzite Mini-Con 2025 will take over the Mistequa Casino Hotel on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with organizers promising a celebration of fandoms, fantasy, and fun – all for a good cause. The convention, organized by Nancy and Steven Cross, is a first-of-its-kind event for Stevens County. “It was Steven being insane honestly – no one else is crazy enough to try this,” Nancy joked. “It’s just the crazy Cross family working on it right now.” The Quartzite Mini-Con isn’t about corporate booths or big-name celebrities. It’s about community. “We don’t really have a goal honestly,” Nancy said. “We wanted to just have something fun that celebrates the ‘nerdy’ side of life. There aren’t a lot of opportunities for people who love fandoms, TTRPG [tabletop role-playing games], fantasy, etc., to express their love of it.” This year’s event will feature a mix of fantasy and local flair. “We have mostly fantasy authors who will be there doing signings, and one romance author,” Nancy said. “The vendors range from a custom hat bar, coffee samplings, D&D [Dungeons & Dragons] dice, 3D prints, local artists’ work, comic books, and custom TTRPG maps. We also have the Friends of the Loon Lake Library coming out to offer a great selection of fantasy and sci-fi books.” Many participants are expected to hail from the region. “Almost all of the businesses are from the surrounding communities,” Nancy said. “We did reach out to a couple of friends from other states to come in and bring specialty items such as The Man Behind the Comics and Will-o-Wisp with her amazing collection of carved rock figurines, crystals, and pendants.” For fans of dressing up, the cosplay contest offers prizes of $50, $25, and plaques for top entries. “We don’t have categories this year as we don’t know what the turnout will be,” Nancy said. “However, next year, if this event goes well, we hope to have youth and adult categories separate from one another.” Fantasy gamers can join D&D one-shots run by two local dungeon masters: Kody, 19, and Mickey, 25; both asked for their last names to be anonymous. “A menacing chaotic goblin and an unexpecting, seemingly sweet chaos coordinator,” Nancy described. “We’ll have sheets and pencils available, but we recommend bringing your own dice. You can create a level 1 or 2 character, or use one of our pre-made sheets.” Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon fans will also find a home at the convention. It will be open play, but there will also be experienced players on hand to run the games and offer assistance. The Quartzite Mini-Con is free to attend, with organizers instead encouraging attendees to bring nonperishable food donations for the Chewelah Food Bank. “It is paramount,” Nancy said of community involvement. “There is no way around it. The community is what makes or breaks any event. We hope people see this as something unique and come to take a look.” While there won’t be workshops or panels this year, the Cross family hopes the Mini-Con can grow into a recurring event. “Unfortunately, this year there are no [workshops],” Nancy said. “We’re doing this pretty much by ourselves and with our own cash. If the event takes off, we hope to offer those types of con experiences later.” For Steven, the excitement is simple: “To see the creativity of people’s costumes and hopefully their excitement of being able to have a pop culture experience in their own backyard.” Nancy added, “I can’t wait for the kids in the community who love gaming, fandoms, fantasy, etc., to have a place to come hang out, shop around a little, and get their first comicon experience, even though it’s a little smaller than most.” 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: 01/07/2026 - 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: 01/07/2026 January 7, 2026 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Colville Flour Mill new addition, 1934. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— December weather in the Colville valley was the warmest since 1910, the average temperature for the month being 33 degrees. Marriage licenses showed a slump in 1925, compared with previous years. Miss Dorothy Dexter, county auditor, had plenty of blanks for issuing the customary number of marriage permits during 1925, but the applicants did not appear. As a result, Stevens County loses revenue which is sorely needed. “Keep those hens laying all winter!” by putting cracked corn in the rations: Colville Flour Mill. 75 Years Ago— Jack and Kenneth Clark announced this week the opening of the Commercial Electrics Company at 444 South Main. Rural mail carriers can go back to licking stamps now. To clear up a misunderstanding during the Christmas rush, post office officials pointed out this week that carriers are required to mail letters if money is placed in the box with letters, for stamps. They’d still appreciate it if patrons would buy stamps in advance. It speeds up service, especially during the rush seasons, but the rule says they must mail letters if money is put in the rural box. The rule holds only for rural carriers. City carriers don’t carry stamps. 50 Years Ago— A new $7.3 million sawmill in the Arden area was announced by Burlington Northern, Inc., this week. Burlington Northern already operates the Arden Lumber Co. mill at Arden now under its timber resource subsidiary Plum Creek Lumber Co. The Colville Employment Office received a telephone call indicating a bomb threat last week on New Year’s Eve at approximately 2 p.m. Normal precautionary measures were taken and a timely and controlled evacuation of the office took place. A 1958 ordinance prohibiting the display of merchandise, produce and other sale products on city sidewalks will now be enforced within a week. It was determined during Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Colville City Council. 25 Years Ago— The Colville Driftriders Snowmobile Club will hold their annual “Gold Rush Fun Run” this Saturday. Sign-up will be at Beaver Lodge on the little Pend Oreille Lakes chain. Judge Pamela Payne swore in new Stevens County Commissioners Tony Delgado and Malcolm Friedman at an informal ceremony last Thursday. 10 Years Ago— REPUBLIC—After initiating an assessment of addresses in Ferry County, the Ferry County Sheriff’s Office has determined that at least 15% of those addresses are incorrect. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Kettle Falls Girls Soccer Season Ends with Playoff Loss - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Kettle Falls Girls Soccer Season Ends with Playoff Loss November 12, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Kettle Falls Bulldogs' soccer season comes to a close. The Kettle Falls Bulldogs’ season came to an end Nov. 3, with a 6-0 loss to Davenport in a District 6 2B/1B opening-round, loser-out match at The Hub in Liberty Lake. The sixth-seeded Bulldogs (5-11-1, 5-8) battled throughout but couldn’t slow down the third-seeded Gorillas (15-2). Davenport scored four goals in the first half and added two insurance goals in the second. “The girls fought incredibly hard against one of the state’s best teams and made them work for their win,” said head coach Skyler Moore. “A proud moment of mine – and I hope a proud moment for parents – was the attitudes after the game. I heard nothing but praise from our girls on how we played and everyone was there to support each other. A winning culture is only possible with a good attitude and these girls have that.” Maddison House had 12 steals in the game, while Ireland Pinkler-Moody had four and Thea Cruden had two. Chloe Goodell sent two shots at Davenport while Sergio Whitney had one shot on goal. In the goal box, Audrey Morales had 19 saves. Kettle Falls wrapped up its fall campaign with five wins, showing steady improvement over the season in the competitive Northeast 2B League. “This was a special and historical season for Kettle Falls,” Moore said. “We had a lot of firsts: first win in nearly three years, first back to back wins ever and did it twice, first time earning a playoff seed and not receiving one because everyone makes it like it has been in the past. Most wins in a season… the list sort of goes on.” Moore added the end of the season is bittersweet as the Lady Bulldogs will lose four seniors. “It’s bittersweet because I know how special and pivotal this season is for the program, and one that hopefully sets the program on course for continuous success but at the same time we lose four really special players,” Moore said. “The girls worked so incredibly hard to get to this point over the last two seasons and they know they’ll have to work even harder now without those players, the league will be a little more open next year so they and I look forward to it.” 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: 07/23/2025 - 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: 07/23/2025 July 23, 2025 By: Stevens County Historical Museum Columbia Restaurant in Addy about 1914. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society. 100 Years Ago— Careful watching and hard fighting on the part of the patrolmen and the forest fire fighting organizations in Stevens County have kept the forest fires from destroying or doing damage to a large amount of property. Every day calls have been coming to the office of Supervisor J. Nugent in the Lane building of new fires, but the patrolmen are put on the job at once and the fires are put out before great headway has been made. Earl Broderick, driver of a truck for the Fred Draper Lumber Company, was given a fine of $25 with $10 of the fine suspended on order of the court by Justice A. L. Knapp on Monday. He was picked up by Mr. Renne, state highway officer, and charged with overloading his truck. 75 Years Ago— Kettle Falls and Northport will go after the Colville Valley Baseball Championship at the fairgrounds here Sunday. It’s against the law to fire BB guns in the city. City police warned this week that they would confiscate guns of youths found firing the guns in the city. Attempts to use Grand Coulee Dam for flood control are costing the Inland Empire logging industry thousands of dollars in lost time, in the opinion of J.M. Aston, president of the Roosevelt Log Owners Association. RICE—A new mercantile store at Rice is now assured. The buildings were destroyed by fire last January while owned by Claire Bryan. Dave Olson of Kettle Falls has purchased the former site from Bryan and is now putting in the foundation. 50 Years Ago— Although the recession had a strong impact in Stevens County in the past year, as it did everywhere else, its effect on business was less severe than in many other communities. George Cloakey, 40, of Waterville, has been named new basketball coach at Colville High School, Don Munson, superintendent of schools, announced Wednesday. Upon receiving a certificate of need from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and approval from the Washington State Hospital Commission, Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville is proceeding immediately with a $204,000 project to renovate its plumbing and heating system and to install air conditioning. 25 Years Ago— One of Colville’s most popular mayors, Helen White, was honored last Friday in downtown Colville. “Helen White Day” gave the retired mayor and local businesswomen an opportunity to be chauffeured by another popular former local mayor, Duane Scott. Greenwood Grange is ready to celebrate their 90 th anniversary. The Grange held meetings in various members’ homes or in the Meyers Falls Town Hall – what is now the Union Hall in Kettle Falls. 10 Years Ago— After several years of hope and planning, the Kettle Falls Library is expanding. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Wednesday at the empty lot adjacent to the building on Meyers Street. Drought conditions are prompting state officials to prohibit or limit fishing on more than 30 rivers across Washington to help protect fish. Rivers included are sections of the Kettle River. 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

Brian Gregory Jennen | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Brian Gregory Jennen 23 Oct 3, 2002 - Oct 10, 2025 Brian Gregory Jennen, age 23, passed away Oct. 10, 2025 in Kettle Falls, Wash. Brian was born Oct. 3, 2002 in Chewelah, Wash. Brian was a super honest man. One might not like hearing what he would say, but you knew what he said was true. Brian was rambunctious and stubborn and strong. He was a hard worker. Brian loved working in the woods. He was proud to be simple – self-sufficient. Material things did not matter to him in the least. Brian had a big heart with so much good in him. He was loved by everybody. Brian would do anything for you. Brian was very smart. He was an avid reader. Brian was a genius when it came to math and computers. At the age of 14, he competed in “Math is Cool.” At the state competition in Spokane, he placed third overall. Brian also excelled in sports, playing football for Kettle Falls High School. Brian’s dad took him hunting. At the young of nine years, he bagged his first deer – with a bow. He later would get a moose and a bear. Brian loved knives. He especially enjoyed making them and sharpening them. In 2022, Brian would meet Jalisa Powers. They were married later that year and welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Austin, to their family. Brian is survived by his wife Jalisa and son Austin; his parents, Brian and Monica Jennen; mom, Sarah; sister Trystin; and several extended family members and friends. A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date. Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory have been entrusted with his care. Please visit the online memorial website and sign his guestbook at danekasfuneralchapel.com. Previous Item Next Item

Agriculture, farm, and ranch news covering rural life, land use, and farming in Stevens County, 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 Farm & Ranch Farm & Ranch Stevens County Farms and Ranches Look Ahead to 2026 Season January 7, 2026 Meredith Carroll 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. Read More Farm & Ranch Local Ranchers Voice Complaints Against State Agencies and Policies December 3, 2025 Tamara Lee Titus “We are seeing our state regulatory agencies get increasingly hostile with landowners and cattlemen,” said Scott Neilson, president of the SCCA. “Whether this is with Department of Ecology (DOE) when it comes to access to water, or with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) refusal to confirm..." Read More Farm & Ranch Perennial Wisdom November 12, 2025 Christine Gile, WSU Extension Master Gardener, Stevens County It is important to clean and protect gardening pots, containers, and tools when they are not in-use. Improperly stored pots may crack or break when exposed to winter’s freeze and thaw cycles, and dirty garden containers and equipment may transfer pests and diseases to other plants. Read More Loading… Load More Articles 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

JoAnna Thompson | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. JoAnna Thompson 94 Apr 29, 1931 - Oct 27, 2025 JoAnna passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Oct. 27, 2025 in Moses Lake, Wash. She was born on April 29, 1931 in Nampa, Idaho to Earl and Elda Arzt, though everyone remembers her loving stepfather Orval Lyle as her dad. She married Clinton (Bud) Thompson on Nov. 12, 1949, in Colville, Wash. They moved to Odessa, Wash., in 1953 and became part owners of Empire Electric with Bud as an electrician and JoAnna the bookkeeper. She also kept busy being a homemaker, florist, caterer, and decorator extraordinaire. JoAnna was a member of the Heritage Church and their women's group, helping with countless church dinners, receptions, and funerals. JoAnna was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, in 2010. She is survived by her three children: Vickey (Wes) Melcher of Moses Lake, Wash., Kristey (Rob) Shimek of Salem, Ore., and Randey (Jeri) Thompson of Spokane Valley, Wash. She has six grandchildren: Jayson (Stephanie) Melcher, Jesyka (Kyle) McCain, Amanda (Dave) Arthurs, Angela (Justin) Martinez, Chris (Ashley) Wilkinson, and Nick Wilkinson, and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Glenda Pittman of Colville, Wash., brother-in-law Travis (Sharon) Thompson of Spokane, Wash., and numerous nieces and nephews. JoAnna's funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m. at the Heritage Church, 302 South First Street, Odessa, Wash., with Pastor Josh McLachlan officiating. Interment will be Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, Colville, Wash., with Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, Wash., caring for the family. In memory of JoAnna please honor her by making a contribution to the Heritage Church Elevator Fund. Thank you in advance. Previous Item Next Item

Bulldogs Take Down the Hornet’s Nest - 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 Take Down the Hornet’s Nest December 10, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Behind the steady scoring of standout Wyn Edwards, the Kettle Falls girls basketball team swatted down the Oroville Hornets to improve their record to 2-1, on Friday, Dec. 5. Edwards poured in 21 points to lead the Bulldogs to a convincing 53-25 nonleague road win at Oroville. Kettle Falls steadily pulled away each quarter, outscoring the Hornets 29-10 after halftime. Abby Ocasio added 14 points while Kelly chipped in 10 points as Kettle Falls bounced back from its first loss of the season earlier in the week. The Bulldogs’ defense clamped down on the Hornets, holding them to just one 3-pointer and six total second-half points. Kettle Falls struggled to maintain a fast start in a 49-36 loss to unbeaten Republic at home on Dec. 2. The Bulldogs led 14-8 after the first quarter, but foul trouble and a third-quarter surge from the Tigers swung momentum. Edwards kept Kettle Falls in the game with 20 points and a pair of 3-pointers, while teammate Hope Shurrum also hit two from long range. But Republic’s Ember Berndt was too much to handle inside, finishing with 22 points to push the Tigers to 2-0. The Lady Bulldogs faced Tonasket on Tuesday, Dec. 9; results were not available at press time. They are set to host Northwest Christian on Friday, Dec. 12, at 6 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

Catherine Carol Roper | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Catherine Carol Roper 86 May 21, 1939 - Jun 7, 2025 Catherine Carol Roper of Kettle Falls, Wash., passed away at her home on June 7, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born on May 21, 1939, at the family ranch in Boyds, Wash. When her mother was in labor, her father rowed across the Columbia River to fetch a doctor. By the time they returned, she had already been born with the help of the hired hand. Most of her childhood was spent on the family ranch. When she wasn’t yet 12 months old, her mother went to Portland, Ore., where she worked in the shipyards. She was left in the care of her older sisters, Nancy and Jo. Jo remembers carrying her on a long trek over the fields and down a steep hillside to have her cared for by the neighbor while the siblings attended school. After school, they carried her back home and cared for her until bedtime. One time they fed Carol sauerkraut and paid the price when it came time to change her diaper. Carol attended grades first through sixth in a one-room cabin used as a schoolhouse. She had some wonderful years in that tiny school. She moved into Kettle Falls in her teen years, living with her mother and stepfather. There, she graduated from Kettle Falls High School in the spring of 1957. Progressing in life, Carol married and raised four children. During her adult years, she enjoyed varied employment that included working as a librarian, bookkeeper, secretary, microfilm manager, and always provided a helping hand to the disadvantaged. The last 20 years of her working life were spent as an optometric technician at the Kettle Falls Vision Clinic. She was actively involved at the Columbia River Bible Church and Christian Academy. She enjoyed many years of singing with the local Sweet Adelines group. After remarrying, Carol was very involved with her late husband, David Roper, in the Chokes and Spokes Antique Car Club. She loved to camp and even rafted the Salmon River in Idaho. In her final active years, she enjoyed riding ATVs in the backcountry with her friend, Keith Fine (who was also a childhood friend growing up in Boyds). She was a sharp Pinochle player and excelled at many card games. But her favorite and most serious joy in life was sharing Jesus Christ with her family, friends, and acquaintances. Carol is preceded in death by her parents, A. “Murphy” Hurst and Irene Johnson, her husband, David Roper, her sisters Nancy Anderson, Suzette Tucker, brother Richard Hurst, and two grandchildren, Jessica West and Jonathon Kreft. She is survived by her sister, Jo Negu, of Kettle Falls, her children, Michael Davis and his wife, Toni, of Dover, Del., daughter Shawn Kreft and her husband David of Kettle Falls, son of Jerry Davis and his wife Daphne of Pierre Lake, daughter Kelly West and her husband, Rick, of Kettle Falls, and Ruth Zembas and her husband, Michael of Shelton, Wash. She is survived by grandchildren Kimberly Davis of Portland, Ore., Paden Davis and his wife, Emma, of Spokane, Wash., Daniel Kreft and his fiance, Terri, of Belgrade, Mont.,Andrew Kreft of Fargo, N.D., and Katie West and her partner, Sarah Moon, of Portland, Ore. She is survived by seven great-grandchildren in Washington, North Dakota, and Minnesota, and several nieces and nephews, and her close friend, Keith Fine of Kettle Falls. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life in her memory on July 17, at 11 a.m. at Columbia River Bible Church, 1086 HWY 395 N, Kettle Falls, Wash., 99141, west of Sandy’s Drive-In on the north side of the highway. A reception is planned to follow. Previous Item Next Item