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Stevens County Commissioners Heated Over Veteran Relief Policy - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Stevens County Commissioners Heated Over Veteran Relief Policy November 12, 2025 By: Cami Krema The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met on Nov. 7. The Stevens County commissioners met on Nov. 7, to discuss the county’s new Veterans Relief Fund (VRF) policy. During the meeting, the commissioners found themselves unable to reach an agreement on approving the new policy and whether it would benefit local veterans. According to the state legislature, a veterans relief fund policy is a set of guidelines for providing short-term financial assistance to eligible veterans and their families who are experiencing a financial crisis. These policies outline eligibility requirements, the types of expenses that can be covered (such as rent, utilities, and medical or vehicle costs), and the limitations on the amount of aid available. The primary purpose is to offer temporary support to help a veteran regain financial stability, not to provide long-term or automatic entitlements. The commissioners had previously met on Oct. 29, and Nov. 6, to review the new policy draft. Stevens County auditor Lori Larsen has also had a role in drafting the new policy. During the meeting she stated that she removed references to Stevens County Veteran Service Office, made changes to the policy’s formatting, and eliminated sections that called for coordination between Veteran Service Office and other agencies. The commissioners also emphasized the need for consistency, specifically in terms of how veterans receive funding, indicating that some veterans in the past have been treated as more important than others. Elizabeth Snell with the Veteran Advisory Board gave a statement to the commissioners regarding how veterans will be impacted by changes to the VRF. Snell said she believes that the policy should offer an alternative decider because the auditor’s office may have a conflict of interest when deciding funding. Snell then stated concerns over the length of time it could take for veterans to provide proof of income, saying it could take up to six months. She also shared concerns over privacy, stating that confidential health information could become easily accessible through the VRF application. Veteran Donna Meyer, who is also involved with American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, spoke to the commissioners and recommended that a clause be added around how big the VRF balance could get and when excess money would be returned to taxpayers. Meyer said she felt dismissed after bringing up her concerns; attendee Nancy Cross said commissioner Young indicated that Meyer’s concerns “didn’t need to be addressed.” Meyer said, “The RCW (Revised Code of Washington) states that some of that money needs to be returned to the taxpayers and the RCW unfortunately doesn't direct how to return it or at what percentage of the VRF.” She added, “[The commissioners] didn't want our input at this point and Lori (Larsen) never really wanted our input.” Steven Cross, a veteran and member of the Veteran Advisory Board, said, “The fact that [the county commissioners] didn't trust members of the Veterans Advisory Board to help veterans with this policy and funds, that kind of rubbed me wrong.” Meyer, Steven Cross and Nancy Cross all stated that they were given less than 15 minutes before the meeting to review the new VRF policy, and that the commissioners did not review the document in its entirety before voting on its approval. After public comments were given, commissioner Greg Young motioned to approve the VRF policy with the changes proposed by Larson. Commissioner Mark Burrows opposed the motion, stating that he thought they would review the VRF “line by line with the Veteran Advisory Board.” He said that the policy felt rushed and advised that the commissioners take their time to approve the new policy, especially considering that “the current system still works.” Burrows said, “A veteran that needs wood pellets, firewood, heating oil, or food can still apply for it and get it.” He added that he was “opposed to adopting this policy without fully vetting out every line of it and having input from people who actually do the work.” Commissioner Monty Stobart entered the conversation and said he felt the new policy is “a step in the right direction” because the current policy has loopholes that could put the county at liability according to their attorney. He said the new policy protects the commissioners from a potential lawsuit. Burrows said the new policy is “not as clean as it’s being suggested,” and indicated that a previous action Stobart took “created a fulcrum” for the commissioners to have to pivot on. He then quoted the auditor as saying that there have been zero refusals to pay claims under $750 under the last several years and implied that Stobart wants to rush through approving the new policy because of a “questionable circumstance he (Stobart) highlighted with an anonymous veteran.” Burrows then referenced a letter Stobart had written that had “thrown the Veteran Advisory Board chairman under the bus and insinuated that he was participating in fraud or gifting,” expressing discontentment that the letter was written as though Stobart were speaking for all of the commissioners. Burrows claimed that Stobart “threw the program under the bus.” Shortly after, the discussion ended and the commissioners approved the new policy with a 2-1 vote, Burrows opposing. Nancy Cross said, “It just felt sneaky to push [the policy] through without listening to public concern.” Steven Cross said he announced his resignation from the Veterans Advisory Board upon hearing the decision to approve the VRF policy. He has since retracted his resignation and is waiting to hear from the county commissioners if he will be reinstated. After the vote, Stobart made to leave the room, despite attendees still asking for clarification on their decision and the future of the VRF policy. According to Nancy Cross, Tom Hicks, who is a Veteran Service officer and attended the meeting, had his hand raised and was asking the commissioners to review the policy again. As Stobart walked by him, he “swatted” Hicks’ hand down. Both Nancy Cross and Meyer watched the altercation and said that Hicks responded by telling Stobart not to hit him. Stobart said he was not trying to hit Hicks, he was trying to grab him, to which Hicks told Stobart not to touch him. “It was completely unexpected and wildly unprofessional,” Nancy Cross said. Meyer said, “Everybody said they're kind of stunned to see a commissioner actually touch a member of the audience in anger.” She added, “You just kind of feel like you're in the Twilight Zone at that point.” After the exchange, Stobart left despite community members asking the commissioners for clarification on their decision. Meyer said multiple people who witnessed the altercation with Stobart encouraged Hicks to report it to law enforcement. The county commissioner meetings on Monday, Nov. 10, were cancelled due to “no quorum available;” it was noted on the agenda that Stobart was “out of office.” Stobart did not respond to request for comment. According to the state legislature, a veterans relief fund policy is a set of guidelines for providing short-term financial assistance to eligible veterans and their families who are experiencing a financial crisis. These policies outline eligibility requirements, the types of expenses that can be covered (such as rent, utilities, and medical or vehicle costs), and the limitations on the amount of aid available. The primary purpose is to offer temporary support to help a veteran regain financial stability, not to provide long-term or automatic entitlements. The commissioners had previously met on Oct. 29, and Nov. 6, to review the new policy draft. Stevens County auditor Lori Larsen has also had a role in drafting the new policy. During the meeting she stated that she removed references to Stevens County Veteran Service Office, made changes to the policy’s formatting, and eliminated sections that called for coordination between Veteran Service Office and other agencies. The commissioners also emphasized the need for consistency, specifically in terms of how veterans receive funding, indicating that some veterans in the past have been treated as more important than others. Elizabeth Snell with the Veteran Advisory Board gave a statement to the commissioners regarding how veterans will be impacted by changes to the VRF. Snell said she believes that the policy should offer an alternative decider because the auditor’s office may have a conflict of interest when deciding funding. Snell then stated concerns over the length of time it could take for veterans to provide proof of income, saying it could take up to six months. She also shared concerns over privacy, stating that confidential health information could become easily accessible through the VRF application. Veteran Donna Meyer, who is also involved with American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, spoke to the commissioners and recommended that a clause be added around how big the VRF balance could get and when excess money would be returned to taxpayers. Meyer said she felt dismissed after bringing up her concerns; attendee Nancy Cross said commissioner Young indicated that Meyer’s concerns “didn’t need to be addressed.” Meyer said, “The RCW (Revised Code of Washington) states that some of that money needs to be returned to the taxpayers and the RCW unfortunately doesn't direct how to return it or at what percentage of the VRF.” She added, “[The commissioners] didn't want our input at this point and Lori (Larsen) never really wanted our input.” Steven Cross, a veteran and member of the Veteran Advisory Board, said, “The fact that [the county commissioners] didn't trust members of the Veterans Advisory Board to help veterans with this policy and funds, that kind of rubbed me wrong.” Meyer, Steven Cross and Nancy Cross all stated that they were given less than 15 minutes before the meeting to review the new VRF policy, and that the commissioners did not review the document in its entirety before voting on its approval. After public comments were given, commissioner Greg Young motioned to approve the VRF policy with the changes proposed by Larson. Commissioner Mark Burrows opposed the motion, stating that he thought they would review the VRF “line by line with the Veteran Advisory Board.” He said that the policy felt rushed and advised that the commissioners take their time to approve the new policy, especially considering that “the current system still works.” Burrows said, “A veteran that needs wood pellets, firewood, heating oil, or food can still apply for it and get it.” He added that he was “opposed to adopting this policy without fully vetting out every line of it and having input from people who actually do the work.” Commissioner Monty Stobart entered the conversation and said he felt the new policy is “a step in the right direction” because the current policy has loopholes that could put the county at liability according to their attorney. He said the new policy protects the commissioners from a potential lawsuit. Burrows said the new policy is “not as clean as it’s being suggested,” and indicated that a previous action Stobart took “created a fulcrum” for the commissioners to have to pivot on. He then quoted the auditor as saying that there have been zero refusals to pay claims under $750 under the last several years and implied that Stobart wants to rush through approving the new policy because of a “questionable circumstance he (Stobart) highlighted with an anonymous veteran.” Burrows then referenced a letter Stobart had written that had “thrown the Veteran Advisory Board chairman under the bus and insinuated that he was participating in fraud or gifting,” expressing discontentment that the letter was written as though Stobart were speaking for all of the commissioners. Burrows claimed that Stobart “threw the program under the bus.” Shortly after, the discussion ended and the commissioners approved the new policy with a 2-1 vote, Burrows opposing. Nancy Cross said, “It just felt sneaky to push [the policy] through without listening to public concern.” Steven Cross said he announced his resignation from the Veterans Advisory Board upon hearing the decision to approve the VRF policy. He has since retracted his resignation and is waiting to hear from the county commissioners if he will be reinstated. After the vote, Stobart made to leave the room, despite attendees still asking for clarification on their decision and the future of the VRF policy. According to Nancy Cross, Tom Hicks, who is a Veteran Service officer and attended the meeting, had his hand raised and was asking the commissioners to review the policy again. As Stobart walked by him, he “swatted” Hicks’ hand down. Both Nancy Cross and Meyer watched the altercation and said that Hicks responded by telling Stobart not to hit him. Stobart said he was not trying to hit Hicks, he was trying to grab him, to which Hicks told Stobart not to touch him. “It was completely unexpected and wildly unprofessional,” Nancy Cross said. Meyer said, “Everybody said they're kind of stunned to see a commissioner actually touch a member of the audience in anger.” She added, “You just kind of feel like you're in the Twilight Zone at that point.” After the exchange, Stobart left despite community members asking the commissioners for clarification on their decision. Meyer said multiple people who witnessed the altercation with Stobart encouraged Hicks to report it to law enforcement. The county commissioner meetings on Monday, Nov. 10, were cancelled due to “no quorum available;” it was noted on the agenda that Stobart was “out of office.” Stobart did not respond to request for comment. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Ainslee Marie Green — a community announcement published by the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville and Stevens County. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Births Ainslee Marie Green Ainslee Marie Green was born on July 3, 2025 to parents Hope Green and Jeremiah Baker of Republic, Wash. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces at birth, and has two brothers: Ezekiel Baker, 6, and Malekai Baker, 3. Her maternal grandparents are Amber Green of Republic, Wash., and Charles Schultz of Spokane, Wash. Her paternal grandparents are Naomi Lovett and Dale Baker of Republic Wash. Her maternal great-grandparents are Diane and Kevin Green of Republic, Wash. Her paternal great-grandparents are Linda Lovett of Republic, Wash., and Letha Baker. Previous Next LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Carol Lawayne (Knott) Karaba | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Carol Lawayne (Knott) Karaba 86 Oct 17, 1938 - Jun 20, 2025 Carol Lawayne (Knott) Karaba, 86, passed away June 20, 2025, in Port Angeles, Wash. Carol was born October 17, 1938, in Cle Elum, WA, to Lila B. (Crowe) Knott and Ernest W. Knott. Raised with two older brothers, Carol was bold and independent from an early age. She completed high school at Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1956 and studied at UW while working at Boeing. At this time, she married James Giulietti Sr. and had two sons, James Giulietti Jr. and Michael Giulietti, before ending the marriage in 1962. In 1966, Carol married Ray Ackenhausen and moved to Port Angeles, where she raised and fostered several children and ran Em’s Hobby & Cycle Shop until her divorce from Ray in 1978. In 1994, she married her longtime friend Joseph Karaba and moved to Ft Worth, Texas, to support his career at American Airlines. In 2003, they retired to Kettle Falls/Colville, wishing to live a simpler life in the fresh air of Carol’s childhood home. Carol could often be seen in Colville with her signature blue heeler dogs, sporting bandanas. Her, Joseph, and their dogs lived happily until Joseph’s passing in 2021. In 2024, she moved to Port Angeles to be closer to family. Having accomplished her goal of outliving everyone, she passed away peacefully on a sunny June day when she was ready. Carol is survived by her sons, James Giulietti Jr. and Michael Giulietti Sr., several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and longtime friend Christy Burdick. Following her wishes, a viewing will be held July 8, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle, Wash., followed by a burial at 1 p.m. Previous Item Next Item

Lady Bulldogs Basketball Faces Loaded NE2B 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 Lady Bulldogs Basketball Faces Loaded NE2B League November 26, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The NE2B League isn’t a gentle league. Kettle Falls girls basketball team, with a young roster and an emerging talent, will continue to grow and compete against some of the best competition in the state under head coach Tyler Edwards. Edwards said that, while the picture isn’t fully clear before the first official practices, one thing is certain: the Lady Bulldogs will be tested early and often. “The season tea leaves are hard to read prior to our first practice, but our league is a perennial powerhouse,” Edwards said. “NWC (Northwest Christian) is the reigning state champion and returns a lot from that team. Davenport and Reardan both are tough, with many returners.” Kettle Falls brings in around 16 players, creating depth but also representing a roster largely built on youth. “We will be very young but will have good size and quality guard play,” Edwards said. “We will need to broaden our basketball IQ and physical toughness.” Despite the inexperience, Edwards said he believes the Bulldogs possess the right pieces to compete, especially if they develop quickly in the early part of the season. Sophomore standout Wyn Edwards is expected to anchor both the offense and defense. “Wyn Edwards will likely draw the most attention and will need to lead us on both ends of the floor,” Edwards said. Her versatility and ability to shoulder responsibility will be crucial as the coaching staff works to elevate the team’s cohesion and confidence. For a young Kettle Falls squad, the climb is steep, but the mission is clear: growth. 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 Finish Runner-Up at Apple Ridge Cross Country Championships - 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 Finish Runner-Up at Apple Ridge Cross Country Championships November 5, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Colville packed the front of the field and left Apple Ridge with hardware Saturday, Nov. 1, finishing second as a team at the District 5 1A Cross Country Championships while junior Malik Ortiz claimed the individual crown in a runaway. Ortiz broke the tape in 15:30.83, a personal record (PR), to win by a full minute. Senior Isaiah Ortiz gave the Crimson Hawks a powerful punch, taking second place in 16:31.29, also a personal best. Senior Connor Schneider added a key single-digit finish, placing seventh in 17:04.24 (PR) as Colville totaled 50 points, just behind champion Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) at 43. Rounding out the scoring five were juniors Jerrin Patrick (19 th , 17:24.50 PR) and Isaac Ballance (37 th , 18:06.62 SR). Senior Layden Moore (41 st , 18:11.75 season record) and junior Daniel Aguilar (45 th , 18:20.81 PR) provided depth in a field loaded with state qualifiers. On the girls’ side, senior Zaidence Zier punched her ticket to state with a poised top-10 finish, placing sixth in 19:28.81. The race’s tight front pack featured six runners under 20 minutes, led by Cascade (Leavenworth) freshman Greta Broom (18:46.93). Zier’s performance continued her late-season rise, positioning her to contend for a podium spot next week. With multiple personal bests and a dominant boys front, Colville heads to the WIAA 1A State Championships at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Saturday, Nov. 8, carrying real momentum into the finale. Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Checking In on City Councils - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Checking In on City Councils October 1, 2025 By: Chloe Harrington Local city councils focus on applying for grant funding, hosting community events, and public works projects. Northport According to clerk treasurer Karen Baribault, the Department of Ecology is still finishing up the city park’s river front. She said public works completed a street grant over the summer. The city was also awarded a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for a water system backup generator after pursuing the grant for seven years. However, Baribault said that the generator is back-ordered until February. The Northport City Council meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. Marcus Clerk treasurer Angie Sphuler said that city officials have received $100,000 from the Department of Commerce for their growth management update, which is a two-year process. She said the city is also working to obtain a grant from the Transportation Improvement Board. Sphuler said that since the town received fiscal recovery funds to put in new water meters, their winterization process has become “streamlined, taking a little less work off the public works employee.” Also a member of the Cider Fest planning committee, Sphuler said that they are “ahead of the game this year,” and set to begin the event at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. Event organizers are currently applying for a beer garden license and the permit to close the highway for the parade. They are fully booked with vendors. “We have quite a lot of volunteers this year,” said Sphuler. “We put a cry out for help because it has been slacking off, which is what has happened in the past with other festivals, and that's why they died.” The Marcus City Council meets every third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Spuhler said, “Our meetings are generally very short and sweet. We have a great council that we're working with, and things seem to be running smoothly. The town is doing quite well.” Springdale According to Mayor Stefany Smith, the city’s public works projects were wrapped up prior to their Showcase in the Park celebration. Between September and October, Smith said the city will drag the Lucky Duck Pond. “People throw stuff in it all the time,” she said. “We want to start over on it.” An underwater mural scene was also recently developed in the town. The city is not pursuing any specific grants at the moment, but they “are always looking for extra financial help,” said Smith. The Springdale City Council meets at town hall on the second Monday of every month at 6 p.m. However, October’s meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14. 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

Northport Battles Through Grueling Day at State - 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 Northport Battles Through Grueling Day at State November 19, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen The Northport Mustangs exceed expectations in the 2025 volleyball season. The Northport Mustangs were guaranteed just one match at the State 1B Volleyball Tournament last week, but by the end of Nov. 12, they had played three times in a grueling 12-hour stretch inside the Yakima SunDome. Head coach Shyanne Guglielmino said the team knew it drew a tough path from the start. “We got a pretty tough seed and the bracket had us playing the number-one seed, Oakesdale,” she said. “We knew it would be a challenge, but we just wanted to play our best volleyball and be proud of our performance no matter what the outcome was.” Northport opened the tournament at 8 a.m. against Willapa Valley – a time slot Guglielmino said had her expecting a slow start. But the Mustangs came out sharp, taking the opener 25-22 after breaking a 16-16 tie. They pushed past an 11-8 deficit in the second set to win 25-20, then stayed steady in the third, turning a narrow lead into a 25-20 victory and a sweep. Guglielmino said she was impressed by how her team responded early. “Showing up at 7 a.m. for our 8 a.m. matchup and winning 3-0 was huge for us,” she said. “I expected to potentially drop a set due to a slow start… I was proud that they played so well.” Eighth-grader Liesel Stark led the team with nine kills, while sophomore Kate Beardslee had eight kills and Kylie Colton notched six. Six different players for Northport had at least one ace from the service stripe. Freshman Brooklyn Wilson had 12 digs in the match, while Colton added eight and Beardslee had six. Beardslee also had five blocks. Dalilah Colton notched 14 assists in the match. The reward for advancing was facing powerhouse Oakesdale, the top seed and eventual title contender. Northport battled but couldn’t slow the Gorillas’ rhythm, falling 25-12, 25-13, 25-14. Guglielmino said that matchup offered valuable lessons. “I think playing Oakesdale was a big moment for us,” she said. “They were by far the best team we played all year and the girls learned a lot.” Beardslee led the team with 10 kills while Stark had four. Beardslee also had three blocks. Wilson led the team in digs again with six digs, and Beardslee added four. Dalilah Colton distributed 15 assists in the match. With little downtime, Northport headed into a loser-out match against Naselle. Fatigue showed and the Mustangs fell behind early in the first set and lost 25-16. In the second set, they briefly surged ahead 13-10 before Naselle rallied late for a 25-21 win. The third set stayed competitive, but Northport came up short 25-22. Guglielmino said the long day played a role. “It was definitely a long day,” she said. “I do think we played flat in our third game and I think a big factor was the long day.” Beardslee had nine kills and Stark had three. Beardslee also attacked the net with five blocks, while defending her side of the court with eight digs. Wilson continued her impressive defensive tournament performance with 10 digs, and Kylie Colton had six digs. Dalilah Colton had 11 assists. Guglielmino praised Beardslee for her all-around effort. “We lean on Kate a lot. She is our most consistent player in every rotation,” she said. “She can swing, block, set, dig, serve – you name it, she can do it. She did her job exceptionally well during the tournament.” She also highlighted the poise of Beardslee and Kylie Colton, the only Mustangs with previous state experience. “I put a lot of expectations on them to stay calm and encourage their team,” she said. “They both did very well at this.” The team’s seniors – Dalilah Colton, Kylie Colton, Makaila Hackenberg – played a crucial role in shaping the program’s identity, Guglielmino added, “These seniors have been a part of the program for several years and have shown the younger girls how important it is to work hard and be coachable,” she said. Northport finished the season 18-7 overall; an achievement Guglielmino said exceeded her expectations after graduating key contributors last year. “Overall, I was very happy with the season,” she said. “My expectations were a bit more reserved going into this season and this team far exceeded those expectations.” Despite the exhausting day in Yakima, she said her players left the tournament more experienced, more confident, and proud of what they accomplished. “I have worked really hard over the last eight seasons to build up this program and create a winning culture,” Guglielmino said. “We missed out on the state tournament last season, so these girls were especially hungry this season.” Previous Article Next Article LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Chewelah Closes Season with Statement Win Over Davenport - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Chewelah Closes Season with Statement Win Over Davenport October 29, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen After a season marked by adversity, small numbers, and constant challenges, the Chewelah Cougars ended their year Friday, Oct. 24, routing Davenport 54-14 in front of an electric Homecoming crowd. The victory was Chewelah’s first of the season and their highest point total since 2020. Senior quarterback AJ Kent delivered one of the best performances in recent program history, rushing for 431 yards and six touchdowns on 22 carries. Kent was just 50 yards from the Washington state high school record. Senior Camden Noel added 6 yards on two attempts, while the Cougars’ defense, led by Devante Angry’s interception, shut down Davenport’s passing game and limited the Gorillas to just one offensive touchdown. “It feels amazing to win,” said head coach Wade Baker, a former Cougar player who stepped in to lead the team shortly before the season began. “With the small roster we already have, it was great to see the team clicking and finally pulling out a big win.” Chewelah began the year with barely enough players to field an 11-man team. A late coaching hire and preseason turnover made the outlook uncertain, and after a loss to Lake Roosevelt, the Cougars were forced to cancel the rest of their NE2B schedule. Determined to finish on their own terms, the team organized an eight-man Homecoming matchup with Davenport. “For those who were able to last the whole season, it showed a lot of grit,” Baker said. “Many played through and came back from injuries that lesser men would have seen as an escape from the hard work and commitment that is required to play football.” Baker praised Kent’s dominant night and the team’s overall execution. Kent averaged nearly 20 yards on the ground every time he touched the ball. “AJ’s performance was nothing less than superb,” he said. “Our plan was to march down the field bit by bit and have to fight for every gain in yards. To have such an easy time was a breath of fresh air and AJ, along with the rest of the team, really made it easy to be a coach.” The defense, Baker added, showed major growth. “Holding them defensively was somewhat complicated,” he said. “I think the exposure in the Lake Roosevelt game really made us realize that we have to be able to cover the field laterally. We also dominated in the offensive and defensive line and didn’t give them a lot of time to develop plays.” As the final whistle blew, fans and players celebrated not just a win, but a season of perseverance. “The energy was off the charts after the game,” Baker said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the group of guys I coached.” 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

County Prosecutor's Office Works Through Staffing Shortages - 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 County Prosecutor's Office Works Through Staffing Shortages October 8, 2025 By: Chloe Harrington The Stevens County Prosecutor’s Office has been operating with only 50% staffing, with no prospects for improvement due to a lack of applicants. County prosecutor Erika George said, “My office staffing levels have not increased in 20-plus years. If you look historically at other departments, they all have increased in staffing levels.” According to George, when prosecutor Tim Rasmussen took office from Jerry Wetle in the mid 2000s, the office employed seven deputy prosecutors. This year, George was approved by the county commissioners to hire five employees, in addition to a current part-time employee. She said, “Previously, our budget has always approved seven deputy prosecutors. We might not have had the positions filled – as we can't get applicants – but we were approved to have them. This is the first year I wasn't approved to have them.” She said she has only been able to hire three deputies: a felony deputy, a district court deputy, and a deputy who works in child support enforcement and therapeutic courts. “To put that in perspective,” she said, “fully staffed, I have three felony deputies, two district court deputies, and then a full-time civil deputy. So I'm 50% staffed.” Stevens County treasurer Leslie Valz said, “[George’s] situation is that the market for attorneys has increased. The starting wage of an attorney was somewhere similar to an entry level professional. But now that attorneys walk out of law school with close to a quarter million dollars in student loans, they have an expectation of starting close to $80,000 to $100,000 a year. Our wage range for the county has [been] somewhere around $60,000 to $70 ,000 a year for a new prosecuting attorney.” Valz said that these competitive entry wages are necessary for applicants to even consider a job posting. “And I know a lot of industries in our area are in that same situation,” she said. “[If] they see a job in Spokane that pays some $40,000 more a year and they live in Spokane, they're going to obviously go with that job in Spokane. So we need to have something beyond the beautiful place that we live in to be able to attract folks from out of the area.” Valz added that George “doesn't have the option to recruit locally,” and that housing shortages in Stevens County further complicate hiring. “I have to find an applicant who wants this lifestyle,” said George. “I do find applicants that want to live in rural communities. It's just really hard to recruit to Stevens County when people can make substantially more money in a bigger city.” Valz continued, “Because [George] has been in that position now for a number of years, she has repeatedly brought that up and has not received any level of response. Part of that is because her employees are unionized – so it's different than being able to individually negotiate with them about an amount, because the union sets the wage range for those folks.” According to Sheriff Brad Manke, competitive hiring rates are standard across the board, and the problem is “specific to us because our county … is not prioritizing funding correctly.” Manke added, “In the patrol division, I don’t have trouble hiring because [we offer] fairly competitive wages.” George stated, “With the budget shortfall, [the county commissioners] are not willing to put up the money to be competitive.” Her office was already short two positions, so when staffing cuts were required, she simply could not make more hires. “And I will say the commissioners did work to raise the salaries of my deputy prosecutors. That was part of the reason I was short a position, because they had given some raises to my existing deputies. It's not a real issue right now, because I don't even have applicants.” Valz said the only way to allow the prosecutor’s office more hiring positions would be for the commissioners to cut other services. However, she added, “The struggle that we've always been in in Stevens County is every single service that these offices are offering is required by law. The assessor is required by statute to assess property – even though he's got a large staff. You have to have the treasurer to take in the property taxes, because that's the only thing that keeps the budget going.” The commissioners would have to cut an office not required by law – such as the fairgrounds – but Valz said that these services have low expenses anyways. “At the same time, the fairgrounds bring some money. So you could do it, but then you'd probably actually lose more money than you would gain,” Valz said. George said that she is uncertain whether the Board of Commissioners will give her the budget authority she needs to be fully staffed next year. She said, “It helps out the county when I'm short-staffed, because I do save lots of money in salaries. I am a little bit frustrated, because I understand a budget shortfall, but my department has never increased in staffing at the attorney level. And yet the workload has continued to increase, as you can see by the workload of the sheriff's office.” According to Valz, what the starting wage for new prosecuting attorneys is “still drastically under even what the sheriff's deputies [earn].” And, according to George, the auditor, clerk, and sheriff offices have increased their number of employees over the years, although the auditor has since returned to the same level of staffing. “It used to be that they would struggle because deputy prosecutors were some of the highest paid employees in the county because of their professional degrees,” she said. “But if you look at the salaries, law enforcement is making pretty much on par with what a deputy prosecutor is making. And I'll be frank: when I started, I was making less than a law enforcement officer was. And I have a four year degree, doctorate, and a master's of law.” According to Valz, “The prosecutor's office is at about 50% of the staffing that they need, whereas the sheriff's office is at 90%. So it's a little more dire with the prosecutor's office than the sheriff's office. But there's only between $27 and $30 million that needs to be split amongst all of these offices.” George continued, “You hear all the time about how many calls [the sheriff’s office] takes and all the increase in their world. The wages for law enforcement have gone up, and they have accommodated that without accommodating prosecutors.” She said that the commissioners’ efforts to support public safety staffing are often specific to the sheriff’s office, which often continues to fill vacancies during a hiring freeze. George said, “What seems to be left out [by] the commissioners is, in reality, our officers are on the front line. If I don't have attorneys to charge the cases, you can arrest all the people you want, but you don't have anyone to prosecute the crime. The law enforcement removes them in that immediate moment, but if I'm not charging them and convicting them of crimes, then the public isn't actually safe.” 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

Sherman Wolf Pack Strikes Again - 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 Sherman Wolf Pack Strikes Again October 29, 2025 By: Staff Report An update on the Sharman Wolf Pack from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff announced that they investigated an injured calf in the Sherman wolf pack territory in Ferry County on Oct. 14. WDFW staff determined the injuries as a confirmed wolf depredation, and the calf was euthanized due to the severity of the injuries on Oct. 15. A King County Superior Court Commissioner, at the request of Washington Wildlife First and other petitioners, granted a temporary restraining order on Oct. 14, prohibiting WDFW from taking lethal removal action on the Sherman Pack. According to officials, the court will hold a preliminary injunction hearing on Oct. 28. WDFW officials documented the facts from the Oct. 14 depredation investigation, but are not considering lethal removal at this time. For more information, visit wdfw.wa.gov . 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

Spiringdale Cheerleaders Call for Community Contribution Response - 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 Spiringdale Cheerleaders Call for Community Contribution Response November 26, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Springdale mayor Stefany Smith has asked the community to rally behind the Mary Walker High School cheer team and provide contributions and donations to help purchase their first set of official uniforms in nearly a decade. “I have been the Mary Walker High School cheer coach for almost 10 years and we have not had official uniforms in this time,” Smith said. “We have pieced together what we had and now are not able to do that anymore, as over the years items have gone missing or they are very outdated.” According to Smith, participation has surged this year, creating both excitement and a greater need for new gear. “This year, our numbers for cheerleading have been incredible. We had an average of 12 for football and now have 14 for basketball season,” she said. “We wouldn't even have enough if we could work with what we have.” Smith said, while the cheerleaders have been fundraising, the cost of outfitting a team adds up quickly. A full uniform – including skirt, vest, spanks and an undershirt – averages about $250 per athlete. Smith said she has personally purchased all the hair bows, and the team has already secured new poms. She also noted she has earned her stunt certification and hopes to take the team into competition next year. “I know we have an awesome community who loves to support our children,” Smith said. “I am asking for any help possible to reach our goal of purchasing new uniforms for basketball season. I know this is last minute but I also know there are so many great community members that would help us reach our goal. We are close.” For more information, contact mayor Smith directly at Springdale town hall at 509-258-7258. 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 City Council Reviews Poool Attendance and LED Project - 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 City Council Reviews Poool Attendance and LED Project October 29, 2025 By: Isidora Patrick The Kettle Falls city council gathered on Oct. 21, to lay the groundwork for the 2026 budget and property tax process, while also giving the green light to an exciting new LED community sign in partnership with the Kettle Falls Rotary Club. During the public hearing on 2026 property and ad valorem taxes, city staff noted that figures from the assessor’s office were not yet available, so the ordinances were introduced without final numbers. The council plans to hold another public hearing and adopt the finalized tax ordinances once the information arrives. Sherry Palmer from the Upper Columbia Pool District brought a wave of good stats from the summer; the Kettle Falls pool saw 4,780 visits, 1,394 walk-ins, and 154 children learning to swim. She highlighted the popularity of new offerings like aerobics classes and teen nights, and shared that the district is planning ahead by saving for future maintenance. After approving the consent agenda, council members listened to staff updates. Police chief Brandon Hoover reported three DUI arrests and ongoing vehicle upkeep, while Public Works director Dave Willey discussed the leaf pickup season and the unique challenge of securing a crane for the new community sign installation. The council welcomed engineer Matt Morkert from Community Engineering Consulting, who expressed his enthusiasm to support the city’s infrastructure projects and pursue new grant opportunities. Grace Powell of the Kettle Falls Rotary unveiled plans for a double-sided LED sign to replace the old sign. With Rotary already funding half the project, Powell said the new sign will offer remote updates, automatic dimming, and a vibrant space for community announcements. The council unanimously approved the partnership with Rotary and the project to bring it to life. Finally, the council introduced ordinances 1845 and 1846 related to 2026 property and ad valorem taxes and scheduled a tentative budget workshop for Nov. 12. The meeting concluded with a brief public comment session, during which the mayor and council expressed heartfelt gratitude for the community’s ongoing involvement. Details for the next city council meeting have not yet been released. 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