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Northport Boys Surge to 3-0 in League Play Behind Strong Week - 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 Boys Surge to 3-0 in League Play Behind Strong Week December 17, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Pete Beardslee goes up for a score against Medical Lake. Photo by Fiona Laughton. The Northport boys basketball team continues to establish itself as a contender in Northeast 1B play, rolling to two league victories last week to improve to 3-3 overall and a perfect 3-0 in league action. The Mustangs capped the week with a 76-56 home win over Cusick on Saturday, Dec. 13, using balanced scoring and steady offensive pressure. The victory followed an even more dominant 69-28 league road win at Columbia (Hunters) on Friday, Dec. 12. Earlier in the week, Northport faced a significant nonleague challenge against Medical Lake, a Class 1A program, falling 91-64 on Dec. 9. Despite the loss, the Mustangs showed flashes of offensive capability against a larger-school opponent. Northport was led by Beardslee, who scored 16 points, while Smith added 14 and Young finished with 11. The Mustangs knocked down seven three-pointers, but Medical Lake’s perimeter shooting proved decisive, as the Cardinals connected on 14 three-pointers and pulled away in the second half. The team hosted Inchelium on Tuesday, Dec. 16; game results were not available at press time. They are scheduled to visit Curlew on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m., then host Republic on Saturday, Dec. 20, 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

Chewelah Girls Basketball Drops Two League Matchups - local reporting from the Statesman-Examiner serving Colville, Stevens County, and Northeast Washington. LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES Chewelah Girls Basketball Drops Two League Matchups January 28, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen The Chewelah girls basketball fell in two Northeast 2B North games last week, dropping a matchup on the road to Newport before returning home for a loss against league-leading Reardan. Chewelah opened the week with a 34-19 loss to the Newport Grizzlies on Jan. 20. The Cougars trailed 15-8 at halftime and were unable to close the gap. Grace Keck led Newport with 13 points. Chewelah was led by Elise Warren with seven points, followed by Megan Watts with six and Sara Vioni with four points before fouling out. The Cougars were held without a 3-pointer in the contest and finished 1-for-2 from the free-throw line. Chewelah played at home Friday, Jan. 23, but struggled to generate offense in a 64-16 loss to the Reardan Screaming Eagles. Reardan jumped out to a 24-9 first-quarter lead and maintained control throughout the game. The Screaming Eagles (16-2 overall, 10-0 league) used balanced scoring and seven 3-pointers to pull away. Rylynn Green scored a team-high 12 points. Chewelah was led by Vioni, who finished with 12 points. The Cougars fell to 1-16 overall and 0-10 in NE2B play. Results from Chewelah’s matchup at Davenport on Tuesday, Jan. 27, were unavailable at press time. Chewelah is scheduled to host St. George’s on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 4:30 p.m. and play at Kettle Falls on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 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

Stevens County Sheriff's Office Investigation Leads to Arrest in Child Overdose Case - 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 Sheriff's Office Investigation Leads to Arrest in Child Overdose Case December 10, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Briana Smutz arrested by law enforcement. Photo courtesy U.S. Marshals Service. A Stevens County drug investigation led to the arrest of a woman accused of exposing her young child to fentanyl earlier this year. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, detectives with the Spokane Valley Police Department and members of the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force took Briana Smutz into custody on Dec. 3, without incident. The investigation began with the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office Proactive Narcotic Enforcement Task Force, which developed information on Smutz’s whereabouts the day before the arrest. That intel allowed federal and local officers to coordinate the operation quickly, officials said. According to law enforcement, Smutz was wanted in Stevens County on multiple felony charges, including Assault of a Child in the Third Degree – Domestic Violence (Position of Trust, Vulnerable Victim), Abandonment of a Dependent Person in the First Degree – Domestic Violence (Position of Trust, Vulnerable Victim) and possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The charges are related to a case in which authorities alleged a two-year-old child gained access to fentanyl pills belonging to Smutz. The toddler showed signs of overdose, prompting emergency crews to administer Narcan. Officials said the child was transported from Loon Lake by ambulance to a Spokane-area hospital for treatment. According to officials, the child did survive. Investigators said Smutz left the scene before deputies could interview her regarding the incident. The case remains under investigation, according to officials. 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

Preliminary Election Results Released for Stevens and Ferry Counties - 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 Preliminary Election Results Released for Stevens and Ferry Counties November 12, 2025 By: Emma Lee Conyer The preliminary election results for Ferry County and Stevens County. General election results for Stevens and Ferry counties are still being counted, however, current tabulations provide an indication of the winning parties. According to election department officials, the election results for both of the counties will be certified on Nov. 25. STEVENS COUNTY Chewelah The candidates for Chewelah mayor are Lindsay Baxter and Tracy Ling. Election officials stated that Baxter is in the lead as of Monday, Nov. 10, with 328 (67.35%) of the 487 counted votes, followed by Ling with 138 votes (28.34%). Twenty-one votes (4.31%) were written in. The candidates for Chewelah City Council, Position 1, are Katie Roberts and Shane Fairweather. Roberts leads with 299 (65%) of the 460 counted votes, with Fairweather trailing with 75 (16.3%) of the votes, according to officials. Eighty-six votes (18.7%) were written-in. The candidates for Chewelah City Council, Position 2, are James B. Caruso and Sharon Ludwig. Election officials said Caruso is trailing with 216 (43.55%) of the 496 votes, while Ludwig sits at 278 (56.05%) votes; two (0.4%) votes were write-ins. Jon Hardy-McCauliff and Ronald L. McCoy are the candidates for Chewelah City Council, Position 3. Out of 485 votes, Hardy-McCauliff currently holds 293 (60.41%), with McCoy behind at 190 (39.18%), according to election officials. The remaining two votes (0.41%) are write-ins. Lonnie Hoxie and Tim Dollar are the Chewelah City Council, Position 6 candidates. Officials stated that Hoxie held 354 (72.69%) votes, while Dollar had 131 (26.9%) of the 487 total votes. Two of the votes (0.41%) were write-ins. Candice Capoeman and Paula Randall are the candidates for Chewelah City Council at Large. Officials indicated that Randall was in the lead with 334 (77.67%) votes out of 430 total, with Capoeman behind at 91 (21.16%) votes. Five of the votes (1.16%) are write-ins. Colville The candidates for Colville City Council at Large are Muriel S. Meyer and Thomas Carpenter. Meyer was ahead, according to officials, with 640 (66.05%) of 969 votes, and Carpenter with 321 (33.13%) votes. Eight of the total votes (0.83%) were write-ins. Marcus Chris Fox and Ethan Jennings are the candidates for Marcus mayor. Jennings was behind, with 21 (33.33%) of the 63 total votes, and Fox held 42 (66.67%). Northport The candidates for the mayor of Northport are Karene Balcom and Phillip Naylor. Balcom held 62 (82.67%) of the 75 total votes, while Naylor had 13 (17.33%) votes, according to officials. Northport School District The candidates for the Northport School District Director at Large 5 at Lisa (Fry) Warner and Chad R. Arcand. Officials noted there were three (0.8%) write-in votes, 153 (40.43%) votes for Warner, and 221 (58.78%) votes for Arcand out of a total of 376 votes. Mary Walker School District Jedd Canfield and Thad Stenlund are the candidates for the Mary Walker School District Director District 1. Canfield held the lead with 411 (73.39%) votes, while Stenlund had 144 (25.71%) of the 560 total votes, according to officials. Out of those votes, five (0.89%) were written-in. Onion Creek School District The candidates for Onion School District Director Position 1 are Deryk Lamb, who sat at 33 (37.08%) votes, and Lennifer Leone Miller, who held 54 (60.67%) votes, officials stated. Out of the 89 total votes, two (2.25%) were write-ins. Stevens County Fire Protection District 4, Proposition 1: Levy Citizens of Stevens County were called to vote on a Fire District Levy this year. Officials indicated that the levy will pass, with 422 (55.02%) of the 767 votes being “Levy Yes,” and 345 (44.98%) being “Levy No.” Fire District 12 Sharyl McBride and Duggan Harman are the candidates for Fire District 12 Commissioner 1. Out of 242 total votes, McBride led with 188 (77.69%) votes, and Harman sat at 53 (21.49%) votes, officials said. Two votes (0.83%) were written-in. FERRY COUNTY Fire District 3 The Fire District 3 Commissioner 3 candidates are Al Kowitz and Jake Cook. Officials said out of 259 total votes, Kowitz sat at 147 (56.76%) votes, and Cook held 112 (43.24%). 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 and Kettle Falls Wrestlers Cook at Apple Pie Invite - 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 and Kettle Falls Wrestlers Cook at Apple Pie Invite January 21, 2026 By: Brandon Hansen Local wrestlers turned in strong performances at the Apple Pie Invite on Saturday, Jan. 17, highlighted by podium finishes from Chewelah’s Dakota Katzer and Titan Tapia, as well as a deep showing across multiple weights by the Kettle Falls Bulldogs. Katzer advanced to the championship bout at 157 pounds and finished second overall. He opened with a bye before pinning Yandel Mata of Chelan in 1:32, then followed with another fall over Andrew Alcala of Chelan in the semifinals. In the title match, Katzer ran into Tristan Sharpe of Cascade (Leavenworth), falling by decision to cap a strong tournament run and score 22 team points. Teammate Tapia also reached the podium at 157 pounds, placing third. Tapia pinned Ryder Vassar of Tonasket in the quarterfinals, dropped a semifinal to Sharpe, then rebounded with a technical fall over Mason Simons of Republic-Curlew in the consolation semifinals. Tapia closed the day with a 10-5 victory over Alcala to secure third place. Kettle Falls had multiple wrestlers place, led by a pair of strong finishes at 150 pounds. Ezekiel Evans placed second after earning a fall in the quarterfinals and a technical fall in the semifinals before falling to Logan Stucker of Tonasket in the title match. Baylor Rosen added a third-place finish at the same weight, stringing together four consecutive falls through the consolation bracket and closing with another pin over Nik Morrow of Blaine to score 22 team points. At 132 pounds, Joseph Young placed third, winning four of five matches, all but one by fall. Young pinned his way through the early rounds, rebounded from a semifinal loss, and closed with a pin over Aengus Gillikin of Cascade. In the upper weights, Hunter Smith-Rowe placed third at 215 pounds, responding to an early loss with four straight wins by fall, including the third-place match against teammate Harley Rowe. Rowe finished fourth after advancing through the consolation rounds. Kettle Falls also saw solid efforts from Michael Winn (fourth at 120 pounds) and Gideon Evans (fourth at 126 pounds), each rallying through the consolation bracket with multiple falls to reach the placement rounds. 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: 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

Perennial Wisdom - 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 Perennial Wisdom November 12, 2025 By: Christine Gile, WSU Extension Master Gardener, Stevens County When You Have 99 Problems But a Pot Ain't One How to Clean and Store Pots and Tools for the Winter. Cutline: Garden pots should be cleaned annually. Photo by Christine Gile. 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. Here are autumn tips on how to clean and store garden supplies for the winter so you can keep calm and pot on when spring comes around. The primary method to clean pots and tools is to use bleach. Clean all the debris off the tool or container using warm, soapy water, and a brush or rag. Make enough of a bleach solution, using one part bleach and nine parts water, to immerse part or all of an item, preferably for at least 10 minutes. Once all of the item has been in the bleach water, rinse it with water and fully dry it before storing. Pots should be dried in an upside-down position. Some may want another option as bleach is not recommended for tools that require a sharp edge because it may corrode it. Alternative methods include steam or dry heat (180-200°F for 30 minutes under a cover to contain the heat), rubbing alcohol (70% or higher, dip or swab and then let dry without rinsing), or hydrogen peroxide (dip, spray, or brush on or soak). All plant containers could have an extended life if placed in storage or under protective covering rather than outside. Unglazed clay or concrete pots should be stashed in a protected, dry area that stays above freezing. Place lighter pots inside heavier ones, using dividers made of foam or cardboard to prevent them from getting stuck or breaking one of the pots. Plastic pots should be stored upside down in an enclosed area or covered with a tarp outside to protect them from the elements and direct sunlight. Grow bags should not be exposed to sun or moisture during storage, and should be hung out of reach from pests. Remaining containers of fertilizer and potting soil should be stored in airtight containers or tightly sealed to keep them dry. Tools should be stored in a dry location. You can oil your tools to prevent them from rusting using plant safe oil. The WSU Extension Master Gardener Program trains volunteers to be effective community educators in gardening and environmental stewardship. Master Gardeners provide information generated from research at WSU and other university systems. Christine Gile, a biologist who lives in Loon Lake, is a current Master Gardener. 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

Elda Lorraine Johnson-Murrow | obituary published by the Statesman-Examiner in Colville, Washington. Elda Lorraine Johnson-Murrow 87 Mar 3, 1938 - Dec 19, 2025 Elda Lorraine Johnson-Murrow, age 87, a 67-year resident of Colville, Wash., passed away on Dec. 19, 2025. She was born on March 3, 1938 in Allen, S.D., the daughter of Van and Delia Viola (Bartlett) Simmons. Elda was raised in Martin, S.D., where she attended school and graduated in 1956 from Bennett County High School. Following high school, Elda married Jack Johnson and they resided in communities across South Dakota and North Dakota following Jack’s work in road construction. They began a family and moved to Colville, Wash. in 1958. Elda worked in the home raising her growing family and later worked retail sales at JC Penney store in Colville. She worked there for several years before purchasing the House of Fabric in Colville. Elda sold the fabric store after a couple of years. She then worked alongside her husband, Jack, in their ownership and operation of J & J Automotive. She assisted with towing, shop work and kept the books. They retired and became snowbirds to Yuma, Ariz., in the winter. They traveled south for a few years and eventually nestled in for the winters in Colville. Jack preceded Elda in death in 2008. Colville was her home and so she remained close to family in the community. Elda’s retirement job lasted over two decades as she ran parts and helped customers find parts and place orders at CarQuest/Empire Auto Parts. She retired at the age of 86. Elda was known by many as “Mom” and “Grandma,” a list of individuals that extended well beyond her own children and grandchildren. Her “How ya doin?” will be recalled fondly by the countless individuals she greeted. Elda never spoke ill of others and had a constant smile that lifted hearts and caused uncontrollable grinning around her. She loved to garden and sew and could also create needlepoint and embroidery accoutrements. Her room was filled with novels of mystery and romance and every topic in between. She spent many weekends boating and camping with her growing family over the years. Elda was a “Spunky Saint” who was outgoing, joyous and on a regular occasion “a bit ornery.” She had a wonderful wisdom of the years past and a fondness of the years ahead. Elda was preceded in death by her husband, Jack and her siblings, Earl Simmons, Alvin Simmons, Beatrice McCoy and Doreen. She is survived by her children; Douglas Johnson (Barbara) of Spokane, Wash., Leslie Harrington of Kettle Falls, Wash., DeVonne Smith (Brian) of Deer Lake, Wash., Pat Johnson of Colville, Wash., Eric Johnson of Deer Lake, Wash., Warren Johnson of Colville, Wash., William Johnson of Colville, Wash.; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and two great-great grandchild; siblings, Walter Simmons (Sandy) of Nebraska, Vernon Simmons of Martin, S.D. and Elmer Simmons of Martin, S.D., numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family. There are no services scheduled at this time. Memorial contributions may be given to the Diabetes Foundation. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements. Previous Item Next Item

Chewelah's First Quartzite Mini-Con Draws Hundreds, Blending Creativity, Community and Rural Fandom Culture - 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's First Quartzite Mini-Con Draws Hundreds, Blending Creativity, Community and Rural Fandom Culture November 19, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Chewelah's First Min-Con sees an unexpected turnout. What started as an idea between Steven and Nancy Cross became one of Chewelah’s most successful events, as the first-ever Quartzite Mini-Con packed the Mistequa Casino Hotel on Saturday with cosplay, gaming tables, local authors, families, and fans from across the region. Attendance swelled to an estimated 500 people over the course of the day, an overwhelming response that organizers worried might draw only modest interest as Steven Cross admitted he wasn’t sure what to expect at the opening. “After not getting a lot of comments or responses from posts on social media… I wasn’t sure what the turnout would be,” he said. But once the doors opened, “People were excited about an event like this to be in our county.” He said what surprised him most was the creativity on display. “The most surprising thing was the talent and creativity of people who said they have never participated in a costume contest but there were costumes that would compete in Lilac City Comicon’s cosplay contest.” Nancy Cross said the mix of ages stood out from the start. “The biggest surprise to me, aside from a really amazing turn out, was the age span,” she said. “People brought in their babies, and their grandparents and they were all having fun.” The event welcomed attendees from Kellogg, Wallace, Post Falls, Ione, Addy, Valley, Colville and beyond, which was proof, Nancy said, of how much the region needed a space for fandoms to gather. “It was insane having people say they traveled all the way,” she said. “That really just goes to show how much these types of events are needed.” Drawing on their work as vendors at conventions around Washington, the Crosses set out to bring more than a shopping experience. Steven said their goal was simple. “People attend these events for the experience and not just to buy things,” Steven said. “They attend for a sense of a place that they feel welcomed and are allowed to express their excitement for their chosen fandoms.” Nancy echoed that vision. “One thing we will never change is that this is not simply a vendor fair. It is a themed event,” she said. “We want people to come in and be able to not only shop, but make friends, hang out, have some food and just enjoy themselves.” The event featured gaming tables, book signings, original artwork, cosplay, and themed foods – elements the couple had seen resonate at larger shows but wanted to share with a rural community. “We wanted the community to have a chance at cosplay even if it was on a smaller scale,” Nancy said. “Having authors on hand to do book signings was huge for us.” A major motivation for the Crosses was providing a space for teens and young adults who often feel disconnected in rural communities. Nancy said one interaction highlighted exactly why the event mattered. “We had a young man from Flat Creek express how grateful he was because he had nothing like this and felt this was the first time he was able to make friends and feel like he belonged,” she said. “Sometimes even the nerds need to feel celebrated and seen.” Steven agreed, noting how isolating large conventions can be for rural residents. “Some people don’t like to or can’t afford to travel very far but they want the experience of a show like this,” he said. “Hearing teens and even adults excited that this was here and that they were able to make new friends… lets me know that this has been needed in our area for a very long time.” With space running out this year, the Crosses are already brainstorming ways to grow. Nancy said she hopes to add more vendors and artists, introduce cosplay divisions for different age groups, and expand categories to separate store-bought and handmade costumes. She also hopes for author panels or Q&A sessions – something Steven is exploring as well. “We don’t have the budget to bring in panels and celebrities like the bigger shows,” Steven said. But inviting regional authors to speak, or even a “local celebrity” to host a discussion, would help elevate next year’s event while keeping it free for the public. Keeping the event accessible is a priority. “I feel the entry fee to get into some of the bigger events in the area is what keeps people away,” Steven said. “The community really appreciated that they had more money to spend with the vendors and on the awesome con merchandise that Nancy made!” For Nancy, the event’s name came from looking out a hotel window during early planning meetings, Quartzite rising against a clear sky. For Steven, the event’s purpose was on full display Saturday. “Seeing the smiling faces and people having fun made my day,” he said. “Bringing the community together… to let them know that even though we might live in a rural community… that does not mean that you can’t enjoy the wide variety of fandoms out there. We all have a little nerd in us.” 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

Stevens and Ferry Counties Certify Election Results - 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 and Ferry Counties Certify Election Results December 3, 2025 By: Emma Lee Conyer Local results for the general election. The general election results for Stevens and Ferry Counties were officially certified on Nov. 25. The results include: STEVENS COUNTY City of Chewelah Lindsay Baxter won the election for the Chewelah Mayor, finishing with 606 (67.11%) of the total 903 votes. The other candidate, Tracy Ling, held 260 (28.76%) votes, while 37 (4.1%) votes were written in. The candidates for Chewelah City Council Position 1 were Katie Roberts and Shane Fairweather. Roberts won the race with 563 (65.93%) out of 854 total votes, while 158 (18.5%) were write-ins and 133 (15.57%) votes were for Fairweather. The candidates for Chewelah City Council Position 2 were James B. Caruso and Sharon Ludwig. Ludwig won the election with 512 (56.33%) of the 909 total votes cast. Caruso came behind with 395 (43.45%), and the last two (0.22%) votes were write-ins. Jon Hardy-McCauliff won the election for Chewelah Council Position 3, ending with 566 (63.74%) votes. Out of the 888 total votes, 316 (35.92%) were for Ronald L. McCoy, and three (0.34%) were written in. Lonnie Hoxie and Tim Dollar ran for Chewelah City Council Position 6. A total of 897 votes were cast, with 670 (74.69%) going for Hoxie, 225 (25.08%) for Dollar and two (0.22%) written in. The candidates for Chewelah City Council at Large were Candice Capoeman and Paula Randall, with Randall coming in first with 645 (80.32%) of the 803 total votes. Capoeman finished with 149 (18.56%) votes, and nine (1.12%) were written in. City of Colville Muriel S. Meyer and Thomas Carpenter were the candidates for the Colville City Council at Large, where a total of 1,047 votes were cast. Meyer won with 698 (66.67%) votes, Carpenter ended with 341 (32.57%) votes, and eight votes (0.76%) were written in. Town of Marcus Chris Fox and Ethan Jennings both ran for Mayor. Fox finished the race with 45 (62.5%) votes and Jennings with 27 (37.5%). The total number of ballots cast was 72. Town of Northport The candidates for the Mayor were Karene Balcom and Phillip Naylor. Balcom won the race with 77 (85.56%) of the 90 total votes, while Naylor garnered 13 (14.44%) votes. Northport School District The candidates for the Northport School District Director at Large 5 were Lisa (Fry) Warner and Chad R. Arcand. The race ended with 265 (59.02%) votes for Arcand, 180 (40.09%) votes for Warner , and four (0.89%) write-ins.. Mary Walker School District Jedd Canfield and Thad Stenlund were the candidates for the Mary Walker School District Director, District 1. Canfield finished in the lead with 614 (72.15%) votes, while Stenlund ended with 229 (26.91%) of the 851 total votes. Out of those votes, eight (0.94%) were written-in. Onion Creek School District Deryk Lamb and Jennifer Leone Miller both ran for the Onion Creek School District Director Position 1. Ninety-eight votes were counted with Miller coming out on top with 61 (62.24%) votes, 35 (37.51%) for Lamb and two (2.04%) written in. Stevens County Fire Protection District 4, Proposition 1: Levy Citizens of Stevens County were called to vote on a Fire District Levy this year. The levy passed with 642 (55.49%) of votes being “Levy Yes” and 515 (44.51%) being “Levy No.” Fire District 12 Sharyl McBride and Duggan Harman ran for Fire District 12 Commissioner 1. Out of 304 total votes, McBride won with 219 (72.04%) votes, while Harman secured 82 (26.97%) votes. Three votes (0.99%) were written-in. FERRY COUNTY Fire District 3 The Fire District 3 Commissioner 3 candidates were Al Kowitz and Jake Cook. Out of 259 total votes, Kowitz finished with 184 (57.14%) votes, and Cook with 138 (42.86%). 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

Elias Kiffin-Vos Lofthus — 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 Elias Kiffin-Vos Lofthus Elias Kiffin-Vos Lofthus was born on Oct. 20, 2025, to parents Hannah and Caleb Lofthus of Tonasket, Wash. He weighed seven pounds, three ounces at birth, and has three sisters, Esther, age 4, Miriam, age 3, and Eden, age 1. His maternal grandparents are Brian and Laura Jovich of Republic, Wash. His paternal grandparents are Craig and Sharon Lofthus of Tonasket, Wash. His maternal great-grandparents are Alice Jovich of Langley, Wash. and Dan and Dawn Diffner of Cashmere, Wash. His paternal great-grandparents are Phil and Pat Lofthus of Tonasket, Wash. Previous Next LOCAL NEWS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FARM & RANCH GREAT OUTDOORS PROFILES OUT OF THE PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS CALENDAR OBITUARIES

Tight Revenue Outlook Puts Pressure on State Budget - 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 Tight Revenue Outlook Puts Pressure on State Budget December 17, 2025 By: Brandon Hansen Washington officials said the state is facing mounting financial pressure heading into the next budget cycle, as declining revenues and rising costs collide after years of rapid spending growth. Officials said the situation marks a sharp shift from the pandemic era, when large infusions of federal relief dollars significantly boosted state revenues. Those temporary funds have now expired, forcing lawmakers to confront structural imbalances in the budget. Washington’s operating and capital budgets have more than doubled over the past decade, according to officials. The state spent roughly $80 billion during the 2013-15 biennium, compared to more than $173 billion in the current two-year budget, according to state officials. At the same time, the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council said projected tax revenue has dropped by about $500 million since lawmakers adopted the latest biennial spending plan. During the most recent budget cycle, legislators faced projected gaps, which they aimed to close through service reductions and tax increases, according to state reps. Despite those actions, the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council has warned of future shortfalls, driven in part by rising health care costs and growing demand for state services. Washington’s Medicaid program has expanded to serve approximately 2.2 million residents, roughly one-quarter of the state’s population. State officials have pointed to health care spending as a major driver of ongoing budget pressures, alongside looming federal reductions to programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. A Senate Ways and Means fiscal analysis projected that the budget could be short by $1.1 billion by the end of the 2027-29 biennium. Looking ahead to the current legislative session, officials said the shortfall is estimated at roughly $390 million. Any changes to the budget already in place would need to be addressed through a supplemental budget approved by lawmakers. Gov. Bob Ferguson said he expects to release his proposed budget this month, setting the stage for House and Senate budget writers to begin work when the 2026 legislative session convenes in January. The governor has indicated his proposal will focus on spending reductions rather than new taxes, an approach that could shape negotiations in Olympia in the months ahead. Local lawmakers have voiced concerns about both the scale of state spending and the tax increases approved in recent sessions. Rep. Hunter Abell (R-Inchelium), criticized the growth of the state budget and its impact on families and businesses. “I’m extremely concerned about the reckless increase in spending and tax hikes adopted by the majority last session. They absolutely crush families and small businesses operating in a difficult economic environment,” Abell said. “As a reminder, our state budget has more than doubled in the last 10 years. Washingtonians are rightly asking themselves if their roads, schools, health care, and public safety are all twice the quality. Unfortunately, the answer is clear.” Abell also pointed to last-minute tax legislation passed during the previous session, arguing it was rushed and poorly implemented. “This is absurd, and there should be egg on the face of every legislator who voted for ESSB (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill) 5814,” he said. “We need to do the hard work of getting our state spending under control, reducing the tax burden on Washington families and businesses, and improving the competitive environment so that businesses are able to succeed and thrive in Washington.” He added that, while he is cautious about the governor’s commitment to an all-cuts budget, he remains skeptical based on past actions. “I believe in the old adage of ‘trust but verify,’ and that is certainly true when it comes to Olympia, taxes, and the peoples’ money,” Abell said. Rep. Andrew Engell (R-Colville), also emphasized the need to refocus state priorities amid tightening finances. “One of my favorite quotes is on time management from Brian Tracy, ‘There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing.’” Engell said. “This also applies to budgeting. Washington’s people are already taxed to the breaking point and we need our government to get back to the basic functions of government and then there will be plenty of money.” Engell said he recently met with the governor to discuss the budget outlook and urged restraint when making cuts. “I suggested he look at cutting some of the new programs that were created and funded in this year’s budget rather than starting by cutting existing programs that have a proven track record,” Engell said. “I thanked him for his plan to oppose increasing taxes again since he already signed the largest tax increase in history this year.” 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