Jan. 28 - Traffic Report
Staff Report
January 28, 2026
395 Traffic Alert 10 am. Fatal accident between Grote Road and Larson Beach Road results in Hwy 395 shutdown for several hours. No estimated time for reopening.
Judge Thomas Webster is sworn in by Judge Lech Radzimski on Jan. 23. Photos courtesy Thomas Webster.
Tamara Lee Titus
January 28, 2026
Stevens, Pend Oreille, and Ferry County’s newly-appointed Superior Court Judge Thomas Webster was sworn into office on Friday, Jan. 23. “I’m honored,” Webster said, adding that the application process was long and comprehensive.
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Tamara Lee Titus
December 3, 2025
The Woodland Theatre, built in Kettle Falls in 1940, is the main performance site for Woodland Productions, a nonprofit community of local performing artists. Thanks to donations from grants, Friends of Woodland Theatre, and other major donors, the theatre now has the funds needed to complete upgrades.
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Meredith Carroll
November 19, 2025
Glaze It Up Pottery is the new Colville-based pottery painting business that brings ceramics to their customers. “I pull up, I set up, and I bring the pottery, the glaze (paint), the paint brushes, and the paint pallets,” said Glaze It Up Pottery owner Heather Fryer. “I even bring the garbage bags to haul away the trash.
Meredith Carroll
November 19, 2025
Goodwill of Colville is scheduled to open at its new location on Friday, Nov. 21. Located at the site of the now-closed Clark’s All Sports, the new space will host both the Goodwill Industries retail store as well as Goodwill Workforce and Family Services. According to officials, the grand opening festivities are set to begin with...
Bruce Rushton
January 21, 2026
Stevens County commissioners said they are scaling back plans for a new jail and courtroom facility two years after voters approved taxes to pay for a justice center adjacent to the existing courthouse.
“(W)e can’t build the building that we want,” Commission Chairman Greg Young said at a board meeting called to discuss the project on Jan. 15. “Like I said, it’s too darn expensive.”
Meredith Carroll
January 21, 2026
“Every child is an artist.”
It is Donna Matter’s heartfelt belief that all children contain untapped creativity and that it is her purpose to provide them with an outlet.
The Kettle Falls Children’s Art Program, located at the Kettle Falls Library, was launched 10 years ago by Donna Matter and her husband, George Matter.
Meredith Carroll
January 14, 2026
Over the past two years, the Statesman-Examiner has followed local industries as they face the challenges of their trades. This week’s edition checks in with the local medical industry, reporting on medical care, support services, and recent changes in state and national mandates that may impact patients in northeast Washington.
Brandon Hansen
January 7, 2026
The Christmas Tree Labyrinth at the Chewelah Center for the Arts wrapped up its second season this past weekend, closing after several days of post-holiday operation that stretched into early 2026. Built from more than 200 reclaimed Christmas trees, the installation invited community members to slow down and experience a moment of calm after the holidays.
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Have an upcoming event in Colville, Stevens County, or the surrounding region? Submit your details here, and we’ll feature your event in the Statesman-Examiner’s online calendar.
Downtown Dinner Crawl
Jan. 30, 2026
5-8 p.m.
115 W Astor Ave, Colville, WA 99114, USA
Chewelah Chamber of Commerce Meeting
Mistequa Casino
Jan. 30, 2026
7-8 a.m.
2555 Smith Rd, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA
Call: 509-935-8595.
Nordic Wintersportsfest
49 Degrees North Nordic Center
Jan. 31, 2026
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3311 Flowery Trail Rd, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA
Community Kickoff for Marine Sgt. Elliot
Loon Lake Elementary School
Jan. 31, 2026
9:30 a.m.
4001 Maple St, Loon Lake, WA 99148, USA
Email: jphipps@hfotusa.org, Call/text: 508-789-3501.
Bingo
Northport School Cafeteria
Feb. 1, 2026
12 p.m.
404 10th St, Northport, WA 99157, USA
Blues Jam
Fired Up Pizza
Feb. 1, 2026
4-7 p.m.
206 E Main Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA
Call: 509-936-9121.
Social Hour
Chewelah Senior Center
Feb. 2, 2026
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
301 E Main Ave, Chewelah, WA 99109, USA
Resume Help
Loon Lake Library
Feb. 2, 2026
12:30-2:30 p.m.
3988 WA-292 l, Loon Lake, WA 99148, USA
Call: 509-233-3016.
January 28, 2026
Hilary Ohm
Colville
Are we great yet? It sure doesn’t appear so. In fact, it seems more like we are quickly moving in the opposite direction.
In just over two weeks, federal agents have created chaos in Minneapolis. On Saturday, Border Patrol agents executed Alex Pretti. While documenting their terror and assisting a woman who had been pushed to the ground, Alex was pepper sprayed by Border Patrol. Then, multiple agents riddled his body with bullets as he held a camera in one hand and tried to block the spray with the other. His legal, concealed handgun was pulled from his waistband by an agent. He never brandished it. But he was murdered anyway. And just like Renee Good, who was shot in the head and killed by ICE on Jan. 7, he was cruelly mischaracterized as a domestic terrorist by Trump’s spokespeople. The truth is that he was an ICU nurse at a VA hospital and, like Renee, was praised as an upstanding citizen and a compassionate person by those who knew him.
Fifty-three detainees have died since the current admin took office. Even young children are being swept up. Conditions are dehumanizing, overcrowded and filthy.
The horrible treatment provided has not gone unnoticed. Faith leaders are speaking out. Students and workers are walking out. Massive crowds are gathering to protest and express their outrage. The disregard of our Constitution and the Rule of Law is unacceptable. Please join the growing resistance and make sure you vote in November.
Births
Lina Jazmin Vega was born on Jan. 10, 2026, to parents Madeline and Luis Vega Benitez of Colville, Wash. She weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces at birth, and has one sister, Arabella Vega, age 3. Her maternal grandparents are Jeff and Michelle Michaelson of Wallace, Idaho. Her paternal grandparents are Luis Vega and Petrona Benitez of Paraguay. Her maternal great-grandparents are Leon and Jennilynn Benson of Colville, Wash.
Births
Jace Alexzander Kade Ruiz was born on Jan. 9, 2026, to parents Jennifer Buffan and Jose Ruiz-Stroder of Colville, Wash. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce at birth, and has two brothers, Okecr, age 3, and Damon, age 3, and one sister, Phoebe, age 11. His maternal grandparents are Pamela and Daniel Miller of Colville, Wash. His paternal grandparents are Mary Ruiz-Rodriguez and Chris Barns of Valley, Wash.
Births
Khloe Joe Connall was born on Jan. 8, 2026, to parents Kacie Rainer and Calvin Connall of Chewelah, Wash. She weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces at birth. Her maternal grandparents are Kelly and Misty Connall of Chewelah, Wash. Her paternal grandparents are the late Joseph Rainer of Colville, Wash., and Ron and Karen Anderson of Colville, Wash.
110 - Community Notes
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Jan 28, 2026
120 - Notices
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Jan 28, 2026
120 - Notices
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free of charge!
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Jan 28, 2026
150 - Services
Automotive mobile mechanic, Ranger Mobile Garage. All makes/models, affordable maintenance & repair. Serving Colville & Stevens County. Call: 509-690-3721.
Jan 28, 2026
150 - Services
HUNTER'S HOME IMPROVEMENT. General Contractor #HUNTEHI912JZ. Kitchen, bathroom remodels, flooring, doors, windows, plumbing services, maintenance repairs. Free Estimates. Brett Hunter 509-675-2601.
Jan 28, 2026
160 - Employment
The N.E.W. Farmers Market in Colville is seeking a Market Manager for the 2026 season. Individuals who pride themselves on being a team player, possess excellent organizational skills, and have a strong sense of community are welcomed to apply. $100-$125 per day depending on experience. For more information please call or text John at 517-414-0399.
Jan 28, 2026
160 - Employment
Columbia School District #206 in Hunters, WA would like to hire a non-continuing part-time Paraeducator for 5 hours per day for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. Qualified applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED. Hourly rate of pay is $18.25 - $27.78 depending upon qualifications. Upon completion of 630 hours worked benefits include medical, dental, vision, life-insurance will be available. For more information, and an application, look under employment on the school's website www.columbia206.com or contact the district secretary at (509)-722-3311. Open until filled.
Jan 28, 2026
170 - Business Opportunities
Opportunity - Contract for sale that has a 6% return, has been seasoned for almost 2 years, will sell at par balance, approximately $59,312 with approximately 8 years left. Call 509-722-3321 in the evenings, or 509-563-9254 anytime.
Jan 28, 2026
Sep 18, 1937
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January 21, 2026
Rose Marie Gotham, a lifelong resident of the Colville area, was born on September 18, 1937, in Chewelah, WA, to Charles Lundquist and Laura (Naff) Lundquist. Rose passed away on January 21, 2026.
88
Nov 15, 1937
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January 20, 2026
Donna Pauline Sampson, age 88, a lifetime resident of Cedonia, Wash., passed away on Jan. 20, 2026, in Colville, Wash. Donna was born at home on Nov. 15, 1937, in Cedonia, Wash. She was the daughter of Robert Loren and Mildred Pauline (Timken) Dashiell.
80
Oct 2, 1945
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January 6, 2026
Sue Smith, age 80, passed away January 6, 2026, in Kettle Falls, Washington. Sue was born on October 2, 1945, in Astoria, Oregon, to Wayne and Helen Hill. After a short time in Astoria, the family moved to Farragut, Idaho, before settling in Moscow, Idaho, where Sue would grow up and graduate from Moscow High School in 1964.
