06/09/2026
📰 Extra! Extra! Fresh Ink is In! 📰
Grab your morning coffee, because this week’s Statesman-Examiner is packed with small-town triumphs, lighthearted drama, and the local sports tea. Here is what everyone is talking about around town:
🏡 Small Town, Big News
Cap, Gown, and Goodbye: It's officially graduation season! Huge cheers and high-fives went out to the resilient graduating classes of Colville and Kettle Falls High Schools as they walked the stage over the weekend.
The Queen of Grump: Kettle Falls officially crowned Valerie Hall as the 2026 Town Grouch at the Town and Country Days festival. She accepted the honor with a massive, ironic smile, but she is now legally obligated to be as cranky as possible for the next year. Challenge accepted!
Main Street gets a Glow-Up: The "Colville Together" team launched their Adopt-a-Corner Program. Shoutout to local heroes like Queen B’s Little Hair House and Home Suite Home Furnishings for stepping up to water and pamper the gorgeous new floral planters downtown.
Fast Acting, Faster Containment: A human-caused fire sparked near Lower Weaver Road on Sunday, burning about five acres. Thanks to our lightning-fast fire crews, forward progress was stopped in its tracks, and Level 2 evacuation notices were dropped before anyone could panic.
Happy Retirement, Debra! After 26 years of making Stevens County a better place, WSU Extension Director Debra Hansen is hanging up her hat. Come wish her well at a public farewell open house on June 25!
Celebrating a Local Legend: The community is sending love to the family of William "Bill" George Danekas Sr., a legendary, long-time Colville funeral director and ultimate community supporter, who passed away on June 1 at age 83.
⚾ Diamond Dust & Race Results
Walk-Off Magic: The Lakeside Eagles AA baseball team is absolutely on fire, kicking off summer with a flawless 4-0 record! After totally blowing out the North Idaho Lakers (24-5) and the Summerhawks AA (12-2), they secured a nail-biting 9-8 walk-off win against the Freeman Dawgs, thanks to a clutch single by David Sickler.
A Solid Split: The Northeast AAA 49ers opened their summer run with a rollercoaster 2-2 record. They crushed the Spokane Valley Bombers 11-6, endured two brutal shutouts by the West Plains Cannons, and then showed some serious grit to win their final game 6-4.
Civil War on the Field: In local A-division action, it was 49er vs. 49er! The American A team dominated the AA National team 23-5, while the Black A National team out-slugged the Orange A National team 18-12.
Loon Lake is for Runners: More than 100 racers laced up their sneakers for the 43rd Annual Loonsday 5-mile loop. Justice Whittekiend left everyone in the dust, taking first place with a blistering time of 31:27.
🚧 Heads Up, Commuters! Stevens County Public Works wants you to know that Cedonia-Addy Road is shutting down starting June 22 for a major reconstruction and culvert upgrade. Plan your detours, because it won't reopen until September 4!
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