Navy SEAL visits Colville

By Liv Stecker

Chad Williams wasn’t the kind of guy you thought of when you thought Navy SEAL. Chad enjoyed being a California party dude and all that entailed. Whatever Chad decided to do he excelled at. When he approached his family stating that he wanted to become a Navy SEAL, he was met with very little surprise.

In an attempt to convince Chad otherwise his father got in touch with former Navy SEAL, Scott Halvenston. Chad’s father hired Halvenston to be Chad’s personal trainer for nine months; with the hopes that the grueling training would convince Chad otherwise. That tactic backfired and only seemed to cement Chad’s desire even further.

Chad continued to train under Scott Halvenston, who quickly became Chad’s close friend and mentor. Halvenston one day informed him, “I’ve never said this to anyone else I’ve trained, but you WILL become a Navy SEAL.”

Scott later reenlisted and went on to serve in Iraq. Only days before Chad was to report for military duty, he turned on the television to see the horrific images of his close friend and mentor, Scott Halvenston, being brutally murdered on the streets of Fallujah, Iraq.

Those images fresh in his mind, Chad Williams was even more certain he wanted to become a Navy SEAL; he was going to avenge Scott’s horrible death.

In case you didn’t know, a Navy SEAL isn’t a circus performing mammal with a jaunty sailor’s cap balancing a beach ball on his nose - he’s a highly trained special operations warrior who fights on SEA, Air and Land - hence the name.

Navy SEALs are the first line specialists in operations that require stealth, strategy and skill in armed and unarmed combat, as well as explosives. They are the best of the best in the Navy, the cream of the crop - tested beyond human endurance in BUD/S training for combat conditions that will exceed even those circumstances. BUD/S training has a 15% rate of successful completion. The other 85% percent wash out because they lack the either the physical acuity or, more often, the mental resilience required to persevere through unimaginable conditions.

Chad was one of the 15%, and shortly after his graduation from BUD/S, Chad served his country on the SEAL Teams for five years, completing tours of duty in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iraq.

It wasn’t until his first deployment that Chad finally had to come to terms with the fact that no amount of training, combat or aggression against the enemy could settle the turmoil in his soul. He found himself honed to peak condition, capable of the most dangerous undertakings in the world, wreaking havoc on opposing forces, and still unable to quench the anger and restlessness.

Becoming a Navy SEAL did not change Chad’s lifestyle. The only difference was now when he partied and would get into brawls he would win. Chad’s life was out of control. Then one night, while he was on break between missions, his parents informed him that he could no longer stay at their house.  His reckless lifestyle was taking its toll on them and they could no longer tolerate it. This complicated Chad’s plans as he had a keg hidden in his parents’ garage. Chad thought quickly, he asked to remain with his parents in the house one more evening and the next day he would attend church with them. This gave Chad a chance to remove the keg.

His parents agreed to the request and the following day Chad attended church with them; it was that day that would change his life.

Chad Williams has become very well-known having been a featured guest on Fox News Channel, CNN News Room, Anderson Cooper 360 and more. Williams is now an author and a motivational speaker.

A recent wake of interest in military special operations: Navy SEALs and Army Rangers, triggered by real life events and heroes like Chris Kyle, Marcus Lutrell and blockbuster movies like American Sniper and Lone Survivor, made Grace Evangelical Free Church curious about tapping into that energy. After learning about Chad Williams and reading his book SEAL of God the staff at Grace Evangelical Free Church immediately started doing the footwork to get Chad booked for the Fall Kick Off.

Navy SEALs may travel the world over and back, but getting one to Colville truly took an act of God. It required a fair amount of persuasion and logistical engineering, not to mention some heartfelt fundraising, to get Chad booked, but luckily, he was available.

Chad will be speaking at the Grace Evangelical Free Church Fall Kick Off Event at 851 S Miner in Colville Washington, on September 7, 2016 at 6:30 pm. This is an all age’s event, there is no charge, and nursery is available. If you have any questions please contact Grace Evangelical Free Church at (509) 684-5936.

Win-Win Firefighting: How State Fire Mobilization works

By Liv Stecker 

Fighting fire has grown more complex as human civilization continues to spread outward into the fringes of the wilderness, and homes and businesses spring up in the forests and fields. Surrounded by fuels that at one point in history would burn continuously and uninterrupted, firefighters are challenged to save residences, crops, industries and livelihoods from the natural onslaught of fire in the wild lands. Over time, national and local agencies have developed strategies for fire fighting that vary from state to state and region to region. Different fuel types call for different responses, techniques and resources. In Washington State alone, many different types of fire fuel areas are located in close proximity to one another. From heavy timber and long burning fuels, to flashy grass, sage and quick burning foliage, resources across the state are required to prepare to respond to all kinds of fires. 

As a response to the complex and tragic firestorm of 1991 in Spokane, the Washington State Fire Marshall developed a state mobilization plan to respond to incidents across the state that overwhelm local resources. The State Fire Marshall, which “is organized as a bureau within the Washington State Patrol”, according to the agency webpage, manages a roster of available resources across the state through regional resource coordinators. Fire engines of various sizes, water tenders (large capacity water trucks), and individuals with specific qualifications can be made available from fire districts and departments across the state for ordering to an incident. 

In Washington, private ownership covers almost 60% of the landscape. The remaining 40% of publicly owned lands are managed by state and federal agencies that include the Department of Natural Resources, The United States Forest Service, The Bureau of Land Management, The Bureau of Indian Affairs, The National Park Service, Washington State Parks, and many city and county agencies. Most private land in Washington State falls under a fire protection agreement with the Department of Natural Resources and is often incorporated in local county fire districts for frontline fire protection. Many city and county fire departments in Washington State, especially on the east side, are staffed exclusively by volunteers. Response times to fire emergencies can be anywhere from a few minutes to more than an hour, and even longer for DNR resources that are sprinkled throughout the state.

In light flashy fuels like agricultural fields, wheat stubble, sagebrush and grass, a wind-driven fire can travel several miles per hour. On July 30th, local residents shooting firearms on a very hot and windy day started an accidental fire in the sagebrush near Wilson Creek, several miles from Odessa. After calling 911, local firefighters were on scene within minutes. The fire had already sprawled out to more than 300 acres and was running hard, being fed by strong winds into the wheat stubble and tall grass fields that stretch on for miles. 

Even with help from all of the surrounding fire districts, the fire chief from Grant County Fire District 12 knew that under these conditions, his resources were overwhelmed as the fire jumped the county line into Lincoln County. He called for state mobilization which was approved by the State Fire Marshall late that afternoon. Immediately, available fire resources from around the state were ordered by the Resource Coordinator, including a strike team (5-7 pieces of equipment) from the Tri-county area. 

The team assembled: a water tender from Stevens County Fire District 3, a type 6 engine, also called a brush truck, from joint districts Stevens 8 & Ferry 3. Stevens County district 7 kicked in a wildland engine, and they were joined by three engines from Spokane County. This strike team was one of five that were called in to fight the fire that local Grant County and Lincoln County departments were still battling. As the forces trickled in over the course of Saturday evening, the fire chief briefed the incoming Incident Management Team that was ordered to help keep the incident organized. 

Exhausted, covered in soot and with a voice raspy from breathing smoke for hours, the chief lined out the terrain and the obstacles faced by the incoming resources. Late into the night, as the crews settled in for a few hours sleep before engaging the battle, the incident commander and other overhead worked up a plan of attack, drawing up maps, coordinating the resources at hand and setting goals. After a briefing at 6:00 AM, the Management Team and State Mobilization resources took over the fire fight and the exhausted local firefighters went home for some rest. One strike team was held back to cover a night shift so that the fire wouldn’t be unattended overnight. 

Firefighters from Arden, Colville, Northport, Kettle Falls, Orient and other locations in the Tri-county area jumped into the fray on a fire that had grown to over 16,000 acres since it began on Saturday morning. Late Sunday morning, winds picked up and the fire pushed against the lines that firefighters were scratching into the dry, dusty fields. Fire supervisors ordered in air support to help stomp out the flare up and a Single Engine Air Tanker flew in, dumping water on the hot spot. 

Fires in grass and sage grow quickly and often go out just as fast, depending on weather and terrain. Firefighters on the Black Rock Road Fire were able to use existing roads, lighting burn out fires along the edges that would creep back into the active burn, consuming fuels and leaving the wildfire nothing to burn. By Sunday night, the fire that had created a massive smoke column visible as far away as Spokane was now only throwing up a collection of dust devils, swirling through the ashes of wheat fields and sage. Firefighters “mopped up” the burn area throughout Sunday afternoon and all day Monday, making sure there were not hot spots clinging to embers that could be thrown across the line into unburned fuels by a dust devil or the wind storm predicted for Tuesday morning. 

After a full shift on Sunday and Monday, the State Mobilization resources were sent home or “demobed” (demobilized) from the assignment and the local fire districts resumed responsibility for their fire protection area. 

Resources that are ordered for strike teams in a State Mobilization are paid for their time on the fire. The fire department or district that sends a vehicle is compensated at a daily rate for the engine or tender, and qualified volunteer firefighters are paid at an hourly rate determined by the Department of Natural Resources. It’s a chance for local districts to generate some income, as well as individual firefighters, which can help offset the personal expense of volunteering time with the department. Fire districts are able to sign up apparatus and personnel for State Mobilization fire assignments based upon the availability of equipment and more importantly, qualified people to operate it. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter and participating in State Mobilization assignments, check with the fire department or county fire district closest to you. Individuals with specific qualifications including engine boss, EMT, Strike Team Leader and more are always in need on fire assignments and at most volunteer departments. 

New Owners take on Happy’s

 

Happy’s Hallmark has been a part of the downtown shopping experience in Colville for forty years. Opened originally in 1976, Happy’s is an icon of a small town gift shop, and for many years one of the only places to get a greeting card, collect holiday ornaments or pick up a high quality gift year round for loved ones. In 1986, Carl and Eileen Bach assumed ownership of the little store on the corner and ran the shop until June of this year when they retired. 

Taunia and Brian Dechenne purchased Happy’s business from the Bachs in 2016 and are thrilled to join the local business community in the whimsical little shop. Providing the same great Hallmark products and a broad selection of gifts and decor for events ranging from retirement and graduation to baby showers, first communions and hilarious over-the-hill birthday celebrations, Happy’s has something for every family member in every stage of life. 

Long time Stevens County residents, Brian and Taunia have worked in the community for many years. Taunia pursued her dream of being a doula, assisting women in childbirth, and served the area in that capacity for nine years, far surpassing the burnout rate of two years in a stressful but rewarding job. Brian has worked at Mount Carmel Hospital for many years and previously volunteered as an EMT in the county. 

Working in retail for many years, Taunia has was a Hallmark employee in shops from 1994-1998, growing a fondness for the company as she was exposed to the quality of their products and the positive message of family celebrations. “I always wanted to be able to own my own Hallmark,” Taunia says, but the opportunity in a small town never presented itself until she heard that Carl and Eileen were planning to retire. 

Taunia had worked for the Bachs in the shop and was familiar with the business, the clientele and the other staff. At first, buying the business seemed out of reach for the Dechenne’s, but Taunia says that every reason she came up with to prevent them from taking over Happy’s was somehow resolved. “All of the excuses for why we couldn’t buy it, one got cancelled after the another.” And finally Taunia’s dream was realized when they took over Happy’s on June 16th. 

For a mom with two young kids and a husband who works as an Emergency Room technician, taking on the full time job as a store owner has been no easy task. “This is my first ‘day off’ since we took over!” She laughs. More than a month after she started, her ‘day off’ is really just a morning home with her kids before she goes to the shop. “I’m there every day, behind the scenes,” she says. “My reward for getting all of my paperwork done is getting to work out front!” Lucky for Taunia, she has a great staff of employees that came along with the business, plus a couple of new additions that she says all work together on a common mission successfully. “I have the best team ever!” she gushes, “everybody supports each other!” At this point, even the kids are on board. “The newness hasn’t worn off,” she laughs, “they’re excited about it now…” 

More than just maintaining the great tradition of Happy’s in Colville, Taunia is also bringing another big piece of Colville’s retail history to life in the gift shop as she moves Grandma Deanie’s candies into the shop. “My heart is to make this place the hub - like the pharmacy was when I was young,” a place where kids young and old come after school for a sweet treat and to meet friends. In addition to Grandma Deanie’s great candy selection, a line of specialty chocolates will be featured as well, for the more mature candy palate. The Dechenne’s are also adding a Christian Corner to the shop, where shoppers can buy Christian and religious supplies instead of traveling to Spokane to get them. 

You can visit Happy’s on the corner of Main and 1st at 170 S. Main, and check out all of the new and traditional products that they are carrying. The Dechenne’s are planning an open house in September after all of their new product is in place. From party supplies to decorative trinkets, Happy’s has brought the quality of Hallmark to Colville for generations, and continues to do so under new ownership. 

Picking and Grinning: Bluegrass Festival moves to Kettle Falls

By Liv Stecker

August 19-21, 2016, the newly initiated Crossroads stage in Happy Dell Park will host the Kettle Falls Camp and Jam Festival, an eclectic gathering of Bluegrass bands and musicians from the inland northwest. Formerly hosted in Newport, Washington, the festival has migrated west to the new outdoor venue in Happy Dell Park. In addition to a long and rousing list of bluegrass bands from around the area, the festival will also include workshops for budding local musicians throughout the weekend. 

Headlining the festival is a band out of Seattle, Jes Raymond and the Blackberry Bushes, an acoustic Americana Bluegrass band that draws on influences across the historical spectrum of bluegrass and jazz. Performances by bands including Bluestreak, The Fletcher Girls, Browns Mountain Boys, Rye River and The Willows will highlight the weekend, along with many more. Workshops for fiddle, guitar, mandolin and other instruments, as well as sound, voice and beginning musician sessions. 

The Kettle Falls Camp and Jam originated in Newport with a theme of “camping in mass with the aim of sharing and furthering acoustic music and friendship together in a family minded environment.” The three day event is filled with performances by skilled regional musicians who often stay for jam sessions and workshops with attendees. While camping is encouraged, day visitors also get to experience world class americana and bluegrass music and the jam sessions between performances. 

Saturday night, following Jes Raymond and the Blackberry Bushes, Spokane Contra Dance caller Nora Scott will be calling a contra dance for the gathering, along with the Browns Mountain Boys. Between scheduled shows, campers and performers alike can be found scattered around the village of tents, picking and grinning and jamming the weekend away. 

Utilizing the new Crossroads Stage in Kettle Falls, organizers are excited about the new location and facilities. Camping on site at Happy Dell Park is available all weekend for attendees, on a first come first serve basis. Weekend passes are $40 for individual, $80 for couple and $100 for a family pass. This includes camping. Individual day passes are $15 for Friday and $20 for Saturday - this does not include onsite camping. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Kettle Falls Camp and Jam Facebook page, or check out the website www.tricountymusic.org. 

Bingo For Blue

Saturday, August 27th at the Fort Colville Grange, the public is invited to come out in force to support long time local law enforcement officer Tim Blackman in his brave battle against cancer. Bingo for Blue begins at 5:00 PM with a spaghetti feed and is followed by a fun night of bingo, raffles, silent and live auctions and more. 

Shortly after his retirement from the Stevens County Sheriff’s Department, Tim was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which is terminal. He has undergone surgery and chemotherapy during the last few months and between treatments he and his family are spending time camping and fishing and traveling, making the most of every moment. 

Tim served as a police officer for the city of Colville for 11 years before he joined the Stevens County Sheriff’s Department. For nearly 30 years he faithfully protected and served the citizens of Stevens County, while his wife Barb worked for the Colville National Forest and volunteered for Stevens County Sheriff’s Ambulance. Both retired now, they hope to spend as much quality time with friends and family as Tim is able to during his treatments, pursuing his motto of “get ‘er done.”

Bingo for Blue is a great chance for the community that Tim and Barb have served to give back to the family and make this difficult road for them a tiny bit more comfortable. Every dollar goes to help cover the costs of transportation for chemo treatments, living expenses during medical stays in Spokane, and other outlying costs that the family is facing.

There is a $5 buy in to play bingo, and opportunities to win tons of great prizes. Donations will be accepted as well and while cash is preferred at the event they will be equipped to accept credit and debit cards as well. If you can’t make it to Bingo for Blue you can drop off a donation at Key Bank at any time. 

The Fort Colville Grange is located at 157 E. Highway 20, just across from Colville High School. Spaghetti dinner starts at 5:00 PM, Bingo begins directly afters. $5 for Spaghetti dinner, $5 bingo buy in. Check out the Bingo For Blue facebook page for more information. If you are interested in donating, contact organizer Erika Boswell at 253-334-6906 or bingoforblue@yahoo.com. There is also a GoFundMe page set up for The Blackman family at https://www.gofundme.com/s2sxebhg.