WSU Extension Stevens County Newsletter
March 2025
Latest news, projects, workshops, free resources, and more. Keep Reading!
In This Issue
Extension Website – NEW & Improved!
- Stevens County | Washington State University – easier to read and navigate!
Broadband News
- First Major Broadband Project Groundbreaking bringing High-Speed Internet to Stevens County!
Master Gardener Happenings
- 7 new Master Gardener Interns for 2025!
- “From the Ground Up” Workshop
- April 19th, 9a-3p – 16 classes in one day!
- APRIL Library classes: Firewise Landscaping
4-H Happenings
- Meat ‘n Good Time – Livestock Judging Contest & Showmanship Clinic: April 5th
March-April Calendar and Resources
Broadband Action Team (BAT) News
TEDD Breaks Ground on First Major Broadband Project
to Bring High-Speed Internet to Central Stevens County
From left: Steve Schulte, NoaNet-Project Manager; Brent Smith, NoaNet-OSP Engineer; Nick Ulrich, NoaNet-Deployment Manager; Bert Klimas, Stevens
County Broadband Action Team (BAT); Justin Defries, NeuBeam; Jim Cooper, Paramount-General Foreman; Frank Metlow, Tri-County Economic Development
District-Deputy Executive Director; Greg Young-Stevens County Commissioner; and Mike Stotts, Northwest Line Builders-Foreman. Photo courtesy of TEDD.
The Tri County Economic Development District (TEDD) held a groundbreaking ceremony today at the historic former Rice General Store, located at the intersection of WA-25 and Orin-Rice Road in Rice, WA. This event marks the start of TEDD’s first fully funded broadband infrastructure project, launching the transformative Central Zone Project. Funded by the Washington State Broadband Office, this initiative will deploy a hybrid network with fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) and wireless technologies designed to bring high-speed broadband to homes, businesses, and critical public safety installations across central Stevens County.
The Central Zone Project will provide service along Highway 25 from south of Kettle Falls to Rice, and along Orin-Rice Road and Marble Valley Basin Road to Addy. The deployment includes both underground and overhead fiber optic infrastructure, delivering FTTP services to 508 locations. In addition, a next-generation fixed wireless network will extend broadband access to another 1,260 customers. In total, the project will impact 1,768 premises, including 491 residences, 11 businesses, and six local fire stations – an essential upgrade for emergency response in a region with a history of wildfires.
“This project is a milestone for the years of hard work by the Stevens County / Spokane Tribe Broadband Action Team,” said Debra Hansen of WSU Stevens County Extension. “Many community members and agencies have worked tirelessly to solve our connectivity issues through education and advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. We’re all excited to see this fiber go into the ground.”
A standout feature of this initiative is its open-access network model. Once completed, the network will be publicly owned and operated, allowing any qualified internet service provider to offer services. This competitive approach has been proven to lower costs and enhance service quality. In similar rural counties with open-access networks, high-speed broadband is available for an average of $70 per month. Residents and business owners can check if their location is included in the buildout by visiting the TEDD broadband portal at TEDD Broadband Portal
Master Gardener News
Congratulations!
7 New Master Gardener students have completed “Basic Training” and were promoted from Trainees to Interns.
Look for them at our local events, working hard to provide research-based solutions and information to our community’s local gardeners and plant owners.
Bottom Row for Left: Rachelle P., Christine G.
Not Pictured: Charlene H., James P.
Photo Credits: Kathy H., created for the WSU Stevens County Master Gardeners Facebook page
Extension Master Gardener Presentations at the Libraries of Stevens County
Starting in February, the Master Gardeners will be presenting a different class each month and traveling to ALL the libraries in the county. Check the LOSC Library website for these and other offerings!
SAVE THE DATE! April 19th
“From The Ground Up” – a one-day Home, Garden and Landscape Workshop with 16 classes to choose from
WHERE: Spokane Community College – Colville Campus, 985 S Elm St., 4 classrooms running 4 classes concurrently
WHAT: Confirmed Presentations:
| Preserving the Harvest | Native Bees | Common Pests and Beneficial Insects | Waterwise Gardening |
| Best Practices for Managing Wildlife Conflict in Your Home Landscape | Growing Grapes | Composting for Beginners | Firewise Landscaping |
| Your Garden Has Cooties! (Soil Microbiology) | Washington Bee Atlas | Raising Poultry | + more! |
| Landscaping with Trees and Shrubs | Saving Seed |
TIME: Doors open at 8:30am, classes start at 9:00a, 10:15a, 12:30p, and 1:45p and end at 3:00pm
1-hour lunch break at 11:30am.
Registration Details coming soon!
For more information about Master Gardener programs offered by WSU Extension in Stevens County, visit our website: Gardening | Stevens County, email: Linda Teller or call 509-684-2588
4-H Happenings
Meat ‘n Good Time – Livestock Judging Contest and Showmanship Clinic – April 5
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us on April 5 as Stevens County 4-H sponsors a Livestock Judging Contest and Showmanship Clinic. It is open to all youth ages 8-18 in 4-H, FFA, and Grange. The day begins at 9:30 am with registration followed by the judging contest. Then we will break for lunch. BBQ beef sandwiches will be provided and participants are asked to bring a side to share. After lunch there will be a showmanship clinic. The day ends with awards. It will be held at Marv and Helen Burgess’ (292 Mantz Rickey Road in Colville). Contact Helen at 509-675-4942 with any questions.
For information about our 4-H program, visit our website: 4-H Youth | Stevens County or contact Shannon Rowley, 509-684-2588
Events Calendar
March-April (also see Events page)
- Mar 22nd, 10a-3p – Chewelah Home & Garden Show
- Mar 24th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- Mar 27th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- Mar 28th, 9a-5p – MG Answer Table @ Conservation District Tree Sale
- Mar 29th, 9a-12p – MG Answer Table @ Conservation District Tree Sale
- Mar 31st, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- Apr 1st, 3:30p – Firewise Landscaping @ Lakeside Library (Nine Mile Falls)
- Apr 2nd 6:00p – Firewise Landscaping @ Colville Library
- Apr 3rd, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- Apr 3rd, 2p – Firewise Landscaping @ Kettle Falls Library
- Apr 4th, 3:30p – Firewise Landscaping @ Northport Library
- Apr 5th, 9:30a – 4-H Meat ‘n Good Time
- Apr 7th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- Apr 8th,11a – Firewise Landscaping @ Loon Lake Library
- Apr 8th, 2p – Firewise Landscaping @ Chewelah Library
- Apr 9th, 4p – Firewise Landscaping @ Hunters Library
- Apr 10th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- Apr 14th, 9-11a – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- Apr 17th, 1-3p – MG Answer/Plant Clinic Office Hours
- Apr 19th, 9a-3p – “From the Ground Up” – Gardening Workshop @SCC-Colville Campus