Washington town told to leave due to wildfire, 10 homes lost
LIND — An entire eastern Washington town was being evacuated Thursday because of a growing wildfire south of town that was burning homes, officials said.....
One 16-year-old girl killed, second injured in Othello shooting
OTHELLO — A 16-year-old girl was killed and a second 16-year-old girl sustained life-threatening injuries when occupants of a car opened fire on the car one of the girls was driving late Thursday night. A release from the Othello Police Department said officers believe the shooting may be gang-related.
Propane truck rollover closes Adams Road North
GEORGE — A portion of Adams Road near George was closed Wednesday morning after a propane truck rolled over, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Just before noon, the GCSO alerted residents that a stretch of Adams Road North between Road 5 and Road 6 NW, just north of George and southeast of Quincy, was closed following the single-vehicle accident. The closure is expected to last until 3 p.m. The GCSO said the propane truck has a small leak. Firefighters have responded, but the GCSO said there is no risk to the nearby public. This article will be updated when more information becomes available.
UPDATED: Gorge victims, alleged shooter identified
EPHRATA — Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison has released the identities of the two fatally-shot victims from the Sunday evening shooting at The Gorge Amphitheatre’s campground and Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete has identified the alleged shooter. “The suspect is 26-year-old James M. Kelly of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He was hospitalized for a gunshot wound and was returned to Grant County today where he is lodged in the Grant County Jail. He is held for investigation of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of first-degree assault domestic violence,” Kriete said...
Level 3 evacuation in effect for Baird Springs Road
QUINCY — A level 3 evacuation notice due to wildfire has been issued for the area of Baird Springs Road and Road 12 Northwest north of Road W west of Quincy, according to an announcement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Boil water advisory issued for Ephrata
EPHRATA — Ephrata residents in the southeast and northeast sections of town are being advised to boil city water before drinking it. The boil-water advisory was issued by city officials late Monday afternoon. Residents should bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and let it cool prior to using it, according to a press release from City Administrator Ray Towry. Samples of the water have been sent to a state-certified lab for testing, he wrote. “The test requires 24 hours in the lab. The city anticipates receiving results by Wednesday,” Towry wrote.
Moses Lake superintendent placed on admin leave
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board voted in a special meeting Tuesday to place Superintendent Monty Sabin on administrative leave. Assistant Superintendent Carol Lewis was named acting superintendent at the same meeting.
Moses Lake School Board hears from concerned community
MOSES LAKE — Decisions on a modified educational plan for the Moses Lake School District could be coming later today, although they may be delayed. Moses Lake School Board members have scheduled a workshop for 3 p.m. for further discussion on proposed spending and staff reductions for the 2024-25 school year. The discussions follow the rejection of the district’s educational programs and operations levy and the discovery of an accounting error. As of May 11, staff from the North Central Education Service District estimated that MLSD would have to reduce its 2024-25 budget by about $20 million. About 100 staff members, both teachers and support staff, could lose their jobs, and among other things, the district’s entire extracurricular activities program could be reduced or eliminated for 2024-25.
FIRE REPORT: 1,600 acres burned in Adams Co.
RITZVILLE – The Schrag Road Fire began at around 12:19 p.m. on Tuesday. The fire burned 1,600 acres according to NIFC. It also leveled two older unopposed buildings, according to the Adam’s County Sheriff’s Office. ASCO believes the fire was started by a farmer mowing.
Boeing announces coming job cuts, third-quarter loss
MOSES LAKE — Boeing plans to cut its workforce by about 10%, according to an announcement Friday from CEO Kelly Ortberg. Ortberg did not give a timeline for the job cuts, saying only that they would be instituted “over the coming months.” “Our business is in a difficult position, and it is hard to overstate the challenges we face together,” Ortberg wrote in the announcement. “Beyond navigating our current environment, restoring our company requires tough decisions and we will have to make structural changes to ensure we can stay competitive and deliver for our customers over the long term.” How the cuts will affect the company’s operation in Moses Lake, which employs about 800 people, isn’t yet clear, said Boeing spokesperson Bobbie Egan.
