Ellington

Grant Co. Democrats announce contest winners

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Democrats have announced the winners in their second annual Candy Count game. The game took place at the Democrats’ booth at the Grant County Fair. Contestants were invited to guess the number of candies in a jar. The container held 297 candies, according to an email from Grant County Democrats Vice Chair Jill Springer Forrest. Leo Dabalos guessed the closest at 296. Dabalos won the jar of candy as well as a four-pack of Super Soaker water guns. Second place went to Clorissa, whose last name was not given. Third place winner was Logan Myers, fourth was Analia Valdez and fifth was Angelo Adams. The contest garnered hundreds of entries and was a huge success, Forrest wrote.

‘Science in Our Valley’ seminars announced

WENATCHEE — The Apple STEM Network will sponsor a series of seminars on scientific topics of interest in Central Washington. The “Science in Our Valley” seminars are scheduled for 4 p.m. each Wednesday, beginning Sept. 28 and lasting through mid-November at the Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, 1100 N. Western Ave., Wenatchee. Subjects include artificial intelligence, tree fruit disease and pest management, data analysis and wildfires. The seminars are free and are targeted at an audience interested in science, according to a press release from the organization.

MLHS freshman get started

Administration puts out extra effort in post-pandemic school start

MOSES LAKE — The freshmen sitting through orientation in the Moses Lake High School gym can be forgiven for their skepticism when MLHS teacher Tiffany Janosov started talking about head and shoulders, knees and toes. Janosov and the administrators had something more fun than that old grade school game in mind. The game did involve heads, shoulders and knees, as well as plastic cups and all-class competition. Freshmen paired off and attempted to grab the cup when Janasov gave the word. Janosov, co-coordinator for MLHS Associated Student Body, said teachers and administrators decided to rethink the start of the school year. “This is a full revamp of the first day of school,” she said...

Excitement and Enthusiasm as Warden students hit the books

WARDEN — As he stands aside arriving school buses, Warden School Superintendent Scott West is clearly excited. “This is what it’s all about,” he said, high-fiving elementary, junior high and high school students as they stepped off the buses. “It’s a beautiful day for it too - and exciting.” Wednesday was the first day of school for most of Warden’s 870 expected students — kindergartners won’t start until next week — and West is happy to have them back. Especially given that it’s the first time since fall 2019 that no pandemic restrictions of any kind are in place, West said. He and his staff are hoping for a normal school year, and one in which parents can be more involved.

Margaret (Peggy) Stratton

Peggy Stratton, of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away suddenly on Aug. 23, 2022. She was 75 years old.

Ronnie J. Vanlandingham

Ronnie J. Vanlandingham of Othello passed away on Saturday August 27, 2022.

Guadalupe C. Hernandez

Guadalupe C. Hernandez, of Moses Lake, passed away on Aug. 28, 2022.

The Favored Farmhouse

Helping Basin residents find ways to just slow down - or wake up

MOSES LAKE — Daphne Martinez has a rather odd confession to make for a coffee shop owner. “So, I’m not a coffee drinker,” Martinez said as she sat with her husband Derek in front of the Favored Farmhouse’s espresso machine. “I grew up on Folgers. My mom, my grandparents, all drank Folgers drip coffee.” “So, I like black coffee with sugar. I’m not a fancy coffee drinker,” she added. While you can get fancy coffee drinks at The Favored Farmhouse, the menu at the coffee bar betrays another of Daphne’s loves — mixed non-alcoholic drinks made with soda pop. From the Summer Kiss (Sprite, raspberry puree, pineapple and cream) to the Gone Wild (Coke or Diet Coke, fresh lime, coconut, cream), the menu is full of soda drinks Daphne Martinez created and named herself...

Record-breaking jump

Harvill’s accomplishment made official 10 years later

EPHRATA - Slightly more than a decade after he made the record-setting jump, Alex Harvill is being recognized by Guinness World Records for his accomplishment. “I started the process in February (to get the jump recognized),” said Debi Chamberlin, Alex Harvill’s mother. “And just, you know, like a thought came in my head - I swear it came from Alex, ‘You know, why not try to get his jump recognized because there's enough evidence all over the place, it just needs to be gathered.’” Harvill passed away in June 2021 after suffering fatal injuries while practicing a record jump that he would perform during the Moses Lake Airshow. He was rushed to Samaritan Hospital after a bad landing that sent him flying over his handlebars. Unfortunately, he passed away from his injuries...

'Winning Mentality"

Jacks prepare for 2022 season

QUINCY – With years of unsuccessful seasons in the rearview mirror, new Quincy head coach Russ Elliott hopes to change the school’s football team’s mindset to that of a winning program.

Mavericks hoping to build off winning season

MOSES LAKE – After having the school’s first winning season since 2017 last year, the Moses Lake football team - under their first year as the Mavericks - is looking to improve upon the lessons they learned from last season under second-year head coach Brett Jay.

Maintaining success

Royal looks to keep momentum from last season going

ROYAL CITY – Following a 14-0 season and the school’s fifth title since 2015, the Royal Knights enter the 2022 season with the departures of many starters from a year ago.

Steady with tradition

Lind-Ritzville Broncos enter the Bermea era

RITZVILLE – After receiving a top-four seed in the 2B playoffs a season ago, the Lind-Ritzville Broncos are preparing in hopes of another successful season – now with first-year head coach Brendan Bermea at the helm.

Reloading, not rebuilding

ACH looks to repeat state championship season

COULEE CITY – Following an undefeated, 1B state title championship run, long-time Almira-Coulee-Hartline Warriors head coach Brandon Walsh has his work cut out for him in preparing the team for the 2022 season.

‘Effort, attitude & toughness’

Values a goal for Devine in first year with Eagles

SOAP LAKE – Garrett Devine will step into a new role with the Soap Lake Eagles football program this season, now serving as the team’s head coach.

'A whole new Wahluke'

Warriors look to surprise opponents this season

MATTAWA - The Wahluke High School Warriors football team is working on building a strong foundation centered on team cooperation, but that comes with challenges as well.

Young Cougars take the field

Arredondo focuses on connections in Warden

WARDEN – Warden head coach Robert Arredondo is facing a new challenge with the 2022 Cougars that he hasn’t seen in his prior seven years at the school – a predominantly young team.

Season of Change

Tigers take on 2022 with new faces

EPHRATA – The Tigers take on 2022 with significant differences from a year ago, both with quarterback play and at the head coach position.

Sports schedule Aug. 30-Sept. 6

With school beginning, high school sports now return to the Basin. From the gridiron to the volleyball court, check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local, regional and national events.

'Competing and playing deep'

Othello Huskies to rely on experience

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies football team feel like they have reason to be optimistic going into the 2022 season.

Legals for August, 31 2022

Weapons charges sought in Othello case

OTHELLO — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is requesting charges of unlawful possession of firearms against an Othello woman after deputies served a search warrant on a residence in the 2800 block of Bench View Lane near Othello Monday night. The ACSO is requesting possible charges for Vanessa Flores, 34, according to a release on the department’s social media. Jeremy Flores Sr., 35, was administratively booked and charged with suspicion of obstruction, the release said. He was later released...

GCSO asking for help in 1999 cold case

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for the public’s help to solve the 1999 murder of a Basin City man near O’Sullivan Reservoir south of Moses Lake. The body of Jesse Loman, 45, was found May 9, 1999, in a remote area near the Seep Lakes south of O’Sullivan Reservoir, according to a release on GCSO social media Tuesday. The case has not been solved, and no suspects were ever identified...

Police records for Aug. 31, 2022

Ephrata Police Department Aug. 22 Report of a vehicle prowl on E Street Southwest. Nothing was missing, but documents had been strewn around. Report of a stolen vehicle recovered in the 700 block of Basin Street Northwest. Vehicle was not in a drivable condition. Report of a two-vehicle non-injury collision at SR-282 and Nat Washington Way. Both vehicles attempted a right turn and vehicle 1 sideswiped vehicle 2...

PBR Challenger Series bucks into Tri-Cities

KENNEWICK – The Professional Bull Riders will make its way to the Toyota Center in Kennewick next weekend for the Challenger Series’ PBR Tri-Cities Classic. The event, held from Sept. 9-10, brings in some of the world’s best bull riders tor two nights of competition. The PBR debuted in Kennewick last year, where Newport native Cody Casper took home the win after going 3-for-3 in competition. The PBR Challenger Series is a string of more than 60 bull riding events across the country from May-November, leading up to a championship competition in Las Vegas in early November. PBR features riders both affiliated and unaffiliated with PBR Team Series teams. In the inaugural Challenger Series, the top 25 riders are all within 100 points of each other. The PBR Challenger Series meet begins at 8 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 7 p.m. on Sept. 10.

Hankins resigns

Moses Lake mayor vacates seat on city council

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Mayor Dean Hankins has announced his resignation as mayor and as a member of the Moses Lake City Council. “This morning we received a letter of resignation effective today (Tuesday),” wrote Moses Lake City Manager Allison Williams in response to an email from the Herald. “Don Myers will step in as mayor, per our council procedures.” Williams did not say if Hankins had cited a reason for his resignation.

Two from Moses Lake graduate at EOU

LA GRANDE, Ore. — Two students from Moses Lake graduated from Eastern Washington University this spring.

Maryellen Kay Woody

Maryellen Kay Woody, 62, loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, lost her battle against pancreatic cancer on Aug. 18, 2022, at home with her family by her side.

Lacey Lyndell Radel (Hoffman)

On Friday, Aug, 26, 2022, at the age of 39, at her home in Moses Lake Washington, surrounded by her close family, and friends Lacey departed this earth to become one of God’s angels and to be reunited in heaven with her deceased family and friends.

Yolanda H. Cavazos

Yolanda H. Cavazos, 78, passed away on Aug. 26, 2022, at home with family at her side.

Shirley Gunnell Chambers

Shirley Gunnell Chambers passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Aug. 27, 2022.

Guadalupe Castro Hernandez

Guadalupe Castro Hernandez, 81, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away on Aug. 28, 2022.

New superintendents take helm at Basin districts

COLUMBIA BASIN — Four of the 13 superintendents taking over new jobs in the North Central Education Service District will be working at schools in Grant County. The NCESD has 29 schools in Grant, Okanogan, Douglas and Chelan counties. The 2022-23 school year will be the first full year for Quincy School District superintendent Nik Bergman; Bergman was hired in January as the district’s interim superintendent. He is an 18-year veteran of the district and was the assistant superintendent before taking the superintendent’s job...

Household hazardous waste collection set for Sept. 17

EPHRATA — Residents of Grant County can dispose of household hazardous waste for free on Sept. 17 through an event put on by Grant County and the Department of Ecology. According to a release by Grant County Solid Waste, the event is for waste generated by households only. The release also states for participants to remain in their vehicles and all waste must be in the trunk or the bed of a pickup. Products should be brought in original labeled containers if possible and packed to prevent spills during transportation. Containers will not be returned...

‘Where I live’

Museum show features cross-section of Central Washington

MOSES LAKE — Jan Cook Mack covers a lot of ground with her art. “She has such a wide range of talent,” said Angela Hunt, a staffer at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. “She can paint people, landscapes, through rocks, anything and make it look good.” Mack’s current exhibit at the museum, entitled “This is Where I Live,” features a wide cross-section of her work. There are enormous sweeping landscapes, portraits of people she knows and still lifes of fruit. Mack, who lives in Wenatchee, grew up in the U.S. and Taiwan, according to the mini-biography posted at the museum. She established herself as an artist in New York City and moved to Eastern Washington in 1986. The show opened on Aug. 19 and runs through Sept. 23. A reception was held Friday, but it was unclear at press time whether Mack would be present for it. As the title suggests, much of Mack’s work on display showcases the unique beauty of her adopted home, the Central Washington coulees and palisades.

MLSD board passes '22-23 budget

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will operate with a budget of about $196.36 million for the 2022-23 school year. Moses Lake School Board members approved the budget on a unanimous vote and with no discussion at the regular meeting Thursday. In Washington, basic school support funds from the state are allocated based on the number of students in school. However, because district officials don’t know how many students will actually enroll until school starts, school budgets throughout the state are based on a projection. In a July budget presentation, MLSD Director of Finance Stefanie Lowry said the projection for 2021-22 was higher than the actual enrollment. “We were a little bit short of our projection, and that was an impact of about $75,000 to $80,000 in apportionment,” Lowry said...

Motorcycles Run to the Desert in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — The sixth annual Run to the Desert, including the second annual John Larson Memorial Poker Run, was held this past weekend in Soap Lake. “We started this in Moses Lake and we decided to come down here to support and be a part of the Soap Lake community and bring back a motorcycle event here,” said organizer Susan Carson. She explained for many years there was always the Pig Run or Run To The Sun in Soap Lake but for quite a while it wasn’t happening. “This community always had open arms to the motorcycle riders so that's when we decided to go ahead and start this up again,” Carson said...

Othello-area juvenile arrested

OTHELLO — An Othello-area juvenile has been booked into Martin Hall in Cheney on suspicion of possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a stolen vehicle after being arrested by Adams County Sheriff’s deputies Monday morning. The arrest followed the discovery Saturday of a stolen car, and a stolen gun in the car. An ACSO deputy spotted the car while patrolling in the area of 14th Avenue and Cypress Street in Othello, according to a release on the agency’s social media. The deputy was using a license plate reader, recently purchased by the department, that identified the car as stolen from the Moses Lake area, the release said. The deputy followed the car to investigate further; the driver turned onto Cypress Street and parked the car. When the deputy drove up, a subject later identified as the juvenile was getting out of the driver’s seat of the car and fled on foot. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the car, searched it and found the gun, which had been reported stolen from the Spokane area, the release said. Deputies found the juvenile at an Adams County residence and arrested him Monday morning. He was also charged with resisting arrest and other unspecified charges, the release said.

Royal grad heads to USU

LOGAN, Utah — A Royal High School graduate has been accepted to Utah State University, according to a press release from the university. Avery Andersen, a 2022 graduate of RHS, will begin her higher education in the fall 2022 semester, attending at the USU main campus in Logan. Since its founding in 1888, Utah State University has evolved from a small-town college tucked away in the northern Utah mountains to a thriving research university respected around the world, the release said.

Back to the gridiron

2022 Gridiron Guide coming Wednesday in the Herald

COLUMBIA BASIN – The 2022 Gridiron Guide will be arriving on newsstands and at subscribers’ doorsteps on Wednesday with full coverage of the 10 high school football teams in the Basin.

Cloudview Farms to host fundraising fun run

Organizers hope to promote understanding of farming and food

EPHRATA – Cloudview Farms in Ephrata will be hosting a fun run on Sept. 17, serving as a fundraiser for the non-profit farm’s community and educational programs. “What we’ve been looking for is just fun ways to bring people to the farm and for fun events, and then to fundraise as well,” Cloudview Farms Education and Community Coordinator Julie Johnston said. This is the first year that Cloudview Farms will be hosting this event, and the money will go toward programs that help people learn about food literacy, farming and more. “We are a non-profit, education farm,” Johnston said. “We have a couple programs like our Educate and Empower programs, and the money goes into supporting the programs and sometimes providing scholarships for the kids to come to Farm Camp. Then, we also have our Feed our Friends program, and we give to the food banks – the Ephrata and Soap Lake food banks.”

Time of Remembrance golf tournament held in Warden

Local golfers swing to support Gold Star families

WARDEN – Golfers gathered at the Sage Hills Golf Club on Saturday morning for the Time of Remembrance Golf Tournament, which raised money for the Time of Remembrance held in Tri-Cities in September. “It actually went really well,” Tournament Organizer Morgan Derington said. “We had a pretty big turnout, I think we had over 15 teams – so, that’s four-person teams that showed up.” Derington said that the tournament was in jeopardy of not happening about a month before they took to the course on Saturday, so he was thrilled to see the community's outpour of support. “For the cause, the Gold Star families of the state of Washington, Idaho and Oregon, it’s really amazing,” Derington said of the support the tournament received. The tournament memorializes Jeremiah Schmunk, a native of Warden who was killed in action in July of 2004. Along with Schmunk the names of other service members from the Pacific Northwest are memorialized on banners throughout the event...

What to do if a pet is having a seizure

One of the scariest things a pet owner can witness is their beloved companion having a seizure, especially if it is the first time. Knowing what to do in this situation can not only help an owner stay calm and collected but can also help protect a seizing animal from injury. Dr. Joseph Mankin, a clinical associate professor of neurology at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, discusses the causes of seizures in companion animals and what an owner should do during and after a seizure takes place. “Seizures are the most common neurologic disease we see in small animal medicine, happening more frequently in dogs than cats,” Mankin said...

‘What cherry harvest?’

Snow, rain, cold combine to reduce 2022 Pacific Northwest cherry harvest

ROYAL CITY — There are short and long crops in the tree fruit business, good and bad years, and then there are those years, those harvests, the ones few growers - if any - remember fondly. The 2022 Pacific Northwest cherry harvest may be one of those. . .

Othello SD passes 2022-23 budget

OTHELLO — The Othello School District will operate with a $91.87 million budget for the 2022-23 school year. Othello School Board members approved the budget proposal at the Aug. 21 regular meeting. The vote was unanimous. The budget includes a general fund of about $87.65 million, which covers most expenses and operations. The general fund includes most staff salaries and benefits as well as most school operations...

Basin footballers size each other up

Royal High hosts jamboree event

ROYAL CITY – The high school football teams of Ephrata, Moses Lake, Quincy and Royal all took the field at Royal High School on Friday evening for a jamboree, with the beginning of the season just around the corner. Teams saw the opportunity to face off against another team 10 days after the first day of practices, allowing them to test what they’ve learned without scores being tracked...

Legals for August, 29 2022

Soap Lake center hosts breakfast fundraiser

SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake Community and Senior Center saw a successful fundraiser over the weekend. “It’s been very busy,“ said Perry McClellan, president of the center. “We’re very happy about that.” The fundraiser was an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage links. The breakfast started at 8 a.m. and by 10 a.m., they already had served more than 50 people. By the end, they had served about 80 people, organizers said. “We never know how many people are going to come and it makes it kind of hard because you don't want to buy too much and make too much but you want to have everybody get enough,” said McClellan...

A 'generational' thing

Latino State Championship brings slow pitch tourney to Othello

OTHELLO – The scene at Lions Park in Othello this weekend was one of family for the Latino State Championship, a slowpitch-style tournament that brought in more than 40 teams from the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. “The environment we create is a family-type of environment,” Tournament Organizer Charles Garcia said. “We want people to stay, we want people to eat here, visit and socialize. Ultimately we want them to spend money in our town, and support our economy.” The tournament was brought to Othello by Garcia and revitalized what the Latino State Championship was. Now, the annual tournament is full of teams and entertainment throughout Lions Park “At the end of the day, this is exactly the type of atmosphere that we want,” Garcia said of the fun times that were being had over the weekend. “Where you can hang out in the park, you can set up the lawn chair and watch a game. You’re not worrying about your kids going too far because they’re playing with another set of kids that you know.” ...

CBHA Run for a Cause promotes child health awareness

OTHELLO — The streets of Othello – and some of their occupants – were dappled with color on Saturday morning for the fifth annual Run for a Cause. “It’s a great thing,” said volunteer Jeraldine Estrada, who was helping out for the first time. “It gets the whole community together.” The fifth annual Run for a Cause brought out more than 900 people, according to one volunteer. All of the participants gathered at the Columbia Basin Health Association building for the privilege of being painted. The goal of the event, according to its website, is to raise awareness of childhood health issues and promote healthy activities for children. Funds raised from the event are used to help maintain local parks and assist families in need...

Benevolent golf tournament hits Moses Lake Saturday

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Firefighters’ Benevolent Golf Tournament hits The Links at Moses Pointe tomorrow, August 27, raising money for the International Association of Firefighters' local 1258 group in Moses Lake. The money raised from the tournament goes toward programs like Operation Warm, Firefighters for Kids and more. Along with the golf tournament, prizes and raffles will be included during the outing, and lunch will be served as well. Participation costs $150 for an individual golfer and $500 for a foursome. Golfers can also purchase mulligans and more for the course, with money going to charity. Registration for the tournament is open online and prior to the 9 a.m. shotgun start of the tournament on Saturday morning. For more information, or to register, visit https://bit.ly/3SUkqKx.

North Idaho Now Episode 161: Headlines from 8/24 through 8/26 and special North Idaho State Fair introduction

In this PACKED episode of the North Idaho Now Podcast, Chanse Watson and Molly Roberts chat with North Idaho State Fair rep Michaela Woempner for a very special show intro recorded at the fair!

Lynda Manning Wilson

Lynda Manning Wilson passed away Aug. 17, 2022, in Cherokee, Oklahoma.

Quincy hospital finances improving

QUINCY — Financially, 2021 was a good year for Quincy Valley Medical Center. Luke Zarecor, of the Spokane Valley accounting firm DZA, said he attended the Aug. 22 board meeting in part to recognize the work done by hospital employees and board members. “The reason I wanted to come in person this year, in particular, is to say congratulations for an amazing job,” Zarecor said. “Going back six, seven years ago when I first started here, your registered warrants were greater than your net patient service revenue in one year. And I did not know what the path forward was.” Registered warrants are issued by junior taxing districts, like the hospital, when they don’t have enough cash on hand to pay their obligations. The junior taxing district borrows money from Grant County to pay its bills, then pays the money back with interest...

Fire rules tightened in Eastern Washington

SPOKANE — Fire restrictions in Eastern Washington have been expanded, according to a press release from the Bureau of Land Management. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, including charcoal briquette fires is now prohibited in the following counties, according to the release: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima. Smoking and the use of off-road vehicles are also prohibited on public lands administered by the BLM and the Bureau of Reclamation in Eastern Washington. Also, the discharge of firearms is banned except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal or tribal law and regulations, on public lands administered by the BLM and BOR in the following counties: Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, and Yakima. The temporary ban will take effect at midnight Friday, the release said.

Cactuses thrive in the Basin’s dry summers

MOSES LAKE — At first glance, a cactus doesn’t seem like the sort of plant most people want to grow. It’s spiky and bare-looking and it stabs you if you touch it. On the other (un-perforated) hand, cactuses are durable as all-get-out and they’re lovely when they flower.

Work to begin Monday on Nelson Road walking path

MOSES LAKE — Work is set to begin Monday on the dedicated path along Nelson Road intended to make it easier for children to walk to and from Groff Elementary School, according to Moses Lake City Engineer Ricard Law. Speaking at the end of a regular meeting of the Moses Lake City Council on Tuesday, Law said bids for the project — which is being jointly paid for by the city and the Moses Lake School District — came in a little higher than anticipated. “JM Pacific was the low bidder at right around $90,000,” Law said, noting the bid was higher than original estimates for the project...

Radiation center to break ground Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — A groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction for a new cancer treatment facility is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at the site, 913 E. Hill Ave. The Radiation Oncology Treatment Center is a joint project of Confluence Health, the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation and the Confluence Health Foundation. The project also received support from 13th District Representative Alex Ybarra and Senator Judy Warnick and 12th District Representative Mike Steele, according to a press release from Confluence Health The center will provide radiation treatment for cancer patients, lessening the need to travel out of town, the press release said.

Schools receive grants for locally-produced food

OLYMPIA — School districts across Washington that were awarded grants under the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s $3.5 million program to help schools buy locally grown food can apply for reimbursement under the program beginning on Sept. 1, according to a press release from the Washington State Department of Agriculture...

Soap Lake to hold pancake fundraiser

SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake Community and Senior Center is holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser where proceeds will go towards operation costs of the center. The breakfast will be all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancakes with links and applesauce. The fundraiser will be held Aug. 27, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the Soap Lake Community and Senior Center, 121 2nd Ave SE. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

Seven arrested in Grant Co. for sex abuse

GRANT COUNTY — The Washington State Patrol announced Thursday the arrest of seven men in Grant County in a major operation involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, according to a WSP press release. The seven men were arrested over the course of several days by the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, the WSP said, in “Operation Net Nanny” designed to target persons involved in child abuse and exploitation on the Internet. According to the WSP press release, the seven men are Abraham Calderon, 19, of Moses Lake; Omar Ivan Macinas-Garza, 39, of Grandview; Fulgencio Ramos, 21, of Quincy; Robert Jeffrey Bancroft, 20, of Marysville; Joshua Kenneth Leonard, 44, of Omak; Jerardo Ramon Reyes, 29, and Mason Piling, 27, both of Moses Lake...

WSU players make Senior Bowl watch list

MOBILE, AL – Linebacker Daiyan Henley, EDGE Brennan Jackson and running back Nakia Watson all were given nods on the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List, the organization announced Wednesday. The Senior Bowl serves as both a college football all-star game and as the first step in the NFL Draft process. Representatives from all 32 NFL teams attend the practices leading up to the game. The previous two Senior Bowls have seen 106 players drafted in April’s NFL Draft, all-time highs for the game. Henley transferred to Washington State after beginning his career with Nevada. The Los Angeles native also received a nomination on the Butkus Award Watch List last month...

Mariners hold 3rd wildcard spot

A look at where the Seattle team stands this season

SEATTLE – At the end of June the Seattle Mariners were at a crossroads – the team was 37-41, sitting in fourth place of the American League West division and four-and-a-half games back of the AL’s final wildcard spot. Forty-six games, including a 14-game win streak, later, the Mariners sit in the third AL wildcard spot with a 67-57 record. Since the 14-game win streak – which fell one shy of the franchise’s all-time mark set in 2001 – was snapped following the MLB All-Star game, the Mariners have gone 16-15 over their last 31 games following the All-Star Break. They slipped from first place in the Wild Card standings to third, falling behind the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays...

Janet Marie Brown

Janet Marie Brown, 81, passed away on Aug. 24, 2022.

April Knigge

April Lynn Knigge, 58, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away in the comfort of her home on August 20, 2022 surrounded by her family and friends.

Cathy Seibel

Beloved Cathy Seibel, 66, passed away in Moses Lake on Aug. 13, 2022.

Lions Park hosts Latino State Championship this weekend

OTHELLO – Over 40 men’s, women’s and coed softball teams will take the field at Lions Park in Othello this weekend for the Latino State Championship. The tournament had previously been held in Sunnyside, Granger, Mabton and Yakima before Tournament Organizer Charles Garcia took the helm and moved it to Othello. “I told some of the guys I’m gonna take this and I’m going to move it to Othello,” Garcia said. “I have this vision that I think I can grow it into. Just born and raised in Othello, I love Othello, I think our best asset in Othello is our city park, and everybody should get to enjoy it.” The Latino State Championship brings together people not only for softball games but for a weekend of entertainment as well. “With that, I brought it to Othello and slowly started to rebuild it and after a few years it started to grow, and I started to add more,” Garcia said. “More entertainment, music in the park and a live band and mariachis on Sunday. Just to go along with the food vendors. So it’s not just a softball tournament, it’s an event – I like to refer to it as an event.” ...

Tradition, connection at center of mariachi, traditional dance

MOSES LAKE — It’s an American tradition for people coming to the United States to bring their cultures with them. . .

Legals for August, 25 2022

Cougars to play in Las Vegas Clash

PULLMAN – The Washington State Cougars will head to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in December for a matchup against UNLV in the Las Vegas Clash. The game, which is set to tip off at 1:30 p.m. on December 10, is part of a doubleheader between the Cougs and Rebels followed by Arizona facing off against Indiana. "We are excited to participate in the Las Vegas Clash," said WSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kyle Smith. "This is an opportunity for us to go on the road and compete against a quality opponent in Las Vegas. It will give our kids a good prep for our conference tournament." ...

Gorge weapons suspect out on bond

EPHRATA - A press release by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday afternoon gave an update on the suspect involved in what GCSO initially thought might be a plan to commit a mass shooting at the Gorge Amphitheater. Last Friday, Jonathan Moody, 30, of Ephrata, was arrested after suspicious actions that led Live Nation security to detaining Moody and disarming him of two 9mm pistols...

Commission approves Cascade Gas rate increase

LACEY — The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has reached a provisional agreement with Kennewick-based Cascade Natural Gas that will allow the company to go ahead with a $7.2 million rate increase, according to a commission press release. The proposed rate increase of 5.81% is significantly less than the 11.1% increase Cascade originally sought in September 2021. The settlement reached between the company and the commission also changes how Cascade is allowed to depreciate its assets to offset the increase in revenue, the press release said. According to the commission, a typical residential natural gas customer using 54 therms of natural gas — roughly 5,400 cubic feet — will see their monthly bill increase by $1.51 to around $55.59, the press release noted.

SLSD brings in more than $1,000 at surplus sale

SOAP LAKE - During the Soap Lake School District school board meeting Monday night, Superintendent Kim Casey announced to the board that they raised more than $1,000 in their surplus sale on Saturday. “It was really good,” said Casey to the board. “I think it was good for the community to see what we’re doing, it was good for the publicity and to help those that maybe needed something.” Casey explained to the board that while all the items were priced at five cents to one dollar, a lot of people when purchasing their items, would round up or tell the staff at the cash table to keep the change of whatever bill they were given...

Wapato man receives 50-year sentence for three homicides

SPOKANE — A Wapato man who pleaded guilty earlier this year to three counts of second-degree murder on Yakama tribal land has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington in Spokane. Clifton Frank Peter, 37, pleaded guilty earlier to killing three people with a shotgun following what the press release called a day spent consuming alcohol and playing video games in his house located inside the boundaries of the Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation. The names and ages of the victims were not given in the press release. Peter was arrested by Yakima County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Yakama Nation Police. “Three people are dead. Two children have been orphaned without any immediate family in the United States. A family patriarch will never see his grandchildren graduate from high school or walk his daughter down the aisle,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref in the press release. “Violence like this is not normal and cannot be normalized.” ...

Moses Lake council approves variance for coffee shop

Concern over procedures and code enforcement voiced during Tuesday meeting.

MOSES LAKE — A downtown coffee house seeking to expand to allow drive-through customers cleared the first hurdle with the Moses Lake City Council during a hearing on Tuesday. Derek and Daphne Martinez, the owners of The Favored Farmhouse at 415 S. Alder St. near the corner of Alder Street and Fifth Avenue on the south edge of downtown, applied for a deviation from city code. The variance would allow them to put in a driveway with access to Alder Street with the intention of eventually putting in a drive-through window on the coffee house’s south side. Council members voted 5-0 to approve the deviation, with Council Member David Eck absent and Council Member Deanna Martinez recusing herself from the vote because of a series of email exchanges she had with the Martinezes, to whom she said she is not related.

Former GCSO chief deputy sworn in as MLPD officer

MOSES LAKE — There was a familiar face at the Tuesday meeting of the Moses Lake City Council as former Grant County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Darrik Gregg was sworn in as a Moses Lake Police Department officer. “Darrik and I have been bantering back and forth for six years trying to get each other to work for their respective agencies,” said MLPD Chief Kevin Fuhr as he prepared to swear Gregg in. “I won.” Gregg, a long-time Moses Lake resident, was with GCSO from 2006 until October 2021, when he left the agency. He and GCSO Chief Deputy Dustin Canfield resigned late last year following allegations that Chief Deputy Ken Jones improperly reported the hours he worked...

Mattawa man injured in rollover accident

MATTAWA - A Mattawa man was airlifted to a regional hospital Tuesday night after a rollover accident on State Route 243. A report by Washington State Patrol states 44-year-old Silverino Basurto Sanchez was southbound on SR243 at about 6:30 p.m. when his vehicle left the roadway to the right and overcorrected into the northbound lane. The vehicle then rolled and came to rest on its top on the northbound shoulder. Sanchez was injured and transported by air to Kadlec Regional Medical in Richland. He is being cited for driving with wheels off roadway. Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.

Coralie Keith

Coralie Keith passed away peacefully Aug. 14, 2022, after a brief illness.

Richard Dale Shetler

Richard Dale Shetler, 58, of Moses Lake, Washington, died suddenly at home Wednesday evening, Aug. 17, 2022.

Seahawks hope to give Drew Lock plenty of action in finale

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Drew Lock will get a significant amount of playing time in Seattle's final preseason game and still has a chance to win the Seahawks' starting quarterback job, coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday.

Run to the Desert gives back to Soap Lake

Poker run and other competitions raise money through friendly competition

SOAP LAKE – A weekend of music, food games – and most importantly, motorcycles – will be in Soap Lake this weekend for the Run to the Desert motorcycle rally, happening from August 26-28. “We are an organization that does motorcycle education and biker’s rights,” said Grant County Chapter Coordinator Susan Carson. “Our chapter likes to include not only that type of information but also help where we can throughout the community.” ABATE, standing for A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enforcement, hosts the rally that serves as a fundraiser for the Soap Lake Food Bank. ABATE is an organization that fights for motorcyclist rights. “They don’t get the kind of support like a lot of the big food banks do,” Carson said of how the Soap Lake Food Bank was chosen as the benefactor...

Sports schedule August 24-30

Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local, regional and national events. ...

Demo delight

Digging into the Grant Co. demolition derby

MOSES LAKE - The 2022 Northwest Ag Demolition Derby brought fast-paced fun to participants and excitement to attendees as cars smashed, rolled, collided and raced around the rodeo arena during the Grant County Fair. “I had a blast. It is such an adrenaline rush,” said Moses Lake resident Cindy Welsh. “When else do you get to strap in a car and just go crazy?” This is Welsh’s eighth year demoing and it is a way her family is able to spend time together. Her husband, Tony, used to demo before a neck injury and got her interested in demoing. He still helps but does not demo himself. This was her nephew, Cameron Zabala’s, first demo. The demo saw many different types of cars. “Everybody has a different opinion, a lot of the guys run rear-wheel drive cars like Camaros. Mines a front-wheel drive,” said Welsh...

Police records for Aug. 24, 2022

A summary of first responder calls from local law enforcement agencies.

Legals for August, 24 2022

Cougs bring in French guard Kymany Houinsou

PULLMAN – French guard Kymany Houinsou signed with the Cougars for the 2022-2023 season, the school announced in a release on Monday. He joins his French U18 National teammate Maël Hamon-Crespin, who signed with WSU in June. "We have completed our recruiting class with the addition of Kymany Houinsou," said WSU men’s basketball head coach Kyle Smith. "He is a highly touted European guard from France and a perfect fit for our program with his ability to play on both sides of the ball. He is a big guard who possesses great offensive playmaking skills that blend well with his natural defensive length, strength and instincts." ...

Yakima project “flip-flop” operations underway

YAKIMA – A press release by the Bureau of Reclamation states they will begin their annual “flip-flop” operation in late August to aid in successful spawning and incubation of chinook salmon eggs. The bureau, in the release, urges those recreating or working along Yakima basin rivers to exercise caution, especially in the Yakima River near Thorp. They urge people to avoid areas where spillway water flows into the river, portage around buoys, and stay out of dangerously turbulent flows. The release also states flows out of Keechelus and Cle Elum reservoirs in the upper Yakima River basin will gradually decrease, while flows from Kachess and Rimrock reservoirs will increase. This operation will affect flows in the Tieton and Naches rivers as well as the upper Yakima, Cle Elum, and Kachess rivers in the upper Yakima basin. In other words, flows from these facilities will transition, or “flip-flop.” Real-time streamflow information can be found on Reclamation’s website at https://on.doi.gov/3R6Irfw.

Ephrata SD to hold tech safety lecture

EPHRATA - On Aug. 25, the Ephrata School District will be hosting a free lecture to help families navigate the challenge of creating a safe space online for children. “Students use technology to play, learn and communicate while at home and at school. It’s important that they use that technology responsibly,” said Sharon Scellick, Director of Teaching and Learning at Ephrata Schools, in a press release from the district. “Following a day working with our educators on these concepts, the community event will share similar, great information with our families. We aim to partner with families to help students maximize their learning and to keep them safe.”

State officials ask for help in eliminating invasive species.

OLYMPIA — Officials with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington State Department of Agriculture are asking property owners and residents to check their trees, water features and other outdoor fixtures for any invasive species. “We have a forest health crisis in Washington, and we know that outbreaks of invasive insects and diseases are one of the leading threats to the long-term health of our forests,” said Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz in a press release. “Our all-lands, all-hands approach to forest health means we need everyone pitching in to help protect our forested land from invasive pests.” According to the press release, late summer is the best time to check trees for invasive pests because heat and dry weather make them easier to spot. A Washington State University researcher found evidence of sooty bark disease while walking his dog through a park in Tacoma, while a biologist made the first confirmed sighting of an emerald ash borer in the Pacific Northwest while waiting to pick his children up from a summer camp near Portland, Oregon, the press release noted...

Ernie's Quality Meats cuts ribbon in Moses Lake

Ernie’s Quality Meats and Wine co-owners Pam Tunstall, Ernie Lang, Keith Tunstall and Valerie Lang along with members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce formally cut the ribbon on their store at 1515 W. Broadway in Moses Lake. A professional butcher, Ernie Lang said he’s always wanted his own shop and sells cuts of meat, regionally made beer and wines.

Grant PUD eyeing nuclear options

Commissioners examine need to diversify power sources

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD officials will continue to look at building a small nuclear reactor, called a small modular reactor or SMR, in conjunction with the nuclear reactor engineering firm X-energy. Commissioners gave verbal approval to continuing the research at the regular meeting Tuesday, though at least one expressed concern. “I guess I have some reservations from the standpoint of the single focus on nuclear,” Commissioner Larry Schaapman said. Commissioners also asked for information on other forms of power production and the costs, risks and benefits associated with them. Chief Resource Officer Kevin Nordt said the group that’s been studying the options for generating power from other sources recommended dropping the PUD’s involvement in a second possible SMR project, and commissioners agreed.

John Reynolds

On Sunday, July 31, 2022, John Dale Reynolds, loving brother, father and grandfather passed away peacefully at his home in Stevens County, Washington with his family by his side. He was 66 years old.

Margaret Pauline Johnson

RIP: Aug. 4, 2022

Margaret preferred to be called Peggy. Peggy was preceded in death by her brother Ralph Olsen, her father Paul Olsen, her mother Lilian Olsen, and her sisters Dorothy Baer and Betty Blair, a granddaughter Nikki Cruz, and her late husband Jess W. Johnson. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Talkington, and her son Steve Johnson, Sharon's children Todd, Scott, and Shon Cooper. She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Amber and Devan Todd's children; Joshua and Bobby Cooper, and Angel, Charity, and James Clemens sons and daughters of Scott; Shon's daughter Kristen. Her great-great-grandchildren: Devan's son Finn; Joshua's children Lyla, Izzy, and Shelbie; Jayden Norton son of Charity; and a great-great-great-grandson Waylon who is Shelbie's son. Also, Steve's children Lexie Wilson, Jenni Sandman, and Thomas Renshaw. Grandchildren: Lexie's sons Trevor, Gavin, and Maveric; Jennie's sons Bryce, Grant and Dakota; and Nikki's sons Zryan and Zachery.

Cynthia Drollinger

June 26, 1947 - Aug. 16, 2022

Cynthia Louise Cox Drollinger, 75, died on Aug. 16, 2022, after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer in Mesa, Arizona, leaving her family and earthly home to continue her journey in Heaven. She began her life in Sunnyside, Washington, on June 26, 1947. Her parents Vern L. and Frances Louise Fielding Cox, shortly thereafter moved to Moses Lake, followed by several years in Warden, Washington. She graduated from Warden High School in 1965 where she was active in school as a head cheerleader and homecoming queen. Cindy attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Shortly after she met Lonnie Jay Drollinger they married on April 2, 1966. Sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dogged pursuit

Royal City girl seeks funds for park

ROYAL CITY — Never try to tell Kristi Jenks that something can’t be done. Jenks, 10, began the effort to create a dog park in Royal City last year, and she’s still pushing steadily. “I was watching TV, maybe two years ago,” she said. “And it was where these people help kids accomplish things that they've already started, and one of them was for a dog park for training service dogs. That night I took Silver for a walk. And I was telling my mom, and I said we need to get a dog park in Royal City.” Last year she took her idea to the Royal City Council, and they thought a dog park was a great idea. The city even had a patch of land designated for a park that it wasn’t using, at the north end of Beech Avenue. “There's an empty field… and they don't know what to do with it,” said Kristi’s mom, Heather Jenks. “And they said they need more park space but don't have any money to help. So if she can make it happen, they would love that.”

GALLERY: Moses Lake Roundup

Coming in from all across the world, riders made Moses Lake their destination for the Moses Lake Roundup, held at the Grant County Fairgrounds from August 18-20. The Roundup hosted eight events; bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, women’s breakaway roping, saddle bronc, barrel racing and bull riding. Check out some photos from the Moses Lake Roundup here.

Legals for August, 23 2022

Confluence Health to rename Moses Lake location

MOSES LAKE — The Confluence Health Moses Lake Clinic will get a new name by the summer of 2023, according to a Confluence press release. Confluence Health officials announced in the press release Monday that the clinic will be known as the Moses Lake Campus once the changes are complete. Central Washington Hospital and Wenatchee Valley Hospital also will get new names, according to the press release...

Potholes Bass Club holds two-day tournament

OTHELLO – The Potholes Bass Club hosted its two-day tournament on the Potholes Reservoir over the weekend. “It was just a great weekend to be out there and fish,” Club President Paul Harmon said. The tournament began early Saturday morning, with anglers blasting off from the MarDon Resort and hitting the Potholes Reservoir. Twenty-five boats entered the tournament, which Harmon said was low for typical PBC tournaments. “We had a lot of cooperation,” Harmon said. “There were only 25 boats – a pretty small turnout.” Anglers found success on the waters of the Potholes Reservoir, with the top three teams all finishing with total weights north of 34 pounds. “It wasn't bad, we caught a lot of fish,” Harmon said. “There's a lot of big ones caught. Some good weights.” Harmon said that the water level at the reservoir was low, but anglers were able to avoid major troubles in terms of getting stuck. “The water was really low, but nobody got really stuck on a sandbar,” he said. “They were able to push themselves out and not having to have somebody come and tow them off.” ...

Sunset Real Estate cuts ribbon

MOSES LAKE - Lisa Garmon, real estate agent and the new owner of Sunset Real Estate at 214 S. Cedar Street in downtown Moses Lake, gets ready to cut the ribbon at the formal grand opening of the business on Monday. Garmon (center, with scissors) is surrounded by employees (left to right, in the white polo shirts) Barb Schmidt, Amanda Cruz and Clarence Hatch, as well as members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors...

Fire near St. John 100% contained

ST. JOHN — The Wagner Road Fire has been contained after burning approximately 7,300 acres. A press release from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources stated that the fire started on Aug. 18 about 12 miles west of St. John. The fire burned approximately 7,381 acres of rangeland, stubble and standing wheat. Firefighters patrolled for hot spots on Aug. 21 along the perimeter of the fire, extinguishing the few hotspots that were discovered. This work brought the fire to 100% contained, the release stated. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Lonestar headlines Grant Co. Fair

MOSES LAKE — Longtime country band Lonestar took the stage and gave fans live performances of classic hits and new sounds Aug. 18 at the Grant County Fair. “Are y’all ready to have some fun?” said lead vocalist Drew Womack. Keyboardist Dean Sams said Lonestar has been playing together as a band for nearly 30 years. The band has a long string of hits, including 10 that have hit the top of the country charts. “We just love Lonestar,” said Darlene Przybylksi, who had staked out a seat in the front row of general admission. She and husband Rick selected a Lonestar song for the first dance at their wedding a few years ago, she said. “We want to hear that song again,” she said. “We’re looking forward to it.” Deanna Martinez said there was a reason she was at the fairgrounds on a very hot summer night. “Of course, Lonestar,” she said...

Zags women’s soccer plays in Montana tournament

MISSOULA, MT – Gonzaga women’s soccer played in the Rumble of the Rockies over the weekend, a tournament hosted at the University of Montana. The Bulldogs faced off against Pittsburgh and Creighton, losing 1-0 and drawing 1-1, respectively. The tournament and regular season began for Gonzaga on Thursday against Pittsburgh. This was the first meeting between the schools on the pitch, and the Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute on a strike by senior Amanda West, with Landy Mertz credited for the assist. Gonzaga out-shot Pittsburgh 17-16 and held a 10-5 advantage on shots on goal. Erin Healy and Sophia Braun had team-highs in shots with four shots each...

James Takayuki Nanto

March 6, 1939 – August 15, 2022

James T. Nanto, 83, and his wife Debbie died in a tragic house fire on Aug. 15, 2022. Jim was born in Hardin, Montana on March 6, 1939, the second son of Tom Kiyoshi and Frances Nobuko Nanto. He enjoyed life in rural Montana until the eighth grade, when he moved to Moses Lake, Washington, and graduated from Moses Lake High School. While in Moses Lake, Jim joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in many positions, including bishop, high councilor and missionary in Brazil. He graduated from DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago and, after serving in the Air National Guard, worked there as a civilian until he retired. Jim’s home always was filled with music. He played the violin, taught orchestra, led choirs, gave private lessons and sang duets with Debbie. He left a legacy of music that continues through his descendants...

Debra ‘Debbie’ Leigh Nanto

August 9, 1951 – August 15, 2022

On August 15, 2022, Debra “Debbie” Leigh Nanto, 71, and James “Jim” Takayuki Nanto, 83, perished in a house fire. Our hearts are broken knowing we will no longer hear their beautiful harmonizing. God needed a flutist and violinist to complete his band. Debbie was born on August 9, 1951, in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from David W. Carter High School in Dallas. Debbie then returned to Missouri where her parents and siblings were living. She met and married her first husband, Vincent M Schultz in Knob Noster, Missouri. They had two sons, Vincent M. Schultz, Jr. and Michael Schultz. Debbie furthered her education by becoming a licensed vocational nurse and worked in a doctor’s office and nursing homes. Her most rewarding work was at the Dialysis Center in Denton, TX. Debbie married Jim on August 23, 2002. Her love of music continued as Debbie and Jim’s lives consisted of choirs, concerts, orchestras, and making beautiful music blending their voices in perfect harmony. Jim was the love of her life as she was to him. She found someone who loved her beyond words and taught Debbie she was worthy of love...

Pet(s) of the week: Rusty and Chico

Rusty and Chico are senior dogs that lost their home due to the owners moving. Rusty is 9 years old and Chico is 12. Chico has cataracts and can't see but he's being seen by a vet to find out if they can help him regain a little more sight. Adams County Pet Rescue would love for them to find a home together but we know that may not be feasible. Rusty and Chico are used to living with seven or more other dogs but haven't been around children. A quiet place without stairs would be ideal for them. They are seniors and will need vet care so their new person will need to be willing to provide senior care including dental work. These two are wonderful dogs and will be super companions for someone. Rusty and Chico are neutered, microchipped and current on vaccines. Please call Adams County Pet Rescue at 509-488-5514 or visit the shelter’s website at adamscountypetrescue.com. The shelter is located at 1961 W. Bench Road in Othello.

Thyroid conditions in pets: Hyperthyroidism

While dogs are more likely to develop hypothyroidism, caused by an underproduction of thyroid hormones, cats are more likely to develop hyperthyroidism, caused by an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidism in many ways and has vastly different symptoms. Dr. Kathleen Aicher, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, discusses these symptoms and more in the second part of this two-part series on thyroid conditions. “Thyroid disorders occur commonly in middle-aged to older dogs and cats and, therefore, should be on the radar of pet parents as well as their primary care veterinarians,” Aicher said. “Both disorders can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of patients, particularly untreated hyperthyroidism.” Hyperthyroidism often...

'Now they're driving for real'

Youth Power Wheels demo derby brings smiles all around

MOSES LAKE - The Youth Power Wheels Demo Wednesday gave children the opportunity to ram, crash and bump each other in small battery-operated cars, bringing smiles onto the faces of everyone involved. Brothers Barrett and Grady Hopkins, 7 and 4 years old respectively, participated in the Youth Power Wheels Demo. “‘Cuz I like crashing,” Barrett said on why he wanted to do the Youth Power Wheels Demo. The children had seven minutes to go wild and ram into the other children’s cars...

Moses Lake Roundup closes out for 2022

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Roundup, an annual rodeo event held at the Grant County Fairgrounds, wrapped up on Saturday with winners named in eight competitions. “I think it was great this year,” Roundup Volunteer Corbett Kolst said. “I love it every year. For the most part, I think everything went real smooth and the atmosphere was great.” The three-night event hosted eight different events, bringing out riders from across the United States and as far as Australia and Brazil. Thursday and Friday nights had themes, with riders and workers wearing pink shirts for breast cancer awareness on Thursday and Patriot Night hosted on Friday - which honored veterans and active duty members of the military. The competition began Thursday, opening with a pre-show that had mutton busting and other warm-up events. The mutton busting featured children ages 4-7 and under 60 pounds riding sheep, attempting to stay on as long as possible. Once pre-show festivities wrapped up, the rodeo events began with bareback riding. “There’s something special about the (Moses Lake Roundup),” Kolst said...

Legals for August, 22 2022

Greeny to continue leading Cougar volleyball

PULLMAN – Women’s volleyball head coach Jen Greeny signed a contract extension keeping her in Pullman until the 2026 season, Washington State Director of Athletics Pat Chun announced on Friday. Greeny’s contract was set to expire after the 2022 season, having spent the previous 11 years as head coach of the Cougars. She’s earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards twice over that span and brought Washington State to six consecutive postseason appearances. "During her time leading Cougar Volleyball, Coach Greeny has established our program as a national contender annually," said Chun. "She has proven to be one of the best coaches in our conference and the country. We are fortunate to have her guiding our program for many years to come." Having played middle blocker for the Cougars from 1995-98, Greeny returned to the school as an assistant coach from 2000-2004. After a stint as head coach for Lewis-Clark State from 2004-2007, she returned to Pullman once again to serve as head coach in 2011. "It is an honor to continue leading this program and build on the success we have achieved," said Greeny. "Washington State University is home and we are so thankful to our administration for believing in us. We love Pullman and are 100 percent invested in the tremendous young women that have and continue to make Cougar Volleyball so special." Greeny was chosen to a coaching staff to train Team USA hopefuls at the U.S. Olympic Training Center for tryouts with the U.S. Women’s National Team and U.S. Collegiate National Team. Eight players under Greeny’s coaching have gone on to play internationally over the past decade.

Roundup results for Day 3

MOSES LAKE – Day three of the Moses Lake Roundup saw champions crowned in all eight events, from bareback riding to bull riding. Tilden Hooper’s performance on Saturday gave him a score of 86.5, securing a win in the bareback riding competition. Entering Saturday’s competition there was a three-way tie for first place in the steer wrestling competition. Bryton Edmunds’ time of 3.5 seconds on Saturday locked in a win in the event. In team roping, the team of Egusquiza/Graves timed in an event-leading 4.1 seconds on Friday evening. Their score held true throughout the Saturday competition, giving them the win. Dawson Hay scored an 87 on Thursday in the saddle bronc, and no other competitors were able to surpass that mark in the following two days of the rodeo...

Goodwill program receives funding for digital literacy program

TACOMA - A press release by Goodwill states that the five Goodwill agencies that serve Washington have received a one-year $3.68 million grant extension from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Broadband Office to bring digital literacy, acces, and training services to all 39 counties of the state after a successful six-month pilot program. “In collaboration with all the other regional Goodwill organizations in Washington, we are thrilled to provide digital navigation services across the entire state,” said Eu-wanda Eagans, senior vice president of Workforce Development for Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region in the release. “We are building a scalable, collaborative platform that can provide critical digital resources, training, and skill-building for the foreseeable future.” The release states the digital divide – lack of access to technology devices, the internet, and digital skills – in Washington is most pronounced among low-income and otherwise marginalized communities that are often culturally diverse and multilingual. The Digital Navigation Services program, Goodwill Connect, reaches people who are at the highest risk of digital exclusion. By June 2023, the program will provide 3,000 qualified individuals with Chromebooks that have three months of built-in internet connectivity, the release states. To qualify to receive a Chromebook, the release stated, an individual or family must be 135% or more below the federal poverty line. Washington residents interested in Chromebooks must call the hotline to determine eligibility and each region will have a strategy to ensure that people lacking technology skills, a device, or the internet are prioritized. The website goodwillconnect.com and the Digital Resource Hotline at 844-GWCONNECT (844-492-6663) are the primary methods of contacting a Digital Navigator and inquiring about the program.

Road construction prompts questions for Quincy City Council

Process compliance a concern for some residents

QUINCY — A section of B Street Northeast currently under construction was the topic of a lengthy discussion at the Quincy City Council meeting Aug. 16. It was the second meeting that the work on B Street Northeast prompted questions and concerns from residents of the section under construction, who have businesses there or who use land along the street for commercial purposes. Construction crews are rebuilding and repaving the street between Central Avenue North and Sixth Avenue Northeast. Speakers at the council meeting expressed concerns that some sections of the street, especially the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenue Northeast, will be too narrow for some uses. Additionally, the street as it’s being constructed does not meet street width requirements and will require a variance; city officials did not go through the variance process before starting construction. Rob Soul, who owns Blue Skies Storage on B Street Northeast, asked about the variance process. Public Works Director Carl Worley said city officials should’ve applied for the variance, and hope to schedule a date for a public hearing at the Sept. 6 council meeting. Soul said city officials have been willing to work with him since he raised his concerns...

Beef well done

Wilson Creek FFA student participates in her last Grant Co. fair

MOSES LAKE — It was a hot day at the Grant County Fair on Thursday, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees and the National Weather Service issuing an excessive heat warning for much of Central and Eastern Washington. “Keep hydrated!” emanated from the loudspeakers across the fairgrounds. There was a sheen of sweat on Rylee Wilson's face as she stood in the Ardell Pavillion of the Grant County Fairgrounds late Thursday morning. She didn’t mind all that much, she said. The Wilson Creek High School graduate and FFA member had a pretty good fair this year, winning a grand champion ribbon and belt buckle Thursday morning in a competition with her steer Buttercup. “I actually won market yesterday with Buttercup and Honeybun,” she said, pointing to her two tan steers standing in a stall of one of the fairground cow barns. “And then I won showmanship with Honeybun (this morning) too. So I’m coming out with four buckles.” ...

GCSO busy with gun-related incidents at entertainment venues

GRANT COUNTY - The Grant County Sheriff’s Office released two press releases Saturday detailing two situations that involved guns at two popular locations in Grant County this week; the Gorge and the Grant County Fair. GCSO highlighted the diligence of citizens for their part in preventing a possible tragedy. The first release from GCSO said Grant County deputies believed they intercepted a possible mass shooting at the Gorge Amphitheater Friday night. “(The Public is) the extra eyes and ears out at the concert,” said GCSPublic Information Officer Kyle Foreman. “We're grateful that they could bring those things to our attention.” The release said that 30-year-old Ephrata resident Jonathan R. Moody was seen inhaling an unknown substance or gas from a balloon and then loading two 9mm pistols from the trunk of his car. Moody concealed one pistol in the rear of his waistband and the other in an outside-the-waistband holster. He was also seen approaching concertgoers, asking what time the concert ended and where people would be exiting the venue. Citizens and security notified GCSO of their observations and concern around 9 p.m...

Day 2 Moses Lake Roundup Results

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Roundup carried on Friday night, bringing in more competitors to the arena at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The theme of the night was military appreciation, with the opening ceremonies having riders carrying the banners of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard along with a flag honoring prisoners of war. Following the opening ceremonies, the Rodeo once again began with the bareback riding event. Jacob Raine’s score of 79.5 moved him into first place through two days of competition. Steer wrestling began afterward, with Gavin Soileau, Cash Robb and Rowdy Parrott tied for first place. They all share a time of 3.8 seconds. The world champion team of Egusquiza/Graves took first place in the team roping event on Friday night, posting a time of 4.1 seconds. Dawson Hay remained in first place in the saddle bronc competition, with his score of 87 keeping him in first place through Friday night...

Moses Lake Roundup Day 1 results

MOSES LAKE – The 2022 Moses Lake Roundup kicked off on Thursday night at the Grant County Fairgrounds, bringing in competitors from around the country. The rodeo began with a pre-show that consisted of 4H riders making their way around the course, as well as a mutton-busting event for young riders. The theme of the evening was cancer awareness, with riders and volunteers donning pink-colored shirts and accessories. Shortly before the rodeo began, a memorial service was held for those who had passed away from cancer, releasing white doves to honor them. The rodeo began with bareback riding, with contestants exiting the pen atop a bucking horse, and attempting to stay on for eight seconds. Bull Tutor won the bareback riding competition with a score of 74.

Stuffed chickens, space burgers, bull riders and quarterbacks

Episode IV of the Studio Basin Podcast out now

This week's episode digs into the happenings at the Grant County fair with virtual and stuffed chicken showings, good vendor food and a discussion with sports reporter Ian Bivona about his first ever fair. We also delve into how the Seahawks' preseason is going, WNBA action with the Storm, local sports teams getting out to practice and when the annual Gridiron Guide will hit news racks.

Brigetta B. Delgado-Emmel

Brigetta Delgado-Emmel was born to Medardo (Leonard) Delgado and Kathleen Delgado in Olympia, Washington on March 1, 1976, and passed away July 24, 2022, while visiting a farm near Royal City, Washington.

Making room

Sandhill Estates development continues to expand

OTHELLO — Construction crews began pouring foundations this week in a new 44-lot subdivision in Othello. Developer Angel Garza cut the ribbon on the fourth phase of the Sandhill Estates development Aug. 8.

Legals for August, 19 2022

Soap Lake sees two fires Thursday evening

Both may be associated with prior arson investigation

SOAP LAKE - Two fires broke out Thursday evening in Soap Lake. “Both are definitely suspicious,” Grant County Fire District 7 Chief Kirk Sheppard said. The first fire broke out at about 8:40 p.m. in the 21000 block of Road A-Northeast. According to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the fire burned about 10 acres and was responded to by Grant County Fire Districts 7 and 13 and City of Ephrata Fire. There were no evacuations issued and the fire was contained by 9:30 p.m. The second fire broke out at 9:15 p.m. in the field in between State Route 28 and Sixth Ave. SE; the same area as two previous fires from Monday and Friday...

Wildcats win first exhibition match, sweep EWU

CHENEY — With volleyball season around the corner, the Central Washington Wildcats faced off against Eastern Washington, sweeping the Eagles 3-0 for the exhibition win. The matches finished 25-19, 25-17 and 25-21 in favor of the visiting Wildcats. "It was good to compete and see some work pay off in certain areas," CWU Head Coach Mario Andaya said. "The competitive energy was high so that's always fun to see." Tia Andaya’s 10 kills and 17 assists were both team highs, finishing with a hitting percentage of .692 after going 10-13 on hits. The 2021 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year winner also had one ace, two blocks and five digs...

WSU’s Ma’ake named to Polynesian Player of the Year watch list

HONOLULU – Washington State offensive lineman Ma’ake Fifita was one of 85 players named to the 2022 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list, composed of players from 43 FBS schools. The award is given to the most outstanding player of Polynesian ancestry and is given annually. Former Cougar quarterback Jayden de Laura was a finalist for the award in 2021, and defensive end Hercules Mata’afa won the award in 2017. Fifita, a redshirt sophomore from Everett, made an appearance in all 13 games a season ago, starting in five of them. He made his first start against Utah, followed by starts against Oregon, Arizona, Washington and Central Michigan. The five finalists for the award will be revealed on December 1, with the winner announced two weeks after on December 15. The winner will be recognized at the Polynesian Bowl on January 20. Finalists and winners are selected by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. The inaugural Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award was given to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in 2014. Other previous award winners were Notre Dame offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley in 2015, Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau in 2016, Mata’afa in 2017, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2018 and 2019, USC safety Talanoa Hufanga and BYU quarterback Zach Wilson in 2020 and Ohio State defensive lineman Haskell Garrett in 2021.

Color run for childhood health to be held in Othello

OTHELLO – Now in its fifth year, the Columbia Basin Health Association’s Run for a Cause 5k Color Run will hit the streets of Othello, promoting health and well being for children. The run begins at 9 a.m. on August 27. “We run for supporting and promoting childhood health and well-being in the community we serve,” Event Coordinator Courtney Martinez said. “We started in 2018.” The run, which begins and finishes at the CBHA’s office at 1515 E Columbia St, has brought out close to 600 runners in prior years and has already surpassed that mark in pre-registration for this year’s run. “We’ve had 600 people register as of (Thursday) morning, so we’re very excited,” Martinez said. “The weather is supposed to be great, and we’re really happy to do this event.”...

Royal City looks at street improvements

ROYAL CITY — Some streets in Royal City could be getting a makeover, according to information presented at the Royal City Council meeting Tuesday. City Finance Director Shilo Christensen told council members the city is applying to the state Transportation Improvement Board for funds under the Small City Preservation Program to perform chip sealing on streets on the west end of town, as well as on Ahlers and several other streets in the north end. The city is already making improvements in the area anyway, Christensen said, and the chip sealing will be necessary after that work is finished. “We're going to be tearing up the roads putting in new water lines,” Christensen said, showing a map highlighting parts of Balsam, Calla and Grape streets, as well as Hemlock and Hawthorne avenues and Calla Loop. “What our engineers are trying to do is, they're applying to the Transportation Improvement Board to receive funds. So at the same time we're laying pipe, we can redo the roads a lot better.” The streets on the north side of town slated for possible improvement include portions of Ahlers Road, Wildflower and King streets, Poarch and Hargraves avenues and Widmer Drive. This area is not getting the water line upgrade, but the streets are being crack sealed in anticipation of receiving monies for the chip sealing...

Demo day two brings more action

MOSES LAKE - The Northwest Ag Demolition Derby wrapped up day two on Wednesday, its final day of crashing, smashing and rolling at the Moses Lake Roundup Arena. Those whose cars survived day one returned to the arena for day two along with some new faces. With a few more tipped cars than the day before, the derby saw some familiar-faced winners and a few new to success. The winner of the 80’s demo, Christopher Johnson of Moses Lake, has been doing the demo derby for at least four years. “It feels extremely good,” Johnson said. “I’ve been close a few times but never number one, never the trophy.” Until now...

Keeping the fair moving

Volunteers ensure smooth operations for visitors

MOSES LAKE — It looks - easy. Participants in livestock competition at the Grant County Fair enter the arena, they’re checked off, and at the end, the right ribbon goes to the right person. A hungry fairgoer walks up to a food booth run by a local nonprofit organization and places an order, and the right order arrives. From the ribbons to the Spaceburgers, it all runs pretty smoothly. It's the people over at the folding table next to the show ring, and the crews that are kind of out sight, staffing the food booths and the exhibit buildings, that make it look easy. Most of them are volunteers. Fairgrounds manager Jim McKiernan estimated it took about 250 volunteers to help the fair run smoothly. The organizations that operate the fundraising food booths find their own volunteers, and for some, it’s been a struggle. The volunteers overseeing competitions and running the food booths said it provides its own rewards...

Five hurt in rollover near Othello

OTHELLO — Five people were injured in a single-vehicle accident near Othello Wednesday. Aleyssa J. Hernandez, 21, of Othello was driving westbound on state Route 24 southwest of Othello in a 2014 Honda Accord when she failed to negotiate a curve in the road, according to a press release from the Washington State Patrol. The vehicle rolled over, ejecting all four passengers and partially ejecting Hernandez, before crashing into a barbed-wire fence. Also injured in the rollover were 19-year-old Victoria F. Delatorre of Othello, 19-year-old Freddy Gonzalez Rodriguez of Othello and two 16-year-old girls. All were transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. None of the injured was wearing a seat belt, and neither drugs nor alcohol was a factor, according to the WSP.

Soap Lake man arrested on outstanding warrants

SOAP LAKE — In a joint effort, the Soap Lake Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old James Ghent of Soap Lake on outstanding felony warrants Wednesday morning, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The press release by GCSO stated Ghent was in possession of tools commonly used in burglaries...

Soap Lake gets reader sign, supports students and swears in new council member

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Police Department will communicate a little better with drivers, Chief Ryan Cox said at Wednesday’s city council meeting. SLPD has acquired a reader sign that officers can log into remotely, Cox said, to warn drivers of problems on the road. “Say a collision up north (on) 17 is happening,” Cox said. “So they shut the highway down, which happens quite often. We can alert people that are coming northbound through the city without them going all the way up to Sun Lakes and having to turn all the way back down. So it'll be pretty fun to have.” Cox also told the council that the department was preparing to partner with the town’s schools to purchase school supplies. The money will come from the department’s benevolent fund, he said, and the biggest need appeared to be glue sticks for the elementary school...

Roger Joseph Arango, Jr.

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired

LTC Roger Joseph Arango, Jr. (US Army, Ret.), passed away peacefully on August 8, 2022, in Ellensburg, Washington at the age of 80. Consistent with Roger’s wishes, there will be no memorial service, and he will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with honors befitting his service to our country. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Yakima Greenway Foundation, an organization Roger loved and supported until his passing. Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg. You are invited to read Roger's complete obituary and leave condolences for the family at www.johnston-williams.com

John Harper Wilson

John Harper Wilson of Comanche, OK passed away on Aug 15th, 2022. He is survived by his wife Lynda, son Jeremy and Sharon, and daughter Dawnita Schmidt, all of Comanche, OK. Private services will be held at a later time.

Cop shop, funnel cakes, barges and baseball in Studio Basin podcast

In our most recent episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Columbia Basin Herald Managing Editor Rob Miller chatted with reporters Charles Featherstone and Ian Bivona about possible Moses Lake Police expansion, the Grant County Fair and Charles’s adventures rollin’ on the river. The MLPD has outgrown its current building, Featherstone said, and is looking for bigger digs. The department currently shares a building with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. MLPD has its eye on five acres on Central Drive, next to the Lauzier ball fields, that could accommodate a 25,000- to 28,000-square-foot building. This would allow MLPD enough room to house a dedicated mental health worker, as well as an agent from the ATF, although some council members weren’t certain about the price tag of a new building versus renovating the current facility. The Grant County Fair started this week and runs through the weekend. Miller talked about the musical lineup at this year’s fair. The country band Lonestar is the big headliner this year, and there are also a number of classic rock cover bands and country singer Kameron Marlowe. Finally, Bivona talked about the Seattle Mariners, the Seahawks and – especially of interest locally – the Babe Ruth World Series, hosted in Ephrata by the Columbia Basin Riverdogs. High school sports are about to start up for the fall, Bivona added.

Mariners overcome Ohtani's 4 hits, sweep Angels 11-7

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani's latest one-man show for the Los Angeles Angels included a two-run homer, a run-scoring triple, four hits and four RBIs.

Suky’s Daycare

Local center celebrates a year at second location

MOSES LAKE — It was 23 years ago when Suced Yusso started a daycare business in her home. “I always had a dream to open a center,” Yusso said through a translator, Jose Ureste, Associate Pastor at the Warden Assembly. “My husband thought I was crazy, but it was a dream that I had.” As Yusso speaks, Ureste’s four-year-old daughter Sofia sits at a table playing. It’s the end of a long day, and she’s the last child in the center. After getting a college degree and a lot of hard work, Yusso now has two Suky’s Learning Centers — an initial location at 414 Buress Ave. and a second location she opened a year ago at 900 E. Nelson Road in the offices of a former chiropractic clinic — and managed to keep the first location going in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic while she looked at that second building and dreamed. To keep the business going during the pandemic, Yusso said she and her husband borrowed from his 401(k) because they weren’t eligible for aid and couldn’t get a business loan...

Keeping cool

Triple-digit temperatures require fair exhibitors to keep close eye on animals

MOSES LAKE — The swine barn at the Grant County Fair is shady and relatively cool compared to outside, and the pigs were dozing in a pile of wood shavings.

Pac-12 announces weekly conference pairings

PULLMAN – The Pac-12 Conference announced its weekly pairings for the 2022-2023 men’s basketball season on Monday, with the Cougars beginning conference play at home.

Demo Derby off to a roaring start

MOSES LAKE — The 2022 Northwest Ag Demolition Derby kicked off Tuesday evening at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

New laws will boost REC Silicon bottom line

OSLO, Norway — Despite posting a loss for the second quarter of 2022, REC Silicon President and CEO James May said the restart of the company’s solar-grade polysilicon production facility in Moses Lake is looking better than originally forecast, thanks largely to major federal legislation aimed at creating and supporting solar power component production in the United States.

Police records for Aug. 18, 2022

EPD, MLPD, jail

Time of Remembrance golf tournament heads to Warden

WARDEN – A charity golf tournament will be held at the Sage Hills Golf Club on August 27, raising money for the Time of Remembrance taking place in September.

Primary election results certified, recount possible in Grant County Commission race

EPHRATA — Terry Thompson, incumbent Adams County Commissioner, will be challenged by Mike Garza in the November general election. The race for Grant County Commissioner may be headed for a recount, at the request of one of the candidates and paid for by that candidate.

Legals for August, 18 2022

James William (Jim) Pritchard

James William (Jim) Pritchard, 95, of Ephrata, Washington, passed away on Aug. 3, 2022, at Avamere Assisted Living Facility in Moses Lake, Washington.

Breanna Stewart earns AP WNBA Player of the Year honors

Breanna Stewart is always looking for ways to improve her game. This season, her efforts culminated in more career milestones.

Seattle QB Lock tests positive for COVID-19; out vs. Bears

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and will miss the team's preseason game against Chicago.

Mariners break up perfect game bid in 6th, beat Angels 8-2

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Adam Frazier broke up José Suárez's bid for a perfect game in the sixth and added a two-run triple in the ninth, leading the Seattle Mariners to an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.

The Chicks take the Gorge

GEORGE - The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, wrapped up the final concert of their summer tour on Aug. 13 at the Gorge Amphitheater. The Chicks Tour was a 27-city tour starting in St. Louis, MO on June 14. “I saw them at White River Amphitheater (and) this is so so much better,” said concert attendee Madison Thomas. The Gorge filled with people from all over the Pacific Northwest as two-time Grammy award-winner and seven-time nominee, singer-songwriter Patty Griffin opened for the Chicks. Griffin has released nine classic studio albums and two live collections since her debut in 1996, according to her official website. The Chicks is made up of three members; Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer After a 14-year gap, The group released their fifth studio album, a 12-track record named “Gaslighter” in July 2020...

SLSD to hold surplus sale Saturday

SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake School District will be holding a surplus sale this Saturday in Soap Lake to get rid of old and unused items for a great bargain. Soap Lake School District Superintendent Kim Casey said the items in the sale are old, out of date, mismatched or unused items and may have some damage. “The items are not in stellar condition,” said Casey. Items in the sale include but are not limited to things such as filing cabinets, chairs, tables, desks and other school-related supplies. She explained that the idea behind putting the unwanted...

Basin sports schedule Aug. 17-23

Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local, regional and national events...

GCHD to offer COVID-19 vaccinations at county libraries

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District will be offering COVID-19 vaccination clinics at NCW Libraries locations throughout the county beginning Aug. 23. The clinics will serve patients six months of age and older who haven’t been vaccinated, as well as providing booster doses, according to a joint press release from GCHD and NCW Libraries. They’re walk-in only; no appointments are required, the press release said. People should be ready to wait 15 minutes after receiving the shot. Health department staff will be using the Moderna vaccine. Booster doses can be administered to all patients regardless of the previous type of vaccine they received, according to the press release. No insurance or identification is required. People will be asked for their name, date of birth and some pertinent medical history, the press release said.

Legals for August, 17 2022

Fair pics of the fair

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Fair began its 2022 season Tuesday with a variety of events and opportunities for visitors to enjoy themselves.

GCSO officers give theft victims new bikes

MOSES LAKE - A Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy headed an effort to raise money to gift two new electric bikes to a family who had theirs stolen, according to a GCSO statement. In a release by GCSO, Deputy Zane Bundy delivered two new electric bikes on Sunday to a family who had been the victim of a burglary. The Larson Community family had expressed to deputies that their kids had respect for law enforcement officers and that the loss of the bikes would be a huge impact on the family, the release said. “Deputy Bundy, with his heart strings pulled, passed the hat to all GCSO members, raising enough money to buy two new bikes for the kids,” thestatement said.

Fair chicken showing goes virtual and...stuffed

MOSES LAKE — Poultry judge Emmett Wild stands across the table from the two young women in FFA jackets. He looks serious, as do the two teenage exhibitors, even as they each tightly grip a stuffed chicken. “Check your bird for external parasites,” he commands. Jeslan Valdez, 16, lifts up a wing of her stuffed chicken, slides a finger along the underside to show where she would look, then quickly lifts up the rear and brushes her hand against it. “What would be the signs that your bird has parasites?” Wild asks. “It would be stressed out,” Valdez said, continuing her response with a list of signs and symptoms her bird would clearly show if it had mites, lice or anything else that can make its home on a real, live chicken. Valdez and her fellow FFA poultry shower Paige Ball, both FFA members, are showing off stuffed chickens in the Poultry Barn at this year’s Grant County Fair following a request from the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s chief veterinarian to hold off on live poultry shows until 30 days after the last confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which was most recently detected in a small, backyard flock in Jefferson County on July 26...

Grant County Fair begins with sheep showing

MOSES LAKE — Patience and responsibility. That’s what Anabelle Brown, 13, said she’s learned showing sheep at this year’s Grant County Fair, which started on Tuesday. “My mom thought sheep; I would do good with sheep,” Brown said. “So we signed up.” Brown stood in a pen in the Sheep Barn of the Grant County Fairgrounds with her friend Ariel Montoya, 14. Both wear Skyline 4-H Sheep 2022 tee shirts. And both are exhibiting animals for the very first time. “I've shown art and stuff, but I've never shown animals,” Brown said. “Okay, this is my first year trying to work with all these people. I didn't really know how to work some of the equipment. I had to ask for help learning how to use them.” “This is actually my first year,” Montoya added. “Yeah, I started this year.” ...

Final piece of mural project dedicated

MOSES LAKE — A mural depicting some of the attractions of Grant County, designed with the help of people who attended the Grant County Fair in the last few years, got its official unveiling Tuesday morning. Columbia Basin Allied Arts director Shawn Cardwell said the project started about 2016, and was and is designed to add art in and around the fairgrounds. It evolved a little over the years, she said. The mural, on a water cistern across Airway Drive from the fairgrounds, depicts flora and fauna found in Grant County, along with a rider on horseback. Artist Erika Kovalenko, Moses Lake, said she’s done a lot of murals in her career. “This has been one of my funnest pieces to paint,” she said...

Pasco man injured in Mattawa collision

MATTAWA — A Pasco man was transported to Kadlec Medical Center in Kennewick after he failed to negotiate a roundabout near Mattawa and ran off the road Tuesday morning. Roy Limon, 80, was attempting to go through the roundabout at the intersection of State Route 243 and Government Road about 5:30 a.m. when he ran off the road, according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol. Limon’s car came to a stop in a ditch on the southbound side. Limon was not wearing a seatbelt, the WSP memo said. The collision is still under investigation...

Columbia Basin school start dates 2022

Columbia Basin school start dates...

Benevolent Golf Tournament returns to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Firefighters’ Benevolent Golf Tournament will be making its return on Aug. 27, following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Benevolent foundation chair Jason Koziol said that they are excited about the return of the tournament. This will be the tournament’s second year. “Initially, it started the year prior to COVID,” Koziol said. “That was our first annual golf tournament, and then COVID struck, and we had two years of absence. Right now, it’s firing back up for this year, and so we’re hoping nothing else happens – no more pandemic happens.” The benevolent foundation, part of Moses Lake Firefighters Union Local 1258, raises money to give back to the community: Operation Warm gives jackets to children during the colder months and Firefighters for Kids assists families during the holiday season. The fund also supports displaced residents due to fires, among other things. “Our benevolent foundation is a non-profit group that helps out between different charity causes here,” Koziol said.

Golf tournament raises money for Walk to End Alzheimer's team

WARDEN – The first annual Larry Hollenbeck “Dude! Where’s my CART?!” Alzheimer’s Awareness Golf Tournament was held at Sage Hills Golf Club late in July, part of a fundraiser for the Columbia Basin Area Walk to End Alzheimer’s. “We competed against Watershed (Music Festival) and the boat races in Tri-Cities, and I had to close registration two weeks before the event because we had sold out of carts,” Columbia Basin Area Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chairperson Karisti Cox said. Cox, who also serves as the Community Resource Director at Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, said that the tournament was brought up to help with costs associated with the upcoming walk in September...

Moses Lake woman dies in rollover

MANSFIELD — A Moses Lake woman is dead after a single-vehicle accident early Saturday morning, according to a press release from the Washington State Patrol. Stephanie M. Starkweather, 35, was driving south on state Route 17 about 15 miles south of Mansfield in a 2005 Dodge Magnum at about 2 a.m. when she failed to negotiate a curve. Her vehicle left the roadway, rolled multiple times down an embankment and caught fire, according to the WSP. Starkweather died at the scene. It was unknown whether drugs or alcohol was involved, or whether Starkweather was wearing a seatbelt, the WSP wrote.

Wenatchee pet organizations support pet owners in need

WENATCHEE - Several Wenatchee Valley pet organizations have come together to support pet owners experiencing hard times. In a press release, Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, Firehouse Pet Shop, Earthwise Pet Shop, PetSmart, and Petco said they would like to remind pet owners that they are there for support during trying times. If someone is in need of pet boarding, food or supplies due to an emergency they are asked to reach out. The release also says that those who are issued a level 3 evacuation notice during a wildfire can look to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society for free emergency pet boarding if needed. Anyone interested in emergency boarding should call the shelter ahead of time to ensure there is space available, even if that means calling while driving to the shelter, the release states. Wenatchee Valley Humane Society also offers a free pet food pantry on the last Saturday of every month. If pet food is needed before the last Saturday of the month please reach out. “Make sure you’re prepared and remember that your community has your back,” the release states. To volunteer, donate, or for more information visit wenatcheehumane.org, email wvhs@wenatcheehumane.org or call (509) 662-9577.

Spokane man sentenced for COVID-19 relief fraud

SPOKANE — A Spokane man has been sentenced to five years probation for COVID-19 relief fraud, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Washington. Roshon Edward Thomas, 42, was sentenced in federal court for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funding for small businesses, according to the release. This is the first sentence in a case brought by the Eastern Washington COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force since its creation earlier this year, the release said...

State awards grants to support local arts and festivals

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Commerce announced Monday that it is awarding more than $71,000 to arts organizations and local festivals in the Columbia Basin. The grants, made in collaboration with the Washington Festivals and Events Association and ArtsWA, are part of $3.3 million in funds awarded to 284 organizations in 36 of Washington’s 39 counties, according to the announcement. Grants can be used to restart local festivals and events suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic or to stabilize depleted budgets, according to the press release. Recipients can use the funds for deposits on infrastructure (security, temporary fencing, staging, lights, sound equipment, etc.) and staff and labor costs. Grants ranged from $178 to $35,000 and were based on need and demonstrated losses. The program was made possible through a tourism relief grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration...

Darlene Ulbricht

Darlene went home to be with her heavenly father on the morning of July 31, 2022, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington.

Sunny Geraldine (Paradis) LaRosee

Sunny LaRosee, surrounded by her loving family, passed away on May 27, 2022, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Mariners score 4 in 9th after Ohtani departs, top Angels 6-2

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani turned in his usual strong start. Long after he was gone, things were anything but normal.

Cowboy Breakfast kicks off fair, rodeo

MOSES LAKE — A sunny summer Friday drew a big crowd to the annual Cowboy Breakfast, so big the cooks ran out of waffles. And eggs. The Cowboy Breakfast is the traditional kickoff for the Grant County Fair, the Moses Lake Roundup and Demolition Derby. The fair starts Tuesday, the demolition derby is set for Tuesday and Wednesday and the rodeo is Thursday through Saturday. Harper Carey reigned as the queen of the Pee Wee Stampede, the ridin’ and ropin’ games for children that are a traditional part of the breakfast. Breakfast was sponsored by the Moses Lake chapter of Kiwanis, the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association, the Moses Lake Senior Center, Mason’s Coffee and AgriSured (Tom and Stacey Cobb). Kiwanis president James Shank said breakfast drew a good crowd, but people don’t just come for breakfast. “This is the real show over here,” Shank said, pointing to the children playing with the stick horses.

A referee shortage?

Washington Officials Association looks to recruit a new generation of refs.

COLUMBIA BASIN – The Columbia Basin Football Officials Association is in search of officials for the upcoming school year, to help with refereeing the different sports offered to student-athletes. “We’re looking for anyone who’s willing to step out on the field and try to officiate games for us,” President of the WOA Football Association Jeremy Cranston said. “We cover 12 schools, from Lake Roosevelt to Mattawa.” The Washington Officials Association, which oversees and serves as a union-like entity for referee associations across the state, looks for those interested in refereeing, especially for football right now. “If you have any interest in football,” WOA Assigning Secretary Mike Mortimore said of what they look for. “We have a big spectrum of people who are with us – we have some young kids who just came out of high school and a lot of older guys.” Mortimore added that with a significant number of the referees being older, they are preparing for them to retire in the near future. “A lot of older generation are ready to retire or are retiring,” he said. “It’s harder to get this younger generation involved.” ...

Are you ready? Grant Co. Fair opens today

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County PUD crew had staked out their tents, and were testing the fans and misters. The cookies, cakes and breads were being evaluated by the bakery department judges. Volunteers for the Moses Lake Lions were making sure the lion ears - non-Lions may know them as elephant ears - fryer worked. The Grant Transit Authority dispensed with little displays like tables and brought a whole bus, which was parked in the commercial building. Grant County Republicans and Democrats were united in washing windows and hanging red, white and blue bunting. The Grant County Fair starts its five-day run today, and exhibitors and vendors were cleaning booths, testing equipment and otherwise getting ready Monday morning. The fair emphasizes tradition, and the bakery division judges were trying to figure out how long they’ve been judging. After some discussion Kirk Holben said it’s been 30 years for him and his wife Terri, counting the time they spent volunteering with 4H. Terri said she’s worked out a system, and pies, breads and cakes that she thinks are exceptional get set aside for consideration by the entire judging panel. “For the top of the top ribbons,” Kirk said...

Adams Co. unemployment continues to fall

ELLENSBURG — Unemployment in Adams County fell to 3.8% in June 2022, the fifth straight monthly decline this year, according to preliminary data published by the Washington State Department of Employment Security last week. According to the report, the preliminary unemployment rate is significantly lower than the 5.2% posted in June 2021, with year-over-year unemployment figures posting declines for the last 15 months. The decline in unemployment comes even as the county’s civilian workforce grew 7.8% in June 2022 when compared with June 2021, the report noted. However, despite those figures, the report noted that the total Adams County civilian workforce is still smaller in June 2022 than it was in June 2019 prior to the shutdowns in early 2020 in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. It also stated that 10,937 county residents were counted in the civilian workforce in June 2022 compared with 11,163 in June 2019. Nearly every non-farm employment sector posted gains in employment, the report said. However, the number of workers in the county’s mining, logging and construction sectors fell by 27.3% in June 2022 to 80 from 110 the same month in 2021. The report noted that 90% of workers listed as employed in manufacturing work in food processing, with total manufacturing employment rising 5.3% to 1,200 jobs in June 2022 from 1,140 jobs the previous year. “Year over year, manufacturing employment in Adams County has increased in each of the past 14 months,” the report said.

GALLERY: Weekend in Sports

The 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series wrapped up in Ephrata over the weekend, crowning the Alabama Rawdogs as champions. Soap Lake hosted its Moonlight Paddle, which brought out paddlers from around the state and beyond. Check out some photos from this weekend’s local events.

Legals for August, 16 2022

MLPD raises money to help people in need

MOSES LAKE — If you were expecting Moses Lake Police Department officers in shorts and tank tops with sponges and buckets washing cars, well, it wasn’t that kind of fundraiser the MLPD held Monday afternoon at Sun Splash Car Wash on N. Stratford Road. “We’ve been wanting to do this for a year or two. But then when COVID hit, we weren’t really getting anyone out here,” said Sun Splash Manager Taylor Peterson. “We support the police and this one to get them out here and kind of give back and help them out in any way we can.” So Peterson offered the car wash to the MLPD to help raise money for the Blue Bridge Program, a privately funded initiative that gives every patrol officer a prepaid debit card loaded with $100 to help people in need of everything from gas in the tank to a meal. In addition, Sun Splash donated $1 from every car wash on Monday to the MLPD, with officers taking donations for the program as well. “It's all privately funded. There's no tax dollars that are involved in the program. So it has to be pretty self-sufficient,” said MLPD Capt. Mike Williams...

DOC to examine women’s prison practices

TUMWATER — The Washington State Department of Corrections has been handed an evaluation of the needs of the newly-created Women’s Prison Division, according to a press release from the DOC. The study, called the Gender Informed Practices Assessment, is a comprehensive assessment that identifies areas of opportunity to develop a more robust gender-responsive program and takes a compressive systemic look at women’s prison practices, from admission to release, the DOC wrote. This assessment was originally set to begin more than two years ago, but COVID-19-related delays pushed it back to October 2021...

Moses Lake physician surrenders medical license

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake osteopathic physician has agreed to surrender his credential to practice medicine in Washington, effective Sept. 1. Dr. Allen Quinn also has agreed to never resume the practice of medicine in Washington, according to an agreed order issued July 14 by the Washington Department of Health. Quinn cannot practice medicine in Washington in any capacity, including temporary, emergency or volunteer practice, the DOH order said. Quinn had been subject to a previous DOH agreed order placing some requirements on his practice. “Respondent has failed to comply with all the terms and conditions of the September 2013 agreed order. Specifically, the evidence indicates that Respondent continued to treat and prescribe controlled substances to non-hospice chronic pain patients, contrary to the restrictions imposed in the September 2013 agreed order,” according to the July 14 order...

STUDIO BASIN: GCSO's Kyle Foreman talks about crime and disasters, Mavericks suffer heartbreaking, last-second defeat

Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman joins Charles Featherstone and Ian Bivona this week to talk about using social media to cover crime, keeping the public informed about both natural and man-made disasters, and what you should do with your smoke detector batteries when we turn the clocks back on Sunday. In sports, Ian Bivona talks about the unexpected lead of the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, a slew of title games for teams competing in fall sports, and how the Moses Lake High School Mavericks saw victory slip away in the very last second of an amazing game. This week’s podcast is available at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2017652/11633081.

Reclamation seeks comments on Grant Coulee security upgrades

GRAND COULEE – In a press release on Aug. 15, the Bureau of Reclamation stated they are inviting the public to identify issues or alternatives for consideration in the development of an environmental assessment for the Grand Coulee Security Response Force Upgrades project. The release states that Reclamation proposes to relocate or install new guard stations, create improved inspection areas, establish additional or improved security cameras and lighting, and replace or install security gates, fences and intrusion detection systems. Reclamation is also proposing the construction of new buildings, installation of utilities and access road improvements. The public can provide input through a web-based, virtual public meeting room website at www.virtualpublicmeeting.com/grand-coulee-srf-ea-scoping. Virtual meeting visitors can view public meeting materials, pose questions, view answers, and submit comments. The 15-day public comment period is open from Aug. 15 to Aug. 29. The release states scoping comments can be submitted to BOR-SHA-CPNGCSRF@usbr.gov. Written comments can be sent to: Jason Sutter, natural resource specialist Bureau of Reclamation Columbia–Pacific Northwest Region 1150 N. Curtis Road Boise, ID 83706. Comments must be submitted/postmarked by Aug. 29. For more additional information, visit https://on.doi.gov/3QHW1WE.

Two Soap Lake fires under investigation

SOAP LAKE - Two fires over three days in the same area of Soap Lake are suspected to be arson, according to Grant County Fire District 7 Chief Kirk Sheppard, who said both fires are suspicious. “There was nothing in the area to start an accidental fire,” Sheppard said. The first fire started about 10 p.m. Friday evening off Lakemore Drive between the road and Highway 28. The fire burned about one acre, heavily damaging the Soap Lake events billboard, and was brought under control by GCFD7 with mutual aid from the Ephrata Fire Department. Mutual aid support was requested due to concerns of wind driving the fire. Sheppard said the scene was cleared by 11:15 p.m. The second fire broke out about 4 a.m. Monday morning, this time from Canna Street S. “The point of origin of the two fires are less than 100 feet apart,” said Sheppard...

Two victims perish in camper trailer fire

WHEELER — A fire early Monday at an RV park has claimed the lives of two people, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.. At around 3:45 a.m., GCSO deputies, as well as firefighters with Grant County Fire District 5 and the Moses Lake Fire Department, responded to a report of a fire in the Cougar Campers RV Park. When theft arrived, first responders found a fifth-wheel trailer fully engulfed in flames, the statement said. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters found two bodies believed to be the occupants of the trailer. The bodies are in the care of Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison, where they will be identified and an autopsy will be performed. The Grant County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, the statement said.

David 'Dave' L. Mathews

David “Dave” L. Mathews, 55, of Malaga, Washington, passed away on July 29, 2022.

Catalina Pitzer

Catalina Pitzer, 98, a long-term dementia patient at a Moses Lake care home, passed away Aug. 10, 2022.

Lavonne Spear

Lavonne Spear, 89, a long-term dementia patient at a Moses Lake care home, passed away Aug. 6, 2022.

Betty E. Dawson

Betty E. Dawson, 86, loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2022, in Othello, Washington with family at her bedside.

Mariah Faix

Mariah Faix was born in Othello, Washington on Aug. 2, 1997, and passed away peacefully following a brief illness on July 26, 2022, holding the hand of her husband, Austin Faix.

Donald Merle West

Donald Merle West, the second of four sons, was born to Homer and Dorothy West on Sept. 11, 1943, in Wenatchee. On Aug. 1, 2022, at the age of 78, with family at his bedside, he entered Heaven knowing “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.”

New cell phone tower rising in downtown Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The white metal frame going up at the corner of W. Broadway Avenue and S. Cedar Street is a new cell phone tower. In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission from August 2021, New York-based Tillman Infrastructure, which owns the tower, expects the total tower height — including the electronic gear at the top — at 18.3 meters, or just over 60 feet. However, without the receiving and transmitting equipment on top — called “appurtenances” in the FCC registration — the tower height is expected at 13.7 meters, or just under 45 feet. That’s the height AT&T, which will provide service through the tower, stated in a permit application submitted to and approved by the City of Moses Lake, according to the findings of a hearing examiner from March 2021.

Potholes Bass Club hosts event this weekend

MOSES LAKE – The Potholes Bass Club will take to the Potholes Reservoir on Saturday for their two-day tournament, part of the typical schedule the club offers. “I believe it’s been around for 50 years,” PBC President and Tournament Director Paul Harmon said. “We do six regular club events every year, and then we do an open, which is invitation.” The PBC currently sits at 125 to 130 members according to Harmon, with around 30 to 35 members participating in each of the tournaments. “A lot of people will sign up for a club member, but they won’t fish,” Harmon said. “They just do it to sponsor, just to keep our club going. We average 30 to 35 boats a tournament.” This weekend’s tournament will begin early Saturday morning, typically blasting off at 5:30 a.m. and fishing until 3 p.m.

Douglas Aaron Pederson

July 1, 1941 - Aug. 6, 2022

Douglas Aaron Pederson died on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at the age of 81.

World series host Riverdogs play hard, bested by Tropics

EPHRATA – As the host team, the Columbia Basin Riverdogs began the 2022 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series under the lights at Johnson-O’Brien Stadium with a packed house. With a win in the first game, a 10-0 win over the KUBA Kings, the Riverdogs started off pool play on a high note - however, struggles began soon after. “You always want to play in a World Series,” Riverdogs head coach Jason Laugen said. “Ultimately you want to win one, but just like the state championship – there’s only one happy team at the end of the World Series.” After the opening win, the Riverdogs fell to the Northwest Bakersfield Waves 6-0 on Sunday and the Stamford Thunder 3-1 on Monday. After a day off on Tuesday, the home team was on the brink of elimination against a fellow team from Washington, Farmers Baseball out of Brewster. “We battled,” Laugen said. “Battled through this World Series. Two of our three losses were by a score of 3-1. Great ball games, and going out and competing.”

A little bit of everything

Quincy Hardware and Lumber offers friendly variety - and furry friends

QUINCY — Quincy Hardware and Lumber owner Tina Stetner - along with Sophie the dog, because Sophie is part of the crew at QHL - greeted a couple of customers who walked in on a Wednesday morning. “You guys need anything?” Stetner asked. “We’re just doing a little shopping,” one of the customers replied, while the other had spotted Sophie. “Is that a store dog?” the second customer asked. “They have a store cat, too,” the first customer said. Cheeto is the cat, and he was sleeping in the basket at the top of his cat tree, right next to the rack of sun hats. And the sun hats are right across the aisle from the box of flip-flops, which are right across the aisle from the display of power tools. Quincy Hardware and Lumber is the sort of store that has a little bit of everything...

Moonlight Paddle lights up Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE – The waters of Soap Lake were lit up on Saturday night, with kayaks, canoes and paddleboards all decorated for the Moonlight Paddle. The event hosted races as well as the parade-esque Moonlight Paddle, where participants of all ages took their vessels on to Soap Lake after sunset. “We are excited about that,” Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce President Cindi Rang said of the turnout. “We know that the lake draws people from everywhere. We know that because when we’re down at the lake we hear people speaking Dutch, and German and French.” The event brought in locals of Soap Lake and the Basin alike, as well as some paddlers from Spokane and as far as Colorado. “We had people from as far away as Colorado, Kirkland, Spokane, and a few locals,” Rang said. Registration and the activities opened at 3 p.m., with the races following soon after at 4 p.m. Races were held with two racers at a time, with prizes awarded to the winners.

Date set for ECBID water cutoff

OTHELLO — The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District announced Thursday that it will halt all water deliveries on Oct. 20, at which time ditch riders will close all farm unit and water service turnouts and begin to drain the distribution system, according to a district press release. The last day for water orders is Oct. 18, the district said, with last changes made to water orders on Oct. 19, the press release said. The ECBID also said it will begin scaling back ditch rider service from six days per week to five days per week beginning Sept. 4, with full ditch rider service available Monday through Friday until the district stops taking orders. In addition, district watermaster offices in Othello and Moses Lake will close on weekends beginning on Sept. 10. Water customers with questions about deliveries for the rest of the season should contact the main office at 509-488-9671.

Alabama wins Babe Ruth World Series in Ephrata

EPHRATA – The Alabama Rawdogs continued their dominance on Saturday, taking home the title in the 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series in Ephrata. Alabama went undefeated throughout the tournament, outscoring opponents by 60 runs over the six games played. “Our goal was to get here and win it, and obviously perform well,” Rawdogs manager Tony Hendrix said. “When you got a team like this, our guys are top to bottom swinging.” The Rawdogs began pool play with three consecutive wins by double-digit runs before defeating the Southeast Tropics 4-2 in the final match of pool play. After earning the top seed in the American Division, Alabama had a first-round bye in bracket play. “I always tell our guys, it’s hard to win when you first get here,” Hendrix said of his past managing experience in the World Series. “Fortunately, we’ve been to several (World Series), and I think experience in the dugout - just not getting caught up in the World Series and the name of it - goes a long way for our team.”

GCFD7 proposes EMS levy for November ballot

SOAP LAKE - Grant County Fire District 7 has proposed an EMS levy for the November ballot. GCFD7 provides both fire protection and emergency medical services. “The thing in this community is probably 70% of our call volume is an EMS call,” said GCFD7 Chief Kirk Sheppard. The measure on the ballot asks voters to approve a levy to provide District 7 with funding for emergency medical services. The levy is 25 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation for six years. Sheppard noted that this was the bare minimum they could ask for an EMS levy in terms of cost and duration. They expect the levy to bring in just above their estimated need of $58,000 a year to fund the program.

DSHS annual art contest celebrates Child Support Awareness Month in August

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month. In recognition of this, the Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Child Support is soliciting entries to its annual art contest. “Child support provides the necessary means that many Washington state families rely on in order to help children realize their dreams and become future leaders,” the release from DSHS said. Children through age 17 are invited to submit artwork and/or photography illustrating an answer to the question, “How will you change the world?” Submissions are accepted through Aug. 15, and should be emailed in high-resolution JPG format to dcscontests@dshs.wa.gov. Selected artwork will be featured in a 2023 calendar made available free-of-charge later this fall at Division of Child Support offices, the release stated.

Legals for August, 15 2022

Julio Rodriguez returns to lineup, Mariners beat Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Star rookie Julio Rodriguez got two hits in his return to the Seattle lineup and the Mariners took over the first wild-card position in the American League by beating the Texas Rangers 6-2 on Friday night.

Body found, believed to be missing Othello-area man

WARDEN — Identification is pending on a body found near Warden that may be that of a missing Othello-area man. Audel Espinoza-Duenas, 45, was reported missing Aug. 4, after last being seen near his home about five miles south of the Potholes Reservoir. Grant County Sheriff’s detectives had asked for the public’s help in finding him. “Detectives found the body at about 10:30 a.m. (Friday) at Warden Outfall public fishing access area,” wrote Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer.

New Moses Lake High School mascot logo revealed

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District administrators have announced the new logo to go with the new name of the Moses Lake High School mascot, the Mavericks. The new logo depicts a bull in the school’s maroon-and-gold color scheme. “Student and community input was crucial for finding the mascot that represents our community,” according to an MLSD press release. “The new mascot evokes strength, determination and perseverance – embodying the values of community and the future of Moses Lake High School,” the press release said. Students at the high school were previously known as the Chiefs, but district officials were required to change the mascot after the passage of HB 1356 by the Washington Legislature in April 2021. The law prohibits the use of Native American names, symbols or images in public school mascots, logos or team names without formal permission from the appropriate federally-recognized Native American tribe.

Thomas Alvin Wallingford Jr.

Thomas Alvin Wallingford Jr., 54, of Moses Lake, Washington passed away July 21, 2022.

Mariners reinstate All-Star Julio Rodríguez from 10-day IL

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners reinstated All-Star center fielder Julio Rodríguez and catcher Curt Casali from the 10-day injured list on Thursday ahead of a lengthy road trip.

Seahawks QBs Lock, Smith hope for edge in preseason opener

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The biggest question surrounding the Seattle Seahawks enters a new phase this weekend, one where the variables are out of their control.

Wanda Harrison

RIP: Aug. 8, 2022

Wanda Harrison, (87) Graduated to her heavenly home on August 8, 2022. Wanda was preceded by her husband Frank, daughter Christina, grandson Jerome and Her parents Nila and Russell Olels. She is survived by her brother, Archie Olels, children, Russ, Dee and Cami, grandchildren, Stacey, Rachel, Michael, Melissa, Mark, Christopher, Nicholas and Zachary, great- grandchildren, Skylar, Ashlynn, Shaylee, Braeden, Dallas, Peyton, Quinton, Chloe and Lyra. Wanda had an audacious love for children that she inherited from her parents. She taught for decades in the Moses Lake School District and Founded the Youth Senior Connection (YSC) program. She hosted Birthday Parties for Jesus in her home with neighborhood children and adopted many friends’ children as her own grandchildren.

William “Bill” Englar, Jr.

Jan. 22, 1932 - Aug. 6, 2022

William "Bill" J. Englar, Jr. was born Jan. 22, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away on Aug. 6, 2022, in his adopted state of Montana. Bill loved potatoes and his family, enjoying both for over 90 years. He graduated from Michigan State College earning his degree in food science and entered the U.S. Air Force from the ROTC program. He was honorably discharged at the rank of captain. Bill married Florence "Flo" Shaw in 1959 beginning their life together in Idaho Falls, Idaho where their four children, Terri (Rick) Moncada, Eileen (Roger) Martinez, Cheryl (Alan) Coulter and Jim (Tiffany) Englar were born. The potato industry lured the Englar family to Moses Lake in 1972 where he worked and lived until retirement. He loved working as a food scientist, but he also enjoyed woodworking, camping, fishing, boating, snowmobile riding and so much more. Travel was an important part, whether by station wagon, train or plane across the country to visit family or overseas for work or pleasure with his favorite trip being to Ireland.

Pet of the Week: Rullon

Rullon is a young shepherd dog that is still very puppy like and full of exuberance. He’s very smart and willing to learn but he’s sensitive and responds to the littlest cues. Rulan is ready for new adventures in his life and would love to be with someone that has an active lifestyle. Rulan is neutered, microchipped and up to date on all vaccines. Call Adams County Pet Rescue at 509-488-5514 for more information about adopting Rulan or other four-legged friends. ACPR is located at 1961 W. Bench Road in Othello. Hours and other information are available at https://adamscountypetrescue.com.

Riverdogs fall in World Series quarterfinals

EPHRATA – Following clinching a place in bracket play Wednesday with a 7-5 win over Farmers Baseball, the Columbia Basin Riverdogs fell to the Southeast Tropics 3-1 on Thursday evening. After stranding two runners in the bottom of the second inning on a double play, the Southeast Tropics rode their momentum in the bottom of the second inning. The Tropics took a 1-0 lead on a fielder’s choice, sending Drew Klipfel home. The Riverdogs matched the score on a Blaine MacDonald RBI single, which sent Gavin Burns home. The score was locked at 1-1 until the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Tropics sent a ball over the right field wall for a two-run home run by Hayden Nazarenus, giving Southeast a 3-1 lead. In the top of the seventh inning, with the game on the line, the Riverdogs had the bases loaded after two walks. However, the Riverdogs were unable to mount a comeback, wrapping up their World Series appearance. Stay tuned for full coverage of the remaining games in the World Series, taking place tonight and Saturday afternoon.

Insurance and wildfires

Mitigating risks and ensuring proper coverage

MOSES LAKE — A lot of things can damage a home, but according to insurance agent Steve Crapson, fire is different. “You can save a lot of stuff from water, but you can’t save stuff from fire,” Crapson said. “Once it's burnt. It's gone forever. Those memories, those are the part of the cost that you can't recoup ever. Pictures, sentimental quilts, those kinds of things. They never can be redone.” Crapson, an exclusive agent for Allstate Insurance, said it’s better for homeowners, especially those living in the countryside, at the edge of towns, and in high-risk areas far from a rapid fire department response, to approach fire risk more with prevention rather than recovery in mind. In 2021, wildfires consumed more than 1.9 million acres in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, according to a press release from the Northwest Insurance Council. Even with 2022’s cooler and wetter spring, this year’s fire season is already upon us...

Legals for August, 12 2022

Vantage fire close to contained, but fire danger remains high

COLUMBIA BASIN — While fire crews in Kittitas and Yakima counties are close to fully containing both the Vantage Highway and Cow Canyon fires, blazes elsewhere in the region are prompting state and local officials to mobilize firefighters as this year’s wildfire season continues. According to Ryan Rodruck, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the Vantage Highway fire, which broke out on Aug. 1 near Vantage, is 90% contained and has burned more than 30,000 acres. The Cow Canyon fire, which has burned nearly 6,000 acres on the boundary between Kittitas and Yakima counties, is about 80% contained, Rodruck added. “They made significant progress toward containment, and both are in mop-up phase. They still have a few more areas,” Rodruck said. Late Wednesday, however, the Washington State Patrol issued notices that firefighters and state resources were being mobilized to fight two new fires — the Canyon Road fire in Yakima County near Grandview and the Mohr Fire in Douglas County...

Grant PUD considering Wanapum Dam embankment analysis

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will consider a proposal to hire the engineering firm Gannett Fleming to analyze the right embankment at Wanapum Dam to determine if it is at risk for erosion. If approved, the 10-year contract would cost a maximum of $15 million. “Our embankments were built well, and with the best practices of the time they were built,” said Rebecca Simpson, PUD engineering manager. Utility district engineer Logan Castle said during a presentation at the commission meeting Tuesday that the analysis would focus the embankment on the Grant County side, and would look at the potential for what Castle called internal erosion. Christine Pratt, PUD public information officer, said there is no risk to the public, but that utility district officials want to ensure the embankment remains stable. However, the construction method meant that some of the work was done in the water, what Simpson called,” in the wet,” which limited the options. Some sections of the embankment are at higher risk than others, she said...

Grant Co. Fire District 7 keeps busy

SOAP LAKE - Only 11 days into August, Grant County Fire District 7 has been busy. They have responded to several incidents and received the items from a grant they were selected for. GCFD7 Chief Kirk Sheppard said so far this month the department has responded to 18 calls; 11 for EMS, two smoke investigations and five fires. He said they usually have 28 to 34 calls a month but in June and July they have had 57 calls each month. With the 18 calls as of Aug. 11, he expects them to be in the 50s by the end of the month. “The thing in this community is probably 70% of our call volume is an EMS call,” Sheppard said. One of the first major fire incidents this month for the department occurred on Aug. 2. At about 7:15 a.m GCFD7 was alerted to a report of an outside fire at Road B.5 NE, east of Soap Lake, according to a release by GCFD7...

ACSO arrests man in connection with trespass

RITZVILLE — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man wanted in connection with trespassing following last week’s fire south of Lind. In a statement, ACSO deputies arrested Richard Dean Hendrickson, 35, of Lind, for second-degree criminal trespass, and booked him into the Adams County Jail on Wednesday afternoon. Hendrickson was sought after ACSO deputies responded to a report of criminal trespass in the 300 block of S. Van Marter Avenue on Aug. 6, and was again spotted in Lind on Tuesday, Aug. 9, when he fled, according to the ACSO posting. According to the statement, while fleeing, Hendrickson violated two no-contact orders and was already wanted for two previous no-contact order violations. Because Hendrickson already has two felony convictions for similar offenses, the ACSO posting said the current charges could be increased to a felony from a misdemeanor.

MLHS Alumni donate to cancer foundation

MOSES LAKE — Members of the Moses Lake High School class of 1982 wanted to do something special to mark their 40th reunion. “Our class has been really tight,” said Rich Victor, one of the organizers of this year’s reunion. “There’s a lot of us that are lifetime Moses Lakers and we got through kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade.” In fact, Victor said the class is more like a family. “A family that gets along, for the most part,” he said. So at their big reunion soiree the last weekend of July, a three-night affair that included live music, graduates raised $1,500 for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation and another $500 for MLHS athletics programs. “We had a donation jar out. People just listened to the music, had a great time having some beverages and we filled up the donation jar,” Victor said...

GCSO identifies driver, victims in fatal crash

MOSES LAKE — Investigators with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office have determined who was driving the vehicle during a single-car accident on July 30 west of Moses Lake that left one person dead and three injured. According to a GCSO statement, investigators determined that Kari S. Ortega, 22, of Moses Lake, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier west on South Frontage Road near Hiawatha when she failed to negotiate a curve. That prompted her to lose control of the car, which rolled several times and ejected all four occupants. The GCSO said Armando D. Lopez of Quincy died at the scene, while Christopher Rios Chavez, 18, of Quincy, was admitted to a Spokane hospital for treatment, as was an unnamed 14-year-old girl from Quincy, who has since been admitted to a rehabilitation center for treatment of her injuries. In its post, the GCSO said it continues to investigate the accident.

End of an era

MOSES LAKE - Crews work to remove the Chiefs sign from the front of Moses Lake High School Wednesday. The school district was forced to change its mascot to the Mavericks after a state law was passed requiring public entities to review their usage of Native American imagery and receive permission from the nearest tribal authority to continue using Native themes. The tribes of the Colville Reservation declined to allow the continued use of the Indigenous imagery to all requesters earlier this year.

Wildcat volleyball picked second in preseason poll

ELLENSBURG – CWU volleyball was picked to finish second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference on Wednesday, the GNAC announced. Coming off a 2021 season where the Wildcats finished with a 17-9 overall and 12-6 in GNAC play, CWU also advanced to its ninth-consecutive Division II West Regionals. The Wildcats finished the 2021 regular season with a 6-1 record and had a 3-1 victory over Chaminade in the West Regional...

EWU women’s soccer wraps up exhibition play Friday

CHENEY – EWU will wrap up their exhibition games tonight against Yakima Valley Community College, their final of two preseason matches. Earlier this week the Eagles defeated the University of Calgary Dinos 3-0 in an exhibition match held in Cheney, starting the season on a positive note both on offense and defense. "Winning is hard and there is a mentality that goes with that. We are really proud of our effort today," EWU women’s soccer head coach Missy Strasburg said. "We have a lot of young players, but we had a lot of growth today. I was stoked to get three really good goals. Pitching a shutout is also an important aspect of what we are trying to do."...

Smith expected to start at QB when Seahawks open preseason

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Geno Smith is expected to get the start at quarterback when the Seattle Seahawks open the preseason this weekend against Pittsburgh, coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday.

Santana's homer rallies Mariners for 4-3 win over Yankees

SEATTLE (AP) — In a clubhouse with little experience of being in a playoff chase, Carlos Santana is the old guy that can be turned to for advice and guidance.

Cowboy Breakfast set for Friday

MOSES LAKE — It being the Grant County Fair next week - and the fair being all about tradition - Fair Week kicks off Friday with the traditional Cowboy Breakfast. Breakfast will be served starting at 7 a.m. in Sinkiuse Square, next to the Moses Lake Post Office. . .

Betty Noel Bensal and Sue Bensal

The Bensal Family is holding a potluck memorial Service for Betty Noel Bensal and Sue Bensal on Aug. 13, 2022, from 3pm to 6pm at McCosh park at the picnic area.

Troy Moore: Only as good as his deckhands

THE DALLES — Troy Moore slowly and carefully adjusts both the rudders and the throttle on the tugboat Lincoln as he maneuvers into the lock at The Dalles Dam. As pilot of Shaver Transportation’s tugboat Lincoln, he’s pushing four giant barges, each 42 feet wide, all over 200 feet long with the longest nearly 300 feet, lashed together and filled with 13,000 tons of wheat. The tow — that’s what he calls the whole assembly of barges and tugboat — just barely fits in the lock, and Moore listens intently to deckhand Sean Malloy as he calls out numbers. “120 … 110 … 100,” Malloy said, telling Moore just how close the bow of the front left barge is from the long wall of the lock and how much space he has to port — the left side of the tow — so he can maneuver. It’s something these inland sailors do at every dam lock and at every approach to a grain terminal. The tow is more than 600 feet long, and even five decks up in the Lincoln’s wheelhouse, Moore can’t easily see around the bow of the two front barges 500 feet in front of him. “I can’t see nothing,” Moore said. “I can’t even see the wall.” Moore very carefully pushed the tow into the lock. If he scraped or even touched either of the sides — and there’s only one foot of space to either side of the tow — you couldn’t feel it and you couldn’t hear it. Once in, Malloy and Colby Glaze, a midshipman from the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo working for a few weeks as a trainee with Shaver, secured the tow to a pair of floating metal bumpers attached to the wall of the lock...

Soap Lake to light up the water this weekend

SOAP LAKE — Kayaks, paddle boards and canoes will take to the waters of Soap Lake Saturday for the annual Paddle Races/Moonlight Paddle sponsored by the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce. Events are scheduled for 3 to 10 p.m. at the East Beach Park, at the intersection of Canna Street North and First Avenue NE. Race registration is $5 per person. Registration and other activities open at 3 p.m. at the park. Activities include live music, a beer garden, food vendors and three bouncy houses for children. Admission to the bouncy houses is free...

Kimiko Nakagawa Olliff Davis

June 1, 1932 - Aug. 4, 2022

On August 4, 2022, Kimi passed away peacefully at age 90 with her daughters by her side. Kimiko Nakagawa was born June 1, 1932, in Himi, Japan. In Japan, she was preceded in death by her father, one brother, stepfather, mother, and two sisters-in-law. She is survived by brothers Koichi, Akizo, and Rokuro, and sister Michiko. Kimi married American airman, the late Grayson Olliff, in Yokosuka, Japan, and raised three daughters as they moved to Air Force bases in Warner Robins, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Tachikawa, Japan; Langley, Virginia; Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada; and Layton, Utah. After settling in Moses Lake, Washington in 1978 with their youngest daughter Donna, Kimi and Grayson divorced. Kimi later married Willie Davis. She waitressed at the Flight Deck Restaurant before starting work for the Moses Lake School District as a cook. She retired as the head cook at Knolls Vista Elementary School, where she was affectionately known as “the lunch lady” by many children.

Legals for August, 11 2022

MLPD makes case for new $7M.station

Aging facility in need of upgrades, expansion - or replacement

MOSES LAKE — Even if the city of Moses Lake remodels and expands the current police department building, the Moses Lake Police Department will still need additional space in the near future. “18,500 square feet is the immediate need,” said Richard Murakami, an architect with Seattle-based Rolluda Architects, during a presentation to the Moses Lake City Council on Tuesday. Murakami said that need can basically be met right now if the current MLPD building is remodeled and the Parks and Recreation Department — which shares the building — is relocated. He estimated the cost of remodeling the building, originally constructed in 1977, at roughly $7.6 million. “We looked at the existing station, how much space is currently needed now and in 10 years,” Murakami said. ...

Quincy kindergarten enrollment low so far

QUINCY — The number of kindergarten students registering for the 2022-23 school year in the Quincy School District is lower than normal for this time of year. District Superintendent Nik Bergman updated Quincy School Board members on the kindergarten registration during the regular board meeting Tuesday. In answer to a question from Board Member Tricia Lubach, Bergman estimated kindergarten registration so far at about 180 children. Typically, kindergarten enrollment is about 220 children, he said. “A little lower than normal,” Bergman said. “But what we experienced last year is a heavy enrollment the week before school started and the week after school started.” Depending on enrollment, one of the district’s elementary schools may have to add another class to accommodate kindergarten, Bergman said. How that would affect staffing is still to be determined, he said.

Limited Valley Road work to continue during fair

Funding for Yonezawa traffic circle announced at council meeting

MOSES LAKE — Construction crews will continue their work on W. Valley Road next week despite an original agreement with the city to halt all work during the Grant County Fair. “We can tell (the contractor), ‘No,’ but they’re still responsible under the contract for site safety and traffic control,” Moses Lake City Engineer Richard Law told council members at a regular meeting Tuesday evening. Law said the contractor rebuilding much of W. Valley Road, Wenatchee-based Selland, is ahead of schedule and asked to be able to do limited work — placing manhole covers and dealing with storm sewer catch basins on the south side of the road — because they need to have crews there during fair week anyway to keep the site secure and ensure traffic safety signs and cones stay in place. Work crews began tearing the $2.8 million project to rebuild W. Valley Road from Stratford Road to Paxson Road in June, with the proviso that work halt during fair week. Council Member Dustin Swartz said the request amounts to changing the rules, that the other bidders on the project might have concerns, and that allowing work to go during the fair might make getting to and from the fairgrounds more difficult. “There’s truck and trailer traffic at all hours of the day,” Swartz said. “There’s mixed messaging there.” ...

10U Moses Lake takes to World Series

Indiana games a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity for local athletes

VINCENNES, IN – At the Cal Ripken World Series in Indiana, 10U Moses Lake has been enjoying time both on and off the diamond. The 10U Cal Ripken World Series brought in 20 teams from around the country, spanning from Hawaii to Florida. “There happens to be 20 of the best teams in America, and we’re seeing teams with the best arms that we’ve seen all year,” 10U Moses Lake Head Coach Steve Keller said. “Throwing 63, 64 miles an hour and guys that play defense as well as we can.” Keller credited those around the Moses Lake community and players’ parents for assisting the team to get to Indiana. “We had a lot of involvement from the entire parent group to get us there,” Keller said. “It worked very well, and really exciting to get the boys all together. That experience to have 13 players all in the airport with the anticipation - very memorable.” ...

Ephrata tennis league raises money for EHS program

EPHRATA – The Tuesday Night Tennis League at Ephrata High School concluded Tuesday night, wrapping up its four-evening schedule. “I think it was a big hit,” Ephrata girl’s tennis head coach Britney Maclaod said. “We raised quite a bit (more) money than what we’re used to getting. For us, that was a huge bonus.” The league successfully raised enough money to purchase a new ball machine, as well as mitigate costs that come up throughout the season. Finishing its third year, the league saw a sharp uptick in participation. “Our first year doing this we had just a handful of teams,” Macleod said. “They were just kind of our own kids from our own program. This year, it really took off - the first night we had about 30 teams kind of filling all the courts and whatnot.” ...

William "Bill" Englar

William “Bill” Englar, formerly from Moses Lake, passed away Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. Services will be announced at a later date.

Patricia Lynn Bradway

1950-2021

Patricia Bradway, born to Fred and Gertrude Holden, grew up in Ogden, British Columbia. She was the oldest of six children and lovingly referred to as “The Warden” by her siblings.

Lucas J. Long

Lucas was a great man, happy and funny, always the life of the party.

Douglas Ty Whitner

Douglas Ty Whitener, 68, of Yakima, Washington, passed away July 30, 2022 at Virginia Mason Hospital after his long battle with cancer.

Babe Ruth World Series action continues

Standings as of Tuesday

EPHRATA – The 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series wraps up pool play Wednesday, with the final game being the Columbia Basin Riverdogs facing off against Farmers Baseball. Here are the standings of the tournament through Tuesday afternoon. The Southeast Tropics out of Chaffee, Missouri sit atop the American Division with a 3-0 record, and a plus-14 run differential. Following the Tropics are the Alabama Rawdogs out of Mobile, Alabama, who sit at 2-0 with a plus-20 run differential. At 2-2 are the Lutz Hellcats in third place, and a plus-2 run differential. Currently outside of bracket play in the American Division are the Southwest Washington All Stars out of Toledo - with an 0-2 record and a minus-17 run differential - and the Klamath Falls Falcons, out of Klamath Falls, Oregon, who are 0-3 with a minus-19 run differential...

Wreaths Across America visits Ephrata

Mobile display honors those who served

EPHRATA - The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit made a stop in Ephrata on Friday. The exhibit is a trailer that features a short video, pictures and infographics about Wreaths Across America and volunteers there to talk with visitors. “It’s the personal connection,” said Deborah Kellogg, Wreaths Across America Ambassador. “You can read things but when you come in here and you’re immersed in it, and we can talk to you about it, instead of just looking at a screen. We can carry on a human conversation.” Deborah and her husband, DeLane Kellogg are ambassadors for WAA and said they love doing it. Wreaths Across America is a program started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company based in Harrington, Maine. That year, Worcester found his company with extra wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. He decided he would arrange for the surplus of wreaths to be laid at Arlington National Cemetery, according to the event’s website...

Legals for August, 10 2022

Othello receives grant contract for new basketball courts

OTHELLO — Othello city officials have received a contract for a $350,000 grant that will pay for construction of two new basketball courts in Lions Park. It’s the first contract of a $1.35 million project to expand the basketball courts and rebuild the Lions Park playground. “What I’ve heard from (the Recreation and Conservation Office) is that we have contracts by the end of September because their budget season is coming to an end and we need to have all those contracts out by then,” Thalia Lemus, the city’s grant administrator, said. City officials obtained grants in 2021 to pay for the basketball courts as well as the redesign and rebuild of the playground. Construction was scheduled for 2022, but changes in the construction market and the need to meet contract stipulations led to a delay. Lemus said contracts are still pending for the two grants that will pay for the playground redesign. Lemus updated Othello City Council members on the status of ongoing grant-funded projects during the regular council meeting Monday...

GCSO seeks public's aid in finding missing Othello-area man

OTHELLO — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in finding an Othello-area man who has been missing since Aug. 4. Audel Espinoza-Duenas, 43, was last seen near his home in the 7700 block of Road 12 SW, about five miles south of the Potholes Reservoir, wrote Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. He was last seen about 7:40 p.m. that day. “He does not have any history which would lead investigators to suspect he disappeared due to his own decision,” Foreman wrote. Espinoza-Duenas is about six feet tall, weighs roughly 240 pounds and was last seen wearing blue work overalls. “To ensure a secure investigation, there is information about this case we cannot share publicly and questions we cannot currently answer,” Foreman wrote. Anyone with information on Espinoza-Duenas is asked to contact the GCSO, 509-762-1160, or email crimetips@grantcountywa.gov. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

MLFD firefighter injured in Monday evening blaze

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake Fire Department firefighter was injured Monday evening fighting a fire that engulfed a residence, according to a city of Moses Lake press release. At approximately 6:25 p.m. Monday, MLFD firefighters supported by units from Grant County Fire District 5 responded to reports of a structure fire in the 500 block of Canterbury Lane, the press release said. Firefighters arriving on the scene were also told that two residents were still inside the building. At that time fire crews also entered the building to look for anyone trapped in the home. During the search, however, a resident told MLFD firefighters that no one was in the house. Crews withdrew, and in the course of fighting the fire, a support beam holding up a porch covering failed and fell. It struck a 46-year-old firefighter, the press release said. The firefighter was transported to Samaritan Hospital, was treated and released later that evening...

Riverdogs on brink of bracket play

EPHRATA – With a 1-2 record through the first three games of pool play in the 2022 16-18U World Series, the Columbia Basin Riverdogs are faced with a matchup against Farmers Baseball tonight for the opportunity to advance to bracket play. “I hope to continue to see good baseball, well-played baseball,” Riverdogs Head Coach Jason Laugen said. “And being the coach of the Riverdogs, I hope to see us come out of our funk on Wednesday and get the bats rolling again.” The Riverdogs began play on Saturday with a 10-0 win against the KUBA Kings from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, with a strong outing from the pitcher’s mound and the batter’s box. “The first game, our offense was really clicking,” Laugen said. “I mean, we got 12 hits, scored 10 runs.” ...

Basin sports schedule for August 10-16

Baseball, soccer and summer fun

The week ahead includes a mix of local, college and professional sports teams facing off on diamonds, pitches, tracks and other venues...

Judge hits No. 44, Yankees beat Mariners 9-4 to stop skid

SEATTLE (AP) — On a night when the Yankees ended their losing streak and Aaron Judge homered yet again, it wasn't all good news for New York.

State council gets federal workforce improvement grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Student Achievement Council has been awarded a $23.5 million grant under a U.S. Department of Commerce workforce training program.

GALLERY: Weekend in sports

The Columbia Basin and Washington colleges were home to several sporting events over the weekend, including the 2022 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series, a BMX race that raised funds to fight cancer and Eastern Washington University football started their training camp to get ready for the upcoming season.

Legals for August, 9 2022

Man airlifted after dirt bike-vehicle collision

MOSES LAKE — A man was airlifted to Confluence Health-Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee after his dirt bike collided with a car Monday morning near Moses Lake. Don Palmen was driving south on Moon Drive NE near the Moses Lake city limits at about 8:30 a.m. Monday when he hit a car, according to information from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The driver of the car, Lily Knowles, was driving east on Dorothy Street NE. The GCSO report said Palmen failed to stop at the stop sign on Moon Drive. Palmen was treated at the scene and was later transported to CWH. Knowles and her passenger were not injured, the GCSO report said.

Firefighters keep battling Vantage fire, Lind fire out

Wet spring adds fuel to region's fire season, officials say

GRANT COUNTY — While the fire that threatened the Adams County town of Lind has been extinguished, firefighters still continue to battle a fire in the hills north of Vantage and have that blaze 75% contained, according to a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. “That’s good news,” DNR spokesperson Janet Pearce said of the Lind fire. “It was contained as of Aug. 4.” The Lind fire consumed roughly 2,500 acres south of town, according to Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner, destroyed six homes and eight garages and outbuildings. The fire, which broke out Thursday, prompted local officials to issue an evacuation order last Thursday for the entire town. However, the evacuation order was eventually restricted to residents in the southern portion of Lind, and was fully lifted on Friday when the fire was contained, Wagner said. “The Adams County Posse assisted with security and guarded the burnt out buildings over the weekend,” Wagner said. “One individual was found doing something he shouldn’t have.” Wagner said he would release more details about the incident later. According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a joint operation overseen by major federal land management agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of Interior, a collection of state agencies and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, reported that firefighters continued to battle the Vantage Highway fire. The fire, which erupted on Aug. 1 near Vantage, has burned more than 32,000 acres north of I-90 and west of the Columbia River in Kittitas County...

MLSD Learning Services Center gets new landmark

Student-built sculpture a work of 'perseverance'

MOSES LAKE — The entrance to the Moses Lake School District Learning Services Center is now identifiable by a stack of books. Okay, not actual books, but a book sculpture constructed by students at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center. “It’s pretty cool-looking, isn’t it?” former MLSD Board Member Vickey Melcher said. The metal statue was installed Monday afternoon while an interested audience of MLSD personnel watched. A crew from Miers Construction, Moses Lake, moved the sculpture into place. Melcher said the project started when the district offices moved from their former location on Ivy Street. The sculpture depicts two books leaning against each other and sitting on a third book. Former MLSD administrator Dave Balcom said the design was a collaboration between skills center students, instructors and former MLSD superintendent Josh Meek...

Seattle Kraken add Dave Lowry to staff as assistant coach

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Kraken have added former Winnipeg interim coach Dave Lowry to the coaching staff for the upcoming season, the team announced Monday.

Winker hits slam, Mariners drop Angels 6-3; Ohtani shaken up

SEATTLE (AP) — Jesse Winker hit a grand slam, Marco Gonzales struck out seven and the Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-3 on Sunday as Shohei Ohtani received a visit from trainers and continued to struggle.

Bellevue’s Max Herendeen takes Junior PGA title

PALOS PARK, ILL. – Max Herendeen of Bellevue and Kaitlyn Schroeder of Jacksonville, Florida were crowned Junior PGA champions on Friday, held at the Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Palos Park, Illinois. Herendeen held a five-shot advantage en route to victory, while Schroeder shot six-under for a 66, winning by two strokes at the 46th Junior PGA Championships. In the final round, Herendeen shot four under par, finishing with an overall of 16-under for a score of 272. Schroeder finished 14-under overall, overcame a two-shot deficit and won the Patty Berg Trophy. “It was definitely a ball-striking week,” Herendeen said. “I didn’t putt as well as I probably could have. I struck the ball well. I left a lot of shots out there with the putter. I just knew if I kept giving myself opportunities, I’d have good chances. Mentally I got myself around the course really well, played to the smart side of the holes, really eliminated the big numbers. That was my goal for the week, no doubles and we got through the week with no doubles.” Before she could celebrate, Schroeder had to wait to see Mikhaela Malixi bogey on 18...

Babe Ruth World Series brings in teams from across U.S.

Tourney a growing experience for young players

EPHRATA – Baseball teams from around the country gathered in Ephrata last week for the 2022 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series held at Ephrata High School. With the Columbia Basin Riverdogs serving as the host team, they are joined by teams from Washington, Alabama, Missouri, Oregon, Connecticut, California and Pennsylvania. “It’s a blast,” Northwest Bakersfield (California) Manager Jacob Brum said. “I think the best part is the experience for the kids. To be able to come out to a different state and play against other states - and just see what baseball around the world is like.” The World Series is held from Aug 6-13, with teams beginning with pool play before entering the tournament phase...

Mattawa revisits regulating adult entertainment

MATTAWA — The regulation of adult entertainment in Mattawa was the topic of discussion at Thursday’s Mattawa City Council meeting. “I think we need some kind of protection for the city,” Councilmember Wendy Lopez said. “Regardless, we’re still going to have problems, so I still think we need something in play. So we can take action if something happens.” Thursday’s discussion followed a previous conversation at the July 21 council meeting, after city officials learned that a local business had hosted performances of an adult nature. City attorney Kathryn Kenison said the question of adult entertainment has been extensively adjudicated, and cities can’t prohibit it. It can, however, be regulated. Lopez said she felt the regulation was a good idea...

Thyroid conditions in pets: Hyperthyroidism

The thyroids are small but important glands located in the neck that produce hormones affecting all aspects of metabolism and many other vital body functions. Dogs or cats experiencing problems with the thyroid can have a variety of physical symptoms and behavioral changes. The majority of thyroid problems in pets are because of an underproduction of thyroid hormones, known as hypothyroidism, or an overproduction of thyroid hormones, known as hyperthyroidism. In the first part of a two-part series on thyroid conditions, Dr. Kathleen Aicher, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, discusses hypothyroidism and how it can impact our canine and feline friends. “Thyroid problems are encountered commonly in veterinary medicine, but they tend to affect dogs and cats differently,” Aicher said. “Cats commonly develop hyperthyroidism and very uncommonly develop hypothyroidism, while dogs commonly develop hypothyroidism and rarely develop hyperthyroidism.” ...

‘We have kids out here enjoying themselves’

Games and fun at first ever National Night Out in Mattawa

MATTAWA — Children and adults got a chance to look at law enforcement and fire vehicles - lights flashing and everything - play games and run in and out of a big sprinkler, courtesy of Grant County Fire District 8, at the first ever National Night Out in Mattawa on Aug. 2. Mattawa Police Chief Robert Salinas organized NNO in Mattawa, having been part of similar events when he worked in Granger, Ellensburg and Toppenish, he said on Aug. 2. National Night Out gives law enforcement and fire agencies a chance to talk to people in their communities, he said. . .

Play begins in 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series

Riverdogs win first match

EPHRATA – The 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series began in Ephrata this weekend, with the Columbia Basin Riverdogs winning their first game. The Riverdogs defeated the Middle Atlantic Region champion KUBA Kings on Saturday evening 10-0, with 12 hits in the process. The Riverdogs played again Sunday evening, but results were not available in time for publication. They’ll play again on Monday and Wednesday, with both games beginning at 7 p.m. Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

Folk musician Billy Prine to perform at Cave B

QUINCY — A concert featuring folk musicians Billy Prine and the Prine Time Band has been rescheduled to 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Cave B Winery, 348 Silica Road NW. The concert originally was scheduled for Aug. 6 but had to be postponed due to poor air quality, according to information from Shawn Cardwell, Columbia Basin Allied Arts executive director. Cave B and CBAA are the concert sponsors. Prine is the brother of legendary folk musician John Prine, who died in 2020. Billy Prine will perform original music and some of his brother’s songs, along with telling stories about his brother and their family life. Tickets are $35 and are available at the CBAA website, www.cba-arts.org.

Evelyn Lenore (Evie) Melcher

September 8, 2012 -- July 19, 2022

Evelyn Lenore (Evie) Melcher, 9, of Ephrata, passed away July 19th, 2022, at Seattle Children’s Hospital after a sudden cardiac arrest in the early morning hours of July 14th. Evie was born September 8, 2012, at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, to Ross and Addy Melcher. Our beautiful girl came home to two loving older brothers, Everett and Casey. Evie was a feisty little thing – always keeping up with her brothers and determined to never be left out. She loved meeting new people and made friends with everyone.

Pet of the Week: Kimmy

Kimmy is a 4-year-old Stafford shire mix, up to date on shots, microchipped and spayed.

What To Expect When Your Horse is Expecting

Witnessing the birth of an animal can be a beautiful experience, but it can also be stressful or even scary if things do not go as planned.....

Legals for August, 8 2022

Ag officials warn against rabbit virus

OLYMPIA — Officials with the Washington State Department of Agriculture have confirmed the presence in the state of yet another highly infectious animal disease with the discovery of two cases of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2, also known as RHDV2, in a single household in Thurston county in late July. In a press release issued last week, WSDA said the confirmation of the Thurston County cases follow the discovery of RHDV2 in King County in May and two Oregon counties in late July. WSDA said in response, state officials and rabbit owners need to improve biosecurity in order to limit the spread of the disease. “Stopping this disease from spreading starts with rabbit owners employing biosecurity measures such as limiting contact with wild rabbits, isolating new rabbits from existing ones for 21 days, paying attention to where feed is sourced from, and keeping your rabbits housed off the ground or indoors,” Washington State Veterinarian Amber Itle said in the press release...

Grant County business survey shows mixed results

EPHRATA — China is the most important export market for major businesses in Grant County, according to the Grant County Economic Development Council’s recently released Wage and Benefits Survey for 2022. The survey, conducted with assistance from the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, received responses from 19 companies operating in Grant County, found that 84.5% of the companies surveyed export some share of their output, with China being the most important buyer of Grant County products. China is followed by Japan, the rest of Asia and then Canada. Companies responding to the survey were not named in the 57-page report. Of the responding companies, 14 had operations in Moses Lake, two in Quincy, and two in Othello, while the others did not respond. One company responding to the survey has been operating at its current site in Grant County for 106 years, while the newest company in the survey has only been in the area for five years. The largest company in the survey reported having 678 full-time employees — 94 of them salaried — for a total payroll of $44 million while the smallest company reported having 11 full-time employees with only one salaried position for a total annual payroll of $550,000...

Quincy school board passes $74.14M budget

QUINCY — The Quincy School District will operate with a budget of about $74.14 million for the 2022-23 school year. Quincy School Board members approved the budget, in part based on student enrollment, with a unanimous vote at the regular meeting July 26. “It’s a crystal ball,” said Quincy superintendent Nik Bergman of the yearly enrollment projections. “You never know.” Of the total, about $62.86 million is in the district’s general fund, which pays for most operations and maintenance. State funding for education in Washington is based on the number of students in school. Quincy district officials are projecting district-wide enrollment will be the equivalent of 3,140 students. The funding mechanism means that district officials must estimate enrollment before the school year begins. “We budget very conservatively. We feel that’s the prudent thing,” Bergman said...

Race for Life raises more than $4,000 in the fight against cancer

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake BMX hosted its Race for Life event, part of a 600-point weekend with fellow BMX tracks in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. The event raised money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, with riders raising money on their own and pooling it together. “The event turned out great,” Track Operator Jeff Niehenke said. “We had a great turnout; we raised a ton of money.” The track had a goal of raising $1,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and more than doubled that goal. “Our goal was $1,500 for the track, and we raised $4,027.” Niehenke described the feeling of support as “incredible.” “It’s incredible to exceed our goal by that much,” Niehenke said. “Each year we keep getting bigger and bigger, and it just shows how strong the BMX community is and how much we love each other.” With the collaborated weekend with tracks in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, many riders came to Moses Lake from out of town. “We do have quite a few riders from out of town for this, because it is a double points weekend,” Niehenke said. “I’m hoping a lot of riders go out and support the other tracks for their Race for Life as well.” ...

Eagles begin fall camp

Annual transition allows new leaders to step forward

CHENEY – Following a long offseason, Eastern Washington hosted its first full team practice of the season. The Eagles, coming off a 10-3 season and an appearance in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, lost key offensive starters in quarterback Eric Barriere, left tackle Tristen Taylor, running back Dennis Merritt and receiver Talolo Limu-Jones. “(It’s) always a transition year, because you lose the top-end seniors or you lose some guys,” EWU Head Coach Aaron Best said. It’s a different year because you had a combination of spring and fall guys last fall, so it is different that way, but it’s kind of a more normal fall (now).” Several players have stepped up into more leadership roles, something he likes to see in his teams, Best said. “The guys that took over for the senior class that left have been yearning to lead,” he said. “They led all spring; they led all summer, and I’m excited to see them lead this fall for their first real opportunity when they’re keeping score.” ...

James Richard Link

April 24, 1937 - July 28, 2022

Jim was the kind of guy that would often say, “I had everything I ever wanted.” Jim was born in an apple shack in Omak, WA on April 24th, 1937. He was the first son of Alfred M. and Mary E. Link. He had an older sister Marilyn (Clinton) Anderson, deceased, and leaves a younger brother David (Donna) Link of Helena, MT. He passed away at home with family by his side on August 28th. Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years Mary L. (Walisch) Link, daughter Terri A. Link, son Allen R. Link (Leesa), daughter Laura J. Marchand (Mitch), and preceded in death by infant son Steven R. Link. He was also blessed to be Papa to 8 grandchildren: Audrey (Andrew) Stout, Joshua (Aileen) Link, Kasey James, Miranda (Sean) Stille, Karrah (Kurt) Nygard, Austin Romerein, Zachary Link, Jacob Link, as well as 11 great-grandchildren: Lexi, Peyton, Kali, Belle, Kash, Abby, Dax, Isla, Austin, Megan, and Jordan. He will be remembered fondly for his never-ending supply of M&M’s, ice-cream time, his apple tree, pontoon boat rides, papa jokes, toad-in-the-holes, papa juice, the dirt pile, soda pop in the garage, and his assortment of stray cats, to name only a few...

Rolando Martinez Adame

January 25, 1952 - August 2, 2022

On August 2nd, 2022, Rolando Martinez Adame was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. He was born in Crystal City, Texas on January 25th, 1952 to Concepcion and Maria Estela Adame. He was proud to be a Tejano, even after his family moved to Washington in the late 50s. Rolando spent a lot of time in Texas because of his very special relationship with his grandmother Maria Martinez. Rolando graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1970. He went on to graduate from Big Bend Community College, Central Washington University and Gonzaga Law School. He was very inspiring to those within the Mexican/Latino community. He graduated high school at a 4th-grade reading level and defied odds by becoming an attorney, having his own practice in Yakima, Washington. Before finishing his schooling he was a manager at Northwest Rural Opportunities (NRO) which helped promote prosperity in the Mexican community. He also worked as a probation officer mentoring all those around him. In addition to these feats, he also spent many years serving as a board member at El Centro De La Raza in Seattle...

Rising costs, decreasing revenue have impact on Samaritan financial picture

MOSES LAKE — It’s been an economically bumpy 2022 for Samaritan Healthcare, and the tough economic times contributed to the decision by hospital board members to delay the start of construction of a new Samaritan Hospital. Joe Kunkel, the consultant working with the hospital on the construction project, said the cost-benefit analysis is the same for Samaritan as for any business, or even a home loan. “There’s the capital cost of the project itself,” Kunkel said. “But then there’s the underlying feasibility study that says to the (lender) that you have an operation that can pay the mortgage.” . .

Chief for a Day, lots to do at Quincy National Night Out

QUINCY — The Chief for a Day was sworn in - by a judge, too - there were police cars and police motorcycles, fire trucks, games, fun cars, hot dogs and ice cream. . .

Cougars named in top 25 of preseason poll

PULLMAN – The United Soccer Coaches released its preseason poll for women’s soccer Tuesday, with the Washington State Cougars placing at No. 20.

WCC announces men’s basketball conference schedule

SAN MATEO, CALIF. – The West Coast Conference announced its 2022-23 men’s basketball conference games schedule on Tuesday, which will be held over a nine-week period spanning from December 31 through February 25.

World Series in Ephrata begins Saturday

EPHRATA – The 2022 16-18U Babe Ruth World Series makes its way to Ephrata this weekend, bringing in teams from around the United States.

Legals for August, 5 2022

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.....

Ralph William Fleming

August 6, 1929 - July 8, 2022

Ralph William Fleming, 92, of Silverton, Idaho, passed away July 8, 2022 at the Good Samaritan- Silver Wood Village of Silverton. He was born August 6, 1929 in Lewellen, Nebraska; Ralph was the son of Arthur LeRoy and Nellie Elizabeth (Bennett) Fleming.

BBCC releases spring academic lists

MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College released its spring president’s and vice president’s lists. According to Big Bend’s website, students who make the president’s list must complete 12 or more graded credits with a GPA of 3.75 or above. Students who make the vice president’s list must complete 12 or more graded credits with a GPA between 3.33 and 3.74...

Watershed brings country stars to the Gorge

Stars perform in 100-plus-degree heat

GEORGE - Watershed Festival celebrated 10 years this past weekend at the Gorge Amphitheater, bringing people from around the Pacific Northwest and across the nation together through country music.

Enzo installs sign

MOSES LAKE - Enzo Italian Restaurant installed its sign Wednesday along S Pioneer Way.

Legals for August, 4 2022

David Abraham Adame

June 19, 1946 — July 28, 2022

David Abraham Adame was born in Moses Lake, Washington on June 19th, 1964 to Conception & Maria Estela Adame. He was called home on July 28, 2022. As a child he grew up in West Lake with his 7 brothers and sisters. They were better known as “The Westlake Water Dawgs”. He was a wild child and very smart. He was his mom's baby and she made sure he always felt extra special. He graduated from Moses Lake High School class of 1982 and he obtained his Certificate as a Doctor of Motors that same year. He was an amazing Dad to his 4 children: Johnny, Stephanie (Eddie), Victoria and Roni. He was an awesome Grandpa to his 12 grandchildren: Liliana, Nico, Aleyah, David, Madden, Natalie, Coraline, Zion, Gabriel, D’Kari, Draycen and Ezekiel...

Quincy hospital design set to start in September after primary vote

Unofficial results show 64% of voters approving of bond funding

QUINCY — The first phase of designing a new Quincy Valley Medical Center is tentatively scheduled for early September after Tuesday’s election results indicate likely final approval of a $55 million bond proposal for Grant County Hospital District 2. “Once (certification) is behind us, we’ll be setting the wheels in motion,” Quincy hospital administrator Glenda Bishop said Wednesday. “And then we will follow the lead of the team that we’ve put in place, and who I have tremendous confidence in.” Bishop said some planning has started and will ramp up after the election is certified Aug. 16. Initial results show that voters are approving a construction bond proposal for a new hospital.. The proposal had received 951 yes votes and 531 no votes as of Tuesday night, about 64.3% voting yes. Because the proposal was a revenue measure, it required at least 60% yes votes to pass...

Moses Lake celebrates National Night Out

Annual event allows first responders to connect with community

MOSES LAKE - National Night Out returned to Moses Lake Tuesday night at McCosh Park for the first time since 2019. “It's just all about us and our citizens,” said Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr. Fuhr and Grant County Sheriff Ryan Rectenwald were the two victims in the dunk tank at the annual event that allows law enforcement officers to connect with the communities they serve, although if you asked them, it was their favorite part of the event. Fuhr and Rectenwald mirrored each other in that the happiness that being dunked brought to the children was what they enjoyed...

Moonlight Paddle seeks volunteers

Soap Lake holds traditional

SOAP LAKE – The waters of Soap Lake will be lit up on Aug. 13 for the Moonlight Paddle, where residents decorate their water vessels to as far as their imagination yields. “The Moonlight Paddle has been going on for many years, and we always do it with the full moon in August,” Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce President Cindi Rang said. The Moonlight Paddle features a race earlier in the day, before a free ride later in the evening and into night. Their non-motorized vessels are decorated with features that help them glow in the dark, with prizes to those deemed the best decorated. “We have a contest with prizes for the funniest, the most colorful, the best theme,” Rang said. “Almost everybody wins a prize in some category. The most use of lights, the loudest.” ...

Ephrata's Tuesday Night Tennis League continues on

Players raising money for EHS Tennis

EPHRATA – For the previous three Tuesday evenings, the tennis courts have been filled with tennis players enrolled in the Tuesday Night Tennis League. The league, now in its third year, is made up of players of all ages, with the proceeds going toward the Ephrata tennis programs. “We’re like $100 away,” Ephrata Boys Tennis Head Coach Ayla Ecalbarger said of how far the league is from their fundraiser goal...

Othello births for July 2022

Othello Community Hospital shared the following birth announcements with the Columbia Basin herald for late June and early July...

Kay Frances (Honsinger) Dirks

April 2, 1942 - July 25, 2022

Kay Frances (Honsinger) Dirks passed peacefully from this world on July 25, 2022, attended by loving family members. Born April 2, 1942, she was a lifelong resident of Eastern Washington. Her passion was children, and she spent her adult life encouraging their love of fun and learning. Graduating from Palouse High School in 1960, she went on to graduate from Washington State University in 1964. She then taught for a time in Quincy schools before joining the North Central Washington Library system as the librarian of first the Quincy and then the Ephrata City Libraries, a position she held for more than three decades. Over that time, she became known to generations of Columbia Basin children, showing them how to find learning fun and important...

Cletta Maurine Deines

Cletta Maurine Deines was born July 2, 1926 and passed away July 21, 2022 at the age of 96. Born in Pratt, Kansas to Orin Atherton and Wightie (Gibbs) Atherton, she was raised there with two brothers (Ralph and Dick) and four sisters (Marge, Doris, Shirley, and Peggy), all of whom preceded her in death.

StoryCorps stops in Soap Lake

Group works to preserve the local voices of small town history

SOAP LAKE - In between recording sessions in Moses Lake in July, StoryCorps made a two-day detour to Soap Lake on July 24 and 25.

Warden boosters bring in football players for camp

WARDEN – The Warden High School football field will be full of players Thursday and Friday, as part of the mini football camp hosted by the team’s booster club.

Lake Wenatchee and Wenatchee River to open for sockeye fishing amid strong returns

WENATCHEE – Amid a record return of sockeye salmon to the Columbia River, fishery managers in Washington’s North Central region announced that sockeye fishing will open on Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River.

Sports schedule August 3-9

Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local, regional and national events.

GCSO Motor Traffic Unit

EPHRATA - The motor traffic unit investigates traffic collisions involving fatalities and serious injuries, as well as being in charge of traffic enforcement and traffic safety education.

Legals for August, 3 2022

November options narrowed after primaries

Unofficial county election results as of Aug.2

COLUMBIA BASIN - While Grant and Adams county voters had plenty of options in the Aug. 2 primary, the point of the August ballot is to narrow down options in November to no more than two candidates for each race. The results posted below are unofficial and do not include all ballots. Mail-in ballots or ballots with signature issues needing to be rectified before they are counted are not included. Results of the primaries are expected to be certified by Aug. 16 at the county level and Aug. 19 at the state level, according to the Washington Secretary of State’s website. Only contested races are included below and additional coverage will be provided as ballot totals are finalized...

Vantage Highway fire causes haze, threatens 40 structures

Blaze impacts about 8,000 acres so far

VANTAGE - A fire is burning on the western side of the Columbia River north of Vantage along the Vantage Highway, leading to the mobilization of state resources to combat the roughly 10,500-acre blaze which threatened about 40 structures Monday. “We have resources from all across the state because this is a state mobilization fire now,” said Grace DeBusschere, public information officer with Kittitas Fire District 7. “We have (Washington State Department of Natural Resources) ground resources from all across the state. We have local fire district resources and mutual aid partners.” A small amount of Bureau of Land Management land is also involved in the fire, so BLM staff are on hand to assist as well, along with Department of Fish and Wildlife responders. The state mobilization order, authorized by Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste at the request of Kittitas County District 4 Fire Chief William Rose, allows those additional resources to respond to the fire, DeBusschere said. Efforts to contain the blaze, which caused a haze of smoke across much of northern Grant and Kittitas counties, include aerial firefighting apparatus such as planes and helicopters. Boats with first responders aboard could also be seen from the Frenchman Coulee area moving around the area impacted by the fire, which she said was spreading in a northerly direction as of Monday at about 2 p.m. No cause has been identified for the fire at this time; however, it is thought to have started around 1 p.m. Monday. The fire caused the evacuation of the city of Vantage, along I-90 on the east end of the bridge over the Columbia River. No injuries or structure losses have been reported at this time, DeBusshere said...

Fire near Ephrata quickly brought under control

EPHRATA - A fire early Tuesday morning burned about 100 acres of federal land just outside of Ephrata between Road A and Drumheller Road, according to first responders. Grant County Fire District 13 Chief Jim Stucky said the fire was reported about 2 a.m. from an address off of Road A NW. Stucky said the fire was brought under control by about 4:30 a.m. and that there were no injuries or damages to power lines...

Canola fields expanding fast in Eastern Washington

Travelers driving through the rolling hills of the Palouse this summer may have noticed more fields that glow bright yellow. The yellow blossoms belong to the canola plant, which has become a hot commodity for Eastern Washington farmers. Canola production and planting acreage in Washington has increased steadily over the last 10 years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2011, around 11,000 acres were planted with canola, compared to more than 118,000 acres planted in 2021. In Whitman County alone, canola acreage doubled year-to-year in 2021. Karen Sowers, executive director of Pacific Northwest Canola, said she has seen the interest in canola grow significantly over the last few years. In her role with the canola advocacy group, Sowers helps connect potential growers with resources, whether it's tips from longtime growers or new research from institutions like Washington State University. "The acres have just blown up," Sowers said. "You can see it in Whitman County where it doubled and even Spokane County just about doubled, too. There's definitely more acres out there." ...

Judge hits 43rd HR, Yanks beat Ms 7-2

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 43rd home run, Jose Trevino had his first multihomer game and the New York Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 7-2 Monday night in a series opener between teams bulking up for the postseason.

WNBA playoff picture still muddled, 2 weeks left in season

The WNBA playoff race is still very much undecided with just two weeks left in the regular season.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll tests positive for COVID-19

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced on Monday.

Ned B. Hirz (Bampa)

April 24, 1940 - July 30, 2022

Ned B. Hirz (Bampa), of Moses Lake, WA passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at the age of 82. He was born April 24, 1940, in Van Tassell, Wyoming to Harry and Margaret Hirz. He had 8 sisters and 2 brothers. He was raised on the prairie in Wyoming. He moved to Colfax, California at age six where he worked on the family farm. He attended college in Rocklin, California. He married his sweetheart Deanna Cuthbertson on June 11, 1960, and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple. They moved to Grass Valley, CA in 1961 where he owned and operated a service/tire station. In March of 1966, Ned and Deanna moved to Moses Lake, Washington after purchasing a farm in the block 40 area. Together, Ned and Deanna raised six children on the farm and taught them the value of hard work and how to have fun working together. He also worked at U&I Sugar during the winter months. His motto “Go Slow, Keep Cool, and Drink Plenty of Water,” defines how he went slow and enjoyed life, how he kept calm and was slow to anger, and drank plenty of water, the living waters of Jesus Christ.

Dwight Allen Teitzel

Dwight Allen Teitzel, 78, of Moses Lake, Washington passed away July 30, 2022. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories.

Hot weather presents challenges in dementia care

Hot summer weather can pose a special risk to people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia conditions, but there are ways for caregivers to minimize the risk. “The dangers of extreme temperatures, which can cause heat stroke in a matter of minutes, are magnified for someone living with dementia,” Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, wrote in a press release. “Dementia-related illnesses can impair a person’s ability to know when they are thirsty or in danger of overheating, communicate basic needs or remember basic safety protocols. “Caregivers cannot solely depend on waiting for the person to express that they are too hot or need to cool off,” the press release said. As a result, caregivers should keep an eye out, watching for signs of hyperthermia. That’s abnormally high body temperature, caused by an inability to regulate heat. Seniors and people with chronic medical conditions are at the highest risk, the press release said...

Basin seniors calendar for August 2022

Ephrata: Lunch at the senior center Join community members each weekday at noon at the Ephrata Senior Center at 124 C Street NW in Ephrata. Lunch comes with a hot entree, salads, veggies, a starch and homemade desserts. Refreshments are included. Meals are $7 for members and $8 for nonmembers. Dinners are also available but reservations are encouraged. Contact the center by calling 509-754-2382. Defensive Driving Course Contact the senior center at 509-754-2382 to sign up for a defensive driving class. The Evergreen Safety Council course is six hours long and can help seniors qualify for a discount on their automobile insurance, if their insurance provider participates in the program. (Call your insurance provider to ask if they participate.) Exercise classes Join instructor Terry Troutman for beginners yoga each Tuesday at the senior center. Register online by clicking the Center link at the top of the Ephrata Senior Center website at ephrataseniorcenter.org. Classes are $22 per month or $8.50 per drop-in session. The Ephrata Senior Center also offers Stay Active & Independent for Life - SAIL - classes at no cost 2-3 times per week. Go thrifting! The Ephrata Senior Center operates a senior thrift shop. The shop offers a wide variety of products and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday of each week. Contact the shop, located at 604 Basin Street NW at 509-754-9605.

Birth as of July 27, 2022

Samaritan Hospital July 1 Shelby and Blair Collins, Moses Lake, son Cutler Pete Collins, 7 pounds.

Paul Wesley Sartin

Died July 17, 2022

Paul Wesley Sartin,33, of Moses Lake, Washington passed away July 17, 2022. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories.

Up from the ashes

Garza family reopens Jab Fitness a year after devastating fire

OTHELLO — Jab Fitness co-owner Jonathan Garza said he smelled the smoke, but didn’t think anything of it at first.

Legals for August, 2 2022

Cougars MBB to play in quadruple-header

PULLMAN – The Washington State Cougars will travel to Dallas in December to take part in the second-annual Pac-12 US LBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge, the conference announced on Monday. The Cougars will face off against Baylor on December 18 at the American Airlines Center, with tip-off tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. The last time the two teams met was at the 2010 Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, where the Cougars defeated the Bears 77-71. WSU holds a 3-1 advantage in all-time meetings against Baylor, their only defeat being a 58-52 loss in 2008 in Pullman. "Playing Baylor this season gives us an incredible opportunity to see where our program rates against one of the best programs in the country," Washington State Head Coach Kyle Smith said. "Baylor has championship DNA and NBA talent all over their roster. It's a testament to the growth of our program that we are even considered for the event."

WBA tournament casts in the Basin

OTHELLO – The Washington Bass Association, composed of members from around the state, met at Potholes reservoir this weekend for their Team Club Tournament on Potholes. “It’s just for those in the WBA,” WBA President PJ Koshi said. “It’s a club tournament only.” The tournament was organized in a way that gives anglers a rest during the day. “We’re doing a slightly different format, something we have done in the past,” Koshi said. “This time on Saturday we’re having a siesta in the middle of the day.” Koshi said that the decision to include a break in the middle of the day was done for many factors, with the main being travel. “The travel factor for us,” Koshi said of the decision. “We’re a Western Washington-based group, so we’re going to be going over there camping and when you’re camping at Potholes, you’re not really there to do a whole lot else.” Fishing was divided into sections from dawn on Saturday morning to 11:30 a.m., then back out at 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday evening. Fishing continued on Sunday from dawn until 1 p.m. Each session had a fish limit, with five in the first session, three in the second session and five again in the third session...

Race for Life coming to Moses Lake

BMX riders work to kick cancer's backside

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake BMX will be hosting its annual Race for Life on Friday, raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “This is annual, we do it every year,” Moses Lake BMX Communications Director Bethany Beck said. “All the Moses Lake riders have the opportunity to each individually raise money that goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.” The Race for Life Series began in 1981 after Todd Kingsbury from Michigan discovered he had Leukemia. Once learning of the diagnosis, his friends and the American Bicycle Association began the Race for Life event. Riders do their own fundraising online and pool the money in together, with rewards given to those who reach certain fundraising tiers. According to the USA BMX Foundation, those who raise from $50 to $299.99 will receive a shirt and wristband, from $300 to $499.99 will receive a jacket and over $500 will receive a free entry fee to the 2022 Grand Nationals. “We have several riders who have already hit a couple hundred bucks already,” Beck said...

Allegations against former SLSD super unfounded

Accusations of inappropriate sexual relations unproven

SOAP LAKE — The investigation into the alleged misconduct of former Soap Lake School District Superintendent Sunshine Pray – which was conducted by Clear Risk Solutions – has been released and states that the allegations were unfounded. Four main allegations were made against Pray in the two separate documents. The four allegations were that Pray had sex with a student, that Pray had an inappropriate relationship with a former student, that Pray had a romantic relationship with a subordinate teacher and that Pray had a romantic relationship with a school board member. Each document states that investigator Tony Zeman would not make conclusions about policy violations but each conclusion did state that each allegation was unfounded. Each allegation was also denied by Pray and also denied by all but one of those she was accused of having inappropriate relationships with...

Moses Lake and partners put on play to promote water education

'Yarely' will hit the stage this Saturday

MOSES LAKE - “Yarely,” a musical play, free for the public, will come to McCosh Park Saturday. “It’s a drama with a message,” said Mike Riggs who is a part of the musical side of the play. The hunt for Yarely is put on through a partnership between Grant County Conservation District, the City of Moses Lake, the Moses Lake Watershed Council, and Columbia Basin Allied Arts, with additional financial support from Cascade Marina. According to the Moses Lake Watershed Council’s website, the play is about how different organizations are tackling harmful algae blooms in Moses Lake – and what the public can do to help make a difference. Riggs said everyone is affected by the toxic blue green algae in Moses Lake and that he thinks this play will be beneficial for people to learn more about it. The play will be held at Centennial Amphitheater in McCosh Park on Aug. 6 during the farmers market at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The poster for the event states it features local writers, actors, and musicians. Some of those include Emily Katlyn Duvall, Jeff Ames, Zoe Sterner, Nathaniel Stuart, directed by Ron Sawyer along with live music from Swing Shift. Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.

Ephrata man killed in collision near Coulee City

COULEE CITY — An Ephrata man was killed when he hit the back of a car while riding his motorcycle Sunday morning. Dennis Armour, 68, died at Confluence Health-Central Washington Hospital Sunday, according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol. The collision occurred at about 9 a.m. roughly nine miles southwest of Coulee City. Armour was following a car driven by Ashley Offer, 39, Renton, when Offer slowed down to turn into the Blue Lake rest area, the WSP memo said. Armour ran into the back of Offer’s vehicle; his motorcycle came to rest on the northbound shoulder. Offer’s car came to rest in the northbound lane. Offer and two passengers in her car, Steven Horner, 37, Renton and a six-year-old boy, were not injured.

Former Moses Lake nurse sentenced for morphine theft

SPOKANE — A Moses Lake woman was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after she was convicted of tampering with medications while on the job as a registered nurse. Esther Ray Tuller, 41, was convicted of taking morphine from the supply at Confluence Health-Moses Lake Clinic and using the substance herself between August 2019 and April 2020, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Washington. “Tuller used syringes to remove morphine from at least 17 vials, and then ingested the morphine as part of her own opioid addiction,” according to a press release from the USAO. “She then replaced the morphine with a saline solution, and attempted to glue the caps back onto the vials to make them appear intact.” At least one Confluence Health patient had to seek emergency treatment after receiving one of the vials Tuller had emptied and refilled with saline solution, the press release said. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Group and the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation.

One killed in crash near Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - A press release by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office Monday said a crash west of Moses Lake Saturday resulted in one dead and three injured. The release states a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling west on South Frontage Road East around 6:30 a.m. when the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve. The curve is about three-tenths of a mile east of Hiawatha Road. The car then left the road to the north, rolled several times and ejected all four occupants. Karri S. Ortega, 22, of Moses Lake, a 14-year-old female from Quincy, and an unidentified male were flown to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. One unidentified male was pronounced dead at the scene, the release states. The release said it is unclear who was driving the car and the GCSO Motor Traffic Unit is investigating. There is no update on the status of the three surviving victims as of Monday, the release states.

Rectenwald to remain as interim Grant Co. sheriff through Nov.

EPHRATA — Ryan Rectenwald will continue as interim Grant County Sheriff through mid-November when the 2022 election is certified. Rectenwald’s appointment to the interim position was approved unanimously by the Grant County Commissioners Monday. Rectenwald had been serving as sheriff since July 1, when former sheriff Tom Jones retired. Jones announced earlier this year he was not running for reelection. Three people are running for the position, including Joe Kriete, currently the chief deputy for investigations, former Mattawa Police Chief Joe Harris, and James Baker, a Moses Lake-area farmer...

Cletta Maurine Deines

July 2, 1926 - July 21, 2022

Cletta Maurine Deines was born July 2, 1926 and passed away July 21, 2022 at the age of 96. Born in Pratt, Kansas to Orin Atherton and Wightie (Gibbs) Atherton, she was raised there with two brothers (Ralph and Dick) and four sisters (Marge, Doris, Shirley, and Peggy), all of whom preceded her in death. At the age of 12, Maurine dedicated her life to Jehovah God and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This decision guided every aspect of her life for the next 84 years. In 1944, when Maurine was 18, her parents moved the family to Milton-Freewater, Oregon, before settling for a while in Kennewick, Washington. It was in Kennewick that she met Zeke Deines. They married in 1945 and had four children: Susanne, Deborah, Sandra, and Brian.

James Richard Link

RIP: July 28, 2022

James Richard Link, 85, of Moses Lake, Washington passed away July 28, 2022. Services are currently being planned. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories.

Jack Mizner

RIP: July 12, 2022

Jack Mizner, of Ephrata, WA, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on July 12, 2022. Jack was born and raised in Port Angeles, WA where he attended K-12. At a young age he embraced the Pacific Northwest’s active lifestyle, spending countless hours on the Olympic Peninsula hunting, fishing, skiing, and backpacking with friends and family. During his years at Port Angeles High School, Jack excelled at swimming and competed at the state level...

Kenneth A Goodwin

August 20, 1946 - July 4, 2022

Kenneth A. Goodwin was born on Aug. 20, 1946, in Ephrata, Wash. to Betty and Robert Goodwin. Ken passed away peacefully on July 4, 2022, at Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla, Wash. At the time of his birth, there was no hospital in Moses Lake. After living in Moses Lake for six years, the family moved to Pullman, Wash. so his father, Bob Goodwin, could attend Veterinary College. The family lived there for seven years and in 1959 the family moved back to Moses Lake so Bob could go to work for a local veterinarian on West Broadway in Moses Lake, Wash...

Moses Lake council member named chair of Republican org

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council member Deanna Martinez has been named the chair of the Mainstream Republicans of Washington, according to a press release from the organization. “The center is where the work can get done,” Martinez said. Martinez, a registered nurse at Othello Community Hospital, was elected to the Moses Lake City Council last fall and said she became involved with the 50-year-old Mainstream Republicans of Washington in 2019 when she was working to get Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, elected in his own right following his appointment to the state legislature following the resignation of Matt Manweller...

GALLERY: Watershed returns to the Gorge

GEORGE - Watershed returned to the Gorge Amphitheater, marking its 10th anniversary. Despite the extreme heat, Shedders came out in full force for a weekend of country music despite temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees all weekend. Keep an eye on this week’s Lifestyle section for additional details...

Lowriders by the lake

Chicano car culture comes to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Dillon Arcega stood next to his pea-green and chrome 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air in the giant gravel parking lot of EDUBB C/S on Saturday. Both the hood and trunk are up to show off the engine and the hydraulics, all of which is the same green or chrome as the car’s finish.

The benefits of surgery in fighting veterinary cancer

When it comes to treating cancer in pets, there are several options available, depending on the type, location, and severity of the cancer. In some cases, surgically removing a cancerous tumor can be a great way to heal a pet and help them maintain a great quality of life...

Legals for August, 1 2022