News bites for Oct. 15, 2024

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District released a statement saying that Tiger Club Preschool and Columbia Ridge Elementary School moved to secure the building mode due to police activity in the area Monday. All students were safe and locked in the building. The schools were in secure building mode for around an hour before the police activity cleared and schools returned to normal operations.  

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Fire Department released a statement regarding the Montana Firefighting Testing Consortium which now has open registration for firefighters training. For more information visit MTFireTesting.Org. The classes are Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in Billings, Montana.  

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District released a statement about its Open Doors program, which allows those between 18 and 21 years of age to complete a high school diploma or GED. To learn more contact 509-793-7660 or visit the office at 1328 East Hunter Place.  

MOSES LAKE – Downtown Moses Lake Association is hosting a harvest festival Oct. 26 and there are still vendor spots open. Vendors are being accepted until Oct. 18. The event starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. For those interested in a vendor spot reach out to Events@DowtownMosesLake.Org or call 509-986-7478. 

MOSES LAKE – The East Columbia Basin Development League annual conference is at Big Bend Community College on Oct. 29; however, registration is now open. The event will feature speakers from the Columbia Basin irrigation districts, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia Basin Conservation District, Upper Columbia Tribes, United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Northwest River Partners, Ecology and U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse.  

Topics addressed at the conference will include the 60-year history of the area’s irrigation system, updates from the irrigation districts and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, update on the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, federal policy implications for the Columbia Basin Project and direction for the future.  

For those interested in learning more go to CDDL.org or call 509-782-9442. 

OTHELLO – The Othello Police Department released a statement regarding donations during the holiday season. The statement says out-of-state parties have sent mail to residents asking for donations for various programs to support law enforcement, however, OPD recommends those who want to donate investigate local nonprofits and foundations, so residents know exactly where their funds are going. OPD said to call the department at 509-488-3314 to inspect any suspicious letters received in the mail.  

OTHELLO – The Othello Career showcase is today for sophomore to senior students at Othello High School. For the last hour of the event, 2:30-3:30 p.m., it will be open to the public for a hiring event.  

QUINCY – The Quincy School Board has announced a new director for position one. Kacey Kiehn is chosen from an applicant pool of five candidates. Keihn is a Quincy High School graduate and is deeply involved in the community. He co-founded the Quincy Future Farmers of America Alumni Association and serves on the George Parent Volunteer Committee and is the Superintendent of the Family Advisory Committee. He also serves on the Career and Technical Education Board for the Agricultural Education Department.  

Kiehn will begin his role Oct. 22, filling the seat vacated by Tricia Luback, who stepped down in Aug. Keihn will serve the remainder of the term which expires in 2025.  

QUINCY – Quincy School District will be holding a comprehensive sexual health parent night Oct. 22 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Quincy High School Library. The event covers the curriculum, has an explanation on how to opt-out a student and a question and answer session. For those with questions, reach out to SexualHealthEducation@QSD.wednet.edu.  

ROYAL CITY – There was an ambulance at the Royal City Homecoming Dance according to the Royal City Police Department. A student was suffering from a medical episode and was taken care of by medical staff. Parents were notified and the dance resumed.  

SOAP LAKE – Grant County Fire District 7 responded to a structure fire at Elder Street and Second Avenue in Soap Lake. The blaze was a single-story family dwelling, with smoke showing on all four corners and vehicles parked in the driveway. The department was unsure of the number of occupants, according to the GCFD7 release.  

A partial search was conducted, but because of smoke, a full primary search required additional units. More GCFD7 firefighters, Grant County Fire District 13 and Ephrata Fire Department showed up and examined the whole house. Units remained on scene for around five hours. The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical.  

According to the GCFD7 release, three dogs, a tarantula and two cats survived the fire. One dog was not evacuated and died in the fire. One of the dogs had smoke inhalation injuries but was taken to the veterinarian.   

WILSON CREEK – The Wilson Creek Future Business Leaders of America is hosting a silent auction at Wilson Creek High School during the volleyball game 6 p.m. Oct. 15. All proceeds will be donated to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. It is recommended those attending wear pink and donate action items for the fundraiser.