COVID-19 NEWS
Keep up with all the fast-moving novel coronavirus news, particularly as it impacts the Columbia Basin.
COVID-19 update
RITZVILLE — Adams County Health Department administrators have reported another death related to COVID-19, raising…
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expanded
Adams County Health Department officials announced eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines for people age 16 and older, as expanded guidelines went into effect statewide Thursday.
Graduation plans begin to take shape
A second year of pandemic graduations are being planned by local high schools. While not all the details have been finalized due to the ever-changing nature of COVID-19, some districts have an idea of their plans.
Moses Lake Spring Festival canceled for second year
The annual Moses Lake Spring Festival this year is canceled, organizers said Monday via social media, due to restrictions imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandem…
Applications now available for business tax deferral
Businesses with losses in 2020 due to COVID-19 may be eligible for a deferral on their 2021 property taxes.
In-person learning available to all Washington students
SEATTLE (AP) — Students in Washington who have have not already begun in-person learning and want to can do so as of Monday.
A jab on the job: Companies, unions offer COVID-19 vaccines
Marie Watson wanted to be among the first in line when she and other essential workers became eligible for the coronavirus vaccine — and with good reason.
Baking the best of it: Paige Tolley uses restrictions to start business
Paige Tolley started her own business, Paige’s Custom Cakes, last summer because she said there wasn’t much to do.
As mask mandates end, Oregon bucks trend with permanent rule
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — As states around the country lift COVID-19 restrictions, Oregon is poised to go the opposite direction — and many residents are fuming ab…
US setting up $1.7B national network to track virus variants
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is setting up a $1.7 billion national network to identify and track worrisome coronavirus mutations whose spread could trigger another pandemic wave, the Biden administration announced Fr…
Inslee warns of possible 4th COVID-19 wave in Washington
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday warned that Washington state was on the cusp of a fourth COVID-19 wave with case numbers and hospitalizations rising.
Homeless Americans finally getting a chance at COVID-19 shot
Homeless Americans who have been left off priority lists for coronavirus vaccinations — or even bumped aside as states shifted eligibility to older age groups — are finally getting their shots as vaccine supplies i…
US opens more distance in worldwide race against coronavirus
The United States opened more distance between itself and much of the rest of the world Thursday, nearing the 200 millionth vaccine administered in a race to protect the population against COVID-19, even as other c…
Ephrata organizers plan Sage-n-Sun parade
While organizers of the annual Sage-n-Sun festival here won’t stage a concert this year, they are planning a parade for early June.
State: 217 COVID-19 cases found among 1.7M fully vaccinated
OLYMPIA (AP) — State health officials said Wednesday that 115 more cases of fully vaccinated people testing positive for COVID-19 have been discovered out of 1.7 million people who have been fully vaccinated in Was…
Commentary: Governor’s lockdown orders ineffective against outbreak
It has been nearly two months since I issued my personal challenge to Governor Jay Inslee, Attorney General Robert Ferguson and all elected officials in the st…