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…
Biden: Governors, mayors need $350 billion to fight COVID-19
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden met with a bipartisan group of governors and mayors at the White House on Friday as part of his push to give financial relief from the coronavirus pandemic to state and local g…
Bill would allow continuity of operations for county offices amid public crises
HB 1271 would ensure that county offices can continue operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and other future public health crises.
Bill to supply federal aid for Washingtonians moves to governor’s desk
Legislation that would provide Washingtonians $2.2 billion worth of federal funding passed the Senate floor Wednesday in a 47-2 vote. The bill now heads to the…
Local business, government leaders welcome news of move to Phase 2
Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement Thursday Grant and Adams counties would move to Phase 2 of his Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan was good news to local business and government leaders.
NCW Libraries launches live bilingual story time
With library doors shut, NCW Libraries on Wednesday launched a live storybook time series for children and parents. The series will be bilingual: in Spanish on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and in English on Thursday at 1…
Valentine's Day celebration at Moses Lake Senior Center
The Moses Lake Senior Center will have a drive-up celebration for Valentine’s Day from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at the senior center, 608 East Third Ave.
Commentary: Governor’s plan leaves rural Washington behind
Governor Inslee’s announcement to allow two regions on the west side of the state to reopen on Feb. 1 is utterly ridiculous.
Resident of Adams County dies of COVID-19
A man in his 80s died of COVID-19 pneumonia, according to the Adams County Health Department.
Pandemic pop-ups: Food trucks thrive through dine-in restrictions
With ongoing restrictions on indoor dining, more food trucks changed practices, sprouted up or rolled into Grant and Adams counties to serve hungry patrons.
First COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Royal City
Melissa Gonzalez told her patient the COVID-19 vaccine was a lot like a tetanus shot, as she received the first of the two-shot regimen.
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival goes virtual for 2021
The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival will return to Othello for 2021, at least in virtual form.
Booming construction helps alleviate some COVID-19 impacts in Grant County
A booming construction industry helped cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Grant County’s economy in 2020.
Four deaths in Grant County linked to COVID-19
Grant County Health District said Monday afternoon four more Grant County residents had died with the coronavirus.
12th Annual Country Sweethearts Benefit Auction goes virtual
The Grant County Cancer Foundation’s donors were spread far and wide Saturday night, as the 12th Annual Country Sweetheart Benefit Auction went virtual for the…
Local legislators criticize Inslee's reopening plan
Legislators are criticizing Gov. Jay Inslee’s latest reopening plan, “Roadmap to Recovery,” which allows certain rural and coastal communities to remain closed.