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…
Free Family Saturday goes curbside after two decades
Families knocked on the glass door Saturday of the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center to collect a paper sack of arts and crafts.
Mattawa City Council extends COVID-19 emergency provisions
The Mattawa City Council voted to extend the COVID-19 emergency provisions that were put into place in the spring of 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, during a regular, virtual meeting on Thursday.
COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Grant, Adams counties
The number of COVID-19 cases in Grant and Adams counties continues to rise.
Ironworks Cafe's historic door allows for indoor dining
Ironworks Cafe & Market owner Erika Rattray said she never thought the big, heavy sliding door dominating one wall of the cafe would be handy.
Quincy Public Market open for ‘open air’ indoor seating
Launching the Quincy Public Market has been an ongoing challenge, owner Larry Jones said.
Seven more die in Grant County from COVID-19
Seven more people died from COVID-19-related illness, the Grant County Health District reported Monday, bringing the county’s total to 98 since the pandemic began in early 2020.
At last, back to school at Othello High School
In usual times, it’s a normal scene. In fact, in any other school year, kids would probably be tired of decorating the bulletin boards that dot the halls of Ot…
Ephrata bistro owner reflects on ongoing closure; will the Legislature step in?
Uggie Boo’s in Ephrata is just one of the many mom-and-pop businesses that had to shut their doors under the governor’s restrictions last March.
Local legislators disagree with Inslee’s reopening plan
Several Republican state legislators recently expressed disapproval with Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery” plan, which started Jan. 11.
Dano challenges Inslee to forgo salary until lockdowns end
A Grant County official announced he will not take his salary until restrictions on businesses are lifted by Gov. Jay Inslee, and challenged Inslee and other state officials to do the same.
Hawkins suggests alternative school calendars for K-12
A District 12 legislator wants to create alternative school calendars for K-12 institutions in Washington state to address the loss children have been experiencing over time.
‘Quiet stress’ plagues Washington
American Addiction Centers, a provider of substance addiction treatment resources, conducted a survey of 3,000 adults and found that nearly one in three Washin…
Ephrata football coach optimistic for holding a season after plans announced last week
Ephrata High School will be the lone 2A school at the North Central Washington Region for athletics and interscholastic activities this season, as changes were…
A busy COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Quincy
The line of cars wound out of the Quincy High School parking lot and nearly all the way down Jackrabbit Lane on Wednesday morning.
Public libraries again close to in-person visits
The NCW Libraries system closed libraries to in-person use Wednesday afternoon, due to the state's pandemic-related limits.