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…
Inslee proposes $57.6 billion budget that fights COVID-19, raises taxes
Washington’s government would spend some $57.6 billion over the next two years in its efforts to fight COVID-19, shore up the economy and clean up the environment, under plans released Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Wash, rinse & mask up (repeat): Moses Lake beauty school adjusts to pandemic ‘norms’
MOSES LAKE — Gloves. Masks. Face shields. Plexiglass barriers everywhere.
Samaritan to expand Patton Clinic
Construction should start by mid-2021 on a $3,755,035 expansion of Samaritan Healthcare’s clinic near Patton Boulevard, as commissioners approved the project T…
Deadlines loom to get Christmas packages to destinations
Lisa Castro, owner of The UPS Store on South Pioneer Way, had some advice for people who are still planning to mail Christmas presents and actually get them to…
Vaccinations reach nursing homes as California faces crisis
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The first COVID-19 vaccinations are underway at U.S. nursing homes, where the virus has killed more than 110,000 people, even as the nation struggles to contain a surge so alarming it has…
Eight more COVID-19 deaths reported, including five long-term care residents
Eight more Grant County residents died due to a coronavirus infection, including five at long-term care facilities, according to the Grant County Health District.
Holiday shine: Light Up Moses Lake winners united by love of holiday lights
MOSES LAKE — The winners of the Light Up Moses Lake contest all have one thing in common. They love Christmas lights. “Lights are something cheery,” Jamie Cas…
Othello schools make changes to secondary grading system
OTHELLO — A new grading policy recently was introduced for middle and high school students in the Othello School District.
Adams County commissioners release third round of grants
OTHELLO — The Adams County commissioners have authorized a third round of grant money to support small businesses and nonprofit groups, which will be distribut…
First 1,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine arrive in Moses Lake
After traveling cross country, around 2,000 miles in all, in a container colder than the interior of Antarctica, almost 1,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine …
Buildout delayed for sections of Grant PUD fiber optic network
Delays in material delivery and obtaining permits mean some customers will wait longer than anticipated to hook up to the Grant County PUD fiber optic network.
Priest Rapids workers asked to stay at dam as COVID-19 numbers rise locally
PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — One of the many effects of the coronavirus outbreak is a group of workers at Priest Rapids Dam are being asked to stay on site seven days a…
Samaritan’s frontline nurses have adapted for the long haul during the coronavirus pandemic
MOSES LAKE — Usually, Samaritan Healthcare’s staff would have been able to celebrate 73-year-old Sandy Martin, an intensive care unit nurse, for her extraordin…
Confluence is building a $3 million clinic in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Construction started on a $3 million Confluence Health facility on Yonezawa Boulevard last week. It will have physicians in three specialties and …
Moses Lake Sleeping Center sees some use during first weekend
MOSES LAKE — There were around 30 occupants at the Moses Lake Sleeping Center, some of which were repeats, during its opening weekend, according to a city offi…