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…
First Grant County inmate tests positive for COVID-19
GRANT COUNTY — An inmate at the Grant County Jail tested positive for the coronavirus, the first infection of an inmate in the jail, said Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman in an …
Ephrata’s Christmas event brings cheer to dark year
EPHRATA — In spite of the cold and the coronavirus, Ephrata community members cruised around town Saturday night in cars, trucks and a motorcycles decked in Ch…
Priest Rapids workers ‘sequestered’ at dam as COVID numbers rise locally
PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — Control room operators and maintenance workers at Priest Rapids Dam are being asked to stay on the site seven days at a time.
Inside an intensive care unit: Largest local hospital braces as COVID-19 hospitalizations rise
MOSES LAKE — Nine months into a global pandemic, Samaritan Hospital is facing possibly the largest surge of coronavirus hospitalizations and juggling patients …
Othello students stay in online instruction
OTHELLO — All students in the Othello School District will stay in all-online instruction at least through the start of winter break, Dec. 18.
Samaritan likely to receive first round of vaccines within week
MOSES LAKE — Nine months after the coronavirus pandemic first hit Grant County, the first vaccinations for residents are expected in the next week, according t…
Health district passes $3.4 million budget for 2021
MOSES LAKE — Members of the board overseeing the Grant County Health District have approved the district’s $3.4 million budget for 2021, a 35% increase over 2020.
Moses Lake managed shelterless camp opens Friday
MOSES LAKE — By Friday night, years after city officials first began to consider it, Moses Lake’s sleeping center for those without shelter will open for the f…
Another 11 COVID-19 deaths reported Thursday
Eleven deaths associated with the coronavirus were reported Thursday evening, including ten residents of long-term care facilities, bringing the total deaths of Grant County residents since the pandemic began to 65…
COVID-19 cases linked to wedding ‘superspreader’
MOSES LAKE — Staff at Lake Ridge Center, as well as Sage Point Elementary, attended a Ritzville-area wedding with about 300 attendees before testing positive f…
I survived COVID, but are we making the cure worse than the disease?
On Feb. 29, Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. With this being an unknown and highly contagious virus, most folks…
Driver shortage prompts MLSD to review bus routes
MOSES LAKE — Citing a shortage of bus drivers, the Moses Lake School District is looking at temporarily eliminating up to six bus routes that serve students li…
Grant Housing Authority has money to help with back rent
MOSES LAKE — If you live in Grant or Adams counties, and you’re behind on your rent, there’s still help available. But unless Congress acts, it will go away at…
Othello students won’t return on-campus in December
OTHELLO — All students in the Othello School District will stay in all-online instruction at least through the start of winter break Dec. 18.
Othello Christmas Basket project continues in pandemic
OTHELLO — Even in a year of a pandemic, some traditions continue, as donations are being accepted for the Othello Christmas Baskets, a charitable project that …