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…
Grants available for nonprofit cultural groups
OLYMPIA — Nonprofit cultural organizations can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to help them through the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. The grants are funded through the National Endowment for the Humanities and…
Coronavirus: Only one new Grant County case for first time since March 19
122 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Monday evening, with one new case reported in Moses Lake
State officials see flattening of virus activity, aim for increased testing
OLYMPIA — COVID-19 activity in Washington seems to have plateaued and even declined in certain parts of the state, according to Kathy Lofy, state health officer with the Department of Health. Lofy said the data see…
Mask making, distribution a community effort
MOSES LAKE — Lisa Castro wanted to make sure everyone knows the homemade mask project she’s part of is a community effort.
Calls to police down 6 percent in March
MOSES LAKE — As residents were largely confined to their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic, calls to police in Moses Lake declined by 6 percent in March as compared with March 2019, according to Cpt. Mike Willi…
County announces partial reopening of landfill
EPHRATA — The Grant County landfill will reopen to some customers on Friday, April 17, commissioners announced. The landfill will only reopen during normal hours, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, to busin…
Social distancing complaints filed against three businesses
GRANT COUNTY — Complaints were filed against three businesses in Grant County over the weekend for alleged violation of the governor’s orders regarding essential businesses, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s …
Third Samaritan employee tests positive for COVID-19
MOSES LAKE - A third Samaritan Healthcare employee has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the organization said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. The e…
Ephrata folks focus on making it through coronavirus emergency
EPHRATA — On a sunny, mild spring day recently, the guy checking sprinklers at the church on Ivy Street in Ephrata said it was the sort of day he would normall…
Coronavirus: Two new cases reported each in Grant, Adams counties
GRANT COUNTY — There are 122 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Monday evening, with one new case reported each in Moses Lake and t…
Inslee announces new high-risk worker protections
OLYMPIA — If feasible, employers must make alternative work accommodations for high-risk workers that request them, Gov. Jay Inslee announced in a proclamation Monday.
Port of Moses Lake mulls relief for tenants
MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake is considering allowing tenant companies to postpone paying rent for the next three months as a way of helping some of the worst affected get through the COVID-19 crisis.
Flowers cover cross to add color for Easter
MOSES LAKE — It was eerily quiet in Moses Lake on Sunday morning. On the most important festival day of the western Christian calendar, churches across the Bas…
State to lose billions in revenue from COVID-19 closures
MOSE LAKE — A presentation last week by the Republican leaders in the state legislature forecast a $3 billion to $6 billion fall in tax revenue because of business closures related to COVID-19, according to Sen. Ju…
Will seniors graduate with waivers? Will there be a ceremony?
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District is seeking the ability to waive graduation for individual students “on a case-by-case basis.”