Local News
Need more information regarding today's local news? Here, we'll keep you up to date on everything happening in the Columbia Basin today.
State burn ban ends; aid sought for E. Washington
OLYMPIA — Washington's statewide outdoor burn ban is scheduled to end Oct. 1, but state fire officials caution the…
Roundabout planned for Cunningham Road and State Route 17 intersection
The intersection of Cunningham Road and state Route 17 near Othello will get a roundabout in 2023, with Washington State Department of Transportation engineers designing the project in 2022.
Details released for Othello School District superintendent contract
Interim Othello School District superintendent Pete Perez will receive an extra $8,946.27 for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year in addition to his existing salary as assistant superintendent.
Perez follows path from Othello student to administrator
Whether as a student, teacher or administrator, interim Othello School District Superintendent Pete Perez has been part of the district most of his life.
Graduation plans begin to take shape
A second year of pandemic graduations are being planned by local high schools. While not all the details have been finalized due to the ever-changing nature of COVID-19, some districts have an idea of their plans.
Mattawa residents express concerns: Fear of retaliation, hostility cited; administrative assistant resigns
A few community members expressed concerns about the City of Mattawa and mayor firing Police Chief Joe Harris at a city council meeting Thursday.
Workshops scheduled for city council election season
For those interested in running for city council, an informational workshop will be noon April 28 and 5 p.m. April 29 in the Moses Lake City Council Chambers at 401 S. Balsam St.
Consultants propose new areas for urban growth for Moses Lake
Moses Lake’s urban growth areas, as currently outlined, contain more than enough capacity to meet long term growth needs, said Kevin Gifford, senior associate of Seattle-based BERK Consulting Inc. However, reductio…
Moses Lake Spring Festival canceled for second year
The annual Moses Lake Spring Festival this year is canceled, organizers said Monday via social media, due to restrictions imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandem…
Man barricades himself in home near Soap Lake; arrested
An unidentified man was arrested Tuesday night after he barricaded himself in a home near Soap Lake for several hours, coming out only after police fired tear …
The legacy returns: Wildlife museum reopens in Ritzville
Launching in 2018, Ritzville's Lasting Legacy Wildlife Museum reopened in March, after being closed throughout the pandemic.
Living space: Consulting firm defines new housing needs for Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, housing production is not keeping pace with the demand, said Kevin Gifford, senior associate of Seattle-based BERK Consulting Inc., at a recent planning commission workshop.
Red Cross blood drive coming to Ephrata
The Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin St. SW.
Sleep Center guest's death ruled overdose
The woman found dead last month at the Open Doors Sleep Center died from an overdose of Benadryl, according to a toxicology report from the Grant County Coroner’s Office.
GCFD 5, conservation district start on new facility
Representatives from Grant County Fire District 5 and the Grant County Conservation District broke ground Monday at the fire district training facility at 1280…
Applications now available for business tax deferral
Businesses with losses in 2020 due to COVID-19 may be eligible for a deferral on their 2021 property taxes.