Afton Reynolds Richards

Nov. 26, 1985 – April 11, 2024

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Afton Reynolds Richards, 38, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Born November 26, 1985, to Layne and Elaine Reynolds in St. Anthony, Idaho, Afton grew up on the family farm in Echo, Oregon.

Mary Helen Laughlin

Jan. 28, 1955 — March 18, 2024

Mary Helen Laughlin was born January 28, 1955, and passed away March 18, 2024, at age 69. She was a long-time breast cancer fighter, originally being diagnosed in 2008.

Francese Hall

Francese Kay Hall, age 78, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away on June 13, 2024. Fran was born in Barre, Vt., to Clarence and Freda Hopson.

Mammoth exhibit comes to Moses Lake museum

MOSES LAKE — Mammoths are kind of hard to find these days, but local folks will get to see the next best thing Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

Grant Co. health report highlights disease and mortality rates

MOSES LAKE — LIfe expectancy in Grant County went down in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and life expectancy in Grant County was lower than the statewide average in 2020. Statistics on life expectancy were among the information included in the “Community Health Assessment” released by the Grant County Health District Friday.

‘Comfort through chaos’

CB Cancer Foundation auction raises money for cancer patients

MOSES LAKE — The worst part of some people’s lives will be their fight with cancer, but the crowd at the Grant County Fairgrounds Saturday night was ready and able to help them through it. The Country Sweethearts benefit banquet and auction brought in more than $300,000 to support cancer patients and their families, according to Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation Executive Director Angel Ledesma. This is the 16th year for the event and the 25th anniversary of the CBCF’s founding, Ledesma said.

NEWS BITES: Feb. 14, 2025

NEWS BITES: Feb. 14, 2025

Country Sweethearts to benefit cancer patients, families

MOSES LAKE — The 16th annual Country Sweethearts benefit auction is coming up Feb. 1 and it’s going to be a doozy, according to Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation Executive Director Angel Ledesma.

GCFD 13 promotes three to command positions

EPHRATA – Grant County Fire District 13’s command staff looks a bit different than it did a week ago after a badge-pinning ceremony that promoted two firefighters to captains and one to battalion chief last week.

Care Moses Lake honored

OLYMPIA — Serve Washington has selected Care Moses Lake as the recipient of a 2024 Washington State Volunteer Service Award for the state’s north central region, according to an announcement from Serve Washington.

William Eric Galliart

Jan. 1, 1960 – April 30, 2024

William Eric Galliart, age 64, passed away unexpectedly at home in Moses Lake, Washington, on April 30, 2024, during his battle with cancer. Eric was born in Pratt, KS, on January 1, 1960 to Carol and Robert “Bob” Galliart.

STRENGTH: Jason Hilzer

LRS coach Hilzer back to coaching after bout with leukemia

RITZVILLE – Jason Hilzer has been coaching football, wrestling and baseball at Lind-Ritzville/Sprague for nearly a quarter of a century, assisting and leading the way in battles on the gridiron, wrestling mat and the diamond.

‘We are here to fight’

Purple Party gets community ready for Walk to End Alzheimer’s

MOSES LAKE — Alzheimer’s disease is a terrifying thing for many people: the fear that one day they will watch helplessly as they cease to remember their families and even who they are. The 150-200 people who came to the Purple Party at the Porterhouse Steakhouse in Moses Lake Thursday want to make that fear a thing of the past.

Ephrata intermediate school staffs to compete in tie-breaker volleyball game

EPHRATA – The stakes are high, bragging rights are up for grabs and both teams are all in on the goal of raising funds and food for the Ephrata Food Bank. The Ephrata School District will be hosting its third annual Ephrata Middle School vs. Parkway Secondary School staff volleyball match March 17.

Fuhr retires as city manager after resigning from MLSD Board

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake City Manager Kevin Fuhr has decided to retire as of June 30, citing health reasons, according to a press release from the city of Moses Lake. He also recently resigned from his post on the Moses Lake School District Board of Directors for the same reason.

Pear Bureau receives $4M global marketing grant

MILWAUKIE, OREGON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $4.025 million grant under the Regional Agriculture Promotion Program to build demand for American pears in global markets with a high potential according to a Pear Bureau Northwest press release.

Marvin W. Brooks

May 17, 1956 – Feb. 9, 2024

Marvin W. Brooks passed away on February 9, 2024, around 10 a.m. due to cancer. He was born on May 17, 1956, in Colville, Washington to Robert and Louise Brooks.

Sign-up for MCBONES Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site tours starts June 1

KENNEWICK – According to a May 17 announcement from the MCBONES Research Center Foundation, sign-ups for public and group tours at the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site, a dig site in Kennewick, begin June 1. Reservations can be made for June through October.

Fuhr resigns from MLSD board, cites health

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District announced that Moses Lake School Board Member Kevin Fuhr has resigned from the board, citing health concerns, as of Friday.

Kids with disabilities make memories at Merwin Day of Fishing

WOODLAND — More than 200 children with disabilities enjoyed a unique opportunity to experience the joy of fishing in a supportive and inclusive environment Saturday at the 24th annual Merwin Day of Fishing, according to an announcement from Pacific Power, which hosted the event in conjunction with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The event was held at the hatchery near Merwin Dam in southwestern Washington. Throughout the day, children caught fish specially raised for the event, with many experiencing the excitement of fishing for the first time, according to the announcement. When the kids arrived at the hatchery, they were given T-shirts, fishing rods, tackle and other items. Then volunteer coaches helped them catch up to five fish, which were cleaned and put on ice while families enjoyed a barbecue. The event not only provided a fun recreational activity, but also fostered connections among participants and volunteers. Volunteers from Pacific Power, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and several recreational fishing organizations generously contributed their time and expertise to ensure each child had a fulfilling experience, the announcement said. Corporate sponsors also played a crucial role in supporting the event, providing necessary equipment and resources.