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.

Basin sports schedule for March 26-April 2

MOSES LAKE – Basin athletes are taking off to pitches, courts, courses and diamonds throughout the area. Check out below to see where your fav team is headed.

Basin sports schedule for April 2-9

MOSES LAKE – Spring Break is here, but student athletes continue to face off on the courts, courses, fields, and diamonds. See where and what times local teams will be playing.

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE - April 9-16, 2025

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE - April 9-16, 2025

Vicki Jeske

March 22, 1948 – Jan. 29, 2025

Vicki Diann Jeske, 76, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Jan. 29, 2025. Vicki was born on March 22, 1948, in Portland, Oregon to Emil and Eva Kociemba. She was raised with her sister Marci in Boring, Oregon and graduated from Sandy High School in 1966. She married right out of high school and started her family with the birth of Kenneth in 1970. These early years included lots of time spent at bowling alleys across Washington and Oregon. She continued bowling and raising kids with the birth of Christopher, Nikki, and finally, Michelle. Her bowling endeavors spanned across four decades.

Ephrata’s Lopez Argueta excels in classes despite language barrier

EPHRATA – In a celebration of resilience and hard work, Ephrata High School has named Diego Lopez Argueta as one of the Students of the Month for March. His tenacity in the face of challenges, particularly his efforts in overcoming language barriers, has made a significant impact on both his teachers and peers, said his teachers.

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: March 19-26, 2025

MOSES LAKE – Spring sports is in full swing, whether that’s a bat, a club or a racket and it’s going to be a busy week in the Columbia Basin for local student athletes.

Basin sports schedule March 13-18

MOSES LAKE — High school spring sports kick off the Columbia Basin in earnest this week, with baseball, softball and other teams kicking off their seasons. Check the schedule below for local teams in action over the next week.

Ephrata High’s Smith named student of the month

EPHRATA — Devin Smith, a sophomore at Ephrata High School, has been recognized as one of the EHS February Students of the Month, a recognition bestowed by his teacher, Scott Sandberg. Sandberg, who teaches cyber security and serves as the Future Business Leaders of America advisor, highlighted Smith’s exemplary performance and dedication both in and out of the classroom as the primary reasons for his nomination.

New principal named for Wahluke’s Saddle Mountain Elementary

MATTAWA — Melissa Hattaway has been named the principal at Saddle Mountain Elementary beginning with the 2025-25 school year. “She’s replacing Kurt Hoffman who’s retiring after 40 years in education,” Wahluke School District Superintendent Andy Harlow said. “Melissa is a Royal High School graduate and has worked for (the Wahluke School District) for 15 years. This will be her first role as principal.”

Paws and applause: celebrating Ephrata’s outstanding Tiger leader

Erika Morford excels as student leader and community contributor

EPHRATA – Ephrata High School senior Erika Morford has been named one of the February Students of the Month, a recognition that the teacher who nominated her said highlights her significant contributions as treasurer of the Associated Student Body and vice president of the National Honor Society, among other activities.

Mattawa council looks at improvements to Wahluke grad parade

MATTAWA — Changes could be coming to the parade that follows Wahluke High School graduation.

Robot paints lines, saves time

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District has been using a “tiny robot” for around a year to paint the fields at Ephrata Middle School and Ephrata High School.

Triple play

EHS Spring Showcase features series of one-act dramas

EPHRATA — Audiences at Ephrata High School’s Spring Showcase will be in for a three-fer when EHS Drama presents three one-act plays. “I had another show in mind,” Director Marla Allsopp said. “But I never quite know what I’m going to have for audition, so I always have some (other scripts) kind of in the back of my mind. I didn’t get the right combo or number of kids for the show I was thinking of, and I had these kind of sitting there. (I said), “I would really love to do these shows I’ve had for a couple of years, and I finally have the right group to do it.’” With a cast of 10, several students appear in two plays, and one, senior Monty Muir, is in all three.

Showing growth and perseverance

Ephrata High's Edgar Lopez recognized as a student of the month

EPHRATA — Edgar Lopez, a student in the Life Skills program at Ephrata High School, has been named one of the February Students of the Month for his significant academic and personal growth. His journey through high school, while marked with challenges, stands as a testament to perseverance, kindness and enthusiasm for learning, said Tanya Piturachsatit, the teacher who nominated him.

Teacher for life

Ephrata educator retiring after 38 years

EPHRATA — An era will end this year at Ephrata schools, as Charlotte Throgmorton retires. Throgmorton, who is finishing her career as the assistant principal at Ephrata High School, has been with the Ephrata School District for 38 years, her entire teaching career.

Weather for the week of March 24, 2025

Weather for the week of March 24, 2025

Groff students settling into new campuses

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District is settling students and teachers into classrooms Groff Elementary will be closed for the remainder of the school year after electrical issues resulted in the injury of an unidentified individual. The school was originally planned to be closed March 3 through March 7 with students attending classes from home. However, at the March 6 school board meeting, it was announced the school would remain closed for the remainder of the school year.

Mavs’ Dietmeyer signs with Embry-Riddle

MOSES LAKE –Moses Lake Senior Jaedynn Dietmeyer signed her letter of intent Friday in the Moses Lake High School gym to continue her track and field career with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “It’s going to be an amazing school,” said Dietmeyer. “I love the location; the coaches and the team are just amazing people.”

Legals for April, 4 2025