History books for people who think history is boring

History? Oh, man, that’s sooooo boooring. Yeah ,okay, maybe, if it’s restricted to dates and lists of British prime ministers and things. Explore a little more, and all kinds of fun/crazy/scary/creepy/just plain interesting stuff pops up, some of it in the wildest places. I’ve been reading a lot of Japanese history lately, and it was there that I ran across the story of the gangsters back in the 1930s who were fighting over distribution rights to movies made by a popular Japanese movie star. They decided to talk it over but came prepared if things went off track. Which they did. So a gunfight ensued? Nah, it’s Japan in the 1930s - they got in a swordfight. Serious swordfight. Everybody died.

Five fantasy series for ages 12 and up

When I first started fourth grade, I despised reading. Now, that very thought sounds like sacrilege and I’ve gone on amazing adventures all through the pages of books. Not only do I have fond memories of reading particular books, but I grew as both a person and a writer as a result. Generally, fantasy and science fiction have been my favorite genres, though poetry and the occasional biography have drawn me in.

Elia Rodriguez

1941 – 2025

Elia Alicia Rodriguez, age 83, of Othello, Washington, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, in Hillsboro, Texas. She was surrounded by many visitors during her final days, a reflection of the lives she touched. Her loving daughter was by her side, ensuring she departed this world embraced by love and peace.

Big Sky Now: NFL Draft buzz, spring game standouts, and portal moves

The Big Sky Conference is buzzing — and this week’s episode has it all

Legals for April, 16 2025

Kenneth Kriete

Kenneth Eugene Kriete, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025, at the age of 93. A lifelong resident of Ephrata, Washington, Kenny was known for his kindness, humor, and dedication to his family and community.

Legals for April, 23 2025

Gary Craig

Gary Gene Craig, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away at home on April 15, 2025, at the age of 77 with his wife Athene and daughters Katie and Bethany at his side.

MLSD Digital Learning Center recognized as Beacon School

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District announced that the Digital Learning Center has received an award as a 2024–2025 Imagine Learning Beacon School

Legals for May, 7 2025

Wahluke updates dual language learning programs for 2025/26

Wahluke School Board discusses plans for start of next school year

MATTAWA — The Wahluke School Board met Tuesday night for a regularly scheduled board meeting where the plan to implement an updated dual language learning program was approved for the 2025/26 school year.

Legals for April, 30 2025

Columbia Basin schools recognized for excellence

MOSES LAKE – In a display of educational dedication, several schools within the Columbia Basin area have received honors from the Washington State School Recognition Program for the 2023-2024 academic year. These awards celebrate schools that have excelled in crucial areas of student success, including closing achievement gaps, fostering growth among diverse student populations and attaining high levels of performance.

Wilson comes up clutch again as Athletics edge Mariners 7-6 in 11 innings

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jacob Wilson singled home the winning run in the 11th inning to give the Athletics a 7-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series between the top two teams in the AL West.

Ann Louise Copeland Shults

1936 — 2025

Born July 31, 1936, to Howard and Elizabeth Louise Payne in Littleton, Colorado, Ann was greeted by a host of family and friends as she left this Earth April 29, 2025, surrounded by family.

Moses Lake port to open new maintenance facility

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners will cut the ribbon on a new $1.4 million building May 27. The new maintenance building will replace an existing structure, and Commissioner Darrin Jackson said replacement is overdue.

Legals for May, 14 2025

Playground planned, tentatively, for Othello’s Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO — A new playground probably will be coming to Othello’s Kiwanis Park, but funding will affect the timeline. It’s the next phase in improvements to the park, some of which are finished, some of which are ongoing. Othello did receive a grant to upgrade the Kiwanis Park basketball courts. A timeline for that project will be announced. Sarah Montemayor, the city’s grant coordinator, said Othello officials submitted grant requests to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office to upgrade the parking lot and build a new playground. The city got part but not all of the grant, she said.

Moses Lake School Board passes five policies, holds one

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School Board met for its regular meeting April 1 passed five policy updates and discussed one policy update with no action taken. The policies ranged from updating guidelines for non-resident students to removing a sentence from the district’s sexual harassment policy.

MLSD reads three policies, no votes occurred

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District School Board did first reads on three proposed policies at the April 18 board meeting. No decisions were made on any policy updates.