Hands-on aerospace events for students coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Apple STEM Network, in collaboration with a team of elementary educators in Moses Lake, will host three Family STEM Nights this spring, according to an announcement from the organization. These events, sponsored by the Boeing Company, aim to ignite curiosity and foster an understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, among students and their families, with a special focus on sustainable aviation fuel and the future of aerospace.

Consumer alert issued for Bridge City Firm over alleged misconduct

VANCOUVER — The Better Business Bureau Great West + Pacific has issued a consumer alert concerning Bridge City Firm, a digital marketing and SEO service company based in Vancouver, Washington. Managed by Mark Davis, the firm has faced scrutiny from former clients who have raised serious concerns about its telemarketing tactics, misleading advertising claims and unfulfilled promises, according to a statement from BBB.

Roadwork to close SR 243 south of Mattawa starting Monday

MATTAWA — Drivers heading south of Mattawa can expect State Route 243 to be closed for a short stretch between Mattawa and Desert Aire, beginning Monday.

Road work set for next week in Quincy

QUINCY — Spring is in the air, and that means, among many other things, the start of road construction season. Road crews will be doing some crack-sealing work at night along State Route 28 in Quincy beginning Sunday night. Drivers should plan for some delays through Wednesday night at least, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation.

Traffic projects coming to I-90, SR 282

MOSES LAKE — Drivers on Interstate 90 between Road O NE and Dodson Road should be prepared for delays beginning in mid-July. Sebastian Moraga, communications consultant for the Washington Department of Transportation, said construction crews will be paving both the eastbound and westbound lanes. “This year it will be day work,” Moraga said.

Christmas driving looking hazardous

Checking road conditions, especially in passes, recommended

MOSES LAKE — What with Christmas, it’s a busy travel week – over the river and through the woods and all that – but drivers planning to head out are advised to check road and weather conditions. There’s plenty of precipitation in the forecast and while the valley forecast is for rain, there could be some traffic-snarling snow through the mountains.

ROAD REPORT: Aug. 1, 2025

MOSES LAKE — Drivers should be ready for single lane traffic, delays and temporary ramp closures along sections of Interstate 90 between Dodson Road and Road O Northeast. Sections of the road and the access ramps are being repaved, with the work expected to continue through the end of the construction season.

Mattawa launching utility rate study

MATTAWA — Water and sewer rates in Mattawa will be reviewed to see if they’re still adequate to pay for the services. “In 2022, we did an update (of a 2019 study) with the new funding packages,” said Jaymin Ankney, engineer with Gray and Osborne, during the Mattawa City Council meeting Aug. 7. “More things were known, more projects were defined, and we updated it.”

Detours near Ephrata, delays near Moses Lake as construction ramps up

MOSES LAKE — The balmy summer days where there’s almost no delay for road construction are coming to an end – the part with no road construction, not the balmy summer days. Work starts Monday on some major projects, including a roundabout at the intersection of Nat Washington Way and State Route 282. Tom Gaines, Grant County central services director, said the work will require closing SR 282 at the intersection. “This is a major impact,” Gaines said.

EWU men’s basketball launches 'Read Like an Eagle' program

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University Men's Basketball has taken its passion for teamwork and learning beyond the court with the launch of Read Like an Eagle, a community outreach program designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading among elementary students across the Spokane and Cheney school districts.

Quincy Renew office closed for remodeling beginning next week

QUINCY — The Quincy office of Renew, Grant County’s mental health provider, will be closed for most of October and all of November while the space is remodeled. “The Quincy building closure is temporary and part of a planned renovation to improve client experience and service delivery,” wrote Dayana Ruiz, Renew community relations manager, in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “The Quincy office has served the community for many years, and these updates will create a more welcoming, accessible, and efficient space for both clients and staff.” The Quincy facility is owned by Grant County, she said, and as a result Renew officials want to keep it in good condition.

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.

Vantage Bridge construction gets rolling again

VANTAGE — Among many other things, spring and summer mean roadwork. And work has already started for 2025 on the Vantage Bridge. Starting Monday, the bridge is back to a single lane of traffic in each direction. Summer Derrey, Washington Department of Transportation assistant communications manager for the south central region, said WSDOT is asking drivers to think about taking alternate routes.

Angled parking may come to more of downtown Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Additional angled parking may be coming to sections of Third and Fourth avenues in Moses Lake as part of the project to resurface downtown streets. City engineers presented some details to the Moses Lake City Council at a May 20 workshop, including a proposal for additional angled parking. Council members must approve any angled parking changes.

CliftonLarsonAllen consolidates in new Moses Lake office

MOSES LAKE — CliftonLarsonAllen has a new home in the Columbia Basin. The accounting firm, which has had offices in Moses Lake, Quincy and Othello, is consolidating those offices into a single location on Yonezawa Boulevard in Moses Lake. The company cut the ribbon on its new building Wednesday in a ceremony with the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Various road projects underway in Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — Drivers around Moses Lake will have seen the truck with the tank in the back and the guy with a hose looking like he’s vacuuming the street. Actually, the attachment that resembles a vacuum is sealing cracks in the pavement.

Defensive driving key for vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders

MOSES LAKE — Spring is here, summer is coming and among other things that means motorcycles returning to the road. That means vehicle drivers may need to readjust their thinking, and motorcycle riders may need to reacquaint themselves with the bike.

Renew director brings back ideas from prestigious fellowship

MOSES LAKE — Behavioral health care in Grant County may see some improvements. Dell Anderson, director of Renew, formerly Grant Mental Health, recently completed a Baldridge Fellowship and came back with some ideas, he said Thursday.

Emotional space

Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation unveils new, larger building

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation finally has some breathing room. “We were really shoved into a little box,” said Community Relations Coordinator Amanda Carpenter. “We made it work, and it was great for the time we had it, but this space works so much better for us. It’s a lot more comfortable for our clients and comfortable for us. We’re not climbing on top of each other now.” The foundation unveiled its new office at 1022 S. Pioneer Way Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting for the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and burgers sizzling on a grill outside. The occasion was also the foundation’s annual Celebrate Life event to honor cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. The new facility has something the foundation has long dreamed of, a family room where patients, caregivers and families can have some privacy as they deal with the emotional cyclone that comes with cancer.

Law enforcement focused on impaired drivers

Drunk or high driving will be the focus for police in Grant County through Sept. 1

MOSES LAKE — Grant County law enforcement agencies are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” emphasis patrols through Sept. 1. The campaign started Aug. 13.