Legals for June, 4 2025

High-tech model trains stop at GC Fair

MOSES LAKE — This is not your grandfather’s electric train set. “In the old days, you had a dial,” said Steve Riegel, who oversaw the model railroad display in the Youth Building at the Grant County Fair last week. “You turned it one way and (the trains) all went forward. Then you stop it, you put it in reverse, it all goes in reverse. In today’s world, we can have (multiple trains) on the same track, any direction, any speed.”

Group14 projects production delayed

MOSES LAKE — Production at the Group14 facility in Moses Lake is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025. Company officials originally hoped to start production in late 2024. Katie Rolnick, Group14 senior communications manager, said the facility, known as BAM-2, is still under construction.

Ephrata installs new latrines at Sports Complex

MOSES LAKE – Ephrata Parks and Recreation sports complex will be getting new bathrooms. Crews are working on getting everything connected for public use.

Washington Democrats resurrect rent control proposal

(The Center Square) – Democrats in the Washington State Legislature are taking another run at rent control with pre-filed legislation to that effect for the 105-day session that starts Monday. Rep. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, pre-filed House Bill 2117 this week. “It caps rent increases at 7% annually, but it lets landlords set the rent however they like at the start of the tenancy,” Alvarado explained at a Friday morning press conference announcing the legislation. The lawmaker said she’s constantly hearing from renters in her district about out-of-control rent increases.

These games were added to the Super NES collection

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Minor injuries when driver of stolen car attempts to flee police

MOSES LAKE — The driver of a stolen car received minor injuries when the unidentified driver lost control of the car while attempting to flee from law enforcement.

Quincy woman drowns when car goes into canal

QUINCY — A 24-year-old Quincy woman died when she lost control of her car and drove into a large irrigation canal near Quincy, apparently sometime Sunday. Erika Martinez Chavez was driving on a canal maintenance road near Road 7 Northwest when she apparently lost control of the vehicle, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle went into the canal and Martinez Chavez was unable to get out of the car, the GCSO release said. “This was one of the larger canals,” said Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. “It’s about 75 feet wide and the water was about 20 feet deep.”

Mattawa woman arrested for daughter’s overdose death

MATTAWA — A Mattawa woman was arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of controlled substance homicide in connection with the death of her 16-year-old daughter in 2024. Ashley Perin Sandoval, 40, was arrested April 14 on suspicion of involving a minor in a drug transaction, distribution to people less than 18 years of age and endangerment with a controlled substance in addition to the homicide charge.

Getting the bugs out

Pest and weed control service opens in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — With the weather getting colder, some creepy crawly critters are likely to decide that your home should also be their home. A new business in town aims to help evict them. “Spiders, ants, just generally insects,” said Josh Gilliam, owner of Bug Out Pest and Spray. “We’re a very hot and arid environment, but we also have access to a lot of water, so that brings out the bugs.” Bug Out opened for business Aug. 1 and held its official ribbon-cutting Tuesday in Moses Lake. Gilliam has been in the extermination business for about 25 years, he said, first in Spokane and then in Moses Lake. He decided to go out on his own after meeting with his partner Kip Burns, who also owns Blinds for Any Budget and B and B Doors.

Grant Co. upgrades law enforcement software

MOSES LAKE – Grant County, with the assistance of the Multi-Agency Communications Center – 911, switched its law enforcement reporting software at the beginning of 2025. The new software is a cloud-based platform with more assets and less crashes than the previous program which the county has been using since 1996, according to Moses Lake Police Department Captain Jeff Sursely.

Quincy man faces controlled substance homicide charge

QUINCY – On Thursday, Abraham Cristobal Flores Velazquez, 32, of Quincy was arrested for controlled substance homicide in relation to a Yakima overdose death. The arrest was made by Yakima County’s Law Enforcement Against Drugs task force, after which he was transferred to detectives from the Grant County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, also known as iNET,and booked in the Grant County Jail.

Controlled agriculture burns underway around Moses Lake Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — Smoke visible around Moses Lake Tuesday afternoon is actually a pair of controlled agriculture burns.

Legals for February, 4 2025

Rent control takes center stage on first day of 2025 WA legislative session

(The Center Square) – Monday marked the beginning of the 105-day legislative session in Washington state. During this session, lawmakers will address a variety of challenges and issues, including a projected operating budget gap, public safety, housing, and homelessness. More than 30 newly seated members were sworn in. Some are brand new to the Washington State Legislature, while others moved from positions in the House to the Senate.

Ephrata area fire damages about 26 acres Thursday

EPHRATA – On Thursday at around 4:30 p.m., Grant County Fire District 13 was called out to a fire in the 12000 block of Road B.6 Northwest. The fire started as a controlled burn, but because of winds, it quickly became uncontrolled.

Audit finds MLIRD in compliance

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Auditor's recent independent accountability audit of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District revealed that the district's operations substantially complied with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023. The audit concluded that the district maintained adequate controls for safeguarding public resources against fraud, loss or abuse. The examination focused on high-risk areas, including accounts payable, financial condition, and compliance with open public meeting requirements. The audit did not cover every aspect of district operations but provided an overview of the areas deemed most vulnerable to potential discrepancies.

Wildfire near Quincy, evacuations in place

QUINCY – A fire started around 3 a.m. Thursday near Road 13 Northwest east of Adams Road, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. According to Watch Duty, the fire was under control at around 126 acres as of 5 p.m. There were no injuries or damaged structures, according to the GCSO. “Current conditions present a specific and immediate threat to life and safety of persons in this area,” the GCSO wrote in a statement. There are level two fire evacuations in place for the area near the fire. Level 1 means "Be Ready," Level 2 means "Be Set," and Level 3 means "Go Now." Updates will come as more information becomes available.

Invasive weeds threaten Columbia Basin ecosystems

MOSES LAKE – The Columbia Basin has become home to a variety of invasive plant species, with the most notorious being noxious weeds. “Weeds are a big issue,” said Nicole Jordan from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “Letting them go out of control can destroy a lot of habitat for other things.”

Ephrata man killed in SR 28 crash

SOAP LAKE — An Ephrata man was killed Wednesday night when he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding and crashed. He was lying in the road and was discovered an undetermined amount of time later, when a second car struck him.