Ephrata prepares for winter weather

EPHRATA — As colder temperatures and the promise of snow settle over Ephrata, city officials urge residents to familiarize themselves with local snow removal policies and the critical role they play in ensuring safe roadways. Ray Towry, the City Administrator, emphasized the city’s commitment to effective snow management, developed collaboratively with input from community stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce, City Council, local businesses and the Ephrata School District. Once snowfall reaches at least two inches, the city’s four-person Street Department will initiate plowing operations. Crews typically begin work before 4:00 AM, often enduring shifts lasting 16 to 18 hours during significant weather events. “We strive to balance safety with the efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” Towry said. “Plowing happens mostly overnight, and it’s crucial we handle this as effectively as possible.”

Ephrata PD achieves full staffing on paper, officers still being trained

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Police Department Chief Erik Koch announced that the department is officially recognized as fully staffed, although he emphasized that this achievement comes with a caveat.

GCSO Sgt. McDonnell helps empower rural resident

SOAP LAKE — After a postal worker discovered a note asking for help inside a rural Soap Lake mailbox Wednesday, the worker called the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Jason McDonnell answered the call and checked on the person who lived at the home, according to GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

Warden swears in council member and updates 2025 budget

WARDEN — The Warden City Council completed one oath of office, discussed voter turnout and updated its 2025 budget at its regular council meeting Tuesday. The council decided to cancel the next meeting, which would be on Dec. 23. The council will return for its regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 6, 2026.

Legals for December, 12 2025

Confluence Health refunding $1.8M following AG investigation

OLYMPIA — After an extensive investigation by the Washington State Attorney General's Office, Confluence Health has agreed to refund over $1.8 million to thousands of patients who were eligible for charity care but did not receive appropriate reimbursements for medical fees. The investigation revealed that Confluence Health, operating two hospitals in Central Washington, failed to refund payments made by patients who qualified for charity care after they had already made out-of-pocket costs.

Gifts sought for MLSD bus drivers’ Tree of Sharing

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake’s school bus drivers still have a few gifts to buy, and they could use a little help.

Legals for December, 15 2025

Legals for December, 11 2025

Grant County Jail logs as of Dec. 10, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office reports as of Dec. 12, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

More rain for Cascades, high winds for Columbia Basin this week

LEAVENWORTH — A second strong winter storm is projected to hit Washington this week, bringing heavy rains back to areas that were hard-hit by rain and flooding last week. Steve Bodnar, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said rain is forecast to start Monday, but won’t last as long.

Legals for December, 9 2025

Quincy EP&O levy to go to voters

QUINCY — Quincy School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election in February. If it’s approved, it would replace the levy approved by voters in 2022. District superintendent Nik Bergman said money raised through the levy accounts for about 16% of the district’s budget. “The state doesn’t fully fund a lot of programs,” Bergman said. “It’s used to fund our highly capable (program) and STEAM enrichment. Some of it is used to fund special education, early learning, the arts, music. We have a music program that is just flourishing right now, and I can connect that to the community support of the levy.”

Thompson, Ostlund, Benson score as Sabres beat Kraken 3-1 for 3rd straight win

SEATTLE (AP) — Noah Ostlund, Tage Thompson and Zach Benson all scored and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Seattle Kraken 3-1 on Sunday for their third straight win. Alex Tuch had two assists and Alex Lyon made 23 saves for the Sabres. Chandler Stephenson scored for Seattle, and Joey Daccord stopped 20 shots. The Kraken have lost eight of their last nine games (1-7-1).

Adams County Jail inmate roster as of Dec. 15, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This is the active list of inmates for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office listed in order of the date of arrest. The Adams County Jail is closed, so inmates are housed in other jurisdictions. Arrests are listed from most recent to oldest.

Legals for December, 16 2025

Mattawa Winter Festival includes crafts, cocoa and ugly sweaters

MATTAWA — Mattawa’s annual Winter Festival will take place Wednesday. “The goal is to bring families together to celebrate the holiday and to make crafts as a family,” said Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya. The event is put together by a coalition of community stakeholders including the city of Mattawa, Wahluke School District, the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic and Columbia Basin Health Association, Celaya said. Crafts play a large part in the Winter Festival, Celaya said. Local first responders will have a table where children can decorate cookies with police officers, and MCMC will have a space where children can write letters to Santa. The Wahluke High School Future Business Leaders of America will have a booth where children can make a Christmas ornament for the 50-foot tree in the school commons. The craft materials are donated by CBHA, Celaya said.

Skyview Dental opens new clinic

MOSES LAKE — The new Skyview Dental clinic is open. “It’s been under planning for about two and a half years,” said Dr. Calvin Despain at the clinic’s ribbon-cutting Friday. “We broke ground in March of this year and then just finished up and started seeing patients a couple of weeks ago.” The 6,000-square-foot clinic features 10 treatment rooms with brand new equipment, arranged in an open, airy space that allows Despain and his staff to move around easily between patients. “It’s built around patient comfort, Despain said. “We’ve got the most advanced equipment and dental chairs that are available … We do same-day crowns. We have 3D printing where we can get dentures made faster. We have our 3D X-rays … We have our little special surgery rooms (where) we can have a nice private place for people to be who have longer procedures.”

Ephrata rings in the holidays with Bells on Basin on Saturday

EPHRATA — Bells on Basin will fill downtown Ephrata with holiday spirit Saturday, with games, shopping and a lighted parade. “It's a festive event that a lot of people look forward to, to kick off and bring everybody together for the holidays,” said Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Director Britney MacLeod.