Boys and Girls Club logo allegedly used in Moses Lake scam

MOSES LAKE — Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin officials are warning people that scammers apparently are using the club’s logo and claiming to be affiliated with the organization. The scammers allegedly were soliciting money door to door along Third Avenue early Tuesday afternoon.

GCFD 7 audit findings spur improvements

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 has recently undergone its first federal audit due to the receipt of over a million dollars in grant funding, which has revealed several areas of improvement regarding financial reporting and compliance with federal regulations.

Grant County Jail roster as of Dec. 17, 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. Listing is not comprehensive.

Illusion(s) of grandeur

OTHELLO — Illusion isn’t just her name—she’s the real deal. This sweet mixed-breed girl has so much love to give and is dreaming of a cozy forever home. Spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped, she’s ready to be your loyal companion. Visit Adams County Pet Rescue in Othello and let Illusion turn your house into a home filled with love. If she seems like your kind of girl, visit AdamsCountyPetRescue.com and fill out her application. If you can’t adopt right now, but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Local legislators discuss 2026 session

MOSES LAKE — Washington 13th District legislators previewed what they see as the challenges of the upcoming 2026 session at a meeting with Moses Lake city officials and residents Tuesday. State Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake along with Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, outlined some of their plans and ideas as well as the major business of the 2026 legislative session. Warnick said the state faces some challenges.

Local experts eye AI to help develop the future

MOSES LAKE — AI technology has been developing quickly over the last few years with multiple avenues and questions arising regarding its use in everyday life. NCW Tech Alliance hopes to guide North Central Washington in how to utilize this technology as it continues to evolve. “AI is a general-purpose technology and so it’s much easier to understand what’s possible and the vastness of what opportunities there are in AI if you think about it in that way,” said Sue Kane, CEO of NCW Tech Alliance.

Dorow appointed to Othello City Council

OTHELLO — Chris Dorow has been appointed to a vacant position on the Othello City Council. Dorow was appointed by unanimous vote after candidates for the seat were interviewed at the Dec. 8 council meeting. There was no discussion. Dorow replaces Denae Valdez, who resigned from the council in November. “We had seven members of the public apply for this position,” said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan.

Mavs cheer qualifies for state competition

MOSES LAKE — The Mavericks cheer team has qualified for state competition after scoring in the 80’s at a competition at Hanford High School on Dec. 5. Since they have qualified, they will have a chance to compete for their ninth straight co-ed championship. “At this point, there is an expectation that we will do well,” Moses Lake High School Cheer Head Coach Mikey Carlile said. “It's more nerve wracking for me now; we're the defending co-ed state champions for the last eight years in a row. So, there's just pressure... just that expectation to continue that.”

Legals for December, 17 2025

UW claims first national soccer title in program history

CARY, NC — The University of Washington Huskies Men’s soccer team (16-6-2) faced off against the NC State Wolfpack in the NCAA National Championships on Monday where they won 3-2 in overtime. This victory secured the first national title in program history.

Harold  Wiley

1949 – 2025

Harold Eugene Wiley, 76, passed away on December 4, 2025, in Logandale, NV. Harold was born in Sunnyside, Wash., on May 14, 1949, to Robert Earl Wiley and Anna Juanita Minor. He married Kathryn Ann Hanford on August 18, 1972, in E. Wenatchee, Wash.

Women combine talents to open businesses in shared space

MOSES LAKE — Three woman-owned businesses held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening at their new location in Moses Lake Thursday. The office at 815 W. Third Ave. holds an accounting firm, a massage service and a waxing room. “We’re a one-stop shop,” Mandy Schuh said. Schuh is the owner and founder of both Pillar Rock Accounting and Seventh Sense Serenity massage service. As Pillar Rock, she and her assistant Esmeralda Sanchez handle after-the-fact bookkeeping: general bookkeeping, payroll processing and bank and credit card reconciliation. That’s the business people see when they walk in the front door. In a quiet, gently-lit room in the back of the office, Schuh massage services, including Swedish, intraoral massage, myofascial, reflexology and the Japanese technique called Reiki.

Fuel hovers at about $4 locally, exceeds nation by about $1

MOSES LAKE — The national average remains under $3 for the second week in a row. Washington’s fuel average is almost an even $4. Grant County dropped below the $4 mark this week, for the first time this year, and Adams County saw a slight increase in fuel prices this week but still remains under the $4 mark.

High winds forecast Tuesday and Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — While the heavy rain, heavy snow and flooding is expected to stay north of the Columbia Basin, the Basin won’t escape the storms forecast to roll through the region this week. According to the National Weather Service, it’s going to get pretty windy. “We do have a very busy week ahead of us,” said Antoinette Serrato, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane.

GCSO Crime Reduction Team makes strides in community safety

EPHRATA — In an effort to increase proactive law enforcement, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office established a Crime Reduction Team, which has been effective since its inception in 2024, according to Sheriff Joey Kriete. The CRT, led by Supervisor Sgt. Jason Ball, alongside Deputies Ben Smithson and Adam Davis, was created to tackle rural thefts and other crime issues affecting Grant County residents. Kriete explained the reason behind establishing the CRT.

Grant PUD seeks rate input

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District customers have until Dec. 23 to submit their comments on proposed rate hikes that would go into effect in April 2026. Comments can be submitted at Grant PUD: Commission Meetings. Customers commenting at the last PUD commission meeting of 2025 said higher rates are going to be a challenge. Commissioner Terry Pyle said the PUD is facing challenges too.

Basin Sports Schedule: Dec. 16-20, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Local athletes press through one more week of competition before heading onto Winter Break. See where the high school teams will be heading this week.

Legals for December, 16 2025

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.

GCHD declares end to facility bird flu outbreak

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District announced that it has completed all response activities related to the recent outbreak of avian influenza at a commercial poultry operation in the county. This declaration comes after a comprehensive assessment of potential exposures, testing of symptomatic individuals, and the provision of antiviral medications when warranted.