Xi Beta Xi raises money for Othello Food Bank

OTHELLO — The ladies of Xi Beta Xi showed their support for the Othello Food Bank last week, to the tune of $2,413. “We held a holiday auction,” said Xi Beta Xi Vice President Debbie Pegram. “All of us in the group (brought) silent auction items, and we invited all the other groups in town.”

Cops for Tots

Moses Lake Police collect toys for local children

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department is focused on supporting local children this year with their revamped annual toy drive. “We had been doing this for a while, through Toys for Tots,” said MLPD Public Records Technician Cristina Valdez. “But last year we decided to change it to Cops for Tots so that we could make sure the toys stayed within our own community.” Officers and support staff stationed themselves outside both entrances of the Moses Lake Walmart Saturday evening.

Moses Lake BMX showed growth, strength in ‘25

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake BMX group had a big year in 2025 as they experienced growth in their riders and the facility. With the season ending in November, Jeff Niehenke, President of Moses Lake BMX, has had time to reflect and plan for what’s to come at the start of the next season. “This year went really well,” said Niehenke. “We were in two new beginner leagues, and we just had a lot of growth from the beginner leagues.”

Newhouse to retire from Congress

WASHINGTON D.C. — Fourth District Representative Dan Newhouse has announced he will not seek reelection to the US Congress in 2026. The announcement was made Wednesday. “This decision comes with no reservations or remorse, only gratitude for the tremendous opportunity to have represented my home state in Congress,” the statement said.

Local bean bag champ eyes pro game

MOSES LAKE — We’ve seen the game at almost every outdoor community gathering: two or more players tossing bean bags at a board tilted up at an angle, aiming for a hole in the board. But that bean bag toss game, also called cornhole, is more than just a casual pastime; it’s a serious sport with dedicated players. “I’m trying to go pro right now,” said Camryn Barrientoz of Moses Lake. “I was No. 2 in Washington, and since I did really well in this regional (tournament), it got me enough points where it bumped me up to No. 1 in Washington.” That regional tournament was held in Wenatchee Dec. 12-13, and Camryn, along with his doubles partner Jay Robins, took back-to-back titles, according to an email Camryn sent the Columbia Basin Herald.

Legals for December, 18 2025

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.

WA COLLEGE SPORTS SCHEDULE: Dec. 18-25, 2025

MOSES LAKE — Colleges around the state continue to compete for dominance ahead of the holiday break. See where your favorite teams will be heading this week.

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

Wahluke Jr. High earns Culture Kick-Off Award again

MATTAWA — Wahluke Junior High School has been honored with the 2025 Culture Kickoff Award for the second year in a row, according to an announcement from the Association of Washington School Leaders and the Association of Washington School Principals.

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.

Huskies best Boise State in LA Bowl

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The University of Washington Huskies football team (9-4) earned a 38-10 victory over the Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl over the weekend to officially close out their season.

Jacks show fight in home loss

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks (1-4) fell in a competitive 67-47 game at home to the Grandview Greyhounds Saturday. Head Coach Scott Bierlink said his players competed against the Greyhounds but dug themselves too deep of a hole to climb out of.

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.