Barbara Ann Ronk

1942 – 2025

Barbara Ann Ronk, 82, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 25, 2025, in Moses Lake, Washington. She was born on October 8, 1942, in Modesto, California. She moved with her family to Eltopia, Washington in July 1955. She lived a life rich with laughter, love, and purpose.

Alabama looking for a ‘sweet home’

MOSES LAKE – Meet Alabama, the purr-fect Southern belle ready to cat-apult into your heart. At just 1 year, 7 months, and 18 days old, she’s all spayed and vaccinated. She is paw-sitively purring for her forever family. Adopt her by visiting GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and clicking “adopt,” and let the meow-gic begin. If you can’t adopt this sweet girl, but you want to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Local youth honored at upcoming Chief for a Day event

EPHRATA – What happens when Grant County children, who are battling significant medical challenges, are promised a day of fun and recognition? They become honorary Chiefs for a day on June 12, an exhilarating experience that leaves lasting smiles and cherished memories. “It’s all about giving the families and the children a memorable day where they can momentarily forget their medical challenges,” said Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

'Party in the USA'

This year’s Soroptimist auction has a patriotic flair

MOSES LAKE — June 14 will be a star-spangled night in Moses Lake. “Party in the USA” will be the theme for this year’s Soroptimist auction, which falls on Flag Day. “That could mean your fanciest presidential-type outfits all the way down to your backyard party (attire), flag T-shirt and shorts,” said Soroptimist member Katie Wilson. “Red, white and blue all over.” The dinner and auction will be held at Pillar Rock Grill in Moses Lake, and the menu will be barbecue in keeping with the theme, Wilson said. Besides dinner and dancing, there will be raffles, a silent auction and a live auction conducted by Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers.

Street party

Ephrata Sage-N-Sun coming June 13-14

EPHRATA — There are a few new things at the Ephrata Sage-N-Sun Festival this year. “We’re bringing back our 3-on-3 basketball tournament,” said Brittney MacLeod, director of the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. “We’re adding a Kid Zone, which will include a dunk tank. There’s a petting zoo and a couple of different things for kids to do.” The basketball tournament, which will run both Friday and Saturday, has been on hiatus for a number of years, MacLeod said. “We’re excited to bring it back and add a youth aspect to draw families downtown and keep them downtown for the weekend,” she said.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: The importance of learning spaces

What a weird time we live in. We have the greatest access to information since the dawn of time, but the double-edged sword of the internet is that we also have the greatest access to misinformation since the dawn of time.

Legals for June, 5 2025

Soap Lake School District completes successful audit with no findings

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake School District has completed its annual financial and federal audit conducted by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. The audit results indicate a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and compliance with both federal and state regulations.

'Truly one of the best that Ephrata High School has to offer'

Senior Hannah Keen recognized as student of the month

EPHRATA – Hannah Keen, a senior at Ephrata High School, has been recognized as one of the June Students of the Month for her exceptional growth, dedication and positivity both in and outside the classroom, according to Marla Allsopp, the teacher who nominated her.

Ideas, suggestions, challenges focus of homelessness forum

MOSES LAKE — About 100 people came to the Moses Lake Civic Center Tuesday to make suggestions and consider options for the way forward after the Open Doors Sleep Center closes at the end of the month.

Basin schools represented at state track meet

YAKIMA – The state track meet was held on Saturday for 1B, 2B, and 1A schools at Eisenhower’s Zaepfel Stadium. Basin schools were well represented at the meet with runners from Lind-Ritzville, Moses Lake Christian Academy, Royal, and Wahluke.

WA use-of-force database up and running

Bipartisan effort supported by law enforcement to improve transparency and accountability.

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has announced the official launch of the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety, after several years of delays, according to Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. “A single location with clear, standardized and contextual information will help the public better understand the use of force in Washington,” Brown wrote in a statement. “Law enforcement and policymakers will have common tools to better analyze force and make informed decisions about policing policies and practices.”

Quick change

George hotel turns from Microtel to Holiday Inn Express overnight

GEORGE — The Holiday Inn Express in George appeared literally overnight. “On (April) 10 we closed the transaction and then at 7 p.m. IHG, which is the brand where Holiday Inn Express comes from, gave us the green light to open the hotel,” said General Manager Jed Jonathan. The hotel, which was built in 2020, had been a Wyndham Microtel up until then. It hadn’t been listed for sale, Jonathan said, but the owner had put out a few feelers. Jonathan owned several storage businesses under the name Dream Storage. When he became interested in branching out into the hospitality sector, Jonathan reached out to a number of hotel chains looking for a franchise, he said, and IHG was the first one that called him back. IHG put him in contact with A1 Hospitality in Tri-Cities, which owned about 20 hotels. Between then they created Dream A1 Hospitality, which is the official owner of the hotel.

Senior events for June 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather is gorgeous, the grandchildren are out of school and there’s no end of opportunities for seniors to get out and about this month. Here are a few:

Flash back to the ’60s and ’70s at the Moses Lake Senior Picnic

MOSES LAKE — It’s time to break out the leisure suits, bell bottoms and – for the very brave – platform shoes next Wednesday for the 11th annual Senior Picnic.

Adams County inmate roster for June 4, 2025

Information below is publicly available from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and reflects prisoners brought into custody on the date indicated. Defendants in criminal cases are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. This listing of inmates held on behalf of Adams County is current as of June 3, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Legals for June, 4 2025

WA student summer food program open for applications

OLYMPIA – This summer, approximately 620,000 children across Washington will benefit from SUN Bucks, a program designed to help families purchase food when school is not in session. The initiative, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program is aimed at providing nutritional support during the summer months.

Quincy Jacks 2025 soccer season recap

QUINCY – The Quincy Jacks boys soccer team ended their Spring 2025 season with an overall record of 13-9-1, earning third place in the district tournament and making it to state.

ACH Warriors softball season recap

COULEE CITY – The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (15-7) wrapped up their season with a state tournament appearance. According to head coach Faye Butler, her players took themselves far beyond expectations. “We were a super young team, they learned a lot, and we watched the championship game, and they're like, ‘yeah, we want to be there,’ so I feel that they're ready to go for next year,” she said. After placing second in the district tournament, the Warriors earned the fourth seed and a first round bye in the state tournament. They would play Colton and be defeated 13-7. From there, they were moved into the consolation bracket where they played Dayton and won 11-6 before moving on to face Inchelium. They were defeated 11-3 and officially eliminated from the tournament.