Black pickup owner suspected of local crimes

EPHRATA – On Monday, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a 21-year-old man. The newly-formed crime reduction team apprehended Oscar E. Ruiz Ramos, 21, of Quincy, Saturday while he was driving a pickup suspected of involvement in area fuel thefts and casing local homes, according to the GCSO statement.

Legals for July, 30 2024

MLSD continues working toward balanced budget

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District Board of Directors continued to develop a balanced district budget during its regular Thursday meeting. District staff highlighted significant budget cuts, previous spending and highlights from the previous school year during the meeting.

Cougars head to Paris Olympics

PULLMAN – A contingent of seven past Washington State athletes are making their way to Paris, France this week for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, July 26 - Aug. 11. The group will represent six different nations while competing in men's and women's track & field, women's rowing, women's soccer, and men's basketball.

FIRE REPORT: Two fires light up in Spokane County Friday

SPOKANE — Two new wildfires began Friday afternoon in Eastern Washington, according to information released by state and federal authorities.

Make beautiful art at the Old Hotel this month

OTHELLO — There are lots of chances coming up to try your hand at art at the Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello. “Our art classes are something that the Old Hotel has done for a very long time,” said gallery Director Samantha Copas. “I took classes here when I was a kid, and it kind of died off for a little bit … Then I got hired as the director last June, and that was something that I really wanted to bring back, turn it back into an Othello tradition.” The classes are planned now through mid-August, Copas said. Most of them are for all ages, and parents have the option to stay with their kids or not. Participants are encouraged to wear clothes they don’t mind getting stained, as good art is prone to be messy.

Gray wolves to remain on state endangered list after 5-4 vote

OLYMPIA – Gray wolves will remain on the endangered species list in Washington after a close 5-4 vote by the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission, according to a Washington Policy Center press release. Over the past 15 years, the gray wolf population has grown significantly, with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife counting at least 260 wolves in 42 packs.

Legals for July, 29 2024

Home inventory up more than a third in the Evergreen State

MOSES LAKE — There are a lot more homes available in Washington state than there were a year ago, according to data released in July by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

CBCCA announces a varied concert season

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association is urging people who love music to get their season tickets early, according to an announcement from the association. “The best way to see all the shows is by purchasing a season membership,” the CBCCA wrote in the announcement. “We’ve announced our 2024-25 season and are excited for the music coming to the Basin.” The first performer for the season will be Kate Voss and the Hot Sauce. Voss got her start playing piano in clubs in Seattle with a variety of bands, according to her official biography. She studied jazz, but found her interests were more varied than that genre would allow, so she formed her own band to play a fusion of jazz, blues, pop, country, western swing, oldies, Americana and rockabilly. Besides piano, Voss sings with a voice reminiscent of Nancy Sinatra and Etta James, and also plays the ukulele bass and melodica. Her band, the Hot Sauce, can be anything from a duo to a sextet and backs her up with a danceable, nostalgic sound. On Oct. 17, Molly in the Mineshaft will take the stage with a mixture of traditional folk styles including Celtic, bluegrass and blues. The Utah-based septet wields an array of instruments including mandolin, banjo, guitar, cello, fiddle and bagpipes, backing up three vocalists’ harmonies. They’ve won numerous awards and championships for their instrumental work, according to their promotional materials.

Fuzzy friends seek friendly homes

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach is looking for a few awesome humans to adopt a bunch of equally awesome dogs. The shelter is located at 6725 Randolph Road NE in Moses Lake and may be reached at 509-762-9616 or by email at [email protected]. The facility is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. and Friday from noon to 6 p.m. All GCAO animals available for adoption are fully vaccinated and have been spayed or neutered.

FIRE REPORT: Swawilla Fire uncontained, still growing

GRAND COULEE — The Swawilla Fire, ignited by lightning July 27, is located 11 miles east of Grand Coulee and grew to roughly 17,389 acres by Thursday. The fire remains uncontained according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Law enforcement records for July 26, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Moses Lake PD July 18 Report of an unidentified person damaging the reporting party’s boat and stealing items from the boat. Police found the subject cut the boat cover, removed subwoofers and amps, and damaged wiring in the boat. The subject(s) placed the cover back on the boat. Damages and loss are estimated at over $2,000. Report of a lost pitbull or bully mix walking around West Lakeshore Drive. Reporting party is holding onto the dog until the owner is contacted.

Legals for July, 26 2024

Joyce Marie Kitkowski

Dec. 9, 1950 — May 14, 2024

Joyce Marie (Rashford) Kitkowski, 73, passed away on May 14, 2024, at Sunnyside, Washington after a short illness. Joyce was born on Dec. 9, 1950, in Yakima, Washington to Loreta M. and Robert E. Rashford. She moved with her family to Moses Lake, Washington and attended school in Moses Lake, Washington, graduating from Moses Lake High School in 1969. After high school, Joyce moved to Seattle, Washington and graduated from ITT Peterson School of Business as a data specialist. Joyce was employed by SRO Theaters, US West, Air Touch, and Verizon. In August of 1983, Joyce married Edward Kitkowski and relocated to Pasco, Washington. She enjoyed cooking, bowling, reading novels, caring for her beloved cat named “T” and going for drives in her Cadillac.

RISING JUNIORS: Moses Lake’s Brady Jay

MOSES LAKE – Maverick quarterback Brady Jay has high aspirations for his junior season with Moses Lake. “I want to win league, go undefeated, go on a state run, throw for 3,500 yards, 45 touchdowns in the regular season and keep my picks to under six,” the rising Moses Lake junior said.

Nothing like a good book

Children read to fuzzy friends at ACPR

OTHELLO — Adams County Pet Rescue’s first Kitty Litterature event July 13 worked out well all around, said ACPR Board Member Tammy Foley.

Moses Lake council accepts sleep center grant

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will continue to operate the Open Doors Sleep Center, but Moses Lake City Council members want more information on the city’s options in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued last month. Council members voted 5-2 Tuesday to accept an emergency housing grant which will provide funding through July 2025. Council members Dustin Swartz and Victor Lombardi voted no.

Keeping Families Together Act reduces dependency cases in Grant Co.

MOSES LAKE – Grant County Juvenile Court is seeing a decrease in dependency cases in the last couple of months. Dependency cases involve issues with guardians of minors, which includes minors in the foster care system and minors being relocated to other family members.

NEWS BITES: July 25, 2024

NEWS BITES: July 25, 2024