Royal City City Council swears in members, discusses water line replacement

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council swore in three council members at its meeting Tuesday evening, all returning after the November elections. Hector Rodriguez, who holds Position 3, Perla Garcia, who was reelected to Position 2, and Ryan Piercy, who retained the Position 4 seat in the November election by a single vote, all raised their right hands and swore to uphold the Constitution and carry out the duties of their office. Deputy City Clerk Sherrie Rodriguez administered the oaths. The water main replacement project is moving along slowly but surely, Public Works Director John Lasen told the council. The upgrades are underway on the west end of town, Lasen said, starting with Hemlock, Grape and Calla streets and moving on to Calla Loop, Balsam Street and Royal Avenue.

Wahluke High School full for 2023 Mattawa Winter Festival

MATTAWA – Walking in the door of Wahluke High School Dec. 14 was made difficult by the mass of people crowding the entry to the commons. Hundreds, if not thousands, of community members from the Mattawa area made their way to the school that evening for the annual Mattawa Winter Festival.

Bundles of giving

Christmas baskets go out to Othello Community for 47th year

OTHELLO — The Othello Community Christmas Baskets program held its 47th annual donation deliveries on Saturday for individuals and families in need during the holiday season.

Festival of Trees through Dec. 12 in Ephrata

EPHRATA — The trees to be raffled in the first Festival of Trees in Ephrata will be on display through Dec. 12 at the Columbia Basin Foundation office, 101 Basin St. SW. The trees are on display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 12, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, during the Bells on Basin town celebration.

Johanna Stuhlmiller

June 4, 1938 — Nov. 28. 2023

It is with earthly sadness and heavenly joy that the family of Johanna Franziska Stuhlmiller announces that her blessed Lord Jesus called her home to her victorious eternal rest midway through the morning while she was sleeping on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. A lovely, elegant woman who never shrunk from a difficulty, stepped back from a task to be done or turned aside from someone in need, Johanna will forever be remembered and deeply cherished in the hearts of those who knew her best.

A note from 2023 Ag Parade Grand Marshal Cheryl Driggs Elkins

MOSES LAKE – I go to all the Moses Lake parades with the Ag Parade being a favorite because it features the gard working men and women who farm now and those in our history who helped Moses Lake become the town that it is. It was totally unexpected when I was asked to be the Grand Marshal this year, but pride in my family’s past allowed me to accept as a way to honor and respect them.

Community meal

Othello community organizations host Thanksgiving meal for food insecure

OTHELLO – Several Othello organizations and businesses partnered Thursday evening to provide food-insecure individuals and families with a hot Thanksgiving meal. The Cow Path Bakery organized the event in partnership with the Othello Food Bank and the Othello Church of the Nazarene which provided a venue for the holiday celebration.

Sonny’s is back: Landmark Washtucna tavern back in action

WASHTUCNA — Sonny’s Tavern and Grill is back. The long-established gathering place in Washtucna, which has struggled to keep going in recent years, reopened Oct. 26. “It's been closed more than it's been open in the last about six years,” said Bridget Coon, who owns and operates Sonny’s with her husband Paul. “The previous owners had it in 2016 and by 2018, they had some kind of a fire around the water heater and it caused a lot of smoke damage. So it was closed (in) 2018, 2019 to basically gut and remodel it. They reopened in 2020, which was a hard time. I recall their first weekend open was the weekend that indoor dining was shut down (for the COVID-19 pandemic).” The owners were able to keep Sonny’s going for a while with takeout, Coon said, but then moved away from the area, leaving the establishment to sit on the market until the Coons took ownership in August.

Esther Valdez

Dec. 25, 1973 — Nov. 21, 2023

Esther Valdez a Moses Lake resident entered heaven November 21, 2023 at the age of 49 after a fairly private yearlong battle with cancer.

Rebecca Garza Valdez

June 11, 1939 — Nov. 18, 2023

Rebecca Garza Valdez a Moses Lake resident entered heaven peacefully at the age of 84 years old surrounded by her loved ones on November 18, 2023.

Armando Feliz Benavidez, Jr.

March 7, 2001 — Nov. 12, 2023

Armando Feliz Benavidez Jr, 22, gained his angel wings on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Armando was born on March 7, 2001, to Christina Cruz and Armando Benavidez Sr. in Moses Lake, Washington.

Cold incoming: Prepping homes for the Columbia Basin’s cold winters

MOSES LAKE — In case anyone hasn’t noticed, it’s getting chilly out there. Even though the National Weather Service is predicting a fairly mild winter for the Columbia Basin, it’s still a good time to get homes ready for the colder weather. The first place to look is the pipes. There’s one big mistake that homeowners make, said Steve West, owner of Top Plumbing in Moses Lake.

Ralph Francis Kincaid II

Feb. 21, 1946 — Nov.7, 2023

Ralph was born on Feb. 21, 1946, and passed away on Nov. 7, 2023. He was born in Kirksville, Missouri to Ralph and Mina Kincaid. He was the oldest of two boys. His brother Brad and his wife Piya live in Sedona, Arizona. Ralph’s dad was a farmer and later in life owned and operated a real estate office in Moses Lake. His mother did tax research for a local CPA firm. His family moved to Pasco, Washington to farm when he was 8 years old. They were one of the first families in Block 15 in the Columbia Basin project. His family farmed for three years and then moved into downtown Pasco. Ralph graduated from Pasco High School in 1964 and then attended WSU. Ralph married his high school sweetheart, Lois, and had two children, Jay Kincaid of Moses Lake, Washington and Dawn (Lou) Grespan of Tokyo and Carlsbad, California. They also have three grandchildren and one grandson-in-law: Gwen and Tommy Metzger of Dallas, Texas, Thomas Grespan of Carlsbad, California and Valerie Grespan of San Diego, California.

Basin ready to celebrate Veterans Day

EPHRATA – Two Veterans Day celebrations are planned in the area for Saturday. Ephrata’s American Legion post and Quincy’s Veterans Operation Creation both have events going on.

Jane McKenzie

July 29, 1934 — Oct.27, 2023

Jane Mildred (Halverson) McKenzie passed away Oct. 27, 2023, at the age of 89 in Moses Lake, Washington. Jane was born in Calgary, Alberta on July 29, 1934. She lived in Calgary, Magrath and Lethbridge, Alberta. She was the middle of three sisters (Bernice and Ruth). Jane married Delbert (Del) McKenzie on Sept. 5, 1959, in Lethbridge. They met while attending Canadian Bible College in Regina, Saskatchewan. Del and Jane served together with the Christian and Missionary Alliance for over 50 years in Montana, Idaho, Alberta and Washington.

Ready — Aim — Tater! — Potato Days return to CB Tech

MOSES LAKE — The fifth graders counted it down. “Four, three, two,” they chanted - but the countdown was put on hold. The French fry launcher had to build up sufficient pressure. Once it did the fifth graders were free to resume the countdown, with the help of a Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center student

WSU Extension helps prevent food waste

PULLMAN - Washington State University Extension professionals are tackling the critical issue of food waste across the state in agriculture, households, and even at the landfill level through education and outreach.

Ramona Delores Kincaid

Nov. 9, 1945 — Oct. 13, 2023

Ramona Delores Kincaid, formerly Long, departed this life on October 13, 2023. She was 77 years old.

Ramona Rodriquez

March 3, 1941 — Oct. 19, 2023

Ramona Garcia Rodriquez, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband and children Oct. 19, 2023. Ramona lived in Moses Lake for 53 years. Ramona was born March 3, 1941, in Dilley, Texas, daughter of the late Gerardo and Antonia Garcia. Ramona was the third child of 10 to be born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerardo Garcia. Ramona was raised in Dilley among her older siblings until 1960, as then they migrated to Washington state with her parents, children and siblings. Ramona went to primary school with Pablo Rodriquez and later they reconnected in Moses Lake where both of their families settled to work in the agricultural industry. Ramona and Pablo married in 1967 and decided to make Moses Lake their permanent home, raising their children Janie, Fermin, Bertha and their last blessing, Cecilia.

Old Hotel to hold benefit auction Saturday

Othello’s Old Hotel Art Gallery will be hosting its annual benefit auction Saturday starting at 5:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Hall, located at 616 E. Juniper St. “It's actually our largest fundraiser, our largest source of income for the year.” Copas said. “As a nonprofit, it's really important to us, and it's a silent auction and a live auction…There’s a buffet, there's going to be local wines and beer.” General admission is $20, senior admission is $18. No one under 21 years of age is permitted at the event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. along with a buffet, the silent auction begins at 6:00 p.m. and the live auction starts at 7:30 p.m....