$5.8M planned in capital projects at Port of Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake is projected to generate about $12 million in revenues and spend about $16.07 million in 2026. The preliminary budget was reviewed by commissioners Monday. “We’ve had some economic conditions – we're losing a tenant and a user of our wastewater, so port staff is working to fill those spaces,” said Kim DeTrolio, the port’s director of finance and administration.

Leadership, talent drive Mavs to back-to-back state appearances

MOSES LAKE – On Saturday, the Moses Lake Mavericks competed in the 4A state cross country meet. Head Coach Larry Dagnon said he was proud of the effort his runner put forth over the weekend. “We wished we had run faster, obviously, but you could just tell when it was all said and done... that was a fast group of people they were racing with,” Dagnon said.

Eagles enter state tournament as thirteenth seed

COLUMBIA BASIN – The Soap Lake Eagles (12-4) finished second in the district tournament after overcoming Entiat 3-2 but fell to Waterville-Mansfield in the district final. The Eagles will compete in the state tournament this week, starting as the thirteenth seed.

Interest down, inventory up in Basin housing market

KIRKLAND — The prospects for home buyers in Washington are looking up, according to data released last week by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 Washington counties.

Public School Employees of Moses Lake hold back on strike issue

MOSES LAKE — On Tuesday, the Public School Employees of Moses Lake held a membership meeting to vote on whether classified staff would or would not support the Moses Lake Educators Association if they choose to strike. PSE decided it will not be taking a formal stance of support if a teacher strike is officially called.

Grant PUD donation program gets new name

Power district offers multiple ways to help those struggling with electric bills.

EPHRATA — Because it’s used year-round, the Grant County Public Utility District has renamed its donation program. “Share the Warmth” is now “Share the Light.” Cary West, the PUD’s senior manager of customer solutions, said the name change better reflects the intended use. “Probably back in the 1980s is when we (started) Share the Warmth, but we’ve rebranded it to promote it throughout the year,” West said. “When it was Share the Warmth, it was promoted more during the winter months. But we have summer peak (usage) and winter peak usage, so the need is there year-round.”

WA Department of Health reaffirms vaccine safety, addresses autism claims

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Health made a statement Friday that vaccines are an essential tool for protecting people’s health. It also stated that it is joining health agencies and associations across the country, such as the Autism Science Foundation, in confirming that there is no credible scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism.

Rage softballers swing into athletic, personal growth

MOSES LAKE – Summer softball is upon us, and travel teams throughout the Basin are gearing up for another year of action. Heading into this summer, Head Coach Bob Richardson is hopeful for another successful season of growth. “If we get better every single game, we learn from the little things, that's a success to me, the girls are getting better, and we as a group are getting better. So as long as there's growth and progression, that's a successful season for me,” he said.

UW women’s golf 2024-25 season in review

SEATTLE – The Husky women's golf team simultaneously celebrated the beginning and the end of an era during the 2024-25 season – the kickoff of competition in the Big Ten, and the final year of an illustrious 42-year career of head coach Mary Lou Mulflur, according to a statement by UW Athletics. The Huskies started out the season at home back in September 2024, finishing in a tie for sixth place at the Leadership & Golf Invitational in University Place, Wash.

Moose causes Soap Lake dog park closure

SOAP LAKE – On Monday morning Soap Lake Public Works discovered a moose wandering around public works land before jumping a fence and making its way into the Soap Lake Dog Park, prompting the park to be closed briefly, according to Soap Lake Mayor Peter Sharp. “We closed the dog park for the day,” Sharp said. “Public Works Director, Eli (Olson) got ahold of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and let them know. They said just stay away from it. It'll be fine. Let it go out of its way. Basically, they're not going to do anything to it.”

Wahluke community to hold prayer vigil on first day of school

MATTAWA — It’s no secret that young people starting the school year face a lot of negative influences. Some folks in Mattawa plan to counter some of that negativity with prayer.

2025 Community Health Partnership Fund award recipients announced

MOSES LAKE – On Oct. 28, Confluence Health and the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group announced in a statement the selection of recipients for the 2025 Community Health Partnership Fund grants.

Traffic restricted on Vantage Bridge throughout June

Other Basin and regional road construction projects planned or underway.

VANTAGE — It turns out the Vantage Bridge will be reduced to one lane on weekdays in June after all.

Voters rejecting Wahluke capital levy request in early results

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters are saying no to a proposal that would help pay the balance of a loan taken out for improvements at Mattawa Elementary School and pay for upgrades to fire and security alarm systems in four district buildings. “I guess it means we have to weigh staffing against these capital upgrades, and how much more can we cut?” said Wahluke Superintendent Andy Harlow.

Moses Lake adult softball moves into summer play

MOSES LAKE – The city of Moses Lake’s adult softball league is underway and pushing into its summer portion of the season. “It really is a big family out there,” said Isaac Valdez who runs the league for the city. “We have a diverse group of people that play in our local league here in Moses Lake.”

Local trainer: How student athletes can prep for fall sports

MOSES LAKE – Over the next few weeks, student athletes in the Basin will be making their return to their respective sports. As summer break ends, the trainer at Moses Lake High School, Lily Rodriguez, has some pointers athletes can use to be in the best shape possible.

Parkway Fields getting upgrades

EPHRATA – Over the last week, the ballfields outside of Parkway Intermediate School have been undergoing some upgrades. According to Ephrata School District's Director of Communications, Sarah Morford, the fields needed repair.

Othello street tax renewal to appear on November ballot

OTHELLO — Othello residents will be asked to approve or reject a proposal to extend a two-tenths of 1% addition to the city’s sales tax to pay for street improvements in the November general election. “That money has been going into the transportation benefit district fund. It’s a sole standalone fund, and those dollars are being used for various street projects, from total rehab of a street to crack seal (and) the smaller things,” said Spencer Williams, the city’s finance officer. “It’s not a new tax. If the members of the public want it, it would continue that tax for the next 10 years.”

Thousands ticketed under new construction zone speeding program

OLYMPIA – It's summer time and that means construction across Washington. Ninety days after a new camera monitoring program was launched in the state’s work zones, the Washington State Patrol said in a recent press release that there’s a significant problem with speeding in work zones. “The first few months of the program confirm what statistics show and what our workers have been saying - too many people speed through work zones,” said Washington Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith. “We hope this changes driver behavior – that people slow down, and everyone comes home safe at the end of the day.”

Law enforcement has fun, makes connections in Mattawa

MATTAWA — Mattawa Police Chief Alex Zesati said National Night Out is one of the Mattawa Police Department’s best nights of the year. “I would say National Night Out is one of our favorite times of the year,” Zesati said. “It’s basically because of the connection we get with the public.”