FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Washington State Patrol Trooper Travis Cunningham wears his hat with pride, mind for service

MOSES LAKE — The life of a Washington State Patrol officer isn’t all glamorous, but it does have one thing going for it: the coolest hat in all law enforcement. “I adamantly and wholeheartedly believe that,” said Trooper Travis Cunningham.

BBCC celebrates Outstanding Student Award winners

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College faculty recognized their top students from the 2024-25 academic year during a ceremony May 6.

Wilson Creek gearing up to jam

WILSON CREEK — It’s time to rosin the bows, tune up the banjos and dust off the mandolin strings for the third annual Wilson Creek Bluegrass Jam. “It’s a laid-back jam,” said organizer Shirley Billings. “Anybody’s welcome to come, no matter what talent level they are. If they’re just starting out or if they’re great, or even if you just like music and want to just hang out.” Like last year, the Bluegrass Jam will be the second weekend in June, Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th. The event draws local bluegrass players from all over the area, most of them devoted amateurs who love the genre.

Felix, your future furry adventure buddy

SOAP LAKE – Ready to bring joy and excitement into your life? Meet Felix, a 1-year-old husky mix with captivating eyes and a zest for adventure. Standing at 45 pounds, Felix is intelligent, playful and incredibly friendly. Neutered, microchipped, and up to date on his vaccines, he's all set to join your family and explore the world with you. Visit Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry in Soap Lake, Washington, and let Felix rock your world with love and happiness. Fill out this handsome boy’s application at RockBottomRocker.org. For those who would like to help a local shelter but can’t adopt right now visit the website and click “donate.”

EHS senior Chase Moser recognized as student of the month

EPHRATA — Ephrata High School senior Chase Moser has been named as one of the Students of the Month for May, an accolade that his teachers said highlights his exceptional abilities in writing, public speaking and critical thinking. Moser’s academic journey within Ephrata School District, which began in fourth grade, has been marked by notable achievements and an influential presence both in the classroom and beyond, according to EHS English teacher Don Hendrixson, who nominated him for student of the month. Moser is set to graduate this spring, and he has plans to further his education at Eastern Washington University, where he will pursue a degree in business with a minor in psychology. He emphasized the versatility of a business degree.

‘Whiskey Rebel’

Novel draws on Moses Coulee for isolated setting

MOSES LAKE — Out in the high desert country of Moses Coulee, it’s easy to imagine that strange things are happening just over the next ridge. There’s something peacefully secretive about the area northwest of Ephrata in the southern part of Douglas County, as though time stopped there and nobody was around to notice.

Legals for May, 15 2025

Ann Louise Copeland Shults

1936 — 2025

Born July 31, 1936, to Howard and Elizabeth Louise Payne in Littleton, Colorado, Ann was greeted by a host of family and friends as she left this Earth April 29, 2025, surrounded by family.

Michael Allen Sievers

1963 – 2025

Michael Allen Sievers, born on November 13, 1963, in Moses Lake, Washington, passed away on May 9, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the age of 61. He was a beloved father, son, uncle and brother, known for his adventurous spirit, social nature, and unwavering focus on seeking happiness. His passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Space to grow

Moses Lake Catalyst Center gives fledgling businesses a chance to thrive

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake business community got a preview of the future of small business last week when the Chamber of Commerce unveiled its Chamber Catalyst Center downtown. “The first three years of a business are the most critical,” said Chamber Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. “Typically it’s five before you’re really solid.”

MLHS boys golf team, district champs

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Mavericks boys golf team became District champs following their first-place finish in the Big 9 District tournament at the Moses Lake Golf Club. “I feel like every single one of us did what they needed to do,” said the Mavs’ Drayson Nighswonger. “We were able to get the win which is great and had a lot of fun.”

Amber Alert leads to arrest near George

GEORGE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and MLPD assisted the Washington State Patrol and Oregon State Patrol in tracking and arresting two individuals involved in a child abduction case. “Early this morning, we received word from Oregon state police that there was a child abduction and Amber Alert issued for two young children out of the Beaverton area,” said GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

Grant Co. Fairgrounds preparing for busy season

90 days until the Grant County Fair opens with food, competitions and carnival attractions

MOSES LAKE — The days are getting warmer and with the Grant County Fair just around the corner, the fairgrounds team is ramping up its preparations. Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan announced upgrades to the facility aimed at enhancing safety and overall visitor experience, while simultaneously addressing a crucial staffing shortage for seasonal positions. The legislature decided to table some bills that could have had impacts on the fairgrounds.

Mavs tennis heading to districts with high aspirations

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School boys and girls tennis teams concluded their regular seasons at Wenatchee on Saturday, falling short 2-5 and 0-7, respectively. “Obviously we would like a little different outcome on both sides, but Wenatchee is a really solid program,” MLHS Head Tennis Coach Jay Dickinson said, “It was really a good opportunity for both those teams to kind of fine-tune some of their game.”

BASIN BASEBALL ROUNDUP: May 7, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The regular season for Basin baseball has concluded, and district play has commenced. Below is how the last week of competition has unfolded and results for some district play.

GALLERY: Scenes from April

COLUMBIA BASIN — There was a lot happening in the Basin last month. Here are a few highlights you might have missed:

Ferguson signs animal cruelty bill

OLYMPIA — In a step toward enhancing animal welfare, the Washington State Legislature has passed House Bill 1149, an act aimed at the prevention of cruelty to animals. The bill received overwhelming support, with a vote of 96-0 in the House and 47-1 in the Senate, before being concurred by the House at 85-11. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law Monday. “We will always be in favor and supportive of legislation that ends the suffering of animals and holds people accountable when they do cause unnecessary means of suffering to an animal,” Grant County Animal Outreach President Sara Thompson Tweedy said. “We’re always going to be in favor of legislation that enables law enforcement to do their job effectively and efficiently to end that suffering.”

Playground planned, tentatively, for Othello’s Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO — A new playground probably will be coming to Othello’s Kiwanis Park, but funding will affect the timeline. It’s the next phase in improvements to the park, some of which are finished, some of which are ongoing. Othello did receive a grant to upgrade the Kiwanis Park basketball courts. A timeline for that project will be announced. Sarah Montemayor, the city’s grant coordinator, said Othello officials submitted grant requests to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office to upgrade the parking lot and build a new playground. The city got part but not all of the grant, she said.

EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE SPORTS: May 14-21, 2025

MOSES LAKE – College athletes push through the final weeks of the season as they go through regional and national tournaments.

Legals for May, 14 2025