ACH finishes fourth in state

YAKIMA — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors volleyball team’s season came to a close at the state tournament at Yakima’s SunDome Thursday evening where they finished fourth. Despite not finishing off the season with a win, the team was proud of their own efforts and achievements made over the last few months.

George M. Whitney Jr.

June 30, 1953 - November 11, 2025

George Marvin Whitney Jr., 72, passed away peacefully at his residence in Moses Lake, Washington, on Nov. 11, 2025, after a short illness. George was born on June 30, 1953, to Marvin and Iris Whitney. George is survived by his wife Lisa; his children Pauline (Keaton) and Rose (Adam); his three grandchildren Kate, Leo, and Cole; and his brother Ray (Norma) and their family: Mark (Aunna), Lauren (Clay), and Nathan (Mariah).

BASIN EVENTS: Nov. 13-25

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather is getting nippy and the holidays are fast approaching. Whether it’s shopping, art, music or theater, there’s something for everybody happening in the Basin this week.

Coffey Anderson brings laughs and tears for Veterans Day

QUINCY — Probably at least half the audience had never heard of Coffey Anderson before his concert began Tuesday night. An hour later, he had a whole auditorium’s worth of new best friends.

Moses Lake to host budget hearing

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents will have a chance to register their opinions on the city’s 2026 budget at a public hearing during the Nov. 26 Moses Lake City Council meeting. The public hearing is being continued from Wednesday’s council meeting. Finance Director Madeline Prentice said that while the city’s projected general fund deficit should be smaller in 2026, there’s still a deficit.

Grant County Animal Outreach to break ground on new shelter

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Animal Outreach will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new shelter facility at 2 p.m. Monday on Randolph Road Northeast, marking a milestone in the organization’s mission to provide improved care for animals in the community. With a projected cost of $2.5 million, the new facility is set to address the growing needs of the area’s sheltered pets, especially following the surge in animal intake during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This shelter will serve all of Grant County, not just Moses Lake, with the exception of Quincy, which has its own shelter,” stated Moses Lake City Administrator Rob Karlinsey. He emphasized the immediate necessity for the project, noting, “The current shelter has outlived its useful life, is in a state of disrepair, and is operating at more than double its capacity.”

From underdogs to contenders

Wahluke girls soccer sees a culture shift

MATTAWA — After a 7-0 loss in the first round of the 1A state tournament to Seton Catholic, the Wahluke Warriors’ (14-7) season has come to an end. Though a loss is never welcomed with open arms, Head Coach Cele Lopez is still happy with what his team accomplished this season. “I’m just really happy I told the girls yesterday before jumping on the field, ‘We are already winners just by being here,’” Lopez said. Before the season started, Lopez said they had their hands full since they housed a less experienced roster.

Legals for November, 14 2025

Winchester collision results in Ephrata man's death

WINCHESTER — At around 2 p.m. Thursday, there was a two-car fatality collision on State Route 28, around seven miles east of Quincy. The road was closed for several hours while the Washington State Patrol conducted an investigation.

Moses Lake food drive going well

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake’s food drive has gone well so far, according to Moses Lake Museum & Art Center Superintendent Dollie Boyd. The food drive, spearheaded by the museum, has received assistance from the Larson Recreation Center and Grant County Fire District 5 Station No. 1. “People’s (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are starting to come in,” Boyd said. “I know there was a lot of stress about that, but the holidays are still coming around, and we just wanted to do what we could to help out.” Around 250,000 Washington residents should have received their full SNAP benefits for November as of Nov. 7, according to a statement from Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Coach reflects on winning season for the Mavericks

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (10-7-1) were eliminated in the first round of the 4A state tournament 8-0 by the Issaquah Eagles. It’s always hard to see a season come to an end, Head Coach Alysha Overland said, but the Mavericks have a lot to be proud of. “This program hasn’t seen state in 10 years now, so the girls battling through everything we’ve faced this season, and getting to that point, I think we’re all just very excited and still proud of the point that they got to,” Overland said. Overland said her players competed well in their game against Issaquah. They were able to hold the Eagles to a 2-0 lead going into halftime. However, in the second half the game escaped the Mavericks as Issaquah put up six goals to seal the win. Overland said the Eagles were a strong team that was well rounded and were efficiently passing the ball.

1B/2B State Volleyball roundup

YAKIMA – Local basin teams, Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors, Lind-Ritzville-Sprague Broncos, and Soap Lake all entered the state tournament this week and competed against fellow 1B and 2B teams across the state. See below the results from the state tournament and some highlights from the tournament.

Mice test positive for bird flu in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — Six mice in Grant County have recently tested positive for avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, according to a statement from the Grant County Health District. “It’s not brand new that we are finding bird flu in mice or other mammals. There have been reports of rodents testing positive for bird flu throughout the United States. It can be found in other mammals, not just birds,” GCHD Public Information Officer Lexi Smith said.

State Route 28 closed for next handful of hours near Winchester

QUINCY – State Route 28 is closed at Winchester due to a fatal collision as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The Washington State Patrol is asking travelers to seek alternate routes. “The collision just happened within the last twenty minutes,” WSP Public Information Officer Jeremy Weber said. “I would assume the road would be closed for the next three to four hours. I cannot say for sure because when we have a fatal collision it needs to be investigated very thoroughly. It takes several hours to measure everything, fly drones, and complete the investigation." Weber said a detour will be set up soon by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Judith ‘Judy’ Church

August 24, 1937 – November 3, 2025

Judith “Judy” Ann Church, 88, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on Nov. 3, 2025, in Federal Way, Washington. Born on Aug. 24, 1937, in Portsmouth, Ohio to Eugene Samuel Crull and Eileen Pearl Hawkins Crull, Judy was the eldest of three sisters and a former resident of Moses Lake and Othello, Washington. A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 6 at Pillar Rock Golf Course in Moses Lake from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dress in your holiday colors. Join for lunch and share a story.

Generations Church to offer trees, Christmas presents

MOSES LAKE — The Generations Church Christmas tree lot is both moving and expanding this year. “We’re moving our tree lot to our church property, and then we’re going to combine it with an indoor sale, which is hopefully a new and improved garage sale,” said Patty Culver, a member of Generations church who is organizing the sales. “We’ve weeded out the junk and focused on Christmas stuff: clothes and toys and books.”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Support local causes this holiday season ...

If you’re looking to enjoy the holidays, you’re not alone. Across the Columbia Basin, people will be baking turkeys, holiday shopping, decorating their homes, and reminding children to behave or they’ll get coal in a stocking.

Eagles to face Northern Colorado Saturday after nail-biting loss to Montana

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University’s football squad made a good showing last weekend, narrowly losing to No. 2 Montana, according to a statement from EWU Athletics. The Grizzlies jumped out to a 22-0 lead early in the second quarter led by Keali'i Ah Yat who completed 14 of his first 15 passes. EWU cut that lead by eight points, leaving the score 22-14 at halftime.

EWU loses to Weber State, heads next to Montana

CHENEY — The Eastern Washington University volleyball team fell Friday to Weber State 20–25, 15–25 and 23–25, according to a statement from EWU Athletics.

Classical sound

Concert Association show will highlight cello and piano, plus a little holiday fun

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association will present “Classical Sounds of the Season” Dec. 4. The concert replaced the one originally planned by pianist and Moses Lake native Collin Hansen, who was unexpectedly unable to come from Finland to perform. “Classical Sounds of the Season” will feature Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra cellist Kevin Hekmatpanah and pianist Yoon-Wha Roh.