More Adams Co. jail staff leaving, Wagner discusses needed maintenance

RITZVILLE – Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner spoke with the Adams County Commissioners during Tuesday’s regular meeting to discuss the Adams County jail’s staffing and maintenance issues...

Robert Allen Wheeler

Oct. 9, 1955 – Oct. 31, 2023

Robert Allen Wheeler, born on October 9, 1955, in Sweet Springs, Missouri went to sleep in death in Moses Lake, Wash. on October 31, 2023, at the age of 68. He was unfortunately taken by his rare brain disease.

Othello hosts budget retreat, hears from Chamber of Commerce

OTHELLO – Monday’s regular Othello City Council meeting featured an informal budget hearing on the city’s preliminary 2024 budget, as well as a brief update from the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce.

Legals for November, 9 2023

Othello earmarks additional $50,000 for ACPR in preliminary budget

OTHELLO — During Monday’s regular Othello City Council meeting the city listed an additional $50,000 in its preliminary budget workshop for its animal control services contract with Adams County Pet Rescue, and ACPR submitted a letter requesting a total of $150,000. ACPR Board President Ken Simmons submitted a letter to the council for Monday’s meeting explaining the funding request. “ACPR is facing a public health crisis. Despite funding from the city of Othello and generous donations, our shelter is in danger of closing,” Simmons said. “We are asking for increased funding to keep up with the rising costs of inflation, minimum wage, longer-term animal care and desperately needed maintenance at the rescue.”

Ephrata approves parade, works on budget planning

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council approved a Veterans Day Parade and discussed budgeting during their Nov. 1 meeting, City Administrator Ray Towry said. They also examined property tax rates. “Council has just asked for the typical 1% (overall revenue) increase last night,” Towry said on Nov. 2. “Which is what you’re allotted, not counting new construction.” State law prohibits a higher increase and the rate set by the city will fall in line with those requirements, he said.

Even dozen: Warden Mayor reflects on 12-year term

WARDEN – Warden Mayor Tony Massa will serve his last days in office at the end of 2023 before unopposed mayoral candidate Rosaelia Martinez takes over the position at the start of 2024 after Massa opted not to run for re-election.

Voters make their choice on fire district, parks and rec proposals

EPHRATA — Voters in two fire districts decided the fate of requests to raise levy assessment rates, and decided whether or not to form a parks and recreation district in the Quincy area, in the general election Tuesday.

Legals for November, 8 2023

Election 2023 results

EPHRATA — Voters in Grant and Adams counties selected mayors, decided city council and school board races, and chose commissioners for port, fire and hospital districts in the general election Tuesday. Only contested races are listed. Races in districts that span more than one county include results from all counties. As of Election Day, voter turnout was 19.3% in Grant County and 21.2% in Adams County. The results below are unofficial and reflect ballots counted as of about 8:30 p.m. Election Day. Vote totals will be updated periodically until the election is certified Nov. 28.

Law enforcement records for Nov. 8, 2023

Ephrata Police Department, Grant County Jail

Othello Port approves 2024 budget, in good financial position

OTHELLO — The Port of Othello approved its 2024 budget during the Oct. 31 regular Board of Commissioners meeting, after minor discussion and adjustment of some budget items. Port Executive Director Chris Faix explained the budget compared to the previous year. “I think we're up just a little bit … between 5% and 10% up on the budget,” Faix said. “And we do have our water tower project starting next year, and we have that airport project that's going to be (starting) and that's mostly grant money.”

Quincy Valley Medical Center board approves third phase of construction contract

QUINCY — Quincy residents are beginning to hear and feel, if not yet see, construction on the site of the new Quincy Valley Medical Center. The site has been cleared of three buildings, some trees and grass, and Tony Sanchez of Graham Construction said Monday that the next task is installing the pilings to support the new building, called geopiers. “We drill eight to 10 feet (in) depth, fill them with rock and crush them down,” Sanchez said.

ECBID accepts $32.8 million award for Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program

OTHELLO — During the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District Board of Directors Nov. 1 meeting, the board officially accepted an award of $32.8 million in appropriations to further the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, according to a Monday announcement from the ECBID. According to the announcement, the award is a record amount in state funding for the OGWRP. “This award is the result of the consistent hard work of a number of key partners and is a significant step forward in building out the OGWRP systems,” said ECBID Board President Duaine Anderson in the statement. “This effort has been decades in the making, and we’re thrilled to see this project progress in such a significant way.”

City council, school board seats, levy requests on Election Day ballot

EPHRATA — Candidates for mayor, city councils, school boards, hospital boards, fire districts, port districts and others will learn whether or not they were elected after 8 p.m. tonight. Ballot boxes for the 2023 general election close at 8 p.m., or voters must have mailed their ballots in time to have them postmarked today.

Legals for November, 7 2023

Mattawa Council approves annual property tax levy, budget

MATTAWA – The Mattawa City Council unanimously passed a resolution during Thursday’s regular meeting to approve the 1% annual levy increase to the city’s property tax collection after a public hearing on the resolution, as well as the city’s preliminary budget.

Playing with confidence

Warriors clinch 1B playoff bid with win over Waterville-Mansfield

COULEE CITY – A win in Friday’s crossover game against Waterville-Mansfield gave the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors their seventh-straight state appearance, setting up a matchup against No. 11 Concrete this weekend. “It feels great,” ACH coach Brandon Walsh said. “It’s a fun, young group of kids, it seems like we’re gelling and playing our best at the right time.”

Legals for November, 6 2023

Warriors punch ticket to state

Wins over Curlew, Odessa start ACH off well in district play

COULEE CITY – No matter the outcome of Saturday’s district championship game against Northport, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors are on to state after defeating Curlew and Odessa in the first two rounds of the Northeast 1B district tournament on Thursday.