Dreaming big: Soroptimist conference encourages girls to pursue careers without fear

MOSES LAKE — Women can do any job they want to. That was the theme of Dream It Be It, the annual conference for high school girls put on by the Moses Lake chapter of Soroptimist International. About 60 girls gathered at Vanguard Academy Saturday to hear about possible career paths from women who have already followed them. The point, said Elsa Meservy, one of the organizers, is to show girls they can have more options for their future than they might think.

OneD process passes independent test

MOSES LAKE — Testing by a third party has indicated the process used by a company with a battery development facility in Moses Lake is less harmful for the environment than traditional alternatives, according to an announcement from OneD Battery Sciences. The results of testing by Minviro were released Tuesday.

Weather for the week of March 17, 2025

Weather for the week of March 17, 2025

Law enforcement logs for March 14, 2025

The reports below were provided by the sheriff's office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Additional testing needed for Quincy pool

QUINCY — Excavation for the new Quincy Aquatic Center is going to require some additional soil sampling first. Parks and Recreation Director Russ Harrington said in an earlier interview that city officials hope to start work on the pool this summer, possibly in May or June. But the city may have to make some changes to the project before starting to move dirt, due to the possibility of subsurface contaminants.

Heavy duty fun

Touch a Truck returns to Moses Lake on April 26

MOSES LAKE — Last year’s Touch a Truck event was the biggest ever, according to Brittney Ketterer, one of the organizers of the event. “We had over 1,000 attendees,” Ketterer said. “It’s one of our favorite events.”

Vehicle hits cyclist in Soap Lake

GCFD7 recommends cyclists wear gear to increase visibility

SOAP LAKE – Friday at around 8:15 p.m., Grant County Fire District 7 was dispatched to a vehicle vs. bicyclist collision on Highway 28 near Franklin Street in Soap Lake.

Law enforcement logs for March 7, 2025

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Moore Brewing beer gets the word out about Carp Classic

MOSES LAKE — People who want to learn more about – and support - an unusual fishing tournament on Moses Lake now can do it with a glass of locally brewed summer beer. The Carp Classic is scheduled for May 17; rather than casting a line in the water, participants pull out their bows and arrows. It's an unusual way to get some of the nuisance fish out of Moses Lake and thereby improve lake quality.

Consuelo Bustamante Meza

1936 — 2025

Consuelo Bustamante Meza, 88, a beloved mother and grandmother, peacefully passed away on February 26, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

Car chase, robberies make for busy MLPD shift

MOSES LAKE — Two people were arrested for theft after a pursuit and another in a separate burglary, both in Moses Lake, while Moses Lake Police Department detectives investigated a fatal accidental shooting, all in the space of about six hours Thursday night into Friday morning. “Busy night,” said MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely. “We ended up calling the detectives out.”

Law Enforcement logs for Feb. 28, 2025

The reports below were provided by sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Changes coming to Mattawa development application process

MATTAWA — With residential and commercial building activity coming to Mattawa, city officials are working on ways to streamline the development application process. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners, told Mattawa City Council members that a checklist is being prepared to give people thinking about development some basic guidelines.

Proposed law could allow state agencies to decertify elected sheriffs

(The Center Square) – Voters typically expect higher standards from law enforcement, but one proposal to align expectations across different levels would also allow Washington state to decertify an elected sheriff and more. House Bill 1399 aims to standardize state laws regarding the eligibility and duties of sheriffs, police chiefs, marshals, and volunteers. While it seeks to align the expectations of each position, it also cuts any mention of the U.S. Constitution amid conflicts over federal immigration enforcement. If approved, sheriffs must enforce all state laws, be at least 25 years old, have two years of law enforcement experience, obtain certification within 12 months of assuming office, and pass the Criminal Justice Training Commission and Washington State Patrol background checks.

Ephrata PD blotter for Feb. 21, 2025

EPHRATA - The reports below were provided by the Ephrata Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Other agencies are working on resolving issues with new dispatching software and will be providing blotter information once that has been resolved.

Columbia Basin Events for Feb. 21-March 1

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring may not be here, but you can almost see it coming. Here are a few things to check out while you watch the ground thaw: Feb . 21 LJ Polmateer Live performance by local musician LJ Polmateer of One Soulution. 5:30 p.m. at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4177. Open Mic Night

Mechatronics Meltdown: BBCC event highlights technology with fun

MOSES LAKE — Fans of the future will want to be at Big Bend Community College Saturday for Mechatronics Meltdown. “A lot of people don’t know that we actually have robots here at Big Bend,” said Mechatronics Club advisor Justin Henley.

William (Bill) Braden

June 17, 1971 — Jan. 10, 2025

William (Bill) Deen Braden, 53, born June 17, 1971, in The Dalles, Oregon, passed away Jan. 10, 2025, in Spokane, Washington, after a very brief struggle with an aggressive form of lung cancer. Bill attended school in Lind through his graduation in 1989. After graduation he moved to Moses Lake and began to attend Big Bend Community College studying auto mechanics to further his dream. Bill had found his calling early in life. He found his love to find out how things were built and operated at a young age with his grandfather and his father by his side. He then wanted to pursue that love of knowledge into his career of being a mechanic of all things. Nothing was too small or big for him to learn.

Four proposed bills examined by Enviro and Energy Committee

Potential impacts to agriculture, low-income energy assistance, water system rates and PUD insurance

OLYMPIA – The House Environmental and Energy Committee heard four proposed bills Feb. 13. The four bills, if passed, would have impacts on agriculture, low-income energy assistance, water system rate changes and insurance for public utility districts like the Grant PUD.

WA Ag overtime bill in full effect, despite calls for change

Legislators look to fine tune ag labor law to balance needs of farmers, farmworkers

OLYMPIA - Washington is now one of the first states to fully extend overtime pay to agricultural workers who work beyond 40 hours per week. The law, passed in 2021 after negotiations between labor advocates and agricultural producers, is now in full effect, sparking industry debate. “We compromised a lot,” said Edgar Franks, political director for farmworkers union Familias Unidas por la Justicia. “We thought we had a pretty good bill for both sides.”