Fifteen WA bills enacted in the new year

Impacts to be seen in health care, workers rights and more

OLYMPIA – At the beginning of 2025, a suite of fifteen Washington bills became law, transforming key areas from health care to workers’ rights, to cosmetics.

Law Enforcement logs for Jan. 3, 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.

Bill headed to WA Legislature would allow private family cemeteries

OLYMPIA — Washington could allow family burial plots on private property, according to a statement from the office of Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, who prefiled the bill Dec. 13. House Bill 1065 would amend state law to allow burials on private land if other conditions are met, according to the statement. The legislation addresses ambiguity in state law, protects property rights, and honors cultural traditions, Walsh wrote.

‘That wasn’t really something I was expecting’

Royal’s Lance Allred sets 1A title game touchdown record

ROYAL CITY – Heading into the 1A state football championship game against Seton Catholic earlier this month, Royal senior Lance Allred didn’t expect to add his name to the record books.

Defense rules the court as the Eagles defeat Gauchos

CHENEY — The last hurrah for Eastern Washington women's basketball in 2024 was on Reese Court tonight and they closed out the non-conference schedule with a return to a familiar formula for success. Eastern defeated UC Santa Barbara, 54-46, on Friday night behind a strong defensive effort through all four quarters. EWU finishes its non-conference slate with a 4-8 record, while the Gauchos fall to 7-5.

Bipartisan effort reducing BAC limit to .05% could face opposition from both sides

(The Center Square) – State lawmakers filed a bipartisan effort Monday to reduce the standard to charge someone with driving under the influence, but there could be opposition on both sides of the aisle. If approved, Senate Bill 5067 would make Washington the second state to lower its per se blood alcohol concentration, or BAC limit for driving, from .08% to .05%. Utah was the first, with its law taking effect in 2018, although others have similar provisions for people with prior convictions.

Emergency rules implemented to combat Chronic Wasting Disease in WA

OLYMPIA – In response to a confirmed case of chronic wasting disease in Spokane County this past July, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has enacted several emergency regulations aimed at curbing the disease's spread according to a WDFW Aug. 23 press release

Law enforcement logs for Aug. 23, 2024

Law enforcement logs for Aug. 23, 2024

November ballot will include 'warning labels' for initiatives

(The Center Square) - The battle over what will be printed on ballots for four statewide initiatives has ended, at least for this election season. The final blow came late Thursday, when Tim Eyman was informed there would be no Friday morning hearing for his attempt to block what initiative supporters call "warning labels" on the ballot measures.

Recount required in Commissioner of Public Lands race

OLYMPIA – The Office of the Secretary of State has mandated a manual recount for the Commissioner of Public Lands election across all Washington State counties, according to a statement from the Benton County Auditor’s Office. Each county will conduct the recount independently, according to the statement. According to state administrative rules, all counties will certify their recount results on Sept. 3. The Secretary of State's office will then certify the statewide results on Sept. 4.

The Side Project to round out summer concert season

MOSES LAKE — The Side Project will finish out Moses Lake’s Summer Concert Series with a free show Friday, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. The Side Project consists of the wife-and-husband team Suzie and Ben Bradford. The duo, originally from Spokane, have recorded six albums and have performed up and down the West Coast for 20 years, according to the announcement. Their music has been broadcast in Starbucks and featured on television shows “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” as well as scoring a rave review in Music Connection Magazine.

NEWS BITES: Aug. 20, 2024

MATTAWA — The Mattawa Police Department would like to remind citizens that there is a noise ordinance, according to a statement released Saturday. Mattawa Municipal Code Chapter 9.08 Noise Control provides a breakdown on what is and is not allowed within city limits. The statement breaks down some of the rules.  “It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from the property, sound that is a public disturbance noise,” the MPD wrote. Examples given of this are motor vehicle audio systems that can be heard from at least 50 feet from the source. Any sound from audio equipment, instruments, or similar devices that can be audible from 50 feet away. Violation of the noise ordinance can result in a civil infraction with mandatory minimum penalty.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Dateline wherever ...

If you’re reading this, you’ve seen a few datelines in your time. That city name at the beginning of a news article. Do you know what it means and why it’s put there, though?

Roaring good time

Agri-Service Demo Derby and motorcycle barrel racing draws enthusiastic crowd

MOSES LAKE — There’s something very American about a demolition derby: only a country as obsessed with cars as ours would make a sport out of destroying them. It’s a game of high-speed bumper cars played with tons of metal, roaring engines and flying dirt making the air – and sometimes the audience – as gritty as a spaghetti western.

Law enforcement logs for Aug. 16, 2024

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

More questions than answers in quiet attempt to invalidate WA initiatives

(The Center Square) - Plenty of questions remain about last Friday’s Washington Supreme Court rulings on two lawsuits related to voter initiatives set for placement on the general election ballot in November.

Ephrata School Board makes cell phone rules, trademarks logos

At the Ephrata School Board meeting on July 29, several important decisions were made that will impact the upcoming school year according to a release. One of the highlights from the meeting was the purchase of secure cell phone boxes for Ephrata High School and Ephrata Middle School. These boxes will be used to store students' cell phones during class to minimize distractions and improve focus on learning. The district is committed to studying the impact of this new policy in collaboration with students, families, and staff members. According to recent reports from Pew Research Center and Common Sense Media, a significant number of teens are constantly online, with many receiving numerous notifications on their phones each day. By implementing the use of secure cell phone boxes, Ephrata Schools aims to create a more conducive learning environment for students. The district has allocated approximately $5,500 to purchase these boxes for all classrooms at EHS and EMS.

Lynn Bair

July 26, 1935 — Aug. 9, 2024

Lynn Ann Turley Bair, beloved mother, devoted grandmother, faithful friend and longtime resident of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away peacefully in her home with her daughter in attendance on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. Lynn was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and devoted to serving the Lord with all her heart, might, mind and strength. She consistently provided Christian fellowship to her family, her friends and her many community associations and congregation members. Lynn continually emanated the Light of the Lord in the way she humbly served those around her.

Agri-Service Demo Derby begins Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — The engines will roar, the dirt will fly and a whole lot of metal will go crunch Tuesday and Wednesday at the Agri-Service Demo Derby, held at the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo grounds at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

Mt. Rainier Nat. Park burn restrictions begin Saturday

ASHFORD — Mount Rainier National Park will implement a parkwide fire ban starting Saturday due to increased regional fire risks, according to a press release from the park.