News Bites for July 18

News bits from first responder agencies around the Columbia Basin.

Regional fire report for July 18

SHELTON — The McEwan fire northwest of Shelton, in Mason County, is in the mopping-up phase, according to a statement from Central Mason Fire and EMS. The fire, which has been burning since July 4, consumed 250 acres and has cost an estimated $1.8 million or more so far, according to the National Interagency Fire Center...

Legals for July, 18 2023

Hayden Homes donating new park to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake will gain another park this week. Maple Grove Park, in the new Maple Grove housing subdivision on Grape Drive north of SR 17, will be donated to the city of Moses Lake Thursday at 11:30 a.m., according to an announcement from Hayden Homes, the developer of Maple Grove...

Moses Lake to consider annexation

MOSES LAKE — A request to annex about 84 acres into the Moses Lake city limits will be considered by city officials. Moses Lake City Council members agreed to allow evaluation of the application on a unanimous 4-0 vote at the regular meeting July 11. Council member Mark Fancher recused himself from the presentation and the vote, saying one of the applicants is a business client...

Ending on a high note

18U Rattlers close out 2023 season with win

RICHLAND – Playing at the D-BAT Summer Series in Richland, the Moses Lake Rattlers went 4-1 on the weekend with a win in the team’s final game of the season. “We were excited for our last tournament,” Head Coach Lisa Lawrence said. “A chance to wrap things up on a high point, which we did.” ...

CWU anthroplogy grad looks to bring Indigenous perspective to her profession

ELLENSBURG - When Raelynne Crow arrived at CWU, she had no idea she would be interested in anthropology, let alone that the university even had a program...

Legals for July, 17 2023

Baird Springs fire costs $1.5m, new fires in Pierce, Klickitat counties

QUINCY — The Baird Springs fire is estimated to have cost $1.5 million to extinguish, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The blaze, which sprang up quickly the afternoon of July 10, triggered evacuations in the Crescent Bar and Trinidad communities. There were no injuries and no reported structure damages, but 2,400 acres of grassland were scorched before fire crews pulled out Thursday. These wildfires were also burning in Washington as of Friday afternoon, according to the NIFC:

Bobbie Lynch (Barbara Hartwig)

Barbara, 94, known to most as Bobbie, decided she was ready to leave her earthly body behind on July 11, 2023, and begin her new adventure with all of the loved ones waiting for her on the other side. Barbara Houchens (Senter) was born on Aug. 10, 1928. After marrying Charles Lynch in 1946, Bobbie and Chuck raised four children in the Kettle Falls area, while she waitressed at Freddie’s Cafe. In 1965, the Lynch family moved to Royal City where Bobbie worked at the Titan Cafe, Royal City Market and the Royal City School District, from which she retired. Nothing meant more to Bobbie than her family. Being Nana to nine grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren (soon to be 27) and one soon-to-be great-great-grandchild, was one of her greatest joys. Bobbie’s strength, stubbornness, and sass live on in all of us.

WSU student participates in research projects in Kenya

PULLMAN - This summer, Washington State University student Darya Maysam is joining research projects on antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease surveillance, and epidemiological modeling, while gaining course credit at the same time. The WSU junior, who plans to graduate in May 2024 with a degree in Animal Science and a minor in Mathematics, is also taking Swahili language lessons, visiting an elephant orphanage and giraffe research center, and learning about animal herding from the Maasai people...

Vital need

Red Cross seeking donors to prevent blood shortage

COLUMBIA BASIN – The American Red Cross announced in a press release July 10 that they are urging people to donate blood this summer to help avoid a significant shortage that may result from recent drops in donations. “The American Red Cross is sending blood donations to hospitals faster than they are coming in. We need more donors to give in July to help avoid a blood shortage that could impact patient care at hospitals across the country,” said the Red Cross’s Northwest Region Communications Director Betsy Robertson in the release...

MLB announces 2024 schedule

SEATTLE – The MLB announced the schedule for the 2024 season on Thursday, setting dates for Seattle’s opponents next season.

Moses Lake chamber to host candidate forum

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce will host a candidates forum Tuesday, according to a press release from the chamber...

Manta Rays host Sizzlin’ Summer Splash

Hundreds of swimmers dive into Moses Lake for summer competition

MOSES LAKE – The Manta Rays saw a peak in swimmers competing at last weekend’s Sizzlin’ Summer Splash in Moses Lake, with 525 swimmers coming in from the Pacific Northwest and beyond for the three-day meet. “This was the 15th Sizzlin’ Summer swim meet that I’ve been the meet director for, and this was the largest number of swimmers by far that we’ve ever had,” Manta Rays President Steve Washburn said. “Last year was the most we’ve had, and we had 450.” ...

Baird Springs fire in mop up, other fires continue to cause problems in WA

QUINCY — The Baird Springs fire is nearly out, according to the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office. Several additional fires were burning across Washington as of early Thursday afternoon.

Warden to halt water shutoffs in August

WARDEN – Warden City Council passed a unanimous motion during Tuesday’s meeting to not shut off any water utility services during August to avoid conflicting with new Washington state law. “The legislature passed a bill this session that prohibits any water utility from terminating water service during an excessive heat warning, a heat advisory, an excessive heat watch or similar alert,” said Warden City Attorney Anna Franz...

Energy, energy prices focus of town hall discussion

QUINCY — Energy prices and their impact were among the topics discussed at a town hall sponsored by 13th District Senator Judy Warnick and Representatives Tom Dent and Alex Ybarra Thursday in Quincy. “We missed so much of this during the pandemic. We didn’t have in-person (meetings),” Dent said. “A virtual town hall is okay when we’re in session, but the interaction isn’t there. This is much better.” ...

Basin students make EWU Dean's List

COLUMBIA BASIN – Students from 14 cities in the Columbia Basin were placed on Eastern Washington University’s 2023 Spring Dean List, according to the university’s website. The website stated that any undergraduate student who earns what the university defines as 12 quality hours and receives a GPA of 3.5 or better is placed on the Dean's List.

Larry Webley

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our father, Larry Webley, 82, a longtime resident of Wilson Creek, Washington. Dad was a water well contractor for close to 50 years. He served the residents of the Columbia Basin with their water and irrigation needs up until his 80th birthday. During the last couple of years, Dad lived in a loving adult family home near his daughters. We are very grateful for the care he received. Dad died peacefully in the early morning hours on May 14, 2023. He is no longer suffering and has joined his parents, his wife and his sister in Heaven in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please join us for a Celebration of Life at the Wilson Creek City Park on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Our family will be hosting a picnic to begin at 1 p.m. Please join us for a meal and share a story or two. We would be honored to have you attend.