Basin Summer Showdown coming next Saturday

EPHRATA — The Basin Summer Showdown car show will take to the streets in Ephrata again Saturday, July 27.

Police logs for July 19, 2024

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.

FIRE REPORT: Wilson Creek fire crisps 180 acres

WILSON CREEK — A wildfire was reported at about 4 p.m. Thursday north of the town of Wilson Creek and west of Road 3 NE which had burned an estimated 180 acres by about 7 p.m. according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Moses Lake man sentenced in vehicle arson case

SPOKANE — David Alexander Maybee, 25, of Moses Lake was sentenced after pleading guilty to Malicious Destruction of Property by Fire. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice handed down a sentence of 60 months imprisonment with an additional three years of supervised release.

Road construction scheduled in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — Crews have started work on two major street improvements in Soap Lake, and a third is scheduled to start next month. The installation of a lighted crosswalk at Southeast Third Avenue and South Daisy Street (State Route 17) has been completed.

Basin events calendar for July 19-28

COLUMBIA BASIN – This week, the Basin has plenty of fun ahead with comedy, shiny cars, live music and a chance to support local athletes.

Legals for July, 19 2024

Murray plans school updates, announces priorities

EPHRATA – Ken Murray has stepped into the role of Superintendent of Ephrata Schools. In a community message on the Ephrata school’s website he elaborated on three focuses as the superintendent which include fiscal responsibility, facility updates and long-term planning.

City administrator provides Ephrata water update

EPHRATA – The city of Ephrata is working to upgrade its water systems on multiple fronts with a new water tower, redrilling two wells, regained water rights and upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment facility, according to City Administrator Ray Towery. That includes recently-installed freshwater and gray water infrastructure to take water to the new Grant County Jail and to take reclaimed water to the Port of Ephrata.

Small cities in Grant Co. see crime trending down

MOSES LAKE — The communities are smaller, so the incidents are fewer, and the percentage changes look more dramatic. But cities in Grant County are for the most part following the same trend in declining crime as the rest of Washington.

FIRE REPORT: Sunbanks Fire mostly extinguished

ELECTRIC CITY — The Sunbanks Fire that flared up Tuesday afternoon in Electric City was mostly out Wednesday, according to a statement from the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department. No flames were visible, but small flare-ups continued to appear. The fire burned 100 acres before it was extinguished, but no structures were reported lost.

Downtown businesses make the best of small spaces

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot happening in the middle of Moses Lake, and it’s happening in smaller and smaller spaces. “Even with all the business closures that are happening around town, businesses that are still open are doing more initiatives to attract more people to their stores,” said Mallory Miller, director of the Downtown Moses Lake Association, which promotes the business community downtown. “We've got Artgarden, she's doing more classes. We've got Hello Nature which is bringing in things constantly. (Owner Magen Evans) is doing little sidewalk sales. So just bringing more people into downtown.” Moses Lake’s downtown business core has had its share of ups and downs over the years, as businesses come and go. Many of the businesses that were pillars of the downtown core 30 and more years ago – Pinky’s House of Fashion, Berry’s Department Store, Furniture West – are now the stuff of nostalgia. But in their place have come smaller concerns, many of them doubling and tripling up in the available spaces.

Kids with disabilities make memories at Merwin Day of Fishing

WOODLAND — More than 200 children with disabilities enjoyed a unique opportunity to experience the joy of fishing in a supportive and inclusive environment Saturday at the 24th annual Merwin Day of Fishing, according to an announcement from Pacific Power, which hosted the event in conjunction with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The event was held at the hatchery near Merwin Dam in southwestern Washington. Throughout the day, children caught fish specially raised for the event, with many experiencing the excitement of fishing for the first time, according to the announcement. When the kids arrived at the hatchery, they were given T-shirts, fishing rods, tackle and other items. Then volunteer coaches helped them catch up to five fish, which were cleaned and put on ice while families enjoyed a barbecue. The event not only provided a fun recreational activity, but also fostered connections among participants and volunteers. Volunteers from Pacific Power, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and several recreational fishing organizations generously contributed their time and expertise to ensure each child had a fulfilling experience, the announcement said. Corporate sponsors also played a crucial role in supporting the event, providing necessary equipment and resources.

Nominations open for Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards

OLYMPIA — Nominations are being accepted for Washington state’s Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. The award honors volunteers, service officers, community members, Tribal veterans, National Guard members, or others who day in and day out go above and beyond the call of duty making sure veterans and their family members are cared for, according to the announcement. Whether they submit claims for benefits, arrange funeral honors for grieving families, coordinate events or donate countless hours in veteran’s hospitals or nursing homes, this is an opportunity to nominate them for one of seven Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards. This awards program is sponsored by the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, the announcement said. Award winners are invited to participate in the Auburn Veteran's Day Parade, followed by recognition at a special luncheon.

Legals for July, 18 2024

Soap Lake Folk and Food Festival off to a successful start

SOAP LAKE — Three-digit temperatures couldn’t keep folks away from the first annual Soap Lake Food and Folk Festival Saturday. “We had people messaging us on Facebook saying, ‘You know what, it was hot, but I still stayed in the park for 12 hours,’” said Kim Anderson, one of the organizers of the festival. “That's some dedication. They wouldn't have done that if they didn't really enjoy what was going on.”

14U River Dogs win North Washington tournament

EPHRATA – The 14U Columbia Basin River Dogs went 3-0 over the weekend to claim the Babe Ruth 14U North Washington State Tournament at Johnson-O'Brien stadium in Ephrata, defeating the 14U Moses Lake All Stars 12-0 in the title game on Sunday.

ACH Legion wins division title

HARTLINE – Saturday’s sweep of Ferris allowed the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Senior Legion baseball team to clinch a division title, finishing the regular season 16-0 and winning the Area 3 AA National Division.

Royal City Summerfest delivers

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Summerfest went off well over the weekend, said Jill Larsen, a member of the festival committee. “The heat was a little much, but it's always hot,” Larsen said. “So always we try to keep it in mind; that's why we tried to put all of our vendors in the shade.” The food vendors were arranged around the perimeter of Lions Park, with the craft vendors toward the front. The sunny part of the park was used for the Headlights and Summer Nights Car Show Friday evening. The vehicles arranged around the park ranged from antiques to low riders. There was even a perfect replica of the General Lee from the TV show “The Dukes of Hazzard,” right down to the horn that played “Dixie.” “We picked up this car about a year ago and it wasn't running,” said Jeff Cobb of Ephrata, who restored the General with his 13-year-old son Clayton. “So we updated the motor and the transmission … It’s a 383 motor with a 727 transmission, and we have a 440 at home in the shop that we’re rebuilding, getting ready to put it in.”

WA Supreme Court leaves high-capacity magazine ban in place

(The Center Square) – Washington's ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines will remain in effect after a Monday decision by the state Supreme Court.