Letter: Water restrictions in Moses Lake

I read with great concern the Moses Lake City Council’s voting to make summer water restrictions year-round restrictions, including new rules pertaining to water leaks, and prohibiting “washing a vehicle with a hose that’s not fitted with a shut-off nozzle and allowing water from washing vehicles or pavement to go into the city stormwater system.” I agree wholeheartedly with Council Member David Skaug’s remark: “I think the whole thing stinks.” It does stink and causes me to wonder what’s next, “Water Police?” However, Mr. Skaug lost all credibility with me with this statement: “I think we’re asking the public, the little people, to bear the crunch of this.”

Fire report for July 10, 2023

MOSES LAKE — The Tunnel 5 fire burning in the Columbia Gorge about four miles west of White Salmon has grown to 556 acres and is 20% contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday morning that the evacuation notice for the area had been lowered to Level 2, which means residents should either leave now or be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice...

STUDIO BASIN: Fourth of July, animal control and summer baseball

MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer recaps Fourth of July events from across the Basin, as well as Soap Lake's new city council member, Othello's new police chief and an update on animal control in the Basin. Next, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona goes over the 18U River Dogs placing third at the Spokane Wood Bat Classic and more. The Studio Basin podcast can be found on your favorite podcast apps, or downloaded directly at https://bit.ly/44wSPUE.

Equine expansion

Grant County Fairgrounds upgrades provide opportunities for self-sufficiency.

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Fairgrounds officials have expanded available accommodation for horses, and will be moving other horse accommodation, probably this year. Fairgrounds manager Jim McKIernan said attracting additional equestrian events is part of the effort to increase revenue at the fairgrounds, with the goal of becoming self-supporting, or close to it...

Quincy employee recognized for 10 years with the city

QUINCY — Howard VanBaugh, right, receives a certificate recognizing his 10 years with the city of Quincy from Mayor Paul Worley, left, at the Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday.

Soap Lake fire causes evacuation notice

SOAP LAKE — A level 3 evacuation notice was issued for the 3000-4000 block of Road 20 Northeast near Soap Lake Wednesday evening, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 13. A level 3 evacuation means “Leave now,” the statement added...

Contract awarded to widen sidewalk near Quincy High

QUINCY — A section of Jackrabbit Way opposite Quincy High School will get a wider sidewalk. Quincy Public Works Director Carl Worley said city officials are hoping the project will be completed by the time school starts in late August. “That’s our goal,” Worley said...

Soap Lake appoints new city council member

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed a motion during Wednesday’s meeting to approve the appointment of Steve Wellein to serve on the council in position 6, which has been vacant since the resignation of council member Kat Sanderson...

Washington sports schedule July 7-11

COLUMBIA BASIN – Check out this week’s Washington sports schedule, featuring local, regional and statewide sporting events.

Royal party

Summerfest returns with a few changes

ROYAL CITY — Royal City will turn out at Lions Park this weekend for the city’s annual Summerfest, with a few changes from past years. “There's going to be vendors in the park Friday night and Saturday,” said Jonathan Cox, chairman of the Summerfest committee. “In addition, Friday night we're going to be doing mutton busting, we're going to have our big car show, we're going to have fireworks. On Saturday, it's going to be similar to what we always do, we have the parade starting at 10 a.m. right down the main street, then after that, there's going to be the same vendors in the park. So people have the opportunity to get food both days." As before, there will be an array of inflatables and bouncy houses in the park, Cox said, and a mechanical bull. There will also be a Touch-a-Truck, where kids – and adults, for that matter – can check out fire engines and other big equipment.

Washington fire update for July 6

OTHELLO — An Othello-area home was completely destroyed by fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to a statement from Adams County Fire District 5. Two vehicles were also destroyed, but all occupants got out of the house safely. The investigation determined that the cause of the fire was fireworks that had been collected and placed in a trash can...

Rehaume chosen as Othello PD chief

OTHELLO — Dave Rehaume, a 34-year veteran of the Othello Police Department who was named interim chief in May, was hired and sworn in as chief during the Othello City Council meeting Monday. The council's vote to hire Rehaume was unanimous...

Grant Co. to contract for animal control study

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commissioners will contract with the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society to conduct a study of animal control in Grant County and the options for improving it...

‘Red, white and sparkle’

George celebrates America with parade, politics and pie

GEORGE — Perhaps no town does up the Fourth of July with more vigor than George. “I love it when we all get dressed up in our country's colors,” said state Sen. Judy Warnick. “There's one little girl that had ‘Red, White and Sparkle’ on her shirt. And I think that's what George is doing right now. We're celebrating our independence with red, white and sparkle.” ...

Othello Food Bank requests county funds

OTHELLO – Jose Garza, lead facilities director at the Othello Food Bank, went before the Adams County Board of Commissioners during last Wednesday’s meeting to workshop potential options for funding and support for the food bank and its programs. “Without funds, you can’t operate, you can’t move, you can’t buy equipment,” said Garza, who joined the Othello Food Bank in August 2022...

News Bites for July 5, 2023

A selection of news tidbits from around the Columbia Basin.

Legals for July, 5 2023

Red, White & BOOM

Moses Lake and visitors celebrate Independence Day

MOSES LAKE – Citizens of Moses Lake gathered on Saturday in Sinkiuse Square and McCosh Park for the Red, White, & Boom Independence Day celebration, hosted by the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center and the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Dollie Boyd, superintendent of the Museum and Art Center, explained the motivation behind the event. “We wanted to do not just fireworks, but we wanted to bring back the summer concert series. We did some surveying around town, and that was the number one thing that people wanted to see.” ...

Suds N' Sun '23

Soap Lake celebrates during annual celebration

SOAP LAKE - Soap Lake’s annual Suds N’ Sun celebration kicked off Sunday, a sunny and hot summer day to celebrate the 4th of July in a more centralized location this year. “I had a lot of people come up to me and tell me they loved having it all together,” said local businesswoman and city council member Karen Woodhouse...

Powering up

Design phase to begin for Wanapum Dam to Quincy line

QUINCY — The preliminary design phase for a new electrical transmission line from Wanapum Dam to Quincy should be starting in July. It’s part of a larger Grant County PUD project to increase electrical availability in the Quincy area, but Jeff Grizzel, the PUD’s chief operations officer, said getting the electricity to Quincy is only part of the equation. “We have a very long list of customers who either want to expand in the Quincy area because they’re already there, or new customers who want to locate in the Quincy area,” Grizzel said. “And right now, if you look at that list and add up all the service requests in terms of how many megawatts they’re asking for, the (project being planned) will help many of those requests, but not all of them.” ...