Coach reflects on winning season for the Mavericks

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (10-7-1) were eliminated in the first round of the 4A state tournament 8-0 by the Issaquah Eagles. It’s always hard to see a season come to an end, Head Coach Alysha Overland said, but the Mavericks have a lot to be proud of. “This program hasn’t seen state in 10 years now, so the girls battling through everything we’ve faced this season, and getting to that point, I think we’re all just very excited and still proud of the point that they got to,” Overland said. Overland said her players competed well in their game against Issaquah. They were able to hold the Eagles to a 2-0 lead going into halftime. However, in the second half the game escaped the Mavericks as Issaquah put up six goals to seal the win. Overland said the Eagles were a strong team that was well rounded and were efficiently passing the ball.

Mice test positive for bird flu in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — Six mice in Grant County have recently tested positive for avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, according to a statement from the Grant County Health District. “It’s not brand new that we are finding bird flu in mice or other mammals. There have been reports of rodents testing positive for bird flu throughout the United States. It can be found in other mammals, not just birds,” GCHD Public Information Officer Lexi Smith said.

New ordinance will allow some Moses Lake irrigation-only wells

MOSES LAKE — Public and semi-public organizations would be allowed to drill shallower-depth wells to help water their property under the terms of an ordinance reviewed by the Moses Lake City Council Wednesday. Water from those wells will be used for irrigation only. Mayor Dustin Swartz said the ordinance is designed to take some of the pressure off the city’s existing municipal water system.

Train theft attempted in Warden

WARDEN – On Wednesday night, Bunge, a food producer located in the 1800 block of West First Street, was nearly a victim of train theft, according to Warden Police Department Chief Jeff Gann.

Judith ‘Judy’ Church

August 24, 1937 – November 3, 2025

Judith “Judy” Ann Church, 88, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on Nov. 3, 2025, in Federal Way, Washington. Born on Aug. 24, 1937, in Portsmouth, Ohio to Eugene Samuel Crull and Eileen Pearl Hawkins Crull, Judy was the eldest of three sisters and a former resident of Moses Lake and Othello, Washington. A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 6 at Pillar Rock Golf Course in Moses Lake from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dress in your holiday colors. Join for lunch and share a story.

COLUMN: Is this the year for the Zags?

As the Washington air turns bitter and cold, sports fans will trade in the cold beer, perhaps for a warm cider, as they sit down for the start of the college basketball season. After a second-round exit in the NCAA men's basketball tournament last March, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are poised to bounce back this season.

The purr-fect Toast

MOSES LAKE — Toast, marked like America’s favorite breakfast, is ready to be adopted from Grant County Animal Outreach. She said she has enjoyed her stay, but she is looking for someone's house to hang out in, more permanently. She is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. All you have to do is visit GrantCountyAnimalOuteach.org and fill out her application. She said she will make the time you took worth it. However, if you are unable to adopt and would still like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Generations Church to offer trees, Christmas presents

MOSES LAKE — The Generations Church Christmas tree lot is both moving and expanding this year. “We’re moving our tree lot to our church property, and then we’re going to combine it with an indoor sale, which is hopefully a new and improved garage sale,” said Patty Culver, a member of Generations church who is organizing the sales. “We’ve weeded out the junk and focused on Christmas stuff: clothes and toys and books.”

Grant Co. CHI to host transportation access event

EPHRATA — The Grant County Coalition for Health Improvement is set to host an event, “Paving the Way: Community Solutions for Transportation Access,” on November 18. This initiative is part of the CHI series, aimed at addressing pressing community issues through public engagement and collaborative efforts.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Support local causes this holiday season ...

If you’re looking to enjoy the holidays, you’re not alone. Across the Columbia Basin, people will be baking turkeys, holiday shopping, decorating their homes, and reminding children to behave or they’ll get coal in a stocking.

Legals for November, 13 2025

Awareness helps protect people from increasingly sophisticated scammers

MOSES LAKE — A check of the records all the way back to Sumerian clay tablets shows that scammers are always looking for new ways to separate people from their money. Kyle Foreman, public information officer with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said scamming is a volume business.

Applications open for apple industry training program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Applications are open for a program designed to provide training and networking opportunities for young professionals in the apple industry. Recipients of the 2026 NextGen Apple Fellowship will be announced in February. The program is sponsored by USApple, the industry’s national trade organization.

Ephrata schools bolster local food bank efforts

EPHRATA — In a demonstration of community spirit, the Ephrata School District successfully gathered nearly 750 pounds of food for the Ephrata Food Bank during their recent food drive, coinciding with conference week. The initiative, which engaged students, staff, and families alike, is part of the district's ongoing commitment to support local charitable efforts.

Grant County Jail roster as of Nov. 12, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Pretty in pink

AdamsCountyPetRescue.com

Locals recognized for contributions to STEM

WENATCHEE — Three locals were honored at the NCW Tech Alliance Awards ceremony last week. Quincy High School student Gerardo Guerrero and Big Bend Community College Professor of Chemistry Lindsay Groce received the K-12 Future Technology Leader and STEM Champion of the Year awards, respectively. Cooper Cox, BBCC alumnus and current Washington State University student, was a finalist for the STEM College Innovator of the Year.

Educators share plans to ‘Educate Tomorrow’ at LEAD Summit

MOSES LAKE — During the first day of the LEAD Summit, local school district superintendents Carol Lewis from Moses Lake, Andy Harlow from Wahluke, Nik Bergman from Quincy and Ken Murray from Ephrata came together to discuss the challenges that schools are facing and their plans to adapt education into the future.

Legals for November, 12 2025

Court ruling releases SNAP benefits for Washingtonians

OLYMPIA – Following a federal court ruling requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, hundreds of thousands of Washington residents are receiving their overdue food assistance benefits for November. This development comes after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to cease withholding food benefits for low-income Americans.