Junk vehicles to be removed in Larson community

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Crime Reduction team will begin to remove junk vehicles from the Larson area this week, according to an announcement from the GCSO.

Woman threatens parents, drives away with infant

MOSES LAKE — Kelsey Galvan, 20, of Moses Lake was arrested Sunday after reportedly threatening her parents with a knife and driving away intoxicated with her child unsecured in the vehicle.

WA hate crime bill advances through House committee

(The Center Square) – A Washington House committee voted to advance a bill that would broaden the definition of a hate crime in the state, and remarks by a ranking committee members indicate it could include non-violent acts or speech. House Bill 1052 sponsored by Rep. Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline, would expand what constitutes a hate crime to include incidents where the perpetrator did so “in part or the whole” due to a person’s perceived identity.

Trade school scholarship auction coming Feb. 15 in Mattawa

MATTAWA — The Sven Legacy Foundation will hold a fundraiser silent auction Feb. 15 near Mattawa, complete with food, drinks, music and lots to bid on. The foundation was formed in November in memory of its namesake, Sven Leland, a Mattawa farmer who passed away last year. The purpose is to help students who aren’t planning to go to college have career options.

CA fires a good reminder for WA homeowners to check their insurance policies

(The Center Square) – Devastating fires continued to burn across Southern California Wednesday, with homes and other buildings destroyed in Los Angeles County. Five people have been confirmed dead so far, with hundreds injured as they race to flee the flames. Making matters even worse, some families who have lost their homes will not be reimbursed through homeowners insurance policies. That’s in part due to the exodus of insurance companies from California due to the rising losses from wildfires in the state. As reported by Newsweek, several private insurers cut coverage in at-risk areas in California in the last couple of years as state regulators prevented companies from raising premiums to match their growing risk.

Building permits for Jan. 17, 2025

Unincorporated Grant County Dec. 12-31

CTUIR, Corps of Engineers sign pact to improve Mill Creek fish passage

WALLA WALLA — Officials from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a signing Jan. 10 at the Corps’ Walla Walla District headquarters to honor a joint project to improve fish passage on Mill Creek, according to an announcement from the CTUIR.

Sen. Warnick outlines legislative priorities for 2025 session

OLYMPIA — In anticipation of the upcoming 2025 legislative session, starting today, Washington State Senator Judy Warnick discussed her key priorities and strategies aimed at improving policies that impact her constituents. As she prepares for the session, Warnick said she is keenly aware of the challenges posed by a shifting political landscape, particularly in light of a newly elected Democratic governor and a budget shortfall that will influence the agenda. Warnick's legislative priorities center around three themes: affordability, public safety and education—specifically the safety and educational advancement of children.

Moses Lake School District EP&O levy on February ballot

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District will submit an educational programs and operations levy to district voters on the Feb. 11 ballot. The levy, using local taxes, provides funding for programs and services beyond the state’s basic education requirements.

Alberto B. Morales

1947 – 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of our beloved brother Alberto (Bert) B. Morales. He died of natural causes on Nov. 2, 2024, in Moses Lake. Bert was born Nov. 19, 1947, in Lerdo, Durango, Mexico to Elvira Lopez and was raised in Edinburg, Texas. He entered the United States with his mother and sister Rosa in 1955. He enjoyed learning and receiving an education. He earned his diploma in 1967 from Agua Fria Union High School in Avondale, Arizona. He continued his studies in an automotive mechanic program in Yakima County. Bert volunteered to serve our country in 1969 in the Army. He was deployed to the Vietnam War as a medical laboratory specialist. He then served in the National Guard. He attended the University of Washington and studied science and Spanish. Bert worked at Lamb Weston, Connell, Washington for many years and retired as a machine operator. His undiagnosed PTSD started to surface which contributed to his poor health and early death.

Boeing International updates safety and quality plan

SEATTLE — Boeing has unveiled enhancements to its Safety & Quality Plan, which focuses on four key areas: cultivating a superior safety and quality culture, investing in workforce training, simplifying production processes and eliminating manufacturing defects, according to a statement from Boeing.

Replacing electrical system components requires care

MOSES LAKE — It didn’t end well for that power pole – that tends to happen when they get hit by a vehicle. Sometimes it’s a relatively minor incident, like the pole on Gumwood Street in Moses Lake that lost a four-foot section to a garbage truck Dec. 27. Sometimes it’s more serious, like the one on Road 26 Southwest that took out a distribution pole and cut power to about 1,020 customers Dec. 31. Or the lines that went down southwest of Quincy Dec. 26.

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.

Fixing the damage

It’s wise to have a pro on your side when filing a claim

MOSES LAKE — It was, as they say, a dark and stormy night. Now it’s the next morning, and you’re looking with dismay at the tree that the wind sent crashing into your roof. You’ve got homeowners insurance, of course, but where do you go from there? “I hope you have an agent, as opposed to an 800 number,” said Chris Arnberg, an American Family Insurance agent in Moses Lake. “If you just have an 800 number, a company … where you don't have an actual person whose job it is to provide individual service, if you call to ask about opening a claim, they're going to open a claim.”

Mattawa man cited for hit and run after damaging power pole

MATTAWA — A Mattawa man was cited for hit and run after he hit a power pole near Mattawa early Tuesday morning.

Fire department, pool, animal shelter among projects in 2025 Othello budget

OTHELLO — The city of Othello is projected to spend about $28.6 million in 2025. Of that, about $9.6 million will be from the city’s general fund.

Northwest power planners challenged by increasing demand of data centers

(The Center Square) – With energy-intensive artificial intelligence, or AI, consuming more electricity than traditional data-center activities, reliability of the electrical grid should be the top priority, according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Moses Lake man arrested for DUI after being tased

MOSES LAKE – Abel Valdez, 32, of Moses Lake was arrested Friday evening after he reportedly caused damage to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, according to a GCSO statement.

Legals for December, 30 2024

NEWS BITES for Dec. 26, 2024

ELECTRIC CITY — An RV camper was destroyed in a fire Friday alongside Osborne Bay south of Electric City, according to a statement from the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department.