Legals for December, 12 2025

Ephrata town hall highlights local growth

EPHRATA — On Wednesday night, leaders of several Ephrata agencies gathered at the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center to give updates to the community on various projects. There were presentations from the school district, both the mayor and mayor-elect, the Port of Ephrata, Columbia Basin Hospital, Grant Public Utility District and Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Quincy EP&O levy to go to voters

QUINCY — Quincy School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election in February. If it’s approved, it would replace the levy approved by voters in 2022. District superintendent Nik Bergman said money raised through the levy accounts for about 16% of the district’s budget. “The state doesn’t fully fund a lot of programs,” Bergman said. “It’s used to fund our highly capable (program) and STEAM enrichment. Some of it is used to fund special education, early learning, the arts, music. We have a music program that is just flourishing right now, and I can connect that to the community support of the levy.”

Moses Lake FFA funds found

MOSES LAKE — Allegations made by Tony Kern, the longtime agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America advisor in Moses Lake, regarding the misappropriation of approximately $55,000 in FFA fundraising revenue have been officially addressed and found to be unfounded, according to statements from both the Moses Lake School District and FFA.

Eagles boys fall short at home

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Eagles (0-2) fell short 57-37 at home to the Cascade Christian Academy Wolverines. Head Coach Mingo Scott called the result a game of two stories. “When we were able to run our offense and get into stuff, we made positive runs and were able to score as a team. When we couldn't get into our offense, guys went one-on-one too much, and that led to turnovers and runs going the opposite direction,” Scott said. The Eagles fell behind early after a fast start by the Wolverines. CCA jumped out to a 17-2 lead before Scott called a timeout to help his players reset. From there, they were able to run their system to eventually tie the game 36-36 in the third quarter. However, after a player sprained his ankle, the Eagles scoring run stopped and the Wolverines pulled away in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

COLLEGIATE SPORTS SCHEDULE: Dec. 12-19, 2025

MOSES LAKE – Throughout the state, college football teams are heading to bowl games while basketball teams are still battling in the early season to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. See where your favorite teams will be heading this week.

EWU earns win in rivalry game against WSU

PULLMAN – The Eastern Washington Eagles Women’s basketball team (6-4) earned a significant win against the Washington State Cougars 71-69. This game marked the Eagles’ first win over the Cougars since March 18, 2015 when the teams faced off in the first round of the Women’s NIT tournament. “Washington State is a really good team. They’re very well coached and they’re prepared,” said Eagles Head Coach Joddie Gleason. “They run their offense really well and are hard to guard. Coming in here to get the win is huge for us. It shows that we’re read to get these road wins in the Big Sky.”

Merle Jay Royer

September 14, 1929 – December 9, 2025

Merle Jay Royer, 96, of Quincy, Washington, passed away peacefully on Dec. 9, 2025, surrounded by family. Born Sept. 14, 1929, near Industry, Illinois, Merle grew up in Illinois and Colorado before making Quincy his lifelong home. Merle met the love of his life, Wilma Whitbeck, at a small church gathering in Quincy, and they married in 1957. Together they raised four children and built a life centered on faith, family and community. A farmer at heart, Merle stepped into a new season of life when health concerns required him to work out of the sun. With Wilma and family, he faithfully operated Coast to Coast Hardware, later Royer’s True Value, for 38 years. Merle was known for his work ethic, generosity, and the way he treated every customer with dignity and care.

Ephrata Council passes $35.6 million budget for 2026

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council has officially passed its budget for the 2026 fiscal year, amounting to a total of about $35,600,000. The ordinance was approved during a council meeting held on Dec. 3.

Winterfest brings joy to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — The annual Winterfest event in Soap Lake was a resounding success this year, organizers said, bringing together families and community members for an evening filled with holiday spirit, gifts and festive fun. The event, organized by the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce, featured a return of cherished traditions, including the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, and raised funds for the senior class of Soap Lake High School.

A paws-itely perfect gift

MOSES LAKE — Strelka, a husky-mix sleighs hearts at Grant County Animal Outreach. She is the perfect furry friend who will leave you howling with joy this holiday season. This sleigh-belle is “Santa-paws” approved, spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. Now all she needs is someone to fill out her application so the Christmas cuddles can commence. Visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org to learn more about adopting this sweet girl. If you can’t donate right now but would like to spread some Christmas joy to some furry friends, visit the website and click “donate.”

Legals for December, 11 2025

Moses Lake School Board unanimously approves union contract

MOSES LAKE — After lengthy negotiations and a five-day strike, Moses Lake School Board members approved a new three-year agreement between the Moses Lake School District and the Moses Lake Education Association Wednesday. Board members approved the contract on a roll-call vote.

Ephrata prepares for winter weather

EPHRATA — As colder temperatures and the promise of snow settle over Ephrata, city officials urge residents to familiarize themselves with local snow removal policies and the critical role they play in ensuring safe roadways. Ray Towry, the City Administrator, emphasized the city’s commitment to effective snow management, developed collaboratively with input from community stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce, City Council, local businesses and the Ephrata School District. Once snowfall reaches at least two inches, the city’s four-person Street Department will initiate plowing operations. Crews typically begin work before 4:00 AM, often enduring shifts lasting 16 to 18 hours during significant weather events. “We strive to balance safety with the efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” Towry said. “Plowing happens mostly overnight, and it’s crucial we handle this as effectively as possible.”

Warden swears in council member and updates 2025 budget

WARDEN — The Warden City Council completed one oath of office, discussed voter turnout and updated its 2025 budget at its regular council meeting Tuesday. The council decided to cancel the next meeting, which would be on Dec. 23. The council will return for its regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 6, 2026.

Options for responding to challenging times at annual WSTFA meeting

WENATCHEE — The last couple of years have been a bumpy ride in the orchard, and it didn’t matter if it was an apple, cherry or pear orchard. Organizers of the annual meeting of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association asked its speakers and panelists to talk about where the industry has been and where it’s going. It was the 121st annual meeting, so the industry has been through profitable years and lean years before. Industry veteran Welcome Sauer said the process of adjustment hurts, but that growers have always made the adjustment. “I think we’ll see some pain in the short term,” Sauer said. “We’ll see some replacement of old, less productive orchards that produce a lower percentage of fruit in the money zone being replaced, either by bare land or by orchards that have access to high-quality new genetics.”

Grant PUD: New rate policy looks forward, not back

EPHRATA — Customers designated as core customers will be first in line for the lowest Grant County Public Utility District rates, according to a new rate policy unanimously approved by PUD commissioners Tuesday. Ty Ehrman, senior vice president of retail operations, said there will be less emphasis on the cost of actually providing service to customers, a process he called unbundling. “That is meant to support the premise (that) growth pays for growth. And most of our growth has ended up being in the industrial sector,” Ehrman said. “We want to make sure that we’re not unduly burdening our core customers with those higher-cost sources of power. And most of the growth (in demand) is actually occurring elsewhere.”

Grant County Jail logs as of Dec. 10, 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.

Huskies fall at home against Sageview

OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies basketball team took their first loss in the season, falling 63-83 at home to the Sageview Lobos (Pasco). The Huskies now look to learn from this loss as they begin Central Washington Athletic Conference play this weekend. “We knew this was going to be a good game,” said Othello senior Syrus Ruiz. “We knew these guys had some talent on their team, but I feel like we really didn’t execute.” Othello started strong getting a nine-point lead over Sageview, but the Lobos came back after making threes to tie the game. Huskies’ senior Quade Gonzalez would respond with one of his own, but the Lobos pulled ahead, ending the quarter 12-15.

UW to play Boise State in LA Bowl

MOSES LAKE – The University of Washington Huskies football team (8-4) will be heading to face the Boise State Broncos (9-4) in Los Angeles this weekend at the L.A. Bowl hosted by Gronk. The game will take place at SoFi Studium Saturday with kick off at 5 p.m. “We are excited about the opportunity,” said Huskies Head Coach Jedd Fisch in a press conference. “Spent yesterday and the day before game planning for Boise once we saw the game end Friday evening and we know we’ve got a really good team that we’ve got to deal with... We know we’ve got our work cut out for us.” UW enters the bowl game after falling in their regular season home finale against the University of Oregon 14-16. The Huskies defense held the Ducks to just one touchdown through three quarters, but the Ducks made four field goals in that time and held the Huskies to a single touchdown. Both teams scored a touchdown in the final quarter