Ephrata schools, partners to host gang town hall

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District, in collaboration with the North Central Educational Service District, the Ephrata Police Department and the Grant County Sheriff's Office, is set to host a town hall meeting titled "Understanding Youth Gangs" on Thursday, May 8.

WIAA votes against trans athlete policy changes

RENTON – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association completed a vote on several different amendments, including two regarding transgender athletes. Both proposed amendments for trans athletes failed during the vote.

Three bills for rural communities pass the legislature, signed by governor

OLYMPIA — Gov. Bob Ferguson signed 35 bills into law Monday including three pieces of legislation sponsored by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake. Dent’s bills include topics such as large animal veterinarian care, the pesticide task force and allowing small regional airports to use real estate excise tax funds. “I feel good about what I’ve been able to accomplish,” Dent said. “I’ve been able to do some things that are in my area of expertise, in my wheelhouse, so to speak, and move those bills through the legislature.” Dent said despite three bills being signed into law there are still a handful he is fighting for during the final week of the 2025 legislative session.

Mavs shut out Cheney on Monday

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks softball team earned a 10-0 victory over Cheney Monday afternoon. “I thought we started a little flat, but we picked it up as we went inning by inning and just came together and got the win,” said Mavs’ Hayden Morris after the game.

Aerial support

Injured eagle receiving treatment with the help of Soap Lake woman

SOAP LAKE — After four days, two veterinary clinics and one tire blowout, a bald eagle has been rescued and receiving care from the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman. On April 13, Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry President Shawna Kluge said she received a call from a concerned Soap Lake citizen regarding an eagle on the ground in a field near Carlton, in Okanogan County.

MLSD hires new transpo directors

MOSES LAKE — Longtime Moses Lake School District employee Dyan Ford has been named one of two people to lead MLSD’s transportation department. Ford will be the Director of Transportation,Personnel. Amiee Cook, currently director of transportation for the Prosser School District, will take over as Director of Transportation, Operations.

Gary Craig

Gary Gene Craig, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away at home on April 15, 2025, at the age of 77 with his wife Athene and daughters Katie and Bethany at his side.

Ephrata parks ready to welcome residents, visitors

EPHRATA - Anyone just driving through Ephrata on Basin Street may miss some of the parks and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors that the city offers. From hiking on Beezley Hill to picnics at Patrick Park to shooting hoops at Lions Park or working on your kick flip at the city’s skate park, there’s a bit of something for everyone.

Legals for April, 18 2025

Royal girls best Wapato on the court

Knights hope to continue to sharpen their skills against strong opponents

ROYAL CITY – The Royal Knights girls tennis team earned a 4-1 victory against Wapato in their Monday afternoon matches. “We started pretty slow and then we kind of got into it in the first set, but we weren’t playing our best today,” said Cambpelle Anderson, girls first doubles team for the Knights. “Just focusing on the simple things like serving and returning serves.”

Public hearings set for Othello housing regulations

OTHELLO — The Othello Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. April 21 on amendments to city zoning regulations that would allow the establishment of transitional and other types of temporary and supportive housing within the city limits. A public hearing is scheduled for the April 28 Othello City Council meeting. Othello Community Development Director Anne Henning said state law mandates the changes. The city is not required to build what is called “STEP” housing, however.

Bill to electronically track sexually violent predators in WA signed into law

(The Center Square) – A bipartisan bill to keep communities in Washington state safe from sexually violent predators has been signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Two injured in traffic collision, suspected DUI

GEORGE — Two George men were injured early Sunday due to a one-vehicle collision southwest of George.

Families, agencies join together at Child Abuse Prevention Month event

MOSES LAKE — Law enforcement, the Boys and Girls Club, Renew, firefighters and more joined Kids Hope at the Grant County Fairgrounds Wednesday to raise awareness of child abuse. “April is Child Abuse Prevention Month,” said Elisa Adolphsen, children’s advocacy coordinator for Kids Hope, who was handing out paper masks at the front door for children to wear. “For the past several years (we) have held an event for the community. We make it free so families can come and gain information about child safety. Every booth has something to do with child safety or child abuse prevention.”

‘Our shelves are really empty’

Ephrata Food Bank in need of donations

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Food Bank, a resource for families in the Ephrata community, is currently facing significant challenges due to dwindling supplies, but increased demand, Director Phyllis Fuglie said. Since moving to its current location in 2003, the food bank has served as a lifeline for many residents struggling with food insecurities. Prior to the current building the food bank operated out of the Ephrata Recreation Center. According to volunteers, the need for assistance has only intensified in recent months as food sources have diminished.

Challenges of homelessness prompting debate in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The challenges around homelessness in Grant County and the Open Doors Sleep Center in Moses Lake, and how to address them, prompted the same reaction from Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. “It’s frustrating,” Doran-Martinez said.

Quincy PD arrests burglary suspect

QUINCY – The Quincy Police Department, assisted by the Moses Lake Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Joshua D. Avalos, 33, of Quincy after he was identified as a suspect in an apartment burglary.

SLPD swears in newest officer, hiring for police chief

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Police Department swore in its newest officer, Yuriy Bezzubenko at the Soap Lake City Council meeting Wednesday.

Legals for April, 4 2025

Guns, cocaine paraphernalia seized in drive-by investigation

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department announced the successful execution of search warrants that resulted in officers confiscating a dozen firearms and evidence of cocaine sales at a home in the 200 block of W. Knolls Vista Drive. The search was associated with the second of two drive-by shootings in Moses Lake in less than two weeks.