Snow bikes make for a unique way to shred the mountain

“A SNO-GO,” I promptly smiled back to him. “Basically, a bike on skis.”

Legals for February, 19 2025

Mavs defeat Sunnyside, finish third in league

Moses Lake enters districts with confidence as regular season fades

MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks closed out the regular season with a trip to Sunnyside on Thursday night, coming out on top of a closely contested game with a 67-66 win over the Grizzlies. “They’ve been playing better, scoring more,” Head Coach Craig Groth said. “We’ve been doing a little bit better job on defense in certain situations and winning games leading up to that. Even games we haven’t won, we’ve been in really close games. Our confidence is really good right now, we felt great going into the game.”

A century of service

Key Club youth service organization turns 100

MOSES LAKE — One of the most active service organizations in America is turning 100 this year, and most of its members haven’t even turned 18. “Key Club is all about service and helping the community,” said Pedro Lopez, who’s the Key Club district governor for Moses Lake High School’s chapter. There are also chapters at Vanguard Academy and Ephrata High School, he said.

Treasure troves

Appraisal fair lets folks find out what their heirlooms really are

MOSES LAKE — It’s sometimes said that one person’s trash is another’s treasure, but sometimes people have treasures stashed away that they haven’t thought about in years. The Moses Lake Creative District will give those folks a chance to find out from a professional what they really have in that attic.

Boys & Girls Clubs, Ross Stores partner for homework support

MOSES LAKE — The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin is getting an annual boost this month from a local retailer. Ross in Moses Lake is raising money for the children’s resource in a special event called “Help Local Kids Thrive.” This is the seventh year the store has supported the program in Moses Lake, according to BGCCB Resource Development Director Anastasia Carpenter “This program sponsors our Power Hour, academic support for our club members,” Carpenter said.

Basin wrestlers bound for state after districts

MOSES LAKE – District tournaments were held across the state on Friday and Saturday, where boys and girls wrestlers punched their tickets into next week’s Mat Classic in Tacoma.

Wahluke capital levy request passing in updated vote totals

EPHRATA — A Wahluke School District capital levy request that was losing after the first vote count Feb. 11 edged ahead in updated vote totals released Feb. 13, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office. The total of yes votes increased slightly for educational programs and operations levies submitted to voters by the Moses Lake and Ephrata school districts.

Division Street sewer upgrade project almost complete

MOSES LAKE — A project to upgrade a sewer lift station on South Division Street in Moses Lake is in the final stages.

MACC addresses audit findings

OLYMPIA – An audit report released on February 13, 2025, by the Washington State Auditor’s Office has identified significant deficiencies in the financial management and internal controls of the Multi Agency Communications Center for the fiscal years of 2022 and 2023. This report, designated as Report No. 1036601, highlights the need for improved financial oversight and compliance with new regulatory requirements.

Legals for February, 18 2025

STUDIO BASIN: Levies, Soap Lake PD and Moses Lake swimming

MOSES LAKE -- On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Reporter Nance Beston discuss recent levies in the Moses Lake, Ephrata and Wahluke school districts. Beston also goes over the firing of Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox, which occured on Thursday.

Idaho coughs up lead late as EWU rallies for victory

On Thursday, Idaho plays at Northern Arizona, and Eastern Washington is at Northern Colorado.

Donna Leighter

1942 – 2025

Donna Marie Leighter, 82, of Ephrata, Washington, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, in Palm Springs, California.

Jacob Weber

1936 – 2025

Jacob Edward Weber, 88, passed away peacefully at his home near Ritzville, Washington, on Feb. 12, 2025. Jake was born in Ritzville, WA, on May 5, 1936, to Jacob A. and Margaret Weber.

SLPD Chief fired for alleged misconduct

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox has been terminated, according to a statement from the city. However, Cox also held the role as the city administrator. No statement regarding his role of city administrator has been released from the city. Cox was initially placed on administrative leave Nov. 15. On Thursday, more than 13 weeks later, the city released a statement announcing Cox’s termination from the police department, effective immediately.

Building Permits for Feb. 14

Moses Lake January 2025

Grant Co. Fairgrounds getting upgrades

Incoming improvements set to improve safety, visibility and visitor experience.

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Fairgrounds is installing around $1 million in upgrades, according to Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan. The upgrades include new light towers and lighting at gates, additional cameras, a new public address system, improved fencing, removing track from the rodeo grounds, new bleachers for the rodeo and power and water stalls. There will also be increased policing staff at the fairgrounds this year. “A lot of our efforts, as far as capital projects are having to do with safety this year as a result of last year's shooting,” McKiernan said.

Columbia Basin Events for Feb. 14-22

COLUMBIA BASIN — Live music, theater, art and family fun await those who are willing to venture out this week. Here are a few possibilities around the Basin:

Home market moving, but affordability still iffy

MOSES LAKE — The housing market is moving faster than a year ago in Washington, but affordability is still up in the air, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service for January. Active listings increased 44.6% between January 2024 and January 2025 in the 26 Washington counties covered by the NWMLS data. Grant County had one of the largest rates of increase in the state at 48.8%, but Adams County, with its much smaller population, dipped very slightly.