Major drought for Yakima Basin growers means paying more for irrigation water

(The Center Square) — A dismal snowpack for Washington this past winter spells a bleak water picture for much of the state. That has the Washington Department of Ecology declaring a new drought declaration. The Yakima Basin is in bad shape with a water supply forecast at 47% according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. That’s the lowest since 2015. Emily Tasaka is the Central Region Communications Manager for the Department of Ecology. “The reason that this was declared was because of snowpack, which was very very low this season,” Tasaka told The Center Square. “For junior water-rights holders, that is serious and this is going to impact them a lot this irrigation season.”

Funds allocated, possible sites identified for new GC Animal Outreach shelter

MOSES LAKE —There definitely is funding – and some tentative ideas about a design and location – for a new animal shelter to be operated by Grant County Animal Outreach. Animal Outreach board president Sara Thompson Tweedy said the project was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Paul Lauzier Foundation earlier this month, which will be paid over time, to buy new indoor-outdoor kennels for the facility when it’s built. The Moses Lake City Council voted May 14 to award $1 million from the city’s American Rescue Plan funding to the project, with the provision that the city would have space in the facility for 20 years. The Grant County Commissioners also are considering awarding $1 million in ARPA funding to the project. The GCAO board has a tentative design that would provide about 3,800 square feet of climate-controlled space for dogs and cats. Dogs would have kennels with outdoor access, with a separate room for cats.

Joyce Ninnemann

May 27, 1941 – May 23, 2024

Joyce Ninnemann, 82, our loving mother, matriarch, mentor and force of nature has passed from this world to be with her beloved husband, Jerry, in Heaven. Joyce passed on May 23, 2024. Joyce was born in Yakima, Washington on May 27, 1941, to Ellen Sheets and Lloyd Wise. Depending on who you ask, she was either born moments before or after her twin sister Janice.

Local squads clash in spring football jamboree

ROYAL CITY — There are still a few months to go until the scoreboard gets turned on and teams step onto the field for Friday night lights, but local football squads from Moses Lake, Royal, Wahluke and Warden hit the field for their spring jamborees on Tuesday afternoon in Royal City. “It’s great, we love it,” Royal Head Coach Wiley Allred said. “It’s a good time, we have the surrounding towns in here and their squads. It’s a good chance for the kids to play against somebody else and get the feel of full-speed football again.” Brief scrimmages were played at the varsity, junior varsity and C-squad levels Tuesday afternoon, with one school’s offense matching up against another school’s defense for a 10-play scrimmage beginning on the opposing 40-yard line.

MLCA/CCS’s Wiser takes the podium at state track

MOSES LAKE — While MLCA/CCS’s Rebecca Wiser hasn’t reached high school yet, the Lion eighth grader has already started to leave her mark on the track. Wiser took fourth in the 3,200-meter run at last month’s 1B State Track and Field Championships in Yakima, completing the event with a personal-best time of 12:32.06 minutes.

Signs of summer — local swimming pools opening this week

MOSES LAKE — It took a while but it’s finally here. Summer has arrived, and one way to tell is that the swimming pool is open. Opening day is different in different communities, but it’s usually tied to the day school is dismissed for the summer. Tuesday was the first day of daily operation at the Surf ‘n Slide water park in Moses Lake, which will be open through Aug. 27. Surf ‘n Slide, 401 W. Fourth St., is open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Othello PD achieves accreditation for third consecutive term

OTHELLO – Othello Police Chief David Rehaume announced Monday during the regular Othello City Council meeting that the OPD had achieved accreditation through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Cheifs. The city will also seek grant funding to continue funding a second School Resource Officer.

Endurance, perseverance highlighted at Moses Lake High School graduation

MOSES LAKE — The class of 2024 started high school in fall 2020, in what Moses Lake High School senior Alena Speed called “the blip.”

Othello honors 2024 graduating class of almost 300 students

OTHELLO – The Othello School District filled the bleachers and lawn of Huskie stadium Friday evening with a large crowd of friends, family and community members celebrating the Othello High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony.

FRESH NEWS: Walleye, trout fishing solid

MARDON – The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1044.50 feet – dropping one foot this past week. The water temperature on the main lake is right around 65 degrees. The sand dunes are in the upper 60s.

Othello Independence Day celebration set for all-day July 4

OTHELLO – The Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce will kick off its annual Independence Day celebration July 4 at 10 a.m. with a parade down Main Street before moving to Lions Park for an all-day celebration culminating in a fireworks display. Chamber Manager Jackie Wilhelm outlined what to expect.

FIRE REPORT: Spokane neighborhood evacuated

SPOKANE — A fast-spreading wildfire triggered level 3 (leave now) evacuation orders to a 2.5-square mile area southwest of Spokane Tuesday afternoon, according to Spokane County Fire District 3.

New director appointed for WSU School of Hospitality and Business Management

PULLMAN - Jim Harbour, a career-track associate professor in the Carson College of Business, has been appointed director of the School of Hospitality Business Management. He will officially assume director duties on Aug. 16.

Quincy High School seniors overcome challenges on way to graduation

QUINCY — Graduation ceremonies ended high school for the Quincy class of 2024, but co-valedictorian Allie Manly thought about how it began.

Lind-Ritzville graduates 34 students in 2024 commencement ceremony

RITZVILLE – The Lind-Ritzville High School Class of 2024, school staff and community members met for this year’s commencement ceremony June 1 at Gilson Gym in Ritzville to honor 34 students’ graduation from the Lind-Ritzville Cooperative School Districts.

'It definitely hasn’t been the easiest ride, but it has been the most memorable'

ACH graduates 24 seniors

COULEE CITY – Twenty-four Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School seniors received their diplomas at Saturday’s graduation ceremony at the Paul Lauzier Activity Center in Coulee City, celebrated by classmates, school faculty, family members and past ACH graduates.

Wilson Creek celebrates nine graduates for the Class of 2024

WILSON CREEK – The Wilson Creek School District celebrated and honored nine graduates in the Class of 2024 Saturday at Wilson Creek High School with a ceremony put on by the graduating class.

Faith, accomplishment, contributing themes for MLCA graduation

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Christian Academy celebrated its four-person graduating Class of 2024 Saturday with pomp, circumstance and prayer as Dennis Fountain, Caleb Jones, Maria Lynch and Jonah Robertson walked across the stage to collect their diplomas.

Eagles encouraged to reach for their dreams

SOAP LAKE – The gymnasium was decked out with school colors and balloons, and filled with excited graduates, their families, and community members as the Soap Lake High School Class of 2024 received their diplomas. Valedictorian Anthony Beregovoy stood tall as he encouraged his classmates to reach for their dreams.

Wahluke graduates celebrate milestone

MATTAWA — Class of 2024 graduates of Wahluke High School said it was an important day, both for them and their families.