Annette Marie Fricke

1957 – 2025

Annette Marie Fricke, 67, was born September 2, 1957, to Mildred and Norman Fricke in Spokane, Washington. She grew up in Rockford and graduated from Freeman High School in 1975. From there, she went on to college, starting at Washington State University. She received a BA in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University, a Master of Arts in Theology at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University.

Garnet Belle Wilson

1938 – 2025

My mother, Garnet Belle (Ritchie) Wilson, born on Friday January 14, 1938, in Calloway, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at her home in Moses Lake, Washington, on Friday, January 10, 2025, just four days shy of her 87th birthday.

Ephrata SD welcomes new board member: Casey Devine

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School Board swore in its newest member, Casey Devine, at the Jan. 27 meeting. Devine describes herself as an educator, parent and community advocate with deep roots in Ephrata. Devine will be serving the rest of Anita Waller’s term which expires at the end of 2025. Waller, formerly the board chair, stepped down at the Sept. 23 board meeting.

Ephrata School Board focuses on attendance, funding in regular meeting

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District board met for a regular meeting Jan. 27 and swore in a new board member, received an update on district attendance, approved grants and purchases and discussed the district’s budget – including the upcoming Educational Programs and Operations levy which is on the Feb. 11 ballot.

Potato farmers, scientists, pros gather in Kennewick

KENNEWICK – The Washington and Oregon Potato Conference is happening this week at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick with farmers from throughout Eastern Washington visiting with academics, politicians, distributors and a variety of vendors to discuss all things potatoes. Full coverage of the event will be in the February edition of the Basin Business Journal, our sister publication. There’s still time to make it to the event for those interested. Visit potatoes.com/potatoconference for details on the event.

Washington legislators consider universal health care

OLYMPIA — The Washington Health Trust, a statewide initiative for universal health care, is supporting proposals introduced in both the Senate and House (House Bill 1445 and Senate Bill 5233), according to a statement from the group.

One infrastructure project complete, others planned for Royal City

ROYAL CITY — Cross one long, long project off the list. The last section of old water line in Royal City was replaced in 2024, wrapping up a project that Mayor Michael Christensen said took a while. “Over the years we’ve been trying to upgrade our water system, and now the entire city is upgraded,” Christensen said. “That was a long time coming and it was a bit of a task.”

Under the sea

Royal Middle School robotics team clinches championship with plastic-eating worms

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Middle School Oceanic Outlaws robotics team is headed to Nationals. The eight seventh- and eighth-grade students took home the Champion Finalist award at the FIRST LEGO League state competition in Spokane Jan. 18, according to their coach, RMS science teacher Theresa Piper. “We started robotics back in September, and they've been working really hard on investigating a problem and then developing an innovative solution based on this year's theme for research,” Piper said. “The theme was ocean exploration, and they've been talking to experts all over the world and developing different solutions, testing out and deciding which was the best.”

BBCC releases President’s List

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College has named 338 Basin students to the President’s List for fall quarter 2024, according to an announcement from the college. The designation is given to those who complete 12 or more graded credits with a GPA of 3.75 and above. Almira: Natalie Evers Beverly: Imelda Barajas, Jacob Ruiz Velasco Coulee City: Beth Okamoto Ephrata: Sienna Addink, Ashleigh Alcala, Grace Brewer, Esmeralda Fernandez, Alexa Gonzalez, Izzlee Haney, Timothy Hann, Tyler Kono, Justin Larsen, Luke Leslie, Trevor Middleton, Angelica Munguia Villanueva, Leanne Neville, Mikaela Oneel, Dallin Plaisted, Allison Razey, Allex Rogers, Wyatt Schluckebier, Fabiola Vargas-Sanchez, Leandra Wahl

More than 200 named to BBCC Vice President’s List

MOSES LAKE — Two hundred forty-four Basin students were named to the Big Bend Community College Vice-President’s List for fall quarter 2024, the college announced Tuesday. To qualify for the Vice President’s List, a student must complete 12 or more graded credits with a GPA between 3.33 and 3.74. Beverly: Juan Herrera, Amy Penaloza, Belicia Saldana-Sosa Coulee City: Dylan Jacques Electric City: David Borden

2024 projects, challenges continuing into 2025 in Quincy

QUINCY — Accommodating growth and upgrading infrastructure were the big challenges facing the city of Quincy in 2024, and they’re the challenges going into 2025. Quincy City Administrator Pat Haley said the city’s water and wastewater treatment facilities have been, and will continue to be, at the top of the agenda. “(Evaluating) what’s required in terms of growth and upgrades. Our facilities are aged, or at capacity, and that’s probably true for those cities of our size or communities that are growing,” Haley said. “So, we’re still pretty aggressively working on those things.”

Legals for January, 30 2025

John Henry Randolph, Jr.

On Friday, January 10, 2025, John Henry Randolph, Jr., born September 6, 1945, departed from his earthly home and earned his wings as a heavenly angel. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Alliance Church, 1100 Grape Drive, Moses Lake, Washington. By Request, send flowers to the Alliance Church on the Saturday of service. Commitment Interment will be at Mountain Ridge Christian Fellowship in Brandon, Mississippi.

Jim Knutson

Jim Knutson of Moses Lake, passed away, December 26, 2024 with his family by his side. At his request there will be no service, but a small gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date to celebrate his life.

Perry the pup petitions for perfect place

MOSES LAKE – Perry, 2, is a mixed breed pup looking for a family to take him in, explore with him and love him. Her is neutered, vaccinated and ready to go home with a loving family. For those interested in Perry visit Grant County Animal Outreach at GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org or call 509-762-9616.

Othello’s Pruneda signs with Walla Walla CC

OTHELLO — Othello senior Emi Pruneda signed to play both soccer and softball at Walla Walla Community College last Monday, celebrating furthering her athletic career with family, friends and coaches.

Royal to host SCAC girls league tourney Wednesday

ROYAL CITY — As girls wrestling continues to grow across the state, teams in the South Central Athletic Conference will travel to a new tournament on Wednesday.

Taking to the streets

Expanded Brews & Tunes coming to Moses Lake on March 15

MOSES LAKE — It may feel like spring is a long, long way off, but Moses Lake is gearing up to welcome it back March 15. “Brews & Tunes is St. Paddy’s Day weekend,” said Downtown Moses Lake Association Director Mallory Miller. “It’s the first event that happens after wintertime and people are ready to get out of the house. Last year it was 75 degrees somehow, so cross your fingers for that this year.”

WA gun control bills spark debate

OLYMPIA – Proposals before the Washington Legislature that would change laws around purchasing and carrying firearms have prompted scrutiny and debate.

Basin sports schedule Jan. 29-Feb. 4

MOSES LAKE – Check out this week’s sports schedule for high school athletics across the Columbia Basin, including bowling, basketball, swim and dive and wrestling events.