LETTER: Vote YES for the MLSD levy

When you have untrustworthy administrators and have elected overseers unwilling to put in the effort to be well informed on district affairs, you have a perfect incubator for the fiscal disaster the MLSD has been left in by the previous administration and school board directors. NO ONE currently in administrative positions or on the school board had ANYTHING to do with the financial shortfall our district is facing.

Big Bend women defeat Yakima Valley

MOSES LAKE — Coming off a close win over Columbia Basin College on Saturday, Big Bend women’s basketball overcame a first-quarter deficit to defeat the visiting Yakima Valley Yaks 66-59 on Wednesday, improving to 4-1 in region games and 15-5 overall.

Regional college sports schedule for Jan. 24-30

MOSES LAKE – Check out this week’s college sports schedule, complete with basketball, tennis, track and field, swimming and wrestling events for Big Bend, Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga and Washington State.

Grant County nurse charged with unprofessional conduct

WENATCHEE — Candace Anne Stephens, a nurse living in Grant County has been charged with unprofessional conduct after she allegedly removed drugs from her workplace but did not document what she did with them.

Home prices up, interest rates all over in 2024

KIRKLAND — Home prices and sales rose steadily in Washington in 2024 even as mortgage interest rates bounced up and down, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service Jan. 17. The NWMLS tracks real estate trends in 26 of Washington’s 39 counties. The average 30-year home mortgage began the year at 6.62%, according to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly called Freddie Mac. The rate went to 7.44% in early May, dropped to 6.08% in September and finished the year at 6.85%. As of Jan. 18, 2025, the rate was 7.04%. Those rates are comparatively recent, according to Freddie Mac’s data, stemming from a drastic jump in 2022 when the rate went from 3.45% in January to 7.08% in September. Interest rates have hovered in the 6-8% range since, frustrating buyers, sellers and real estate agents.

'Homes for Heroes' bill advancing in Olympia

(The Center Square) - One of the Republican-backed proposals for the 2025 Washington state legislative session that earned the endorsement of Gov. Bob Ferguson passed a House committee last week and is now awaiting review by the Capital Budget Committee. House Bill 1022 is called the "Homes for Heroes" program. Kennewick Republican Representative April Connors is the prime sponsor. “It is a down payment assistance program for law enforcement officers, health care workers, and social workers – those kind of folks that need help getting into our communities,” Connors said in a statement emailed to The Center Square by House Republicans.

Legals for January, 24 2025

Samuel Curtis Winzler

1954 – 2025

Samuel Curtis Winzler, 70, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away Friday, January 17, 2025, from melanoma. Sam was born on August 27, 1954, to Arthur Sidney Winzler and Sherrill Ruth Jeppsen in Portland, Oregon.

REC Silicon job fair and support events planned

MOSES LAKE — Former REC Silicon employees laid off due to the closure of the Moses Lake facility can learn about available benefits and reemployment assistance at a “rapid response event” Friday. Two sessions are scheduled, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the WorkSource Central Basin office, 309 E. Fifth Ave. In Moses Lake.

House Democrats push 11% firearm, ammo excise tax as $10B to $16B shortfall looms

(The Center Square) – As Washington state grapples with an operating budget shortfall upwards of $16 billion through 2029, House Democrats are proposing a tax on firearms and ammunition to take the total combined rate as high as 33%.

BASIN HOOPS ROUNDUP: ACH boys, Wilson Creek girls stack wins

MOSES LAKE – With February quickly approaching, district playoffs will soon begin for boys and girls basketball teams across the state. Read along for a look at where local teams are in their respective league standings, as well as an update on recent games.

China, taking applications for an adventurous friend!

MOSES LAKE -- China, 4, is known as the independent adventurer at Grant County Animal Outreach. She is now taking applications for someone to join her on her exotic escapades. She prefers to be the only pet in the household, but she will keep you busy. She loves long runs and exploring. However, when she has burnt off her energy, she loves a good snuggle on the couch and some quiet time. For those interested in taking home the little explorer visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org or call 509-762-9616.

EPD highlights last year's achievements, plans for this year

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Police Department made significant strides in officer training and technology this last year, according to Chief Erik Koch.

Karlinsey hired as new Moses Lake city manager

MOSES LAKE — Robert Karlinsey, currently the city manager of Kenmore, Washington, has been hired as the new Moses Lake city manager. Moses Lake City Council members hired Karlinsey on a unanimous vote in a special meeting Jan. 21. Karlinsey will replace Mike Jackson, who had been the acting city manager following the resignation of Kevin Fuhr in July 2024. Fuhr retired for health reasons. Moses Lake Finance Director Madeline Prentice is the interim city manager.

HB 5060 proposes law enforcement recruiting grant

OLYMPIA – A bipartisan bill to create a law enforcement hiring grant program was introduced to the Senate Law and Justice Committee Tuesday by Sen. Jeff Holy, R- Cheney. If enacted, the bill would invest $100 million to the Washington Criminal and Justice Training Commission for local and tribal agencies to hire and train more officers. These efforts align with Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson’s stated priority of increasing law enforcement as Washington ranks last in the nation in number of officers per capita, including the District of Columbia.

LETTER: The battle for our children

“Men are cast-iron, but children are wax” - Horace Mann We will be voting for the Moses Lake School District levy soon. After attending school board meetings for the past five years and talking personally with board members and our new Superintendent, I am convinced that we have a winning team.

Harold Dean Mathenia

Harold Dean Mathenia, 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away peacefully at the age of 86 surrounded by his family. Born October 28, 1938. Dean was a man of unwavering strength, kindness, and dedication who touched the lives of everyone he met.

Legals for January, 23 2025

Michael "Mike" Leslie

Michael "Mike" Leslie, 75, of Wenatchee, Washington passed away January 7 2025 at the age of 75. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel of East Wenatchee and Cashmere.

Carol Walster

Carol (Erbele) Walster passed away peacefully on Sunday January 12, 2025, at the age of 98 in Tumwater, Washington. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim. She is survived by her three children Dian, Jane and Jim, along with four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A long-time resident of Moses Lake, Washington, Carol was a storyteller and dedicated teacher.