Ephrata students give insight into proposed EP&O levy

EPHRATA – On Feb. 11, the Ephrata School District will have results from the proposed Education Programs and Operations levy on the ballot. The levy is seeking to collect approximately $11.5 million over the next four years at a proposed rate of $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The funding is intended to address gaps between state funding and the actual costs of operating the school district.

Legals for February, 7 2025

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Staying in their lanes

Over the last few weeks as executive orders have been issued, immigration raids have occurred across the country and social media has turned into a circus of rage and crazy, there’s been a lot of criticism of local school districts and law enforcement.

GCSO deputies visit with Quincy fourth graders

QUINCY – Grant County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Aaron Young and Gunnar Hinds stopped by George Elementary in Quincy to talk with fourth grade students Tuesday.

Legals for February, 5 2025

Study will evaluate EMS service in GC Fire District 3

QUINCY — Emergency medical services in Grant County Fire District 3, what they cost and their future in the Quincy area, will be the subject of a study commissioned by the fire district and its EMS partners. “We’re in the process of selecting a firm to (conduct) the study,” said GCFD 3 Chief David Durfee. “We’re estimating it’s going to take about four months.”

Area students, businesses participate in ‘A Day Without Immigrants’

MOSES LAKE – Superintendents from throughout Grant and Adams counties noted a decline in attendance Monday as students participated in a protest entitled “A Day Without Immigrants.” Multiple businesses in the area closed in support of the event including Ephrata’s La Nueva market.

From ‘Just Say No’ to ‘Maybe So’? Olympia reconsiders legalizing psychedelics

(The Center Square) – The potential legalization of magic mushrooms is heading to Olympia next week as state lawmakers prepare to hear testimony on two bills that could change the landscape of mental health treatment.

Two major power outages in Grant County

MARDON — On both Wednesday and Thursday, Grant Public Utility District had large-scale power outages. A major outage affects more than 50 customers, according to the PUD.

Welding mishap causes Simplot fire

MOSES LAKE – Grant County Fire District 5 and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fire at the new Simplot freezer facility in the 2100 block of Road O Northeast at around noon Monday.

Two booked for weekend domestic violence incidents

Resources available for those looking to escape abuse

MOSES LAKE – Over the weekend, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office dealt with two instances of alleged domestic violence, both ended with an individual booked into the Grant County Jail.

Priest Rapids Dam passes major safety inspection

MATTAWA — A comprehensive safety assessment of the structure at Preist Rapids Dam determined the dam met standards that will allow it to keep operating safely. That was the conclusion of a report released by Grant County Public Utility District officials.

NEWS BITES: Jan. 28, 2025

NEWS BITES: Jan. 28, 2025

MLSD levy impacts on safety, health and facilities

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District has an Educational Programs and Operations levy on the Feb. 11 ballot. The levy and whether it passes or not, will have impacts on school resource officers, nursing staff and facilities and maintenance according to the district.

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Lanny Abundiz

GCSO crisis responder brings mental health help into the field

EPHRATA — The phrase “first responder” often conjures up a mental image of a heavily-armed person with a badge and a Taser, or a firefighter emerging from the flames covered in soot and carrying a rescued child. An unflappably calm woman with a gentle, serene voice doesn’t necessarily spring to mind. But that’s what the Grant County Sheriff’s Office has in Lanny Abundiz.

K-9 security team joins staff at Confluence

WENATCHEE — A security dog will be patrolling the halls of Central Washington Hospital, part of an expansion of the security team for Confluence Health. Atlas, a three-year-old German Shepherd, and his handler Justin Bennett will be on the hospital campus and at Confluence Health’s Mares building on Chelan Avenue in Wenatchee.

WA car insurance rates up more than 15% in 2025

MOSES LAKE — Like pretty much everything else, the cost of car insurance is going up – and in Washington, it’s going up by a hefty percentage. Divya Sangam, insurance specialist for LendingTree.com, said in a press release that car insurance rates in Washington are going up by an average of 17.2% in 2025.

Basin officers participate in immobilization safety training

RITZVILLE — Law enforcement officers in Adams County got some training in restraining Thursday, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Kriete reflects on first half of term, plans to run again

EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said Wednesday that he doesn’t like being stagnant and he’s not been able to in the first half of his four-year term as the head of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. GCSO has had challenges but has met several goals he identified before taking office.

Home solar can trim bills, but research before installing

EPHRATA — With the cost of everything going up, some homeowners want to embrace self-sufficiency in energy by mounting solar panels on their roofs to generate power. And considering the Basin’s abundant sunshine, that seems like a great solution for this area. “We do encourage customers to go into their solar investment fully educated with clear expectations,” said Chris Buchmann, energy programs supervisor for the Grant Public Utility District.