Mattawa council delays annexation vote again

MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council may decide whether or not to annex 40 acres of property into the city at its Dec. 8 meeting. Council members voted to continue the annexation application process to Dec. 8 at the regular meeting Thursday. The vote was 5-1, with council member Alex Heredia voting no. “I would ask that we make sure we stay to that date (for a decision), if at all possible,” Heredia said during the discussion before the vote. The annexation proposal was discussed at the Oct. 6 meeting, but council members delayed a vote after asking for more information. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners, requested that the council delay the decision until Dec. 8 to allow planners to gather the information. Previously Bradley had recommended approving the application with the stipulation that an agreement be negotiated between the city and CAD Homes, the company requesting annexation...

STUDIO BASIN: Scam avoidance and running the distance...

For this week’s Studio Basin podcast, Managing Editor Rob Miller, Senior Reporter Charles Featherstone and Sports Reporter Ian Bivona are joined by Logan Hickle, communications manager for the non-profit private organization, the Better Business Bureau, to talk about the BBB’s Scam Tracker report and website (www.bbb.org/scamtracker/) and the bureau’s upcoming online scam report. Hickle talked about the history of the BBB, that the organization was created to promote ethical business practices and help businesses meet the BBB’s eight standards of trust. He also said consumers who are concerned they might be scammed either online by a physical business can both look up scam efforts, report scams to the bureau — which works with law enforcement agencies — and always take time and do some research before responding to so-called urgent solicitations...

Moses Lake man sentenced for drug, weapons charges

SPOKANE — A Moses Lake man was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing methamphetamine with intent to sell. Guillermo Valdez, 34, was sentenced Tuesday, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. On April 20 he pled guilty to two counts of possession of more than 500 grams of methamphetamines with intent to sell and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm...

Police logs for Oct. 20

The entries below were submitted by the indicated law enforcement agency. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law...

Care Fair scheduled for Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — People will be able to learn about the services offered through a number of local nonprofit agencies at the Care Fair, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29 at Youth Dynamics, 106 E. 3rd Ave., Moses Lake. Organizer Michele Boetger, director of Care Moses Lake, wrote in a press release that the event is designed to make connections. “Care Fair is bringing together local non-profits and service organizations so they can share their message with the community,” Boetger wrote. “Attendees can learn more about them and how they can show their support.”

Moses Lake Cross Country hosts Big 9

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake High School Cross Country team hosted the Big 9 at Blue Heron Park Tuesday for their last league meet before districts. The MLHS boys team took second in the meet to West Valley, while the MLHS girls team took third, behind West Valley and first place Wenatchee. Districts are set for Oct. 27 at Franklin Park in Yakima...

New officer joins Quincy PD

Quincy City Council approves additional SROs

QUINCY — Emily Pratt said she’s always been interested in helping the community, and being a police officer is the way she wants to do that. Pratt was sworn in as the newest Quincy Police Department officer at the regular Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday. “I’m very excited,” Pratt said about starting her new job. Quincy Police Chief Keith Siebert said Pratt started her field training with QPD Monday. Pratt said she worked for two years as a corrections deputy at the Chelan County Regional Jail in Wenatchee before applying for the position with QPD. Community service was something that always attracted her, she said, and joinin QPD gives her a chance to act on that ambition. “It’s a dream that I’ve had since I was very young,” she said...

Red Leafs, #7 Vikings, await Wildcats in pivotal GNAC road trip

Burnaby, B.C. - The Wildcats face a key road trip in their quest for a GNAC championship berth. Currently sitting in 6th place, one game back from Simon Fraser and Western Oregon, the 'Cats need to close out the season strong in order to break into the top four and compete in GNAC postseason play. The Wildcats travel to Burnaby, B.C., and Bellingham, Washington, this week to face Simon Fraser and seventh-ranked Western Washington. Simon Fraser is 3-6-5 overall, and 2-5-3 in GNAC play. Earlier this season the teams battled for a 3-3 draw in Ellensburg, WA. On the day, Jordan Bartlow, Cassidie Andrews, and Kayla Gout, each scored for the Crimson and Black...

Moses Lake company fined for safety violations

TUMWATER — A company in Moses Lake has been hit with $192,620 in fines for safety and health violations, according to a press release from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Two Rivers Terminal LLC, which has plants in Pasco and Umatilla as well as in Moses Lake, was cited for 46 serious and 17 general safety and health violations, according to the release. L&I inspectors found 13 violations relating to confined space entry rules due to workers entering railcar hoppers, the release said. The employees were going in the hoppers to break up and dislodge ammonium nitrate without appropriate safety precautions.

Othello man arrested for rape of a child

OTHELLO — An Othello man was booked into the Adams County Jail Monday on suspicion of first-degree rape of a child. Edgar Fermin Sales-Andres, 27, was arrested following an investigation into a report of child abuse involving a 3-year-old, according to a release from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The child’s mother, Juana Santos-Gutierrez, 37, Othello was arrested on suspicion of first-degree rendering criminal assistance.

The Spooky Season Cometh

Halloween happenings around the region

GRANT COUNTY — With Halloween just around the corner, there are tons of Halloween events for the whole family to enjoy throughout Grant County, including trunk or treat gatherings, Moses Lake’s Downtown Harvest Festival and a big celebration of Dia de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead. Here are some of the events: • Becerra Gardens in Quincy is hosting a straw maze and hayride every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 11235 Road 9 NW. • The Othello Straw Maze, every Friday and Saturday beginning on Oct. 7 and ending on Halloween, Oct. 31, at the Othello Rodeo Grounds, with the no-scare maze at 6-7 p.m. and the haunted maze 7-10 p.m. • The Moravida Festival, Oct. 29 at noon to 1 a.m. Oct 30, at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The festival commemorates Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, and includes a costume contest, traditional Mexican dancing, a screening of the movie Coco, a beer garden and live music from Banda Troyana. • The Downtown Harvest Festival in downtown Moses Lake, Oct. 29 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (the first hour is set aside for children with special needs and sensory issues) • Downtown Ephrata Trick or Treating, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on C Street in front of the Grant County Courthouse • Grant County Sheriff’s Office Larson Community Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m., 1274 Lowry Drive • Soap Lake Police Department Trunk and Treat, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Soap Lake Police Department and City Hall, 223 2nd Ave. SE • Halloween Trick or Treat, Oct. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. at La Auto Rack Outlet Moses Lake (415 S Pioneer Way) • Quincy Downtown Trick or Treat, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. from Central Avenue to B Street SE • 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Moses Lake Sportsman’s Warehouse, 1020 N. Stratford Road, Ste, D • Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church parking lot 200 N. Dale Road, Moses Lake • Trunk and Treat, Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Moses Lake Alliance Church, 1100 N. Grape Drive

Warden man arrested after roommate shot

WARDEN - A Warden man was arrested Saturday after reportedly shooting his roommate twice, once in the arm and once in the leg, and fleeing the scene. A press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office states that at about 6 p.m. Saturday, GCSO was dispatched to the 7000 block of Road P SE for a report of an assault with a firearm...

Property tax reminder for Grant Co.

EPHRATA — Grant County property owners have through October 31 to pay any remaining property taxes for 2022. Grant County Treasurer Darryl Pheasant said in a press release that the treasurer’s office will remain open during the noon hour from Oct. 24 through 31; normally it’s closed. A drop box for payments has been set up outside the Grant County Courthouse, 35 C St. SW. Another drop box is available inside the treasurer’s office, Pheasant wrote...

George man arrested after standoff

GEORGE - A 60-year-old George resident was arrested Sunday morning after a several-hour standoff after law enforcement attempted to arrest him for assault, according to a Grant County Sheriff's Office statement. A release by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office states responders were called around 8 p.m. Saturday to E. Montmorency Blvd. in George...

One hospitalized after early Monday shooting in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE - Monday morning an Ephrata resident was shot in Soap Lake, resulting in a two-hour search for the suspected shooter. A release by the Soap Lake Police Department states that at approximately 1:17 a.m., MACC Dispatch received a 911 call indicating a male had been shot in the 100 block of Main Ave E. Officers arrived in the area and located the victim, identified as 33-year-old Levi Dean Rishky of Ephrata, lying on the ground at the intersection of Main Ave E and Daisy Street S. The release states the SLPD, along with mutual aid from the Ephrata Police Department, provided first aid to Rishky who was able to tell officers the location of the assault and description of the suspect...

Should you keep dogs away from acorns?

Every dog owner knows the difficulty of keeping their curious canines from eating just about anything they can find, and, with fall in full swing, scattered acorns are likely to catch plenty of pets’ attention. So, does eating acorns pose a risk to a dog’s health? Dr. Erin Ray, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that, generally, acorns are not toxic to dogs. “Most dogs would need to ingest large quantities of acorns over a long period of time to become sick,” Ray said...

MLSD examines transgender requirements

Board seeks efficient ways to meet requirements of state law

MOSES LAKE — The first reading of a policy designed to address possible discrimination against transgender students generated discussion and a request for additional information at the Thursday meeting of the Moses Lake School Board. Board members Alana DeGooyer and Paul Hill asked district Superintendent Monte Sabin to research the district’s existing non-discrimination policies and see if state requirements could be met by amending what the district already has, or if a separate policy is needed. Sabin said the policy had been discussed in June and July 2021, but the board had not taken action at that time...

2nd suspect in custody following Thursday burglary

MOSES LAKE/EPHRATA - A second suspect is now in custody following a Thursday-morning break-in at a Moses Lake home, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. “Investigators tracked 26-year-old Carlos Silva of Moses Lake to a home in the 1200 block of Mather Drive. Silva bolted out the back door when the team of law officers arrived at the front door. K9 Edo and handler Deputy Tyson Voss were covering the back and Silva quickly surrendered as Edo rapidly approached,” the statement said.

Audubon Society takes bird walk, presents award

MOSES LAKE — September 2022 was a very active month for the Central Basin Audubon Society. CBAS held successful events in two of their newest programs, bird walks and backyard habitats. On Sept. 24, CBAS Field Trip Coordinator Margaret Heming led a group of interested participants in the first bird walk. Heming chose North Potholes Reserve for this initial hike. The weather was perfect and spirits high as 11 people gathered with binoculars and cameras at the ready...

One in custody after early morning burglary

MOSES LAKE - One man is in custody and another is being sought after the pair broke into a Moses Lake woman’s home in the 1200 block of Adair Street, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office staff. The woman was not injured, nor were law enforcement officials who responded to the incident. “(The resident) was pretty shaken up. She kept her head under some really terrible circumstances – having two men armed with knives come into her home, and she was able to call 9-1-1 and then escape to them to the safety of law enforcement officers,” said GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman...