Mice test positive for bird flu in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — Six mice in Grant County have recently tested positive for avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, according to a statement from the Grant County Health District. “It’s not brand new that we are finding bird flu in mice or other mammals. There have been reports of rodents testing positive for bird flu throughout the United States. It can be found in other mammals, not just birds,” GCHD Public Information Officer Lexi Smith said.

New ordinance will allow some Moses Lake irrigation-only wells

MOSES LAKE — Public and semi-public organizations would be allowed to drill shallower-depth wells to help water their property under the terms of an ordinance reviewed by the Moses Lake City Council Wednesday. Water from those wells will be used for irrigation only. Mayor Dustin Swartz said the ordinance is designed to take some of the pressure off the city’s existing municipal water system.

Judith ‘Judy’ Church

August 24, 1937 – November 3, 2025

Judith “Judy” Ann Church, 88, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on Nov. 3, 2025, in Federal Way, Washington. Born on Aug. 24, 1937, in Portsmouth, Ohio to Eugene Samuel Crull and Eileen Pearl Hawkins Crull, Judy was the eldest of three sisters and a former resident of Moses Lake and Othello, Washington. A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 6 at Pillar Rock Golf Course in Moses Lake from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dress in your holiday colors. Join for lunch and share a story.

COLUMN: Is this the year for the Zags?

As the Washington air turns bitter and cold, sports fans will trade in the cold beer, perhaps for a warm cider, as they sit down for the start of the college basketball season. After a second-round exit in the NCAA men's basketball tournament last March, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are poised to bounce back this season.

Washington State fires athletic director Anne McCoy

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Washington State athletic director Anne McCoy has been fired. Jon Haarlow, the chief operating officer of the school's athletic department, will serve as interim athletic director. The Cougars will conduct a national search for McCoy's replacement, the university said Wednesday in a statement announcing the move.

Ephrata's annual leaf pick-up set for next week

EPHRATA – Next week, starting Nov. 17, Ephrata residents can have leaves picked up right off the curb of their house.

Generations Church to offer trees, Christmas presents

MOSES LAKE — The Generations Church Christmas tree lot is both moving and expanding this year. “We’re moving our tree lot to our church property, and then we’re going to combine it with an indoor sale, which is hopefully a new and improved garage sale,” said Patty Culver, a member of Generations church who is organizing the sales. “We’ve weeded out the junk and focused on Christmas stuff: clothes and toys and books.”

Grant Co. CHI to host transportation access event

EPHRATA — The Grant County Coalition for Health Improvement is set to host an event, “Paving the Way: Community Solutions for Transportation Access,” on November 18. This initiative is part of the CHI series, aimed at addressing pressing community issues through public engagement and collaborative efforts.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Support local causes this holiday season ...

If you’re looking to enjoy the holidays, you’re not alone. Across the Columbia Basin, people will be baking turkeys, holiday shopping, decorating their homes, and reminding children to behave or they’ll get coal in a stocking.

Eagles to face Northern Colorado Saturday after nail-biting loss to Montana

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University’s football squad made a good showing last weekend, narrowly losing to No. 2 Montana, according to a statement from EWU Athletics. The Grizzlies jumped out to a 22-0 lead early in the second quarter led by Keali'i Ah Yat who completed 14 of his first 15 passes. EWU cut that lead by eight points, leaving the score 22-14 at halftime.

EWU loses to Weber State, heads next to Montana

CHENEY — The Eastern Washington University volleyball team fell Friday to Weber State 20–25, 15–25 and 23–25, according to a statement from EWU Athletics.

Classical sound

Concert Association show will highlight cello and piano, plus a little holiday fun

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association will present “Classical Sounds of the Season” Dec. 4. The concert replaced the one originally planned by pianist and Moses Lake native Collin Hansen, who was unexpectedly unable to come from Finland to perform. “Classical Sounds of the Season” will feature Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra cellist Kevin Hekmatpanah and pianist Yoon-Wha Roh.

Legals for November, 13 2025

Eagles conclude season at state tourney

YAKIMA —The Soap Lake Eagles volleyball season came to a close Wednesday morning after falling 1-3 to Wakiakum in the first round of the state tournament. Following the hard-fought battle, Eagles head coach Niki Noble said how proud she was of the way the team played this season.

Awareness helps protect people from increasingly sophisticated scammers

MOSES LAKE — A check of the records all the way back to Sumerian clay tablets shows that scammers are always looking for new ways to separate people from their money. Kyle Foreman, public information officer with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said scamming is a volume business.

Applications open for apple industry training program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Applications are open for a program designed to provide training and networking opportunities for young professionals in the apple industry. Recipients of the 2026 NextGen Apple Fellowship will be announced in February. The program is sponsored by USApple, the industry’s national trade organization.

Ephrata schools bolster local food bank efforts

EPHRATA — In a demonstration of community spirit, the Ephrata School District successfully gathered nearly 750 pounds of food for the Ephrata Food Bank during their recent food drive, coinciding with conference week. The initiative, which engaged students, staff, and families alike, is part of the district's ongoing commitment to support local charitable efforts.

MLSD, union agree to enter mediation

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District has requested mediation to advance ongoing contract negotiations with the Moses Lake Education Association, the union representing non-administrative certificated staff. The MLEA has agreed to partake in the mediation process, which is facilitated by a neutral mediator from the Public Employment Relations Commission.

Othello pool construction bond failing

OTHELLO — The fate of the Othello Community Pool, whether it will reopen and if so, how soon, will be in the hands of new Mayor Ken Johnson and a new Othello City Council. Johnson and the new council members will take office in January.

Tigers XC runners find success at state

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers cross country team sent six runners to the state tournament at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. While the Tigers didn’t have enough runners to place as a team, Caleb Fitts, Niko Diaz, Maddax Iverson, Hannah Malone, Savannah Harper and Rebecca Wiser each found personal success in their final times.