Groff Elementary closed this week after electrical incident

MOSES LAKE – Groff Elementary School students will be attending classes from home this week after an electrical problem caused an unidentified person to be shocked on campus. Moses Lake School District Director of Communications Ryan Shannon said the person’s identity and exact condition could not be disclosed due to privacy regulations.

Aloha, Moses Lake! Trade the Winter Chill for a Hawaiian Adventure

As the cold winds sweep across Moses Lake and frosty mornings have been the norm, you might find yourself longing for sunshine, ocean breezes, and swaying palm trees. This winter, why not escape to the Big Island of Hawai‘i, where adventure, relaxation, and culture come together in paradise?

Ditch the Winter Gloom: Why Moses Lake Residents Should Escape to Maui

Aloha, Moses Lake! As the winter chill continues, that doesn’t mean you have to endure months of gray skies and freezing temperatures. Instead of bundling up against the cold, why not trade your heavy coats for tropical breezes and sandy toes?

Columbia Basin Events for Feb. 21-March 1

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring may not be here, but you can almost see it coming. Here are a few things to check out while you watch the ground thaw: Feb . 21 LJ Polmateer Live performance by local musician LJ Polmateer of One Soulution. 5:30 p.m. at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4177. Open Mic Night

Columbia Basin Events for Feb. 14-22

COLUMBIA BASIN — Live music, theater, art and family fun await those who are willing to venture out this week. Here are a few possibilities around the Basin:

Family Resources Home Care purchases Beneficial In-Home Care

MOSES LAKE — Two home health care agencies that have offices in Moses Lake have merged. Beneficial In-Home Care has been acquired by Family Resource Home Care; the sale was announced Feb. 5. Samantha Hoffman, marketing project manager for Family Resource Home Care, said patients shouldn’t experience any changes in the services from either agency.

Wrestling with confidence

Quincy’s Alvarez sets win record

QUINCY – Quincy senior Saidt Alvarez entered the 2024-25 season 23 wins shy of etching his name into the Jackrabbit wrestling history books – well, another mark for the three-time state placer. Alvarez was seeking to become Quincy’s all-time winning wrestler.

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.

‘Hello, Dolly!’

Matchmaking, mayhem and a little and manipulation light up QVAA musical

QUINCY — Audiences can put on their Sunday clothes and cast themselves back to the Gay Nineties this month as Quincy Valley Allied Arts brings “Hello, Dolly!” to the stage.

Country Sweethearts to benefit cancer patients, families

MOSES LAKE — The 16th annual Country Sweethearts benefit auction is coming up Feb. 1 and it’s going to be a doozy, according to Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation Executive Director Angel Ledesma.

Elderberry juice shows benefits for weight management, metabolic health

SPOKANE, Wash.—Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent Washington State University-led study. A clinical trial published in the journal Nutrients found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation. Elderberry, a small dark purple berry found on elder trees native to Europe, is commonly used as a medicinal plant and supplement to promote immune function. Its other potential health benefits are poorly understood, however.

Ephrata businesses thrived this holiday season

The Athletic Club, Sole Performance, the Nat Washington House and The Bookery received love from locals

EPHRATA – As the holiday season concludes, some local businesses said this year was particularly good. The Bells on Basin celebration attracted a crowd into Ephrata businesses for the celebration but also people buying gifts for their loved ones helped stimulate these small establishments.

Benita Martinez Elizalde

1958 – 2024

Benita Martinez Elizalde, 92, a longtime resident of Warden, WA passed away at her home on December 28, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Benita was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Anselmo and Francisca Obregon Martinez on May 8, 1932. The family moved to Washington in 1956. She married Jose Elizalde on July 7, 1958, in Grandview, Washington. After moving to Warden, she worked for Skone and Connors for many years.

MLSD facility fees could shut down, cripple after-school programs

MOSES LAKE -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin may not be able to offer services at multiple Moses Lake School District campuses if proposed facility usage fees are implemented, the organization’s executive director, Kim Pope said in a Thursday interview.

Sandra “Sandy” Hill

1948 - 2024

Sandra “Sandy” Hill, 75, met her heavenly family on August 7th, 2024. Sandy was born on October 26th, 1948, in Walla Walla, Washington. She was the daughter of the late Angelo and Carolyn Grassi and sister of the late Judy Wahl.

Battle buddies

American Legion to hold auction to help vets find service dogs

EPHRATA — Sometimes, when Johnny comes marching home again, the war marches along with him. Thousands of American veterans commit suicide every year, according to the Veterans Administration, and countless more go on living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. American Legion Post 28 in Ephrata wants to decrease that count one dog at a time.

CAA to host bowling fundraiser

MOSES LAKE – Community Athletics and Activities will be hosting a fundraiser at Lake Bowl in Moses Lake on August 9, the organization’s second fundraising event in a two-week span.

Tricia Lubach named WSSDA director

OLYMPIA — Quincy School Board Member Tricia Lubach was offered the position of executive director of the Washington State School Directors’ Association July 23, following a unanimous vote by the WSSDA Board of Directors, according to an announcement from the WSSDA. “We’re thrilled to be hiring one of our own,” WSSDA President Sandy Hayes, of the Northshore School District, wrote in the announcement. “Tricia comes to us with decades of experience as a school board member and a WSSDA staff member. Because of her background, she is well equipped to take the position and hit the ground running.” Over 30 people applied for WSSDA’s executive director position, according to the announcement. The executive search firm KEES assisted the WSSDA Board with arriving at four finalists. Of those, two were offered an in-person interview at the WSSDA office with the board and WSSDA staff. The next day, the board delivered its decision.

Futsal courts coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Harrison K. Dano Park next to the Boys & Girls Club McGraw Clubhouse in Moses Lake is getting an addition, thanks to the city, the Seattle Sounders and a former Moses Lake resident.

Pilot program

Civil Air Patrol trains young fliers in Ephrata

EPHRATA — This week, that plane buzzing overhead could be piloted by a teenager. The Civil Air Patrol in Ephrata is holding its Desert Eagle National Flight Academy, for CAP cadets between the ages of 16 and 19. They’ll get intensive flight instruction for 10 days, both in powered planes and on the ground, learning , said Lt. Col. Sid Wiggs, the public affairs officer for the academy.