Grant PUD: New rate policy looks forward, not back

EPHRATA — Customers designated as core customers will be first in line for the lowest Grant County Public Utility District rates, according to a new rate policy unanimously approved by PUD commissioners Tuesday. Ty Ehrman, senior vice president of retail operations, said there will be less emphasis on the cost of actually providing service to customers, a process he called unbundling. “That is meant to support the premise (that) growth pays for growth. And most of our growth has ended up being in the industrial sector,” Ehrman said. “We want to make sure that we’re not unduly burdening our core customers with those higher-cost sources of power. And most of the growth (in demand) is actually occurring elsewhere.”

Huskies fall at home against Sageview

OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies basketball team took their first loss in the season, falling 63-83 at home to the Sageview Lobos (Pasco). The Huskies now look to learn from this loss as they begin Central Washington Athletic Conference play this weekend. “We knew this was going to be a good game,” said Othello senior Syrus Ruiz. “We knew these guys had some talent on their team, but I feel like we really didn’t execute.” Othello started strong getting a nine-point lead over Sageview, but the Lobos came back after making threes to tie the game. Huskies’ senior Quade Gonzalez would respond with one of his own, but the Lobos pulled ahead, ending the quarter 12-15.

Cougars compete in big meets to start season

WARDEN – The Warden Cougars wrestling team competed in their first wrestling tournaments of the season with the girls heading to Liberty High School for the Lady Lancer Invitational and the boys heading to the Ocosta Tournament at Ocosta High School. “I thought we had a really good weekend; it was the first time we took a trip like that, (a) six hour bus ride,” said Cougars Boys Head Coach Johnny Hernandez. The boys had nine scorers on the weekend with seven of those making top four placements, he said. Overall, the team finished third at Ocosta and were only four points away from taking first place.

Herseth named CWU volleyball head coach, Andaya named deputy AD

ELLENSBURG – Lauren Herseth, Associate Head Volleyball Coach for Central Washington University, has been named the next head coach of the Wildcats following the transition of current Head Coach Mario Andaya into the Deputy Athletics Director position, CWU director of Athletics Dennis Francois announced on Monday. “I am honored to be stepping into this new role, with an extremely fun and talented roster,” said Herseth. “I can’t thank Dennis and Mario enough for investing in and preparing me for this moment. I love this program and I am committed to carrying on the legacy of CWU volleyball.” Herseth's collegiate volleyball career began at Central, competing for the Wildcats from 2011-2014. During her four-year playing career, Herseth helped the program reach three NCAA appearances and finished ranked in the top ten in program history for both sets and matches played. A team captain, she was also a three-time GNAC All-Academic selection while majoring in Physical Education and School Health. Herseth was heavily involved in CWU Athletics, serving three years as SAAC President, and also competed on the Wildcats' women's basketball team during the 2013–2014 season.

UW to play Boise State in LA Bowl

MOSES LAKE – The University of Washington Huskies football team (8-4) will be heading to face the Boise State Broncos (9-4) in Los Angeles this weekend at the L.A. Bowl hosted by Gronk. The game will take place at SoFi Studium Saturday with kick off at 5 p.m. “We are excited about the opportunity,” said Huskies Head Coach Jedd Fisch in a press conference. “Spent yesterday and the day before game planning for Boise once we saw the game end Friday evening and we know we’ve got a really good team that we’ve got to deal with... We know we’ve got our work cut out for us.” UW enters the bowl game after falling in their regular season home finale against the University of Oregon 14-16. The Huskies defense held the Ducks to just one touchdown through three quarters, but the Ducks made four field goals in that time and held the Huskies to a single touchdown. Both teams scored a touchdown in the final quarter

COLUMN: College football playoff selection was a mess

It’s not a normal day in December if college football teams are not throwing their hands in the air after being left out of the college football playoff. This year the drama surrounded what the playoff committee should do about Miami, Alabama and Notre Dame. After conference championship weekend, it ended up being Miami and Bama getting the nod and the Fighting Irish being left out. While I agree that the committee got it wrong, what has been more disappointing to see is Notre Dame and other schools reactions to playing in bowl games and not in the playoffs. ND was one of nine schools declining the invitation to play a bowl game this season. Moreso in the Fighting Irish’s case, this mentality around not playing in a bowl game shows a quitter's attitude because you did not do what you needed to do to make the playoffs.

Ron PuFahl

Oct. 9, 1951 – Dec. 1, 2025

When asked how he was doing, Ron's answer was always the same: “Better than Most.” It wasn't just a phrase, it was how he lived. Throughout life Ron chose humor, connection, optimism and gratitude. Ron PuFahl – a deeply loved husband, dad, papa, brother, son-in-law, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to all who knew him – passed away Dec. 1, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born to William and Lina (Montreuil) PuFahl on Oct. 9, 1951, Ron lived a mischievous childhood in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He grew up in the big pink house across the street from the convent. There were so many things for kids to do in the ’50s and ’60s, and Ron tried them all, including many shenanigans with his brother and cousin. Ron attended St. Thomas Elementary and I.H.M. Catholic Academy, graduating in 1970.

Small-town miracle

Othello’s Christmas celebration features parade, tree lighting and fireworks

OTHELLO — Othello showed its small-town holiday spirit Saturday at the town’s annual Miracle on Main Street. “When I first had the dream to start this event, I just said, ‘Imagine Othello like a Hallmark movie,’” said Tania Morelos, head of the event committee and originator of the festival. “That was the goal and it looks like (people) are feeling it.”

Confluence Health refunding $1.8M following AG investigation

OLYMPIA — After an extensive investigation by the Washington State Attorney General's Office, Confluence Health has agreed to refund over $1.8 million to thousands of patients who were eligible for charity care but did not receive appropriate reimbursements for medical fees. The investigation revealed that Confluence Health, operating two hospitals in Central Washington, failed to refund payments made by patients who qualified for charity care after they had already made out-of-pocket costs.

Ephrata accepts almost $600,000 chip sealing grant

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council unanimously accepted a nearly $600,000 Transportation Improvement Board grant to fund chip sealing on around 3.5 miles of arterial and collector roadways in 2026. “What this grant is for is to go in and chip seal like we did this last spring, to chip seal the roads that you see there, that are in the red,” Project Engineer and Grant Writer Dave Bren said.

Moses Lake Ag Parade fills downtown with lights and cheer

MOSES LAKE — It was foggy and chilly in downtown Moses Lake Friday, but the community spirit was warm for the Downtown Ag Appreciation Parade and Street Party. “I just talked to some people and they were, like, ‘This is our first year and this is awesome,’” said Downtown Moses Lake Association Executive Director Mallory Miller. The event, held the first Friday of December every year, has been a Moses Lake tradition since the 1990s, according to Columbia Basin Herald archives. Several blocks of downtown Moses Lake were closed off in the afternoon as parade floats lined up in the Surf ‘n Slide parking lot and partygoers in Sinkiuse Square enjoyed free french fries from Simplot, free hot cocoa sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Viking Eatery, and free s’mores sponsored by Steve Crapson of Allstate Insurance and James Shank of Edward Jones. Other food and craft vendors did a thriving business in the streets.

Legals for December, 10 2025

Gesa scholarship applications open

RICHLAND — Gesa Credit Union is accepting applications for its scholarship program through the end of February, according to Gesa Vice President of Community Impact Brandon Allison. The credit union plans to award $150,000 to students at various stages in their education.

Mavs start winter swim and dive

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake High School Mavericks boys swim and dive team began their season last Thursday with a home meet against Eastmont, Eisenhower, Wenatchee, West Valley, Sunnyside and Davis. Mavs Head Coach Tony Preston said the meet was a great way to get the season started. “I thought it went really well,” said Preston. “This was a non-scored meet so we couldn’t really see how we stacked up there, but between us and Wenatchee we’re two pretty deep teams.” The meet consisted of five swim events and a diving event with the Mavs seeing multiple athletes making top ten placements in each. In the 50-yard Freestyle, Mathew Molitor took third with 23.30, Lennox Leeder took fourth with 23.32, Sam O’Shea took fifth with 23.34, Sam Molitor tied for eighth with 23.85 and Josiah Wallace took tenth with 23.89.

ML Pals Club hosting fundraiser at Crumbl ahead of basketball season

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Pals Club is set to hold a fundraiser at Crumbl Cookies Thursday, Dec. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. The proceeds will go to support the upcoming unified basketball and soccer seasons. “This is our third one with Crumbl and the kids love it,” said Sarah White, Mavs Assistant Coach for Unified Sports. “It’s fun. Who doesn’t love cookies?”

KJ Gilman competes at USA Grand Nationals

MOSES LAKE — On Dec. 5 Kalem “KJ” Gilman returned home from the USA Grand Nationals BMX competition held in Tulsa, Okla. After placing top eight in the 13 intermediate group, he became one of the first riders from Moses Lake to advance to the finals.

Eggers, Grossman lead Eagles to Big Sky-Summit League sweep

VERMILLION, S. Dakota — The fourth quarter is where the excitement is for Eastern Washington women's basketball as they complete another comeback. Eastern defeated South Dakota 67-63 on Saturday afternoon to go 2-0 in the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge. The Eagles improve to 5-4 on the season, while USD falls to 8-2.

Mattawa wastewater treatment facility nearing completion

MATTAWA — After a lot of work, repairs, refurbishment and upgrades of Mattawa’s wastewater treatment facility are nearing completion. Mattawa Public Works Director Juan Ledezma said crews are in the process of learning the new systems. “Staff has been receiving training as equipment is available, installed or comes online. There has been no tie-in yet, so basically no waste from the current system into the new system,” Ledezma told Mattawa City Council members Dec. 4.

Pope Leo XIV gets into Christmas spirit with prayer for peace at Spanish Steps

ROME — Pope Leo XIV got into the Christmas spirit Monday by taking part in a very Roman papal tradition: praying for peace at a statue of the Madonna near the Spanish Steps on the Dec. 8 feast day that kicks off the Christmas season. Leo greeted thousands of well-wishers who braved the cold to watch the American pope on his inaugural outing to the statue. They were treated to a popemobile romp through Rome's historic center, which has been decked out for the start of the holiday shopping season. The pope got a special honor from the association of shop owners of the Via Condotti, the chic shopping street that extends from the Spanish Steps and features such brands as Bulgari, Hermes and Prada.

Quincy Police Department Logs as of Dec. 9, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.