Local experts eye AI to help develop the future

MOSES LAKE — AI technology has been developing quickly over the last few years with multiple avenues and questions arising regarding its use in everyday life. NCW Tech Alliance hopes to guide North Central Washington in how to utilize this technology as it continues to evolve. “AI is a general-purpose technology and so it’s much easier to understand what’s possible and the vastness of what opportunities there are in AI if you think about it in that way,” said Sue Kane, CEO of NCW Tech Alliance.

Dorow appointed to Othello City Council

OTHELLO — Chris Dorow has been appointed to a vacant position on the Othello City Council. Dorow was appointed by unanimous vote after candidates for the seat were interviewed at the Dec. 8 council meeting. There was no discussion. Dorow replaces Denae Valdez, who resigned from the council in November. “We had seven members of the public apply for this position,” said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan.

Moses Lake firefighters meet the community with hot cocoa

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake firefighters held their Christmas community event at ground level this year. “The last few years, we’ve done what we call the campus tour,” said MLFD Battalion Chief Schrade Rouse. “We would put our Santa on top of the truck and ride a neighborhood route so that people could come out and visit with us if they wanted to. But recently we were restricted by (state law) about letting Santa Claus ride on top to the truck. So now we’re trying a stationary (event).”

Legals for December, 17 2025

STUDIO BASIN: A round-up of MLSD contract, strike coverage

MOSES LAKE — On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Reporter Nance Beston and Editor R. Hans Miller discussed the conflicts at the Moses Lake School District, including the budget shortfall, recent teacher contract and financial plans for the future.

Wahluke Jr. High earns Culture Kick-Off Award again

MATTAWA — Wahluke Junior High School has been honored with the 2025 Culture Kickoff Award for the second year in a row, according to an announcement from the Association of Washington School Leaders and the Association of Washington School Principals.

ACH Warriors defense shines in win over Lions

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (2-1) are off to a hot start after defeating the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions (4-1) 61-18 at home Monday. Head Coach Nikki Strock said their start to the season has shown how much her team has grown since last season.

UW claims first national soccer title in program history

CARY, NC — The University of Washington Huskies Men’s soccer team (16-6-2) faced off against the NC State Wolfpack in the NCAA National Championships on Monday where they won 3-2 in overtime. This victory secured the first national title in program history.

Jacks show fight in home loss

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks (1-4) fell in a competitive 67-47 game at home to the Grandview Greyhounds Saturday. Head Coach Scott Bierlink said his players competed against the Greyhounds but dug themselves too deep of a hole to climb out of.

Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry launches Angel Tree program for rescue pets

SOAP LAKE — As the holiday spirit fills the air, Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry animal rescue is ready to spread some cheer to furry friends waiting for their forever homes. This year, the organization announced the launch of a pilot program inspired by traditional angel giving tree initiatives. However, this project takes a twist: it centers on the animals at the rescue.

Women combine talents to open businesses in shared space

MOSES LAKE — Three woman-owned businesses held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening at their new location in Moses Lake Thursday. The office at 815 W. Third Ave. holds an accounting firm, a massage service and a waxing room. “We’re a one-stop shop,” Mandy Schuh said. Schuh is the owner and founder of both Pillar Rock Accounting and Seventh Sense Serenity massage service. As Pillar Rock, she and her assistant Esmeralda Sanchez handle after-the-fact bookkeeping: general bookkeeping, payroll processing and bank and credit card reconciliation. That’s the business people see when they walk in the front door. In a quiet, gently-lit room in the back of the office, Schuh massage services, including Swedish, intraoral massage, myofascial, reflexology and the Japanese technique called Reiki.

Grant PUD seeks rate input

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District customers have until Dec. 23 to submit their comments on proposed rate hikes that would go into effect in April 2026. Comments can be submitted at Grant PUD: Commission Meetings. Customers commenting at the last PUD commission meeting of 2025 said higher rates are going to be a challenge. Commissioner Terry Pyle said the PUD is facing challenges too.

Lions boys dominate at home against the Devils

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions boys played at home against the Wilson Creek Devils Thursday where they earned a 68-29 victory over their Central Washington B League rival. “It was a lot of trying to push the ball up the court, trying to get really good shots and the boys were really unselfish with the ball,” said Lions Head Coach Emerson Ferguson. “I really like how they were moving the ball and getting good open shots at the basket.”

Lions best Devils in girls rivalry matchup

MOSES LAKE —The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions (4-0) hosted the Wilson Creek Devils (4-1) on Thursday, where the Lions earned a 50-28 victory. The two teams both face a tough week following their matchup before going into winter break.

Jacks girls stay focused despite home loss

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks (1-3) fell to the Grandview Greyhounds 71-29 at home Saturday. Head Coach Johan Farias remained optimistic despite the loss. “We've just got to keep battling,” he said. “We got the top four teams that we're playing right now in the league, and we just got to keep battling. That's the main message I got from my girls. We're young and we just got to keep fighting for everything.”

Mattawa Winter Festival includes crafts, cocoa and ugly sweaters

MATTAWA — Mattawa’s annual Winter Festival will take place Wednesday. “The goal is to bring families together to celebrate the holiday and to make crafts as a family,” said Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya. The event is put together by a coalition of community stakeholders including the city of Mattawa, Wahluke School District, the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic and Columbia Basin Health Association, Celaya said. Crafts play a large part in the Winter Festival, Celaya said. Local first responders will have a table where children can decorate cookies with police officers, and MCMC will have a space where children can write letters to Santa. The Wahluke High School Future Business Leaders of America will have a booth where children can make a Christmas ornament for the 50-foot tree in the school commons. The craft materials are donated by CBHA, Celaya said.

More rain for Cascades, high winds for Columbia Basin this week

LEAVENWORTH — A second strong winter storm is projected to hit Washington this week, bringing heavy rains back to areas that were hard-hit by rain and flooding last week. Steve Bodnar, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said rain is forecast to start Monday, but won’t last as long.

Mavericks wrestling sweep Eastmont at home

MOSES LAKE — On Thursday, the Mavericks boys and girls wrestling were each victorious over the Eastmont Wildcats. The Boys won 47-36, while the girls won 77-3 to start their season off strong with a league win. “It's early in the season, but to be able to come out and have success, and pretty much every match was, was a big win for us, especially being a mostly young team,” Girls Head Coach Tony Lee said. “Those are ones we definitely circle on the calendar. We want to make sure we're having success at our league duels.” The girls team were dominant in their matchup against Eastmont, only losing one match. Lee said they knew Hayden Morris’ match was going to be tough since she and her opponent were state competitor's last season.

Mavericks fend off Panthers in close home win

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (3-2) held off the Wenatchee Panthers in a competitive 46-43 win at home Friday. After the hard-fought win, Mavs Head Coach Matt Strophy complimented the Panthers for the challenge they gave Moses Lake. “They work super hard. They made us earn everything we got, and hopefully we did the same to them. I like the energy on both sides, so I'm just glad we came out on top with (Breanna Bischoff) knocking down those two free throws to kind of ice that game. That was really sweet,” Strophy said.

Sheriff talks crime, enforcement at Mattawa town hall

MATTAWA — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete held a town hall meeting at Wahluke High School Dec. 9, discussing law enforcement issues affecting Mattawa and Desert Aire. “You're going to probably hear me say a million times. We can't do this alone,” Kriete told the attendees. “We have to have our communities out here to help us and share information with us and give us ideas. We get a ton of new and great ideas from the community.”