Vicki Jeske

March 22, 1948 – Jan. 29, 2025

Vicki Diann Jeske, 76, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Jan. 29, 2025. Vicki was born on March 22, 1948, in Portland, Oregon to Emil and Eva Kociemba. She was raised with her sister Marci in Boring, Oregon and graduated from Sandy High School in 1966. She married right out of high school and started her family with the birth of Kenneth in 1970. These early years included lots of time spent at bowling alleys across Washington and Oregon. She continued bowling and raising kids with the birth of Christopher, Nikki, and finally, Michelle. Her bowling endeavors spanned across four decades.

Larry Workman

Larry D. Workman, 68, passed from this life to glory on March 4th, 2025, with family at bedside after a battle with cancer. He was lovingly called Honey, Dad, Pa, Grandpa, Dude, Grandpa Saturday, Larry Dawg, and Wolfy.

Business community comes together at Othello Chamber auction

OTHELLO — The parish hall at Sacred Heart Catholic Church was transformed Friday night as the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce held its annual fundraiser banquet and auction. “This is our one and only fundraiser that we have for the year,” said Chamber Manager Jackie Wilhelm. “The money that we raise goes back into the community.”

Regan Bonato

1947 – 2025

Regan Dee Bonato, 78, passed away unexpectedly on January 29, 2025, from complications of the flu.

Bill to make school bond approval easier in Washington state gains momentum

(The Center Square) – Several people showed up at a Monday public hearing before the Senate Ways & Means Committee to offer their support for a bill that would amend the state constitution to allow for simple majorities to pass school bonds in Washington state. Senate Bill 5186 is a substitute bill to the original Senate Joint Resolution 8200, which would have allowed 55% of voters to authorize school district bonds. Sen. Deborah Krishnadasan, D-Gig Harbor, introduced the substitute bill modeled after House Bill 4201, which would require only that more than half of the votes cast be in favor of the bond request. The substitute bill was given a do-pass recommendation out of executive session on Feb. 13 by the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee. Because SB 5186 would amend the state constitution, it requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate. Afterward, voters would have the final say this November.

CWU honor rolls include 101 Basin students

ELLENSBURG — More than 100 Central Washington University Wildcats from the Columbia Basin were named to the honor roll for fall quarter 2024, according to an announcement from the university. To qualify, a student must complete a minimum of 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

More than 200 named to BBCC Vice President’s List

MOSES LAKE — Two hundred forty-four Basin students were named to the Big Bend Community College Vice-President’s List for fall quarter 2024, the college announced Tuesday. To qualify for the Vice President’s List, a student must complete 12 or more graded credits with a GPA between 3.33 and 3.74. Beverly: Juan Herrera, Amy Penaloza, Belicia Saldana-Sosa Coulee City: Dylan Jacques Electric City: David Borden

Kathryn Schmalz Rackham

July 17, 1943 – December 31, 2024

Kathryn (Kathy) Schmalz Rackham, 81, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Moses Lake after a long battle with Alzheimer’s/dementia. Kathy was born July 17, 194,3 in Ogden, Utah to William Moyes Schmalz and Karma Chadwick. She was born the middle child of three. She lived in Salt Lake City and Seattle before moving to a farm north of Warden in 1952. In 1961 she graduated as the valedictorian of Warden High School and attended Central Washington State College in Ellensburg receiving a degree in Education and French in 1965. She taught English and French at Tyee High School prior to spending a summer abroad in France.

BASIN WRESTLING REPORT: Huskies win home tourney

OTHELLO – The Huskies came out on top of their home tournament over the weekend, winning the Leonard Schutte Round Up with a team score of 280 points.

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.

Francisco Meza

May 28, 1957 – July 23, 2024

In loving memory of Francisco Meza, 67. It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Frank Meza, a beloved son, father and grandpa. Frank went to be with his dad and brothers in heaven on July 23, 2024. He passed surrounded by family who loved him dearly.

498 Vikings named to honor rolls

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College has released its President’s and Vice President’s lists for spring quarter 2024.

LETTER: Being heard matters

Dear Editor, I just read your article in Wednesday’s (June 26) paper about my court and sentencing. I’m really glad you wrote the article because I’ve wanted the message that I tried to express in court to be out to the public. I had your name and address already because I had seriously wanted to reach out to you to see if you would be interested in speaking out to the community from the perspective of someone who has experienced what addiction truly entails – and how the fentanyl crisis is alive and even thriving in the Grant County area.

Sentenced defendant thankful for arrest

Long-term opiate addiction led to poor choices, woman says

EPHRATA – Melissa Shelby Mattingly, 48, of Moses Lake was sentenced after entering guilty pleas on six felony charges – and thanked the court for compassion and said that her arrest was a blessing. “I think my arrest probably saved my life, and although I am facing an exorbitant amount of time away from my children and my parents, I know that I am lucky to still have my life, and I hope that I can at least use my experiences to let other people know that this is the result of fentanyl,” Mattingly said prior to sentencing.

Lupe (Mitzi) Cruz

Sept. 25, 1936 – May 22, 2024

Lupe (Mitzi) Cruz, 87, passed away on Wednesday, May 22 at 12:35 a.m. peacefully, with her loving family at her side. She was born September 25, 1936, in Fairmont City, Illinois. As a child she went to school in Cle Elum. She then moved to Yakima until she married Henry Zarate Sr. Later in life she married Pedro Serrano. Lupe is survived by her brothers Johnny Cruz (Jane) and Dennis Barbeau; sisters Mary (Linga) Vielmas (Jose), Josephine Manley, and Patricia Brogan; daughters Mary (Baby) Zarate, Margie Rodriguez (Carlos) and Kathy Zarate (Eddie); grandchildren Tom Zarate (Celinda), Shawna Garcia, Melissa Nimley (Sateah), Christina Garcia, Jason Zarate (Gina), Channel Enriquez (Clarence), Chalissa Badley, Kathleen Badley, Jessica Hayworth and Blake McDougall; 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents Toribio and Martha Cruz; her brothers William (Memo) Cruz, Jack Cruz Jr. and Frank Cruz; her sisters Mary Lou Cruz, Sally Cruz and Ruth Cruz; her son Henry Zarate, Jr. and her first husband Henry Zarate, Sr.

Basin races have mix of challengers, unopposed incumbents

MOSES LAKE — The filing period for the 2024 election closed Friday with a mixed grouping of candidates at the county and state levels. Some will run against multiple challengers while a few incumbents have exclusive spots on the ballot.

William Eric Galliart

Jan. 1, 1960 – April 30, 2024

William Eric Galliart, age 64, passed away unexpectedly at home in Moses Lake, Washington, on April 30, 2024, during his battle with cancer. Eric was born in Pratt, KS, on January 1, 1960 to Carol and Robert “Bob” Galliart.

‘Love Letters’ slated for two weekends at Masquers Theater

SOAP LAKE — The story of a man and woman who never quite know what they want from each other comes to the Masquers stage for two weekends. “Love Letters” runs for four performances.

Bills combating fentanyl, opioid addiction in Washington state made law

OLYMPIA/(The Center Square) – Washington state now has more tools to deal with fentanyl addiction in the form of a pair of bills sponsored by Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, that were signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Land use designation process for Moses Lake 12th elementary school still in the works

EPHRATA — Advertising for bids for - and construction of - the 12th elementary school in Moses Lake is on hold while the land sale is still pending. Grant County officials said the process of revising the land use designations to allow construction and use is ongoing.