Odessa groundwater area bridge rebuilds receive fed funds

WARDEN — The efforts of Washington legislators have resulted in federal funding to rebuild bridges as part of a long term project to switch irrigators to surface water in a section of the Columbia Basin Project.

Newspapers nationwide sue OpenAI for illegally scraping content to train AI

(The Center Square) - Eight newspapers across the United States filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft for using their copyrighted content without payment to train the highly profitable generative artificial intelligence systems. In their suit, the papers demand an end to copyright infringement, damages, and lost profits.

Little girl, big fight

Moses Lake turns out to support 4-year-old battling cancer

MOSES LAKE — The parking lot at Third Avenue and Alder Street took on a life of its own Saturday, as businesses and volunteers turned out in support of a very sick little girl. Eleanor Marcum, who is almost 4, was diagnosed on Feb. 28 with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma, said her mother, Nicollette Marcum. Cancer treatment doesn’t come cheap, so Christine Lus, owner of Sage Academy of Massage and Bodyworks, Enchanting Events owner Sandy Harrison and Brandi Haug, who owns Cobie’s Dry Cleaning, all got together and organized a fundraiser to help the family offset costs. “Chris is kind of like an aunt to me,” Nicollette said.

Eleanore 'Elli' Nelson

June 19, 1950 — April 25, 2024

Eleanore Louise Boerjan was born June 19, 1950, to Germaine Madeline (DeMaegt) and Alphonse Boerjan in Marshall, Lion County, Minnesota.

Othello to close community pool over safety concerns

OTHELLO — Mayor Shawn Logan announced during Monday’s Othello City Council meeting that the Othello Community Pool will have to be closed indefinitely and eventually replaced due to safety concerns. The announcement came after a presentation from Othello Public Works Director Curt Carpenter on his recent investigation into improper pipe installation and poor construction when the pool was built in 2007.

WSU Extension tackles climate awareness

Groups of gardening enthusiasts were huddled around lab tables examining preserved insect specimens, learning the tell-tales signs of invasive pests that a warming climate could bring to the Pacific Northwest.

A look at teff

Tiny grain could be headed for big things

MOSES LAKE — Teff may only be grown on a few farms in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s a grain a lot of people aren’t aware of yet, though it is beginning to find a market and is expected to rise in popularity as a crop and product.

Mavs boys tennis wins against Wenatchee

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School boys tennis team handily won its dual match against Wenatchee Thursday, while the MLHS girls swept the doubles matches but lost to the Panthers 4-3.

Law enforcement logs for April 19, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

WSU professor warns of fire blight antibiotic resistance

MOSES LAKE – Frank Zhao, a professor of plant pathology at Washington State University, spoke at the April 4 Fire Blight Webinar hosted by Michigan State University, providing an update on current research and results of fire blight antibiotics and resistances at WSU.

More tools on the way to combat catalytic converter theft in Washington

(The Center Square) – Lawmakers are hoping recently passed legislation will stem the tide of stolen catalytic converters in Washington state.

Cohort of leaders: RDI program gives grants to Othello institutions

OTHELLO – Rural Development Initiatives wrapped up its six-month-long Rural Community Leadership Program in Othello Thursday evening with a final session for the leadership cohort at the Othello Senior Center and the presentation of $5,000 in grants from the cohort to various community institutions.

Law enforcement reports for April 12, 2024

Ephrata Police Department, Moses Lake Police Department, Grant County Jail

Grant Co. health report highlights disease and mortality rates

MOSES LAKE — LIfe expectancy in Grant County went down in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and life expectancy in Grant County was lower than the statewide average in 2020. Statistics on life expectancy were among the information included in the “Community Health Assessment” released by the Grant County Health District Friday.

Police logs for April 5, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Columbia Basin Foundation works to help establish legacies

EPHRATA – The Columbia Basin Foundation has been working for years now to help ensure community members throughout the Basin can leave a lasting legacy in their hometowns, counties and communities they’re a part of, said Corrine Isaak, CBF executive director. That was the goal set by founders Rick Honsowetz and Randy Dickinson, she said.

Legals for April, 4 2024

ACH’s Molitor looks to build off fourth-place state finish

COULEE CITY — A year after taking fourth at the 1B/2B Girls State Golf Championships as a freshman, Almira/Coulee-Hartline sophomore Naomi Molitor returns to the course this season aiming for yet another high placing. “It felt really good that it was my first year, and that I could accomplish something that big – it just made me think that in years to come, I can do that again and I can do a lot better,” Molitor said. Molitor won a district championship to qualify for the state tournament, coming back from a significant first-day deficit.

Law enforcement records for March 29, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Ephrata PD March 21 Report of a two-vehicle non-injury collision at Dodson Road and SR 282. March 22 Report of damage to a vehicle in the 200 block of Pioneer Avenue Southeast. Reporting party advised that feminine hygiene products had been stuck to her vehicle and change thrown on the front windshield.

Studded tire removal deadline Sunday

OLYMPIA — According to a March 21 reminder from the Washington State Department of Transportation, studded tires must be removed by the end of the day Sunday to avoid a potential fine of $137. "We know that studded tires cause between $20 million to $29 million in damage to state-owned roads in Washington each winter and also damage city and county roads," WSDOT Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin said. "We urge travelers to explore all their traction options, including non-stud, winter-tread tires which are different from all-season tires. These tires are legal year-round and don't damage our highways." The statement said the removal date falls on a holiday this year, which could mean some shops are closed, so WSDOT urges travelers to plan ahead now. Studded tires are legal in Washington from Nov. 1 to March 31. There is no individual exception or out-of-state waiver to the studded tire dates. The announcement said tickets could be issued by the Washington State Patrol as soon as Monday, April 1. WSDOT does not issue tickets.