Semi causes six-car pile-up south of Quincy

QUINCY — Nine people received minor injuries in a six-car pile-up south of Quincy on Wednesday when a semi-tractor trailer failed to stop for construction work near the intersection of S.R. 281 and Road 2 NW, plowing into five other cars before stopping, according to a report from the Washington State Patrol...

Japanese beetles spreading in WA

WAPATO — Officials with the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced this week that Japanese beetles have been found in Wapato, nearly 30 miles away from the current infestation in Grandview, according to a WSDA press release.

Pandemic hog payments to increase

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week it is increasing the amount of money in the department’s Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program and expects to make a total of $62.8 million in COVID-19-related pandemic assistance payments to U.S. hog farmers beginning this week, according to a USDA press release.

ML council increases animal shelter funding

Shelter is falling apart and lacking in space, officials say

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council has increased its support for Grant County Animal Outreach to $100,000 per year following an appeal from the organization’s current board director, Sara Thompson Tweedy, that the current facility is simply no longer capable of meeting the organization’s needs. “We are operating in a dilapidated facility; we are unable to retain staff,” Tweedy, who is also the president of Big Bend Community College. “We have space for 48 dogs and we routinely have 70-plus. We have no outdoor play space, it’s all kennels now. I’m not sure what that means heading into the winter.” ...

Fire season is here, are we ready?

What to expect during hot, dry summer

WASHINGTON - With how devastating the 2021 fire season was, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, it is important for residents to know what to expect this year, prevention measures and how to be prepared.

Quincy council approves downtown revitalization plan

QUINCY — A plan that provides a framework for possible improvements to downtown Quincy was approved by the Quincy City Council on July 19. The downtown revitalization plan was approved on a 5-1 vote, with Councilmember Dave Dormaier voting no. “Each of the projects will still have to be vetted again to go out for design and construction,” Municipal Services Director Carl Worley said. “We would look at things again, and if there was something that just wasn’t going to work, if it was identified in the plan, that doesn’t mean we have to do it. It’s not anything in concrete.” ...

'Beautiful Wounds' highlighted at next Wenatchee Valley Erratics meeting

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Erratics chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute will host its next program on Aug. 9...

Lucha in Moses Lake

Mexican wrestling makes its Moses Lake debut

MOSES LAKE — There have been a lot of grand openings, ribbon cuttings and celebrations for new businesses in Moses Lake, but nothing quite like the shindig Paul Carney threw to mark the formal opening of EDUBS C/S at 1102 W. Broadway Avenue last Saturday. “It’s a great day today,” said Yesenia Guzman, an insurance agent with Comparion Insurance in Moses Lake. “It’s hot out here, we’ve got some misters out over at our tent, but absolutely, it’s a wonderful day today.” ...

Q&A: Grant County Sheriff candidates

EPHRATA — The announcement earlier this year by long-time Grant County Tom Jones that he would not seek re-election, followed by his retirement in June, threw the race to be the county’s next top law enforcement officer wide open. Current Grant County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joe Kriete, former Mattawa Police Chief Joe Harris and farmer James Baker have all filed to run. The two candidates who receive the most votes will face off in November to see who will become Grant County Sheriff. Each candidate was asked about their background and the same four questions, with the answers presented below and lightly edited for clarity. Baker did not respond prior to the deadline given to all three candidates...

Seahawks RB Carson released with injury designation, reportedly to retire

SEATTLE – The Seahawks released running back Chris Carson with a failed physical designation on Tuesday, and Carson will reportedly retire after five seasons in the NFL, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport...

NCW Libraries open for those trying to stay cool

COLUMBIA BASIN - The Grant County Health District issued a release regarding cooling centers in the area for those trying to stay cool in the heat. The release stated that with temperatures expected to be 100 degrees and over this week, all North Central Washington Libraries are open as cooling centers. ...

Quincy fire damages apartment building, displaces dozens

QUINCY — About 30 people were displaced from their apartments in the 430 block of Quincy’s East Street NE, following a late-afternoon fire Monday that destroyed four of the units and heavily damaged the others. No one was injured...

Ephrata Schools looking for new board member

EPHRATA - In a press release on July 26, the Ephrata School District announced that they were seeking candidates for an open position on the Ephrata School Board.

Mobile rec van brings fun to the Moses Lake parks

MOSES LAKE — It’s just fun to stack up a bunch of big plastic cups and knock them down. It’s just as much fun to play a supersize connect the dots game. . .

Mega Millions jackpot at $810 million

OLYMPIA - A press release on July 25 states that the Mega Millions lottery jackpot had grown to $810 million after its most recent drawing yielded no top-tier winners...

Power pole fire causes Monday outage

EPHRATA - At about 8 a.m. Monday, Grant County Public Utility District reported a large power outage just south of Ephrata which had been caused by a power pole fire. Christine Pratt, Public Information Officer for Grant PUD said the outage affected about 1,000 customers initially...

Audition dates announced for Masquers fall musical

'Once on this Island' coming to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — Auditions are scheduled for Aug. 14 and 15 for the fall musical presented by the Masquers Theater company. Auditions for “Once on this Island” will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 14 and 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at the theater, 322 East Main St., Soap Lake.

Mattawa increases dog license and impound fees

MATTAWA — Mattawa City Council members have increased dog license and dog impound fees as part of a review of the city’s fee schedule. “The current (fees) are not covering our costs,” Public Works Director Juan Ledezma said prior to the vote.

Basin students make EWU Dean’s List

CHENEY - Eastern Washington University released its dean’s list for the spring quarter 2022. Nearly a hundred Basin students made the list. EWU policies require an undergraduate student who earns 12 quality hours and receives a GPA of 3.5 or better to be placed on the Dean's List.

Regular grooming can keep your cat 'feline' fine

Cats are known to be fastidious groomers, but this doesn’t mean they can do it all on their own. In the summer, especially, the heat and humidity may make owners more conscious about the ways they can help their feline friends stay clean, cool, and well-groomed.