Basin students make UW dean’s list

COLUMBIA BASIN - More than 20 students from the Columbia Basin have been named to the dean's list at the University of Washington for Autumn 2021 Quarter. To qualify, a student must have completed at least 12 graded credits and have a grade point average of at least 3.5...

Fires banned at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Hanford Reach

OTHELLO — All activities likely to start a fire have been banned on national wildlife refuges in the Mid-Columbia region, effective through Sept. 30. The region includes the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge near Othello. The order also applies to the Hanford Reach National Monument...

Police records for June 29, 2022

EPD, OPD, MLPD, jail

Inmate, deputy injured in AC jail fight

RITZVILLE — An Adams County Jail inmate and an Adams County Sheriff’s Office corrections deputy were both injured in a fight at the Adams County Jail early Tuesday, according to an ACSO press release posted on the agency’s Facebook page.

Rectenwald appointed as interim Grant County Sheriff

EPHRATA — Grant County Undersheriff Ryan Rectenwald has been appointed as the interim Grant County Sheriff. Grant County Commissioners approved the appointment Tuesday.

Fire ban implemented at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Hanford Reach

OTHELLO — All activities likely to start a fire have been banned on national wildlife refuges in the Mid-Columbia region, effective through Sept. 30. The region includes the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge near Othello.

Nominations open for state diversity award

OLYMPIA — Nominations are open through Aug. 25 for the Governor’s Employer awards, sponsored by the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.

Sheriff, Patrol urge caution when using fireworks this July 4

EPHRATA — With the Independence Day holiday coming up, the Washington State Patrol and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office are advising everyone to buy their fireworks legally and to use them safely.

Soap Lake man arrested after standoff

SOAP LAKE - Joseph Loan, 67, of Soap Lake is in custody after a six-hour standoff with law enforcement in Soap Lake. Loan is facing four charges after barricading himself inside his trailer in Soap Lake Monday night. Loan has been charged with two counts of attempted assault 1 on law enforcement and two counts of felony harassment threats to kill...

ACSO seeks 2 in relation to Othello-area shooting

RITZVILLE — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the whereabouts of a pair of teenagers wanted in connection with a shooting near Othello late Sunday. In a statement, the ASCO said deputies are looking for Arturo Pineda-Feliciano, 18, and Gustavo Pineda-Feliciano, 16, for possible knowledge of or involvement in a shooting late Sunday on Charla Road, in an unincorporated neighborhood west of Othello...

Melcher appointed to Charter Commission

OLYMPIA – House Minority Leader J. T. Wilcox, R-Pierce County, recently appointed Vickey Melcher to a 4-year term on the Washington State Charter School Commission...

GESA seeks applications for local heroes grants

RICHLAND — Gesa Credit Union is seeking applicants for its 2022 Local Heroes Grants Program. The program, which will award grants of up to $50,000 to community nonprofit groups and organizations that serve what the credit union calls local heroes — police, firefighters, healthcare workers, teachers and veterans — is in its second year, and is expected to offer around $250,000 in grants in communities served by Gesa, according to a press release...

First aid for pets

When a friend or significant other gets hurt we generally have a good idea of how to take care of them, but what do you do when your pet is in an emergency? Unfortunately, most pet owners do not prepare themselves for these tragic incidents until it is too late. “It is absolutely necessary to know if your veterinarian has an after hour emergency service and if not, who they recommend calling in case of an emergency,” said Dr. Mark Stickney, Clinical Associate Professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “It is also imperative that you can call your veterinarian for advice on what to do to help your pet until you can get it to a clinic.” ...

Pride run colors the streets of Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Two miles of Moses Lake streets were colored with the shades of the rainbow on Saturday, with more than 100 participants showing for the Pride Color Run hosted by New Hope/Kids Hope.

Legals for June, 27 2022

MLSD board approves walking path agreement

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will pay up to 50%, to a maximum of $50,000, of the cost of building a walking path along East Nelson Road on the approach to Groff Elementary. “Last year, the school district and the city were working together to partner on a walking path to (Groff Elementary). For some reason that fell apart last year, even though we had met with a contractor. We walked the property, the city has the space to do it on the right of way, but it fell through,” MLSD Board Chair Kevin Fuhr said. “I am proposing this year that we get it done - we can get it done this summer.” ...

VA health records bill signed into law

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden on Thursday signed into law a bill sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray designed to improve transparency in the way the Veterans Administration handles electronic medical records. According to a press release from Murray’s office, the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act was passed with significant bipartisan support and would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit regular reports to Congress on the costs, performance standards and outcomes of the VA’s electronic health record system.

Deane case still active, pending lab results

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Prosecutor’s Office has yet to file charges against Eric Deane, who was arrested Tuesday in Moses Lake on suspicion of drug possession. “We’ve not filed charges yet. There are a couple of things we need from the investigators,” said Ed Owens, chief criminal deputy prosecuting attorney for Grant County...

Roe overturned: State by state impacts

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. In anticipation of the decision, several states led by Democrats have taken steps to protect abortion access. The decision also sets up the potential for legal fights between the states over whether providers and those who help women obtain abortions can be sued or prosecuted. Here is an overview of abortion legislation and the expected impact of the court's decision in every state...

Buying still the best option

Despite market challenges, area agents still suggest purchasing over renting

COLUMBIA BASIN - Jennifer Kron a broker with Moses Lake Realty Group said it still makes more sense to purchase rather than rent, despite the increase in mortgage rates, a housing shortage and rising home prices throughout the Columbia Basin. “It’s our job to educate the community and educate the buyers and remind them that it is still the best investment of your life to purchase real estate,” said Kron...