Ellensburg man sentenced for child sex trafficking

YAKIMA — A Yakima County Superior Court Judge has sentenced an Ellenburg man netted in a nationwide child sex trafficking sting to nearly six years in prison, according to an announcement from Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson...

Avian Flu continues to spread across state

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Health on Friday announced that it has confirmed two cases of avian influenza in two backyard flocks in Yakima County, bringing to 10 the number of counties in Washington where the highly contagious disease has been found. “The virus continues to be present in all corners of our state,” said Washington State Veterinarian Amber Itle in a press release. “It’s so important we remain vigilant.” ...

Forecasters issue flood watch for Columbia River

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — Unusually heavy rain and a melting snowpack have pushed the Columbia River to near flood stage from Vancouver to Longview, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters issued a flood watch early Sunday for areas along the Columbia in the greater Vancouver and Portland metro areas, as well as along the lower Columbia and Interstate 5 corridor in Cowlitz County, the Columbian reported.

Keeping them safe: ACPR works to help the four-legged residents of Adams County

OTHELLO — While there’s usually a full house at Adams County Pet Rescue, some days are fuller than others. May 12 turned out to be a very busy day. “We got in 15 animals this morning,” ACPR employee Anita Plancarte said. The intake included dogs reported running loose just outside Othello, out by the canal. “We got a call about seven pups, and it ended up being a mom and six puppies. So we went out and caught them,” Plancarte said...

State regulators charge PacifiCorp with failure to plan

LACEY — The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, the body that regulates the state’s utilities, has filed a complaint against Oregon-based utility PacifiCorp for failing to consider the social cost of greenhouse gas emissions as it crafted its clean energy implementation plan, according to a commission press release.

GCPUD performing maintenance near Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — Contractors hired by the Grant County PUD will be testing power poles and performing preventive maintenance from Soap Lake north to the Grant County line. The work started June 6 and will continue through the end of 2022...

Home health care worker charged with unprofessional conduct

MOSES LAKE — A Grant County home health care aide has been charged with unprofessional conduct by the Washington Department of Health. Alison Sedlacek allegedly took a hydrocodone pill from the facility where she worked, according to a DOH statement of charges. Sedlacek was employed at Penny’s Adult Family Home in Moses Lake in 2021. She is accused of taking the medication from a resident in March 2021. Operators of the facility conducted an investigation and Sedlacek admitted taking the medication, according to the statement of charges. Sedlacek did not respond to a DOH request for information by the Sept. 16, 2021, deadline.

Frenchman Hills Road rebuild nearly done

March canal breach leads to

QUINCY — Grant County road crews have nearly finished repairing stretches of Frenchman Hills Road that were washed out when a canal failed in March. “The only thing left is to brush the chip sealing,” said Grant County Engineer Dave Bren, adding the repaired portions of the road will also be striped...

WA fire marshal offers grilling safety tips

OLYMPIA — The State Fire Marshal’s Office issued a release on Tuesday about outdoor grilling safety as the Pacific Northwest begins to warm up. “Although safe when used correctly, barbeque related fires are significant factors for both property damage and burn injuries,” the release said. It goes on to say on average 10,600 home fires are started each year and 19,700 patients are sent to hospital emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills, according to the National Fire Protection Association...

Chinook season extended in North Fork Nooksack River

NOOKSACK - A section of the North Fork Nooksack River has been opened for hatchery spring Chinook fishing and retention. The action took place yesterday, and continues to June 30, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

WA apple scholarship awardees include 33 locals

WENATCHEE — Five students from Adams County and 28 from Grant County are among the 318 recipients of scholarships awarded this year by the Washington Apple Foundation, according to a press release. According to the press release, the foundation is giving out over $1 million in new and renewed scholarships to students whose families have ties to the growing, harvesting and packing of apples, pears and cherries, with most employed in orchards and packing houses...

Moses Lake police warn of scam calls

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake police are warning residents of a scam that’s making the rounds in the area. Several local residents have reported receiving phone calls purporting to be from the city, according to a social media post from the MLPD. The caller ID shows as City of Moses Lake 509-764-3701, and the caller reportedly demands money in payment for damages done to a local business...

Forest Service offers fee-free access to day-use rec areas for National Get Outdoors Day

The U.S. Forest Service announced on Tuesday that June 11 is National Get Outdoors day and they will waive fees at designated day-use sites. The announcement states National Get Outdoors Day, or "GO Day", is an annual event that encourages healthy, active outdoor fun by introducing citizens to outdoor recreation opportunities close to home...

ML museum to host drum circle

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum and Art Center will host a drum circle Saturday, according to a press release from the museum. The drum circle will take place at Civic Center Park if the weather is good, and move to the Civic Center auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St., if it’s not....

Heavy fire season predicted for state

OLYMPIA – The upcoming wildfire season could yield higher-than-typical forest fire activity in parts of Washington state. An above-average wildfire season in eastern Washington is anticipated due in large part to drought, according to a press release from The National Interagency Fire Center...

Othello council approves school resource officer contract

OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department will continue to provide two school resource officers to the Othello School District.

News roundup: Sheriff to retire, wolf board, MLHS students keep running

Our Grant County Sheriff is hanging up his spurs, there’s still time to get on the WAG, and a pair of Moses Lake teens are on the fast track. Here’s what’s happening in the Basin today:

This week's sports schedule

Despite summer break around the corner and high school sports winding down, there are still a handful of local, regional and national events going on this week including the WDFW’s Free Fishing Weekend...

Moses Lake service dog in the running for national award

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake service dog Sherman Gepherd is one of 21 semifinalists out of more than 400 candidates across the country in the 2022 American Humane Hero Dog Awards. According to a June 6 press release from American Humane. “The Hero Dog Awards shines a bright light on man’s best friend and celebrates the strength, hope and beauty that dogs bring to our lives,” said Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane in the announcement...

Police records for June 8, 2022

EPD, MLPD, jail