Ephrata PD officer stops theft of nearly $600,000

EPHRATA – In early June, a call was made by Grant County Public Works to the Ephrata Police Department for a theft through deception of three checks totaling nearly $600,000. Ephrata PD Officer Zach Smith, who has been with the department for nearly five years, responded to the call and began investigating the theft.

‘Conflict of interest’ alleged in complaint against Solicitor General Noah Purcell

(The Center Square) – A complaint against Solicitor General Noah Purcell with the Washington State Executive Ethics Board has been rejected for investigation despite allegations that the decision by Executive Director Kate Reynolds was made amid a conflict of interest.

Ceremonies planned for 9/11 remembrance

MOSES LAKE — Several local communities will hold remembrances of the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks on Thursday. All are open to the public.

‘It’s gonna be a busy Saturday'

Community events set to fill downtown Moses Lake this weekend

MOSES LAKE – Downtown Moses Lake is going to see a lot of activity this coming weekend with Sip ‘n Stroll, Art on 3rd, the Moses Lake Care Fair and the farmers market all happening Saturday. Not to mention the Columbia Basin Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Colors of Hope events, as well as Kicks & Coffee Streetwear Fair at the Favored Farmhouse.

Legals for September, 9 2025

Arlington man arrested for vehicle theft in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – Colin James Golden, 37, of Arlington was lodged into Grant County Jail Sunday for the investigation of a driving under the influence, attempting to elude police, resisting arrest, obstructing law enforcement and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to GCSO.

Moses Lake man convicted in child pornography case

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was convicted last week of possessing child pornography, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Michael Boyer, 69, was convicted in Grant County Superior Court on four counts of first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to the GCSO statement. In September 2023, GCSO and Moses Lake Police Department detectives received a case referral from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Seattle. The tip was from Google, identifying Boyer as the suspect, along with his birthdate, phone number and two email addresses. “The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is a national network of 61 task forces, and their mission is to investigate, prosecute and develop effective responses to the Internet Crimes Against Children,” GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said.

Shots fired on West Broadway Avenue

MOSES LAKE – On Saturday at around 9 p.m. there was a report made of shots fired at 1842 West Broadway Avenue, according to Moses Lake Police Department. Upon police arrival, officers determined a physical altercation had occurred. During the fight, one of the individuals involved produced a firearm and discharged several rounds.

Nearly 80,500 acres burning in WA on Monday

MOSES LAKE — Washington’s fire season is heating up with nearly 80,500 acres burning across the state as of Monday. “Part of the reason that you are seeing a lot of those large fires on the landscape is because we had several lightning storms that moved through during red flag conditions,” Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer Ryan Rodruck said. Despite this, the fire season is still under the 10-year average of about 470,000 acres with the state sitting at around 122,300 acres this year.

Weather for the week of Sept. 8, 2025

Weather for the week of Sept. 8, 2025

GCSO wins 10th annual Battle of the Badges

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff's Office has been crowned 2025 Battle of the Badges champions. This was their 10th annual softball game. According to Sheriff Joey Kriete, this year's turnout looked to be their best yet.

Minor injuries when driver of stolen car attempts to flee police

MOSES LAKE — The driver of a stolen car received minor injuries when the unidentified driver lost control of the car while attempting to flee from law enforcement.

Arrests made in Mattawa homicide

MATTAWA — Two juveniles have been arrested and booked into the Chelan County Juvenile Detention Center in connection with the murder of a Mattawa man Aug. 17. The Mattawa Police Department announced the arrests Thursday night.

Grant helps fund WSU residency program at Samaritan

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare and Washington State University have received a $750,000 federal grant to begin planning for residency program at Samaritan. Students in the family medicine program at WSU’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine will receive some of their training in Moses Lake.

WAHLUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT DIRECTOR: Candidates Q&A

MATTAWA – There are two candidates running for the Wahluke School District Director District 5 position. The candidates are Elia Mendoza and board president and incumbent Luke Jenne.

Audit shows $32K misappropriated from East Adams hospital

RITZVILLE — A former employee at East Adams Rural Healthcare misappropriated about $32,000 in 2023, according to a report released Thursday by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. The report said the former accounting clerk pleaded guilty to four charges in April 2024 and served 60 days in jail.

Brush fire engulfs house in Ephrata

EPHRATA – There was a report made of a brush fire in the 2200 block of Basin Street in Ephrata at around 12 p.m. Thursday, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. When crews arrived on scene, it was discovered that there was a house involved in the fire. “The one occupant of the house was rescued safely by sheriff’s deputies,” Foreman said.

Royal City Lions Park Phase I upgrades near completion

ROYAL CITY — A new soccer field in Royal City’s Lions Park should be ready for use in early October. “The project is not complete, (but) the major part is complete,” Royal City Mayor Mike Christensen said. “The turf is down; the fence is in.”

Legals for September, 4 2025

SOAP LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT POS. 5 Q&A: Leavell vs. Novik

SOAP LAKE – There are two candidates running for the Soap Lake School District Director position 5 role. The candidates are Rebecca Leavell and Mark Novick. Both candidates were given the questions below and given identical deadlines and word count restrictions for their answers.