To Address the Declining Fortunes of the Young, We Need to Go Upstream

For 33 years, my organization has been sounding the alarm about the declining fortunes of young adults. The words of the 1988 Forgotten Half report are eerie today: “One of the cruelest myths of contemporary American life is the claim that our economy is healthy because unemployment is relatively low.”

GALLERY: Ephrata touch-a-truck attracts a crowd

EPHRATA - The Ephrata Touch-A-Truck event saw dozens of families at the Splash Zone parking lot on Saturday. More than a dozen emergency, construction and military vehicles from around the county were lined up with staff ready to greet patrons. Children were able to climb aboard some, and even turn on the lights or sirens in some cases. Others had gear and tools to share and explain what they do.

Potato exports rise with mixed distribution

DENVER — U.S. potato exports rose in the nine months from July 2021 through the end of March 2022, according to data released Wednesday from producer group USAPotatoes.

District competitions continue

As district competitions move to the final stages, here are some of the most recent results of those competitions. May 16 results: Almira/Coulee-Hartline fastpitch lost to Inchelium High School 21-23. They take on Wilbur-Creston on May 20 at 1 p.m. at Franklin Park in the consolation bracket. May 17 results: Wahluke fastpitch beat Toppenish High School 14-1 during a play-in for the district tournament. They take on College Place on May 19 at 4 p.m. at College Place High School in the first round of districts. Othello fastpitch beat Selah High School 4-1 to take the District 5/6 Championship and move on to the state tournament. Ephrata fastpitch lost to Ellensburg High School 9-14 in the district tournament and is out of the competition. They finished the season with a 13-11 record. Warden fastpitch beat Granger High School 17-0. They will play River View at Kiwanis Field on May 20 at 4 p.m. in the district semifinals. Othello soccer moved on to state after beating Grandview High School 3-0 in the consolation bracket. They placed second in the District 5/6 competition. They beat Clover Park 2-0 on May 17, in the first round of state. They will take on Columbia River, time and place are yet to be announced.

Soap Lake Suds N Sun planning underway

SOAP LAKE - The annual Soap Lake Suds N Sun Celebration is set for July 2-3 and planning is underway. The two-day event will include a soapbox derby, parade, beer garden, vendors, live music, kids activities, fireworks and the Seattle Cossacks, a motorcycle stunt and drill team.

Inslee appoints Doyle to building code council

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Tuesday he has appointed longtime building industry professional Daimon Doyle to the Washington State Building Code Council. Doyle is a builder, Life Director for the National Association of Home Builders and a former president of the Building Industry Association of Washington, with 30 years of experience in residential construction and a specialty in environmentally efficient, green building, according to a press release from Inslee’s office.

Police reports for May 18, 2022

MLPD, EPD, jail

Sports schedule May 18-24

Thursday May 19 4 p.m. - Royal fastpitch vs Naches Valley at Royal High School.

Job Corps recruiting new students

MOSES LAKE — Administrators of the federal Job Corps program have announced a recruitment drive, soliciting young people to fill open positions at Job Corps locations in Washington, including Moses Lake...

Rotary Club of Quincy receives award

WENATCHEE — The Rotary Club of Quincy was recognized for its support of Quincy School District students with a Friend of Children Award from the North Central Education Service District. The award was presented by the NCESD board of directors during its annual awards program on May 12.

Moses Lake Sears Hometown location closing

MOSES LAKE — The Sears Hometown outlet in downtown Moses Lake is closing its doors, and everything in stock is discounted as part of a “blowout sale,” with large appliances all 25% off, according to postings on the outlet’s Facebook page. Store manager Elizabeth Davis said she could not comment publicly on the closure, but noted the closure will not affect repairs and maintenance on the brands sold. “We don’t handle that,” she said.

Bomb threat causes temporary evacuation at MLHS

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School was evacuated briefly Tuesday afternoon after a bomb threat was phoned into the school. No one was injured. A message from MLHS principal Triscia Hochstatter said an investigation by the Moses Lake Police Department determined the threat was not credible.

State immunization rates decline

OLYMPIA — Immunization rates - for vaccines other than COVID-19 - for children and teens in Washington declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the Washington Department of Health. Immunization rates dropped 13% in 2021 when compared with rates prior to the pandemic, said a DOH press release...

Basin sports weekend roundup for March 13-15

A roundup of the Columbia Basin's high school sporting events from this past weekend.

State officials urge poultry growers to take steps to mitigate avian flu

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture is asking owners of chickens, ducks and other domestic birds to be vigilant following an outbreak of avian influenza in six non-commercial flocks statewide...

Climbers rescued from Mount Rainier

MOUNT RAINIER - Two climbers were rescued from the Kautz Climbing Route on Mount Rainier on Friday after inclement weather forced them to halt their climb....

Catherine Elaine Rose

Cathy Rose passed away on April 30, 2022. She was born April 30, 1940, making her 82 years of age.

Legals for May, 17 2022

Body of Moses Lake resident found near Kennewick

MOSES LAKE — The body of a Moses Lake woman missing since early March was found late Thursday in a remote section of Walla Walla County not far from Kennewick...

Catalytic converter thefts impact local food banks

MOSES LAKE — Thieves stole a catalytic converter from a truck at the Moses Lake Food Bank on May 8, a theft that has consequences beyond the immediate damage, said food bank director Peny Archer. “(The theft) means we’re having it repaired, which basically means there’s less food we can buy,” Archer said...