Law enforcement logs for March 15, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Samaritan to demonstrate new surgical robot Monday

MOSES LAKE — People who are curious about the new surgical robot put into service in November at Samaritan Hospital can see it for themselves during a demonstration at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the 4-H building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3593 Airway Drive NE.

Othello secures $400K for water plant design

City works to have a more diverse source of water for residents, businesses

OTHELLO – The city of Othello announced during Monday’s regular City Council meeting that the city had secured $400,000 in additional funding from the 2024 legislative session to go toward the design of a water treatment plant.

ACH golf prepares for upcoming season

COULEE CITY – Almira/Coulee-Hartline’s golf team more than doubled in size from a year ago, bringing eight golfers into the 2024 season. The Warriors had three golfers in 2023, with two of them reaching the postseason.

Educators connect students with careers

MOSES LAKE — The North Central Educational Service District has stepped up its outreach efforts recently in Grant County, finding ways to bring businesses and schools together to build a skilled workforce in the community.

Historic road trips

Quincy museum announces 2024 educational field trip schedule

QUINCY — The Quincy Valley Historical Society & Museum will be back on the road for 2024 with a series of tours and lectures detailing the geological and human history of the region. Seating on the bus is limited; interested people can go on the museum website and purchase tickets. Ticket prices vary depending on the tour and whether or not the tour includes lunch, said QVHSM Director of Operations Harriet Weber.

Overcoming challenges

Ephrata's Ben Belino overcomes physical challenges to compete after accident leads to amputation.

EPHRATA – Back in December, Ephrata High School senior Ben Belino received the EHS Challenge Coin, a memento for Tiger students and staff who accomplish extraordinary things.

Mavs-Tigers soccer match ends in a draw

EPHRATA – Two goals by Ephrata in the final 10 minutes sealed the draw in Tuesday’s non-league game against Moses Lake, ending the game in a 3-3 tie.

Ephrata community donates upgrades to EHS sports facilities

EPHRATA – The softball facilities Ephrata High School uses for its teams got an upgrade thanks to community support, according to an announcement from EHS.

Tigers have mixed results on the court in first two meets

EPHRATA – The Ephrata boys tennis team had a mixed result in the players' first couple of pre-league meets, first in Quincy on Saturday then in Chelan on Tuesday, said Tigers head tennis coach Courtney Burck.

Quincy Event Center upgrade gets $309K in state funds

QUINCY – The Port of Quincy Center Event Center Upgrade Project was recently awarded $309,000 in funding from the Washington State Legislature for Phase 1 of the project, according to a Tuesday announcement from the port.

State shrubsteppe habitat conservation plan submitted

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Conservation Commission and Washington State Department of Natural Resources last week submitted a new plan to the state Legislature intended to guide future conservation of Washington’s shrubsteppe habitat, according to a Monday WDFW announcement.

Warden updates payment agreement with ACPR

WARDEN – Warden City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to increase the payment per animal for dogs sent to Adams County Pet Rescue from $50 to $150, updating the city’s five-year-old agreement with the shelter and potentially helping the city pick up more strays.

CWU professor’s award-winning geology show renewed for another season

ELLENSBURG – Since 2017, Nick Zentner has been bringing his love of geology to fans across the world on his Emmy Award-winning show, Nick on the Rocks.

Basin sports schedule for March 13-19

COLUMBIA BASIN – Spring sports is in full swing – had to say it, this is the golf preview after all – in the Basin. This week sees baseball, tennis, softball and golf for multiple area schools.

EPHRATA TIGERS: Solid reload

Despite losing several solid golfers from last year, Tigers looking to do well on course in 2024

EPHRATA – Ephrata Golf Coach Greg Hewitt said he expects both the 12 girls and 14 boys on the Tigers golf team to perform well this year as he works to move the team into competition this spring, despite it being a “reload year” for the team. “This is a reloading year and we’re not considering that for the boys,” he said, “We’re considering it as we are reloading and the expectations are still there.”

Pivotal moments

Royal students showcase history’s defining events

ROYAL CITY — There’s an old adage that says “For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost,” meaning that big changes in history often hinge on single events. Royal School District students identified some of those pivotal moments at the Central Washington Regional History Day competition Saturday at Davis High School in Yakima.

Mattawa passes dangerous dog rules

MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve new codes regarding the city’s animal control operations and the designation of potentially dangerous dogs, as well as restrictions for problem dog owners. City Attorney Katherine Kenison introduced the changes to the code. “This ordinance is in response partially to your current animal control ordinance, which doesn't really address the potentially dangerous dog component of dangerous dogs under the state statute, and it didn't define a process for how you're handling potentially dangerous dogs,” she said. “You've had, as you've heard, some more activity with your dogs at large, which has resulted in a few incidents where there has been some human contact with the dogs.”

Warden golf coach discusses young team, season aspirations

WARDEN – Warden Boys Golf Head Coach Tim Carlberg outlined what the team is expecting as the spring golf season begins and what the team’s focuses are this year. “Our turnout numbers have been really good,” Carlberg said. “The size of our team is doubled this year, so I've got quite a few kids turning out. Some of our core players are very young, and they have a little bit of experience playing golf, so we're building our program, and the kids that have a little bit of experience under their belt are competitive with the kids from other schools.”

Broncos bring 10 golfers into 2024 season

RITZVILLE – Including one state qualifier returning from last year’s team, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague golf team brings a unit of 10 golfers into the 2024 season, an increase of last year’s six players. “We’ve got a pretty good sophomore class,” LRS golf coach Jack Welker said. “I think five freshmen came in and they’re all a good group of kids that have been working together and playing on the golf course since they were little.”