Moses Lake to budget $1M match toward water meter grant.

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake City Council Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a resolution supporting the application requesting $1,000,000 in federal funding assistance under the Water SMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant for the installation and implementation of advanced metering infrastructure throughout the city.

Ephrata School Board accepts grant, reviews finances

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School Board had a busy evening during their regular meeting Monday night with multiple financial topics, security and the acceptance of the resignation of Superintendent Tim Payne.

Turnovers lead Mavs’ loss to Lewiston

MOSES LAKE – A flurry of first-half turnovers allowed the visiting Lewiston Bengals to build a 20-plus point lead over Moses Lake during the first half, later riding out to an 81-36 win over the Mavericks Tuesday night.

Big Bend wrestling makes move to NJCAA

MOSES LAKE – Big Bend wrestling for both men and women is making the jump to the National Junior College Athletic Association the college announced Tuesday, joining the ranks of a Division I wrestling program.

Rooted in community

Ephrata Grocery Outlet owners enjoy being a part of a small town and connecting with people.

EPHRATA – Steve and Heather Brown bought the Ephrata Grocery Outlet location in late 2022, and now, just over a year later, they appear to be happy with the decision to buy in a smaller community.

Stars on stage

Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars brings a touch of local glamor

MOSES LAKE — The light fantastic was well and truly tripped Friday night at the Wallenstien Theater, as local residents showed their best dance moves at Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars.

Basin sports schedule Jan. 24-30

COLUMBIA BASIN – Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local basketball, swim and dive and wrestling events.

Legals for January, 24 2024

Mattawa approves City Hall improvement funding application

MATTAWA – The Mattawa City Council approved the city’s most recent comprehensive plan and periodic update and a legislative appropriations application for improvements to Mattawa City Hall during Monday’s regular meeting.

Four-vehicle pileup blocks S.R. 26

ROYAL CITY — Two people were injured in a four-vehicle collision Monday afternoon near Royal City, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.

Dent proposes bill to promote local, regional firefighting cooperation

OLYMPIA — Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, proposed a new legislation to establish a pilot project aimed at reducing the high number of wildfire incidents in Washington state. The project involves fostering collaborations between public-private partnerships, local agencies and farmers.

Wahluke school bus involved in collision near Mattawa

MATTAWA — Thirteen students and one Mattawa resident were injured Monday around 3:30 p.m. in a collision between a Wahluke school bus and a pickup truck on Road O Southwest near Mattawa, according to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office statement. None of the injuries were life-threatening. GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said the driver of the 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup, 48-year-old Jose Ramirez of Mattawa, was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. “The students that were transported were divided up between two hospitals, Foreman said. “Their injuries were bumps, bruises, cuts, nothing life-threatening and nothing terribly serious.”

Francisco "Frank" Chavez

Oct. 4, 1944 — Jan. 19, 2024

Francisco “Pancho” or “Frank” Jose Chavez, born October 4, 1944, a longtime Moses Lake resident passed away Friday, January 19, 2024, at home after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.

David Watkins Cooper Sr.

July 21, 1940 — Jan. 9, 2024

Our beloved David Watkins Cooper Sr., 83, of Kennewick, Washington, went to be with the Lord on January 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 21, 1940, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to the late Dorothy and Dorsey Cooper.

Legals for January, 23 2024

Legislature considering bill to eliminate time changes in Wash.

OLYMPIA - Washingtonians may lose their cherished ultra-late-night sunsets in the summer if Washington state opts for permanent Pacific Standard Time. "If Congress had acted, we would not be here with this bill," remarked Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley.

Open for therapy

MOSES LAKE - Physical Therapist Steve Roylance cuts the ribbon at Columbia Physical Therapy’s new location, surrounded by staff and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members. Staff, from left: Lead Aide Emily Pruneda, Office Assistant Yaslyn Gonzales (partially obscured behind Pruneda), Office Manager Lindsey Anderson, Physical Therapist Assistant Christena Reed, Roylance, Physical Therapist David Jensen, Office Aide Crystal Egia and Clinic Aide Jazlyn Wortham (behind Egia). Columbia Physical Therapy will hold its grand opening and open house Friday from 3 to 7 p.m.

Wagner requests better pay for staff

RITZVILLE – The Adams County Commissioners meetings Jan. 16 and 17 featured significant discussion regarding a need in certain corrections and administrative positions for new pay structures to retain employees and keep wages competitive. The meeting also featured an update on Adams County Jail staffing.

ACH boys, girls pick up wins over Mary Walker

COULEE CITY – Both the Almira/Coulee-Hartline boys and girls basketball teams picked up wins over Mary Walker Friday night, with the girls surrendering a season-low eight points in a 60-8 win and the boys using a fast start to defeat the Chargers 61-45.

Joseph Harvey Russell

Joseph Harvey Russell, 96, of Moses Lake passed away on January 19, 2024. A memorial service will be held at the Ephrata American Legion at 276 8th Avenue NW at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024.