UMANI Festival sees successes in 2025

MOSES LAKE – The Annual UMANI festival was held on Saturday this year on Third Avenue hosted by Columbia Basin Allied Arts, the Moses Lake Public Library and EDUBS. “It went really well,” said Colombia Basin Allied Arts Executive Director Shawn Cardwell. “We’re grateful to the city for hosting us so generously and I think every performance was fantastic, all the food was delicious, all the resources were engaging, and the lowriders were gorgeous.”

Othello candidate forum Oct. 7

OTHELLO — Othello-area voters will get a chance to listen to candidates for local offices at a forum Oct. 7 at The Showhouse, 130 N. Broadway Ave., Othello. Showhouse co-owner Tania Morales said the forum is the continuation of what its former and current owners consider a public service. “The previous owners, the Reicherts, actually have held several candidate forums here,” Morales said. “And community members have approached us and told us, ‘You guys should consider doing this.’” School board positions are among the races on the 2025 ballot, which makes it difficult to use school district locations, she said. “The Showhouse has a stage, and lights and sound and everything. This is where the Reicherts (sponsored) them. A lot of people came up to us and said, ‘Hey you guys should do this.’ And we (said), ‘We’ve never done it before,’ and then we just said, ‘Hey, why not?’ So, we decided to go for it,” she said.

College football recap

MOSES LAKE – Another week of college football in Washington has wrapped up. Some teams fell short in conference play, while others were an imposing force over their opponents. See below where your favorite collegiate football programs stand.

Jacks earn first win of the season

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks (1-3) earned their first win of the season Friday, overcoming the Wapato Wolves 35-14 on the road. Head Coach Seth Longwill said he was happy with what he saw from his players. “I thought the kids really stepped up and they wanted it, they just kept fighting and playing hard, which is what we’ve been encouraging, not getting down and working together,” Longwill said. In the first quarter, the Jacks struck first after quarterback Pierce Bierlink found Jace Reyes on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The Wolves did not respond offensively, and the Jacks finished the first quarter with a 7-0 lead.

Charles Frederick Widmer

Nov. 8, 1943 — Sept. 22, 2025

Charles Frederick Widmer, 81, of Moses Lake passed away peacefully on Sept. 22, 2025, with his wife and son at his side. He was born in Woodburn, Oregon on Nov. 8, 1943, to the late John and Louise Grant and later adopted by Albert and Hannah Widmer of Warden, Washington. Charles was a dedicated family man, a loving husband to his wife of 54 years Carol and a proud supportive father to his three children Deborah, Charles Jr. and Christopher. He attended Big Bend Community College before being drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam. He returned to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, as a sergeant E5. He served his country from July 21, 1969, to April 19, 1971. He returned back to Warden, Washington and farmed until he retired.

Thi Sahn Ayers

Jan. 1, 1936 — Sept. 23, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thi Sanh Ayers, who peacefully departed on Sept. 23, 2025, in Moses Lake, Washington, at the age of 89, after a long battle with various illnesses. Born on Jan. 1, 1936, in Can Tho, Vietnam, Thi Sanh moved to the United States in 1975 and dedicated the last 50 years to making Moses Lake her beloved home. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Sanh will be cherished for her fierce fighting spirit, her incredible survivor mentality, and her deep passion for gardening, cooking, and fishing.

Ephrata welcomes a sweet new shop

Moonbeam Sweets and Treats opens on First Avenue and offers desserts galore.

EPHRATA – Moonbeam Sweets and Treats is the newest addition to local businesses in Ephrata. The shop is located at 156 First Ave NW and features a variety of different sweet treats.

Palmer’s Adventure Farm kicks off Fall Fest

MOSES LAKE – Palmer’s Adventure Farm has begun its Fall Fest over the weekend. Formerly known as StrawBelly’s, the farm held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon to celebrate their new branding and new location.

Samaritan Hospital opening scheduled for March 2026

MOSES LAKE — The projected opening day for the new Samaritan Hospital is about six months away. “We expect that we would get the temporary certificate of occupancy Dec. 12,” said Samaritan Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan. “And then the first patients March 7, 2026.” Construction has reached the stage of painting walls, installing doors, finishing installing lights and starting to install equipment. Crews were putting together some of the imaging equipment Tuesday morning.

Zolman retires from Quincy hospital commission after 20 years

QUINCY — Randy Zolman said he didn’t know much about the job when he joined the Quincy Valley Medical Center commission in 2005. “I had no idea,” he said. “I thought it would be interesting.” Zolman resigned earlier this month after 20 years as a QVMC commissioner; his term would have ended in December. Ronald Huxtable is running unopposed for the position and was appointed to the QVMC commission at its Sept. 22 meeting.

Paws for applause: Meet PeePaw

MOSES LAKE – In the heart of Grant County Animal Outreach, a star is born! PeePaw, the one-month-old prodigy pup, is wagging his way into hearts with his ruff-et-table charm. This neutered, vaccinated and microchipped mixed breed is ready for his "furever" home. PeePaw may be pint-sized, but he's got a paw-sitive outlook bigger than the biggest of breeds. Don't let this opportunity paws by; come say hello to PeePaw, our little tail-wagging newsworthy nugget. If he happens to steal your heart, fill out his application at GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org. If you can’t adopt right now, but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Tigers’ Pichardo in the running for Youth Athlete of the Year

EPHRATA – Ephrata Tigers junior soccer player Diego Pichardo was nominated for the 2025 Youth Athlete of the Year award and placed fourth overall in the rankings after making it to the semifinal round.

Gene (Clinton) Smith

June 11, 1952 — Sept. 23, 2025

Gene Smith, 73, passed away peacefully, Sept. 23, 2025, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington. Gene was born June 11, 1952, to Clinton and Geneva Smith in Seattle, Washington. They moved to Moses Lake in 1957 where he went to school and raised a family. Gene graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1971 and married Naomi Johnson that same year. They were married 54 years at the time of his death. Gene worked for Americold, then moved on to Columbia Colstor where he retired. He quickly became bored and went to work at Genie until he had to quit working.

Jeffrey Sparr

Aug. 10, 1958 — Sept. 11, 2025

Jeffrey Scott Sparr, 67, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Jeff was born on Aug. 10, 1958 in Red Oak, Iowa to Max and Lynn Sparr. He grew up in a loving household with five siblings. He moved to Moses Lake, Washington with his family when he was a teenager. Jeff started working at Ranch and Home when he was 15 years old. He became general manager of the store, now called North 40 Outfitters, and worked there for over 45 years. He loved spending time at the store, and the good friendships that he developed through the store. While growing up, Jeff enjoyed riding the minibike he built and helping on his grandparents' farm. His favorite pastimes include working on vehicles, fixing things, fishing, watching Gonzaga basketball and taking trips to see his friends in Mexico. He was recognized as Moses Lake Roundup Man of the Year in 2015. Jeff was a hard worker, good-natured, loved helping people and was always smiling.

Merlin D. Jones

Jan. 12, 1948 — Sept. 26, 2025

Merlin Daniel Jones, 77, passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at Othello Care. He was born Jan. 12, 1948, in Ephrata, Washington to Clifford and Evelyn Salkield Jones of Mae Valley. He went to school in Moses Lake until he joined the Army in 1966. He was in transportation in Germany which gave him the opportunity to travel much in that country which he grew to love. He served in Vietnam then return to Germany where he met and married Suse Knoedler in 1972. He was transferred to the U.S. about 1975 and retired from the Army in 1981. He moved back to Moses Lake. He retired from Basic American Potato around 2013 due to advancing Parkinson’s.

Kershaw works 5 1/3 scoreless innings in final regular-season start as Dodgers top Mariners 6-1

SEATTLE (AP) — Clayton Kershaw tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the final regular-season start of his 18-year major league career and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Seattle Mariners 6-1 on Sunday. Kershaw (11-2) scattered four hits, three of them singles, and struck out seven, including the last batter he faced — the Mariners’ Eugenio Suárez. The 37-year-old left-hander turned to his slider in the top of the sixth to retire Suárez for the 3,052nd strikeout of his career. He then left the game to a standing ovation from a sellout crowd at T-Mobile Park.

NCW Libraries offers civics, discourse programs

MOSES LAKE – North Central Washington libraries will host a digital Fall Program series for adults in partnership with Oregon Humanities and the NCW Equity Alliance that centers on the core values of listening, learning and building community. “The idea is just to bring people together to have reflective conversations,” said Alicia O’Dell, Adult Services Manager at NCW Libraries. “To think and share together and just kind of reevaluate what we think and hear from different perspectives with the goal of learning from one another.”

Gaines appointed Grant County Administrator

EPHRATA — Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines has been appointed as interim Grant County Administrator. Grant County Commissioner Cindy Carter said it’s something commissioners have been thinking about for a while, and advertised for applications about two months ago.

Reptiles, learning and local fun

April the Reptile Lady coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – The City of Moses Lake Museum and Art Center is hosting free family Saturday, Oct. 4, featuring a presentation from April Jackson or as she’s better known, April the Reptile Lady.

Mavs slow pitch remains undefeated

MOSES LAKE – On Thursday, the Mavericks (10-0) took care of business after having to pivot and move their game to home field due to air quality. They swept the Wenatchee Panthers 14-2 and 19-3 in doubleheader action.