BBCC volleyball coach starts tenure with tradition

MOSES LAKE – Last week, Vikings volleyball held an annual camp for local volleyball players ranging from third grade to the 12th grade. This year's camp was led by new head coach Lindsey Linthicum, who thought starting with tradition was a great way to kickstart a new era. “I knew that there was a camp that the previous coach and other previous coaches had always put on (camps) at the end of July. So, I just figured, ‘You know what? Let's just keep the tradition rolling.’ That's something that I'm big on. I came here 15 years ago to play and fell in love with this place,” Linthicum said.

Moses Lake Junior Mavs look ahead to coming season

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Jr. Mavericks organization is preparing for the start of the Fall 2025 season. The program through Columbia Basin Youth Football is open to grades K-8 with regular registration ending August 16. “Our mission extends beyond the field. We aim to instill discipline, teamwork, and resilience in our young athletes while creating a seamless developmental path that prepares them for future success – both in football and in life,” said Tyson Olson, president of the Moses Lake Jr Maverick Football program.

Idaho prosecutors to victims: 'You will not be forgotten'

Latah County officials reflect on UI quadruple murder case

A week after Bryan Kohberger, 30, was sentenced to four life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of the four college students, longtime Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ashley Jennings reflected on the case which has filled much of their time for the better part of three years.

WAHLUKE SCHOOL BOARD: Elia Mendoza

MATTAWA — Elia Mendoza, a candidate for the Wahluke School Board, said her background and diverse experiences have helped shape her commitment to enhancing opportunities and fostering community partnerships, if elected to the board. "I have always been dedicated to providing education and technical assistance, whether it is with small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic or as a substitute teacher," she said.

Rental market slowly loosening in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — The rental market in Grant County is slowly thawing as more inventory comes into the market.

Knights’ Brown eager to hit the pitch for the Huskies

ROYAL CITY – On May 28, Knights soccer player, Anderson Brown, announced his commitment to play for the University of Washington’s soccer program. According to Brown, he is glad to finally put this decision behind him. “It was a long decision, but (I feel) little sense of relief, but also some hunger, too, to get ready to be at the division one level,” Brown said.

Sixers become 16U Invitational Champs

MOSES LAKE – The Central Washington Sixers 16U (31-7-2) team finished their summer season at the 16u Invitational Tournament in Seattle last weekend. They rode their momentum coming in and became the Top Tier 16U champions. “It’s always a good feeling, fortunately this team has done a lot of winning, and it’s become an expectation not just with our 16U team, but our program,” said Trey Evans, the Sixers 16U coach. On Friday, the Sixers played the New Level Hetherington 15U where they came out strong with Aaden Montes singling and scoring two, then another two singles giving them a 4-0 lead in the first inning. A double by Ty Breinholt in the third inning extended the lead to 5-0 and two runs in the fourth and a final run in the fifth ended the game with an 8-0 victory for the Sixers.

ROAD REPORT: Aug. 1, 2025

MOSES LAKE — Drivers should be ready for single lane traffic, delays and temporary ramp closures along sections of Interstate 90 between Dodson Road and Road O Northeast. Sections of the road and the access ramps are being repaved, with the work expected to continue through the end of the construction season.

Basin residents targeted with phone, door-to-door 'PUD' scams

EPHRATA — Franklin Public Utility District and Grant Public Utility District are alerting residents to a surge in phone scams aimed at obtaining personal information. Customers have reported receiving calls from individuals impersonating utility employees, asking for assistance with an "indoor pollution survey." However, authorities confirm that the calls are fraudulent.

Betty Vanderkin

1941 – 2025

Betty Rose Vanderkin (née Coles), 84, passed away on July 20, 2025, in Beaverton, Oregon. Born in 1941 in Olympia, she lived a life defined by faith, compassion, humor and a love for family and community.

Ending summer school with a splash

WARDEN — The Warden School District celebrated the conclusion of its summer school program with an exciting Field Day, an event designed to showcase the social and emotional growth of students while offering a vibrant finale to six weeks of enriching activities. “Field Day is kind of a big finale to our six-week program,” said Warden Summer School Supervisor Lisa Lucas. “The kids participate in different sports and games, practicing their social emotional skills and just bonding with one another.” This year’s summer school program hosted approximately 200 students, with a total enrollment of around 270 when including the high schoolers. The program catered to a diverse age range, welcoming students from kindergarten through 11th grade, and provided a unique learning environment over the course of 18 days.

Moses Lake athletes attend gridiron camp

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Youth Football Camp hosted by the Mavericks football team concluded yesterday. The camp was held July 28, 29 and 30 and was open to youth from kindergarten to eighth grade. “I just love the environment, these little kids are out here having fun,” said Carson Huberdeau, who is a senior on the Mavs football team this year. “This is fun for us, coaching, it’s awesome.”

ACH Legion 18U finishes season with loss in state tournament

COULEE CITY – The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Legion 18u (16-13) baseball team concluded the summer season in the state tournament at Shade Park’s Ron Brooks Field. The team entered as the fifth seed in the tournament and took two losses over the weekend.

Crime declining, drugs climbing locally, statewide

OLYMPIA — In the 2024 Crime in Washington report published by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, released Monday, a noticeable decline in crime rates across various categories was reported. Various police chiefs and Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said trends found within the report were mostly reflected locally.

Moses Lake athletes hit national track competition

MOSES LAKE – Last week, three athletes from Moses Lake Athletics Club competed in the USA Track and Field Nationals event. Brody Baker, Jaedynn Dietmeyer and Liam O’Shea traveled to Savannah, Georgia from July 21 to July 27. Looking back, Dietmeyer called it a great experience.

Sanchez ready for her new home

ROYAL CITY — A recent graduate from the Knights softball program is ready for the next step in her athletic journey. Madison Sanchez is making the move from Walla Walla to Whitworth this fall. “I wasn't sure if I wanted to play on and I wasn't sure if I wanted to just go to school, but I took a tour of the college with some of the players, and I got a really good insight into the team that they have ... it was awesome to watch how they all worked together and just how they all communicated like they were one big family,” Sanchez said.

DMLA debuts new digs, merch

MOSES LAKE — The Downtown Moses Lake Association has a new home, and it comes with sunshine. “The old location was kind of dark, and it didn’t have any windows,” said DMLA Event Specialist Sarah Page. “And now we have six beautiful, big windows.” This year, the DMLA has moved from the back hallway of the Desert Plaza Building at West Third Avenue and South Alder Street to its home at 205 S. Division St., the same location that housed the DMLA’s business incubator, the Obra Project. That incubator, which was designed to grow small businesses, proved successful enough to be retired, Page said. “A lot of their businesses flourished and have been able to get their own spots,” Page said.

Othello pool bond headed to Nov. ballot

OTHELLO — Othello residents will be asked to approve or reject a $3.55 million construction bond to make repairs and upgrades to the Othello Community Pool. The bond will be on the ballot in the Nov. 4 general election. The unanimous decision from the Othello City Council came after a lengthy discussion of the options. “I don’t think this is a very easy decision,” said Chris Dorow, the chair of a committee tasked with looking at the options.

Gonzalez named Othello AD

OTHELLO — Carlos Gonzalez has been selected as the new Athletic Director for the Othello School District, taking over the position after previous director Jenny McCourtie stepped away from the position. “My hopes are to see how athletics and activities can help provide the best schooling experience for kids on top of their safety and their learning,” said Gonzalez.

Adams County Jail inmate roster for July 29, 2025

RITZVILLE – The inmate information below was provided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.