Washington AG candidates talk public safety, immigration at WSU forum

(The Center Square) – The three candidates vying to be Washington state's next attorney general laid out their positions Tuesday night at Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland.

WA officials sign pledge to shift to treatment-first homelessness approach

(The Center Square) – Government officials across Washington state are signing a policy pledge that prioritizes a “treatment-first” approach to lowering the state’s rate of homelessness.

Phone scammers still prevalent, but can be stopped

EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said his staff received at least six calls on June 5 alone from area residents saying someone had called posing as a deputy and demanding they deposit money into an account to avoid being arrested. Those calls, he said, are scams.

STUDIO BASIN: Sheriff Joey Kriete on summer safety and sports awards

MOSES LAKE – In this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller sits down with Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete to talk about summer safety. Kriete went over factors contributing to increased dangers during the summer and education efforts GCSO has in place to help keep area residents safe.

Law enforcement logs for June 14, 2024

Ephrata Police Department, Moses Lake Police Department, Grant County Jail

‘Old Ephrata’ spirit

Live music, family fun highlights of Sage-N-Sun 2024

EPHRATA – The annual Sage-N-Sun festival for 2024 featured a lot of music, a lot of food and a lot of people enjoying an outing on the Grant County Courthouse lawn Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “I was just very excited that we had such good music,” Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Board President Jenni Bates said after the event.

NEWS BITES: June 12, 2024

EPHRATA — A 22-year-old Quincy man was jailed Tuesday for possessing sexually explicit images of children, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Quincy High School seniors overcome challenges on way to graduation

QUINCY — Graduation ceremonies ended high school for the Quincy class of 2024, but co-valedictorian Allie Manly thought about how it began.

WA gun law may force small arms shops out of business

(The Center Square) - Gun store owners across Washington have one more year to figure out if they can comply with a new law that requires expensive security upgrades. Opponents have dubbed the legislation, an FFL Killer. FFL refers to gun shops with a Federal Firearms License.

Responsibility, taking risks themes at Quincy graduation

QUINCY — Quincy High School class of 2024 co-valedictorian Allie Manly reflected on the fact graduation means the seniors must assume responsibility. “After today, everything is completely up to you,” Manly said

Sheriff urges safe driving as summer fun begins

EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete has something he wants to say to the people of the Columbia Basin – slow down. “I’ve been working collisions for a long time in Grant County and the top factors that we have in our collisions that we investigate are speed, inattention and alcohol,” Kriete said. “And it’s not necessarily in that order, because it does change. And of those things, the only thing that’s really measurable for us is speed, and if we can address the speed issue that we have, then that’s a big win for us.”

‘It’s absolutely amazing every time’

Chief for a Day event brings out the smiles

EPHRATA — The children chosen as Chief(s) for a Day get to do some pretty cool things. They get a ride in a fire truck or police vehicle, they get a badge, they get a uniform representing their agency in just their size - which in the case of Candace Shearer, chief for the Washington State Patrol, means she got one of those really cool hats.

ROAD REPORT: Paving crews head north on SR 17

MOSES LAKE — The big asphalt paving machines are making the turn north at the intersection of State Route 17 and South Pioneer Way.

LETTER: Thanks for the good reads

Hello. My name is Mr. Tony, school bus driver Rt. 29 Moses Lake School District and I want to give my most heartfelt appreciation of thanks to all those who donated a box of books to my book program. Many were dropped at the transportation office and at Fredrick’s Jewelry.

OSPI addresses Parent’s Bill of Rights initiative

OLYMPIA – According to a Wednesday statement from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, some provisions of Initiative 2081, establishing the Parents’ Bill of Rights in Washington, conflict with current law – particularly around students’ right to privacy in school.

USDA wildfire plan issued

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland issued Monday a joint memo to federal agency leaders with wildfire responsibilities outlining their vision and goals for managing wildland fires this year, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Earned recognition

EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Dan Durand retired Friday after 37 ears of service and was presented with a certificate in appreciation of his efforts to keep the citizens of Grant County safe.

Legals for May, 31 2024

WA foam packaging ban goes into effect Saturday

(The Center Square) – That container of leftovers from your favorite restaurant may look different starting Saturday when the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene, or EPS, products in or into Washington state is prohibited. Polystyrene foam is better known by the brand-name Styrofoam.

State Fire Marshal releases Memorial Day safety tips

OLYMPIA – According to a Wednesday statement from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, during Memorial Day weekend in 2023 there were 10,658 incidents in Washington State requiring Fire or EMS response. These incidents resulted in $3,489,572 in property loss. “Please keep fire safety in mind as we honor those that have fallen,” the statement said. The statement urged members of the public to follow these tips to stay safe during this year’s Memorial Day: