Othello council deliberates cargo containers, increases splash pad budget

OTHELLO – The Othello City Council’s regular meeting on Monday featured a unanimous vote to spend an additional $35,000 on an improved future installation of a splash pad in Kiwanis Park, as well as discussion regarding the Planning Commission’s recommendation on cargo containers in C-1 commercial zones. City Engineer Shawn O’Brien said city staff had inquired about adding a “mega soaker” to the recreational splash pad design, which dumps 55 gallons of water at once onto the pad. “We took that to the Parks and Rec Committee (to see) if they were still interested at that price,” O’Brien said. “This is the very early stages of this project, which is about a $1.258 million project which $1.1 million of is a grant, and just because the additional cost may go outside of the original budget I wanted to bring it to council and ask for approval to give the mayor authority to make an amendment to the contract that we've entered into with Northwest Playgrounds.”

Warriors can’t hold lead, fall 60-49 to Kiona-Benton

MATTAWA – Despite making a significant run in the third quarter, the Wahluke Warriors couldn’t hold on to their lead Tuesday night at home to Kiona-Benton, falling to the Bears 60-49 and suffering their first league loss of the 2023-24 season.

Precautions will prevent plumbing headaches caused by winter weather

MOSES LAKE — It’s going to be cold outside for the next few days - like, single-digit cold - and that can mean bad things for water pipes. And bad things for water pipes mean bad things for homeowners and tenants.

Project Guardian: Mattawa police start program to ensure positive interactions with the developmentally disabled

MATTAWA – The Mattawa Police Department has begun implementing a program called Project Guardian intended to help members of the department be better trained and equipped to interact with individuals with special needs, according to a presentation during Thursday’s regular Mattawa City Council meeting.

Five decades of muscle

Moses Lake Classic Car Club kicks off 50th anniversary year

MOSES LAKE — The first car for Dave Robins was a 1947 Frazer. Robins and his twin brother were about 14 years old, he said, and were mowing lawns that summer. One of their clients was an older man, a veteran with limited mobility and limited means. He gave the brothers the old Frazer as payment for their work.

18/19U River Dogs make move to American Legion baseball

MOSES LAKE – The 18/19U Columbia Basin River Dogs will have a new home this year, leaving the Babe Ruth League and playing in the American Legion under Moses Lake Senior Baseball.

Basin sports schedule Jan. 10-16

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

Legals for January, 10 2024

Demolition to start next Monday at Grant jail site

EPHRATA — People driving by the site of the new Grant County Jail will start seeing the existing buildings coming down Jan. 15. The jail will be built on the site of the old Ephrata Raceway, and the grandstands, ticket booth, concession stand and track are still in place. Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said demolition of all of that will start next month. The contractor is Sellen Construction, Seattle. While there hasn’t been much visible work at the site, there’s been work underway, Gaines said. Testing found asbestos and lead paint in some of the structures, and petroleum products in the pit area and on the racetrack. Crews have already removed hazardous materials from the buildings and the site, he said, preparatory to demolition. “All the environmental hazards have been remedied,” he said.

Mattawa raises fees, upholds cargo container restriction

MATTAWA – The Mattawa City Council voted unanimously during Thursday’s regular meeting to approve increased fees for city review processes. The council also upheld the city’s current code prohibiting cargo containers in commercial and residential zoning outside of temporary construction storage.

Port of Moses Lake starts executive director hunt

MOSES LAKE — A new executive director for the Port of Moses Lake should be announced by the end of March. Port commissioners hired Prothman, a business based in Issaquah, to conduct a search for candidates for the position Monday. The contract is $19,500 plus applicable expenses, which were expected to be about $5,000 to $6,500 for placing recruitment ads. Jim Darling, a consultant working with port officials on recruitment, said the port saved money by doing some of the work before looking for a consultant. “Their fee is a little bit less than they normally would charge, because we spent several months on a draft job description and characteristics summary,” Darling said.

Sweetheart deal

Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation auction is Feb. 3

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation’s Country Sweethearts dinner and auction has leveled up this year. In years past the benefit was held in the Commercial Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, but this year it will occupy both that building and the 4-H Building next door, said CBCF Executive Director Angel Ledesma. Last year’s event drew 520 guests, which made things a little tight with all the auction items as well. “I take this as a compliment,” Ledesma said. “(Some guests have said) ‘Could you please make more room for the tables?’ So this year, we added the 4-H Building. All the raffle items will be in the 4-H Building, so that leaves us room for all tables and all guests in the main room.”

BASIN WRESTLING REPORT: ACH, Warden host tournaments

COLUMBIA BASIN – It was another weekend of wrestling competitions across the state, including local tournaments in Coulee City and Warden.

State sues company for deceptive poster sales

SEATTLE — A Michigan business has been sued for hundreds of thousands of Consumer Protection Act violations, according to a statement from Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

Four WA schools earn distinguished designation

OLYMPIA — Four schools in Washington have earned the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Distinguished Schools Award, according to an announcement from the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Ephrata Middle School portable burns, no injuries

EPHRATA – A portable at the Ephrata Middle School suffered a fire in its attic Friday morning, according to Ephrata School District Public Information Officer Sarah Morford.

Brian Charles Wilson

March 24, 1953 — Jan. 1, 2024

Brian C. Wilson, 70, of Moses Lake passed away knowing he was loved, with his wife by his side, in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2024. Brian was born March 24, 1953, to Ann and Chuck Wilson in Ritzville. He spent his childhood in Moses Lake with his brothers, exploring the fields near their home, playing baseball at Knolls Vista and fishing down by the lake. Summers were always spent with Grandma Rose at the family’s cabin in Loon Lake, which he later enjoyed with his own family. In high school, Brian met Tami, and their love story began with an invitation to the Sweetheart dance. They married in 1973 and had two children, Courtney and Brady. Brian worked at Lakeside Optical as an optician for over 40 years and eventually co-owned the business with friend Kevin Carvo.

The game's afoot

CBCCC to hold first Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars fundraiser

MOSES LAKE – The Central Basin Community Concert Association will be hosting its first-ever fundraiser, called Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at Big Bend Community College’s Wallenstien Theater. Association board member Carla McKean spoke about how the event came about. “We thought, rather than doing a dinner with a silent auction like most groups do, we would try something new, and this was proposed to us – we are in affiliation with other community concerts around the state,” McKean said. “This group has been doing this for the last 10 years in The Dalles area.”

January weather dead ahead; snow, lows near zero on the way

MOSES LAKE — It being January it had to happen sometime, and it looks like it’s happening later this week. Temperatures are expected to drop to near zero by Friday night.

Legals for January, 8 2024