LETTER: Imagine health care as a sacred right

Imagine a national healthcare system not built on profit, paperwork, or exclusion—but on mercy, justice, and love. A system that says: “You are worthy of care. Not because of your job, your passport, or your bank account—but because you are human.” In this model, every person is covered — citizens, residents, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, migrant workers, and even tourists. No one is asked for payment. No one is turned away. Just as Jesus healed the sick without condition, this system offers care as a sacred right. The system is sustained through progressive taxation, where those with greater means contribute more. This reflects the Biblical ethic: “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Wasteful spending on billing departments and insurance bureaucracy is eliminated, freeing billions to be reinvested in actual care.

LETTER: Politics affects local people's health care

I’m looking at the headlines of our paper today. There’s the congressional response to the shutdown and the announcement that East Adams Rural Health is laying off staff due to cuts in funding. Mr. Baumgardner says the Democrats want to fund health care for immigrants. If you repeat misinformation often enough, people might believe it. They don’t mention the fact that everyone will lose their tax credits for premiums and other information. All politics is local and this is how local people are being affected. If you are interested, there’s another No Kings protest march on Oct. 18 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Broadway and Alder. Let your feelings be known.

Legals for October, 16 2025

Warden raises levy collection by 1%

WARDEN — The Warden City Council unanimously approved an increase in the City of Warden’s levy at the Oct. 14 regular council meeting. This will bring around $6,860 to the city.

ELECTION Q&A: Soap Lake mayoral candidates

SOAP LAKE — There is one candidate and one write-in candidate for the Soap Lake mayoral race. Incumbent Peter Sharp is the only candidate listed on the ballot. However, Karen Woodhouse is running as a write-in candidate.

Quincy PD blotter

QUINCY — The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Ephrata PD blotter

EPHRATA – The reports below were provided by the Ephrata Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

ArtGarden Pottery casts a spell with 'I Smell Pottery Painting' event

MOSES LAKE – Friday night, ArtGarden Pottery, a ceramics studio owned by Laura Mayer, transformed into a whimsical world of witches, paint and creativity as it hosted the first of two “I Smell Pottery Painting” events in celebration of Halloween.

MLHS alum Molitor medals with Team USA in Shanghai

MOSES LAKE – In September, Moses Lake High School alum Madison Molitor competed for the United States in the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, China. Madison called the experience surreal and an honor. “I wasn't sure if I was going to make a boat for the summer,” he said. “It was really incredible to not only make a boat, but also (earn a) medal and also be in contention for silver. I think rowing at the international level is always an honor. It's an honor to represent the United States.”

WA use of force database publishes first report

MOSES LAKE – In a shift towards greater transparency in law enforcement, Washington State has implemented an incident-based police use-of-force reporting system known as the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety, or WADEPS. This initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Attorney General, is the result of collaboration among a variety of groups, including law enforcement, who want such reporting.

Legals for October, 15 2025

Moses Lake man arrested for domestic violence

MOSES LAKE – A Moses Lake man was arrested Sunday morning after Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies answered a call about a domestic violence incident in the 1000 block of Vandenburg Loop. The victims’ nine-year-old child went to a neighbor for assistance. The neighbor called 911, according to the probable cause statement.

Q&A sessions next week on ACFD 5 levy lid lift proposal

OTHELLO — Adams County Fire District 5 residents are being invited to two public meetings to learn about, and ask questions about, ACFD 5’s request for a levy lid lift. The meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 9 a.m. Oct. 25 at the ACFD station, 220 W. Broadway Ave., Othello. The proposal is on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Othello City Council Position 3: Carmona vs. Lopez

OTHELLO — Oscar Lopez and Alma Carmona are running for an open position on the Othello City Council. The Columbia Basin Herald provided identical questions to each candidate, with a word limit; both responded.

Oaks selected to lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Dallin H. Oaks, a former Utah Supreme Court justice, was named Tuesday as the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its more than 17 million members worldwide. Oaks’ selection to lead what is widely known as the church follows the recent death of his 101-year-old predecessor, Russell M. Nelson. His ascension is not a surprise; a longstanding church policy says the longest-tenured member of a top leadership body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the next president. The tradition is meant to ensure a seamless transition and prevent internal or public lobbying. “I accept with humility the responsibility that God has placed upon me and commit my whole heart and soul to the service to which I’ve been called,” Oaks said.

U.S. consumers to pay 55% of tariff costs, Goldman Sachs says

(The Center Square) – U.S. consumers will end up paying the bulk of the cost for President Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to a report from Goldman Sachs. The report undercuts repeated claims from the White House that foreign nations will pay the costs of the new import duties. Goldman Sachs economists said American consumers will pay 55% of tariff costs, U.S. businesses will pay 22% and foreign exporters will pay 18%. Goldman Sachs economists said U.S. firms are expected to pass costs onto consumers in the coming months, according to media reports.

Washington state attorney general agrees to protect seal of confession

(The Center Square) – The Washington State Attorney General’s Office reported on Friday that it has reached an agreement with the Catholic Church over a new abuse reporting law. The agreement stipulates that clergy are still mandatory reporters of child abuse, but it includes an exception for information learned exclusively during the Sacrament of Confession. A federal court blocked the Office of the Attorney General, or AGO, from enforcing the law in July, just days before it was set to take effect. Senate Bill 5375 required Washington clergy members, including priests, ministers, rabbis and other people to act as mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. The preliminary injunction barred Washington state from enforcing provisions that require those clergy members to report what they learn under the seal of confession. The AGO filed stipulations on Friday that make the injunctions permanent, requiring clergy to report only what they learn outside of confession.

Morris ‘Morry’ Landon

Feb. 18, 1941 — Oct. 12, 2025

Morris J. (Morry) Landon, 84, left his earthly home Oct. 12, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family after a short battle with cancer and dementia. Born Feb. 18, 1941, to Clyde & Patricia (Sheffield) Landon in Wenatchee, Washington, Morry spent his early years in Osborn, Washington while his dad Clyde worked on Grand Coulee Dam. In 1949, the family moved to Moses Lake for Clyde to work on the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. Coming to Moses Lake at that time was almost like homesteading. The family of five lived in a small RV while Clyde built a home in the Peninsula area – some streets were still only gravel.

Mariners take 2-0 ALCS lead, beat Blue Jays 10-3 as Rodríguez, Polanco and Naylor homer

TORONTO (AP) — With another triumph in Toronto, the surging Seattle Mariners moved two wins away from the team’s first World Series. Jorge Polanco and Julio Rodríguez hit three-run homers, Josh Naylor added a two-run drive and the Mariners took a 2-0 AL Championship Series lead by routing the Blue Jays 10-3 on Monday.

Community rallies for boat fire victims with fundraiser at U Rock Ranch

WARDEN — After a devastating boat fire in July left five people injured, including two young children, the Grant County community is coming together to support the victims with a benefit dinner, dance, and auction at U Rock Ranch on Saturday, Oct. 18.