Projected revenues higher than expenses in Soap Lake 2024 budget

SOAP LAKE — The city of Soap Lake is projected to spend about $1.52 million from its general fund in 2024, which is below the revenue projection.

Ephrata passes $40.6M city budget

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council passed the city’s budget during its December 6 meeting. The budget includes a 3% cost of living increase for city staff and increases in insurance expenditures, while city revenues have also increased in some areas.

Dent talks 2024 legislative session

MOSES LAKE – State Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said his focuses for the 2024 state legislative session are children and fire protection. Some may be easier to establish, but he said he’s committed to working on them.

Wahluke SD capital levy going back to voters

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will consider a request for a four-year capital improvements levy in a special election Feb. 13.

Mavs football season recap conversation hits STUDIO BASIN

MOSES LAKE – There were talks of high-flying offense and big wins on last week’s episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, as Sports Reporter Ian Bivona was joined by Moses Lake football Head Coach Brett Jay as well as his son Brady Jay, Moses Lake’s starting quarterback.

News Bites for Dec. 27, 2023

News Bites for Dec. 27, 2023

Cave B Estate Winery - Local winery provides refreshments and entertainment

QUINCY – Cave B Estate Winery, whose sweeping views of the Columbia River and basalt cliffs could be nearly unmatched in beauty, has graced the area with award-winning wines for over 20 years. Located at 348 Silica Rd NW in Quincy, right next door to the Gorge Amphitheatre, Cave B is tucked away from the noise of main roads and city lights. It is a family-owned and operated winery that has earned its name across the state and beyond for the high-quality wines they produce and serve.

Basin sports schedule Dec. 27-Jan. 2

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

CWU priorities included in governor’s 2024 supplemental budget proposals

ELLENSBURG – The Office of Governor Jay Inslee released its Supplemental Operating and Capital Budget proposals for the 2024 fiscal year on Wednesday, including funding for several ongoing Central Washington University projects and priorities.

Splash pad coming to Othello’s Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO — Planning is underway for upgrades to Othello’s Kiwanis Park, which are tentatively scheduled for summer 2024. City Engineer Shawn O’Brien said that’s the plan, but there are details still to be worked out. “The schedule is still up in the air,” he said. “The final plan has not been ironed out yet.”

City planning, contracts and cargo containers

Mattawa council works to plan for the future of the city at Thursday meeting

MATTAWA – Mattawa’s regular City Council meeting Thursday featured a public hearing on the city’s updated comprehensive plan, SCJ Alliance’s contract with the city, the city’s Parks and Recreation visioning workshop, discussion of cargo containers in the city and approval of city’s contract with NCW Libraries.

Weather for the week of Dec. 26, 2023

Weather for the week of Dec. 26, 2023

Apprenticeship program announces new class

MOSES LAKE — Six youths will receive training and eventual industry certification with the help of a program put together in partnership between Genie Industries, AJAC Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships, SkillSource and North Central Education Service District 171.

Quincy council approves annexation

QUINCY — Improvements will be made to a section of Monument Hill Road NW and M Street Northeast as part of an annexation agreement approved by the Quincy City Council December 18.

School district levies to be on February ballot

MOSES LAKE — Voters in several local school districts will be asked to approve or reject requests for educational program and operations levies in a special election Feb. 13.

Knights fall to Toppenish

ROYAL CITY – Once Toppenish took a 7-6 lead midway through the first quarter over Royal on Thursday night the Wildcats held the lead for the remainder of the contest, riding out to a 56-32 win over the Knights.

Down-to-the-wire gardening gifts

Plenty of choices out there for the gardener in your life

MOSES LAKE — This is it. Christmas is dead ahead, so there’s no more time for lollygagging. It’s time to find something for the gardeners on the Christmas list.

Police logs for Dec. 22, 2023

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

STUDIO BASIN: 2024 WA legislative session with Tom Dent and Mavs football with Brett and Brady Jay

MOSES LAKE - On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, State Representative Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) stops in to discuss his priorities for the 2024 Washington Legislative Session. Before getting into the meat of the session, he discusses how he started raising bison on his Moses Lake ranch. Then he discusses his passion for childcare concerns, a bill to help firefighting agencies work better together and bipartisan efforts and the importance of relationship building in the state legislature.

Washington employer groups file lawsuit against EPA

OLYMPIA – According to an announcement from the Association of Washington Business, several employer groups in Washington state filed a lawsuit on Dec. 4 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent 2022 water quality standards (WQS) for the state.