Road construction ramping up for summer

MOSES LAKE — It’s still early in the spring and as a result still early in the road construction season, but there are some long-term projects already underway. Short-term projects are starting here and there around the region. Drivers heading north to Chelan who plan to take Highway 97A Monday will encounter traffic slowdowns at the Knapps Hill tunnel north of Entiat. Maintenance and inspection work will require flagger-controlled traffic.

Odessa groundwater funding in proposed Senate budget

OLYMPIA — A funding request for a section of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project has been added to the proposed Senate capital budget. If it’s included in the final capital budget, the EL 22.1 lateral would receive up to $44 million in funding at the request of Ninth District Senator Mark Schoesler, R – Ritzville.

Guns, cocaine paraphernalia seized in drive-by investigation

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department announced the successful execution of search warrants that resulted in officers confiscating a dozen firearms and evidence of cocaine sales at a home in the 200 block of W. Knolls Vista Drive. The search was associated with the second of two drive-by shootings in Moses Lake in less than two weeks.

All three suspects in custody for March 21 drive-by

U.S. Marshals confirm two suspects' involvement in Norteños

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Police Department and U.S. Marshals service have captured all three suspects in a March 21 drive-by shooting on Loop Drive in Moses Lake. The suspects, an unnamed 14-year-old from Mattawa, Jose Beltran-Rodriguez, 20 of Moses Lake, and Mathew Valdez, 18, Moses Lake are all now in law enforcement custody.

Grand finale: CBCCA ends 70th concert season with classical showcase

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association is finishing up its 70th season in a big way. “(We’re bringing) somewhere between 65 and 70 orchestra members,” said Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra Director Kevin Hekmatpanah. That may be the largest number of performers ever to take the stage at the Wallenstien Theater, CBCCA Vice President Carla McKean said.

Unemployment in WA, nation rises

WorkSource reminds residents resources are available

OLYMPIA — In February 2025 the labor market in Washington state revealed a discouraging trend, as the state experienced a decline in nonfarm employment paired with a slow rise in the unemployment rate, according to a report from the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Tommy William Wahl

1945 – 2025

Tommy William “Tom” Wahl, 79, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed from this world on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

WA Legislature passes school safety bill

Unanimous vote in both houses moves Nikki Torres's bill to Ferguson's desk

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Legislature has passed Senate Bill 5004, aimed at modernizing emergency response systems in K-12 schools, in a unanimous vote of 98-0 by the House and 49-0 by the Senate. The bill focuses on implementing advanced safety measures, including panic or alert buttons, to improve response times during emergencies. The bill is now making its way to Governor Bob Ferguson for review.

Tigers Boys best Grandview 4-1

Ephrata's two first-year varsity coaches look to build on strong start

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers tennis team faced Grandview Tuesday afternoon with the boys winning 4-1. “It’s hard to complain when you have a 4-1 victory over a good school like Grandview,” said the Tigers’ boys Coach Greg Becker.

Wahluke boys and girls tennis fall to Connell

MATTAWA—Wahluke's tennis teams both lost to Connell. The girls went 1-4 on the day, and the boys went 0-3, with a lack of second and third doubles matches. “They have a couple players that have gone to state in the past and we’re still a young team, but we have some older players,” said Wahluke coach Adrian Sandoval. “They’re doing really good so we’re just learning more every day.”

Boys & Girls Club earns awards for nutrition education

MOSES LAKE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin have been recognized yet again. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction recently honored the club with not one, but three awards for excellence in nutrition education, according to an announcement from the club.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Focusing on firearm safety

If you’re like me, and many in the Pacific Northwest are, you grew up with not just one but several firearms in your home. You were taught to shoot, clean and be careful with your weapons. You didn’t touch a firearm without mom and dad knowing and you certainly knew to treat every gun as if it were loaded.

Tigers fall to Selah 1-6 in first league game of ‘25

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers fell to Selah Tuesday night 1-6 in their first league game of the year. “(Selah is) perennially one of the top teams in our league,” said Tigers head baseball coach David Tempel. “Had a couple of innings where we gave them some freebies in terms of walks ... and those tend to come around to hurt you.”

Thomas Patrick Green

Thomas Patrick Green, 74, a cherished father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, with family by his side. Tom was born October 7, 1950, in San Francisco, California. He moved to Washington with his family when he was a young boy and grew up in the Royal Slope area, outside of Othello.

Elks Lodge to move into Porterhouse building

MOSES LAKE — In a time when everything seems to be changing, at least one thing will remain the same: the Porterhouse totem pole is staying put. “There's such history with that totem pole, we would like to put a plaque there that acknowledges the history and the Russell family for leaving it there for the community,” said Debbie Doran-Martinez, a trustee with Elks Lodge No. 2892.

Cantwell, Newhouse discuss budget impacts on Medicaid

MOSES LAKE — If Congress makes cuts to Medicaid, the results could be disastrous for Central and Eastern Washington, Sen. Maria Cantwell said at town hall meetings in Spokane and Richland last week.

More signs planned for busy Adams Co. intersections near Othello

OTHELLO — Additional warning and stop signs will be installed at 14 intersections in the Othello area. Adams County Commissioners approved $833,000 for the project Tuesday.

Ephrata falls in doubleheader against Aberdeen

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers fell to Aberdeen 0-10 and 1-4 in a home doubleheader Saturday. Ephrata Head Baseball Coach David Tempel said some good things happened on the diamond, despite the loss. “I think in the first game the big takeaway is even though we got down early we never gave up,” said Tempel.

WA bill mandating clergy report abuse clears Senate floor

OLYMPIA – Rachel Fisher’s parents sang kingdom melodies the day she was born. The sound of religion followed Fisher growing up, where her evenings began with religious studies and ended with Bible dramas lulling her to sleep. Fisher, a fourth-generation Jehovah’s Witness and a survivor of child sexual assault, is an inactive member in her church. She traveled to Olympia to testify in support of a bill that would require clergy members to report child abuse they learn of while performing religious duties.

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