LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Community matters...

As I write this, I just finished speaking at the Ephrata Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at Country Deli in Ephrata. The banquet room in the back of the restaurant was filled with more than a dozen folks who were there not just to grab a meal, but to share some positivity and talk about the work they can do to make the community an even better place to live.

Hayden Homes honored with awards for company culture

REDMOND, Ore. — Hayden Homes, which has built housing developments in Moses Lake and Othello, was honored by Great Place To Work® and Fortune Magazine with two prestigious awards representing its positive culture, employee experience, leadership and community-driven work, according to an announcement from the company.

Moses Lake council weighing water concerns

MOSES LAKE — Water use, guaranteeing water supply and making sure there’s enough water as Moses Lake grows was the subject of an extensive discussion during a daylong planning session of the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday. City Engineer Richard Law said staff members are studying water rates and working on an overall plan for the water system to help make some of those decisions easier. “They’re coming together,” Law said.

Ephrata School District considering spring 2026 bond

EPHRATA — After more than a year and a half of work, the Ephrata School District’s District Facility Study Group has decided to recommend putting a $75 million bond package on the February 2026 ballot. The goal of the workgroup, said Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray, was to ensure all of Ephrata’s students had quality learning spaces. “Primarily, people had an opportunity to see what we were able to accomplish with our 2019 bond and the facilities that are in place at one of our elementaries, and then, obviously, at Ephrata Middle School,” Murray said. “And one of the real goals, initially, was they saw how safe those facilities are. They saw how (those facilities incorporate) current trends in terms of the types of spaces that you could create for students.” Murray said the bond package, if approved, would have a tax bill impact but allow the district to remodel and expand Ephrata High School, replace Grant Elementary and Parkway Intermediate schools and provide a better Performing Arts Center for students. Some of the work had initially been approved by voters in 2019 along with funding, but inflation caused by the pandemic and other factors caused their cancelation and the funding was zeroed out through a process called defeasement.

Knights pull off win in OT

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights soccer team had a close game against Naches Valley where the Knights came out on top in overtime with a 3-2 victory. “We’re still trying to figure things out,” said the Knights Head Coach Jens Jensen. “We’re getting better, but we’re still making a ton of mistakes.” The first half went back and forth between the two teams until late in the half Naches Valley scored and the teams went into halftime with the Knights behind 0-1. Jensen said the team had to make some key adjustments before they went into the second half such as keeping an eye on Naches Valley’s strong players and prevent them from scoring again.

Grant PUD commitment: Our lowest possible rates for core customers

Grant Public Utility District commissioners and leadership are committed to ensuring that our “core customers” – residential, ag, irrigation and small/medium-sized business – continue to receive the most favorable rates this utility can offer.

Ag contributions recognized at FCAD in Quincy

QUINCY — The contributions of Quincy’s farmers and agricultural workers were recognized with a parade and a big party at Farmer Consumer Awareness Day Sept. 13.

Warrior Journeys returns with help of Wahluke Alumni Association

MATTAWA — Graduates of Wahluke High School are working to form an alumni association, and one of their first projects is the revival of a favorite high school program. Veronica Quintero, who’s one of the people working on the alumni association, said the group is looking for WHS graduates who want to participate in Warrior Journeys. Wahluke High School principal Cody Marlow said Warrior Journeys was started by former WHS counselor Jan Phillips. “(Phillips) had the idea of bringing Wahluke alumni to speak to current students,” Marlow wrote in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “We had everything from college students to entrepreneurs to CEOs. After Mrs. Phillips retired Warrior Journeys stopped happening.”

COLLEGIATE SPORTS SCHEDULE: Sept. 18-25, 2025

MOSES LAKE — Collegiate athletes around the state prepare for another week of facing strong opponents and battling longtime rivals. See where your favorite college team is heading this week.

Legals for September, 17 2025

Basin Volleyball roundup 2025 – Week 2

MOSES LAKE — The Basin volleyball season is well underway. Teams have faced their fair share of challenging competition right out of the gate. See below how your favorite teams are doing so far.

‘Right there’ on construction of new GCAO shelter

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach directors hope to start construction on a new shelter by the end of the year. Outreach board president Sara Thompson Tweedy said the construction permit is pending approval from the city of Moses Lake. “As soon as we get that permit, then we’ll be able to line up our contractors,” Thompson Tweedy said.

Washington college football recap

MOSES LAKE — Another week of college football has concluded. Before the next slate of games begin, see below how Washington football teams fared against their competition last weekend.

ACH Warriors open season with win

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (1-0) opened their season on the road against the Garfield-Palouse Vikings with a 40-12 victory last Friday. After having their first game canceled due to smoke, Head Coach Brandon Walsh said his team was excited to hit the gridiron.

Adopt Crispy Chicken and give him a biscuit

MOSES LAKE – Crispy Chicken, a three-month-old, male domestic shorthair is looking for an egg-cellent home. He is a good egg who comes neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. He has plenty of energy and loves good cat tree climb, pom-poms and cuddles. If he seems like your type of cat, visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and fill out his application. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

LETTER: Setting the record straight about fire rates

Othello is in the middle of elections, and its contract with Adams County Fire District No. 5 has become an issue. Unfortunately, some of the campaign responses being shared have caused confusion. Here are the facts: the contract requires the city to pay the same rate as fire district property owners. This was an increase compared to past rates, and the city decided to cancel the contract. The fire district must maintain this rate for public safety. Costs for service have risen significantly due to inflation, and call volumes in the city have increased by 43.5% over the past four years. It would not be fair for district property taxpayers to subsidize emergency services for the city.

Robert Redford, Oscar-winning director, actor and indie patriarch, dies at 89

(AP) - Robert Redford, the Hollywood golden boy who became an Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema under the name of one of his best-loved characters, died Tuesday at 89. Redford died “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement. No cause of death was provided.

Basin football round up week two 2025

MOSES LAKE – Week two of Basin high school football is in the books. Some teams secured key rivalry wins, while others look to find ways to improve. See below how your favorite teams did over the weekend.

South Grant Co. forum examines challenges, opportunities

MATTAWA — Improvements to state Route 243, more options for solid waste disposal, increased housing in southern Grant County, and more apprenticeship and job opportunities for young people. Those were among the recommendations that emerged from a forum sponsored by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce Sept. 10.

Washington fuel prices highest nationwide

MOSES LAKE – For the first time this year, gas prices in Washington are the highest in the nation with the state bypassing both California and Hawaii’s average fuel prices, according to AAA.