Officials analyze EMS in Quincy area

QUINCY — While there are challenges ahead, there are options to reinforce emergency medical response in the Quincy area. In some ways, the Quincy Valley is fortunate because EMS agencies are willing to – and do – work together. Those were the conclusions of a study commissioned by emergency response agencies and the city of Quincy. Grant County Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee said the results provided some options to help strengthen EMS services.

Othello to host public hearing on large annexation request

OTHELLO — A public hearing to consider a request for annexation into Othello of property south of the existing city limits is scheduled to be reopened Monday. While the Othello City Council can make a decision on the proposal after the hearing, they don’t have to, said Othello Development director Anne Henning.

Bird flu detected in Moses Lake commercial facility

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in a large commercial poultry facility in Moses Lake, marking the first instance of avian influenza in Grant County. The announcement was made on October 10, 2025, following the initial report of sick birds that came to light October 7.

Moses Lake first graders spent the day at the “farm”

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake first graders had the opportunity to go out to the Grant County Fairgrounds Wednesday for First Grade Farm Day at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The Moses Lake High School Agriculture program and the Moses Lake Future Farmers of America organized the event. The groups worked together to teach the young students about the work they do.

A walk for health

Coulee Medical Center to hold fundraiser walk for mammograms

GRAND COULEE — Coulee Medical Center will hold its Walking Together for Mammograms health fair and walk Thursday, to help put a new mammography machine to use.

‘Cardiac Cougs’ hold off tough Broncos team

WARDEN – On Friday, the Warden Cougars (5-1) held off a late comeback attempt by the Lind-Ritzville Broncos (2-4) with a late touchdown to secure a 12-7 win. Cougars quarterback Kam Jensen was happy for his team after the win. “It feels great. It's a great team win; the defense really pulled it in for us. They played great all game, and I just love my boys,” Jensen said.

GCSO logs Sept. 29 - Oct. 2

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office provided the incident details noted below. Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Local cross country teams compete at The Gorge

GEORGE – On Thursday, multiple Basin cross country teams competed in the fifth annual Live Nation Invitational at the Gorge Amphitheater. Mavericks Head Coach Larry Dagnon called the venue one of the more unique races they see all season.

Washington defeats Rutgers 38-19

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw for 402 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Huskies to a 38-19 win against Rutgers on Friday night.

Polanco hits winning single in the 15th inning as the Mariners beat the Tigers to advance to ALCS

SEATTLE (AP) — Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending single in the 15th inning, and the Seattle Mariners advanced to the AL Championship Series by outlasting the Detroit Tigers for a 3-2 victory Friday night in the longest winner-take-all postseason game in baseball history.

Mavs split doubleheader to end regular season on the diamond

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Mavericks slow-pitch softball team (15-1) split their doubleheader against Eastmont Thursday afternoon. While they ended the regular season with a loss, they are entering the postseason as the top seed in the Big 9.

Mavs compete against Eastmont in home swim meet

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Mavericks swim team hosted a meet Thursday, competing against Eastmont in 12 events. The final team scores came close, with Eastmont earning 90 points and Moses Lake earning 87.

2 graduate from Community Court with hopes for bright futures

MOSES LAKE – Two participants in Grant County’s Community Court Program graduated Wednesday afternoon after completing addiction treatment and other steps to walk away from drugs and the poor decisions they can lead to. In the case of Sherm Rowland, the graduation is a walk away from a trying past and a celebration of just more than 18 months of being off drugs.

Salvation Army Moses Lake office to close Oct. 17

MOSES LAKE — The Salvation Army will be closing its Moses Lake office Oct. 17, but will still provide services in Grant County. Sara Beksinski, Northwest Division director of development, said the organization’s goal is to put more money into its services.

Masquers to stage ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

SOAP LAKE— Horror and horticulture are in bloom at the Masquers Theater, with the production of the darkly comedic musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” The play, which opens Oct. 16, is directed by Clifford and Stacy Bresee, who have directed most of the troupe’s musicals over the last decade. “It’s one I’ve wanted to do for quite a few years,” Stacy Bresee said. “So the opportunity came and we took it.” The musical, based on the campy 1960 horror-comedy of the same name by Roger Corman, was written by Howard Ashman and Alan Mencken, who a few years later would fuel the Disney Renaissance with films like “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.” It premiered on Broadway in 1982 and was adapted for the screen in 1986.

BASIN EVENTS: Oct. 10-18

COLUMBIA BASIN — Fall fun is everywhere as we reach the middle of October. Here are a few things happening in the Basin this week.

Getting the bugs out

Pest and weed control service opens in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — With the weather getting colder, some creepy crawly critters are likely to decide that your home should also be their home. A new business in town aims to help evict them. “Spiders, ants, just generally insects,” said Josh Gilliam, owner of Bug Out Pest and Spray. “We’re a very hot and arid environment, but we also have access to a lot of water, so that brings out the bugs.” Bug Out opened for business Aug. 1 and held its official ribbon-cutting Tuesday in Moses Lake. Gilliam has been in the extermination business for about 25 years, he said, first in Spokane and then in Moses Lake. He decided to go out on his own after meeting with his partner Kip Burns, who also owns Blinds for Any Budget and B and B Doors.

Home prices dip slightly statewide, but up in the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Inventory is climbing and home prices slipped in the housing market in September, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 Washington counties. “People are starting to come out from under the rocks, the buyers that were on the fence a little bit, because we're getting a little bit of a break here and there on interest rates,” said Johnny Reyes, a broker with Windermere Real Estate in Ephrata. “People are starting to feel a little more comfortable about coming out and buying.” Active listings increased by 27.3% statewide between September 2024 and September 2025, according to the NWMLS. The increase was greater in Grant County, at 30.77% year-over-year, while Adams County increased only 6%.

Legals for October, 10 2025

Wheeler Road intersection will stay in current configuration, for now

MOSES LAKE — Newly restriped streets at East Wheeler Road and Pioneer Way will remain in their current configuration, at least for now. Moses Lake City Council members voted to leave the street striping as it is at a special meeting Tuesday.