Fentanyl crisis in Grant County

Local authorities express significant concern over fentanyl’s prevalence in the community.

EPHRATA – According to staff at the Grant County Jail, roughly 90% of detainees arrive with some substance abuse-related concern. Of those, roughly 70% have some level of dependency on fentanyl. The Grant County Morgue is seeing sadly similar increases. “We’re starting to see (fentanyl addiction) as a huge issue inside the jail,” said Grant County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Chief Deputy Phil Coats. “And, from what I’m hearing talking to some of the people that are withdrawing from it is that it is so severe that actual suicide rates have actually gone up in jails because they don’t want to have to deal (with withdrawals.) It hurts too much.” ...

MLB announces 2024 schedule

SEATTLE – The MLB announced the schedule for the 2024 season on Thursday, setting dates for Seattle’s opponents next season.

Moses Lake chamber to host candidate forum

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce will host a candidates forum Tuesday, according to a press release from the chamber...

Manta Rays host Sizzlin’ Summer Splash

Hundreds of swimmers dive into Moses Lake for summer competition

MOSES LAKE – The Manta Rays saw a peak in swimmers competing at last weekend’s Sizzlin’ Summer Splash in Moses Lake, with 525 swimmers coming in from the Pacific Northwest and beyond for the three-day meet. “This was the 15th Sizzlin’ Summer swim meet that I’ve been the meet director for, and this was the largest number of swimmers by far that we’ve ever had,” Manta Rays President Steve Washburn said. “Last year was the most we’ve had, and we had 450.” ...

Ephrata company offers free roof for a veteran

EPHRATA — Heavenly Roofing in Ephrata is accepting nominations for a veteran who could use a new roof. It’s a way for the business to give back to the community, Marketing Specialist Oscar Romero said...

Baird Springs fire in mop up, other fires continue to cause problems in WA

QUINCY — The Baird Springs fire is nearly out, according to the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office. Several additional fires were burning across Washington as of early Thursday afternoon.

Health District outlines new plan for blue-green algae

MOSES LAKE — A new system for monitoring blue-green algae in Moses Lake will be rolled out this year, according to a press release from the Grant County Health District...

Warden to halt water shutoffs in August

WARDEN – Warden City Council passed a unanimous motion during Tuesday’s meeting to not shut off any water utility services during August to avoid conflicting with new Washington state law. “The legislature passed a bill this session that prohibits any water utility from terminating water service during an excessive heat warning, a heat advisory, an excessive heat watch or similar alert,” said Warden City Attorney Anna Franz...

Energy, energy prices focus of town hall discussion

QUINCY — Energy prices and their impact were among the topics discussed at a town hall sponsored by 13th District Senator Judy Warnick and Representatives Tom Dent and Alex Ybarra Thursday in Quincy. “We missed so much of this during the pandemic. We didn’t have in-person (meetings),” Dent said. “A virtual town hall is okay when we’re in session, but the interaction isn’t there. This is much better.” ...

River Dogs open Midsummer Classic with 10-2 win

SPOKANE – Playing in the Gonzaga Midsummer Classic, the 18U Columbia Basin River Dogs opened the tournament with a 10-2 win over Spokane Select on Thursday. Games in the Midsummer Classic alternate between Whitworth University and Gonzaga University, allowing players the chance to play in a collegiate baseball stadium...

Basin students make EWU Dean's List

COLUMBIA BASIN – Students from 14 cities in the Columbia Basin were placed on Eastern Washington University’s 2023 Spring Dean List, according to the university’s website. The website stated that any undergraduate student who earns what the university defines as 12 quality hours and receives a GPA of 3.5 or better is placed on the Dean's List.

'Fingers are flying'

Old Time Fiddlers hold week-long fiddle camp in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — There’s a different sound coming out of the classrooms at Moses Lake Christian Academy this week, where the Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association is holding its annual fiddle camp. “So we have (classes for) all the way from beginner, like you've never picked up a fiddle, a guitar or a mandolin,” said Corinne Agnew, co-chair of the fiddle camp committee, “and then we've got all the way up to the Hot Shots fiddle class, and their fingers are flying.” ...

CWU students pursue success in apparel, textiles and merchandising

ELLENSBURG - Each year, the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) hosts the Apparel, Textiles and Design Juried Showcase to recognize excellence in the field through a double-blind, peer-reviewed competition. The Central Washington University Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising (ATM) program typically submits a few entries. But, this year, program coordinator Andrea Eklund submitted five designs—and all of them were accepted...

All-City Classic Car Show revs into Othello Friday & Saturday

OTHELLO — Slow drags and cool cars will fill Othello this weekend at the All-Cities Classic Car Show Friday night and Saturday. The slow drags are scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday on Main Street. Registration for the car show is from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Kiwanis Park...

Law enforcement records for July 13, 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...

News Bites for July 13, 2023

A collection of news bits from around the Columbia Basin.

Lighthouse Café

Nonprofit coffee spot looks to help youth find the right path

OTHELLO — Lighthouse Café, a nonprofit organization in Othello, has been serving coffee, baked goods, and outreach programs geared toward Othello youth and other community members for more than a year and half now. Samuel Garza, senior pastor at Bethel Assembly of God – which funded the purchase and operation of Lighthouse Café – spoke about why he wanted to start the business in the first place...

Food truck park site may move

Moses Lake City Council rejects widely different bids for project.

MOSES LAKE — A proposed community food truck park may be relocated following the rejection of bids for the project by the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday. Interim City Manager Kevin Fuhr, who also serves as police chief, told council members relocating the project might help reduce the costs...

Baird Springs fire calming, others burn statewide

CRESCENT BAR — Evacuation warnings were downgraded Wednesday morning to Level 1 for the Crescent Bar and Trinidad communities just north of Quincy, according to a statement from Southeast Washington Incident Management Team 1, which is in charge of firefighting efforts...

PRO RECAP: All-Star breaks and free agency

SEATTLE – From the MLB’s All-Star Week to signing new players, Washington’s professional teams have been busy over the previous week. Read along for an update on the Mariners, Storm and Kraken...