All Georgine wants for Christmas is a home

MOSES LAKE — Meet Georgine, a sweet German Shepherd mix who’s ready to wrap herself around your heart this holiday season. Spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped, this medium-sized girl is dreaming of a cozy home by the Christmas tree. Give her the gift of love—adopt Georgine today by visiting GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and fill out her application. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Mattawa Winter Festival includes crafts, cocoa and ugly sweaters

MATTAWA — Mattawa’s annual Winter Festival will take place Wednesday. “The goal is to bring families together to celebrate the holiday and to make crafts as a family,” said Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya. The event is put together by a coalition of community stakeholders including the city of Mattawa, Wahluke School District, the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic and Columbia Basin Health Association, Celaya said. Crafts play a large part in the Winter Festival, Celaya said. Local first responders will have a table where children can decorate cookies with police officers, and MCMC will have a space where children can write letters to Santa. The Wahluke High School Future Business Leaders of America will have a booth where children can make a Christmas ornament for the 50-foot tree in the school commons. The craft materials are donated by CBHA, Celaya said.

Legals for December, 15 2025

More rain for Cascades, high winds for Columbia Basin this week

LEAVENWORTH — A second strong winter storm is projected to hit Washington this week, bringing heavy rains back to areas that were hard-hit by rain and flooding last week. Steve Bodnar, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said rain is forecast to start Monday, but won’t last as long.

Mavericks wrestling sweep Eastmont at home

MOSES LAKE — On Thursday, the Mavericks boys and girls wrestling were each victorious over the Eastmont Wildcats. The Boys won 47-36, while the girls won 77-3 to start their season off strong with a league win. “It's early in the season, but to be able to come out and have success, and pretty much every match was, was a big win for us, especially being a mostly young team,” Girls Head Coach Tony Lee said. “Those are ones we definitely circle on the calendar. We want to make sure we're having success at our league duels.” The girls team were dominant in their matchup against Eastmont, only losing one match. Lee said they knew Hayden Morris’ match was going to be tough since she and her opponent were state competitor's last season.

Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team carries out drug raid in Quincy

QUINCY — The Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence on I Street in Quincy Thursday, leading to the arrest of Jilberto Lucatero-Lora, a 20-year-old suspect alleged to be involved in the distribution of cocaine and marijuana to Sureño gang members.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office reports as of Dec. 12, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Quincy community food bank seeks donations amid expansion plans

QUINCY — As the Quincy Community Food Bank embarks on a new chapter following 40 years of service, the organization is facing increased demand for food assistance while simultaneously planning a significant expansion of its facilities. The food bank, which has operated since 1988, has indicated that community support is crucial to its mission of ensuring that no one in the Quincy Valley goes hungry.

Ephrata PD achieves full staffing on paper, officers still being trained

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Police Department Chief Erik Koch announced that the department is officially recognized as fully staffed, although he emphasized that this achievement comes with a caveat.

Sheriff talks crime, enforcement at Mattawa town hall

MATTAWA — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete held a town hall meeting at Wahluke High School Dec. 9, discussing law enforcement issues affecting Mattawa and Desert Aire. “You're going to probably hear me say a million times. We can't do this alone,” Kriete told the attendees. “We have to have our communities out here to help us and share information with us and give us ideas. We get a ton of new and great ideas from the community.”

BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 12-20

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas out there, and there are holiday goings-on galore in the Basin. Here are a few things to make your spirits bright:

Ephrata rings in the holidays with Bells on Basin on Saturday

EPHRATA — Bells on Basin will fill downtown Ephrata with holiday spirit Saturday, with games, shopping and a lighted parade. “It's a festive event that a lot of people look forward to, to kick off and bring everybody together for the holidays,” said Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Director Britney MacLeod.

Legals for December, 12 2025

Ephrata town hall highlights local growth

EPHRATA — On Wednesday night, leaders of several Ephrata agencies gathered at the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center to give updates to the community on various projects. There were presentations from the school district, both the mayor and mayor-elect, the Port of Ephrata, Columbia Basin Hospital, Grant Public Utility District and Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Quincy EP&O levy to go to voters

QUINCY — Quincy School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election in February. If it’s approved, it would replace the levy approved by voters in 2022. District superintendent Nik Bergman said money raised through the levy accounts for about 16% of the district’s budget. “The state doesn’t fully fund a lot of programs,” Bergman said. “It’s used to fund our highly capable (program) and STEAM enrichment. Some of it is used to fund special education, early learning, the arts, music. We have a music program that is just flourishing right now, and I can connect that to the community support of the levy.”

Moses Lake FFA funds found

MOSES LAKE — Allegations made by Tony Kern, the longtime agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America advisor in Moses Lake, regarding the misappropriation of approximately $55,000 in FFA fundraising revenue have been officially addressed and found to be unfounded, according to statements from both the Moses Lake School District and FFA.

Ephrata Council passes $35.6 million budget for 2026

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council has officially passed its budget for the 2026 fiscal year, amounting to a total of about $35,600,000. The ordinance was approved during a council meeting held on Dec. 3.

Winterfest brings joy to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — The annual Winterfest event in Soap Lake was a resounding success this year, organizers said, bringing together families and community members for an evening filled with holiday spirit, gifts and festive fun. The event, organized by the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce, featured a return of cherished traditions, including the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, and raised funds for the senior class of Soap Lake High School.

A paws-itely perfect gift

MOSES LAKE — Strelka, a husky-mix sleighs hearts at Grant County Animal Outreach. She is the perfect furry friend who will leave you howling with joy this holiday season. This sleigh-belle is “Santa-paws” approved, spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. Now all she needs is someone to fill out her application so the Christmas cuddles can commence. Visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org to learn more about adopting this sweet girl. If you can’t donate right now but would like to spread some Christmas joy to some furry friends, visit the website and click “donate.”

Moses Lake Police Department logs for Dec. 11, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Moses Lake Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.