Soap Lake schools get major repairs

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake School District is in the process of making around $6.6 million worth of repairs. “The work is fantastic,” Superintendent Angela Rolfe said. “We're really excited to be able to upgrade and modernize some things that needed to be done.”

Narcan machine removed from Moses Lake library

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Library will no longer have a Narcan vending machine within the building. “We didn't decide to move the machine,” North Central Washington Libraries Communications and Community Engagement Manager Amanda Brack said. “It's not our machine. We were partnering with Thriving Together NCW by providing space for the machine and the library and Thriving Together NCW is relocating it, and we fully support what they're doing in our state.”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: The weight of officials’ words...

We live in a time where the old axiom, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” rings truer than ever. Social media gives anyone and everyone with half a thought an option to get their opinions – factual, unfounded, unnecessarily inflammatory or just plain asinine – out to a broad audience.

Othello Special Olympics teams succeed at state

OTHELLO – The Othello Special Olympics Dream Team qualified both their soccer and track teams to the state tournament over the weekend. Overall, the Dream Team took home seven medals from the tournament. “I think it’s very important that they can be proud, and they can get out there and do things that they’re capable of and feel really good about themselves,” said Dream Team Coach Pam Schmidt.

WA may have to dip into emergency reserves, despite historic tax increases

(The Center Square) – Despite passing the largest tax increase in state history amid record revenue levels, Washington state’s wallet may be empty by the end of the 2025-27 biennium, according to a new report by the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Quincy Special Olympics in state tournament

QUINCY – The Quincy Special Olympics Jackrabbits travelled to Tacoma over the weekend to compete in the state tournament. The team overall brought home 14 medals from their efforts over the weekend.

Moses Lake council approves homeless plan

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials will delay getting rid of buildings used at, or destined for, the now-closing Open Doors Sleep Center. Moses Lake City Council member David Skaug suggested looking for a local recipient first during a discussion on closing the sleep center at the regular council meeting Tuesday.

Soap Lake school district receives athletic grants

SOAP LAKE – Last week, the Soap Lake School District announced they received two grants for student athletes. Both grants total out to $17,500 and will directly benefit athletics in Soap Lake. According to Athletic Director Erin Allen, this allows them to take the financial burden off of coaches and parents.

Raleigh hits one of Seattle's four homers as Mariners romp over Twins 11-2

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 32nd home run on Monday, one of four by the Seattle Mariners in their 11-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

658-acre Othello annexation debate continued to July 14

OTHELLO — An overflow crowd and the Othello City Council asked a lot of questions about a proposal to annex property into the city of Othello during a lengthy public hearing at the regular meeting Monday. Othello Mayor Shawn Logan said the public hearing was, and will be, only to gather public reaction to the two annexation petitions. “Neither of the annexation requests are certified by the (Adams County) assessor in time for this meeting,” Logan said. “Therefore, no city council action is going to be taken tonight on either of these annexation requests.”

Connelly Park to reduce hours after vandalism, crimes

MOSES LAKE — Connelly Park, a popular recreational area managed by the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District, will reduce its hours and close on Sundays and Mondays amid rising incidents of vandalism and violence.

Ephrata High School honor roll

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District has released the Ephrata High School Honor Roll for the second semester of the 2024-25 school year. Honors are given by class and grade point average.

‘Undeniable freedom’

Juneteenth celebrates African American fight for liberty

MOSES LAKE — Juneteenth has only been a national holiday for a few years, but its meaning resonated deeply Thursday.

Knights coach Jenks closing chapter at Royal

ROYAL CITY – After eight years as the head coach of the Knights baseball team, Brandon Jenks is stepping away from his role. Balancing work, family and coaching eventually created too many obstacles, and he felt it was time to step away. “My job makes me travel a little more, so in order to make it back for practice every day, it’s been really challenging to manage all those things, to make sure I fulfill all my responsibilities on the other side, and then give the kids everything I’ve got on the field as well,” Jenks said. Jenks said it was important for him to be able to watch his two younger daughters play softball.

Sixers win 18U championship at summer classic

MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Sixers (8-7) took care of business last weekend as they went undefeated in the Big Bend Summer Classic. Sixers owner Ryan Doumit said he was proud of what he saw out of the team last weekend. “The bats really came alive,” Doumit said. “I thought that for the most part the defense was outstanding and the pitching was solid. That’s usually what wins games, especially in a tournament type setting. When you’re playing against good teams, it usually comes down to pitching a defense with some timely hitting.

Rage play first tournament of season

MOSES LAKE — Last weekend, the Washington Rage 18U (2-3) traveled to Carlon Park for their first softball tournament of the summer season. According to head coach Bob Richardson, they are a young team but were able to build chemistry over the course of the weekend. “Saturday was rough,” Richardson said. “We lost all three games, but being able to come out Sunday and flip it. We started to gel a little bit in the third game, played a little better than we had the first two games.” On Saturday, the Rage played three games and lost each of them. In the first two games, they combined for nine errors, according to Richardson. He said the main issue that plagued the team was their youth and inexperience with each other.

Know the local law before setting off fireworks

MOSES LAKE — The calendar is counting down to Independence Day, and fireworks stands are offering combustible fun all over the Basin. Before you start lighting fuses, however, make sure you know the local laws.

Legals for June, 23 2025

Eagles Perez takes on prestigious honor at EWU

OTHELLO – On June 12, Eastern Washington University Eagles defensive lineman Isaiah Perez earned the honor of wearing No. 4 this upcoming season. Head coach Aaron Best announced this in a team meeting, an honor that Perez was pleasantly surprised to receive.

Reopening of Soap Lake Library marks new chapter for community engagement

SOAP LAKE – The grand reopening of the Soap Lake Library Friday is showcasing a transformation that promises to reinvigorate the community's access to resources and programming, temporary librarian Stephanie Jackson said.