Soap Lake man arrested after standoff

SOAP LAKE – A Soap Lake man is in custody after a standoff at him home Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the Soap Lake Police Department.

'A perfect fit'

New Ephrata boys wrestling coach brings experience to the mat

EPHRATA – Newly-hired Ephrata boys wrestling head coach Joe Knox is bringing over two decades of coaching experience into his first head coaching gig when the Tigers hit the mat this winter. Knox was an assistant coach with Ephrata from 1995-2006 before serving as an assistant coach at Columbia Middle School in Moses Lake from 2011-2023...

Japanese ag students arrive at BBCC

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College welcomed the newest group of Japanese Agricultural Trainees to campus this week. Twenty-nine trainees arrived Friday, ready to begin their 19-month adventure in the United States...

CWU names interim associate VP of academic affairs

ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University announced this week that it has selected Dr. Kurt Kirstein as interim associate vice president of academic affairs.

Wine and a Grape time

White Heron Cellars keeps Quincy wine production in-house

QUINCY – White Heron Cellars is a vineyard and winery just outside of Quincy where they grow grapes and make them into wine sold all around Washington. Washington native Cameron Fries owns the vineyard and takes great pride in his craft. The winery is family-run and is the oldest north of I-90 and will sell directly to consumers, Fries said. They began in 1986 and have been experiencing success since...

Moses Lake development waiting for roundabout

MOSES LAKE - The owners of about 100 acres of land in Moses Lake adjacent to State Route 17 have big development plans for the land but are currently waiting on the installation of a roundabout before those plans can be implemented...

Graham Grindy: 1 in 100

COULEE CITY – Graham Grindy knew he wanted to get into teaching since he was in high school, but the idea to begin a career in coaching didn’t spawn until he was in college...

Fire report for June 28, 2023

WENATCHEE — State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Methow Fire just outside Wenatchee, according to a statement from the State Fire Marshal’s Office...

JATP back at Big Bend

MOSES LAKE – The 2023 Japanese Agricultural Trainee Program’s class of 2023 has arrived at Big Bend Community College. This year’s group is the 57th set of students to visit the area. These students will spend time in Moses Lake taking classes, going on field trips to local farms and then continue to host farms throughout the country, according to a statement from Big Bend Community College.

Tentative Quincy hospital construction start announced

QUINCY — Construction for the new Quincy Valley Medical Center is tentatively scheduled for this fall. “September 11 is our go date for construction,” said QVMC board member Anthony Gonzalez. “We’re trying to get this thing off the ground as quickly as we can.” ...

Moses Lake student makes university dean list

EREA, Ohio - Stephanie Foryan, a graduate of Moses Lake High School, has been named in Baldwin Wallace University’s Spring 2023 Dean List, according to an announcement from the university.

Installation of Othello playground to begin

OTHELLO — The long-running project to build a new playground and expanded basketball courts in Othello’s Lions Park should be completed by this fall...

Celebrating safely

Fireworks restrictions vary across county, but safe mindset it key.

COLUMBIA BASIN — Independence Day is next Tuesday and residents can expect a lot of booms, bangs and whistles, but in a dry climate like this, fireworks get out of hand easily and set off wildfires, said Grant County Fire District 7 Chief Chris Baker. “We have warmer, drier conditions that are going to be affecting the area,” Baker said. “In our jurisdiction, especially the north portion, we haven't had a whole lot of fires in recent years, so we have a lot of light, flashy fuels that are of concern. And of course, the increase in vacationers in the area means that there's a potential for even more issues. If we do have a fire that means evacuations, potential for people to get trapped, things like that.” ...

30 years: Downtown Moses Lake Association celebrates pearl anniversary

MOSES LAKE – Music, shoppers, bean bag tossers and fun took over downtown Moses Lake near Sinkiuse Square on Saturday as the Downtown Moses Lake Association celebrated three decades of serving the community – an anniversary ordinarily symbolized with a pearl if it were a marriage. “It went well,” said DMLA Executive Director Rosenda Henley. “It was a good turnout for being a first event.” ...

Hyatt named WSU dean of students

PULLMAN - Following a competitive national search, Jenna Hyatt has been named dean of students for the Washington State University system, and associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs at WSU Pullman, effective July 1.

News bites for June 27, 2023

EPHRATA — Nicole Shenefelt, 25, is being held at the Grant County Jail after reportedly setting a fire in Ephrata, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. OTHELLO — An investigation is underway into an officer-involved shooting near Othello Sunday.

Lower Crab Creek fire out, others still burning

BEVERLY — A wildfire that blazed up east of Beverly over the weekend is out, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kyle Foreman. The fire consumed about 65 acres, according to Neil Vargas, assistant chief for Grant County Fire District 10, which responded to the blaze. There were no injuries, Vargas added. No further information was available Monday afternoon, as Bureau of Land Management personnel were on the scene and no report had been made yet...

Newhouse leads field hearing on Snake River dams

RICHLAND – Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, hosted members of the House Committee on Natural Resources at Richland High School for a field hearing on Monday regarding the importance of the Lower Snake River Dams...

WSU memory and addiction study receives $2.9M grant

PULLMAN – Years into sobriety, seemingly innocent stimuli — like songs, smells or specific visuals — can trigger memories of earlier drug use and an intense craving that can cause even a long-recovered addict to relapse. But what if those memories could be manipulated to be less triggering? ...

Judge lets weapon ban stand

OLYMPIA — Washington state’s ban on certain types of gun will stay in place, a Thurston County Superior Court ruled Friday. “It’s another setback, but we’re gonna keep pushing forward,” said Guardian Arms owner Bruce Davis. “That’s all we can do.” ...