Grant Co. students graduate from WCA

GRANT COUNTY — Three Grant County locals graduated Tuesday from Washington Connections Academy, according to an announcement from the online public school...

Compassionate planning

Local funeral director shares tips to plan end-of-life services and reduce stress for families.

MOSES LAKE – The passing of a loved one is never something that people like to think about in their day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, things happen and it’s important to have a plan in place. Susan Freeman who is the Funeral Director at Pioneer Memorial said the most important thing a person can do is be prepared. There are many times when people come in and there is nothing prearranged and the family has no idea what to do for the funeral, said Freeman...

Washington fire report for June 21

MOSES LAKE — These are the wildfires that were burning in Washington as of Monday afternoon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website...

Weather impacts hay quality

COLUMBIA BASIN — The first cutting is in for alfalfa hay in the Basin, and it’s not all it should be, according to Mark Anderson of Anderson Hay & Grain. “We were hoping to get a lot more high-test supreme and premium alfalfa for dairies,” Anderson said. “We struggled a little bit with weather that interrupted the perfect harvest window. So there's there's been a fair amount of inventory that's just under that supreme and premium testing.” ...

The Podium to host Big Sky indoor championships

FARMINGTON, Utah – The Big Sky Conference announced last week that the 2024 Indoor Track and Field Championships will be held at The Podium Powered by STCU in Spokane, in collaboration with Spokane Sports and Eastern Washington University.

Washington sports schedule June 21-27

COLUMBIA BASIN – Check out this week’s Washington sports schedule, featuring local, regional and statewide sporting events.

Rattling Portland

Local 18U team competes at Valley Invite in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. – The 18U Moses Lake Rattlers were one of nearly 60 teams to compete at the Triple Crown Valley Invite in Portland, Oregon over the weekend, though the final day of competition was rained out.

Sustainable jet fuel production coming to Grant Co.

MOSES LAKE — Groundbreaking is scheduled for early July for a new facility that its owners say will manufacture aviation fuel from hydrogen, carbon dioxide and electricity. Nicholas Flanders, co-founder and CEO of Berkley, California-based Twelve, announced the construction of the new facility Monday at the Paris Air Show, accompanied by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. “We have a groundbreaking next month,” said Richard Hanover, director of business development for the Port of Moses Lake Tuesday...

UPDATED: Gorge victims, alleged shooter identified

EPHRATA — Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison has released the identities of the two fatally-shot victims from the Sunday evening shooting at The Gorge Amphitheatre’s campground and Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete has identified the alleged shooter. “The suspect is 26-year-old James M. Kelly of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He was hospitalized for a gunshot wound and was returned to Grant County today where he is lodged in the Grant County Jail. He is held for investigation of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of first-degree assault domestic violence,” Kriete said...

Newhouse to help lead field hearing on Lower Snake River Dams

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, will help lead a field hearing in Richland for members of the House Natural Resources Committee on the importance of Eastern Washington’s Lower Snake River dams, according to an announcement from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, who will join Newhouse at the hearing...

BBCC celebrates a first with 2023 graduation

MOSES LAKE — With cloud cover providing cool weather Friday evening at Lions Field in Downtown Moses Lake, Big Bend Community College made history conferring its new Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management degree on 26 students along with 513 other graduates who received associate degrees or high school diplomas. “I really want to thank Big Bend for implementing this new BAS-AM program and making it accessible to our community,” said BAS-AM Cohort 1 representative Shelley Mease...

Applications open for broadband funding grants

OLYMPIA — The Washington Public Works Board is currently accepting applications for broadband construction funding offering a total of $13.5 million in low-interest loans for projects in unserved areas of the state, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Commerce...

MarDon Resort Fresh News: Keep an eye on depth

MARDON - The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1041.00 feet – dropping 1.10 feet this week, as of Tuesday. The water temperature is right around 70 degrees on the main reservoir. The water temps in the sand dunes are in the low-to-mid-70s...

Senator steps down to serve as Kitsap commissioner

OLYMPIA - Sen. Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island) announced her resignation Tuesday from the Washington State Senate. She is stepping down to serve on the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, according to a press release from her office...

News Bites for June 20, 2023

OTHELLO — Caring Neighbors, a nonprofit established by Big Bend Energy Cooperative, donated $2,375 to Adams County Fire District 5 on Thursday, according to an announcement from ACFD 5. The money will help to fund the replacement of older extrication tools, the announcement said.

Idaho shooting leaves four dead

KELLOGG, Idaho – Four people are dead and a Kellogg man is in custody following a shooting on Father’s Day. "This is a tragic situation that will affect the Kellogg community. Detectives continue working to establish a timeline and what led to the shooting," Idaho State Patrol District 1 Investigations Lieutenant Paul Berger said. "As this case will go through the judicial process, we are ensuring every angle is covered with a thorough investigation." ...

Washington wildfire summary for June 19

MOSES LAKE — These are the wildfires that were burning in Washington as of Monday afternoon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website...

Mattawa considering second cleanup event

MATTAWA — The spring cleanup in Mattawa was a big enough success that city officials are considering a second one in the summer or fall. “We collected 10.8 tons, which is 21,000 pounds of solid waste,” said city Public Works Director Juan Ledezma during the Mattawa City Council meeting June 15...

BBCC to debut Intro to Communications

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Communications Studies Department will add a new course to its offerings this year, Introduction to Communications, according to an announcement from the college...

Prowler caught following assault

MOSES LAKE — A suspected vehicle prowler who allegedly punched his victim and fled was caught in Moses Lake Wednesday...