Warden hires interim police chief

WARDEN – The City of Warden has brought on interim police chief Juan Rodriguez from the Moses Lake Police Department after former Police Chief Rick Martin retired June 15. “The toughest thing is sitting and driving around and listening to Moses Lake, which has 25 calls on the board and sitting over here waiting to pull over a car,” Rodriguez said.

Royal City gears up for Summerfest, library opening

ROYAL CITY — Royal City will pull out the stops once again July 11-12 for the town’s annual Summerfest. “We’re going to have lots of kids attractions,” said Summerfest Committee Chair Jill Larsen. “We’re going to have a rock-climbing wall. We’re going to have a carnival ride and bouncy houses on Saturday.”

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.

Legals for June, 26 2025

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.

Legals for June, 25 2025

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.”

Dru Gimlin tourney brings B-ball enthusiasts together

QUINCY – Downtown Quincy hosted the annual Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 Basketball tournament Saturday. The games began at 9 a.m. and lasted until 6 p.m., making for a full day of basketball in honor of the memory of Dru Gimlin. “We are all truly thankful for our community and everybody that continues to come support the tournament,” said Stephanie Boorman, who runs the tournament.

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.

Moses Lake council to consider homeless response tonight

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members will consider recommendations for the city’s response after the closing of the Open Doors sleep center tonight. Mayor Dustin Swartz said the city, if the council approves the draft plan, would focus on facilitation rather than providing direct services. “We understand that other agencies that operate both inside and outside Grant County are better equipped to deal with (providing services),” Swartz said.

CWU honors 94 Basin students

ELLENSBURG — Ninety-four students from Grant and Adams counties were named to Central Washington University’s Honor Roll for spring quarter 2025, according to an announcement from the university

STUDIO BASIN: Canal safety, Moses Lake Library, duck rescues and Othello Football alum

MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Reporter Nance Beston, alongside senior reporters Cheryl Schweizer and Joel Martin discussed canal safety with the two recent drowning in Grant County and how the Moses Lake Library is as asset for drug prevention in youth, according to the Moses Lake Community Coalition. Then to close out the news segment, the group talked about the double duck rescue that led headlines last week along with events that captured people's attention over the weekend.

Seattle man injured in Saturday morning crash

MOSES LAKE — A Seattle man was transported to Samaritan Hospital after he drifted off the road while driving about one mile east of Moses Lake late Saturday morning.

Port of Mattawa to implement new procedures for expenses

MATTAWA — The Port of Mattawa will update its policies for expenditures following recommendations from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. Auditors found that port policies left it vulnerable to possible misuse of its funds.

Break in Quincy canal closes road Saturday

WINCHESTER — A break in the wall of an irrigation canal closed a road for a few hours about four miles south of Winchester Saturday morning.

Canal break closes road near Quincy Saturday

WINCHESTER — A break in the wall of an irrigation canal closed a road for a few hours about four miles south of Winchester Saturday morning.

YMCA exploring possible branch in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The YMCA could have a lot to offer Moses Lake, if the community wants one. “(It) would probably have an aquatic center with one or two pools in it,” said Dorry Foster, CEO of Wenatchee Valley YMCA. “A zero entry pool with a little splash area for the kiddos, three-foot depth, warm water (and a) secondary pool that’s a little bit colder that would be for recreational swimming, aqua exercise, more swim lessons for older kids, family time … There could be a gymnasium, that’s very typical, and then some program amenities, maybe like a community room, a rec room, places where people can come and meet.” It may sound like a pipe dream, but Teresa Fields of Moses Lake thinks it’s a possibility. She and a few other Moses Lake residents recently met with Foster to explore the possibility of Wenatchee Valley YMCA opening a branch facility here.

Legals for June, 20 2025

Authorities release images of how fugitive Travis Decker may have altered appearance

(The Center Square) – The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has released new images of what Travis Decker, the Wenatchee, Wash., man suspected of killing his three young daughters, might look like after having been on the run for several weeks. Decker, 32, has been charged with kidnapping and killing his daughters, 5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn and 9-year-old Paityn. The girls’ bodies were found at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth on June 2, asphyxiated to death. Multiple local and federal agencies are assisting in the manhunt, with the U.S. Border Patrol taking the lead in the search. Earlier this month, Gov. Bob Ferguson activated the Washington National Guard to aid law enforcement in the search for Decker.

One fire blazing in WA

ENTIAT — The Pomas Fire, reported on June 13, has rapidly grown to 910 acres in size as of Thursday. The fire is situated 36 miles northwest of Entiat, within the rugged Glacier Peak Wilderness, according to a report on Inciweb. There are no updates on containment as of Thursday. “This is an extreme(ly) tough piece of ground with all the dead and down timber from the 2015 Wolverine Fire and 10 years’ worth of thick regeneration,” said Holly Krake in a statement from Entiat-Chelan District Ranger for the Forest Service. “The smokejumpers and pilots are doing everything they safely can to keep fire from becoming established on the east side of the Entiat River and down in Snowbrushy Creek.”