Fire focus: GCFD 8 Commissioner speaks at candidate forum.

MATTAWA – Last week’s South Grant County candidate forum featured unopposed candidate for Grant County Fire District 8 Commissioner Debra Crain, who spoke during the forum about GCFD 8 and gave advice to the public.

Legals for November, 1 2023

MLSD candidates swap perspectives at forum

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake voters had the opportunity to hear from 14 candidates for local offices Oct. 24. The forum, hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, The Columbia Basin Herald and KWIQ, allowed hopefuls for the Moses Lake City Council, the Moses Lake School Board and Grant County Hospital District No. 1 to speak a little bit about themselves and their visions for the positions they sought, and to answer pre-selected questions relating to those offices. The moderator was Alan Heroux, an ambassador with the Chamber, and the timekeeper was Karisti Cox of Summer Wood. Each candidate was asked two questions which were alternated, so each candidate had a chance to answer one of the questions first and one second.

Legals for October, 30 2023

Moses Lake gets new city manager, police chief

MOSES LAKE – Now-former Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr was appointed during this week’s city council meeting as permanent city manager. Subsequently, Captain David Sands has been tapped to take over as Moses Lake Police Department chief.

Legals for October, 26 2023

Immanuel Lutheran Church bell to be rededicated

MOSES LAKE — Immanuel Lutheran Church’s bell will ring out again Sunday. The bell has been out of commission for several years, said Pastor Walter Klockers. After extensive repairs, it’s ready to peal again. Immanuel Lutheran is unusual in having an actual physical bell, Klockers said; most churches these days either use electronic carillons or forgo the tradition altogether. “I was surprised at the size of it,” Klockers said. “Thirty-six inches across and 700 pounds is quite a thing.”

Legals for October, 25 2023

Othello schools work to weed out gangs

OTHELLO — Amy Parris, director of student services for the Othello School District, said district officials faced a challenge at the start of the 2021-22 school year — gang activity was starting to seep back into Othello schools. “What we did last year was take a pretty hard stance. ‘We’re not putting up with that here,’” she said.

Royal schools celebrate end of construction

ROYAL CITY — A small but enthusiastic crowd came to the Royal School District’s newly remodeled transportation center to celebrate the completion of construction at the district’s four schools. Seventeen people attended the event, which included a slide presentation by Superintendent Roger Trail, as well as homemade cookies. The traditional gold shovel and oversized scissors were present, but not needed.

Q&A: Moses Lake City Council Position 7

MOSES LAKE – Incumbent David Skaug is facing Elisia Dalluge for Moses Lake City Council Position 7...

Heavenly Fresh

Creating a healthy environment for Othello

OTHELLO — Heavenly Fresh, a juice bar in Othello focused on health drinks and nutrition, officially opened for business in mid-July after a burglary delayed the opening. Now, business is slowly picking up, said the business’s owners Emily Cordero and her husband Salvador De Jesus Solano. “This month mainly has been picking up,” Cordero said. “Last month was pretty slow, the month before that was okay. But yeah, we would prefer to have more people.” Cordero and Solano initially had planned to provide a gaming space to attract younger clientele, but after multiple TVs, consoles and devices were stolen during the burglary on June 14, they had to push that goal down the road.

Q&A: Soap Lake City Council position 7 candidates

SOAP LAKE – Incumbent JoAnn Rushton is facing Judith Gorman for Soap Lake City Council Position 7...

Legals for October, 20 2023

Legals for October, 19 2023

Public invited to comment on EPA herbicide policy

MOSES LAKE – The Agricultural Retailer’s Association announced Wednesday it is encouraging public comment on a proposed Endangered Species Act herbicide strategy draft from the Environmental Protection Agency to bring the EPA's pesticide program into compliance with the ESA. Comments are due no later than Oct. 22.

News Bites for Oct. 16, 2023

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Coroner’s Office are looking into the death of a man found early Saturday in the middle of Sheep Canyon Road near Road E-NE north of Ephrata, according to a GCSO statement...

Police logs for Oct. 13, 2023

Reports from Moses Lake Police, Ephrata Police and Grant County Jail.

Q&A: Warden City Council Position 4

MOSES LAKE – Brittney Pittman is running against Dario Pruneda for Position 4 on the Warden City Council...

ACPR asks Othello for more funding

OTHELLO — Members of the public and Adams County Pet Rescue board member Tammy Foley spoke up at Monday’s regular Othello City Council meeting to ask the city to increase its funding for ACPR...