Royal parents learn to identify drug risk factors

ROYAL CITY — Between 20 and 30 people gathered at Royal Intermediate School June 8 for Healthy Youth, Healthy Families. The bilingual event, sponsored by Educational Service District 105, among other organizations, was designed to help families identify signs of substance abuse in youth. “My demographic right now is particularly 10- to 13-year-olds,” said Ariana Martinez, a student assistance professional for ESD 105 attached to the Royal School District. “They're the ones kind of keeping up with the Tik Tok trends, whether that's using tampons to get drunk, putting them in alcohol, or challenges (to see) who can show up the highest at school and not get caught.” ...

Exploring macro worlds

Macro photography exhibit brings bugs into focusing

MOSES LAKE — It all started with some boozy bugs. “I went out in the front yard, and I went up to a tree in which there were always tens of butterflies, and I couldn't figure out why,” said Walter Klockers, whose macro photography is currently on exhibit at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center...

News Bites for June 14

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Department officers arrested Byron Combs, 30, of Moses Lake on Monday after receiving a call that took them to the 800 block of Loop Drive, according to an MLPD statement. Contractors working nearby had overheard a man and woman arguing and believed the woman was being assaulted. The workers wenter to intervene when Combs reportedly pulled a firearm, pointed it at the workers and threatened to kill them...

ACH grads sent off with a song

COULEE CITY — The 15 graduating seniors of the Almira Coulee Hartline High School class of 2023 gathered on the stage in the gym on the afternoon of Saturday, June 10, to receive their diplomas. And in each one of those diplomas was a sticky note with a song title. “I thought of a conversation I’d actually had with (co-valedictorian) Isabel (Brink) earlier when she was working on her valedictorian speech,” said Kelley Boyd, who is both Superintendent of the Almira Coulee Hartline School District and principal of ACH High School.

Gratitude marks Ephrata 2023 graduation

EPHRATA — One of the things Ephrata High School graduating senior Kacie Shannon said she came to realize in high school is that no one is solely responsible for their own success. “In every case, there was some type of support system in place, whether it be a friend, a family member, a teacher or a mentor. In some cases, success was derived directly from a bit of friendly competition,” Shannon said during her speech at the Ephrata High School class of 2023 graduation ceremony on June 2.

‘Exude compassion’

Lind-Ritzville students ready for the next challenge

RITZVILLE — “Exude compassion.” That was the advice given to Lind-Ritzville High School seniors at their graduation ceremony Saturday by LRHS history teacher and guest speaker Bryce Court. “When I say to do that, I mean it should be the defining attribute of your character, the thing you are and do by accident,” Court said. “And I believe compassion should be separated from synonyms like love and charity. Compassion is distinguishable from love because, while I know it's difficult to love those whom you strongly disagree with, you can always show those darn angry fools compassion.”

Lions roar out of The Den

MLCA’s class of 2023 looks to the future and thinks back on the past

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Christian Academy graduating senior Jeff Boorman said his favorite memories of his time at MLCA were the bonds he was able to make with friends and classmates. Benjamin Eldred said his favorite memories involved being able to play baseball with his friends. At MLCA’s 2023 graduation ceremony, both young men and their classmates said they were excited to be moving on to new adventures in their adult lives. The aspiring entertainers, engineers, athletes, pilots and academics are the first class to utilize MLCA’s new gym, The Den, for their graduation ceremony.

Excitement, mixed emotions at Othello graduation

OTHELLO — Luis Alvarado, Othello High School class of 2023, admitted to mixed emotions as he left Huskie Stadium after OHS graduation ceremonies. “Happy. Most definitely,” he said.

‘Do hard things’

Royal High School grads prepare to change the world

ROYAL CITY — One hundred eleven Knights sallied forth from the Royal High School football field Friday, June 2, ready to take on any dragons that might come their way. “Many things make you an exceptional graduating class,” said RHS Principal Courtney McCoy in her welcoming remarks. “You are driven. You are strong. You are gregarious. You get things done. You have that we-can-do-things we-are-going-to-do-things je ne sais quoi about you … So take that magical mojo of yours and always remember the American author Glennon Doyle's mantra: ‘We can do hard things every day.’ You can do hard things. Do them: the big, the small, things for you, things for others, things for the entire world. Our world is waiting for you, Royal High School’s wildly capable Class of 2023.”

‘Always a Warrior’

MATTAWA – For the 170 graduates of Wahluke High School and 11 graduates of Sentinel Tech, Friday’s graduation ceremony was full of callbacks to previous years, celebrations of achievements and the excitement of post-graduation plans. “Seniors – what a journey these past four years have been,” Wahluke Principal Cody Marlow said during the ceremony. “Filled with many good, and some not-so-good memories; hardship, sadness, excitement, anticipation – plus a whole lot more. All of these have been valuable lessons that will help you in your next chapter.”

Devils celebrate accomplishments

WILSON CREEK — Like so many students who gathered to celebrate high school graduation this year, the seven students of the Wilson Creek High School class of 2023 took time to reflect on their lives, thank all those who helped them along the way and considered what their futures might look like. “First, I’d like to say thank you to all the teachers and staff,” said Wilson Creek High School 2023 valedictorian Aimee Willis during her graduation speech. “And let’s not forget to mention all the family and friends who have given their support and encouragement throughout high school.”

Learning to fly: Former refugee earns scholarship for Big Bend flight training.

MOSES LAKE — Victoire Wilondja is learning to fly because he wants to do something big with his life. “The freedom of dreaming big,” said Wilondja as he sat in the Flight Training Center at Big Bend Community College. “Something that I never thought I could do.” ...

Moses Lake to host walkability workshop

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will host a one-day workshop on Thursday, June 22, to discuss future possibilities for creating and improving walkability in Moses Lake, according to a city press release.

Washington sports schedule June 14-20

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

Knox hired as Ephrata boys wrestling coach

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District announced that Joe Knox will be taking over the Tiger boys wrestling program in a release on Tuesday. According to the release, the selection committee sought an experienced leader, with a strong background in both coaching and building relationships with student-athletes...

18U Rattlers open season in Pasco

MOSES LAKE – The 18U Moses Lake Rattlers began their season at the Kate Austin Memorial Tournament over the weekend, going 3-2 in games against teams from across the Pacific Northwest. With high school softball season having ended just under three weeks ago, it was a quick turnaround for the Rattlers before their tournament in Tri-Cities over the weekend...

Royal City gains new council members, approves water main upgrade

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council swore in two new members during its meeting Monday evening. Rick Kannely and Ryan Piercy were selected to fill vacancies left when other members moved out of town. “I'm here as a volunteer to support the community, to serve the community that I live in,” Kannely said. “I love this place. It’s the best place I’ve ever lived.” ...

Coulee City chiropractor’s license suspended

COULEE CITY — A Coulee City man’s chiropractic license has been suspended following his arrest on suspicion of child rape and unlawful imprisonment...

Lending a paw

Builder rallies community to upgrade animal shelter

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach recently got some much-needed upgrades. Moses Lake developer CAD Homes teamed up with several other businesses this spring to build new kennels at the county animal shelter, along with some other much-needed improvements.

NRCS chief tours Columbia Basin Project

MOSES LAKE — Terry Cosby, chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, had some words of encouragement Monday morning for local officials looking to get more funding to replace well water with Columbia River irrigation water in the eastern portions of the Columbia Basin Project. “We’re here to help,” Cosby said.