Legals for May, 22 2025

Ephrata Fire Department named 2025 Volunteer Fire House of the Year

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Fire Department has been awarded the title of "Volunteer Fire House of the Year" for 2025 by the Washington State Firefighters Association, significant recognition for the primarily volunteer-based team.

Mavs girls and boys finish second and third at districts

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks boys and girls tennis teams finished their season at the district tournament over the weekend. The boys team tied with Davis for third in the rankings while the girls team finished second overall. “We did have a lot of really good tennis played on Thursday,” said Coach Jay Dickinson. “The fact that our two singles boys, Cesar Portillo and Caleb Stanberry, came up one match short but played some of their best tennis of the year was really fun to watch.” The girls had brought Elise Miles, Madi McDonald, and Belize Orton for singles and Kiley Thomas and Kalei Bruce, Claire Thompson and Abbie O’Neil, and Selah Loomis and Kamaile Bruce to play for doubles.

BASIN EVENTS CALENDAR: May 23-31, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Memorial Day weekend is a busy one, with the three-day weekend and – hopefully – beautiful weather. Here are some things going on in the Basin this week: May 23 Tee Off for Tails Swing into action for the animals. Meet some adorable adoptables and grab some grub at the barbecue. Donate dog food, kitten formula, laundry soap, or bleach directly to Grant County Animal Outreach and get a free round of mini golf. 12-9 p.m. at Lake Bowl, 1165 N. Stratford Road, Moses Lake. Info: 509-762-9616.

Legals for May, 21 2025

New Washington law directs $100M in grants toward hiring police, improving public safety

OLYMPIA — On his first day, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson angered many Democratic lawmakers by demanding the Legislature put $100 million in the next state budget to help local police departments hire police officers. “That idea was a cornerstone of my campaign for Governor. Any budget I sign must include this funding,” he said in his Jan. 15 inaugural address. On Monday, there were clear signs of a rapprochement as Ferguson signed House Bill 2015 that embeds a $100 million grant program in a broad policy bill designed to let local and tribal governments decide how best to use those dollars – even if that means not hiring a single new cop. “It’s a wonderful bill,

Permit-to-purchase gun bill signed into law by Gov. Ferguson

(The Center Square) – Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed into law a controversial bill requiring Washingtonians to apply for a permit – and pay for it – before purchasing a firearm. Under House Bill 1163, which goes into effect in May 2027, any state resident wishing to purchase a gun must first apply for a permit, then pay a fee, and show documentation of completing a safety training program – including live-fire shooting – within five years. Per the bill, potential gun buyers will have to obtain a five-year permit through the Washington State Patrol. At the point of purchase, buyers will undergo another background check and wait 10 days before taking possession of the firearm.

Mattawa Council approves proposed contract with police union

MATTAWA — After a negotiation process that went to mediation, the Mattawa City Council voted May 15 to approve a new three-year contract with the union representing Mattawa Police Department officers. The vote was 4-2, with council members Tony Acosta and Fabiola Hernandez voting no. City Attorney Kathryn Kenison said it was a challenging process. “We didn’t think we were going to get there, but we asked the mediator to work with us a little longer and this is what the parties compromised on,” Kenison said. “The open items were mostly the financials.”

Huskies sweep competition at conference championship

INDIANAPOLIS — In their first year in the Big Ten Conference, the second ranked Washington Huskies women’s rowing team are the conference champions, winning all seven grand finals, according to a statement by UW Athletic Communications. In the 25-year history of the Big Ten regatta, Washington was just the second team ever to sweep, winning every grand final and joining Ohio State, which accomplished that feat in 2018. Washington won the team title with a perfect points total of 264. Rutgers was second with 239 points and Michigan (212) finished in third.

Eagles track and field finishes eighth in men’s and women’s competition

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Eagles men’s and women’s track teams finished eighth overall at the Big Sky Conference Championships on Saturday, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. The women scored 34 points while the men finished with 33.5 points. The final day was highlighted by bronze medals from Maddy Shekhawat, Owen Higgins, and Sydney Thweatt. “We had some highs and some lows, but we kept fighting,” said Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Erin Tucker. “Starting off with the 4x100 we got points there and we will be better next year, I promise you that.”

1,100-acre fire contained near Grant-Kittitas border

ELLENSBURG — On Sunday afternoon around 12:35 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to Bourne Springs for a fast-moving wildland fire at the Yakima Training Center. “It occurred in an open training area, and it was caused due to training activities,” Yakima Training Center Public Affairs Officer Paul Noel said. The fire was located near the Grant County and Kittitas County border, near Mattawa.

Gas prices rise in Grant Co., WA and nationally

A look into Memorial Day weekend travel

MOSES LAKE — Gas prices across the nation rose, impacting both Grant County and Washington state, according to the American Automobile Association. However, gas prices are still lower than last year at this time, which is good for travelers this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Last week, Grant County was sitting at $4.28 per gallon for the second week in a row, but as of Monday gas prices had risen $0.02 per gallon, bringing the average gas price in the county up to $4.30, according to AAA. This is the same price consumers saw during the week of April 28. This week Adams County saw a decrease in gas prices from $4.20 to $4.18 this week, according to AAA. Two weeks ago, gas was averaging $4.17, lower than currently. Both Grant and Adams counties remain around the median of gas prices across the state, according to AAA. Wahkiakum County remained the most expensive for the second week in a row at $4.80 which is a $0.05 increase from the previous week. Asotin County also remained the cheapest at $3.84 which is a $0.07 increase from last week.

Cougars off to state

Rain cancels Warden-River View game

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars baseball team’s game against River View on Saturday was canceled due to the heavy rainfall. Both teams are now headed to the state tournament this Saturday. The Cougars are 12-13 for the season, while Riverview is 18-8. “They’re excited,” said Cougars head coach Travis Visker. “We missed state by one game the past two seasons so there’s a lot of first-time players getting to go participate in state for the first time. I think the last time we made it our seniors were freshman at the time.” Saturday’s game was meant to determine tournament seeding for the two teams as they were both already guaranteed to make it into the state tournament. As the rain fell, officials and coaches determined it would be a hazard to continue play and opted to cancel the game. There will be no make-up game.

Wildcats decorated at GNAC Outdoor Championship

BELLINGHAM — The Central Washington University track and field team racked up 12 gold medals at the GNAC Outdoor Championships, according to a statement by CWU athletics.

Legals for May, 19 2025

Jacks take bronze in districts

RICHLAND – The Jacks (8-5-3) earned a win against Ellensburg Tuesday evening for third place in districts and moved onto the Crossover bracket.

Gov. proclaims support for WA veterans

State leadership committed to vet suicide prevention, mental health support

MOSES LAKE – Gov. Bob Ferguson recently signed a proclamation reaffirming Washington’s commitment to veteran suicide prevention. The proclamation comes amidst rising concerns about mental health challenges facing vets, with the rate of veteran suicide in Washington exceeding the national average, according to a statement from Ferguson.

Food and Folk Festival returns to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Food and Folk Festival will have some changes the second time around. “This year we decided to have it a month earlier because last year on that day it was 100 degrees and higher,” said Ruthann Tobiason of Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee, which sponsors the event. “We know it kept a fair number of people away … We actually had a performer back out at the last minute because it was too hot and dang, I don’t blame her.” Last year’s one-day event drew a respectable turnout for an inaugural effort, enough that it’s been expanded to two days this year, June 20-21. Friday’s festivities will be homegrown, with an open mic at the Soap Lake Community Center and open mic followed by live music from Rebel Hearts at Cloudview Kitchen.

BASIN EVENTS CALENDAR: May 16-24, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s the merry, merry month of May and there are lots of ways to keep occupied in the Basin. Here are a few things happening this week:

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Washington State Patrol Trooper Travis Cunningham wears his hat with pride, mind for service

MOSES LAKE — The life of a Washington State Patrol officer isn’t all glamorous, but it does have one thing going for it: the coolest hat in all law enforcement. “I adamantly and wholeheartedly believe that,” said Trooper Travis Cunningham.