Burn restrictions announced prior to July 4 holiday

SPOKANE — The Bureau of Land Management has increased fire restrictions for Eastern Washington starting on the July 4 holiday, citing increased fire danger with hot, dry weather in the region. “Know before you go and be prepared before visiting your public lands this summer,” said Fire Management Officer for the BLM Spokane District Lonnie Newton. “Pack a shovel and fire extinguisher and follow BLM’s fire restriction orders to help prevent fires.”

Fire burns behind Grant Co. Irrigation and Rehabilitation building

MOSES LAKE – On the morning of July 2, the City of Moses Lake Fire Department was dispatched due to multiple reports of a wildfire located in the area of Penn Street and behind the Grant County Irrigation and Rehabilitation District building, north of East Wheeler Road. The fire was reported at about 10:45 a.m. “We made a pretty quick stop of the fire,” said Battalion Chief JR Schwendeman, who was on the scene. “It’s going to continue to burn for probably the next 24 hours in certain areas, but we’re going to be in the area in the next 24 hours continuing to watch it and put out hot spots.”

Adams County Sheriff’s Office jail roster for July 2, 2025

The reports below were provided by the sheriff's office or police department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This is the active list of inmates for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The Adams County Jail is closed, so inmates are housed in other jurisdictions.

Legals for July, 2 2025

Two Coeur d'Alene area firefighters killed in shooting

Were responding to fire said to be intentionally set

Police: Suspected shooter found dead

MLSD welcomes three new 2026 buses

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District recently expanded its transportation fleet with the addition of three brand new vehicles, poised to improve both student safety and daily commuting experiences, according to the Transportation Director of Operations Aimee Cook. “I just love seeing new buses out there on the road. They’re shiny, and I like the community seeing that,” Cook said.

Futsal courts open at kiwanis park in Othello

OTHELLO – On Tuesday, the Othello Parks and Recreation held a ribbon cutting for their new futsal courts at Kiwanis Park. Othello Parks and Recreation Coordinator Valerie Hernandez said the event was special for the Othello community. “Today is more than a ribbon cutting. It is a celebration of community collaboration and shared commitment to recreation and youth development,’ she said.

Big party in Othello for nation’s birthday

OTHELLO — The nation’s 249th birthday will be celebrated in Othello with games and a parade and tournaments and fireworks, just like the tradition. “I love the Fourth of July. It’s the biggest party in Othello,” said Jackie Wilhelm, president of the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce. Most of the activities will be in Lions Park.

Legals for July, 1 2025

Gas prices see slight decrease this week

MOSES LAKE – There was a slight decrease in fuel prices this week in Washington, nationally and Grant County. Adams County didn’t follow the trend and saw a slight increase in prices this week compared to last week, according to AAA. “The national average price of gasoline has resumed its decline, with falling prices driven by easing tensions in the Middle East—just weeks after those same tensions had pushed prices higher,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy in a statement. De Haan said prices are likely to continue falling going into Independence Day weekend.

Imagination Library saved by OSPI funding

OLYMPIA — Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will continue to lead children to reading in Washington. The Imagination Library of Washington announced Wednesday that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has taken up funding the early literacy program following budget cuts that left its future in limbo.

Legals for June, 30 2025

Two firefighters dead, one hospitalized after Canfield Mountain shooting near Coeur d'Alene

Emergency responders from North Idaho and Spokane rushed to Canfield Mountain on Sunday afternoon following reports of a possible ambush attack on firefighters responding to a brush fire on the mountain in Coeur d'Alene.

Law enforcement logs for June 30, 2025

The reports below were provided by the sheriff's office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Moses Lake man arrested for possession, intent to sell

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was booked into the Grant County Jail Wednesday on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell. “The warrant was the second operation this week targeting illegal drug sales in and around Civic Park,” a release from the Moses Lake Police Department said.

State fire marshal encourages home sprinkler installation

MOSES LAKE — They’re in commercial and industrial buildings everywhere you go, but fire sprinklers are still a rarity in homes, where they could save lives, according to a statement from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office. “Home fire sprinklers are designed to activate individually, targeting only the area affected by fire, which minimizes water damage,”Fire Marshal Chad Cross wrote in the statement. “They can be seamlessly integrated into new constructions or retrofitted into existing homes.”

Solid Grounds: Fairgrounds staff works behind the scenes year-round

MOSES LAKE — Having a great fairgrounds doesn’t happen by accident. “It all comes down to having a great crew,” said Grant County Fairgrounds Manager Jim McKiernan. “I would put our crew up against anybody’s … People have a tendency to stereotype county workers (as) standing on the side of a road with a shovel underneath them. That is not our crew at all. They’re slamming all the time, doing stuff as it needs to be.” That crew consists of 10 full-time staff besides McKiernan: four in maintenance, four in events, one for accounting and a fairgrounds coordinator who keeps all the rest running smoothly. That number is supplemented by six seasonal workers brought on during the busy season, McKiernan said.

Bonnie Helvey and ARFS: Working to make life better for pets and pet owners

EPHRATA — Bonnie Helvey isn’t in her office in Ephrata on Fridays – which is part of her retirement plan, she said – but she’s not just at home. On a recent Friday she was on the road to Issaquah, dropping off some dogs at a foster home and picking up a cat for transfer to another foster home. Helvey is one of the co-founders of Animal Rescue Friends Society of Grant County, and its job is to help animals that are in need. “I’ll be able to do this more when I’m retired,” Helvey said. ARFS of Grant County was founded in 2019 by Helvey and friends Annette Hernandez and Tracy Williams, later Tracy Hill.

Legals for June, 27 2025

Changes coming to GCSO communication

EPHRATA — Staffing shortages and additional demands on department resources have led the Grant County Sheriff’s Office to make changes in the way GCSO communicates emergency information. Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said the program will be scaled back.