Washington fire update for Sept. 28

WASHINGTON STATE - There are seven large fires in Washington according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center as of Sept. 27. The site defines a large fire as any wildland fire in timber 100 acres or greater, and 300 acres or greater in grasslands/rangelands, or has an Incident Management Team assigned to it...

Sainsbury fills Ephrata School Board position

EPHRATA - The Ephrata School Board Monday night unanimously selected Josh Sainsbury to fill the board’s vacant position. “We are happy to have Josh, employed as a public servant, be willing to do more for his community by serving on the school board,” said Anita Waller, Ephrata School Board Vice President in a release by the district. “We look forward to working with him.” The release states Sainsbury replaces Alain Black who stepped down in August to accept the varsity girls basketball head coaching position at Ephrata High School...

Two men found dead in Warden home

WARDEN — Detectives with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Warden Police Department are investigating the deaths of two men found inside a Warden home Thursday night. According to a GCSO statement, police were called at roughly 11 p.m. to a residence at 508 Ash St. and found two men in their late 20s dead inside the home. Both men were occupants of the house, according to the statement. WPD Chief Rick Martin said there were no signs anybody had broken into or entered the house and no signs of foul play in the deaths of the two men. “The comunity doesn’t have to worry,” he said. The bodies are currently in the custody of Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison, who is expected to notify next of kin as soon as the bodies are identified, the statement said.

George man arrested after standoff

GEORGE - A 60-year-old George resident was arrested Sunday morning after a several-hour standoff after law enforcement attempted to arrest him for assault, according to a Grant County Sheriff's Office statement. A release by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office states responders were called around 8 p.m. Saturday to E. Montmorency Blvd. in George...

After delay, Lower Cascade River fall fishing season opener set

MILL CREEK — Fishing will open Saturday on the lower Cascade River in Skagit County, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The opening affects angling from the mouth of the Cascade upstream to the bridge on Rockport-Cascade Road. The rules for the fishery are the same as those in the 2022/23 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, except that no bait is allowed. Fishing will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays only. Night closure and anti-snagging rules are in effect. Coho daily limit during this time is four fish with a minimum size of 12 inches, the release said. Anglers must release all other salmon. Sundays through Tuesdays are closed to all sport fishing to prevent gear conflicts with tribal fisheries, the release added. For more information, call the WDFW Mill Creek Regional Office at 425-775-1311.

MLPD investigating Grape Drive shooting

MOSES LAKE — Two Moses Lake men were arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting Wednesday evening, June 7, at the intersection of Grape Drive and Ted Yao Way, according to a press release from the Moses Lake Police Department...

REC secures financing leverage

MOSES LAKE — REC Silicon has secured a $30 million loan from New York’s Standard Chartered Bank to help fund the company’s restart as well as proposed expansions, according to an REC press release...

WDFW eyes 3-year hunting season plans

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for the public’s feedback as it begins its latest three-year season-setting efforts, according to a WDFW press release...

WA college, high school players selected in MLB Draft

SEATTLE – Players from colleges and high schools across the state were selected in the 2023 MLB Draft, with the Washington Huskies leading the way with seven players drafted at the MLB Draft in Seattle.

CWU recognized

Wildcats win GNA Academic All-Sports award for 3rd straight year

PORTLAND, Ore. – For the third straight year Central Washington University has won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s Academic All-Sports title, the conference announced in a release on Friday...

Pettigrew to run Lotto Commission

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee named Eric Pettigrew to serve as director of the Washington State Lottery Commission Tuesday, according to a release by Inslee’s office. “Eric has an impressive track record of leadership, collaborating with others and success as a legislator and public servant. I know he will lead the Lottery with integrity and ensuring the trust of the people we serve,” Inslee said...

One arrested in Othello on outstanding warrants

Firearms charges sought by Adams County DA

OTHELLO — An Othello man was arrested March 7 on outstanding felony warrants after refusing to surrender for about 40 minutes...

Moses Lake temple visitation day announced

MOSES LAKE – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has announced the opening of its new temple in Moses Lake to the public for tours...

Tenant protection bill passes WA House

OLYMPIA — The Washington House of Representatives last week passed a bill to protect tenants from unreasonable damage claims, according to a statement from Rep. My-Linh Thai’s (D-Bellevue) office...

USDA recalls almost 150,000 pounds of chicken patties

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Saturday announced the recall of roughly 148,000 pounds of fully Foster Farms fully cooked and frozen chicken breast patties that may be contaminated with pieces of hard plastic, according to a USDA press release issued on Saturday. The contaminated breast patties were distributed to Costco distribution centers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah and Washington, and may have been further distributed to Costco retail locations, the press release said...

One killed in Sunday shooting in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Two males were shot at a Moses Lake residence Sunday morning, leaving one dead and one injured. A statement by the Moses Lake Police Department Sunday evening said that just before 6 a.m., MLPD officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 3000 block of Road H Northeast...

Soap Lake food bank holds Thanksgiving food drive

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Food Bank is holding a food drive for items it can use to provide a Thanksgiving meal to those it serves. According to a statement from the food bank, it serves on average 200 clients every week. The food bank’s service area includes Soap Lake, Marlin, Wilson Creek and Coulee City. The food bank is asking specifically for donations of instant potatoes, yams, beets, stuffing mix, cranberries, turkey or chicken broth, crispy fried onions, olives, pie filling, cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soups and evaporated milk. Items are needed by Nov. 22 and can be dropped off at the Soap Lake Food Bank, located at 325 Main Ave. E. The food bank is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and can also be reached at 509-246-0164 for any questions.

SR 20 reopens west of Winthrop

WINTHROP — Washington Department of Transportation officials have reopened a section of State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, which had been closed due to fires in the vicinity. The road was closed from Newhalem to the Silver Star Campground about 22 miles west of Winthrop, according to a DOT press release. It reopened Wednesday...

Ephrata man arrested following gun incident

EPHRATA — A man is in custody following an incident in Ephrata Wednesday morning. Colt. L. Trumble, 19, of Ephrata was booked into Grant County Jail on charges of unlawful carrying of handling of a weapon, second-degree assault, harassment – previous conviction or threat to kill, illegal possession of a pistol by a person between 18 and 21 and carrying a pistol wihthout a permit, according to a statement form the Ephrata Police Department...

Hunter safety courses filling fast

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that mandatory hunter education courses are likely to fill up soon. Fish and Wildlife urged prospective hunters to take classes soon...