Othello Schools share strategic planning feedback

OTHELLO – Othello School District Superintendent Pete Perez and Tammy Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of The Scholar First – an educational consulting organization based in Washington – shared a presentation during Monday’s Othello School Board meeting on feedback from the district’s ongoing strategic planning process.

James 'Jim' W. Hutton

James “Jim” W. Hutton passed away suddenly on December 3, 2023. Jim was born October 19, 1967 to James “Skip” and Patricia Hutton in Spokane, Washington.

Patricia Hutton

May 15, 1946 — Feb. 15, 2024

Patricia “Pat” Elaine Hutton, 77, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away peacefully Feb. 15, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Pat was born in Ephrata, Washington to Alice and Bruno Koziol on May 15, 1946, the second oldest of six children. She graduated from Moses Lake High School and attended Big Bend Community College until 1966 when she married a serviceman, James W. Hutton. While stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base they started their family in September of 1966 with the birth of their first son, Scott Alan. Their second son, James W. Hutton, was born in October of 1967. Sadly, they tragically lost Scott in a drowning accident in May of 1968. They made their home where the Air Force stationed them in places including Spokane, Guam, Oklahoma and Montana. Their third child, a daughter, Cheryl Ann, was born in August of 1971 while stationed in Altus, Oklahoma. After retiring from the military in the summer of 1979 they made their home in Moses Lake.

STEM focused

Warden CWU fellows fostering science, technology, engineering and math program, events

WARDEN – Warden School District will soon host events designed to develop the district’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program. Central Washington University student teachers will be visiting Warden classrooms Feb. 29 and Warden High School will be hosting a Post-Secondary STEM Day on March 14.

Climate Commitment Act impact: $30 million refunds fall short of farmers’ $150M estimate

OLYMPIA - Budget writers in both the Senate and House have suggested allocating $30 million for refunding farmers impacted by the Climate Commitment Act. With the climate program, fuel used for agricultural purposes was supposed to be exempt.

March 2024 Basin Events

COLUMBIA BASIN – As always, the Columbia Basin has a lot going on next month. As spring moves a bit closer to being official, here are several opportunities to get out of the house, have some fun, and maybe support a good cause. This listing is noncomprehensive and event details may change or events may be canceled at the organizers’ discretion. Readers are encouraged to call ahead or verify the information below online prior to the event.

Wahluke superintendent discusses levy failure

MATTAWA — After Wahluke School District’s capital levy failed to pass following the Feb. 13 vote, Wahluke Superintendent Andy Harlow said the district will likely soon have to cut $1.5 million from its budget. "Knowing how many staff just on our campus had voted, community members, and then with our additional high school seniors, we thought the election would be a little closer and that's why we chose to run this again,” Harlow said. The levy would have been used to pay for needed HVAC upgrades the district implemented last year at Mattawa Elementary and Wahluke High School. Harlow said the district had to take out a loan for the $2.7 million project, which had been pushed off for about 10 years. “We made about $2 million in cuts last year, (cutting) over 25 staff,” he said. “We’re probably set to make another $1.5 million in cuts, so probably another 10 to 15 staff will be cut and the facilities, they don't get done and the loan that we took out for the HVAC, we'll just continue to pay on.”

Diana Yvonne Keller

1951 — 2024

Diana Yvonne Keller, 72, was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She passed quietly on February 11, 2024, in Moses Lake, Washington.

Dorothy Louise Magoteaux Klingeman

Beloved mother and long-time Othello resident, Dorothy Louise (Magoteaux) Klingeman peacefully passed away Feb. 8, 2024, at Coventry House Assisted Living at the age of 88.

Lovely market: Valentine’s Market brings people out as winter fades

MOSES LAKE — Love was in the air, and so were the aroma of food and the sound of shopping, at the Moses Lake Farmers Market’s annual Valentine’s Market Saturday. The market, which was held in the Commercial and 4-H buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds, attracted a sizable crowd.

Kathryn Bradley

Kathryn (Kathy) Ann Bradley (Naab), 71, was born May 25, 1952, to Benedict and Marguerite Naab in Ritzville, Wash.

Antique appraisals, flea market coming to Moses Lake Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Local residents will have a chance to learn the truth about their family heirlooms and mantel dust-catchers, and maybe pick up a few treasures, Saturday at the Frosty Finds Flea Market and Appraisal Fair.

WSU seed grant program announces recipients

PULLMAN – The Office of Research, in partnership with the Washington State University’s Pullman Chancellor’s Office, has launched a new seed grant program for WSU Pullman faculty. The Inspire! Community Engaged Research Seed Grant Program supports the development of and capacity for community-engaged scholarship.

Marion Derreal Boswell, Jr

Jan. 12, 1928 – Feb. 5, 2024

Marion Derreal Boswell, Jr. went to be with the Lord on February 5, 2024. He was 96 years old. He will be missed by his large and extended family, but also everyone who met him as well. He never met a stranger. He was born in Howe, Oklahoma to Marion (Buck) Francis Boswell, Sr. and Agnes Lee Cherry on January 12, 1928.

Othello going to the birds

Sandhill Crane Festival flying into town March 22-24

OTHELLO – The 26th annual Sandhill Crane Festival will be held in Othello from March 22 to 24 with a series of lectures, tours, hikes and activities located at Othello Church of the Nazarene, McFarland Middle School and the surrounding area.

Law enforcement logs for Feb. 9, 2024

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.

'Such a fabulous night'

Country Sweethearts banquest breaks records for attendenace and fundraising in support of local cancer patients

MOSES LAKE — Saturday night’s Country Sweethearts banquet and auction was the biggest it’s ever been, seating 540 people and raising just over $318,000 for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, according to CBCF Director Angel Ledesma. “It was such a fabulous night,” Ledesma said.

Senior events for February 2024

The Columbia Basin has a great deal to do regardless of age. Here are several that are senior-friendly and provide a chance to socialize with a variety of people.

Moses Lake port officials start fuel cleanup study

MOSES LAKE — A fuel tank leak at the Port of Moses Lake that occurred in the mid-1990s will be the subject of a new study and possible additional cleanup. Port directors approved a contract for further evaluation of the site, called Pumphouse 1, at the regular meeting Jan. 22.

Letter from the editor: Pets are a community responsibility

As a community, we’re still struggling in the Columbia Basin to take care of the animals in our communities. While some progress has been made as funding becomes available to establish a new shelter for Grant County Animal Outreach, funding to ensure the operations of Adams County Pet Rescue are still a bit up in the air.