MLPD fields record calls in 2022, keeping patrol officers busy

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department responded to nearly 20,000 calls in 2022 — a record number, according to Chief Kevin Fuhr, and one that keeps the department’s 45 sworn police officers almost constantly busy. “I think we’re doing a pretty dang good job making sure that we’re protecting our citizens,” Fuhr said.

Mavs weather a delay, down Eastmont 5-2

MOSES LAKE – Following an hour-long weather delay, the Moses Lake Mavericks used a strong first inning to get past Eastmont on Tuesday evening, winning 5-2 over the Wildcats. The win was the ninth-straight for Moses Lake, who now holds a 9-1 record on the year.

Tax help available at senior centers

MOSES LAKE — Taxes can be confusing at the best of times. The Moses Lake and Ephrata senior centers are teaming up with AARP to take some of the confusion out of them at no charge. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is supplying volunteers to assist seniors with filling out and filing their tax forms, according to Tax Aide’s Moses Lake coordinator Jeanette Entz. The volunteers undergo training in January and at the end of the training take the same test tax preparers take, Entz said...

Moses Lake BMX gaining momentum

Local bicycle racing group looks to grow the sport in the Basin

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake BMX is located at 610 Yakima Avenue behind the new Larson Rec Center. There, riders of all ages can come and learn more about BMX bike riding. Track Operator Jeff Niehenke said the goal of the organization is to provide sanctioned BMX racing for the youth and adults. The group also strives to foster family sports and build community. The BMX track itself was built around 2004 and since then saw a change in leadership when Niehenke took over about two and a half years ago. In the past year, the group got up to 49 members and in the past three years has doubled in size, he said. “We’re getting more and more riders every year,” he said...

Senior events calendar for April 2023

Retiring doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun. The Columbia Basin offers a wide variety of activities for seniors to get out an have a good time. Here is just a sampling of what is available for local retirees in the area.

Othello, Mattawa, Ritzville projects included in House, Senate capital budgets

MATTAWA — Projects in Mattawa, Othello and Ritzville could receive funding through the Washington Legislature’s biennial 2023-25 capital budget. Capital budget proposals for each legislative district were released by the Washington House and Senate last week. The budgets released last week are proposals only; the projects that make the final list will depend on negotiations between the House and Senate. House and Senate capital budget proposals differ because each chamber has different spending limits.

Basin sports schedule March 29-April 4

COLUMBIA BASIN – It’s a lighter week of high school sports action here in the Basin as schools have the week off for spring break, but teams return to a full slate of action on Tuesday.

Plan details recommendations for adding more Mattawa housing

MATTAWA — An overflow crowd filled Mattawa City Hall March 30 for a discussion about updating the city’s housing policies and regulations. Mattawa City Council members are scheduled to vote May 18 on a “Housing Action Plan,” which is the first step in that process. About 40 people attended the meeting, which featured a review of the proposed plan. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planner, said the plan is still a proposal and encouraged residents to comment.

Cougars no-hit Bulldogs, win 19-0

WARDEN – An 11-run second inning surged the Warden Cougars over previously undefeated Colfax on Tuesday afternoon, winning 19-0 over the Bulldogs. “I was surprised with the score,” Warden Head Coach Randy Wright said. “They’re a good team. I don’t know, we were just on. Maybe the sunshine and the good weather made us play better.” Warden, now 5-0 this season, held a Colfax offense that was averaging 16.9 runs per game to zero. Cougar senior Lexi Leinweber pitched a no-hitter from the circle on Tuesday.

RECAP: Moses Lake, Warden baseball post double-digit wins

COLUMBIA BASIN – Nearly a month into the 2023 season, baseball teams from across the Basin put up some high-powered wins during the previous week of action. See below for an update on how local squads fared in last week’s games. All scores are according to the WIAA...

GALLERY: Basin boys soccer

COLUMBIA BASIN – Both Ephrata and Quincy earned wins on the field last week, with the Jacks taking down Cascade (Leavenworth) 3-1 on Thursday and the Tigers defeating Grandview 3-2 on Friday. On March 25, the Royal Knights took down College Place 9-1.

Fair Committee member sought

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair Advisory Committee needs one more member...

Puppy grad

EPHRATA - The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced that its new peer support dog, Nitro, completed training late last week. He was trained by Cara Putnam’s Crossroads School of Dog Training, which is based in Quincy.

CWU to offer transfer advisement

MOSES LAKE – Students interested in transferring to Central Washington University can meet with Alissa Scriven, the CWU transfer outreach and onboarding counselor at the CWU-Wenatchee Center on Thursday, April 13...

Newspaper tax break bill passes WA Senate

OLYMPIA – Legislation to help support the news media by exempting them from the state business and occupation tax passed the state Senate Friday. “Local journalists play an essential role to inform the public, hold politicians and government accountable, and make our communities stronger,” said Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah), sponsor of the bill. “That role is particularly important at the local level, where incredibly important decisions are made that CNN or Fox News will never cover. We need to make sure our small local newspapers can stay afloat and keep serving the public, and this bill will help.” ...

Capped: Washington sets permanent price cap at $35 per month for insulin

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5729 Thursday, which ensures that Washingtonians with diabetes will continue to pay no more than $35 a month for insulin. “This legislation isn’t a perfect solution — I had hoped that Congress would take action to ensure insulin is affordable for all Americans,” said Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), sponsor of the bill. “But by keeping costs down for people with diabetes, this price cap is going to save lives in Washington.” ...

Tire collection event set for late April

MOSES LAKE — Grant County residents will have a chance to unload those unwanted tires this month, according to a statement from the Grant County Public Works Department...

American Legion Auxiliary national president visits Ephrata

EPHRATA – The American Legion Auxiliary National President Vickie Koutz visited American Legion Post and Unit 28 in Ephrata last week for a celebration of veterans contributions to the community and country. “This is our way of thanking them for all that they do for us,” said Koutz. “I try to thank all the veterans for their service to our country because if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have the opportunity to even be here today.” ...

QVMC design coming in early May

QUINCY — Details of the design for the new Quincy Valley Medical Center are starting to take shape. Architects and construction experts are still working to nail down costs, said Joe Kunkel, the consultant working with QVMC on the project...

Stanley’s walk-off hit gives Mavs 8-7 win over Othello

EAST WENATCHEE – The final inning in Saturday’s fastpitch contest between Moses Lake and Othello saw two lead changes, including the walk-off hit by Maverick senior Ali Stanley that gave her team an 8-7 win over the Huskies.