Ephrata’s new code enforcement officer focused on standards

EPHRATA – The city of Ephrata hired Ioan Horvat as the new code enforcement and building inspector. Horvat says he aims to bolster the city’s municipal standards and enhance the quality of life for Ephrata residents. “I’ve been working for the last 20 years, mostly in construction and construction management. I focused on quality control, and this is the link to code enforcement,” Horvat said.

Basin teams compete in Hole in the Wall Invitationals

MOSES LAKE – Cross Country teams from around the Columbia Basin had a busy weekend with Lind-Ritzville, Othello and Wahluke going to the Max Jensen Invitational and Quincy going to the Nike Hole in the Wall Invitational. The Moses Lake Mavericks split their team between the two meets.

LETTER: Imagine health care as a sacred right

Imagine a national healthcare system not built on profit, paperwork, or exclusion—but on mercy, justice, and love. A system that says: “You are worthy of care. Not because of your job, your passport, or your bank account—but because you are human.” In this model, every person is covered — citizens, residents, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, migrant workers, and even tourists. No one is asked for payment. No one is turned away. Just as Jesus healed the sick without condition, this system offers care as a sacred right. The system is sustained through progressive taxation, where those with greater means contribute more. This reflects the Biblical ethic: “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Wasteful spending on billing departments and insurance bureaucracy is eliminated, freeing billions to be reinvested in actual care.

LETTER: Politics affects local people's health care

I’m looking at the headlines of our paper today. There’s the congressional response to the shutdown and the announcement that East Adams Rural Health is laying off staff due to cuts in funding. Mr. Baumgardner says the Democrats want to fund health care for immigrants. If you repeat misinformation often enough, people might believe it. They don’t mention the fact that everyone will lose their tax credits for premiums and other information. All politics is local and this is how local people are being affected. If you are interested, there’s another No Kings protest march on Oct. 18 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Broadway and Alder. Let your feelings be known.

Cold Diggers opens stand in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The name of the new ice cream and waffle stand at Nelson Road and Pioneer Way came out of the blue. “We already had a different name picked out,” said Laura Farias, who owns the new business with her husband Martin Farias. “But ‘Cold Diggers’ came to me randomly, and it was super catchy. I bounced the idea off my 9-year-old son and he loved it, so we went with it.” The Fariases have been offering homemade ice cream at the Moses Lake Farmers Market since the market opened for the year in May, she said. In July they added waffles to their menu, and now they’ll continue to offer both from a trailer next to FAA Coffee House.

MLSD superintendent to address community concerns

MOSES LAKE — Superintendent Carol Lewis is planning to address the entire Moses Lake community at tonight’s Moses Lake School Board meeting about recent misunderstandings during the superintendent's report.

Legals for October, 16 2025

Warden raises levy collection by 1%

WARDEN — The Warden City Council unanimously approved an increase in the City of Warden’s levy at the Oct. 14 regular council meeting. This will bring around $6,860 to the city.

ELECTION Q&A: Soap Lake mayoral candidates

SOAP LAKE — There is one candidate and one write-in candidate for the Soap Lake mayoral race. Incumbent Peter Sharp is the only candidate listed on the ballot. However, Karen Woodhouse is running as a write-in candidate.

Mavericks suffer a loss at home

MOSES LAKE – On Tuesday, the Mavericks (6-5) fell 3-0 to the visiting Davis Pirates. Head Coach Krystal Trammell felt the Mavs were playing on their heels instead of being the aggressor.

Ephrata PD blotter

EPHRATA – The reports below were provided by the Ephrata Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Hazardous waste events coming to Mattawa, Moses Lake

EPHRATA — Grant County residents who have chemicals and other things that can’t go in the trash will have a chance to get rid of them this month at two hazardous waste collection events.

ArtGarden Pottery casts a spell with 'I Smell Pottery Painting' event

MOSES LAKE – Friday night, ArtGarden Pottery, a ceramics studio owned by Laura Mayer, transformed into a whimsical world of witches, paint and creativity as it hosted the first of two “I Smell Pottery Painting” events in celebration of Halloween.

MLHS alum Molitor medals with Team USA in Shanghai

MOSES LAKE – In September, Moses Lake High School alum Madison Molitor competed for the United States in the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, China. Madison called the experience surreal and an honor. “I wasn't sure if I was going to make a boat for the summer,” he said. “It was really incredible to not only make a boat, but also (earn a) medal and also be in contention for silver. I think rowing at the international level is always an honor. It's an honor to represent the United States.”

WA use of force database publishes first report

MOSES LAKE – In a shift towards greater transparency in law enforcement, Washington State has implemented an incident-based police use-of-force reporting system known as the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety, or WADEPS. This initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Attorney General, is the result of collaboration among a variety of groups, including law enforcement, who want such reporting.

Legals for October, 15 2025

Moses Lake man arrested for domestic violence

MOSES LAKE – A Moses Lake man was arrested Sunday morning after Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies answered a call about a domestic violence incident in the 1000 block of Vandenburg Loop. The victims’ nine-year-old child went to a neighbor for assistance. The neighbor called 911, according to the probable cause statement.

Big Sky Now: Week 7 shake-up with Montana's comeback and Idaho's upset

Montana rallies in a dramatic homecoming comeback, Idaho suffers a shocking home loss, and Northern Colorado stuns the Big Sky with a historic upset.

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: Oct. 15-22, 2025

MOSES LAKE – Teams from around the Columbia Basin near the end of the regular season and begin to prepare for their post-season pushes this week. See where the local high school teams will be headed this week.

Soap Lake stuns Waterville-Mansfield in five-set thriller

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Eagles (8-3) earned a statement victory over the Waterville-Mansfield Shockers Monday night on their fifth straight weekday of games. This win was significant as it was not only their sixth straight win, but it was the team’s first victory over the Shockers.