Wash. wolf management bill introduced

OLYMPIA - A bill just put before the Washington State Legislature will flexibility for the department of fish and wildlife to collaborate with local governments in the management of gray wolves...

Report: China bans some solar manufacturing tech exports

HONG KONG — China has reportedly banned the export of several important technologies needed to make solar panels, according to a report in the Hong Kong-based Asia Times on Tuesday...

Police logs for Jan. 24-29

The reports below were provided by the police departments and sheriff’s offices indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law...

Grant Transit to hold community input meetings

EPHRATA — Grant County Transit Authority will hold meetings in mid-February to get feedback from the community about their transit service in the county...

Samaritan Healthcare asking for $130 million construction bond authorization

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan hospital district patrons will be asked to accept or reject a construction bond for up to $130 million in a special election April 27. If approved, the bond would pay part of the cost of building a new Samaritan Hospital. District commissioners voted 5-0 to authorize the bond request at the commission meeting Tuesday, without discussion...

RECAP: Kraken enter All-Star break, Storm enter free agency

SEATTLE – The Seattle Kraken played five straight games at home in the runup to the NHL’s All-Star break, while the WNBA began free agency on Wednesday. Check out this week’s professional sports recap to see how the Kraken fared and a look at the Storm’s free agents...

Clean sweep

Othello boys, girls win over East Valley on senior night

OTHELLO — On a night celebrating their soon-to-be graduating players, the Othello Huskie boys and girls basketball teams both earned wins against East Valley (Yakima) that put the two squads in contention to host a playoff game during their district tournaments. The Othello girls first defeated East Valley 47-44 in a back-and-forth contest, with the Othello boys later leading nearly from start to finish in a 57-44 win over the Red Devils...

Ruff times

Grant County Animal Outreach deals with overcrowding, dated facility, challenging jobs at Moses Lake shelter.

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach has run out of room. “The facility was built in World War II,” said Kar Vanerstrom, GCAO’s vice president. “And there haven't been any updates on it, so it's kind of in dire straits.” ...

Birth Announcements for Feb. 1, 2023

The information below was provided by Othello Community Hospital.

Sandhill Crane Festival registration opens Friday

OTHELLO — Registration opens Feb. 6 for the 25th Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, scheduled for March 24 to 26. “Silver Anniversary, Celebrating our Annual Visitors” is the theme for 2023. Advance registration is encouraged, and is available at the festival website, www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org...

Staying active

Class provides fitness activities geared toward helping seniors keep moving

MOSES LAKE - A fitness class geared toward seniors, but also fitness beginners and those with mobility challenges, is available three days a week at a local gym. “I have a history of teaching senior classes,” said Chrystal Flerchinger, an instructor at South Campus Athletic Club. “(I’ve) probably been doing it for about 10 years so it's kind of a love of mine. I really enjoy it.” ...

Feb. 2023 senior events schedule:

There’s plenty to do in and around the Columbia Basin for seniors...

Basin sports schedule Feb. 1-7

COLUMBIA BASIN – Local teams in the Basin will wrap up their regular seasons this week, with district competitions beginning as soon as Thursday when the Moses Lake boys swim and dive team hosts its district meet. Check out this week’s Basin sports schedule, which includes a Saturday full of district wrestling tournaments...

MLYHA’s Winter Classic faces off this weekend

MOSES LAKE — Seven hockey teams from around Washington, Oregon and Canada will travel to Moses Lake this weekend to join the 18U Moses Lake Coyotes in the Moses Lake Youth Hockey Association’s Winter Classic. The 18U tournament will take place from Friday to Sunday at the Larson Recreation Center...

Environmental bills being considered by WA House

OLYMPIA — Several environmental bills have been introduced in the 2023 session of the Washington House of Representatives. Topics include labor reporting, solid waste management and resident energy options....

Grand Coulee Fire Station progressing

GRAND COULEE — The Grand Coulee Dam Fire Station project is coming along, according to a press release from the Bureau of Reclamation...

Arrests made over alleged social media threats

OTHELLO — An unidentified man and two juveniles were arrested on suspicion of second-degree possession of firearms on Jan. 27 following an alleged threat against Adams County Juvenile Services personnel...

Music festival showcases students’ talents

MOSES LAKE — Seventy Moses Lake students took part Saturday in the seventh annual Moses Lake-Central Basin Chapter of Washington State Music Teachers Association Music Festival, according to a statement from chapter President Marina Munter. The festival was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Moses Lake...

Moses Lake man arrested for reported domestic violence at BBCC

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man is in jail following an alleged domestic assault at Big Bend Community College, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office...

REC reaches supply deal with solar panel maker

MOSES LAKE — REC Silicon announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement to provide solar-grade silicon to South Korean solar panel maker Hanwha Solutions. The deal with Hanwha, which owns a major stake in REC, will provide solar-grade silicon to the company’s Q Cell solar panel factory in Dalton, Georgia, according to REC Vice President for Fluid Bed Reactor Sales Chuck Sutton. In mid-January, Hanwha announced a $2.5-billion expansion of its Dalton production plant to 8.4 gigawatts from the current 1.7 gigawatts, according to a Hanwha press release. “We’re looking at rebuilding the U.S. solar supply chain, and one of our goals is to support that,” Sutton said.