Building permits for Nov. 17, 2023

The construction permits below were filed with the indicated municipalities.

Police logs for June 7, 2024

MOSES LAKE – 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.

Demo day two brings more action

MOSES LAKE - The Northwest Ag Demolition Derby wrapped up day two on Wednesday, its final day of crashing, smashing and rolling at the Moses Lake Roundup Arena. Those whose cars survived day one returned to the arena for day two along with some new faces. With a few more tipped cars than the day before, the derby saw some familiar-faced winners and a few new to success. The winner of the 80’s demo, Christopher Johnson of Moses Lake, has been doing the demo derby for at least four years. “It feels extremely good,” Johnson said. “I’ve been close a few times but never number one, never the trophy.” Until now...

Creating team chemistry

Broncos build new roster on the court

RITZVILLE – After losing seven seniors to graduation from last year’s team, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos are entering the 2022 season with a roster full of new faces. The Broncos finished 2021 with a 13-7 record, qualifying for the 2B State Tournament in the process. Now, coming into the 2022 campaign, head coach Cari Galbreath has her work cut out for her...

‘That gave these girls hope’

Cougars look to build off of 2021 season

WARDEN – Coming off a 2021 season where the Cougars were one game shy of state, Warden girls soccer welcomes the return of standard soccer season in the Basin. “It’s good,” Warden girls soccer head coach BryLee Pruneda said of the return of the season. “Especially without COVID, you don’t have to wear the mask. I’m so happy to be back to normal.” Pruneda, who is in her fourth year as head coach of the Cougars, said that the previous two seasons were difficult for the players due to COVID-19 restrictions...

Moses Lake and Othello softball go head to head

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School and Othello High School softball teams went head to head on Saturday in a three team matchup with Marysville-Pilchuck High School at Moses Lake High School. To start the morning off, Othello took an 11-3 victory over Moses Lake. “I have a lot of respect for Moses Lake teams and it was no different this weekend. The game could easily have gone the other way. Moses Lake is well-coached and well-trained. Our girls were right on, there were some nice plays to put ends to threats,” wrote Othello head coach Rudy Ochoa in an email after the game...

Planning ahead to feed problem newborn calves

While we all hope that every dam will claim her calf and provide it with what it needs to thrive, the reality is that some will not. Hopefully orphaned or problem calves are not a common or regular occurrence...

Frances Alayne Everett Smith

January 9, 1930 - March 6, 2022 Frances Alayne Everett Smith, 92, of Moses Lake WA passed away on March 6, 2022, in her home at the Avamere assisted living facility after losing her battle with cnacer. Her son, Paul, and daughter-in-law, Chantel, were by her side throughout her courageous fight...

‘Soil Your Undies’ campaign builds healthy dirt

MOSES LAKE - Few of us realize or even think about the fact that healthy soil has billions upon billions of microscopic organisms in it. Though it may be hard to imagine, one teaspoon of healthy soil has more microbes than there are people on earth! Soil microbes are important because they feed on organic matter like the cotton in clothing. So, the more the cotton in a garment, say a pair of underwear, breaks down and disappears, the healthier your soil is. Soil microbes also help soils...

ML Council approves 2022 chip seal work

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council voted unanimously to spend nearly $1 million on the city’s 2022 chip seal and crack sealing efforts on 38 streets — including the entirety of W. Peninsula Drive — inside the city. “This is part of an ongoing pavement preservation program,” City Engineer Richard Law told council at a regular meeting on Tuesday. “The more we can keep routine maintenance on the street, the longer the substrate and these streets will last.”

Professional Dentures

Dentist and denture maker sinks teeth into Basin smiles

MOSES LAKE — Jon Dickson loves to see people smile. “The smile is a big thing,” said Dickson as he sat on a tiny stool in one of his small examination rooms. “I can be a part of that … helping people regain confidence.” ...

Despite pandemic, global geopolitical currents stay strong

Pandemic or not, are there some global currents whose flows are too strong to stop? This week would suggest yes.

Larson Rec Center opens its doors to the public

MOSES LAKE — As she toured the city of Moses Lake’s new Larson Recreation Center, Arin Swinger had one request. “It would be cool if you could start a list,” Swinger told Recreation Superintendent Carrie Hoiness as she talked with a couple of friends about playing pickleball. “So people can connect.” City staff thought that was a worthwhile idea...

Quincy city service rates to increase in 2023

QUINCY — Quincy residents will see a 10% increase in their water, sewer and garbage rates in 2023. Quincy City Council members approved the rate increase by a unanimous vote at the regular meeting Dec. 20. “We haven’t had a rate increase for a couple of years,” City Administrator Pat Haley said....

Sitting pretty

More than half of Washington homeowners equity-rich

COLUMBIA BASIN — Lots of homeowners are in good shape this year. A recent study by analysis firm ATTOM Data Solutions indicates that nearly half of mortgaged residential properties in the U.S. were considered equity-rich, meaning that the amount owed on them was no more than half the estimated value, the report said. “The way you make money on your home is your equity,” explained Jessie “Weno” Dominguez, CEO of Imagine Realty Group in Othello. “And the way you look at equity is as your savings account. So if I purchased a home, let's say, four years ago, right before the craziness, for $200,000, I put 5% down, I owed $190,000. I've been paying it for five years and owe now $170,000. I kept the house up, maintained it, kept it pretty nice. As home values rise, the prices continue to go up. That same home is now worth, let's say, $425,000, and I owe $170,000. So I'm equity-rich.” The study indicated that in the third quarter of 2022, 48.5% of mortgaged homes were classed as equity-rich, compared to 48.1% in second quarter and 39.5% in the third quarter of 2021. In fact, the the third quarter of 2022 marked the 10th consecutive quarter in which the proportion of equity-rich homes increased, according to the ATTOM report.

Settler's Natural Market

Basin-based business looks to offer variety, personal service

MOSES LAKE - In the heart of Moses Lake at 118 W. Third Avenue lies a health food store called Settler’s Natural Market. Here there are all sorts of healthy and organic food and natural products to choose from. “Our goal is to give everyone in the Columbia Basin a place to find healthy food that is normally hard to find”, says store operations manager Danette Preston...

Artistic celebration

Columbia Basin Allied Arts celebrates founding anniversary with fundraiser

MOSES LAKE – Columbia Basin Allied Arts celebrated nearly five decades of bringing the arts to the Columbia Basin on Saturday. CBAA Director Shawn Cardwell said the event was a success overall and expressed her appreciation to attendees and other supporters. “It is always nice to spend time with the community. CBAA is grateful for every opportunity we get to share the work we are doing, and even more grateful for all those who spend time to listen and contribute to our success. Thanks to all who joined us on Saturday, to those who donated to our mission and those who supported the event. We are already planning for next year,” Cardwell said...

Warnick talks successes, challenges of 2023 session

OLYMPIA – The Washington State 2023 regular legislative session adjourned sine die on April 23. District 13 legislator Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, looked back at the 2023 legislative session and talked about successes and failures this session. “We are done,” said Warnick. “And the thing is – I'm personally like this, I need deadlines – so if we didn't have a deadline, we could continue and continue to debate and go back and forth and back and forth, and if we didn't have the rules in place that our state forefathers put in place, we would never finish in my opinion. And so these deadlines are very important.” ...

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.

Student to teacher

Columbia Ridge alum comes back to school to teach

EPHRATA — Tristyn Eldredge has come full circle in her journeys around Columbia Ridge Elementary School in Ephrata. She started there as a student, then came back as a paraprofessional and this year, she’s at the head of a fourth-grade classroom as a teacher. “One of the biggest things that I’m looking forward to is just giving back to the school that, you know, that shaped me into who I am,” Eldredge said. The path to becoming a teacher was a bit of a winding road, Eldredge said, with her initial goal being to study criminal justice and become a juvenile probation officer.