‘Good potatoes’

Growers gather in Kennewick for annual potato conference

KENNEWICK — It’s a good time to be a potato grower, according to Blair Richardson, CEO of Denver-based Potatoes USA, a national organization that promotes the crop in the U.S. and abroad. “Remember, demand is strong for potatoes, and is going to continue to be strong for the foreseeable future. It's a great time to be in the industry,” Richardson told attendees during the first day of the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick...

'A lot going on this year'

Moses Lake Rep. Tom Dent supporting dozens of bills in Olympia

OLYMPIA - District 13 State Representative Tom Dent (R–Moses Lake) has nine bills for which he is the primary sponsor as well as two dozen others where he is the secondary sponsor for the 2023 legislative session. “I have a lot going on this year,” said Dent...

Tree fruit science seminars scheduled

WENATCHEE — Growers and others in the tree fruit industry can learn about new practices and new research in a series of seminars in February, March and April. The “Science in Our Valley” seminars are held at the Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, 1100 N. Western Ave., Wenatchee. Each seminar is at 4 p.m. Admission to all seminars is free...

Heimlich re-elected as chairman of state Republican Party

BELLEVUE – The Washington State Republican Party State Committee voted Saturday to re-elect Chairman Heimlich to another term as Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party. “I am honored and excited for the next two-year cycle as we continue our work to elect Republicans all across Washington State,” said Heimlich...

ML Council delays water ordinance, new airport leases

MOSES LAKE - At a regular city council meeting on Tuesday, the Moses Lake City Council postponed discussion of interim water regulations that would have prohibited the extension or creation of new water hookups within the city's urban growth area for six months and set a goal of conserving city water use by 60% over the next five years. "This ordinance is premature in the extreme," said Council Member David Eck when he proposed tabling consideration of the plan...

Championship earned

Jackrabbits lock up CTL title with 83-74 win over Omak

QUINCY – Twenty-plus point outings from juniors Aidan Bews and Julian Ibarra helped the Quincy boys basketball team lock up its second-consecutive Caribou Trail League title with an 83-74 win over Omak on Tuesday night. Ibarra led the Jackrabbits with 22 points, closely followed by Bews with 21. Freshman point guard Pierce Bierlink scored 17 points in the win, converting three times from beyond the three-point arc. “We just had to keep pushing through, and good thing I have Aidan Bews and Pierce Bierlink and all my guys to help me out,” Ibarra said. “It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad we got it done.” ...

Preschool art show coming to museum

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District preschoolers will be featured at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center next month...

Gastelum murder trial set to begin May 10

MOSES LAKE — The trial of Juan Gastelum, arrested nearly a year ago in connection with the death of his former girlfriend Yanira Cedillos, is set to begin in Grant County Superior Court on May 10, according to a court filing. Gastellum, 27 and a resident of Hermiston, Oregon, has been charged with second-degree murder and is currently being held in the Grant County Jail on $1 million bail, which has not been posted...

Mattawa sets Feb. 2 public hearing on annexation

MATTAWA — Mattawa residents are being invited to submit their opinions of the proposed annexation of 40 acres into the city limits. The public comment period on the application for annexation of the Brodero property opened Jan. 19 and will be open through Feb. 2. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for the Feb. 2 Mattawa City Council meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m...

Moses Lake man arrested, charged with converter theft

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested for attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a car parked at a Moses Lake car dealership Monday night. It was the third arrest for catalytic converter theft in less than a week. Trevor Schaffer, 29, was arrested at about 9 p.m. at the dealership on South Frontage Road, according to a post from the Moses Lake Police Department. He was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree theft and second-degree malicious mischief...

BBCC trustees meet with legislators

OLYMPIA - The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees met with legislators at the capitol Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities. The board met with Representatives Bruce Chandler (R-Granger), Bryan Sandlin (R-Zillah), Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy), Joe Schmick (R-Colfax), Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake), Alex Ybarra (R-Quincy) and Senators Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville), Nikki Torres (R-Pasco) and Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake).

Ybarra works through week three of session

OLYMPIA - District 13 Representative Alex Ybarra (R-Quincy) has been adjusting to his new legislative committees and the passage of the only bill he is the primary sponsor for. “Because nobody’s been here for almost three years, everybody's in a wonderful mood,” said Ybarra about the start to the new session...

Abandoned bumper leads to arrest

DESERT AIRE — A Mattawa man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and first-degree malicious mischief after he is alleged to have damaged the front entrance of a Desert Aire business with his car.

Villa a 'good addition' at Mattawa PD

MATTAWA — Edgar Villa is the newest officer on the force at the Mattawa Police Department. Villa was sworn in at the Jan. 19 Mattawa City Council meeting, introduced by MPD Chief Robert Salinas. Prior to joining the department Villa worked for the city in the business office. “He’ll be a good addition to this agency,” Salinas said in a later interview...

QVMC commission to select contractor Feb. 6

QUINCY — Quincy Valley Medical Center officials have narrowed to four the number of construction firms being considered to build the new Quincy hospital. Hospital officials will conduct interviews with the candidates Jan. 25 and will make a recommendation to Quincy hospital commissioners at a special meeting Feb. 6. Quincy voters approved a bond in August 2022 authorizing up to $55 million to build a new hospital. Groundbreaking tentatively is scheduled for this summer, and Joe Kunkel, a consultant working with QVMC on the project, said the planning is getting fast and furious. “We’re heading into the whitewater,” Kunkel said...

Postseason prep

Huskies iron out techniques on the mat

OTHELLO – After placing fourth at the Rumble in the Valley tournament last weekend, the Othello Huskies are preparing for a final push to end the regular season strong.

RECAP: Kraken split games, ‘Hawks re-sign Myers

SEATTLE – With the Seahawks out of the playoffs and MLB’s opening day nearly two months away, the Seattle Kraken are the only professional team in Washington still actively playing.

Basin sports schedule Jan. 25-31

COLUMBIA BASIN – With under two weeks remaining in the regular seasons for many sports here in the Basin, teams are looking to finish strong before entering district and regional competitions. Check out this week’s Basin sports schedule, including a full slate of games on Saturday.

Aviation fuel project eyeing Grant Co.

Future of air power may be coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — In the future, airplanes could be powered by fuel made from hot air. Literally. Andy Stevenson, the vice president of project development for Twelve, said the company — which has developed a proprietary process for creating aviation fuel out of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and electricity — is looking at setting up a production facility in Moses Lake. “We are exploring a variety of options in Moses Lake,” Stevenson said. “There are no guarantees, but we have the intention to do that if everything goes well.” ...

Practice, practice, practice...

Consistent effort earns MLHS wind ensemble a gig at Carnegie Hall

MOSES LAKE — The wind ensemble ran through the selection nice and slow the first time through; there are details that need attention. The tempo picked up, faster and then faster still. When practice was over, there was still work to be done – the sound needs to be crisp, the players as close to perfect unison as they can get. Moses Lake High School band instructor Pablo Hernandez reminded his musicians that practice now, even when it’s a chore, will pay dividends later. “Don’t wait until you feel inspired for practice,” he said. “Perspiration is better than inspiration.” ...