RECAP: 49ers eliminate Seahawks, Kraken set record

SEATTLE – While the Seattle Seahawks saw their season end to the division rival San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Kraken set an NHL record during their road trip across Canada and the Northern US. Check out this week’s professional sports recap for an update on the two teams...

Huskies take down Mavericks in dual meet

OTHELLO – After taking down Connell earlier on Tuesday night, the Othello Huskies took down Moses Lake in a home dual, winning 44-24 over the Mavericks. “Credit to Moses Lake, they’ve improved so much since we saw them at the jamboree,” Othello Head Coach Rudy Ochoa II said. “I think their coach (Jose Tanguma) is doing a great job.” ...

Warrior Academy provides extra support for students

MATTAWA — The first-graders had their tents set up Friday morning, the campfire burning (or at least a paper replica of a campfire burning), but no camping trip is complete without s’mores. The question before the first graders was how to make s’mores. “We are going to start doing writing,” Wahluke School District counselor Dulce Molina told the first-graders...

Basin sports schedule Jan. 18-24

COLUMBIA BASIN – Local teams are entering the closing weeks of their regular seasons here in the Basin, with basketball teams fighting for postseason seedings and wrestling teams traveling to local tournaments. Check out this week’s Basin sports schedule below...

WDFW examines fishing on Moses Lake

Biologist breaks down the basics of fishing the manmade body of water

MOSES LAKE — Anglers on Moses Lake in 2020 spent around 77,000 hours casting their lines for fish, both from their boats and from onshore, according to Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife lead warm-water fish biologist Marc Peterson. “Which sounds like a lot,” Peterson said during a Tuesday presentation to the Moses Lake Watershed Council. “But I’m not sure it is.” ...

Physician assistant joins Samaritan Clinic on Pioneer

MOSES LAKE — Physician assistant Diane Savarese has joined the staff of the walk-in department at the Samaritan Clinic on Pioneer, 1550 S. Pioneer Way. Savarese is a board-certified PA who will work in the “Care Today” clinic, according to a Samaritan press release. The clinic provides walk-in care for non-life-threatening conditions, such as minor injuries and illnesses, sprains, cuts, fevers and earaches, among others. Savarese will provide treatment and will coordinate with the primary care professionals for further treatment that might be needed...

Bipartisan effort supports bill refining police pursuit guidelines

OLYMPIA - A bill amending the requirements for law enforcement to conduct a vehicular pursuit has received bipartisan support in both the Washington House and Senate. House Bill 1363 and Senate Bill 5352, which echoes the House bill, are being considered in Olympia. “I haven’t read (HB1363/SB5352) but I would welcome any lightening of the restrictions,” said Othello Police Department Chief Phil Schenck...

Grant Co. unemployment up for November

ELLENSBURG — Unemployment in Grant County in November 2022 rose for the second straight month to 6.5% from 4.5% in October 2022 and 5.6% in November 2021, according to a report published by the Washington State Employment Security Department...

Bill would speed process to get cosmetology license

Testing bottleneck currently slows ability to join workforce

OLYMPIA - Cosmetology students will be able to register for their final exam before they have completed their coursework if a bill under consideration by the state Legislature is approved. House Bill 1017, by Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline, allows cosmetology students to sign up for and take their final exam within 100 hours of completing their total required hours. The bill had a hearing Jan. 13 in the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee...

Adams Co. unemployment rises in November

ELLENSBURG — Unemployment in Adams County rose slightly in November 2022 to 5.1%, a significant increase from 3.3% in October and 4.6% in November 2021, according to data published by the Employment Security Department...

‘We’re gonna really ramp it up now’

Cougars prepare for stretch run

WARDEN — Having graduated five seniors from last year’s state championship-winning team, the Warden girls basketball team has spent the first 14 games of the season developing various players. The Cougars are 10-4 with a 5-0 record in league play. “We’ve viewed this season as a building process,” Head Coach Josh Madsen said. “We’ve got some younger girls and girls with less varsity experience that we’re trying to bring along and hopefully get them to the point where they’re really comfortable and ready to contribute at a high level come February and March.” ...

Adams Co. sheriff pleased with agency’s response to challenging times

OTHELLO — Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said he originally intended a career in medicine, but he really wanted to be a law enforcement officer. “I got into law enforcement pretty early due to my brother, who was a Pierce County sergeant for many years,” Wagner said. “When he was in Pierce County I was a teen, and I was able at that time to go with him on ride-alongs. It just piqued my interest and it really stuck with me.”

Yeo joins Gonzaga men’s basketball roster

SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga men's basketball head coach Mark Few announced the addition of South Korean Jun Seok Yeo (pronounced JUNE Suh-k YO) to the roster. Yeo will enroll in classes this semester and train with the Zags this season, but not play in a game until 2023-24 as a sophomore.

BLM, Forest Service offer outdoor safety tips

PORTLAND, Ore. - A joint press release by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management advises the public to be prepared during winter months, especially during recreational activities. “Take the time to put together a kit of extra gear, including water, food, warm gloves and clothes, headlamps or flashlights, sleeping bag, and a fire starter,” said Shawnee Hinman, the recreation special uses program manager for the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region in the release...

What you need to know about WA cannabis laws

TACOMA - Recreational marijuana use in Washington was decriminalized just over 10 years ago. Still, some residents and out-of-state visitors might not know where recreational cannabis can be sold or where it can be consumed. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board oversees regulations of cannabis use and distribution, and the Washington State Department of Health provides additional clarity on specific state regulations. Here is information on commercial marijuana retailers, where you can obtain marijuana and who can smoke it...

The Links at Moses Pointe hopes to open driving range this week

MOSES LAKE – As snow and ice continues to melt off the course, The Links at Moses Pointe said in a release that they hope to have the driving range open by January 17 or 18. “The snow is almost off the fairways, but most of the greens still have some ice and snow. Once the greens are clear, Mike and his crew will assess conditions, and work quickly to get the course open,” the release stated. Golfers with questions can call the golf shop at 509-764-2275 ext. 3 with questions on course conditions. The golf shop is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ybarra starts 2023 Wash. legislative session

OLYMPIA - Representative Alex Ybarra (R–Quincy) is sponsoring multiple bills proceeding through the Washington Legislature during this year’s legislative session, but is the primary sponsor for only one bill.....

Pedestrian struck by car in Othello

OTHELLO - A pedestrian was injured early Sunday morning in Othello when they were struck by a car...

Local wrestlers shine at competitions

COLUMBIA BASIN – It was another weekend full of wrestling tournaments for local teams, with squads traveling across the state and into Idaho for various competitions...

Legislature completes day eight of session

OLYMPIA - On Monday, the legislature convened for day eight of the 2023-24 legislative session. Committees in both the House and Senate met to discuss various bills. Below is a list of the committees that met for each branch of the legislature and the topics of the bills they discussed....