Red Raiders claim two wins

WARDEN – Playing at Warden High School while Othello’s field is being renovated, the Othello Red Raiders defeated the Vakima Valley Blues in both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader, winning 8-2 and 15-4 to improve to 4-6 this summer.

FIRE REPORT: Wildfire closes SR 17 near Ephrata

EPHRATA — A fire broke out Tuesday in the northern portion of the Y formed by State Route 17 and SR 282, according to first responder alerts. The fire, a few minutes southeast of Ephrata was reported a little before 6 p.m. and had burned an estimated 500 acres. The fire resulted in a closure of SR 17 between SR 282 and SR 28 to ensure public safety. A cause was unknown but initial reports indicated it began at the Ephrata Gun Range. The fire was named the Marksman Street Fire. Further information was not available by press time. The Dearinger fire, which has been burning in the North Cascades about 40 miles northeast of Everett since June 22, is 80% contained at 48 acres, according to the Western Washington Incident Management Team.

Royal Intermediate welcomes new principal

ROYAL CITY — For Royal Intermediate School’s new principal, it’s sort of a homecoming. “I grew up around Royal, my whole life,” said Karl Edie, who officially became the principal at RHS at the beginning of July. “My mother worked for the Royal Review (newspaper), a long time ago. So I’m excited to be back among the great people in Royal City.”

State Auditor's Office: Government employee embezzled nearly $900K

(The Center Square) – A former management analyst at the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings spent nearly $900,000 via fraudulent credit card purchases, according to a report released Monday by the state auditor.

Newhouse focused on momentum in reelection bid

MOSES LAKE – Rep. Dan Newhouse, R–Wash., said he’s running for reelection because he feels like he still has work to do and because his time in office has connected him with the resources he needs in Washington D.C. to take action.

Unemployment rate creeps up in Grant, Adams in May

MOSES LAKE — Unemployment in Grant County in May was higher than in some neighboring counties but lower than in others. Adams County's unemployment was lower than most of its neighbors, according to data released by the Washington Employment Security Department last week.

BASIN Events calendar for July 2024

MOSES LAKE – As June rolls into July, the days are getting a bit warmer, the fish are biting and the car enthusiasts, golfers and children of the Columbia Basin are celebrating their season. The events below are a partial listing of what is going on in Grant and Adams counties. July 4 events will be published separately to ensure folks can celebrate our nation’s birthday.

Dementia at home

How to set up a house to be safe for those suffering from cognitive decline

MOSES LAKE — A dementia diagnosis is a tough thing to hear, and it changes things all around the patient. Those changes extend all the way to how a patient’s home is arranged. “Most homes are not designed with the needs of someone living with dementia in mind,” wrote Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

STRENGTH: Tony Leibelt

On the front lines of his hometown

QUINCY – After 36 years as a firefighter, Tony Leibelt has seen it all. He’s stood on the front lines of wildfires, he’s rescued rock climbers on the cliffs above the Columbia River and once he even delivered a baby on a bathroom floor. Some of the calls are routine, some are tragic, and some are just plain weird.

STRENGTH: Gregg Fletcher

Focused on medical administration, provider success

MOSES LAKE — Gregg Fletcher said a career in medical technology, which eventually led to a career in medical administration, started with an interest in math and science and a conversation with a guidance counselor at Central Washington University.

Bingo night to support nonprofits scheduled

MOSES LAKE — A classic game for a good cause - a whole list of good causes, in fact - will be the goal of a Bingo night sponsored by Care Moses Lake. Bingo is scheduled for 5 p.m. July 13

Pear Committee manager appointed

MILWAUKIE, Ore. – The Fresh Pear Committee met June 12 and appointed Jeff Correa as Manager of the Fresh Pear Committee of Federal Marketing Order 927, according to an FPC announcement.

West defeats East in Earl Barden Classic

YAKIMA – Saturday’s Earl Barden Classic in Yakima saw the West end the East’s four-game winning streak in the all-state football game, taking home a 34-7 win while stifling the East’s offense.

FIRE REPORT: MLFD sees busy weekend, Soap Lake-area fire shuts down Hwy. 28

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Fire Department staff said the weekend was busy on both the fire and medical side over the past few days. Grant County Fire District 7 also responded to a fire that forced Highway 28 to close for a time Sunday.

New law aims to help WA funeral homes overwhelmed with unclaimed bodies

(The Center Square) – Washington funeral homes and coroners are now allowed to dispose of unclaimed human remains after 45 days. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed House Bill 1974, which reduces the length of time that funeral homes must hold onto unclaimed bodies from 90 days to 45 days.

ACH Legion sweeps East Valley

COULEE CITY – The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Senior Legion baseball team swept the East Valley Knights in Friday’s doubleheader in Coulee City, following up a 16-5 win with a come-from-behind 8-3 win over the visiting Knights. The Warriors improved to 4-0 in the summer season with the win, though head coach Mike Correia said the team is still coming together on the field.

Volunteer project brightens Larson Heights playground

MOSES LAKE — The playground toys at Larson Heights Elementary are still fun - after all, there’s nothing like some good climbing bars - and they’re durable, but they’re old. “The playground here is 60 years old,” said Art Brown, pastor of the Light of Larson church. Church members have been working with school administrators and the parent-teacher organization for about 10 years to make improvements, Brown said, and one of the current projects is raising money for new playground toys. But in the meantime there’s the existing equipment.

WA considering delivery fee for online orders

(The Center Square) – Washington lawmakers are exploring a potential retail delivery fee for online purchases. The fee could generate millions of dollars every year and be spent on road maintenance and transportation projects. The retail delivery fee, or RDF, could apply to packages delivered by Amazon, or shipping companies like UPS and FedEx.

RISING JUNIORS: Almira/Coulee-Hartline’s Caden Correia

COULEE CITY – Like many student-athletes who hail from small towns, Almira/Coulee-Hartline sophomore Caden Correia spends his school year donning the Warrior uniform in three different sports. However, there’s one sport that stands out to him – baseball.

2024 PRCA Rodeos for Washington, Oregon and Idaho

MOSES LAKE – As the summer comes around, contestants around the country will travel to upcoming rodeos throughout the region.