Small sisterhood

Moses Lake Woman’s Club may be few, but they’re making a difference

MOSES LAKE — There may be strength in numbers, but sometimes those numbers are small ones. “We gave 600 diapers, plus other items (to New Hope),” said Margaret Schiffner, president of the 10-member Moses Lake Woman’s Club. “We donated 30 packs of baby wipes and over $273.” The club has had a relationship with New Hope for many years. The signature project for the nationwide General Foundation of Women’s Clubs is domestic violence, and local clubs partner with local domestic violence advocacy organizations. The diaper drive in March was part of a statewide effort by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Washington state, in which more than 12,000 diapers were collected by 24 clubs statewide with a total membership of 303.

A promise fulfilled

Gov. Ferguson signs bill exempting farmers from CCA fuel taxes

OLYMPIA — Washington farmers were promised fuel exemptions from the state’s Climate Commitment Act, and four years after its initial passage, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1912 which facilitates fuel exemptions for farmers under the CCA.

Current and future development focus of Adams County Commission discussion

RITZVILLE — Adams County Commissioners discussed possible options for the design of a new evidence facility for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office near Othello, but it was part of a wider-ranging discussion about the future. County officials obtained funding for a building in 2021 and decided to build it on county-owned property adjoining the Othello Fairgrounds. Commissioners have discussed using that property for additional county buildings, and Commissioner Jay Weise said he wanted to at least think about how they want to use that land. “What we don’t usually do is think ahead,” Weise said. “Then it ends up that the people who are sitting here in our seats 10 years from now are (saying), ‘We have a mess.’ Could we at least have done something that kind of sets it up, so the decisions aren’t as much of a rat’s nest?”

Civil Air Patrol prepares to head to California

EPHRATA—The Civil Air Patrol’s Color Guard is preparing to head to California on Saturday for its regional competition. “What we’re going to be doing here is we’re going to be cleaning our rifles, practicing for a uniform build, and reading over the ledger we’re going to practice for the upcoming competition,” said CAP Second Lt. Austyn Miller.

Second annual Brent Reese Memorial Car Show coming June 7

MOSES LAKE — The Brent Reese Memorial Car Show is roaring back around June 7. “Our first annual (car show) was a wild success,” said Jeremy Reese, who organized the show in honor of his father, who passed away from ALS in 2020. “We raised about $4,000.” Last year’s show featured 64 registered vehicles and about 1,200 spectators came by to admire them, Reese said.

'Well done'

Open house shows new Quincy hospital to community

QUINCY — Port of Quincy Commissioner Curt Morris had a couple of words for Quincy Valley Medical Center commissioner Randy Zolman during the open house at the new Quincy hospital Wednesday.

Champion Tigresses

All seven Ephrata High girls head to state golf competition this week

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers’ girls golf team secured the title of district champions after the tournament on Monday and will move on to the state championship. This is following the team earning the league title the week prior.

Jacks take bronze in districts

RICHLAND – The Jacks (8-5-3) earned a win against Ellensburg Tuesday evening for third place in districts and moved onto the Crossover bracket.

Gov. proclaims support for WA veterans

State leadership committed to vet suicide prevention, mental health support

MOSES LAKE – Gov. Bob Ferguson recently signed a proclamation reaffirming Washington’s commitment to veteran suicide prevention. The proclamation comes amidst rising concerns about mental health challenges facing vets, with the rate of veteran suicide in Washington exceeding the national average, according to a statement from Ferguson.

Food and Folk Festival returns to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Food and Folk Festival will have some changes the second time around. “This year we decided to have it a month earlier because last year on that day it was 100 degrees and higher,” said Ruthann Tobiason of Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee, which sponsors the event. “We know it kept a fair number of people away … We actually had a performer back out at the last minute because it was too hot and dang, I don’t blame her.” Last year’s one-day event drew a respectable turnout for an inaugural effort, enough that it’s been expanded to two days this year, June 20-21. Friday’s festivities will be homegrown, with an open mic at the Soap Lake Community Center and open mic followed by live music from Rebel Hearts at Cloudview Kitchen.

BASIN EVENTS CALENDAR: May 16-24, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s the merry, merry month of May and there are lots of ways to keep occupied in the Basin. Here are a few things happening this week:

Moses Lake homelessness town hall set for June 3

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to discuss how the city will address homeless issues after the closure of the Open Doors sleep center 6:30 p.m. June 3 at Moses Lake City Hall, 401 S. Balsam St.

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Washington State Patrol Trooper Travis Cunningham wears his hat with pride, mind for service

MOSES LAKE — The life of a Washington State Patrol officer isn’t all glamorous, but it does have one thing going for it: the coolest hat in all law enforcement. “I adamantly and wholeheartedly believe that,” said Trooper Travis Cunningham.

PUD revamping application fees for industrial users

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD Commissioner Larry Schaapman talked about one of the main questions surrounding the Grant County PUD’s proposal to raise application fees for large industrial customers, while Commissioner Tom Flint detailed one of the reasons for the change. The proposal was presented to commissioners at the commission meeting Tuesday and will be the subject of a further discussion at a workshop May 20.

Building their way to nationals

Ephrata’s Parkway Pizzazz heading to national LEGO robotics championship

EPHRATA – Ten sixth-grade Parkway Intermediate students, two advisors and a Lego robot named Jeff will travel to New Jersey this week for the national Lego Robotics championship. For a handful of the students this is their first time on a plane, for others their first time on the east coast. For all of them, it will be their first time competing in the national Lego championship. “It was a really good experience working together because we all got to work as a team together. We do have some coders that code and people who worked on the innovation project, but we all share what we learned throughout the day,” Liliana Zaets said. “It was a really good experience because we learned a lot of things.” The Parkway Pizzazz team competed in state Jan. 18 and won the “Breakthrough” award at state competition. The award entered them into a lottery to compete at nationals. The group was selected from the lottery and now they are on their way to the American Robotics Open Competiton in New Jersey.

‘Whiskey Rebel’

Novel draws on Moses Coulee for isolated setting

MOSES LAKE — Out in the high desert country of Moses Coulee, it’s easy to imagine that strange things are happening just over the next ridge. There’s something peacefully secretive about the area northwest of Ephrata in the southern part of Douglas County, as though time stopped there and nobody was around to notice.

Michael Allen Sievers

1963 – 2025

Michael Allen Sievers, born on November 13, 1963, in Moses Lake, Washington, passed away on May 9, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the age of 61. He was a beloved father, son, uncle and brother, known for his adventurous spirit, social nature, and unwavering focus on seeking happiness. His passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Space to grow

Moses Lake Catalyst Center gives fledgling businesses a chance to thrive

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake business community got a preview of the future of small business last week when the Chamber of Commerce unveiled its Chamber Catalyst Center downtown. “The first three years of a business are the most critical,” said Chamber Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. “Typically it’s five before you’re really solid.”

Primary races coming for Adams County offices

RITZVILLE — The job of the Lind mayor and three Lind Town Council seats will be on the primary ballot, and Othello will have at least two new city council members. The filing period for the 2025 election was last week.

Playground planned, tentatively, for Othello’s Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO — A new playground probably will be coming to Othello’s Kiwanis Park, but funding will affect the timeline. It’s the next phase in improvements to the park, some of which are finished, some of which are ongoing. Othello did receive a grant to upgrade the Kiwanis Park basketball courts. A timeline for that project will be announced. Sarah Montemayor, the city’s grant coordinator, said Othello officials submitted grant requests to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office to upgrade the parking lot and build a new playground. The city got part but not all of the grant, she said.