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.

Samaritan hosting hospital funding meeting

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Hospital district patrons are being invited to discuss the options for construction of a new hospital at an open house from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Moses Lake City Hall, 401 S. Balsam St...

Unincorporated Grant County permits for Jan. 6, 2023

Unincorporated Grant County Nov. 5-11 Willamette Egg Farms, 12400 block of Road 7 Northeast, Moses Lake, egg foyer, $12,375. Willamette Egg Farms, 12400 block of Road 7 Northeast, Moses Lake, egg foyer, $37,125. Willamette Egg Farms, 12400 block of Road 7 Northeast, Moses Lake, egg foyer, $37,125. Willamette Egg Farms, 12400 block of Road 7 Northeast, Moses Lake, egg foyer, $19,800. Willamette Egg Farms, 12400 block of Road 7 Northeast, Moses Lake, egg foyer, $29,700. Willamette Egg Farms, 12400 block of Road 7 Northeast, Moses Lake, egg foyer, $350,550. Helga Joy Behan, 18200 block of Southwest Shore Drive, Beverly, post frame open cover, $7,050. Nancy Cruz and Denys Herrera, 1300 block of Road 19.3 Northeast, Soap Lake, manufactures home, $55,890. Permits issued: 8. Total valuation: $549,615.

QSL? Roger roger.

Radio amateurs provide an important link in an internet world

MOSES LAKE — “Whiskey 7 Bravo Juliet November, is that a roger?” The man’s voice, using the NATO phonetic alphabet to spell out a call sign, had a clear Caribbean lilt discernable even through the static and the distortion. “Roger, the name here is Brian.” Brian Nielson acknowledged his call sign and spoke clearly into the microphone hanging over his desk. “Go ahead.” “You’re coming in five by nine here on the beach in Barbados, over,” the voice replied, using the international amateur radio code to describe a clear and strong broadcast. The Barbadian then described the sun, the sand, and the surf right in front of him, and the fact that he was taking the day off from work. “Oh, on the beach, roger,” Nielsen said. “It’s kind of chilly here. We’re not on the beach. It’s snowy outside and 32 degrees. And we got about an inch of snow this morning. So I’m really envying you guys over there.” Nielsen extended an invitation to visit Moses Lake next time his conversation partner was in the United States. “Take care and 73,” Nielsen said, adding his call sign — W7BJN — and using the international amateur radio code for kindest regards. “Roger roger,” the Barbadian radio operator replied. “73s to you, my friend, and good luck.”

'Welcome to 2023. It's a brand new year.'

Soap Lake council adjusts member duties, authorizes expenses

SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake City Council held its first meeting of the year Wednesday evening. At the meeting were discussions and decisions about an emergency proclamation, a plaque for the new basketball courts and council member duties. “Welcome to 2023, it's a brand new year,” Soap Lake Mayor Michelle Agliano said to open the meeting...

Wildcats in the Basin

CWU basketball continues road campaign, travels to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — With renovations in progress at Central Washington University’s Nicholson Pavilion, the Wildcat men’s and women’s basketball teams have yet to play a game on their home court this season. “We haven’t had a gym since the end of last basketball season,” Central Men's Basketball Head Coach Brandon Rinta said. Along with playing games at Ellensburg High School, the Wildcats have ventured to Yakima Valley College and now Big Bend Community College to play home games...

Mavericks boys wrestlers get convincing dual meet win

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake boys wrestling Coach Jose Tanguma said the goal in Wednesday’s dual meet with West Valley (Yakima) was to get decisive wins. The Mavericks did that – only one match went to a decision in a 66-15 Moses Lake win. The girls dual featured only one match, with the rest being forfeits; Moses Lake won 54-12. “Our guys went out there and got pins, and that’s what I wanted them to do today,” Tanguma said...

A little bag of dignity

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivers 400 hygiene kits to local outreach organizations

MOSES LAKE — Lynn Logan said it took some time for Serve Moses Lake to get ready for Tuesday’s big donation of hygiene kits for the homeless. Because 200 kits – complete with toilet paper, washcloth, soap, shampoo, razors, a little tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush and then further customized depending on whether the recipient is male or female – take up a lot of room...

RECAP: ‘Hawks boost playoff hopes, Kraken notch comeback wins

SEATTLE — The Seahawks received a boost to their playoff hopes, while the Kraken snapped a three-game losing skid. Check out this week’s pro sports recap for an update on the two squads. Seahawks With their playoff hopes on the line, the Seattle Seahawks put themselves back in the picture with a 23-6 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, where Seattle quarterback Geno Smith eliminated his former team from postseason contention. While both teams were fighting for their playoff chances, the Seahawks were the only team that seemed to show up on Sunday afternoon. Seattle began the game with a 60-yard run by rookie running back Kenneth Walker III and scored on its first three possessions of the matchup (two touchdown passes by Smith sandwiching a Jason Myers 25-yard field goal).

Quincy boys hoops best Mountain Goats 83-81

QUINCY – Both the Quincy girls and boys basketball teams took on the Chelan Goats on Tuesday night, with the girls falling 60-46 after a late Chelan surge and the boys winning 83-81, avenging an early-season loss. Quincy girls The Jackrabbits lead for the majority of the first quarter before Chelan’s Brynn Hughbanks hit a three that gave the Mountain Goats the lead for good. “It was a battle all game,” Quincy Head Coach Micaiah McCreary said. “They played really well. The energy was there, everybody played their hardest.” Quincy freshman Chloe Medina hit a three and followed up with a layup on a fastbreak to cut the deficit to five points, but a Chelan run gave the Goats a 27-19 lead at the half. “It was a game of runs,” McCreary said. “They got up on us, then we went on a little run. Third quarter, we got down about 10 or so and crawled back and we were down three.” Running the

Law enforcement records for Jan. 5, 2023

The reports below were provided by the agencies indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Ephrata Police Department Dec. 29 Report of trespassing on an abandoned property in the 400 block of Seventh Avenue Southeast. Unknown subjects tossed items around the yard and may have entered some sheds. It was unknown if anything had been taken. Report of a hit-and-run on Second Avenue Southwest. Unknown vehicle struck a vehicle legally parked on the side of the street, then fled. Report of a vehicle prowl in the 400 block of Sixth Avenue Southeast. Nothing was reported stolen. Report of attempted theft in the 200 block of D Street Southeast. Reporting party found subject on neighbor’s porch attempting to steal. Subject fled when reporting party approached her. Dec. 30 Report of a two-vehicle collision at the SR 282-Nat Washington Way intersection. Vehicle 1 attempted to turn onto Nat Washington Way traveling too fast for conditions and struck vehicle 2, causing reportable damage. Report of theft in progress at a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way. Suspect was contacted and items recovered form her purse. Adams County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 23 Report of a one-vehicle collision at West Cunningham and South Billington roads, Othello. A semi-truck had rolled, striking a power pole and causing an outage. Dec. 26 Report of a shed broken into in the 2200 block of West Shelly Road, Othello. Owner advised nothing of value was taken. Dec. 30 Report of a mailbox forced open and multiple items taken in the 2300 block of West Covey Road, Othello. Report of a computer stolen from a residence in the 200 block of West South First Street, Lind. Othello Police Department Dec. 28 Report of a hit-and-run on West May Street. An unidentified truck struck a parked vehicle. Dec. 30 Report of a vehicle prowl on North 12th Avenue. Jan. 2 Report of a stolen three-wheeler bike located in the area of South 11th Avenue and East Spruce Street. Report of a non-injury rear-end collision in the area of South 14th Avenue and East Scootney Street. Jan. 3 Report of a catalytic converter stolen off a commercial truck. Grant County Jail Dec. 28 Sally Lou Voight, 61, Moses Lake, booked on DUI. Juan Carlos Cortez Barajas, 30, Quincy, booked on first-degree robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and fourth-degree assault – domestic violence, as well as a Grant County District Court warrant relating to fourth-degree assault – domestic violence and interfering with reporting domestic violence. Dec. 29 Jose Miguel Escobedo Ramos, 41, Royal city, booked on first-degree criminal trespass, as well as a Department of Corrections warrant. Jessica Lynae Lawter, 34, Ephrata, booked on two Grant County Superior Court warrants relating to second-degree burglary and third-degree theft, as well as a Grant County District Court warrant relating to third-degree theft. Dec. 30 Jonathan James Mengle, 29, Everett, booked on a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to second-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and attempting to elude a police vehicle. Melanie Innette Cordova, 45, Moses Lake, booked on warrants relating to first-degree theft – welfare fraud and second-degree escape. Regina Carole Spicer, 56, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Dec. 31 Juan Marcos Mena, 33, Moses Lake, booked on possession of a stolen firearm, first-degree burglary, third-degree theft, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and firearm transfer/sale violation. Jan. 1 Melody Rosas Gonzalez, 19, Quincy, booked on violation of a protection order – domestic violence. Erendida Medina Rodriguez, 38, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Caleb Kyle Esparza, 22, Moses Lake, booked on DUI. Jennifer Marie Pugh, 41, Moses Lake, booked on felony harassment and unlawful carrying or handling of a weapon. Lamberto Medina Ramos, 30, Soap Lake, booked on second-degree assault – domestic violence, unlawful imprisonment and interfering with reporting domestic violence. Jan. 2 Joseph Anthony Barros, 48, Ephrata, booked on violation of a no-contact order, as well as a superior court warrant relating to failure to register as a sex offender. Miranda Lakoduk, 36, Ephrata, booked on first-degree burglary, theft of a firearm, second-degree theft and unlawful possession of a firearm. Jerimiah James Miller, 32, Ephrata, booked on first-degree burglary, theft of a firearm, second-degree theft, unlawful possession of a firearm and trafficking in stolen property. Jason Alan Curtis, 40, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Jan. 3 Robin Douglas Carlberg, 32, Soap Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence.

Resolutions and Reflections

Basin residents reflect on 2022 and look forward to 2023

MOSES LAKE – With the new year, many people create new year’s resolutions and reflect on the year they just had. Many new year’s resolutions are related to mental and physical health, finances and breaking bad habits. “Well it takes 21 days to develop a habit so you just have to be persistent,” said Lynn Alderson of Moses Lake...

Basin sports schedule for Jan. 4-10

COLUMBIA BASIN – Winter sports are back in full swing here in the Basin after teams had time off due to the holiday break. Check out this week’s packed sports schedule for all 12 schools here in the area.

American Legion family looks for more members

Local unit works to support area veterans of all ages, including seniors

EPHRATA - The American Legion family hosts and participates in many events and programs throughout the year that supports veterans and their families locally as well as across the country. “We reach out to our communities to try to help remind them of the freedoms that a lot of us take for granted,” said Jane Montaney, American Legion Art Semro Unit 28 long-time member. “There is somebody out there at one point in time (who) made sure that those freedoms existed for us and are serving to continue to preserve those freedoms.” ...

Hours may shorten at Mattawa garbage facility

'We're down to one customer a day, and we can't support that.'

MATTAWA — Declining use of a Grant County-owned garbage collection facility near Mattawa, also called a drop box, may lead to reduced winter hours for the facility. Grant County Public Works Director Sam Castro said he has submitted a request to the Grant County Commissioners to open the facility only on Saturdays for now. “We’re down to one customer a day, and we can’t support that,” Castro said...

First ag-dedicated imaging satellite launched

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — The first orbital satellite dedicated to agricultural imagining was launched from the SpaceX launch site at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center has lifted off, according to a press release from satellite maker Dragonfly Aerospace...

Concrete truck overturns in Warden

WARDEN — A large concrete boom truck skidded and overturned on S. County Road just in front of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Warden at around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, according to Warden Police Chief Rick Martin. No one was injured in the accident, Martin said, though the driver was pinned in his cab as a result of the accident and had to be rescued by a firefighter with Grant County Fire District 4...

Jan. 2023 senior events schedule:

The events below are available for seniors to enjoy throughout January 2023.

GCSO welcomes new deputies

EPHRATA - The Grant County Sheriff’s Office welcomed two new deputies Tuesday morning, Francisco Araiza, left and Roman Varyvoda, right. Araiza transferred from Mattawa Police Department, and Varyvoda transferred from Washington Fish and Wildlife Police.....

Ephrata community survey to close

EPHRATA - The City of Ephrata is encouraging those who have not taken the Ephrata Community Survey, to do so before it closes....