Soap Lake adopts 2023 budget

SOAP LAKE - The City of Soap Lake’s final city council meeting for 2022 included adopting the 2023 annual budget.

PUD asks Crescent Bar residents to conserve power

EPHRATA — Officials with the Grant County Public Utility District took an unusual step late Wednesday and issued a request to its customers in the Crescent Bar and Trinidad areas to turn off unneeded appliances and limit their power use in order to avoid a blackout. “There was more demand than we thought we might be able to supply,” said Grant PUD spokesperson Christine Pratt. “There were no outages, but we just put that message out to get people to conserve.” ...

Larson Rec Center opens its doors to the public

MOSES LAKE — As she toured the city of Moses Lake’s new Larson Recreation Center, Arin Swinger had one request. “It would be cool if you could start a list,” Swinger told Recreation Superintendent Carrie Hoiness as she talked with a couple of friends about playing pickleball. “So people can connect.” City staff thought that was a worthwhile idea...

QVMC looks at rebranding

New logo, updated website possibilities for Quincy Valley Medical Center

QUINCY — A new logo and an updated website would be part of a possible rebranding campaign for Quincy Valley Medical Center, an option discussed at the regular commission meeting Monday. Shannon Durfee, QVMC community relations and marketing director, said the idea is still in the discussion phase; there’s nothing proposed for a new look yet. But with a new hospital being designed, Durfee said it was time to think about a new look...

Operation Friendship

Moses Lake Food Bank program works to help children in need have a great holiday.

MOSES LAKE — The volunteers circulated among the big cardboard boxes Saturday morning, consulting the notes on the clipboard, selecting a doll and a puzzle here, a game ball and toy cars there. The goal of Operation Friendship, sponsored by the Moses Lake Food Bank, is to empty the bins and get the toys into the hands of children for Christmas. Moses Lake Food Bank Operations Manager Peny Archer said Operation Friendship had more than 300 children registered...

Law enforcement records for Dec. 22

The reports below were provided by the police departments and sheriff’s offices indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law...

WA fire marshal advises preparedness for winter storms

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Fire Marshal’s office is asking Washington residents to take precautions and prepare for winter weather emergencies such as wind-driven snow, extreme cold, downed power lines and icy roads. “Winter storms and extreme cold can cause dangerous and life-threatening conditions,” said a press release from Deputy Fire Marshal Gregory Baruso. “Taking preparedness actions now can make a big difference in protecting you and your family.” ...

Newhouse bill supports fight against fentanyl

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislation co-authored by Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Yakima, extending the emergency scheduling of fentanyl and analogous substances has been included in the $1.7 trillion omnibus government funding bill being considered by Congress this week. “Fentanyl is wreaking havoc on our communities in Central Washington,” Newhouse said in a press release announcing the inclusion. “I am pleased this legislation was included in the final omnibus, meaning certainty and safety for our communities is just around the corner.” ...

BPA Chief receives presidential award

PORTLAND — The Bonneville Power Administration announced on Wednesday that the agency’s chief administrator, Robin Furrer, is one of 18 Department of Energy executives receiving the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award in 2022 from President Joe Biden, according to a BPA press release.

RECAP: Seahawks suffer another loss, Kraken win two-straight

SEATTLE – While playoff chances for the Seattle Seahawks slip with each of their four recent losses, the Seattle Kraken have snapped their losing skid with back-to-back wins. Check out this week’s professional sports recap...

Tigers take down Royal

Mills's 24 points push Ephrata girls to win over Knights girls on the court

ROYAL CITY – After beginning the season 3-0 then dropping back-to-back games to Shadle Park and Prosser, the Ephrata girls basketball team defeated Royal 54-32 on the road on Tuesday night. “It feels good, we just had to grind out some stuff in practice this week,” Ephrata Head Coach Alain Black said. “That’s been our focus. Prosser is a good team, and so we didn’t sit on it too long – we went past it and got ready for Royal.” Ephrata forced turnovers to feed its fast-paced offensive attack, utilizing fast breaks to catch the Royal defense flat-footed...

Hovde remembered for commitment to community

Former Soap Lake mayor passed away in late October at age 89

SOAP LAKE - Wayne Hovde, a 30-year resident of Soap Lake, passed away Oct. 29. During his time in the small town he served on the city council and as mayor, adding to a legacy of hard work, determination and service. “I think (he just wanted) to make Soap Lake great,” said Hovde’s daughter Elayne Hovde-Knudson. “He was a visionary for things, he was able to think outside the box and he really didn’t care what people might’ve thought of him.” ...

HTC pairs with Ardent Mills to continue chickpea legacy

OTHELLO – The Hinrichs Trading Company, a division of Ardent Mills, knows a lot about chickpeas, or garbanzo beans as they are also called. HTC manages the complete chickpea production from cleaning and packaging to shipping - to now chickpea flour. “Before, we ended our part of the supply chain at the whole chickpea,” said Kyle Hinrichs, Commercial Operations Manager of Hinrichs Trading Division - Pullman. “Now, as part of Ardent Mills, we have flour facilities. So now we're one more step along that supply chain.” ...

Basin sports schedule for Dec. 21-27

COLUMBIA BASIN – It’s a lighter week of sports here in the Basin, as schools are off for the holiday break. Check out this week’s sports schedule, including a few local holiday tournaments.

Bitterly cold weather, then freezing rain, in forecast

MOSES LAKE — A combination of cold air and even colder air will cause winds to start blowing and push temperatures to 25 to 30 degrees below zero in Grant County early Thursday morning. Steven Van Horn, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said Tuesday night that temperatures are forecast to be about seven to 10 degrees below zero early Thursday morning. But the winds will be blowing out of the north, forecast to be about 10 to 12 miles per hour. “Those winds are going to have a significant impact,” Van Horn said...

DOH encourages caution in light of dangerous flu season

OLYMPIA — With this winter's flu season spreading faster and causing more death than in previous years, the Washington State Department of Health is advising all state residents aged 6 months and older get their flu shots as soon as possible, according to a department press release. DOH described this year’s flu season as arriving earlier than in previous years, noting that 40 people so far have died from this year’s H3N2 Influenza A strain — including three children...

Wreaths Across America visits the Basin

EPHRATA - Columbia Basin Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and volunteers laid wreaths at the Ephrata, Quincy Valley and Soap Lake cemeteries Saturday in honor of Wreaths Across America Day. WAA Day’s purpose is to remember the fallen, honor those that serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom...

QVMC board authorizes bond sale

Proceeds to be used to build new Quincy hospital

QUINCY — A general contractor for the new Quincy Valley Medical Center is scheduled to be hired by the end of January, with the goal of starting construction in the summer of 2023. Hospital district commissioners authorized the sale of $46 million in construction bonds at the regular meeting Monday. “That is a big deal,” said commissioner Anthony Gonzalez. The vote to authorize the bond sale was 4-0; commissioner Sherri Kooy was absent. “That is a huge deal,” commissioner Michelle Talley said in agreement with Gonzalez...

With new faces, Jackrabbits creating on-court chemistry

QUINCY – Sitting at 4-2 ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup against Cascade (Leavenworth), the Quincy Jackrabbit boys basketball team has been using early-season games to create chemistry on the court. “I’ve been really happy with the way they’ve gelled and played together,” Quincy Head Coach Scott Bierlink said. “We certainly have some room to grow in that area, but overall I think they’re well above my expectations from when the season started.” ...

Mavs off to 3-1 start

Season looking promising despite recent close loss to Grizzlies

MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks suffered their first loss of the season on the road against Sunnyside on Saturday, a 62-59 double overtime loss to the Grizzlies. The 3-1 start to the year is the best start since the Mavs also went 3-1 to begin the 2015-16 season, according to the team’s MaxPreps page. “It does feel good for these guys to get the season rolling in the right direction,” Moses Lake Head Coach Jake Hunt said. “It’s really good for their confidence.” ...