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March 21, 2023 5:06 p.m.

Applications open for law enforcement education classes

MOSES LAKE — Applications are being accepted through Friday for a series of informational classes for people who want to learn more about how law enforcement works, according to a release from the agencies involved. The Columbia Basin Multi-Agency Citizens Academy will begin April 2. The five-week series will be held in the ATEC building at Big Bend Community College, 7662 Chanute St. NE. The classes, nine in all, will be each Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr wrote that the academy returns after a three-year hiatus. Fuhr wrote that organizers are hoping to sign up at least 20 to 30 people. The purpose is to encourage positive relationships between law enforcement officers and community members through education on the basics of the profession, according to the release...

March 21, 2023 5:22 p.m.

USDA grants aim to help plan and prevent wildfires

ASHLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Forest Service announced it is giving nearly $25 million in grants to help plan for and prevent wildfires across Washington, according to a USFS press release. The grants are part of the Forest Service’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant program and are being given to 14 organizations from Spokane to South Bend in Pacific County, the press release stated. However, more than $11 million — including a $10 million grant — is going to three organizations in Kittitas County, including Kittitas County Resilient Landscapes.

Samaritan partnering with WSU
March 24, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Samaritan partnering with WSU

MOSES LAKE – Samaritan Healthcare has announced a partnership with Washington State University’s College of Medicine to support medical students, according to a Samaritan press release. “We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to advance our partnership with the WSU College of Medicine,” said Samaritan CEO Theresa Sullivan. “Their commitment to training physicians and medical professionals towards a rural track is vital to the development of our future workforce.” ...

March 23, 2023 5:57 p.m.

List of mandated reporters for vulnerable adults may expand

OLYMPIA - More people working in public sector jobs would be required to report suspected abuse of senior adults under a bill now being debated in the state Legislature. “Typically, the first idea that we have that abuse or neglect is occurring comes through mandatory reporters,” said Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro Woolley, the bill’s sponsor. “It also lets everybody know who they can share information with under what circumstances.” ...

March 15, 2023 4:51 p.m.

WA Senate passes bill to create battery recycling program

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Legislature is looking at a measure that legislators hope will increase battery recycling in the state. “We know that the use of batteries will continue to increase and it’s urgent we take action to ensure these products containing hazardous materials don’t continue to pile up in our landfills or other places they can cause health and safety concerns,” Sen. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, sponsor of Senate Bill 5144, said in a press release...

State transpo budget includes $14.5M for Connell rail project
April 6, 2023 5:12 p.m.

State transpo budget includes $14.5M for Connell rail project

CONNELL — The Columbia Basin Railroad is slated to receive $14.5 million in state funding to help pay for the rebuilding of the railroad’s Connell interchange, according to a press release from Connell Rail Interchange Coalition, which has been lobbying for funding to pay for the project...

Eviation announces intention to lease up to 50 electric commuter aircraft
September 8, 2023 3:27 p.m.

Eviation announces intention to lease up to 50 electric commuter aircraft

ARLINGTON, Wash. – Eviation Aircraft announced Wednesday that Solyu, a leasing company based in Seoul, South Korea, has signed a letter of intent for 25 commuter Alice aircraft with options for 25 additional aircraft, according to a press release from Eviation...

WSU astronomer: Don’t miss Saturday’s ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse
October 13, 2023 2:26 p.m.

WSU astronomer: Don’t miss Saturday’s ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse

PULLMAN - A shadow of the moon footprinted on the Earth will appear to be ablaze in a glowing ring of fire this Saturday for people across a narrow band of the United States, including the Pacific Northwest...

October 3, 2023 6:32 p.m.

Frito-Lay opens Community Builders Scholarship

PLANO, Texas – Frito-Lay announced Tuesday applications are open for the Frito-Lay Community Builders Scholarship, which will award four students $25,000 each to help further their higher education goals. The application submission deadline is Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. PST...

January 18, 2023 12:39 p.m.

Bill proposes relaxing restrictions on low-dose cannabis drinks

OLYMPIA - Consumers will be able to purchase more low-THC liquid-infused products in a single purchase if a bill in the Legislature wins approval. “HB 1249 is necessary to ensure that the evolution of consumer preference, and access to an increasing variety of these products, reflects those preferences and is aligned with the law,” said Douglas Henderson, Painted Rooster Cannabis Company CEO...

Police at Warden schools following non-specific threat
January 20, 2023 11:51 a.m.

Police at Warden schools following non-specific threat

WARDEN — Security was heightened at the Warden School District joint campus following the report of a non-specific threat late Thursday. The threat was later determined not to be credible, according to Warden Police Chief Rick Martin...

November 10, 2022 5:26 p.m.

National forest fees waived on Veterans Day

PORTLAND, Ore. — National forests and grasslands will be open free of charge for everyone Friday, according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service. In observance of Veterans Day, the Forest Service is waiving standard amenity fees for all visitors to national forest and grassland day-use areas. “Many veterans spend time with their families and connect with nature while hiking, hunting, boating, and exploring the range of outdoor recreation opportunities national forests and grasslands have to offer,” Tracy Calizon, regional assistant director of recreation for the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest, said in the statement. In addition, the statement said, public lands access passes are available year-round at no cost for service members, veterans, and Gold Star families. On fee-free days, standard amenity fees normally charged for day use sites, such as picnic areas, developed trailheads and destination visitor centers, are waived, the statement said. The waiver does not apply to special recreation permits, cabin rentals, or campground reservations, nor does it include expanded amenity fees charged for certain highly-developed sites, service charges, or fees assessed by independent concessionaires operating on national forest land. More information can be found at www.fs.usda.gov.

January 16, 2023 1:20 a.m.

Author lecture, Mt. St. Helens topics of NCW Libraries programs

WENATCHEE — A biologist will talk about the revival of plants and animals on Mt. St. Helens and an author will talk about her writing process in separate virtual lectures sponsored by NCW Libraries. Writer and biologist Eric Wagner, author of “After the Blast: Mt. St. Helens 40 Years Later,” will talk about the mountain’s revival in the four decades since the May 18, 1980, eruption. Wagner’s lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 25 and will include a question-and-answer session. The library is partnering with Humanities Washington for the presentation. Writer Yasmin Ramirez will discuss her memoir, “Andale Prieta: A Love Letter to My Family,” at 7 p.m. Feb. 9. Ramirez will talk about the story of her family, detail some of her writing process, and the playlist she created to accompany the book. She will be answering questions as well. Her lecture is part of the NCW Virtual Reads series. Registration is required. People can register at the NCW Libraries website, www.ncwlibraries.org. NCW Libraries operates 30 libraries across North-Central Washington, including the libraries in Coulee City, Ehprata, George, Grand Coulee, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake and Warden.

January 16, 2023 1:35 a.m.

Moses Lake superintendent, board member to hold monthly Q&A

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District patrons will have the chance to ask questions and talk face-to-face with district superintendent Monty Sabin and Moses Lake School Board member Shannon Hintz once each month, beginning in February. Hintz said during Thursday’s regular board meeting that she and Sabin will be at the Red Door Cafe, 202 W. Third Ave., at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15, and plan to make it a monthly meeting. “Monty or myself will be there for anybody to come in and talk, to voice concerns, ask questions if you want to know why things happened or why things don’t happen. We’re there to help you understand it,” Hintz said. “So if anybody would like to come down and just talk, say whatever you want to say – we’ll be there.” Hintz said she wanted to give district residents another avenue to meet and talk with school officials after the meeting. “To have more community connection,” she said. Monthly meeting dates will be announced. Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at [email protected].

Lady Yaks too much for Lady Vikings
January 16, 2023 11:54 a.m.

Lady Yaks too much for Lady Vikings

Yakima Valley College Lady Yaks had only eight players who saw action in Saturday's (January 14th) contest against the visiting Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings, but five placed in double figures, leading the Lady Yaks to an 87-71 defeat of the Lady Vikings.

EHS gets first athletic trainer
September 11, 2022 4:40 p.m.

EHS gets first athletic trainer

EPHRATA - On Sept. 9, Ephrata School District announced the hiring of Marissa Cox who will be the district’s first certified athletic trainer and will also teach sports medicine at the high school. “We are extremely excited to welcome Marissa to our team,” wrote Bryan Johnson, Ephrata High School Athletic Director, in the release. “Pairing her skills as a certified athletic trainer with hands-on learning provides a huge benefit for our students, our student-athletes and our school district.” ...

Bomb squad responds to suspicious device near Othello
November 2, 2022 5:23 p.m.

Bomb squad responds to suspicious device near Othello

OTHELLO — The discovery of a suspicious device in a vehicle belonging to a fugitive led to the evacuation of some residences in the 300 block of South Reynolds Road north of Othello Wednesday afternoon. Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said the suspect, Nicholas Romero-Rivera, 34, Othello was still at large as of Wednesday. He is being sought in connection with an incident Oct. 28. “We’re still looking for him,” Wagner said in a later interview...

November 21, 2022 3:38 p.m.

Drought aid deadline approaching

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The deadline to apply for aid from the Small Business Administration in Adams, Lincoln, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman counties is set for Dec. 19 for small nonfarm businesses who depend on agriculture-based communities for their livelihood, according to an SBA press release. “SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage,” SBA Director Tany N. Garfield said in the release...

12-year-old injured in bicycle-car collision
October 9, 2022 11:39 a.m.

12-year-old injured in bicycle-car collision

LAKEVIEW - A 12-year-old child was injured Friday evening after their bicycle collided with a car in Lakeview. A press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office states that responders were called around 6 p.m. to Grant Street NW and Ephrata Avenue NW in Lakeview where a 12-year-old had been riding her bicycle and collided with a car...

Winterfest brings Christmas to downtown Soap Lake
December 5, 2022 3:35 p.m.

Winterfest brings Christmas to downtown Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE - Soap Lake celebrated its annual Winterfest Saturday afternoon with a number of activities for attendees of all ages. Winterfest brought guests and residents to downtown Soap Lake to highlight local businesses and celebrate the winter season. The Soap Lake Food Bank held an open house serving cookies and hot chocolate, Grant County Department of Health handed out free COVID-19 test kits, the Del Red Pub had bingo where participants could win a turkey, carolers sang Christmas carols courtesy of Masquers theater actors, a live youth concert was given by Soap Lake students and Fire on Main had an open house...