Semi blocks road near Mattawa

MATTAWA — A jackknifed semi and trailer blocked State Route 243 for a time about 12 miles south of Mattawa Friday night. The incident occurred about 9:15 p.m., according to information from the Washington State Patrol. No one was injured. The semi fully blocked all lanes. The WSP did not respond to an inquiry asking when the road was reopened.

Fuhr reelected as Moses Lake School Board chair

MOSES LAKE — Kevin Fuhr has been reelected for a new term as Moses Lake School Board president. Shannon Hintz was reelected as vice president. Board members voted 4-0 to retain the current officers without discussion during the regular meeting Thursday. Paul Hill is the board’s legislative representative and also retained his position. In other business, Stefanie Lowry, the district’s director of finance, gave the board a budget update through the end of October...

Late basket sends Mavs to 58-56 win over Ellensburg

MOSES LAKE – Tied at 56 points to Ellensburg with under 10 seconds remaining, Moses Lake junior Kyson Thomas drove into the paint against his defender, stepped back, and took a short jump shot from the right of the basket. “(Moses Lake Head Coach Jake Hunt) said ‘We have one play,’” Thomas said. “It was supposed to go to Joel (Middleton). He said, ‘If you don’t get it to him, go iso.” Thomas’ shot dropped through the rim, putting the Mavs up 58-36 with 5.7 seconds remaining on the clock. The Bulldogs were fouled on their ensuing position, but a missed free throw clinched a 58-56 win over Ellensburg and a 2-0 start for Moses Lake...

Tips for cops and kids

Officers serve food, drink, hospitality to raise money for Christmas

MOSES LAKE — There was hardly a place to park at Rock Top Burgers and Brew Wednesday evening as diners gathered to have law enforcement officers from three local agencies take their orders, get their drinks, and bus their tables – all to help some needy families get a little Christmas cheer. “We were trying to come up with a fundraising idea to help Shop With a Cop,” said Rock Top Marketing Coordinator Lindsey Crothers. “And one night this kind of just came into play. And now this is our fifth annual and it’s become a tradition.” ...

Huskies defeat Vikings in dual

OTHELLO – With wintry weather outside of Othello High School, fans and wrestlers were in the holiday spirit inside of Othello’s gym for the team’s Ugly Sweater Night dual against Selah. Wrestlers warmed up in ugly Christmas sweaters before taking to the mat, where the Huskies took a 48-12 win over the visiting Vikings. “We’ve done it a few years now, we just like to have a good time,” Othello Head Coach Rudy Ochoa II said...

Coffee by Cops

Soap Lake police host tip-a-cop event at local coffee stand

SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake Tip-a-Cop event was held for the fourth year in a row at The Busy Bean coffee stand, located at 320 Sixth Ave. SE, Tuesday. “It helps us raise money to support the families and kids of our community but it's also a way for us to work with the community,” said Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox. With Tip-a-Cop, local law enforcement helps the business serve patrons for one day and is given all the tips they earn during that time...

Home prices up, sales down for November

MOSES LAKE — Home sales were down across Washington compared to November 2021, according to a statement from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, with rural East Side counties showing some of the heaviest declines. At the same time, median prices rose slightly, also with the exception of some rural counties. “Determined buyers are purchasing homes, with pent-up demand driving the market,” said Dean Rebhuhn, owner of Village Homes and Properties in Woodinville, in the statement. “Sellers who price to the market are attracting showings and receiving good offers.” ...

Wash. Dept. of Commerce seeks resident help to preserve broadband funding

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is asking state residents to help check the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission’s new National Broadband Map, which notes which parts of the country have and do not have access to broadband internet service. According to a press release issued Thursday by the Washington State Department of Commerce, at stake is the state’s share of $900 million in federal funding to help expand broadband service...

Ephrata seeks community input

City developing comprehensive plan updates to serve residents

EPHRATA - The City of Ephrata is asking for responses to a community survey that will help direct the city in decisions for updating its comprehensive plan. “Our goal is to have as many (surveys) as we can,” said Ron Sell, the City of Ephrata community development director. There are 16 questions on the survey that include topics of housing priorities and needs, transportation, economic development, downtown revitalization, parks and recreation...

Broncos off to 2-0 start

Veteran-heavy team begins winter with success on the court

RITZVILLE — Led by a veteran senior class, the Lind-Ritzville Broncos have started the 2022-2023 season 2-0 with high-scoring wins to begin the year. The Broncos opened their regular season with a 79-39 win over Almira/Coulee-Hartline on Saturday and a 73-31 win over Asotin on Wednesday. “It’s been a great start; I really have not much to complain about at all,” Arlt said. “We played two definitely younger teams so far, and our experience and athleticism have shown against those younger teams.” ...

Lady Jacks take down Chelan for the first time since 1996

QUINCY — It’s been a long time – 26 years, to be exact – since the Quincy girls basketball team defeated Chelan, which they did on Tuesday night in a 48-44 overtime victory over the Mountain Goats. Senior Ruth Flores led the Jacks in scoring with 17 points, followed by senior Joceline Schaapman with 12 and freshman Chloe Medina with 11. “It’s always been close, but we’ve definitely haven’t had a lead on them,” Quincy Head Coach Micaiah McCreary said. “I think the closest we’ve stayed is 6-8 points, but other than that we’ve lost by about 16 or so. This was a much better outcome than before, obviously.” ...

Two sides of a coin

mavs girls win, boys fall in dual meet with Sunnyside

MOSES LAKE — The first Columbia Basin Big Nine dual meet of the young 2022-23 wrestling season ended in a 54-24 win over Sunnyside for the Moses Lake girls wrestling team, and a 55-18 loss to Sunnyside for the boys wrestlers...

Bowman named GNAC player of the week for the second time this season

PORTLAND, Ore. – Central Washington University women's basketball team has earned another Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) player of the week honor. Samantha Bowman has been named the GNAC player of the week for the second time this season which marks the third time a Wildcat has earned the award so far this season.

Fun times at Othello's Christmas Miracle on Main Street

Residents brave cold temps to celebrate the holiday

OTHELLO — It was cold, but not cold enough to keep people from watching the parade, playing in the beanbag tournament, attending the children’s carnival and taking part in all the activities in the Christmas Miracle on Main Street in Othello Saturday. The parade and other events are sponsored by the Othello Holiday Committee...

Grant County seeks Fair Board volunteer

EPHRATA — Grant County is looking for a volunteer from the western portion of the county to help oversee the Grant County Fair. In a press release issued Wednesday, Grant County commissioners said they are looking for someone who resides in or around Quincy, Royal City, Mattawa or Desert Aire to serve a three-year term on the Grant County Fair Advisory Committee, which assists and advises county commissioners and the fair director prepare and run the county fair...

Dent tours Ephrata schools renovation projects

EPHRATA - Washington State Representative Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) received a tour of the construction projects underway at Ephrata Schools with Ephrata School District administration, school board members and the district's construction teams. The group toured progress being made on the revitalization of Ephrata Middle School and Columbia Ridge Elementary. These two projects are part of nearly $90 million in capital improvements in progress or planned throughout the school district. Though the projects will cost almost $90 million to complete, only about one-third or $27.89 million will come from local bond dollars. The remainder will be paid in matching funds from the State of Washington. For more information about the projects, visit www.EphrataSchools.org.

Law enforcement logs for Dec. 8

The reports below were provided by the agencies indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law....

Boeing, chamber team up for gift to firefighter Christmas charity

OLYMPIA — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday he is suing a Federal Way gun retailer for allegedly illegally selling high-capacity gun magazines in violation of state law and is asking a King County Superior Court judge to issue an injunction preventing Federal Way Discount Guns from selling any more high-capacity magazines, according to a press release...

Analyst: Gas prices likely to continue falling

MOSES LAKE — It may be the welcome Christmas surprise this season is steeply falling gasoline prices, which have fallen more than $1.30 per gallon in the last six months and look to fall even more, according to Patrick DeHaan, the head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy. “It could fall another 50 cents per gallon if nothing changes,” DeHaan said...

George collision victims identified

GEORGE - The seven people involved in the collision just east of George Tuesday morning have been identified by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office...