Quincy homicide victim identified

QUINCY — The identity of a Quincy man killed in a shooting May 15 has been released by the Grant County Coroner. The body of Joshua Avalos, 33, was found at a residence in Quincy about 7 a.m. May 15; a release from the Quincy Police Department said it was likely he was killed sometime between 12:30 and 2 a.m. Tim Catlin, an investigator with the coroner’s office, said Avalos died of multiple gunshot wounds. “During the investigation, detectives discovered several spent (shell) casings,” the QPD release said. A person was arrested in the 8000 block of state Route 281 May 16 in connection with the murder, according to a release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Quincy police have not released any further information about the arrest or its connection with homicide.

Quincy woman drowns when car goes into canal

QUINCY — A 24-year-old Quincy woman died when she lost control of her car and drove into a large irrigation canal near Quincy, apparently sometime Sunday. Erika Martinez Chavez was driving on a canal maintenance road near Road 7 Northwest when she apparently lost control of the vehicle, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle went into the canal and Martinez Chavez was unable to get out of the car, the GCSO release said. “This was one of the larger canals,” said Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. “It’s about 75 feet wide and the water was about 20 feet deep.”

Wenatchee Valley College announces cost-saving measures

WENATCHEE VALLEY – Wenatchee Valley College announced on Tuesday that the school will be implementing cost saving measures that will include the suspension of several programs and reducing course section offerings going into the 2025-26 year. “We want to make sure that we can be the college of choice in North Central Washington,” said Tod Treat, Vice President of Instruction at WVC. “For us to do that, everything we do has to be excellent and we have to have the resources to put into the things that we’re offering to ensure that they’re excellent.” These changes to the school have come about as Washington state is facing a budget shortfall of over $12 billion.

Moses Lake SD business manager candidate forum tonight

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District patrons are being invited to talk to – and give their opinions about – finalists for the job of MLSD business manager tonight at 4 p.m. at the district’s transportation office, 940 E. Yonezawa Blvd. Candidates will introduce themselves and answer questions submitted by district patrons; people are encouraged to submit questions via QR code that will be available at the meeting. People will be asked to submit their impressions of the candidates after each person finishes.

Legals for May, 21 2025

New Washington law directs $100M in grants toward hiring police, improving public safety

OLYMPIA — On his first day, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson angered many Democratic lawmakers by demanding the Legislature put $100 million in the next state budget to help local police departments hire police officers. “That idea was a cornerstone of my campaign for Governor. Any budget I sign must include this funding,” he said in his Jan. 15 inaugural address. On Monday, there were clear signs of a rapprochement as Ferguson signed House Bill 2015 that embeds a $100 million grant program in a broad policy bill designed to let local and tribal governments decide how best to use those dollars – even if that means not hiring a single new cop. “It’s a wonderful bill,

Ferguson signs contentious parents’ bill of rights rewrite into law

(The Center Square) – One of the most hotly debated bills of this year’s legislative session was signed into law on Tuesday by Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Mattawa Council approves proposed contract with police union

MATTAWA — After a negotiation process that went to mediation, the Mattawa City Council voted May 15 to approve a new three-year contract with the union representing Mattawa Police Department officers. The vote was 4-2, with council members Tony Acosta and Fabiola Hernandez voting no. City Attorney Kathryn Kenison said it was a challenging process. “We didn’t think we were going to get there, but we asked the mediator to work with us a little longer and this is what the parties compromised on,” Kenison said. “The open items were mostly the financials.”

EARH installs ‘virtual emergency room’ to expand ER care

RITZVILLE — East Adams Rural Healthcare rolled out a new telemedicine system last month that officials say will improve emergency room responses dramatically. “We’ve used it probably a good dozen times now,” said EARH Chief Nursing Officer Lurisa Sackman. “We have had nothing but positive feedback from the staff in regard to the help that it offers them, and no issues or concerns from patients.” The system is called Avel eCare Emergency, and it’s a video link between the hospital in Ritzville and a facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which has on-call physicians and other providers who can talk with the patient and providers, help with diagnosis and take down vital information while the ER staff is doing the hands-on treatment.

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?”

Legals for May, 20 2025

Spokane Tech Hub must reapply for $48M grant under Trump's new criteria

(The Center Square) – A Spokane-based aerospace manufacturer must reapply for $48 million in funding after the Trump administration announced changes to the grant program on Friday. Established under the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, the Tech Hubs Program intends to bolster semiconductor manufacturing nationwide. The Biden administration allocated $500 million to the initiative just before leaving office, but President Donald Trump wants to pull some of that back. Nearly half of the allocation relied on future revenues while awarding grants to six of 31 hubs based on applications from almost a year ago. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Friday that each awardee must reapply and compete against the other hubs for the funding.

1,100-acre fire contained near Grant-Kittitas border

ELLENSBURG — On Sunday afternoon around 12:35 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to Bourne Springs for a fast-moving wildland fire at the Yakima Training Center. “It occurred in an open training area, and it was caused due to training activities,” Yakima Training Center Public Affairs Officer Paul Noel said. The fire was located near the Grant County and Kittitas County border, near Mattawa.

Gas prices rise in Grant Co., WA and nationally

A look into Memorial Day weekend travel

MOSES LAKE — Gas prices across the nation rose, impacting both Grant County and Washington state, according to the American Automobile Association. However, gas prices are still lower than last year at this time, which is good for travelers this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Last week, Grant County was sitting at $4.28 per gallon for the second week in a row, but as of Monday gas prices had risen $0.02 per gallon, bringing the average gas price in the county up to $4.30, according to AAA. This is the same price consumers saw during the week of April 28. This week Adams County saw a decrease in gas prices from $4.20 to $4.18 this week, according to AAA. Two weeks ago, gas was averaging $4.17, lower than currently. Both Grant and Adams counties remain around the median of gas prices across the state, according to AAA. Wahkiakum County remained the most expensive for the second week in a row at $4.80 which is a $0.05 increase from the previous week. Asotin County also remained the cheapest at $3.84 which is a $0.07 increase from last week.

Employers ready to recruit at WorkSource Hiring Event

MOSES LAKE — Folks who are looking for work will stand a good chance of finding it May 30 at WorkSource’s Spring Hiring Event.

Touch a Truck event supports Ephrata Food Bank

First responders, local companies gather to ensure locals are fed

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Fire Department's annual "Touch a Truck" event Saturday drew a crowd despite early rain showers, as community members visited the Splash Zone parking lot to engage with a variety of large vehicles. The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., served as both a fun outing for families and a fundraiser for the Ephrata Food Bank.

'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.

GCHD calls on federal officials to protect Medicaid

MOSES LAKE – Earlier this month, the Grant County Health District announced the passing of a resolution to call on federal leaders to protect and maintain funding for Medicaid. The proposed federal budget calls for possible extensive cuts to the program, which provides health care coverage for millions nationwide and thousands within Grant County.

Groff Elementary 2025-26 plans in the works

MLSD reviews feedback from parents on this year and ideas for next year

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District board met Thursday night for a regular meeting to discuss the feedback the district received from parents at Groff Elementary for next year.

Legals for May, 19 2025