Masquers to stage ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

SOAP LAKE— Horror and horticulture are in bloom at the Masquers Theater, with the production of the darkly comedic musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” The play, which opens Oct. 16, is directed by Clifford and Stacy Bresee, who have directed most of the troupe’s musicals over the last decade. “It’s one I’ve wanted to do for quite a few years,” Stacy Bresee said. “So the opportunity came and we took it.” The musical, based on the campy 1960 horror-comedy of the same name by Roger Corman, was written by Howard Ashman and Alan Mencken, who a few years later would fuel the Disney Renaissance with films like “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.” It premiered on Broadway in 1982 and was adapted for the screen in 1986.

BASIN EVENTS: Oct. 10-18

COLUMBIA BASIN — Fall fun is everywhere as we reach the middle of October. Here are a few things happening in the Basin this week.

Getting the bugs out

Pest and weed control service opens in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — With the weather getting colder, some creepy crawly critters are likely to decide that your home should also be their home. A new business in town aims to help evict them. “Spiders, ants, just generally insects,” said Josh Gilliam, owner of Bug Out Pest and Spray. “We’re a very hot and arid environment, but we also have access to a lot of water, so that brings out the bugs.” Bug Out opened for business Aug. 1 and held its official ribbon-cutting Tuesday in Moses Lake. Gilliam has been in the extermination business for about 25 years, he said, first in Spokane and then in Moses Lake. He decided to go out on his own after meeting with his partner Kip Burns, who also owns Blinds for Any Budget and B and B Doors.

Home prices dip slightly statewide, but up in the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Inventory is climbing and home prices slipped in the housing market in September, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 Washington counties. “People are starting to come out from under the rocks, the buyers that were on the fence a little bit, because we're getting a little bit of a break here and there on interest rates,” said Johnny Reyes, a broker with Windermere Real Estate in Ephrata. “People are starting to feel a little more comfortable about coming out and buying.” Active listings increased by 27.3% statewide between September 2024 and September 2025, according to the NWMLS. The increase was greater in Grant County, at 30.77% year-over-year, while Adams County increased only 6%.

Legals for October, 10 2025

Wheeler Road intersection will stay in current configuration, for now

MOSES LAKE — Newly restriped streets at East Wheeler Road and Pioneer Way will remain in their current configuration, at least for now. Moses Lake City Council members voted to leave the street striping as it is at a special meeting Tuesday.

Three men arrested, drugs confiscated Wednesday

Moses Lake to sell off Open Doors Sleep Center units

MOSES LAKE – The City of Moses Lake is set to sell off units formerly used at the Open Doors Sleep Center from Oct. 14 to Oct. 17. The sale aims to repurpose the prebuilt gable-style sheds that have remained unused since the center closed on June 30.

FIRE REPORT: Oct. 9, 2025

MOSES LAKE – The two largest fires in the state, the Lower Sugarloaf Fire and the Labor Mountain Fire both had growth in acreage and containment this week. The Lower Sugarloaf fire grew nearly 2,000 acres from Tuesday bringing the blaze up to about 43,000 acres. However, containment also went up from 55% Tuesday to 77% as of Thursday. The Labor Mountain Fire grew nearly 1,000 acres from Tuesday. Containment saw improvement though going from 7% containment Tuesday to 15% containment Thursday.

Fatality collision east of Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – One person is dead after a collision east of Moses Lake Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon. The collision occurred at a little after 2 p.m. on South Frontage Road East at the westbound off-ramp from I-90 to Road O Southeast, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. A passenger vehicle collided with a 10-wheel truck hauling a trailer of dry fertilizer, Foreman said.

Vikings lose out at home to Walla Walla

MOSES LAKE – The Big Bend Community College Vikings (2-16) played at home against Walla Walla Community College Wednesday night where they ultimately fell 0-3. “I think we have a lot of potential, we get out there, we feel good, we make a couple mistakes, we just need to find our groove and stick to it and not let our mistakes dictate our game,” said Vikings freshman Trinity Dotson.

College Sports Schedule: Oct. 10-18, 2025

MOSES LAKE – Collegiate athletes continue their push through the back half of the Fall season around the state. See where your favorite college team will be playing this week.

Clifford Duane Teslow

1935 – 2025

Clifford Duane Teslow, 90, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 30, 2025, surrounded by family. Cliff was born on September 14, 1935, in Grand Coulee, Washington, to Ed and Jennie Teslow (Olson). Cliff was one of six siblings.

A princess looking for her castle

SOAP LAKE – Meet Princess Ebby, a brave, playful cuddle bug with a heart of gold. She’s overcome so much and still greets the world with joy and curiosity. One leg is shorter, but her spirit? Unstoppable. Adopt Ebby and gain a lifelong snuggle buddy who’ll fill your days with love, laughter, and belly rubs. She is spayed, vaccinated and ready to go home to a luxurious castle, a house or an apartment will do. If she seems like your type of girl, visit RockBottomRocker.org and fill out her application. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Construction scheduled for 2026 on new Grant Co. morgue

MOSES LAKE — County infrastructure includes a lot of different things, including attention to the end of life. To that end, a new county morgue is projected to be finished by late 2026 or early 2027.

Living comic book 'Frankenstein' coming to Wallenstien Theater

MOSES LAKE — A classic story of love, pride and horror will take the stage as a living comic book at the Wallenstien Theater Oct. 18. Columbia Basin Allied Arts will present “Frankenstein: A Living Comic Book,” an adaptation of the 1818 novel “Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus” by Mary Shelley.

COLUMN: The Huskies can earn their way into the playoff

One of my favorite teams to pay attention to this season has been the Washington Huskies. Aside from moving here in May and becoming more acquainted with the popular sports teams in the state, I have always been drawn to the Huskies since the early years of the playoff era.

Ephrata PD blotter for Oct. 9, 2025

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

Legals for October, 9 2025

Assn. of Washington Businesses bus tour comes to Grant Co.

MOSES LAKE — Association of Washington Business President Kris Johnson said the organization’s annual Manufacturing Week tour is designed to give participants a look at businesses – and job opportunities – they may not have known existed.