Murray visits Center for Native American Health

PULLMAN - U.S. Sen. Patty Murray toured WSU’s Center for Native American Health on the Spokane campus Thursday, speaking with students, faculty, and staff about the vital work underway to address healthcare disparities across the region.

Pharmacists prove effective, less costly care option for minor illnesses

SPOKANE. — Greater use of pharmacists to treat minor illnesses could potentially save millions of dollars in health care costs, according to new research led by Washington State University. The findings also indicate a way to improve healthcare access by expanding availability of pharmacists’ clinical services including prescribing medications, amid an ongoing shortage of primary care providers.

Lawsuit challenging warning labels on WA initiatives in court this week

(The Center Square) - Backers of a lawsuit challenging Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s plan to put "warning labels" on initiatives to the ballot, will get a court hearing this week.

DIAMOND RECAP 2024

A look at the Basin-area high school softball and baseball seasons

MOSES LAKE – Baseball and softball seasons have come and gone across the Columbia Basin, with state tournaments wrapping up last weekend. Read along for a look at where teams finished in their leagues, as well as districts and state tournaments.

New protections for WA warehouse workers take effect soon

(The Center Square) - New protections for warehouse workers will take effect in Washington, but opponents of the law change call it unnecessary and duplicative to protections already in place.

MLSD board approves loan to general fund

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School Board members will take out an interfund loan to ensure the district can meet its payroll and at least most of its expenses in June. Board members approved the loan from one fund to another at a special meeting Thursday.

Ephrata Class of ‘54 gathers for reunion, scholarship ceremony

EPHRATA – This year’s class of graduates includes 277 students at Ephrata High School. In 1954, that number was only 66 or so, said Gary Osborn, a representative for the class.

Spring Festival organizers plan future, celebrate success

MOSES LAKE — As anyone who was downtown - or in McCosh Park, or played 3 on 3, or went to one of the concerts, or ran in the fun run, or walked in the parade - can attest, the 2024 Moses Lake Spring Festival packed them in. In fact, there was so much going on the organizers were thinking about ways to accommodate more growth in the future.

WA clean energy project mired in ‘no man’s land’ amid planning setbacks

(The Center Square) – The Horse Heaven Clean Energy Center generating wind and solar energy south of the Tri-Cities in southeastern Washington was expected to begin construction in 2021. Three years later, the project is still in the planning phase, with Gov. Jay Inslee most recently sending the proposed site certification agreement back to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council for reconsideration.

Title secured: Knights win 1A softball championship

RICHLAND — The Royal offense exploded to put up 16 runs on the board in Saturday’s 1A state championship game against No. 6 seed Seton Catholic, as the No. 8 Knights defeated the Cougars 16-4 in six innings to take home their first state championship in fastpitch softball.

Huskies go 3-2 at state tournament

SELAH – No. 9 seed Othello went 3-2 at last week’s 2A State Softball Tournament in Selah, picking up wins against No. 8 Olympic, No. 14 Enumclaw, No. 12 Lynden but suffering losses to No. 1 Sedro-Woolley and No. 2 North Kitsap. The Huskies’ opening game of the tournament was a rematch of last season’s state opening round, facing off against the Olympic Trojans. Othello lost 11-3 a year ago.

Hispanic-owned businesses show power of hard work

MOSES LAKE — Brothers Vincent and Ben Hernandez and friends Ulises Sanchez and Hector Guerrero all had pretty good jobs. They had different goals though, goals that required a willingness to take a risk and do some hard work.

Cougars defeat Broncos in 2B softball first round

Friday matches push Warden to 2B state championship game

YAKIMA – The first round of the 2B State Softball Tournament saw a matchup of teams from the Columbia Basin, with the No. 6 seed Warden Cougars mounting a comeback to defeat the No. 11 seed Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos 6-4 on Friday. LRS led the game 2-0 through the fourth inning.

Wallen to stay as Grant County PUD chief executive officer

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD General Manager Rich Wallen will stay in that position, rather than resigning to take a job with the Chelan County PUD. Utility district commissioners announced Wallen would be staying during a workshop Tuesday, followed by a statement from Commissioner Terry Pyle warning against listening to rumors.

News bites for May 21, 2024

EPHRATA — An Ephrata man was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault – domestic violence and making a bomb threat after portions of the neighborhood around the 10 block of K Street Northeast were evacuated Sunday night. Nicholas Svetich, 49, was arrested Monday morning, according to a release from the Ephrata Police Department. “Due to threats made by the suspect, neighbors were evacuated as a precaution,” the release said. “Neighbors were notified they could return to their homes (Monday morning).” OTHELLO — A former law enforcement agent who thought he was meeting an underage girl in Othello and instead found police officers waiting for him has been convicted of attempted online enticement of a minor, according to a statement from the Othello Police Department.

Construction begins on new Habitat for Humanity house

MOSES LAKE — Workers from Bailey and Sons Construction started clearing the site for a new Habitat for Humanity house in Moses Lake on Monday, about five years after the last house was finished. Executive Director Rebecca Mabius said there have been some changes, including almost all new board members, and some challenges since the last house was built. “It really has been a journey,” she said. “It’s definitely been a great learning opportunity for myself and our board members.”

‘That was great softball’

Moses Lake fastpitch softball wins Big 9 title, advances to state

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School fastpitch softball coach Mike Hofheins assessed the game for his team after the Mavericks’ 7-0 win over West Valley (Yakima) Saturday. “That was great softball,” Hofheins said.

CWU online Master’s of Education program now offers special education endorsement

ELLENSBURG – Ever since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – also known as IDEA – became law, K-12 schools have been required to offer special education services to students with unique needs, to ensure equitable access to education for all. However, teachers certified to provide these services are in short supply, partially due to a lack of flexible options for getting those certifications.

Lane closures on SR 17 this weekend, other projects continue

MOSES LAKE — Lane closures are scheduled for the State Route 17 bridge that crosses Interstate 90, starting at 8 p.m. today and lasting through Monday. Crews will be working 24 hours per day, from Friday night through 6 a.m. Monday.

Lind facing unbudgeted expenses, errors and $1.7 million loan

LIND – The Lind Town Council dealt with several issues during Tuesday’s regular meeting, including about $40,000 in unbudgeted expenses due to clerical errors dating back to 2008, other staff errors and a $1.7 million loan offered by the Department of Health.