Moses Lake Cross Country hosts Big 9

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake High School Cross Country team hosted the Big 9 at Blue Heron Park Tuesday for their last league meet before districts. The MLHS boys team took second in the meet to West Valley, while the MLHS girls team took third, behind West Valley and first place Wenatchee. Districts are set for Oct. 27 at Franklin Park in Yakima...

New officer joins Quincy PD

Quincy City Council approves additional SROs

QUINCY — Emily Pratt said she’s always been interested in helping the community, and being a police officer is the way she wants to do that. Pratt was sworn in as the newest Quincy Police Department officer at the regular Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday. “I’m very excited,” Pratt said about starting her new job. Quincy Police Chief Keith Siebert said Pratt started her field training with QPD Monday. Pratt said she worked for two years as a corrections deputy at the Chelan County Regional Jail in Wenatchee before applying for the position with QPD. Community service was something that always attracted her, she said, and joinin QPD gives her a chance to act on that ambition. “It’s a dream that I’ve had since I was very young,” she said...

Red Leafs, #7 Vikings, await Wildcats in pivotal GNAC road trip

Burnaby, B.C. - The Wildcats face a key road trip in their quest for a GNAC championship berth. Currently sitting in 6th place, one game back from Simon Fraser and Western Oregon, the 'Cats need to close out the season strong in order to break into the top four and compete in GNAC postseason play. The Wildcats travel to Burnaby, B.C., and Bellingham, Washington, this week to face Simon Fraser and seventh-ranked Western Washington. Simon Fraser is 3-6-5 overall, and 2-5-3 in GNAC play. Earlier this season the teams battled for a 3-3 draw in Ellensburg, WA. On the day, Jordan Bartlow, Cassidie Andrews, and Kayla Gout, each scored for the Crimson and Black...

Washington pro sports recap: Mariners out, Seahawks lock it in, Kraken wind up

SEATTLE – A memorable season ended for the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, with their hopes at an ALCS appearance vanishing after a 1-0 loss to the Houston Astros in an 18-inning game over the weekend. Read below for what happened in that game, along with recaps for the Seahawks and Kraken. Mariners What a season it was for the Seattle Mariners – the team was 29-39 in the middle of June and turned it around into the franchise’s first playoff appearance in 21 seasons. After the many highlights, including the emergence of outfielder Julio Rodríguez, a 15-game win streak to close out the first half and so many more, it came to a sour end with a sweep in the ALDS to the division rival Houston Astros. The ALDS was about as close as a sweep could get, with Seattle having chances to win in each game. Game 1 ended with a walk-off, three-run home run by Houston’s Yordan Alvarez to give the Astros an 8-7 win. Game 2 saw Alvarez hit another crucial home run, this time a two-run homer to snatch the lead away from the Mariners, one they never reclaimed. Game 3, however, lasted as long as the first two games combined...

Basin sports schedule for Oct. 20-25

Check out this week’s local high school sports schedule, as many teams fight to push ahead before some district competitions begin next week around the Basin. Thursday, Oct. 20 ACH volleyball vs Odessa - 6 p.m. Ephrata girls soccer vs Ellensburg - 6 p.m. Ephrata volleyball at East Valley (Yakima) - 6:30 p.m. Moses Lake volleyball vs Davis - 7 p.m. MLCA/CCS volleyball at Easton - 6 p.m. Othello girls soccer vs Grandview - 6 p.m. Quincy girls soccer at Omak - 5:30 p.m. Quincy volleyball at Omak - 6:30 p.m...

Rock and a high place

Area offers variety of climbing options for climbing enthusiasts

GRANT CO. - For those who enjoy climbing, there are a few places in Grant County that might be familiar to them or interest them in a visit. “Especially when we meet people who have really traveled to get here and we get to say ‘oh, this is in our backyard, this is our gym, this is where we go’,” Michelle Koch said of rock climbing at Frenchman Coulee. “We’re very lucky.” Frenchman Coulee, located off Old Vantage Highway about eight miles from George, is a popular spot in the summer for rock climbers of all levels and from across the state...

Broncos hit 10-2 record with win over Davenport

RITZVILLE – The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague/Washtucna/Harrington volleyball team improved to 10-2 on the year with a 3-1 win over the Davenport Gorillas Tuesday night. The Broncos scored on 10 consecutive serves by senior Taylor Galbreath to take a sizeable lead in the fourth set en route to the team’s 3-1 win over the visiting Gorillas. “Having a big momentum run like that is huge,” Galbreath said. “It isn’t just me, I didn’t ace every point, obviously. It took our team to keep fighting every time and not letting the ball hit the ground.” The team came into Tuesday’s match riding a four-game win streak, with their last loss coming on Oct. 3 on the road to Upper Columbia Academy. With a league record of 5-1, the Broncos continue to push toward the top spot in the Northeast 2B league...

Grant County PUD 2023 budget includes recommended rate increase

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will consider a 3% overall rate increase for 2023, followed by a 2.5% increase in 2024 and a proposed 2% increase in 2025. That’s the recommendation of the PUD’s staff, presented to the commissioners at a budget hearing Oct. 11. Utility district rates have remained unchanged since 2019. John Mertlich, senior manager of financial planning and analysis, said the 3% rate increase next year, decreasing to 2.5% in 2024, best fits the PUD’s long-term goal of predictable rate increases, while taking into account the impact of inflation. And inflation is having a big impact.....

Sports schedule for Oct. 20-25

Check out this week’s local high school sports schedule, as many teams fight to push ahead before some district competitions begin next week around the Basin.

'It's not a love story but it's a story about love’

Masquers to present ‘gut-wrenching’ musical starting this weekend

SOAP LAKE — Masquers Theater will be presenting their first musical since the pandemic with “Once on this Island.” The play opens at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the theater, 322 E. Main Ave., Soap Lake. “I love the music and I love the characters but this story is timeless,” co-director Clifford Bresee said. “It’s full of foreshadowing. It's not a love story but it's a story about love.” “Once on this Island” tells the story of......

Warden falls in four to Walla Walla Valley Academy

WARDEN — The Warden volleyball team put up a tough fight against the Walla Walla Valley Academy Knights Monday evening but fell in a tight four sets. “Our girls didn’t come out with the right energy that they needed on our home court and WWVA definitely came out with the energy and it showed,” said Warden Head Coach Shanna Golladay. From the start, the Warden Cougars seemed to struggle to find their groove. In set one, WWVA scored two points before Warden could get on the board. When Warden returned the favor with two points, the Knights bit back with six consecutive points. Though the Cougars tried to work their way to catch up, they just couldn’t quite get there and fell in the first set 17-25.

Tiger volleyball looks to rebound to winning ways

EPHRATA — With a 2021 state tournament appearance under its belt, the 2022 Ephrata volleyball team will look to fall back on its early season success as the season enters its final stretch.

Svechnikov scores twice, Hurricanes blow through Kraken 5-1

SEATTLE (AP) — Andrei Svechnikov scored two goals 70 seconds apart in the second period, Sebastian Aho had a goal and two assists, and the Carolina Hurricanes remained unbeaten with a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night.

The Spooky Season Cometh

Halloween happenings around the region

GRANT COUNTY — With Halloween just around the corner, there are tons of Halloween events for the whole family to enjoy throughout Grant County, including trunk or treat gatherings, Moses Lake’s Downtown Harvest Festival and a big celebration of Dia de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead. Here are some of the events: • Becerra Gardens in Quincy is hosting a straw maze and hayride every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 11235 Road 9 NW. • The Othello Straw Maze, every Friday and Saturday beginning on Oct. 7 and ending on Halloween, Oct. 31, at the Othello Rodeo Grounds, with the no-scare maze at 6-7 p.m. and the haunted maze 7-10 p.m. • The Moravida Festival, Oct. 29 at noon to 1 a.m. Oct 30, at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The festival commemorates Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, and includes a costume contest, traditional Mexican dancing, a screening of the movie Coco, a beer garden and live music from Banda Troyana. • The Downtown Harvest Festival in downtown Moses Lake, Oct. 29 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (the first hour is set aside for children with special needs and sensory issues) • Downtown Ephrata Trick or Treating, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on C Street in front of the Grant County Courthouse • Grant County Sheriff’s Office Larson Community Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m., 1274 Lowry Drive • Soap Lake Police Department Trunk and Treat, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Soap Lake Police Department and City Hall, 223 2nd Ave. SE • Halloween Trick or Treat, Oct. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. at La Auto Rack Outlet Moses Lake (415 S Pioneer Way) • Quincy Downtown Trick or Treat, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. from Central Avenue to B Street SE • 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Moses Lake Sportsman’s Warehouse, 1020 N. Stratford Road, Ste, D • Trunk or Treat, Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church parking lot 200 N. Dale Road, Moses Lake • Trunk and Treat, Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Moses Lake Alliance Church, 1100 N. Grape Drive

Basin sports results for Oct. 10-15

COLUMBIA BASIN – The Moses Lake slowpitch softball team became the first team to finish their regular season here in the Basin, as other schools look to push on before playoffs begin. Read along below to see how local schools have fared over the past week of play, along with team records. Almira/Coulee-Hartline The Warriors won their second consecutive game on the gridiron Friday, defeating Wilbur-Creston-Keller and mounting a 12-point comeback in the process. Sophomore quarterback Carter Pitts rushed for 346 of ACH’s 487 total yards on Friday, scoring 6 touchdowns along the way. With a 5-2 record, the Warriors now prepare for a road matchup against undefeated Odessa. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Saturday for ACH...

Establishing accountability

Eagles work to set foundation for future seasons with young team

SOAP LAKE – First-year head coach Garrett Devine and the Soap Lake Eagles have encountered several roadblocks during the 2022 season, but the lessons will help to improve the program in the future. “It’s been a tough year, it’s been a growing year though,” Devine said. Soap Lake, 0-4, entered the season with many 2021 starters having graduated the year prior...

Passing offense

Penix's 516 yards latest sign of strength in Huskies' 5-2 record

SEATTLE – The University of Washington passing offense has been in full force through the first seven weeks of the season, with junior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. leading the FBS in passing yards after a program-high 516-yard performance in a 49-39 win over Arizona on Saturday. “It’s not just about what he did statistically, he just keeps putting the pressure on and really leading the charge to help us win the football game,” UW football head coach Kalen DeBoer said in Saturday’s postgame press conference. “We needed all those points and all those yards that he gave us.” Last week against Arizona State, Penix, a transfer from Indiana University where he was a three-year starter, became the first UW quarterback to throw for 300 yards in six-consecutive games since Cody Pickett did it in 2002...

Warden man arrested after roommate shot

WARDEN - A Warden man was arrested Saturday after reportedly shooting his roommate twice, once in the arm and once in the leg, and fleeing the scene. A press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office states that at about 6 p.m. Saturday, GCSO was dispatched to the 7000 block of Road P SE for a report of an assault with a firearm...

Property tax reminder for Grant Co.

EPHRATA — Grant County property owners have through October 31 to pay any remaining property taxes for 2022. Grant County Treasurer Darryl Pheasant said in a press release that the treasurer’s office will remain open during the noon hour from Oct. 24 through 31; normally it’s closed. A drop box for payments has been set up outside the Grant County Courthouse, 35 C St. SW. Another drop box is available inside the treasurer’s office, Pheasant wrote...

George man arrested after standoff

GEORGE - A 60-year-old George resident was arrested Sunday morning after a several-hour standoff after law enforcement attempted to arrest him for assault, according to a Grant County Sheriff's Office statement. A release by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office states responders were called around 8 p.m. Saturday to E. Montmorency Blvd. in George...