NEWS BITES: July 28, 2025

EPHRATA — Grant County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Josh Erickson recently earned Certified Jail Manager certification through the American Jail Association.

Legals for July, 24 2025

Ozzy Osbourne, who led Black Sabbath and became the godfather of heavy metal, dies at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, the gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath who became the throaty, growling voice — and drug-and-alcohol ravaged id — of heavy metal, died Tuesday, just weeks after his farewell show. He was 76. “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,” a family statement said. In 2020, he revealed he had Parkinson’s disease after suffering a fall. Either clad in black or bare-chested, the singer was often the target of parents’ groups for his imagery and once caused an uproar for biting the head off a bat. Later, he would reveal himself to be a doddering and sweet father on the reality TV show “The Osbournes.”

Boys & Girls Clubs honored with Turnip the Beet! Award

MOSES LAKE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin has brought home yet another prize, having received the Turnip the Beet! For 2024. “This is one I’ve been working toward for the last three years since I started, so I was really excited,” said the club’s Operations Director Cecily Hendricks. “(We’ve been) revamping our food program and it’s taken some time but I feel like we’re finally there.”

Legals for July, 17 2025

United Way helps Ephrata schools enhance meal program

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District has recently transformed its Summer Meal Program, thanks to a $30,000 donation from the United Way of King County. This funding facilitated the procurement of an Oliver Speedseal MX2-1908E Tray Sealer, which has proven instrumental in improving meal preparation and distribution for the district's summer food service efforts. "Without this machine, it would take two staff members about 90 minutes to package 100 summer meals," said Alain Black, Director of Food Services for Ephrata School District. "Now those two staff members can prepare up to 170 meals in under an hour. That’s a huge difference, especially when demand is growing each week."

Nonprofit of the day: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE - The Boys & Girls Club provides a safe, fun place and meals for children after school and during the summer both at the main clubhouse and at schools throughout Moses Lake. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin 425 N Paxson Drive, Moses Lake 509-764-9694 www.bngclub.org

Local doctor finds new calling with Eudaimonia

MOSES LAKE – Dr. Hollie Matthews has begun a new journey in the medical field by opening Eudaimonia Medical Spa at 124 E Third Ave #212. Her goal is to provide services that guide her patients toward optimal health and personal fulfillment. “I’m learning a lot about business, which I had never been interested in,” said Dr. Matthews. “I always say I’m a scientist first, now a businesswoman, which was not an expectation, but I just would like to be able to stay open and still help some people.”

Ephrata High Class of ‘55 celebrates 70 years

EPHRATA - There are 39 “kids” still living from the Ephrata High School Class of 1955, Jerry Pitts said, and he and his classmates still get together as much as they can. This year, 11 Tigers got together from June 13 to 15 to catch up. “We had a three-day meet the 13th, 14th and 15th,” Pitts said. “Of course, the 15th was Father’s Day, and we met at 12 Hawks in Ephrata.”

Phyllis Scott

1940 — 2025

Phyllis Scott was born on March 10, 1940, in Orofino, Idaho to Leo Henry Wilkinson and Lorraine Kroll and peacefully departed this life on January 1, 2025, holding the hands of loved ones. Phyllis leaves behind a family who loved her: Dennis Scott (son) & Debbie Essex (daughter), Marty Ochocinski, Michael Essex, Colleen Hatch and Chase Essex (grandchildren).

Senior calendar for July 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The thermometer is high and the fun awaits. Here are a few things seniors can get out and do around the Basin this month.

BASIN COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Ending June and into July 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — July will sizzle in the Basin, both the weather and the events scene. Here are a few things coming up this month:

Youth spotlight: Quincy students turn raw materials into legacy for Quincy hospital

QUINCY — The old Quincy Valley Medical Center had a few trees next to the parking lot, including three pine trees planted in – well, back in the day, not long after the hospital was built in the late 1950s. The way the new hospital had to fit on the lot meant they were in the way, and they had to come down. That led to an opportunity for the Quincy High School advanced construction class. Career and technical education is a focus at QHS, with a lot of different classes and opportunities, from firefighting to agriculture to certified nursing assistant training. Advanced construction teacher Nick Heuker said Tom Richardson, QVMC director of information services, contacted QHS to see if there might be a use for the wood from those pine trees.

Jose George Moreno

Aug. 19, 1977 - June 18, 2025

Story: With broken hearts, we share the sudden and devastating loss of Jose George Moreno Jr., 47, a beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, brother and friend. Born and raised in Moses Lake, Washington, the middle son of a big family, George had two older brothers, Mike and Mark, and two younger sisters, Michelle and Olga. He took being the middle child as a challenge and never looked back. George lived a life full of movement, growth and deep connection. He grew up in the Lakeview neighborhood and later graduated from Quincy High School, where he played both basketball and baseball, already showing the competitive spirit and team loyalty that would define much of his life. From a young age, he had a fire in his soul, a love for people and a knack for making friends wherever he went. In 2000, his life changed with the arrival of his first daughter, Rylee. Though it was a challenging time, George found pure joy in fatherhood. He stayed active in the community playing softball, bowling long into a Thursday night and even joining a dodgeball league. (Yes, dodgeball! And yes, there were probably a few brews involved.) But every game was played with love and laughter. In 2002, he met the love of his life Kristin while they both were working at Old Country Buffet in Spokane, Washington. They were later married and began building their beautiful family and welcomed three more daughters: Annabelle, Scarlett and their youngest, Ivy. The Moreno family could often be found floating down Washington rivers, camping through long softball weekends or headed to Watershed with George in his signature cowboy hat – ready for a weekend of country music, good friends, and better drinks. Some of the most cherished memories were spent at Sacheen Lake with Rodger, Sheri and Rachelle –fishing, kayaking, hiking and cooking up unforgettable meals. George would throw down a tomahawk steak on the smoker, Kristin would hand you a cold drink, and their girls would offer to watch your kids so you could finally relax. The Morenos are the kind of people who made everyone feel at home, George especially. Professionally, George found his purpose in carpentry. After becoming a licensed journeyman, his passion grew beyond the job site. He became a fierce advocate for his union brothers and sisters, eventually being elected Vice President of Local 59, part of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters. As he loved to say, “We’re border to border, baby!” He was the kind of leader who made you feel seen, supported, and proud to stand beside him. His powerful May Day speech on workers' rights, tax fraud, and safe job sites was one of his proudest moments. George traveled across the U.S., always spreading knowledge, building solidarity, and lifting others up. Whether it was Chalk Talk or The Delegate Duo, he was your guy! George was preceded in death by his loving parents George and Mary Lou Moreno. He leaves behind his wife Kristin; their beloved daughters Rylee (Alex), Annabelle, Scarlett, and Ivy; his two grandsons Wyatt, and Jackson; his brothers Mike (Cassandra) and Mark (Cindy); sisters Michelle (Oscar) and Olga (Brandon); and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves many a heartbroken community of family, friends, Liquid Courage, Rampage, and union brothers and sisters who will forever carry his spirit. George will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. “The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately.” — George Moreno Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, beginning with a Rosary at 12:30 p.m., then Mass at 1 p.m., both at Assumption of the Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Spokane. A graveside service and reception will follow at Fairmount Memorial Park. With broken hearts, we share the sudden and devastating loss of Jose George Moreno Jr., 47, a beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, brother and friend.

Soap Lake school district receives athletic grants

SOAP LAKE – Last week, the Soap Lake School District announced they received two grants for student athletes. Both grants total out to $17,500 and will directly benefit athletics in Soap Lake. According to Athletic Director Erin Allen, this allows them to take the financial burden off of coaches and parents.

Port of Mattawa to implement new procedures for expenses

MATTAWA — The Port of Mattawa will update its policies for expenditures following recommendations from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. Auditors found that port policies left it vulnerable to possible misuse of its funds.

Emotional space

Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation unveils new, larger building

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation finally has some breathing room. “We were really shoved into a little box,” said Community Relations Coordinator Amanda Carpenter. “We made it work, and it was great for the time we had it, but this space works so much better for us. It’s a lot more comfortable for our clients and comfortable for us. We’re not climbing on top of each other now.” The foundation unveiled its new office at 1022 S. Pioneer Way Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting for the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and burgers sizzling on a grill outside. The occasion was also the foundation’s annual Celebrate Life event to honor cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. The new facility has something the foundation has long dreamed of, a family room where patients, caregivers and families can have some privacy as they deal with the emotional cyclone that comes with cancer.

Dru Gimlin tournament set for Saturday

QUINCY – The annual Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be this Saturday with player check-in beginning at 8 a.m. and the first games starting at 9 a.m. The event helps raise money to support Quincy athletes and ensures financial support for children to participate in sports. “It will be a fun-filled day full of basketball,” said Stephanie Boorman, who runs the event. “It’s a long day, but we’re excited to have the streets of downtown come alive again with basketball. The tournament is still in need of volunteers to help out with operations at the tournament. Organizers need court monitors to manage fouls, scorekeepers and a cleanup crew for Saturday.

Deanna Jean Cuthbertson ‘Mimi’ Hirz

April 12, 1939 — June 11, 2025

Deanna Jean Cuthbertson Hirz, “Mimi”, a beloved resident of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. She was 86 years old. A joyous reunion with Ned took place on this day, which was also their 65th wedding anniversary. Born on April 12, 1939, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Deanna was the daughter of Frederick Cuthbertson and Lenora Brown. Her family moved to Medford, Oregon when she was six months old, where she grew up. A graduate of Medford High School, Deanna embraced life with enthusiasm. She loved participating in school plays, she was a spirited majorette and cheerleader in the Bliss Band, and she lent her beautiful voice to the girls' choir. Deanna became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1954 at the age of 15. Even at age 12, before joining the church, she declared to her mother and aunt her intention to work on their family tree. Little did she know this spark would ignite one of her life's greatest callings. Beginning in 1959, Deanna dedicated her life to genealogy, meticulously indexing tens of thousands of names and passionately helping countless others discover their own family heritage. She joyfully served in many church capacities, including Stake Young Women's President and Counselor, Relief Society President, Primary President, teacher, compassionate service leader and chorister. She loved working with the youth.

Angelique Marie Beringer-Spangler

Jan. 12, 1955 - June 7, 2025

In Loving Memory of Angelique Marie Beringer-Spangler Angelique Marie Beringer-Spangler, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025, at Samaritan Hospital in the presence of her loved ones.