Japanese beetles spreading in WA

WAPATO — Officials with the Washington State Department of Agriculture announced this week that Japanese beetles have been found in Wapato, nearly 30 miles away from the current infestation in Grandview, according to a WSDA press release.

Leslie Gordon Torrence

June 15, 1954 - July 5, 2022

Leslie Gordon Torrence - better known as Les - didn’t leave this earth without a fight. In April 2022, Les was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer that was fast processing, although his battle was short - we find peace in knowing his body is no longer hurting or fighting.

Quincy fire damages apartment building, displaces dozens

QUINCY — About 30 people were displaced from their apartments in the 430 block of Quincy’s East Street NE, following a late-afternoon fire Monday that destroyed four of the units and heavily damaged the others. No one was injured...

Regular grooming can keep your cat 'feline' fine

Cats are known to be fastidious groomers, but this doesn’t mean they can do it all on their own. In the summer, especially, the heat and humidity may make owners more conscious about the ways they can help their feline friends stay clean, cool, and well-groomed.

Avista warns rural customers restart times after power outages will get longer

SPOKANE — Avista Utilities, which supplies electricity to roughly 400,000 commercial and residential customers across Eastern Washington, including all of Adams County, announced Thursday it is making some temporary changes to electrical transmission to guard against the danger of wildfires created when re-energizing power lines.

Police reports for July 21, 2022

EPD, MLPD, jail

Richard James Stapelman

Richard Stapelman, 90, passed away peacefully at home in Moses Lake, Washington on June 26, 2022.

Former GCSO officers file $10 million in claims against county

EPHRATA — A pair of former Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies are seeking $10 million in damages from Grant County, alleging officials with the GCSO — including former Sheriff Tom Jones — engaged in retaliatory conduct over an investigation of the sheriff’s brother, who was himself an undersheriff, that eventually prompted the deputies to resign last year...

Rod Richeson: Aviation expert has his head in the clouds

Not long after getting his nursing degree, Rod Richeson learned something important about himself.

Legals for July, 15 2022

Q&A with 7th District candidates

Williams, Maycumber vie to represent Northeastern Washington

With the redrawing of the state legislative boundaries following the 2020 U.S. Census, the sprawling 7th Legislative District — which covers the northeast corner of the state — has gotten even larger, and now includes the northern third of Grant County currently split between the 13th Legislative District and the 12th Legislative District. Vying to represent the district in its first seat are incumbent Jacqueline Maycumber, first elected in 2016, and challenger Lonny Ray Williams. Both candidates are Republicans...

Youth use ‘seed bombs’ to heal wildfire-damaged lands

PULLMAN - Youth of the Colville Reservation have partnered with Washington State University Extension to create seed bombs: clay balls of soil and seeds dispersed to start new generations of native plants.

Royal raises the roof

Summerfest fills downtown Royal City with crowds and fun

ROYAL CITY — Once again, Summerfest brought out huge crowds in Royal City Friday and Saturday.

AG Ferguson says sorority must refund UW housing fees

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced on July 6 that Alpha Omicron Pi, a national sorority, must refund or waive the housing fees it unlawfully charged dozens of University of Washington students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Port commissioners vote to demolish hangar

MOSES LAKE — Commissioners overseeing the Port of Moses Lake voted Monday to demolish several old buildings, including one hangar likely dating from the time of the airport’s original construction in the 1940s.

Medardo (Leonard) Delgado

Medardo (Leonard) Delgado was born to Carmen and Frank Delgado, who were early settlers on Royal Slope where the family cleared the land and established their farm. He passed away on June 28, 2022 after a long illness.

Protecting yourself

The importance of renters insurance

MOSES LAKE — Someday you’d like to own a house, but for the time being, you’re renting a place. It’s not permanent, but it’s home.

Environment group seeks state carbon rule comments

OLYMPIA — The Seattle-based Washington Environmental Council is encouraging state residents to submit comments to the Department of Ecology as the agency writes the rules that will enforce the state’s Climate Commitment Act...

Fire put out quickly by GCFD3 and BLM crews

VANTAGE - A fire at the Frenchman Coulee climbing area was quickly put out Tuesday night but had initially prompted a Level 3 evacuation notice...

July 4 parade fills Othello’s main street, activities fill Lions Park

OTHELLO — Co-organizer of Othello’s July 4 car show Jose Baeza Jr. said the annual parade attracted 39 entries in the car class, an increase from 2021. . .