Unsung heroes treat wastewater in Moses Lake

This is what happens after the toilet is flushed.

MOSES LAKE — As the person in charge of the city of Moses Lake’s wastewater treatment facilities, Chris Campbell understands the importance of what he and his staff of 10 do every day. “I mean, we would be back in the dark ages if we didn’t do this work,” Campbell said as he stood in the midst of the city’s Dunes Wastewater Treatment Facility, which sprawls across roughly 300 acres south of I-90. “We’re preventing plague. We’re preventing dysentery.” ...

WSP seeks witnesses to Mattawa hit and run

GRANT COUNTY — The Washington State Patrol is seeking witnesses or anyone who might have information about a hit and run accident south of Mattawa early Wednesday. ...

State high court condemns former Grant Co. prosecutor’s conduct

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously overturned the 2017 conviction of a Moses Lake man charged with assaulting police officers, ruling that then-Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Garth Dano engaged in prosecutorial misconduct by by asking jurors their opinions of illegal immigration during jury selection. “We conclude that the prosecutor’s questions and remarks apparently intentionally appealed to the jurors’ potential racial or ethnic bias, prejudice, or stereotypes and therefore constitute race-based prosecutorial misconduct,” wrote Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson in the court’s majority opinion. “I haven’t had time to review it,” Dano said Thursday of the ruling. “And I don’t want to say anything without reviewing the ruling.”...

Nolen Gene Merkley

Nolen Gene Merkley, 78, of Moses Lake, Washington, took his last flight on June 26, 2022.

Police records for June 29, 2022

EPD, OPD, MLPD, jail

First aid for pets

When a friend or significant other gets hurt we generally have a good idea of how to take care of them, but what do you do when your pet is in an emergency? Unfortunately, most pet owners do not prepare themselves for these tragic incidents until it is too late. “It is absolutely necessary to know if your veterinarian has an after hour emergency service and if not, who they recommend calling in case of an emergency,” said Dr. Mark Stickney, Clinical Associate Professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “It is also imperative that you can call your veterinarian for advice on what to do to help your pet until you can get it to a clinic.” ...

Ye Olde Pub

Flying fortress highlights innovation and rigors of warplanes

MOSES LAKE — There’s a rather famous story behind the name painted on the side of the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, “Ye Olde Pub,” that sat on a runway at Grant County International Airport for the Moses Lake Airshow on Saturday. “The crew of the airplane, they were on a bombing run over Germany,” said Shawn Mulligan, a professional pilot who flies the elderly bomber in his spare time for air shows. “The aircraft was so badly damaged from anti-aircraft fire, and I think some fighters were after it at one point. They ended up struggling to return to England.” ...

Roger Scott

On Thursday, Aug. 11, 2021, Roger Scott, husband, father and papa, passed away at the age of 86.

3rd Moses Lake Airshow a bit breezy, but a whirlwind of fun

MOSES LAKE — A cool wind blew in from the south on the first day of the 2022 Moses Lake Airshow on Saturday, which made for some interesting conditions both in the air and on the ground.

Police records for June 15, 2022

Ephrata Police Department May 27 Report of attempted theft of a catalytic converter on C Street Southeast. Report of a galvanized steel shelf stolen in the 200 block of G Street Northeast...

'It's fun'

New county engineer brings lifelong passion to work

EPHRATA — Grant County Engineer David Bren said he has some vivid memories of watching roadwork when he was a child.

Frenchman Hills Road rebuild nearly done

March canal breach leads to

QUINCY — Grant County road crews have nearly finished repairing stretches of Frenchman Hills Road that were washed out when a canal failed in March. “The only thing left is to brush the chip sealing,” said Grant County Engineer Dave Bren, adding the repaired portions of the road will also be striped...

WA fire marshal offers grilling safety tips

OLYMPIA — The State Fire Marshal’s Office issued a release on Tuesday about outdoor grilling safety as the Pacific Northwest begins to warm up. “Although safe when used correctly, barbeque related fires are significant factors for both property damage and burn injuries,” the release said. It goes on to say on average 10,600 home fires are started each year and 19,700 patients are sent to hospital emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills, according to the National Fire Protection Association...

Soap Lake shuts down personal fireworks

SOAP LAKE — The City of Soap Lake issued a press release on June 6 stating that the use of fireworks would be drastically reduced this year. “With the large crowds and vendors gathering for the Suds-N-Sun event planned this July 2 and 3, there is an increased danger to the public from accidents created by the personal use of fireworks,” the release stated. “Therefore, personal fireworks will not be allowed in the city from 5 p.m. July 1 through noon on the Fourth this year.”...

Moses Lake police warn of scam calls

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake police are warning residents of a scam that’s making the rounds in the area. Several local residents have reported receiving phone calls purporting to be from the city, according to a social media post from the MLPD. The caller ID shows as City of Moses Lake 509-764-3701, and the caller reportedly demands money in payment for damages done to a local business...

Jeremy Leigh Walker

Surrounded by his loved ones, Jeremy Walker, 44, peacefully passed away on June 4, 2022.

Police reports for June 3, 2022

EPD, MLPD, jail

Moses Lake locals honor Memorial Day

Raymond Roeder, right, and Kim Roeder neaten up the graves of Raymond’s parents Byron and Florence Roeder at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake. Byron Roeder, who passed away in 2000 at the age of 75, served as a mechanic in Germany in World War II. He moved to Moses Lake with his family in 1975 and worked at the Columbia Basin Job Corps Center.

Mariners blank Astros 6-0

SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Lewis homered for the second straight game, Julio Rodríguez got three more hits and the Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 6-0 on Saturday night. Logan Gilbert tossed seven impressive innings of four-hit ball as the Mariners won consecutive games for the first time since a four-game winning streak from April 22-26. Two relievers finished a five-hitter, the first shutout this season for Seattle. Houston was held to three runs or less for the eighth time in 12 games...

Police records for May 27, 2022

EPD, MLPD, jail