MLPD gets large gift for those in need

The Moses Lake Police Department received a donation during the weekend exceeding $1,000 to put toward helping those in need.

Focused on Le Tour, Froome not wasting time in lockdown

Delaying the Tour de France is good for four-time champion Chris Froome, his team manager Dave Brailsford said on Monday.

Grant PUD to pay some debt

Utility will refinance additional debt at lower interest rates

Fishing reels continued

There appears to be as many fishing reels as there are fishing rods. Of course, there is one reel per rod, but one reel could be used with one rod and then switched to another rod on another day.

ML School District to sponsor community forum to review strategic plan

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District patrons, staff and students will be invited to review a draft of the district’s new strategic plan. The date of the community forum will be announced. District superintendent Monty Sabin said during Thursday’s meeting of the Moses Lake School Board that the project has attracted a lot of interest.

Preventing invasion

State asks outdoors enthusiasts to clean their gear and pets to prevent the spread of invasive plants.

OLYMPIA — State agencies are asking people to clean up their gear, pets and clothing to prevent invasive plants from establishing here, according to a statement from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. State law requires landowners to control noxious weeds when they are present on their properties, the statement said, but when people are coming and going on public lands, that’s not completely possible...

White Trail roundabout may open next week

QUINCY — The new roundabout at White Trail Road and State Route 28 could be ready for traffic by next week and possibly by tomorrow, although that’s less likely. “Looks like we could see the intersection open by early next week, with a couple of days of flagging to add permanent striping after the materials have set,” wrote Lauren Loebsack, communications manager for the North Central region of the Washington Department of Transportation, in answer to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald...

Health Department: Flu deaths up tenfold last year

OLYMPIA — 2022-23 was the deadliest flu season in five years, the Washington State Department of Health said in a statement Friday...

New law set to help prosecute sexual assault crimes

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law on Monday a measure intended to make it easier for prosecutors to pursue sexual assault cases in court, according to a press release from the Washington State Legislature’s Democratic Caucus...

Back to the cellar

22nd annual Cellarbration! to raise money for BBCC scholarships

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin will rally around education once again this month, as the Big Bend Community College Foundation holds its annual Cellarbration! For Education dinner and auction. This will be the 22nd time the foundation has held the event. Cellarbration! Raises money for student scholarships at Big Bend Community College. Last year’s event raised about $168,000, BBCC spokesperson Tiffany Fondren said.

CWU athletes set PRs at Wildcat Open

ELLENSBURG – Along with honoring seniors, Central Washington track and field had 30 athletes set personal records and 11 titles were won at last weekend’s Wildcat Open, the lone home meet of the 2023 season...

Moses Lake to move forward with RV tenant evictions

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake announced Thursday it will enforce a trespass request next week on any vehicles parked on private property along N. Central Drive between the Goodwill and Home Depot. “Our hope is that people will follow the trespass order and they will be gone,” said Police Chief Kevin Fuhr. “But if not, we will take enforcement measures and impound the vehicles.” ...

Ephrata appoints assistant superintendent

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District appointed Ken Murray as the district’s assistant superintendent of human resources earlier this week. “Ephrata is growing as a community and as a school district,” said Ephrata School Board Chair Jim Adams, in a release by the district. “To ensure that we’re prepared to meet the future needs of our students, staff and families, it’s time to add additional support to the district office. Ken will not only solidify some of our most important business practices, but he will also have the added benefit of working closely with our superintendent and learning from one of the greats.” ...

Quincy school district awards district office remodeling contract

QUINCY — Construction is scheduled to begin April 3 on a project to remodel the old Quincy High Tech High building into the new Quincy School District office...

Hot sand in the Columbia Basin

Sand Scorpions start off spring with dune drag races

MOSES LAKE — Over the weekend local ATV/ORV enthusiast group the Sand Scorpions hosted an event out at the sand dunes called the Run What You Brung Sand Drags, a free off roading event where anyone with a capable machine or vehicle could come and race the dunes. Sand Scorpions member Brandon Douglass said as many as 1,000 people were either riding out on their vehicles or just there to enjoy watching others show off their toys. There were all sorts of different vehicles from trucks to side-by-sides and plenty of custom vehicles, he said.

O’ the stories you’ll read!

Read Across America comes to Warden Elementary School

WARDEN — For Read Across America Week, Warden Police Chief Rick Martin stood in the office of Warden Elementary School sorting through a stack of Dr. Seuss books. “‘Hop on Pop,’” he said. “That’s a classic.” ...

Downtown food truck court work continues in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The food court set for the corner of South Alder Street and Fourth Avenue in downtown is one step closer to reality following the delivery of the compass rose, the centerpiece of the food truck court, according to Levi Bisnett, a surveyor with the city who is currently overseeing the project.

Vantage Bridge to be resurfaced

Construction work on I-90 crossing of Columbia River starts this year, continues to 2026

VANTAGE — Preliminary work, with some minor impacts on traffic, will begin later this summer on a project to replace the road surface of the Vantage Bridge. The major work - which will have major effects on traffic - begins in spring 2024 and will continue through fall 2026...

Moses Lake Roundup to raffle demo derby experience

MOSES LAKE – Have you wanted to participate in a demolition derby, but didn’t have a car? The Moses Lake Roundup has a solution for that. Along with sponsor Brandon Douglass from Windermere Real Estate, the Moses Lake Roundup is auctioning off an opportunity to participate in the Agri-Service Demo Derby by driving a 1974 Camaro Demo Car...

Stack to speak on dangers of marijuana

MOSES LAKE — Laura Stack, CEO and founder of Johnny’s Ambassadors, will be speaking at 6 p.m. on March 30 at Columba Basin Technical Skills Center in Moses Lake regarding the risks associated with marijuana use. Stack founded the organization after her son, Johnny Stack, died by suicide in 2019. “Johnny had no medical issues, no mental illnesses until he used marijuana and no genetic history for psychosis. He wasn't depressed, neglected, or unloved. But after getting a ‘medical’ marijuana card and using high-THC products, Johnny became psychotic, paranoid and delusional,” Stack said in a statement...