State wealth tax bill garners support in WA Senate hearing

OLYMPIA – A bill currently before the Washington State Senate would levy a special wealth tax on financial assets with an assessed value of more than $250 million. “We have an upside-down tax code that’s deeply in need of reform, and we continue to have massive needs for investments in education, housing, services for those with disabilities, and so much more,” said Senator Noel Frame, sponsor of Senate Bill 5486...

Auction set to support local accident victim

MOSES LAKE – Central Washington Livestock, Inc., Moses Lake, is set to auction off Panda the Mexican steer Wednesday at 1 p.m. to support Caleb Berquist and his family as he recovers from a side-by-side ATV accident. “I actually grew up with Shane Berquist, Caleb’s dad,” said Randy Hull, Jr. of Central Washington Livestock, Inc. “We’ve been close friends our whole lives – grew up in the same little town. (He’s) the closest thing to a brother that I’ve got, and so, obviously I have known Caleb since he was born.” ...

Just weeks left to nominate your favs for Best of the Basin

MOSES LAKE – There are just five weeks left to make your nominations for the Third Annual Best of the Basin Community Choice Awards. Nominations began in August for the recognition program that is based on our local communities and their favorite businesses from around the Columbia Basin...

Constructing standards

Quincy design guidelines under consideration

QUINCY — The proposal is still under review, and when it’s done Quincy officials will submit a proposal for design and construction standards to the Quincy City Council. A separate series of city standards would be a first for Quincy...

New exhibit to open Sept. 28 at CWU’s Sarah Spurgeon Gallery

The Sarah Spurgeon Gallery at Central Washington University will host a solo exhibition by Native American artist RYAN! Feddersen starting next week...

Five arrested in drive-by investigation

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Department Interim Chief, Cpt. David Sands issued a statement Friday indicating four arrests have been made in the investigation of an Aug. 13 shooting that led to the death of Jeremy Flores, 36, of Moses Lake.

Quincy examines pool, water, sewer issues

QUINCY — Quincy city officials are beginning the process of planning for water and sewer projects designed to upgrade the city’s utility systems. Quincy City Council members voted Tuesday to advertise for proposals for a number of studies, including one that would analyze the city’s existing sewer system. Quincy Administrator Pat Haley said in an earlier interview that the city has reached 85% of its sewer capacity. When that happens the city is required by the Washington Department of Ecology to conduct an analysis of the system and options for enlarging it...

Kriete sworn in as Grant Co. sheriff

EPHRATA - Joey Kriete took the oath of office and was sworn in as the new Grant County Sheriff by Superior Court Judge Tyson Hill on Tuesday at the Grant County Courthouse. “Standing in front and getting sworn in by Judge Hill, I think that's when it became real,” said Kriete. With 57.84% of the vote, Kriete was selected as the Grant County Sheriff in the Nov. 8 election over opponent Joe Harris...

Celtic celebration coming

Gothard Sisters return to Moses Lake for holiday concert

MOSES LAKE — A Celtic take on Christmas music comes to Moses Lake when the Gothard Sisters perform in concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Wallenstien Theater on the Big Bend Community College campus. The concert is part of the Central Basin Community Concert Association series, and is sponsored with the help of Moses Lake Steel, according to information from the CBCCA. The sisters are familiar to Moses Lake audiences; they have performed in town on multiple occasions, including earlier Christmas concerts. Sisters Greta, Solana and Willow are Puget Sound-area natives who’ve been performing together for more than a decade, starting at a local farmers market...

Potato sales up over last year

DENVER — Potato sales rose almost 18% this year compared to last year, according to a report from advocacy organization Potatoes USA. Total sales for all forms of potatoes – fresh, frozen, canned and so forth – were nearly $4 billion in July-September 2022, an increase of 17.8% over July-September 2021. Frozen potatoes, which is where the bulk of the Basin’s potato crop goes, saw the largest leap, coming in 22.8% more than last year. Frozen potatoes constitute 15% of total dollar sales in the potato market, according to Potatoes USA. Potato chips, comprising 51% of sales, rose 19% while fresh spuds, 23% of the market, were up 19.2%...

MLFD honors grade schoolers who spotted fire

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Fire Department honored two elementary school students on Tuesday for their quick thinking in recognizing a house fire early and calling for help. “The Moses Lake Fire Department would like to recognize Johsua and Olive Hardy for quickly recognizing a dangerous situation and letting their parents step in and take action,” said Heidi Merritt, MLFD administrative coordinator, during a regular meeting of the Moses Lake City Council...

Hawks’ Smith, Walker III and Woolen earn October awards

SEATTLE – Three Seattle Seahawks were named to player of the month awards for the month of October this week, with quarterback Geno Smith, running back Kenneth Walker III and cornerback Tariq Woolen all being honored. Smith was named the October NFC Offensive Player of the Month for his performances in five games last month. The 10-year pro lead the Seahawks to a 4-1 record in October, completing 102 of 147 passes for 1,207 yards and nine touchdowns. As a rusher, Smith added 143 yards and a score in October, giving him 10 total touchdowns which led all NFC quarterbacks in October...

‘You don’t need to be alone on Thanksgiving’

Moses Lake bar and grill offers a little bit of home for the holiday

MOSES LAKE — If you need a place to go for thanksgiving, Rick Biery will have a hot meal and some company for you. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Biery said he will be serving Thanksgiving dinners — complete with turkey and ham — to anyone who comes by his business, Rick’s Eatery and Entertainment at 819 W. Third Ave. in Moses Lake. “The focus is on veterans, folks from broken homes, if you’re having trouble or have no place to go if you’re alone,” said Biery. “You don’t need to be alone on Thanksgiving.” There will also be free haircuts for anyone in need, provided for by Blessed Barbershop, though a free haircut requires a referral letter from a community outreach agency, Biery said. Officially, Biery said Rick’s will be closed that day, and because the Thanksgiving dinner is a family meal, alcohol will not be served. So anyone wanting a meal needs to come in the side entrance on Holly Street across from the OIC of Washington office. But he’s hoping to see many people there who need company and a meal. “No one will be turned away. We’ll go until we run out of food,” he said. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Paul Carney at EDUBS C/S at (702)539-6538.

Soap Lake suspends search for city administrator

SOAP LAKE - At the Nov. 16 city council meeting, the mayor of Soap Lake announced that she was stopping her search for a permanent city administrator. “After looking at our budget, a proposed budget for 2023, I cannot in good conscience recommend a city administrator at this time,” said Soap Lake Mayor Michelle Agliano in the meeting. In an interview after the meeting, Agliano said she is trying to be a fiscally responsible mayor and felt that there was no room in the budget for 2023 to hire a full-time city administrator. She said the funds would be better used to pay off some of the loans or debts the city has. That move, she said, would put Soap Lake in better financial standing...

New bathrooms going in at Grant Co. Fairgrounds

MOSES LAKE — The framing is up for a new bathroom and storage area in the space between the commercial and 4-H buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds. Tom Gaines, Grant County Central Services Director, said completion is scheduled for January. Project cost will be about $1.6 million, he said, but that’s paying for more than a bathroom. The design has to tie together two buildings of different sizes, he said. “There’s a lot going on there,” Gaines said...

Auditions next week for Masquers season opener

SOAP LAKE — Auditions for the Masquers Theater production of the classic comedy “Blithe Spirit” are scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday at the theater, 322 E Main St., Soap Lake...

Soap Lake council passes 6-year Transpo Plan.

SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed a motion Wednesday to update and amend the city’s Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. With the motion passed, the Council will now submit the plan to the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board...

Ephrata's Grant Elementary upgrades to go to bid

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District will ask for bids for a complete remodel of Grant Elementary School, an ESD press release said. Plans to renovate the Ephrata High Performing Arts Center and PAC gymnasium have been placed on hold due to budgetary constraints though. “The world has changed in many ways since Ephrata initially approved the 2019 bond,” said Tim Payne, Ephrata School District Superintendent. “We could not have anticipated the pandemic-related cost increases we’ve experienced at projects currently underway at Columbia Ridge Elementary and Ephrata Middle School.” ...

Newhouse sets up workgroup to review Endangered Species Act

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Dan Newhouse, R–Washington, has joined efforts with nine other federal legislators to form a workgroup to examine the Endangered Species Act and suggest updates to policy to better protect endangered wildlife, according to a press release from his office...

Adams Co. Commissioners discuss new evidence storage facility

RITZVILLE – The Adams County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday for their regularly scheduled meeting to discuss the location of a new Adams County Sheriff’s Office evidence storage building, temporary assignment of a law enforcement officer and an agreement with the Columbia Basin Conservation District...