MLSD suing Fowler over alleged Groff deficiencies

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District announced earlier this year it would be pursuing litigation with Fowler General Construction, the company that built Groff Elementary School, and a third-party guarantor, Western Surety Company. The district claims there were defects, misrepresentations, and concealment associated with the project, according to MLSD Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon.

Sila begins manufacturing at Moses Lake plant

MOSES LAKE — The building is completed and staff are on-hand at the Sila Nanotechnologies plant in Moses Lake is ramping up to begin producing batches of its trademarked Titan Silicon product to help produce the batteries that will power electric cars, consumer electronics, drones, satellites and other tech, while providing jobs to area residents like Sila’s Plant Manager Rosendo Alvarado.

Inside the lines

Art exhibit features mosaic-themed watercolors

MOSES LAKE — Looking at Angela Hagerty’s work, you might think she’s been painting for a long time. You’d be wrong.

Legals for October, 2 2025

No deficiencies in 2024 Adams Co. audit

RITZVILLE — Adams County’s internal financial controls met the standards set by the Washington Auditor’s Office in 2024. The county’s financial procedures didn’t have any material weaknesses in 2024, according to an WSAO audit report issued Monday.

Tuesday’s MLSD gun threat found to be false

MOSES LAKE – Tuesday afternoon, Moses Lake School District middle school cross country athletes told the police they had been threatened by a man with a gun while on a training run, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department. An investigation has found those claims to be false.

Lions triumph at home over Eagles

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Christian Covenant School Lions volleyball team earned a 3-0 home win over the Soap Lake Eagles Tuesday evening. The Lions are now 6-3 overall, and the Eagles are 3-3.

EPHRATA MAYOR: Oliver vs. Reim

EPHRATA – Two candidates are running for the job of Ephrata Mayor, Steve Oliver and incumbent Bruce Reim. Both were sent identical questions, with a 150-word limit.

Jacks overcome Tigers in OT

QUINCY – On Tuesday, the Jacks (6-3-1) overcame the Ephrata Tigers (3-3-2) in penalty kicks to secure a 1-0 victory. The Jacks goalkeeper Aylen Garcia came up big for her team in the penalty kicks at the end of the game.

Mavs earn home win over Ike

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Mavericks volleyball team (4-3) got back on track with a 3-1 home win over Eisenhower Tuesday night. “I think this just gave us some confidence back and just made us realize that this is how we should be playing every game,” said Mavs player Madison Witwer. “I think we came out thinking that we refined some things that we’ve been wanting to work on.”

City of Moses Lake Aug. 2025 building permits

City of Moses Lake Aug. 2025 building permits

Bruce Eugene Kehret

1938 — 2025

Bruce Eugene Kehret, age 87, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, Washington. He was born March 4, 1938, in Austin, Minnesota and was the third son to Carl and Matilda Kehret.

Truck crash slowing traffic near Ritzville

RITZVILLE — Drivers should plan for slowdowns on Highway 395 south of Ritzville Wednesday morning while crews remove a partially blocking semi, according to information from the Washington State Patrol.

College Toolkit offers valuable new resource for underrepresented populations

ELLENSBURG — Prospective college students in Washington who are on the fence about pursuing a degree have a new online resource to help them figure out if higher education is right for them. The College Toolkit, which launched last month, provides prospective students — specifically those from underrepresented backgrounds — with valuable information about how to apply to college and pursue financial aid. The website features additional resources for families, along with video portraits of four current college students who share their stories and tips, along with things they wish they knew when making the decision to attend college. “I thought I could get a job somewhere and work my way up, but a lot of jobs ask for the four-year degree and they need the four-year degree, so I took that and decided, ‘I really need to go to college,’” Central Washington University aviation management major Janae Martinez said in the video. “I need that degree to get to my end goal and where I want to be in life.”

Columbia Basin Hospital reintroduces $30 million bond proposal

EPHRATA — Columbia Basin Hospital is once again submitting to the community a $30 million bond proposition aimed at expanding its facilities and services. The bond will go before voters in the November general election. The bond was rejected during the primary election, with around 46% of voters in favor. It aims to address pressing infrastructure needs and enhance health services within the community, according to Administrator Rosalinda Kibby. “We are a public hospital district which means that our only chance to fund a project this big. We can afford smaller projects like $10 million, $5 million or projects of that size. We just did the emergency department remodel for less than $5 million,” Kibby said. “But when it comes to adding a new building, that will need to be done with public help.”

Old Time Fiddlers keep tradition alive at senior center

MOSES LAKE — Old-time music is alive and well once a month at the Moses Lake Senior Center. “Anybody can join,” said Charlie Root, the chairman for District 11 of the Washington State Old Time Fiddlers Association, which covers Grant and Adams counties. “We play just acoustic instruments. It can get kind of wild when you get electric instruments. We try to keep the old-time sound. One person will do their song and everybody else will back them up. Everybody takes a turn, and they go around again until we run out of time.” Despite the name, there was actually only one fiddle at the Senior Center Sept. 21, played by Gail Johnson. Genie Wehling played an accordion. Leroy Boyd, Larry Ramm and Jerry Galahan all played guitar. Root also played guitar, but he alternated it with banjo.

UMANI Festival sees successes in 2025

MOSES LAKE – The Annual UMANI festival was held on Saturday this year on Third Avenue hosted by Columbia Basin Allied Arts, the Moses Lake Public Library and EDUBS. “It went really well,” said Colombia Basin Allied Arts Executive Director Shawn Cardwell. “We’re grateful to the city for hosting us so generously and I think every performance was fantastic, all the food was delicious, all the resources were engaging, and the lowriders were gorgeous.”

Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry to host volunteer work party

SOAP LAKE — Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry is inviting community members to join a volunteer work party on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to dusk. The event aims to prepare the facility for the upcoming winter season, and food and drinks will be provided for all volunteers. Interested participants can RSVP by texting President Shawna Kluge at 509-237-5722. “We are making as much progress as we can to get ready for winter,” said Kluge. “We still have two roofs at our previous rescue location that need to be moved, and we have a few roofs that are not yet complete. Completing these tasks is critical as winter approaches.” The volunteer event will revolve around various activities geared toward ensuring the safety and comfort of the animals during the colder months.

SENIOR EVENTS: October 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The leaves are changing color and fall fun abounds, both for seniors and for their grandchildren. Check out these options:

Sports Schedule Oct. 1-8, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Homecoming week is here for many of our local athletes in the Basin and with that comes some big home matchups. Check out who the local teams will face off against this week.