MLSD names new assistant superintendent

MOSES LAKE — Carol Lewis, an administrator with the Cheney School District, has been named as the new assistant superintendent for the Moses Lake School District...

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...

QPD close to full strength after Diaz sworn in

QUINCY — Jessica Diaz was sworn in as the newest Quincy Police Department officer during the regular Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday. Diaz was sworn in by QPD Chief Keith Siebert before an audience of family, friends and fellow officers.

Roundabout coming to S.R.17 at Yonezawa Blvd.

Other details of Moes Lake’s six-year streets plan

MOSES LAKE — While it’s not on the list of the city of Moses Lake’s proposed six-year street improvement projects, it’s almost certain that the intersection of S.R. 17 and Yonezawa Boulevard is going to become a roundabout.

Quincy swim team helps connect community

QUINCY — Communities big and small are held together with lots of little connections, groups that get together to do - well, whatever, from a service club project to a program at the museum. The Quincy swim team teaches children how to swim, of course, and gives its participants a chance to get a taste of competition. But it also is one of those little connectors that plug back into the bigger community. Kirsten Escure, taking over the coaching duties on a Friday morning, said the program is returning in 2022 after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think we’re right at 40-ish (participants),” Escure said...

Seniors without a center

Royal Slope group aims to revive activities

ROYAL CITY — The senior scene in Royal City isn’t what it used to be.

Wildfire Prompts Evacuation At Frenchman Coulee

VANTAGE - Just before 6 p.m. a Level 3 evacuation notice was issued by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office due to a wildfire near the Frenchman Coulee climbing area....

Moses Lake sees two hole-in-ones over weekend

MOSES LAKE — Two golfers hit holes in one at The Links at Moses Pointe this weekend, with Moses Lake’s AJ Escamilla and Royal City’s Wiley Farrer both leaving the course with the honor of hitting one. “I don’t know that that’s ever happened here,” Director of Golf Bill Porter said of two golfers hitting a hole in one in the same weekend. “The odds are a really, really, long shot that that would happen.” ...

Sports schedule July 6-12

COLUMBIA BASIN - Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local, regional and national events...

Woman injured in Othello-area collision

OTHELLO — A 31-year-old woman was transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland after she was injured in a collision about 15 miles west of Othello Monday morning...

Melcher appointed to Charter School Commission

MOSES LAKE — Vickey Melcher was recently appointed as a commissioner for the Washington State Charter School Commission and Melcher said she wants to change the conversation about charter schools. “The goal is to increase graduation rates and the way to do that is to meet the educational needs of all the students,” said Melcher... ..

Sockeye fishing expands on Columbia River

OLYMPIA – Sockeye fishing will open from the Astoria-Megler Bridge on the lower river to the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco, and daily limits increase from there to Chief Joseph Dam near Bridgeport on the upper river, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife...

Christensen buys United Oil

RICHLAND — Christensen, a leading distributor of refined petroleum products across the Pacific Northwest, announced on Tuesday it has purchased Boise-based United Oil...

Trash mob keeps Soap Lake clean

SOAP LAKE — A group of volunteers is making a difference in Soap Lake one ‘mob’ at a time. Every so often the call goes out for volunteers for a one-hour “trash mob'' to clean up different areas of Soap Lake. The most recent call went out to clean up the firework debris from East Beach Park on July 5. About a dozen volunteers showed up early Tuesday morning with bags, gloves and rakes...

Seniors schedule for Jiuly

COLUMBIA BASIN – The Columbia Basin has several senior centers scattered around its various cities. Below are events hosted by three of those senior centers. For more information such as any associated costs, menus and time changes, please reach out to the senior center hosting the event. This listing is noncomprehensive and additional senior centers will be added each month....

Usage increasing at Moses Lake Food Bank

Donations sought to help with summer demand

MOSES LAKE — Even in the summer, the Moses Lake food bank is still busy. Moses Lake Food Bank Director Peny Archer said more people seem to be using the food bank in summer 2022. “Our numbers are starting to climb again,” Archer said...

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.” ...

George goes all-out for patriotic bash

GEORGE — You would expect a town named for our first president to pull out all the stops for the Fourth of July - and you’d be right to do so. “It’s a chance to meet with people, and let them get a taste of the healing waters,” said Andrew Vozniy of Soap Lake, who manned a booth with Nikita Vozniy to sell soaps and lotions made with Soap Lake water...

Soap Lake’s Suds N’ Sun brings all the fun

SOAP LAKE - The City of Soap Lake was bustling with Fourth of July fun over the weekend....

Food, fireworks and music

Moses Lake Freedom Fest takes over McCosh Park

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake marked America’s founding over the weekend with Freedom Fest, a three-day celebration held in McCosh Park. The crowd wasn’t as big as at the record-setting Spring Festival the town held over Memorial Day weekend, which included a carnival, car show and basketball tournaments. “It’s been really slow,” said Cynthia Small, owner of Smulligans Pizza & BBQ, as she dished out brisket sandwiches and lemonade Saturday. “Springfest was huge, so we expected the same.” “It came in spurts,” added employee Kris St. George...