WA high-capacity magazine ban ruling expected next week

(The Center Square) – There was no decision from the bench Wednesday afternoon in the Gators Custom Guns case regarding the state ban on high-capacity magazines for firearms.

Inslee administration: Using taxpayer funds to promote CCA spending is appropriate

(The Center Square) – State agencies and other recipients of programs that are funded by the Climate Commitment Act are being directed to use a recently approved new logo and messaging. The directive comes as the CCA is facing a potential repeal by voters in November with Initiative 2113. Some are questioning the use of taxpayer dollars for the new campaign, saying its politically inspired, but Gov. Jay Inslee's office tells The Center Square there is nothing political about the messaging.

Remodeled Ephrata Middle School shown to district patrons at ribbon cutting

EPHRATA — Ephrata Middle School Principal Tina Mullings got help from her predecessors and current students to cut the ribbon - actually a paper chain - on the renovated and enlarged EMS Monday evening. District patrons got the chance to tour the building to see the changes. Mullings said the renovations expanded the options for EMS students.

CWU partners with NMPC for medical physics program

ELLENSBURG — Not all physics majors want to pursue a career in research or teaching. Some prefer to use the skills they learn in college to study living systems or enter the medical field.

Next stage of Grant Co. Jail construction to begin in May

EPHRATA — People driving by the site of the new Grant County Jail will start seeing progress soon.

WA law enforcement org weights in on pursuit law changes

(The Center Square) – In less than two months, law enforcement agencies across Washington state will have a less restrictive set of rules when it comes to vehicle pursuits of fleeing suspects.

Storm add two, Zags have two selected in WNBA Draft

BROOKLYN, NY – The WNBA Draft was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Monday night, with the Seattle Storm adding two new players and two former Zags seeing their professional dreams come true.

BBCC to host job fair Thursday

MOSES LAKE — Job seekers will find a lot to choose from at the 31st annual Big Bend Community College Job and Career Fair Thursday.

Japanese consul-general visits Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The ties between Moses Lake and Japan were highlighted Monday as Japan’s consul-general for the region paid a visit to Moses Lake.

Statewide fishing season opens April 27, redesigned fishing app launched

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will recognize the opening of fishing season with a statewide trout fishing derby. Lakes throughout the state open April 27.

A place of her own

Royal City clinic welcomes new provider

ROYAL CITY — Tara Zamarron has found her home. “We grew up, my husband and I both, in Michigan, born and raised,” Zamarron said. “We had some friends who moved out here in 2005, or 2006, and they asked us to come visit them. And we're like, ‘Sure, we’ll come visit you, we’ve never been out west.’ And we fell in love with it.” Zamarron recently became the primary – in fact, pretty much the only – provider at Confluence Health’s Royal City clinic. Zamarron isn’t a physician; she’s an advanced registered nurse practitioner, which means she does most of the things a doctor does without the title “doctor” before her name. She’s joined at one of the smallest clinics in the Confluence system – a little over 1,700 square feet in downtown Royal City – by a registered nurse and a receptionist.

Solid win: Mavs take down Walla Walla 13-2

MOSES LAKE – A seven-run bottom of the fourth inning gave Moses Lake a double-digit run lead over visiting Walla Walla on Friday afternoon, ending the game in the fifth inning with a 13-2 Maverick victory. Moses Lake improved to 11-0 with the win over the Blue Devils.

Law enforcement reports for April 12, 2024

Ephrata Police Department, Moses Lake Police Department, Grant County Jail

Construction underway on new pedestrian crossing in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — Work has already started on a project to build sidewalks on one side of South Daisy Street and add flashing lights at the crosswalk of Daisy Street and Third Avenue Southeast. Soap Lake Mayor Allen DuPuy said a project to overlay a number of city streets should go to bid soon. Daisy Street is state Route 17 where the highway passes through the city limits. The upgraded pedestrian crossing is designed to improve safety for people walking across the street, said city consulting engineer Michael Woodkey in a presentation to the Soap Lake City Council in February. Sidewalks are being replaced on the east side of Daisy Street between First and Third avenues as part of the project, DuPuy said. Total project cost is about $282,000.

Basin soccer roundup: Three top-10 teams in 1A

The regular season for local soccer teams is over halfway done, as Basin squads prepare for their final stretch of league games. Teams in Quincy, Royal City and Mattawa have all found themselves in the top 10 of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Rating Percentage Index. 4A

WA’s economic outlook continues to worsen, report says

(The Center Square) – Washington remained in the lower half of U.S. states in terms of economic outlook, according to a new report that faults the Evergreen State’s high tax burden and rising labor costs for the state’s No. 37 ranking. That’s a drop of three spots from last year’s No. 34 ranking.

Wahluke gearing up for annual Outdoor Career Fair

MATTAWA — The Wahluke School District will be hosting its annual Outdoor Career Fair April 26 for Wahluke High School and Junior High students at the high school to connect with and learn from professionals in various outdoor careers.

Blue Heron sign to be highlighted with kiosk

MOSES LAKE — A sign at Blue Heron Park will become a little more visible soon. The Moses Lake Trails Planning Team has purchased lumber for a kiosk to go over a sign showing the native plants on the Joseph K. Gavinski Trail that runs between Blue Heron Park and the Cove West neighborhood, team member Louis Logan wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. Erik Nielson’s wood shop class at Vanguard Academy will build the kiosk, he added.

Zamora scores four goals, Mavs defeat Cheney

MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks snapped a six-game losing skid with Monday night’s 4-2 win over Cheney, with senior Joshua Zamora leading his squad by scoring all four of Moses Lake’s goals in the win. “We’ve been dealing with injuries with players throughout the season, so (Monday) we had a gameplan of making sure we touched and moved – that way we can avoid injuries and be ready for the second half of the season,” Moses Lake Head Coach Miguel Segura said. “That was working for us really well, and all the communication that we were doing was helping a lot.”

Vikings swept by Blue Mountain

MOSES LAKE – Coming off dropping two games to Blue Mountain CC earlier in the week, the Big Bend Vikings traveled to face the Timberwolves in a doubleheader on Saturday, losing both games by scores of 7-2 and 6-5.