Tractor trailer fire on SR 17 causes delays

MOSES LAKE – A tractor trailer carrying cardboard on state Route 17 ignited Monday morning at around 9:30 a.m. just north of Rocky Ford Creek, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

Family Picnic Day to offer free family fun

MOSES LAKE — Now in its third year, the Downtown Moses Lake Association’s Family Picnic Day is hitting its stride. “The food and booth vendors are all going to provide an activity of some sort for kids to do,” said DMLA Director Mallory Miller. One exhibitor will show children how to make a battery out of a penny, Miller said, and another is planning on helping them make hats and T-shirts. The DMLA itself will organize something from picnics of yore: potato races. “I got some potato sacks donated from Simplot,” Miller said. “I’m really excited to see how those go.”

Weather for the week of June 9, 2025

Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south in the morning. Mostly clear evening, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Pedestrian killed on I-90 in Moses Lake area

MOSES LAKE – The Washington State Patrol is investigating a fatality that occurred Sunday afternoon which was a one car vs pedestrian collision on 1-90 near exit 175 heading east bound, said Trooper Ryan Michael, a public information officer for the Washington State Patrol’s sixth district which includes Moses Lake. “Traffic is being diverted to the exit and slowly moving,” said Michael. Michael said the WSP will provide a press release providing more information as soon as it is available.

Thursday wildfire burns 105 acres near Quincy

QUINCY – A fire started around 3 a.m. Thursday near Road 13 Northwest, east of Adams Road. According to Grant County Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee, the fire was under control at around 105 acres as of 4:53 p.m.

Fire near SR 243 has highway closed

WANAPUM VILLAGE – Drivers will have to look for alternate routes along State Route 243 between Beverly and the junction with State Route 26. The Washington Department of Transportation has issued an alert saying the road is closed due to a wildfire in the area.

Mom blames lack of VA services for children's deaths

(The Center Square) – As the manhunt continues for 32-year-old Travis Decker, suspected in the murders of his three young daughters in Chelan County, Wash., more information is coming out about his declining mental state and struggles to access mental health services through Veterans Affairs.

Moses Lake Library cultivates the arts

MOSES LAKE — When Moses Lake was recognized as a creative district in 2022, it was the result of work by multiple agencies and organizations: The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, Columbia Basin Allied Arts and others. One of those was the Moses Lake Public Library. Librarian Connie Baulne serves as a co-chair of the Creative District Committee.

BASIN EVENTS: June 6-14

COLUMBIA BASIN — Live music, festivals in the sun and more await this week in the Columbia Basin. Here are a few things going on:

Law enforcement logs for June 6, 2025

The reports below were provided by the sheriff's office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Legals for June, 6 2025

Mavericks’ Valdez signs with Oregon Community College

MOSES LAKE – Thursday was a special day for Jaciel Valdez as he signed his letter of intent with Southwest Oregon Community College and will join their cross-country team this fall. Head coach Larry Dagnon knew this day would come for Valdez.

Basin baseball represented in all-star game

RICHLAND – Players from Moses Lake and Othello joined their peers from Yakima at the Columbia Basin Series All-Star Game Wednesday in Richland. “It was really nice and bittersweet to end my high school career here. I'm going to go play college baseball, and hopefully I'll see some of these guys, but it was nice to play against guys that I have played the last 10 years of my life,” Mavericks player Cooper Hancock said.

Wildfire near Quincy, evacuations in place

QUINCY – A fire started around 3 a.m. Thursday near Road 13 Northwest east of Adams Road, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. According to Watch Duty, the fire was under control at around 126 acres as of 5 p.m. There were no injuries or damaged structures, according to the GCSO. “Current conditions present a specific and immediate threat to life and safety of persons in this area,” the GCSO wrote in a statement. There are level two fire evacuations in place for the area near the fire. Level 1 means "Be Ready," Level 2 means "Be Set," and Level 3 means "Go Now." Updates will come as more information becomes available.

Local youth honored at upcoming Chief for a Day event

EPHRATA – What happens when Grant County children, who are battling significant medical challenges, are promised a day of fun and recognition? They become honorary Chiefs for a day on June 12, an exhilarating experience that leaves lasting smiles and cherished memories. “It’s all about giving the families and the children a memorable day where they can momentarily forget their medical challenges,” said Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

Street party

Ephrata Sage-N-Sun coming June 13-14

EPHRATA — There are a few new things at the Ephrata Sage-N-Sun Festival this year. “We’re bringing back our 3-on-3 basketball tournament,” said Brittney MacLeod, director of the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. “We’re adding a Kid Zone, which will include a dunk tank. There’s a petting zoo and a couple of different things for kids to do.” The basketball tournament, which will run both Friday and Saturday, has been on hiatus for a number of years, MacLeod said. “We’re excited to bring it back and add a youth aspect to draw families downtown and keep them downtown for the weekend,” she said.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: The importance of learning spaces

What a weird time we live in. We have the greatest access to information since the dawn of time, but the double-edged sword of the internet is that we also have the greatest access to misinformation since the dawn of time.

'Truly one of the best that Ephrata High School has to offer'

Senior Hannah Keen recognized as student of the month

EPHRATA – Hannah Keen, a senior at Ephrata High School, has been recognized as one of the June Students of the Month for her exceptional growth, dedication and positivity both in and outside the classroom, according to Marla Allsopp, the teacher who nominated her.

Basin schools represented at state track meet

YAKIMA – The state track meet was held on Saturday for 1B, 2B, and 1A schools at Eisenhower’s Zaepfel Stadium. Basin schools were well represented at the meet with runners from Lind-Ritzville, Moses Lake Christian Academy, Royal, and Wahluke.

Quick change

George hotel turns from Microtel to Holiday Inn Express overnight

GEORGE — The Holiday Inn Express in George appeared literally overnight. “On (April) 10 we closed the transaction and then at 7 p.m. IHG, which is the brand where Holiday Inn Express comes from, gave us the green light to open the hotel,” said General Manager Jed Jonathan. The hotel, which was built in 2020, had been a Wyndham Microtel up until then. It hadn’t been listed for sale, Jonathan said, but the owner had put out a few feelers. Jonathan owned several storage businesses under the name Dream Storage. When he became interested in branching out into the hospitality sector, Jonathan reached out to a number of hotel chains looking for a franchise, he said, and IHG was the first one that called him back. IHG put him in contact with A1 Hospitality in Tri-Cities, which owned about 20 hotels. Between then they created Dream A1 Hospitality, which is the official owner of the hotel.