Othello Mayoral Race: Ken Johnson

Othello mayoral candidate discusses issues, suggests changes

OTHELLO — Ken Johnson said he thinks Othello needs some new leadership, and that’s why he’s running for mayor. Johnson is challenging incumbent Shawn Logan in the November general election. “There are some things that need to be changed,” Johnson said. “I feel like the only way we’re going to get it done is with a new mayor.”

Othello honors Independence Day with its annual celebration

OTHELLO — The Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce hosted the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration in Lions Park. The event lasted all day Friday with a parade, games, tournaments and a fireworks show. “Overall, I think it was a great event,” said Jackie Wilhelm, Othello Chamber Manager. “I think we’ve kind of worked on the things that needed to be worked on, and everything went well as far as the organization and the planning and getting people in and out of the park.” Wilhelm said her favorite part of the celebration is the flag-raising ceremony. “That's something that I’ve tried to make sure we highlight and incorporate every year,” she said.

Hofheins ready to join the Pirates next spring

MOSES LAKE — Being a dual-sport athlete is no easy task, but Raegen Hofheins has done it her whole life. In fact, she had trouble narrowing down to two sports when she got to Moses Lake High School. “I have always been a pretty active person. When I was little, I played probably five sports at a time, and once I hit middle school, going into high school, I had to decide on which ones were my favorites, and I have played softball since I was 4 years old,” Hofheins said. Hofheins also opted to keep up with volleyball during her time at Moses Lake.

Quincy Jacks host junior basketball camp

QUINCY – The Quincy Lady Jacks Basketball team will be hosting a Jr Jacks basketball camp July 28 and 29. The camp will be open to both boys and girls in third through eighth grade. “Me and our (head coach) Johan Farias, we are just trying to get a camp together for the community,” said Lady Jacks assistant basketball coach Gonzalo Guerrero. “We haven’t had a high school camp out here in a while and this is our first year taking over the program.

Francis 'Frank' Bodway III

1942 – 2025

Francis “Frank” Bodway III passed away at home after a short battle with cancer at the age of 82. Frank was born on August 27, 1942, to Francis Bodway II and Helen (Branniger) Bodway in Riverside County, California. He was raised in Petaluma, California where he attended & graduated from Catholic School, he then joined the Navy and served from 1960-1963 where he took part in nuclear bomb testing.

Audrian Huff

1940 – 2025

Audrian Eleanor Huff passed away at home July 2, 2025, in Moses Lake, WA with her husband Michael Riggs at her side. She was 84. While her passing means she is no longer suffering, it leaves an absence in the hearts and lives of those who were lucky enough to call her wife, mother, grandma, or friend.

Thomas ready for new beginnings at Eastern

MOSES LAKE – Growing up, Kyson Thomas was more of a basketball fan than football. It was not until he reached Moses Lake High School that he developed a deeper passion for football, he said. “I really didn't plan on playing football. I played my freshman year on the freshman team. Then going into my sophomore year, I was actually just going to stop playing in general, but (Moses Lake) got a new head coach (Brett Jay), and then also hired my dad. So, I kept playing, and then it just took off from there,” he said.

Othello's Coronado ready for junior year at CWU

OTHELLO – Ever since she was little, Annalee Coronado has loved the game of basketball. She has dedicated most of her youth to training and developing as a player to reach the collegiate level. “My sister had a good group of girls growing up that she played with and that’s what drew me to it. I saw my big sister doing it. My dad pushed me to do it, and I started when I was in second grade,” she said.

Mariners get three shutout wins in a row

SEATTLE (AP) – The Seattle Mariners overcame the Pittsburgh Pirates with shutout games Saturday and Sunday, after the Mariners' 6-0 win over Pittsburgh Friday. In Friday play, the Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hit his 34th and 35th career home runs. Weekend play between the two teams was dominated by the Seattle team, with the Mariners making fans proud on the diamond.

Ephrata to purchase former Rite Aid building for municipal use

EPHRATA — In a move to enhance municipal services and meet the growing needs of the community, the Ephrata City Council approved a motion to purchase the former Rite Aid building located at 250 Basin Street. “We are really excited to see what this new space will do for the city,” Ephrata Mayor Bruce Reim said.

Grid Kids to start girls flag football this fall

MOSES LAKE – Grid Kids Football has partnered with NFL Flag to bring more flag football opportunities to girls in grades 1-12 with practices starting in August and their season starting this Fall. “I think there is a general movement in women and girls flag football,” said JD Houvener, the NFL Flag Football League organizer for Moses Lake. “It’s just going to continue leading up to the 2028 Olympics where it's going to debut for the first time as an Olympic sport.”

Ephrata softball coach retiring after giving back, forming connections

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers softball coach, Heather Wood, is officially retiring after coaching since 2002. This season the Tigers softball team earned third in districts and made the state tournament after Wood earned her 250th career win with the team in April. “The reason you (become a coach) is because you’re giving back to your community, I was blessed with great coaches in my time, throughout my high school, rec league and my college, and just kind of giving back to what they did,” said Wood. “And you develop great relationships with the kids and see them outside of the academic world.”

Mixed bag for Mariners in Thursday, Friday play

SEATTLE - The Mariners hit the diamond against two different teams in the last few days with a loss against the Kansas City Royals and a win against the Pittsburg Pirates Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Moses Lake students prepare to head to Japan

MOSES LAKE — Three Moses Lake students will head to Japan this month as part of the Moses Lake-Yonezawa Sister City Exchange. “A lot of people don’t realize that this cultural exchange has been going on for 45 years,” said Moses Lake-Yonezawa Sister City Exchange Program Treasurer Terry Moore. “Everybody knows Yonezawa Boulevard (in Moses Lake), but do they know why it’s called Yonezawa Boulevard? It’s because of the sister city program.”

Johnny H. (Jay) Johnson

1941 – 2025

We are heartbroken to announce the loss of our father and grandfather, who passed away June 9, 2025, at the age of 83. Johnny H. (Jay) Johnson was born to Leo Hilstead Johnson and Afton Johnanna Hansen in Preston, Idaho on December 14, 1941. Jay told many loving stories about growing up in Southeastern Idaho with his five siblings. He was especially proud of the summers he spent herding sheep by himself for months at a time.

Dr. C. Larry Wright

1935 – 2025

Dr. C. Larry Wright, a dedicated physician, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, in Moses Lake, Washington. He was 90 years old. Born in 1935 on a sharecropper’s farm in Casey, Iowa, during a fierce winter blizzard in the midst of the Great Depression, Larry's life was rooted in perseverance, service and faith.

Julio Rodriguez delivers a go-ahead RBI single to lift the Mariners past Royals 3-2

SEATTLE (AP) — Julio Rodriguez hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning and Randy Arozarena drove in two runs as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night. Rodriguez, who left the bases loaded in the fifth inning, atoned for that missed opportunity by hitting a first-pitch cutter from reliever Steven Cruz, who entered for Angel Zerpa (3-1), to the left side. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia got a piece of Rodriguez’s hit before it ricocheted past him, allowing the Mariners to take a 2-1 lead.

Ephrata's Well 3 returns to service today after water quality tests pass

EPHRATA – The City of Ephrata’s Well 3 should be back up and running today, as long as the bacteria test results return from the lab negative, according to Public Works Director Rob Harris. “If water quality and purity and all the required standards, Well Three will be returned into service,” Harris said.

AG World raises $80,000 in annual golf classic

MOSES LAKE – On Thursday June 5, AG World hosted its 12th annual golf classic at the Links at Moses Pointe where they raised money for the Ronald McDonald house in Spokane. Event organizer and AG World CEO, Bryan Henninger, said the event was a success. “We had a good turnout here at Moses Pointe. We were close to capacity,” Henninger said. “It was a good day, and we do things a little different. We've got lots of activities and fun stuff on the course, including some food on the course. So, we try and keep it upbeat and a little different than your normal golf events.”

Darnold could revive the Seahawks

MOSES LAKE – As we creep closer to the start of the NFL season, fans across the league will be clamoring to see how their team’s retooled rosters will fare against the competition. One player that will be viewed under a microscope by fans this season is Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold had been labeled a draft bust after failing to live up to the expectations of the New York Jets. After short stints with the Panthers and 49ers, Darnold signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Up until that point, he had never thrown more than 19 touchdowns in a season.