Ephrata welcomes a sweet new shop

Moonbeam Sweets and Treats opens on First Avenue and offers desserts galore.

EPHRATA – Moonbeam Sweets and Treats is the newest addition to local businesses in Ephrata. The shop is located at 156 First Ave NW and features a variety of different sweet treats.

Palmer’s Adventure Farm kicks off Fall Fest

MOSES LAKE – Palmer’s Adventure Farm has begun its Fall Fest over the weekend. Formerly known as StrawBelly’s, the farm held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon to celebrate their new branding and new location.

Samaritan Hospital opening scheduled for March 2026

MOSES LAKE — The projected opening day for the new Samaritan Hospital is about six months away. “We expect that we would get the temporary certificate of occupancy Dec. 12,” said Samaritan Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan. “And then the first patients March 7, 2026.” Construction has reached the stage of painting walls, installing doors, finishing installing lights and starting to install equipment. Crews were putting together some of the imaging equipment Tuesday morning.

UMANI Festival hosts second lucha wrestling show

MOSES LAKE — On Saturday, Columbia Basin Allied Art and Northwest Pro Wrestling hosted the Lucha and Lowriders Wrestling show at the Youth Dynamics building. It was the UMANI festival’s second time hosting the wrestling show. CBAA Executive Director Shawn Cardwell called Saturday’s event a dream. “I thought the crowd was amazing,” Cardwell said. “We had papas bringing their daughters and grandchildren. It’s a dream for any presenter to have a crowd like that, to work with performers like that, and to be hosted by venues like (Youth Dynamics). It was so good all around.” This year’s show was held indoors, unlike last year when it was held outside on Division Street, Cardwell said. Holding the event indoors made it more family-friendly, she said. Fans packed into front of the event space. Ahead of them on the basketball court was a ring with a blue mat, ropes taped yellow, white and blue, and a black curtain lining the outside of the ring.

WA fuel prices still second-highest in nation

MOSES LAKE — For the second week in a row, Washington has the second-highest average fuel prices in the nation at $4.56 per gallon, an eight-cent decrease from last week. California, the only state in the nation with higher prices, is sitting at $4.66, according to AAA. “Pacific Northwest drivers are getting some relief now that a pipeline issue has been resolved and pump prices are trending downward,” AAA wrote in a statement Thursday. “The Atlantic hurricane season is halfway over, but the tropics remain a concern for the next two months if there’s storm activity in the Gulf that affects refineries in the area.”

FIRE REPORT: Sept. 30, 2025

MOSES LAKE — Over the weekend, there was growth of around 28,000 acres burning in Washington. As of Monday afternoon, there were nearly 167,000 acres burning across the state. The two fires that saw the most growth are both located outside of Wenatchee.

Eagles Blank Bengals for First Big Sky victory

CHENEY – Eastern Washington women's soccer earned its first Big Sky win of the season on Sunday, defeating Idaho State 2–0 at the EWU Sports & Recreation Soccer Field. The Eagles controlled the match from the opening whistle, according to a EWU media release, fueled by defensive intensity and timely goals from Delani Walker and Chloe Pattison.

Port of Ephrata to host aerial applicators fly-in

EPHRATA — The Port of Ephrata will serve as the venue for the third annual fly-in pancake breakfast, hosted by the Association of Washington Aerial Applicators, on Saturday, Oct. 4. This event is set to showcase the role aerial applicators play in Washington’s agricultural industry while offering community members an engaging opportunity to learn about low-level aviation. The pancake breakfast will kick off at 8 a.m. and is priced at $20 per person, with children under 10 eating free. The event is open to the public at no charge, said Dave Lanman, executive director of the Port of Ephrata

Tigers’ Pichardo in the running for Youth Athlete of the Year

EPHRATA – Ephrata Tigers junior soccer player Diego Pichardo was nominated for the 2025 Youth Athlete of the Year award and placed fourth overall in the rankings after making it to the semifinal round.

Charity golf raises funds for Alzheimer's awareness

WARDEN – On Saturday, Karisti Cox held the third annual “Dude! Where’s my Cart!?” charity golf tournament. The tournament aims to put a fun and educational spin on raising awareness for Alzheimer’s, she said. “The fundraising is all designed to go towards the Alzheimer's Association, and, more specifically, to the Columbia Basin Walk to End Alzheimer's, but ultimately, it all goes to the same place,” she said.

Diesel storage tank fire near George

GEORGE – At around 11 a.m. Grant County Fire District 3 was dispatched to a 4,000 gallon above ground diesel storage fire at Williamson Precision, according to Grant County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. The fire, located in the 3500 block of Adams Rd. S.W., was out by around 2:15 p.m., Foreman said.

One injured in Mattawa shooting

MATTAWA – The Mattawa Police Department is asking for the public’s help in the investigation of an incident that left an unidentified victim wounded.

Kelda, pre-trained and ready to be adopted

OTHELLO – Meet Kelda, a remarkable Ridge Dog graduate from the Coyote Ridge Correctional Center in Connell, Washington. With her stunning athleticism, gentle demeanor, and playful spirit, Kelda is a joyful companion waiting to enrich your life. She thrives on human interaction and is always eager to meet new friends, making her the ideal addition to a loving family. Kelda has undergone an extensive training program, mastering commands such as sit, stay, lie down, and come when called.

Jeffrey Sparr

Aug. 10, 1958 — Sept. 11, 2025

Jeffrey Scott Sparr, 67, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Jeff was born on Aug. 10, 1958 in Red Oak, Iowa to Max and Lynn Sparr. He grew up in a loving household with five siblings. He moved to Moses Lake, Washington with his family when he was a teenager. Jeff started working at Ranch and Home when he was 15 years old. He became general manager of the store, now called North 40 Outfitters, and worked there for over 45 years. He loved spending time at the store, and the good friendships that he developed through the store. While growing up, Jeff enjoyed riding the minibike he built and helping on his grandparents' farm. His favorite pastimes include working on vehicles, fixing things, fishing, watching Gonzaga basketball and taking trips to see his friends in Mexico. He was recognized as Moses Lake Roundup Man of the Year in 2015. Jeff was a hard worker, good-natured, loved helping people and was always smiling.

Police searching for theft suspect near Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – Law enforcement officers are currently searching for a theft suspect with drones and K-9 units on Road P Northeast and Road 3 Northeast near Moses Lake.

NCW Libraries offers civics, discourse programs

MOSES LAKE – North Central Washington libraries will host a digital Fall Program series for adults in partnership with Oregon Humanities and the NCW Equity Alliance that centers on the core values of listening, learning and building community. “The idea is just to bring people together to have reflective conversations,” said Alicia O’Dell, Adult Services Manager at NCW Libraries. “To think and share together and just kind of reevaluate what we think and hear from different perspectives with the goal of learning from one another.”

Gaines appointed Grant County Administrator

EPHRATA — Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines has been appointed as interim Grant County Administrator. Grant County Commissioner Cindy Carter said it’s something commissioners have been thinking about for a while, and advertised for applications about two months ago.

Local legislators to present at Ephrata City Council

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council is set to host an open house featuring a state senator and two state representatives, all local Republicans, on Oct. 1.

Reptiles, learning and local fun

April the Reptile Lady coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – The City of Moses Lake Museum and Art Center is hosting free family Saturday, Oct. 4, featuring a presentation from April Jackson or as she’s better known, April the Reptile Lady.

Weather for the week of Sept. 29, 2025

Weather for the week of Sept. 29, 2025