New crosswalk with lights is first 2024 road project in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — A crosswalk with flashing lights to make it a little easier to cross Daisy Street South in Soap Lake will be installed sometime this spring. Soap Lake City Council members approved a contract for about $282,620 with Ascent Foundation, Cle Elum, during the regular meeting Feb.21. Michael Woodkey of Gray and Osborne, the city’s engineers, said the city received an additional grant for about $51,200 after bids were opened to pay costs that were higher than projected. Flashing lights will be installed at the crossing, to be activated when pedestrians want to cross the street. State Route 17 is Daisy Street South where it runs through Soap Lake. Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox said the setup would be similar to crossing lights that already exist at the Grant County Courthouse and Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata.

REC Silicon checked out for safety complaint

MOSES LAKE — The Washington Department of Labor & Industries carried out an inspection at the REC Silicon facility in Moses Lake Feb. 13. “The inspection was a required response to a complaint received by Labor & Industries concerning various topics pertaining to the Moses Lake facility,” REC Silicon officials wrote in a statement released Sunday. Matt Ross, a spokesman for L&I, said the inspection was initiated due to a worker complaint. Requests to REC Silicon for comment as to the nature of the complaint were not returned by press time.

Climate Commitment Act impact: $30 million refunds fall short of farmers’ $150M estimate

OLYMPIA - Budget writers in both the Senate and House have suggested allocating $30 million for refunding farmers impacted by the Climate Commitment Act. With the climate program, fuel used for agricultural purposes was supposed to be exempt.

Port of Othello continues work toward airport plan

OTHELLO – Port of Othello Executive Director Chris Faix gave an update on some of the port’s progress with its ongoing projects, mainly working with J-U-B Engineers to develop an Airport Layout Plan and entering the process of designing the incoming Bruce Water Tower.

COMMENTARY: America still needs more welders, fewer philosophers

In 2017, I wrote a column titled “America needs more welders and fewer philosophers.” It was a slogan Florida Sen. Marco Rubio used in his 2016 presidential campaign to call attention to the need for more skilled workers. Rubio hit the nail on the head without disrespecting philosophers. The American Welding Society estimated our country now requires 400,000 new welders. This scarcity is primarily due to the substantial number of skilled workers retiring and fewer young men and women entering technical training programs. The encouraging news is the number of female welders is now rising and is expected to top 7% of that trade’s workforce by 2026.

Royal City considers dog park sign, water project

ROYAL CITY — Public works projects were the primary topic of discussion at the Royal City City Council meeting Tuesday. Public Works Director John Lasen first raised the question of putting up a sign at the Royal City Dog Park, setting out rules for the park’s use.

Slope stabilization along SR 17 underway

SOAP LAKE — The section of State Route 17 between the Lake Lenore Caves and the Soap Lake city limits will be subject to frequent closures on weekdays, probably at least through early September. Contractors will be working on a project to remove loose rocks and stabilize the remaining slope where the highway runs between the rock embankment and the lakes, a stretch of about 10 miles.

State proposes pesticide restrictions

OLYMPIA — Neonicotinoid pesticides are known for their harmful effects on the nervous systems of insects and a proposal in the state Legislature calls for banning them for household use. “About 1/3 of our agricultural sector needs pollination to thrive, and our pollinators, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in this state are under more and more threat,” said prime sponsor Sen. Marko Liias, D–Edmonds. Others, however, say blaming household use of pesticides on a decline in bee populations mischaracterizes the current research. Allan Felsot, a professor of environmental studies at Washington State University, said focusing on habitat restoration is essential to save pollinators, arguing that allocating taxpayer dollars to this bill would be a waste as it fails to address the impacts on bee populations.

Mattawa receives water system funding, discusses ongoing projects

MATTAWA — Gray & Osborne Civil Engineer Jamin Ankney presented to the Mattawa City Council Thursday regarding funding the city received for two water system projects, with the council also approving two design contracts with Gray & Osborne. Mayor Maria Celaya introduced the first funding award, through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. “We have $7.2 million,” she said. “We don't know how much of it's a loan and how much of it is a grant.” “You will get some grant (money). They just don't know exactly how much yet. It sounds like it'll be a good funding package,” Ankney said.

Wahluke superintendent discusses levy failure

MATTAWA — After Wahluke School District’s capital levy failed to pass following the Feb. 13 vote, Wahluke Superintendent Andy Harlow said the district will likely soon have to cut $1.5 million from its budget. "Knowing how many staff just on our campus had voted, community members, and then with our additional high school seniors, we thought the election would be a little closer and that's why we chose to run this again,” Harlow said. The levy would have been used to pay for needed HVAC upgrades the district implemented last year at Mattawa Elementary and Wahluke High School. Harlow said the district had to take out a loan for the $2.7 million project, which had been pushed off for about 10 years. “We made about $2 million in cuts last year, (cutting) over 25 staff,” he said. “We’re probably set to make another $1.5 million in cuts, so probably another 10 to 15 staff will be cut and the facilities, they don't get done and the loan that we took out for the HVAC, we'll just continue to pay on.”

Quincy schools take a close look at security

QUINCY — Presentations for Quincy School District parents and secondary students on what to do in the case of a shooter at school are scheduled for March 27 and 28. Jesus Villahermosa, a nationally recognized expert, will talk to students March 27 and parents and district patrons March 28.

Young Life group wants to encourage connection

MOSES LAKE — Christopher Voigt and Lisa Naydenov said the goal of the Young Life group they lead is to connect with teens who otherwise might not have many connections. “I guess nowadays, kids don’t really have a sense of belonging,” Voigt said. “They’re friends with everyone on social media, but they don’t have that tight-knit group of friends in person. We want to be (a resource) for the kids in relationship building. Our goal is to build relationships with kids who may not have in-person relationships otherwise.” Naydenov said it’s rooted in the Christian faith and is open to all teens, regardless of personal beliefs. “It’s a faith-based organization. We are adults trying to get into the kids’ world, trying to meet them where they are. We try to get to know them, to earn trust with them, to walk beside them in life,” she said.

Two die in home fire

EPHRATA — Two people died in a house fire late Wednesday night, according to a statement from the Ephrata Fire Department.

Fish and Wildlife asking for feedback on updated fishing app

OLYMPIA — Fishing fans in Washington will get a chance to test a revised app from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that provides the latest information on fishing regulations.

Royal girls aim for another high placement at state

Knight boys send two to Mat Classic

ROYAL — After taking third at the 2023 2A/1A/B Girls Mat Classic, the Royal Knights are sending four girls wrestlers to this year’s edition of the state wrestling tournament; sophomore Sharon Arroyo (100), junior Lauren Jenks (135), senior Emma Villa (170) and sophomore Analy Castillo (235).

Moses Lake finances better than projected

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake finished up 2023 in pretty good financial shape, according to a report submitted by City Manager Kevin Fuhr to the Moses Lake City Council at Tuesday’s meeting.

Lovely market: Valentine’s Market brings people out as winter fades

MOSES LAKE — Love was in the air, and so were the aroma of food and the sound of shopping, at the Moses Lake Farmers Market’s annual Valentine’s Market Saturday. The market, which was held in the Commercial and 4-H buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds, attracted a sizable crowd.

Antique appraisals, flea market coming to Moses Lake Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Local residents will have a chance to learn the truth about their family heirlooms and mantel dust-catchers, and maybe pick up a few treasures, Saturday at the Frosty Finds Flea Market and Appraisal Fair.

Clergy members could become mandatory reporters of child abuse

OLYMPIA – When Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, learned how Jehovah’s Witness elders in Spokane had covered up child sexual abuse for years, she looked to the law for answers.

Othello schools implement new point-of-entry security upgrades

OTHELLO – The Othello School District installed new Secure Access Keypads at all its school buildings Feb. 5. Moving forward, all visitors are required to check in through the keypad, which allows school staff to see and speak with the visitor before letting them enter.