Ephrata HS Honor Society hosting Oscars for character awards

EPHRATA — The Ephrata High School Honor Society will host its fourth annual Oscar Night today. The event starts at 7 p.m. in the Ephrata High School commons. “It was four years ago; our honor society president came up with the idea for it,” EHS National Honor Society advisor Sheila Massey said. “They were looking for a way to do a little bit more with something that tied in with the pillars of Honor Society, which are scholarship, leadership, service and character. They were hoping to kind of get away from only the focus on scholarship and grades, and so the president at that time kind of brainstormed some ideas and came up with the idea of Oscar night to celebrate character awards.”

ECBID to begin irrigation season March 20

COLUMBIA BASIN – The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District announced it will begin to fill the East Low Canal for the 2025 irrigation season on March 20. The East Low Canal serves Moses Lake, Warden, Othello and Connell. Deliveries from the East Low Canal will begin to be available on March 25. However, deliveries to the East District’s Block 49 from the Potholes East Canal will begin earlier on March 17. Irrigation deliveries will be dependent on the demand for individual lateral systems. Pump plants will also be started when orders are sufficient for start-up of the plants. According to ECBID, water users should contact their respective Watermaster Headquarters in Moses Lake or Othello or contact their ditch rider to receive current information and schedules.

Legals for February, 20 2025

Four proposed bills examined by Enviro and Energy Committee

Potential impacts to agriculture, low-income energy assistance, water system rates and PUD insurance

OLYMPIA – The House Environmental and Energy Committee heard four proposed bills Feb. 13. The four bills, if passed, would have impacts on agriculture, low-income energy assistance, water system rate changes and insurance for public utility districts like the Grant PUD.

Sen. Warnick’s bill strengthening penalties for theft from first responders passes Senate

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate passed Senate Bill 5323, which increases penalties for theft and possession of stolen property belonging to firefighters and emergency medical service providers. The legislation was introduced by Senator Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake) and approved with a bipartisan vote of 47-2.

Washington winter fun

Where to go in the Evergreen State to hit the slopes and enjoy the outdoors

MOSES LAKE – The Columbia Basin may be in the flatlands, sort of, but area residents who enjoy the slopes have a lot of options to choose from just a bit of a road trip away if they’re craving a ski weekend. With the recent snows, packing up skis and poles may be a good way to have an adventure as spring starts to peek around the corner.

One booked, another unidentified in rural business burglary

MOSES LAKE – A 24-year-old Moses Lake man was apprehended by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office Crime Reduction Team and other law enforcement Friday during a burglary in a rural area of Moses Lake, according to a GCSO statement.

Snow bikes make for a unique way to shred the mountain

“A SNO-GO,” I promptly smiled back to him. “Basically, a bike on skis.”

MACC addresses audit findings

OLYMPIA – An audit report released on February 13, 2025, by the Washington State Auditor’s Office has identified significant deficiencies in the financial management and internal controls of the Multi Agency Communications Center for the fiscal years of 2022 and 2023. This report, designated as Report No. 1036601, highlights the need for improved financial oversight and compliance with new regulatory requirements.

STUDIO BASIN: Levies, Soap Lake PD and Moses Lake swimming

MOSES LAKE -- On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Reporter Nance Beston discuss recent levies in the Moses Lake, Ephrata and Wahluke school districts. Beston also goes over the firing of Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox, which occured on Thursday.

Idaho coughs up lead late as EWU rallies for victory

On Thursday, Idaho plays at Northern Arizona, and Eastern Washington is at Northern Colorado.

SLPD Chief fired for alleged misconduct

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox has been terminated, according to a statement from the city. However, Cox also held the role as the city administrator. No statement regarding his role of city administrator has been released from the city. Cox was initially placed on administrative leave Nov. 15. On Thursday, more than 13 weeks later, the city released a statement announcing Cox’s termination from the police department, effective immediately.

Grant Co. Fairgrounds getting upgrades

Incoming improvements set to improve safety, visibility and visitor experience.

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Fairgrounds is installing around $1 million in upgrades, according to Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan. The upgrades include new light towers and lighting at gates, additional cameras, a new public address system, improved fencing, removing track from the rodeo grounds, new bleachers for the rodeo and power and water stalls. There will also be increased policing staff at the fairgrounds this year. “A lot of our efforts, as far as capital projects are having to do with safety this year as a result of last year's shooting,” McKiernan said.

CBIT continues jail death investigation

EPHRATA – The Central Basin Investigative Team determined that Richard Lambert’s death at the Grant County Jail was due to sepsis caused by an accident prior to his arrest, according to a statement from Ephrata Police Department Captain Troy Froewiss. Froewiss was not available for comment Thursday.

NEWS BITES: Feb. 14, 2025

NEWS BITES: Feb. 14, 2025

Ephrata police logs for Feb. 10-12, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Ephrata Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Reports from other area agencies are in flux due to the change to a new dispatching system. Ephrata is utilizing the prior system for blotter purposes during this time, but other agencies have chosen not to do so.

Moses Lake man pleads guilty to possession of child pornography

OTHELLO — A Moses Lake man will be sentenced April 8 after pleading guilty to three counts of possessing sexually explicit images of children Tuesday. Dustin Blaske, 40, pleaded guilty in Grant County Superior Court to three counts of first-degree possessing depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He was caught following an investigation in 2021, according to a release from the Othello Police Department.

Tigers honored for academic success

EPHRATA – Ephrata High School recognized hundreds of students for their academic efforts last semester with the Ephrata School District releasing EHS’s honor roll. The listing includes 18 seniors who made a 4.0 or better grade point average.

MLSD levy passing

Oft-debated ballot measure appears to have gained sufficient voter support after long year.

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District Educational Programs and Operations levy was leading with yes votes by 58.77% on Tuesday night when 10,058 of the ballots were counted. The next ballot count will be Feb. 13. “First, I would like to thank the community and those that supported the school district and the board in this effort,” MLSD Board Chair Kirryn Jenson said. “We are thrilled to have made great strides in earning back the trust of our community. We are committed to continuing transparency and accountability. We will be focused on responsibly funding education and improving student achievement and success.”

‘Cat roundup’ under consideration in Othello

OTHELLO — Othello city officials will review the cost of doing a “cat roundup” to remove feral cats, spay and neuter them, then release them back into neighborhoods. Cats were part of a discussion of animal control by the Othello City Council Monday. Mayor Shawn Logan said a cat roundup probably wouldn’t be a one-time event, if city officials decide to go ahead.