‘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.

Safer Internet Day promotes education around children using tech

MOSES LAKE – Today is Safer Internet Day, the global observance is a time to bring attention to internet crimes against children and what can be done to reduce the risk of a child becoming a victim online. “Be a part of your child's life and make sure that you talk with them about the dangers that lurk on the internet,” Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. “Have a discussion with your children about the dangers of the internet. Explain to them that there are good things and explain to those there are bad people out there looking to cause harm.”

Moses Lake Air Show to move to different dates for 2025

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Air Show will move to a new weekend in 2025 and change back to a Friday-Saturday show. Rich Mueller of the air show’s board of directors (and the airport director for the Port of Moses Lake) reviewed the 2024 event and talked about some of the changes coming for 2025. He spoke during the regular port commission meeting Monday morning.

Quincy man faces controlled substance homicide charge

QUINCY – On Thursday, Abraham Cristobal Flores Velazquez, 32, of Quincy was arrested for controlled substance homicide in relation to a Yakima overdose death. The arrest was made by Yakima County’s Law Enforcement Against Drugs task force, after which he was transferred to detectives from the Grant County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, also known as iNET,and booked in the Grant County Jail.

iNET works at identifying, mitigating narcotics in the Basin

Local joint task force works to mitigate the flow of controlled substances into Grant, Adams counties

EPHRATA – If you live in the Columbia Basin, you've seen coverage from the Columbia Basin Herald and other outlets regarding the prevalence of drugs such as fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in the area. The Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, otherwise known as iNET, is tasked with fighting the drug epidemic in the region. “We have a mission – I would say mandate – but our mission is to target middle to upper-level narcotics traffickers in drug trafficking organizations,” said the group’s lead detective. “... Our primary area of responsibility is Grant and Adams counties.”

SLPD chief now 13 weeks on paid admin leave, investigation ongoing

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox was placed on paid administrative leave on Nov. 15, 2024, making it 13 weeks, today. Robert Geates has been the acting police chief since Cox was placed on leave. Mayor Peter Sharp confirmed an investigation was underway.

Legals for February, 7 2025

A princess looking for her castle

SOAP LAKE – Princess Ebby, a 2–year–old mixed breed pup, is looking for a loving and playful home. Ebby came to the Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry with a shattered back left leg above the growth plate at the hip. The vet determined she was either stepped on or kicked by an adult human which caused the break. Ebby received corrective orthopedic surgery, and now one leg may be shorter than the others, but she doesn’t let that slow her down. Ebby is friendly and wins the heart of everyone she meets. She is a very smart pup who picks up new things quickly. Her favorite activity though is a good cuddle with many belly rubs. Ebby is spayed, up to date on vaccinations and microchipped. For those interested in taking home the sweet girl, visit RockBottomRocker.org to learn more. For those unable to adopt but who would like to support the shelter, consider donating by clicking the “donate” button at the top of the website.

Two teens steal 'copious amount' of marijuana

Suspects burglarize dispensary in Soap Lake area

SOAP LAKE — A cannabis shop was hit by a burglary early Friday morning, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. At around 1:30 a.m. Friday, GCSO deputies were dispatched to an intrusion alarm at 2020 Solutions, a dispensary in the 200 block of SR 28 in Soap Lake.

‘Comfort through chaos’

CB Cancer Foundation auction raises money for cancer patients

MOSES LAKE — The worst part of some people’s lives will be their fight with cancer, but the crowd at the Grant County Fairgrounds Saturday night was ready and able to help them through it. The Country Sweethearts benefit banquet and auction brought in more than $300,000 to support cancer patients and their families, according to Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation Executive Director Angel Ledesma. This is the 16th year for the event and the 25th anniversary of the CBCF’s founding, Ledesma said.

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Married firefighters save lives together

SOAP LAKE — Lots of couples have a special activity that they share. Some garden together, some do home improvement projects, some do charity or church work. And some, like CW and Emily Forrest, save lives together. “There'll be times at night where she'll have to take off and go to the call and I'll stay with the kids,” said CW Forrest, a firefighter with Grant County Fire District 7. “Or Grandma. My … mom lives with us, so sometimes we'll both be able to go on calls.”

Ephrata Rec Center, City Hall receive HVAC upgrades

EPHRATA — Upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the Ephrata Recreation Center are now complete. “The Ephrata Rec is one of our oldest buildings in the city and (upgrading it) is really impressive to get done,” Ephrata Mayor Bruce Reim said. “We're really happy with it, and it'll improve our environmental concerns over there. It'll also be a better environment for visitors and renters.”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Staying in their lanes

Over the last few weeks as executive orders have been issued, immigration raids have occurred across the country and social media has turned into a circus of rage and crazy, there’s been a lot of criticism of local school districts and law enforcement.

MLSD Financial Oversight Committee meets for first time

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District hosted its first Financial Oversight Committee meeting Jan. 29. The committee is a volunteer-based group of local professionals from industries including accounting, finance and similar fields. The group was established to hold the district to another level of accountability with its finances.

Legals for February, 5 2025

Family seeks help in finding missing Moses Lake teen

MOSES LAKE — The family of a missing Moses Lake teen is asking for help in finding him.

Fake kids, real charges: Lawmakers push additional oversight for net nanny stings

(The Center Square) – The Washington State Patrol has leveraged “net nanny” operations since 2015 to arrest hundreds of alleged child predators, but state lawmakers have concerns that could redirect its efforts. Senate lawmakers moved legislation out of committee on Thursday that would reestablish the WSP’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, or MECTF, advisory board. While the task force still exists, the Legislature terminated its oversight board nearly a decade ago.

Study will evaluate EMS service in GC Fire District 3

QUINCY — Emergency medical services in Grant County Fire District 3, what they cost and their future in the Quincy area, will be the subject of a study commissioned by the fire district and its EMS partners. “We’re in the process of selecting a firm to (conduct) the study,” said GCFD 3 Chief David Durfee. “We’re estimating it’s going to take about four months.”

Cook powers Eastern to dominant win over Weber State

OGDEN, Utah – Eastern Washington (7-16, 3-7) bounced back in impressive fashion, defeating Weber State (8-14, 2-7) 72-49, fueled by Andrew Cook's dominant all-around performance.

Vikings secure fifth straight victory

MOSES LAKE -- Riding a four-game winning streak, the Vikings aimed to make it five as they traveled to Walla Walla on Saturday to face off against the Warriors. BBCC got off to a strong start, holding the Warriors to single-digit points in both of the first two quarters and building a substantial lead, heading into halftime up 31-15.