Legals for March, 16 2022

Getting your pollinators on...

MOSES LAKE — Spring is coming. Time to plant bulbs, plan your garden, reseed your lawn if needed, get your lawnmower ready and check out your sprinklers to make sure they work.

State legislature passes high-capacity magazine ban

OLYMPIA - Gun owners will no longer be able to purchase magazines with capacities greater than ten rounds under legislation passed by the House on Friday if it is signed into law by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Senate Bill 5078 establishes new firearm restrictions that authors say support public safety. Once enacted...

Open and concealed carry restriction likely to expand

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Legislature has passed a bill to restrict gun owners from practicing open-carry and possession in certain settings after a Senate vote Tuesday. Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said House Bill 1630 steps on the constitutional rights of Washingtonians. The Democratic-majority legislature is slowly dismantling the 2nd amendment, leaving gun owners with fewer protections. "Look at what's going on in Ukraine," Dent...

Law enforcement reports for the week of Feb. 28

Ephrata Police Department Feb. 18 Report of theft from a business in the 200 block of Basin Street Southwest. Feb. 19 Report of attempted theft of alcohol from a business in the 1100 block of Basin Street Southwest. Feb. 20 Report of a vehicle prowl on Basin Street Southwest. Report of a vehicle prowl on F Street Northeast...

Prayers and despair: Ukrainians in the US decry invasion

The Rev. Myron Myronyuk stayed up all night at home in Pennsylvania as his twin brother tried to flee Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, only to turn back because the road out was choked with traffic. His in-laws, also in Ukraine, told him they couldn't get basics like bread and milk.

EPA fines SGL for gas leaks

OLYMPIA — The Environmental Protection Agency has fined SGL Carbon about $139,000 for improperly reporting three hydrogen cyanide gas leaks beginning late 2017 at the company’s Moses Lake facility.

Lavonne 'Kay' Carrell

Lavonne “Kay” Carrell, 64, sadly passed away Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Moses Lake, Washington.

Critter champion: New Grant County Animal Outreach chief accepts challenge to make things better

MOSES LAKE — Darrin Hein said there’s been a learning curve in his new job at Grant County Animal Outreach.

Multi-agency effort leads to DUI arrest

SOAP LAKE — Michael Butterly, 39, who lives near Soap Lake, has been charged with a DUI after two incidents in which officers encountered him driving dangerously in Soap Lake and Ephrata, respectively.

Warden High School locked down due to gas leak

Warden High School was put into a shelter-in-place scenario Monday morning after construction crews working nearby damaged an underground natural gas line.

Moses Lake High School cheer team wins two state championships

MOSES LAKE — No question about it, there were expectations for the Moses Lake High School cheer team going into the state championship.

Two Moses Lake men arrested in connection with Carl’s Jr. robbery

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 30 armed robbery of the Carl’s Jr. on Kittleson Road in Moses Lake, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake Police Department.

Democrats propose $16.8 billion transportation package

Legislation intended to funnel $16.8 billion in the next 16 years into the state’s transportation infrastructure was proposed by Washington Democrats this week.

Proposed law could shorten sentences

Incarcerated individuals who serve 15, 20, or 25 years of total confinement would have the opportunity to apply for a conditional commutation under Senate Bill 5036, passed by the Washington State Senate and now being considered in the House.

Legislators consider bill to legalize psilocybin

Adults could legally purchase and consume psilocybin products as soon as 2024 under legislation heard by the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee on Wednesday.

Sheriff discusses jail, legislation, crime at town hall

Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones had a town hall – the first in more than two years – at the Larson community sheriff’s substation in Moses Lake Tuesday evening.

Sometimes you need ‘risk management,’ tree well

A Geo Metro is really an egg with a stick shift and little toy wheels, not fit for the mountains.

Legislators hear bill regarding vape regulation

The Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee had a public hearing Monday for a bill, which if passed, would give the state authority to regulate vapor products found to pose a significant risk to public health.

Moses Lake Carl’s Jr. allegedly robbed by armed men

Two female Carl’s Jr. employees are okay, if a bit shaken, after two men armed with a pistol allegedly robbed the restaurant at 1765 Kittelson Road in Moses Lake at about 10 p.m. Sunday.