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GCSO blotter for Sept. 12-15, 2025
The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Suspects in the incidents are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Community matters...
As I write this, I just finished speaking at the Ephrata Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at Country Deli in Ephrata. The banquet room in the back of the restaurant was filled with more than a dozen folks who were there not just to grab a meal, but to share some positivity and talk about the work they can do to make the community an even better place to live.
Ephrata School District considering spring 2026 bond
EPHRATA — After more than a year and a half of work, the Ephrata School District’s District Facility Study Group has decided to recommend putting a $75 million bond package on the February 2026 ballot. The goal of the workgroup, said Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray, was to ensure all of Ephrata’s students had quality learning spaces. “Primarily, people had an opportunity to see what we were able to accomplish with our 2019 bond and the facilities that are in place at one of our elementaries, and then, obviously, at Ephrata Middle School,” Murray said. “And one of the real goals, initially, was they saw how safe those facilities are. They saw how (those facilities incorporate) current trends in terms of the types of spaces that you could create for students.” Murray said the bond package, if approved, would have a tax bill impact but allow the district to remodel and expand Ephrata High School, replace Grant Elementary and Parkway Intermediate schools and provide a better Performing Arts Center for students. Some of the work had initially been approved by voters in 2019 along with funding, but inflation caused by the pandemic and other factors caused their cancelation and the funding was zeroed out through a process called defeasement.
Community learning centers coming to Othello schools
OTHELLO — The Othello School District will be implementing new before-school and after-school programs for elementary and middle school students with the help of a five-year, $2.5 million federal grant. Josh Meek, OSD executive director of teaching and learning, said the “community learning centers” will start in January 2026.
Warden to get new police chief, approves updating planning documents
WARDEN – The Warden City Council met Tuesday to discuss the hiring of a new Warden Police Department Chief, acknowledge the clerk-treasurer assistant, receive updates on city projects, approve adding a climate element to the comprehensive plan and approve the development of a planning document for the wastewater facility and general sewer plan.
MLSD committee recommends replacement of North, Larson Heights
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School Board heard a presentation from the district’s Facility Advisory Committee recommending that Larson Heights and North elementaries be demolished and replaced with a new elementary that would serve students from both campuses. The board did not vote on whether to accept the recommendation.
Audit shows $32K misappropriated from East Adams hospital
RITZVILLE — A former employee at East Adams Rural Healthcare misappropriated about $32,000 in 2023, according to a report released Thursday by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. The report said the former accounting clerk pleaded guilty to four charges in April 2024 and served 60 days in jail.
Royal City Lions Park Phase I upgrades near completion
ROYAL CITY — A new soccer field in Royal City’s Lions Park should be ready for use in early October. “The project is not complete, (but) the major part is complete,” Royal City Mayor Mike Christensen said. “The turf is down; the fence is in.”
Trainers, coaches, athletes discuss benefits of summer programs
MOSES LAKE – As high school sports kick off this weekend, that means summer athletics is officially coming to an end. Local athletes all over the Basin have spent their summer playing in leagues like the Central Washington Sixers program.
Mavericks slow pitch motivated to win this fall
MOSES LAKE – After a strong 17-6 slow pitch season last fall, the Mavericks are eager to top their semifinal appearance in states this year. As the school year has started, they have returned to the field for practice.
Food fundraisers are important part of Warden Community Days
WARDEN — It is true the line at the Warden High School Class of 2026 booth was not as long as that at the Queen of All Saints Catholic Church booth. Nevertheless, by 12:30 p.m. it was clear the seniors had underestimated the demand. “We’re running out of pizzas already,” said Bryce Cox, who oversaw the seniors’ pizza fundraiser.
BASIN SENIOR EVENTS: September 2025
COLUMBIA BASIN — The grandchildren are back in school, the summer family visits are done and there are plenty of things to get out and do this month. Here are a few:
Cougars rally behind new coach ahead of fall season
WARDEN — The Warden Cougars are striving to go above and beyond this season and bring up a new love for football in the community. “I’m ready to get some dubs, have some good times with my teammates and make lots of memories,” said junior Kameron Jensen, Cougars quarterback. For senior tight end Hunter Golladay, this season will be about returning to full swing following an injury that took him out of the final three weeks last season. He said that he broke his kneecap and irritated an old tear in his meniscus and made a full recovery in the spring, just in time to prepare for the fall season.
Huskies aim for a state championship title
OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies return to football again following their success last season. Last year the Huskies finished the season with a 9-2 overall record and made the state tournament. “It sounds cliché, but there was quite a bit of adversity with our starting quarterback going down and other injuries,” said Huskies Defensive Coach Kevin Hale. “The kids managed to fight through it; it could have been a situation where they could have easily folded, but that didn't happen, and we made the state playoffs.”
ACH Warriors hoping to rebound this season
COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors put together a strong 10-3 season last year, but left with a sour taste in their mouth after a close loss in the 1B state semifinals. Head Coach Brandon Walsh said he was proud of what the Warriors did last year, despite the outcome. “Last year was a really good year for us. We lost in the semifinals, which was a little disappointing, you don't have hopes and dreams of going to the championship and come up one step short... we're hoping to build on that,” Walsh said.
Tigers enter 4th year under Coach Mitchell
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers are returning to the field for the 2025 season with a sense of confidence. They ended their previous season with a 5-5 record and plan to improve that record and make a deep playoff run. “We had a few key players leave last year, but I think we’re able to bounce right back just with the guys that played not as much,” said Tigers quarterback Brady Hendrick. “I think everyone on the team is ready to go.” Hendrick is one of the seniors with the Tigers this season and is coming into his third year starting. He said that during just the first few days of practice, he is starting to see strong chemistry between each of the players, where they’re building a tight friend group on a senior-heavy team.
BASIN EVENTS: September 2025
COLUMBIA BASIN — The days are cooling off – well, maybe a little – and the kids are back in school, which means fall is just around the corner. Here are some things to do to help you recover from the summer.
Positive drama: High school theater gives students confidence, people skills
MOSES LAKE — If, as Shakespeare wrote, all the world’s a stage, then a high school drama club must be the perfect place to prepare for life. “(Students who participate in drama) have a place where doesn't matter what's going on in school,” said Marla Allsopp, drama advisor at Ephrata High School. “They might feel like they don't quite fit in, but when they come to the theater, they're part of that group.”
Grant PUD gets upgrades with upcoming new Ephrata Service Center
EPHRATA – Not all of the construction near the intersection of Nat Washington Way and State Highway 282 is related to the Grant County Jail. The Grant Public Utility District broke ground on its upcoming Ephrata Service Center Tuesday afternoon, a new facility intended to address the growing demands on the district’s resources.
Stolen forklift leads to Soap Lake power outage
SOAP LAKE — A Soap Lake man was arrested for DUI and theft of a motor vehicle after he allegedly stole a forklift from the Soap Lake School District and broke off a power pole. The man, who was not identified, also was charged with first-degree malicious mischief, according to a statement from Soap Lake Police Chief Patrick Canaday. The incident was reported at about 3:15 a.m. “The suspect drove the forklift off the school property after taking out several sections of fence from the football field. The suspect drove across Second Avenue Southwest on to Dogwood Street Southwest and struck the asphalt with (the) front forks, damaging a large portion of the asphalt,” Canaday said. “The suspect continued driving northbound on Dogwood, striking five parked vehicles on both sides (of the street). (He) drove the forklift eastbound on Main Avenue West with the telescoping fork rail extended.”