Dent, Franz say bipartisan support led to progress in WA wildfire response

MOSES LAKE – Getting anything done in politics takes solid relationships and the ability to reach across political divides, regardless of how partisan the overall conversation is. Former Washington Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, a Democrat, and local State Representative Tom Dent, a Republican, and their successes in advancing wildfire management are a prime example of that, they say. “Everything, from what I learned and how quickly we were able to make the changes and get results, is based on relationships,” Franz said in a late June interview. “It’s based on valuing other people’s opinions and their experience and their expertise.”

Legals for July, 11 2025

Othello working to establish city fire department

OTHELLO — An analysis of what the city of Othello would need to set up its own fire department is in the early stages of preparation. Greg Prothman, founder of GMP Consultants, which is working with city officials on the project, said the first step will be determining what the city is looking for. “We have a retired fire chief working with the mayor to put together a scope of work,” Prothman said.

Legals for July, 8 2025

Gas prices in Grant rise above Adams for first time this year

MOSES LAKE – Washington and Grant County average gas prices saw an increase this week. However, national and Adams County saw a decrease in fuel prices, according to AAA.

Sewer line contaminates lake near McCosh, Montlake parks

MOSES LAKE — Residents and visitors to Moses Lake are being advised to stay out of the water around McCosh and Montlake parks following a partial break in a wastewater line near the lakeshore after oddities were noticed in the city’s sewer system performance. “When we got in this morning we noticed some discrepancies,” Moses Lake Wastewater Manager Chris Campbell said. “We noticed some diminishing numbers.”

Soap Lake Conservancy meeting highlights challenges for lake health

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Conservancy held a special meeting Saturday to discuss Soap Lake water level trends. The meeting brought in experts from the Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District. “A couple of years ago, a few of the people in this room started calling the Department of Ecology with concerns,” DOE Eastern Region Contact, Jaime Short said. “The lake level was going down. What's going on?”

Moses Lake facility among those affected by Group14 layoffs

MOSES LAKE — An undisclosed number of employees received layoff notices from the Group14 facility in Moses Lake July 1. Moses Lake facility manager Don Kersey said construction on the facility is continuing. “We did have a layoff (July 1),” Kersey said. “We can’t get into numbers, but we did rebalance our workforce to ensure the long-term resilience (and) competitiveness of our business. (The layoffs were) not just here in Moses Lake, but Group14 here in Washington state. It’s very unfortunate.”

Air Force vet raising funds for cancer treatment Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Cancer is scary, but the standard treatments are no fun either. Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery – all take a severe toll on the human body. Disabled Air Force veteran Noemi Salazar is taking a different approach and needs the public’s help to do it.

Legals for July, 1 2025

Gas prices see slight decrease this week

MOSES LAKE – There was a slight decrease in fuel prices this week in Washington, nationally and Grant County. Adams County didn’t follow the trend and saw a slight increase in prices this week compared to last week, according to AAA. “The national average price of gasoline has resumed its decline, with falling prices driven by easing tensions in the Middle East—just weeks after those same tensions had pushed prices higher,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy in a statement. De Haan said prices are likely to continue falling going into Independence Day weekend.

Imagination Library saved by OSPI funding

OLYMPIA — Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will continue to lead children to reading in Washington. The Imagination Library of Washington announced Wednesday that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has taken up funding the early literacy program following budget cuts that left its future in limbo.

Warden City Council approves contract for reservoir study

WARDEN – In a move to enhance the safety of its water infrastructure, the Warden City Council unanimously approved a contract with Gray & Osborne, Inc. for a seismic retrofit study of the city’s two water reservoirs. This engineering study, awarded at a cost of $80,000, is made possible with funds from both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Washington State Military Department. "The item we are approving is part of the FEMA project for a seismic retrofit study of our reservoirs, which were not designed to withstand significant seismic activity," City Administrator Kriss Shuler said. "Our reservoirs are at risk of catastrophic collapse during an earthquake, and this study will determine the necessary upgrades to ensure their stability in such an event."

WA may have to dip into emergency reserves, despite historic tax increases

(The Center Square) – Despite passing the largest tax increase in state history amid record revenue levels, Washington state’s wallet may be empty by the end of the 2025-27 biennium, according to a new report by the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Resource fair held at Open Doors Sleep Center

MOSES LAKE — With the Open Doors Sleep Center closing in days, several community resources gathered there Monday for a resource fair to ensure people have access to alternative resources. Several groups spoke with sleep center clients and provided alternatives in the community.

Gas prices rise across the board

Washington only state with higher prices than last year

MOSES LAKE – Average gas prices rose across the nation, in Washington and in both Grant and Adams Counties, according to AAA. Washington, an outlier in the nation, is the only state in which prices are higher now than a year ago. “With Israel and Iran trading attacks over the past week, oil prices have continued to climb —and gasoline prices are following suit, rising at a pace we haven’t seen since last summer,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Few pumps have been immune, with nearly all states seeing gas prices rise over the last week. Now, with the U.S. launching attacks on Iran, oil prices are likely to continue trending higher. That said, I do not expect the apocalyptic spikes being circulated by some so-called influencers on social media — many of which are wildly inaccurate.”

Authorities release images of how fugitive Travis Decker may have altered appearance

(The Center Square) – The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has released new images of what Travis Decker, the Wenatchee, Wash., man suspected of killing his three young daughters, might look like after having been on the run for several weeks. Decker, 32, has been charged with kidnapping and killing his daughters, 5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn and 9-year-old Paityn. The girls’ bodies were found at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth on June 2, asphyxiated to death. Multiple local and federal agencies are assisting in the manhunt, with the U.S. Border Patrol taking the lead in the search. Earlier this month, Gov. Bob Ferguson activated the Washington National Guard to aid law enforcement in the search for Decker.

Legals for June, 19 2025

WIAA officially adds girls flag football

MOSES LAKE — The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association passed the amendment to add girls flag football as an official sport. The sport was officially sanctioned in April, and the resolution to hold the state championships in the spring season was passed at the WIAA executive board meeting on June 8. “Passing this year was awesome with the help and continued support of the Seattle Seahawks and all the people that helped get it off the ground,” said WIAA Marketing Coordinator Bryn Langrock, who leads the girls flag football advisory committee. “It’s been a long journey, but I think officially sanctioning this sport is going to make it take off even more than it has so far.” The amendment to add the sport was first brought forward last year where it failed but was brought up again this year where it ultimately passed. Langrock said the drafters of the amendment made the effort this year to make it appealing to both sides of the state to participate.

MLSD celebrates inaugural graduation of Digital Learning Center

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District marked a historic milestone on May 4, as the Digital Learning Center proudly held its inaugural graduation ceremony at Lions Field. The school has had two other graduating classes, but they have been previously combined with Moses Lake High School. The event celebrated the academic achievements of the first graduating class, comprising a diverse group of students who have successfully completed their high school education through innovative digital learning methods. Attended by family, friends, educators, and community members, the ceremony featured heartfelt speeches, reflections on personal growth, and acknowledgments of the challenges faced throughout the academic year. “Your accomplishment marks not only a personal achievement but also the promise of a new beginning,” said Superintendent Carol Lewis during her opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of community support and perseverance throughout the students’ educational journeys.