Commerce Department names Economic Development and Competitiveness czar

OLYMPIA — Andrea Chartock has been tapped to lead the state’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, according to an announcement from the Washington State Deparetment of Commerce, which administers that office. Chartock was previously with the international development company DAI and has more than 25 years of experience in global economic development, spanning more than 30 countries.

Law, fire training scheduled Friday, Saturday in Moses Lake neighborhood

MOSES LAKE — Both the Moses Lake Police Department and Moses Lake Fire Department will be using houses near Samaritan Hospital for training exercises Nov. 28 and 29, with some of the activity possibly visible – and audible – in nearby neighborhoods.

BASIN EVENTS: December 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Now that the Thanksgiving turkey coma has passed, it’s time to get off the couch and start the December festivities. Here are some things happening this month.

Use common sense when warming up with a space heater

MOSES LAKE — Winter weather has come to the Basin, which means a lot of people will be looking for ways to keep warm. Space heaters can be a useful, portable way to heat up a room, but you have to be careful with them and the fire risks they present. “Maintain space between the heater and any combustible object: clothes, blankets, anything that could catch fire,” said Moses Lake firefighter Seth Ellis. One in six residential fires on average are caused by heating equipment, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Of those, about a third are caused by space heaters, but those fires result in 88% of civilian deaths and 80% of civilian injuries from heating-related fires. The number of fires caused by heaters has dropped from more than 70,000 annually to about 40,000, largely due to safety features like switches to shut the device off when it tips over.

Legals for November, 28 2025

Othello council approves money for Taggeres Park upgrades

OTHELLO — How to allocate the city’s money was the subject of a lengthy discussion by the Othello City Council at its regular meeting Monday. Spencer Williams, the city’s finance officer, said the draft budget that was presented for a public hearing was the result of a long process.

Warden man struck on crosswalk in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on West Broadway Avenue near South Beech Street around 5 p.m. Tuesday. Traffic was rerouted for a time while emergency services worked to help the victim.

Man arrested after pursuit in Othello for vehicle theft

OTHELLO — At around 11:30 p.m. Monday, Othello Police Department units pursued a stolen vehicle. Officers had attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield, prompting the pursuit, said Detective Sergeant Brent McFarlane.

Quincy Police Department logs as of Nov. 18-24, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Grant Fairgrounds suspends riding activities amid EHV-1 outbreak

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fairgrounds has announced a suspension of all private riding and open riding activities until at least December 16, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 that was initially reported in Waco, Texas.

Legals for November, 26 2025

Rehaume retiring as Othello PD chief

OTHELLO — Aaron Garza has been appointed as interim chief of the Othello Police Department, effective Nov. 30, when current Othello PD Chief Dave Rehaume retires. Rehaume announced his retirement Monday. Mayor-elect Ken Johnson said how the city will fill the permanent job is still to be determined.

Scam resurfaces in Grant County

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a scam has resurfaced with callers pretending to represent local law enforcement agencies or court personnel and asking for money.

Grant County Jail logs as of Nov. 25, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Pedestrian struck on Broadway in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on West Broadway Avenue near South Beech Street. The road was closed off for a time while emergency services worked to help the victim.

‘Exactly what I needed’

Community Court graduate has his life on track

MOSES LAKE — Ricky Boehler has stood before his share of judges in his time. But Wednesday he was laughing, smiling and sharing pizza with one rather than worrying about sentencing.

Blasting caps neutralized in Ephrata

Authorities remind public to take extra caution around dangerous materials

EPHRATA — Early afternoon Thursday, Ephrata Police Department was called for suspected blasting caps found in the northwest section of town at a construction storage yard. “They were found in a steel container. When they opened the container, they recognized that they were explosive devices. They immediately called MACC dispatch and the Ephrata Police Department responded,” Captain Troy Froewiss said.

WA Department of Health reaffirms vaccine safety, addresses autism claims

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Health made a statement Friday that vaccines are an essential tool for protecting people’s health. It also stated that it is joining health agencies and associations across the country, such as the Autism Science Foundation, in confirming that there is no credible scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism.

Legals for November, 24 2025

Quincy to pay Yakama Nation in civil settlement

QUINCY — The city of Quincy will make a $400,000 payment to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation for fisheries restoration along the Columbia River. The payment is part of the settlement of a civil lawsuit brought against the city by the organization Columbia Riverkeeper. Tom Elliot, Yakama Nation fisheries manager, said the money will be used to pay part of the cost of riverbank restoration.