Moses Lake council weighing water concerns

MOSES LAKE — Water use, guaranteeing water supply and making sure there’s enough water as Moses Lake grows was the subject of an extensive discussion during a daylong planning session of the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday. City Engineer Richard Law said staff members are studying water rates and working on an overall plan for the water system to help make some of those decisions easier. “They’re coming together,” Law said.

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.

Freewind Martial Arts places top 10 in competition

MOSES LAKE — Over the weekend, Freewind Martial Arts competed in the Warriors Way Cup at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman. In addition to Freewind, 20 other schools attended and competed. Freewind Instructor Brandi Guertin had high praise for her group. “Freewind achieved a commendable ninth place overall. Our team results included four first-place, four second-place, and four third-place finishes. We are honored and proud to represent our community in martial arts competition,” she wrote in a statement. Freewind Martial Arts celebrated its 44th birthday on Sept. 16, said Guertin.

Patricia "Pat" Ledbetter

1940 – 2025

Patricia "Pat" Ann Ledbetter, age 84, passed away on Monday, August 25, 2025, in Moses Lake, Washington. She was born on September 22, 1940, in Elgin, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Phyllis (DeGaris) Gerber.

Grant PUD commitment: Our lowest possible rates for core customers

Grant Public Utility District commissioners and leadership are committed to ensuring that our “core customers” – residential, ag, irrigation and small/medium-sized business – continue to receive the most favorable rates this utility can offer.

Same-day crowns now available at Moses Lake Community Health

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Community Health Center has taken a step forward in dental technology, according to an announcement from MLCHC. The CEREC Primemill system, now in operation at the clinic in Moses Lake, allows patients to receive custom dental crowns in just one visit, according to the announcement.

Warrior Journeys returns with help of Wahluke Alumni Association

MATTAWA — Graduates of Wahluke High School are working to form an alumni association, and one of their first projects is the revival of a favorite high school program. Veronica Quintero, who’s one of the people working on the alumni association, said the group is looking for WHS graduates who want to participate in Warrior Journeys. Wahluke High School principal Cody Marlow said Warrior Journeys was started by former WHS counselor Jan Phillips. “(Phillips) had the idea of bringing Wahluke alumni to speak to current students,” Marlow wrote in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “We had everything from college students to entrepreneurs to CEOs. After Mrs. Phillips retired Warrior Journeys stopped happening.”

COLLEGIATE SPORTS SCHEDULE: Sept. 18-25, 2025

MOSES LAKE — Collegiate athletes around the state prepare for another week of facing strong opponents and battling longtime rivals. See where your favorite college team is heading this week.

Legals for September, 17 2025

Basin Volleyball roundup 2025 – Week 2

MOSES LAKE — The Basin volleyball season is well underway. Teams have faced their fair share of challenging competition right out of the gate. See below how your favorite teams are doing so far.

‘Right there’ on construction of new GCAO shelter

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach directors hope to start construction on a new shelter by the end of the year. Outreach board president Sara Thompson Tweedy said the construction permit is pending approval from the city of Moses Lake. “As soon as we get that permit, then we’ll be able to line up our contractors,” Thompson Tweedy said.

Washington college football recap

MOSES LAKE — Another week of college football has concluded. Before the next slate of games begin, see below how Washington football teams fared against their competition last weekend.

Jr Mavs play in first home game of the season

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Jr Mavs football teams took to Lions Field on Saturday to play in their first home game of the season. “It was a great effort and great play across the board,” said Tyson Olson, president of the Moses Lake Jr Maverick Football program. “That’s what we told our seventh-grade team and I know it was echoed across all of our teams that we were really pleased with everybody’s efforts across the board, not just the ones that got to start, but also coming in off the bench. Everybody stepped up and played really well.” The full day of football started with the seventh- and eighth-grade teams facing off against the Kennewick Jr Lions with the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade teams playing in the afternoon against the Ephrata Jr Tigers.

Dueling narratives over impacts of 'Big Beautiful Bill' on WA health care system

(The Center Square) – State Democrat officials continue to push a narrative that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will harm the state’s health care system, while Republicans argue it’s a scaremongering effort to distract from decisions made by the majority party.

Adopt Crispy Chicken and give him a biscuit

MOSES LAKE – Crispy Chicken, a three-month-old, male domestic shorthair is looking for an egg-cellent home. He is a good egg who comes neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. He has plenty of energy and loves good cat tree climb, pom-poms and cuddles. If he seems like your type of cat, visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and fill out his application. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Robert Redford, Oscar-winning director, actor and indie patriarch, dies at 89

(AP) - Robert Redford, the Hollywood golden boy who became an Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema under the name of one of his best-loved characters, died Tuesday at 89. Redford died “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement. No cause of death was provided.

Down Syndrome Buddy Walk set for Sept. 27

MOSES LAKE — This year’s Buddy Walk will honor some people who don’t get much publicity: siblings of people with Down syndrome. “We’ve done parents and caregivers, so we decided it needed to be siblings this year,” said organizer Denise Ketola.

FIRE REPORT: Sept. 16, 2025

MOSES LAKE – Last week, the Chelan County Commissioners declared a State of Emergency for the Lower Sugarloaf and Pomas Fires which are burning around 20,000 acres. There are several level one “Be Ready,” level two, “Get Set,” and level three “Go” evacuations in the county. As a result, the commissioners declared the county a disaster, according to a statement from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

Gesa donates more than $24,000 to Moses Lake schools

MOSES LAKE — Student activities in the Moses Lake School District got a boost last week, as Gesa Credit Union handed Moses Lake High School and Vanguard Academy more than $24,000. “These dollars are important to what we're doing and important to our students,” Shannon said.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office blotter for Sept. 11 & 12, 2025

The incident information below was provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects named are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.