Wahluke district patrons to vote on capital levy Feb. 11

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a three-year capital projects levy in a special election Feb. 11. District officials are asking for $2.58 million over three years.

Volunteers sought for Wahluke facility committee

MATTAWA — Volunteers are being solicited to work on a long-term plan to address building maintenance and facility needs in the Wahluke School District. Superintendent Andy Harlow said the Facilities and Operations Committee will meet over the winter and spring with the goal of finishing a plan by June 30.

Medicare out-of-pocket cap on prescriptions takes effect

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 70,000 seniors in Washington state will save hundreds or thousands of dollars each year thanks to the new annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for folks on Medicare Part D, according to an announcement from the office of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. The new cap is part of the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress in 2022, and it means seniors will pay significantly less for their prescription drugs this year, lowering costs for families and giving them more breathing room, according to the announcement. “Starting Jan. 1, anyone with a Medicare prescription drug plan – also known as Medicare Part D – now has their out-of-pocket drug costs capped at two thousand dollars each year,” Murray wrote in the announcement. “ … As everyone knows, high drug prices come with other painful costs – like stress over how to make ends meet, or what bills to skip in order to fill a prescription, or whether to take the risk of rationing medication. These are impossible choices that no one should ever have to make. But they’re the reality for so many people, and so many seniors especially.”

Lions Park expansion, planning for road improvements in 2025 Royal City budget

ROYAL CITY — Royal City will spend some of its reserves to expand Lions Park and will be working on designing improvements to Apple Avenue Northeast. Royal City City Council members approved the city’s 2025 budget in December. The city’s current expense fund is budgeted at about $2 million. It’s projected to end 2025 with about $1.9 million, a decrease from $2.2 million at the end of 2024. Janice Flynn, the city’s finance director, said the city will use part of the money for Lions Park improvements. The park is located on Camelia Street. “We’re spending some of our funds,” Flynn said.

Law enforcement funding, recruitment, retention challenging

OLYMPIA — A proposal to allocate money to help hire additional law enforcement officers would address one part of a complex challenge – but recruiting isn’t necessarily the biggest challenge for Columbia Basin law enforcement agencies. That was the reaction of local law enforcement agencies to the proposed legislation.

Industrial Alliance, Grant PUD donate to Royal PDK-9 program

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Police Department K-9 Ollie has a brand-new ballistic vest with the help of a donation from the Grant County Industrial Alliance and the Grant County Public Utility District.

Fifteen WA bills enacted in the new year

Impacts to be seen in health care, workers rights and more

OLYMPIA – At the beginning of 2025, a suite of fifteen Washington bills became law, transforming key areas from health care to workers’ rights, to cosmetics.

Legals for January, 6 2025

Replacing electrical system components requires care

MOSES LAKE — It didn’t end well for that power pole – that tends to happen when they get hit by a vehicle. Sometimes it’s a relatively minor incident, like the pole on Gumwood Street in Moses Lake that lost a four-foot section to a garbage truck Dec. 27. Sometimes it’s more serious, like the one on Road 26 Southwest that took out a distribution pole and cut power to about 1,020 customers Dec. 31. Or the lines that went down southwest of Quincy Dec. 26.

Fixing the damage

It’s wise to have a pro on your side when filing a claim

MOSES LAKE — It was, as they say, a dark and stormy night. Now it’s the next morning, and you’re looking with dismay at the tree that the wind sent crashing into your roof. You’ve got homeowners insurance, of course, but where do you go from there? “I hope you have an agent, as opposed to an 800 number,” said Chris Arnberg, an American Family Insurance agent in Moses Lake. “If you just have an 800 number, a company … where you don't have an actual person whose job it is to provide individual service, if you call to ask about opening a claim, they're going to open a claim.”

Shirley Jeanne Swank Lines-Lindahl

1929 – 2024

Shirley Jeanne (Swank) Lines-Lindahl, age 95, died at Grace Adult Family Home in Ferndale, Washington Dec. 22, 2024. She was born April 2, 1929, in Coulee City, Washington to Percy L. and Addie Jo (Emes) Swank.

MLK Jr. program to take place Jan. 20

MOSES LAKE — The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program will take place Jan. 20, according to committee President Miranda Bridges, celebrating the life and legacy of the civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968. “It's a chance for the community to come together and be supportive to one another, recognize Dr. King’s life and his dream and his vision for all of us,” Bridges said.

Ephrata businesses thrived this holiday season

The Athletic Club, Sole Performance, the Nat Washington House and The Bookery received love from locals

EPHRATA – As the holiday season concludes, some local businesses said this year was particularly good. The Bells on Basin celebration attracted a crowd into Ephrata businesses for the celebration but also people buying gifts for their loved ones helped stimulate these small establishments.

Bill headed to WA Legislature would allow private family cemeteries

OLYMPIA — Washington could allow family burial plots on private property, according to a statement from the office of Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, who prefiled the bill Dec. 13. House Bill 1065 would amend state law to allow burials on private land if other conditions are met, according to the statement. The legislation addresses ambiguity in state law, protects property rights, and honors cultural traditions, Walsh wrote.

William Herup

1932 – 2024

William Carl Herup, much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and friend passed away on December 25, 2024. He was 92. William (Bill) was born on September 19, 1932, in Ross, California, the only child of Vilhelm Christensen Herup and Laura Janette Leonardi.

Inslee reflects on tenure during exit interview

OLYMPIA – In an exit interview conducted by Austin Jenkins on TVW's “Inside Olympia”, Governor Jay Inslee reflected on his twelve years in office, highlighting his accomplishments, disappointments and the pivotal moments in his tenure. As he prepares to transition leadership to Governor-elect Bob Ferguson, Inslee emphasized the unique challenges and achievements that marked his administration.

Moses Lake Classic Car Club makes Moses Lake Food Bank donation

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Classic Car Club “gifted back” with a $800 donation to the Moses Lake Food Bank.

Big Bend AD Griffin looks to create strong ties with community

MOSES LAKE – Creating a bond with the community is a focal point for new Big Bend Athletics Director Benjamin Griffin. Griffin takes over for former athletics director John Meeks, who was named the Director of Athletics at Vincennes University in August.

Distribution expansion, new construction on Grant PUD 2025 agenda

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District will be working on the construction of new transmission lines, upgrading its generating capacity and planning a new maintenance center in Ephrata in 2025. Those are some of the projects included in the PUD’s capital budget for next year.

Legals for December, 30 2024