Three stitches and a championship

Ritzville's Brock Taylor leaves Mat Classic with championship hardware

RITZVILLE – With sweat glistening on his brow and blood dripping down his eye bandage, Brock Tracy, a senior wrestler from Lind-Ritzville High School, etched his name into the annals of state championship history at the Mat Classic. This season’s grappling events culminated in an electrifying moment as Tracy claimed first place in the Boys 1B/2B 285-pound weight class in Tacoma. “I never expected to get as far,” Tracy said.

Weather for the week of March 3, 2025

Weather for the week of March 3, 2025

Columbia Basin Events for March 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring is finally almost here, and high school plays, crafts, live music and Grant County’s iconic Space Burgers await. Here’s what’s happening in March:

One championship claimed, aiming for more

ACH Warriors sophomore Noah Butler wins state championship

COULEE CITY — In a display of skill and tenacity, Noah Butler, a sophomore wrestler from Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School, captured the state championship title in Tacoma last weekend. With a season record of 39 wins and two losses Butler triumphed in the 215-pound weight class at the Mat Classic tournament. "It feels really, really good. It's like my dreams come true. I did wish I had it last year, but winning as a sophomore is a huge accomplishment,” Butler said.

Four pins and a championship win

Ephrata’s Adylene Sanchez crowned state champ in 155-pound bracket

EPHRATA – In the bustling atmosphere of the Washington State Wrestling Championship, Adylene Sanchez, a 155-pound junior from Ephrata achieved what many thought was impossible: she ascended from three years of competition—without a placement—to becoming a state champion. “It was very emotional,” Sanchez said on her win. “I was already crying earlier that day because my friend got injured, so I was really on edge during the match.”

Acting SLPD chief investigation discussed during city council

SOAP LAKE – At the Feb. 19 Soap Lake city council meeting, a public comment was made by Karen Dillon, a former City of Soap Lake employee. During her comment, Dillon brought up the Sept. 16, 2022, investigation of acting Soap Lake Police Department Chief Robert Geates during which he admitted to having sex on duty with a female trainee in 2021.

Casting time: Trout fishing opens Saturday on some local lakes

MOSES LAKE — There may still be piles of snow around the Basin, but one spring milestone is rapidly approaching: the opening of trout season. About two dozen lakes in Eastern Washington will open Saturday for trout fishing, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Most other lakes open the fourth Saturday of April, which this year falls on April 26.

Royal boys take on Meridian in first round of Class 1A state basketball

ROYAL CITY — While both teams are on their way to the Yakima Sundome, the Royal High School boys basketball team will take on Meridian (Bellingham) Friday to determine who will be guaranteed two more games in the state tournament.

LETTER: Martin Luther King Jr., Charlie Jones and Black History Month

Recently, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated in Moses Lake. Charlie Jones (one of the primary sponsors of past events who passed last year) was honored along with Martin Luther King Jr. I watched a YouTube program last week ( “Plymouth vs Jamestown Kings and Priests”) that provided a positive and balanced historical view of America's founding, the influence of Christianity and the contributions of many Black Americans like Harry Hosier and others not as well known as Frederick Douglass, Josiah Henson, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, and Martin Luther King Jr..

Doyle Thomson

1935 – 2025

Doyle Thomson, 90, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away February 16, 2025, at his home in the Coventry House Assisted Living with his daughter by his side.

Othello's Solorio crowned state champ in 215 bracket

OTHELLO – Anthony Solorio, a senior at Othello High School, achieved a lifelong dream over the weekend, capturing the state championship title in the boys 2A wrestling competition at 215 pounds with a record of 36-13.

ICE arrests Othello woman, teen son left to run family food truck

OTHELLO —Eighteen-year-old Raul Gomez-Eudave woke up on a Saturday morning earlier this month to a flood of missed calls and text messages. When he unlocked his phone, his heart dropped.

Bridge and two Adams Co. roads scheduled for work in 2025

RITZVILLE — Sections of two Adams County roads were closed on an emergency basis following wet and windy weather. Others are subject to closure as spring approaches.

Committee proposed to redesign state flag

OLYMPIA – Is Washington’s State flag a relic of days gone by and should it be redesigned? A bill in this year’s Legislature says the question is worth considering and proposes establishing a committee to explore the idea.

Band formed out of loss comes home to Ephrata

EPHRATA — The boys – and girl – are back in town. The band Millergold, four of whose members graduated from Ephrata High School, will perform two shows in their hometown this weekend. The first show will be Friday evening at Ephrata High School’s Performing Arts Center, and the second will be Saturday at 12 Hawks Sports Bar & Grill. “We did Cabaret at (EHS) and really loved music,” said Nate Elliott, the band’s bass player and a 2015 EHS graduate. “We did choir, and then kind of went our separate ways for about 10 years.”

Sphinx Virtuosi to bring little-known music to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Some of the best classical music talent in the country will visit Moses Lake when Sphinx Virtuosi plays the Wallenstien Theater Saturday. “We are so pleased and honored to have them come to our small town stage,” said Shawn Cardwell, executive director of Columbia Basin Allied Arts, which is presenting the concert. “These guys are touring the nation right now, showcasing the artists that are part of the group, as well as the artists who wrote the music that they play.” The Sphinx Virtuosi is made up of 18 of the nation’s top Black and Hispanic artists selected to showcase classical music by historically ignored minority composers, according to the website of the Sphinx Organization. The Sphinx Virtuosi have performed with the New York Philharmonic, with symphony orchestras from all over the United States, and are a regular highlight at Carnegie Hall.

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Josh Bronn

Royal SRO brings a safe presence to school

ROYAL CITY — One thing most people can agree on is that schools shouldn’t be dangerous places, especially in a small town. But they can be, especially with undesirable elements in schools. “In typical school fights, you’d have a couple of kids fighting, and then everyone’s gathered around and they’re cheering them on,” said Royal City Police Officer Josh Bronn, who’s the school resource officer for the Royal School District. “But in these fights, the kids were wearing their gang attire. They dropped their backpacks and everyone else would leave. They scattered like ‘We don’t want to be involved in this.’”

Ferguson orders assessment of data center impacts

OLYMPIA— Earlier this month, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order to create a workgroup aimed at assessing the impacts of data centers on energy use, state tax revenue, and the environment. The order stemmed from concerns about the sustainability of data centers – large warehouses filled with stacked computers that power the modern internet – which consume significant amounts of energy putting a strain on Washington’s power grid. “We must ensure Washington remains a leader in technology and sustainability – these experts will help us do that,” Ferguson said in a public statement. “This group will help us balance industry growth, tax revenue needs, energy constraints, and sustainability.”

Cedar lookin' for a place to saw logs

MOSES LAKE – Hey there, I’m Cedar and I’ve got to tell you, I’d like to come home with you. I’m more than a little adorable and I’m eager to find a place to settle in, get spoiled rotten and love on a wonderful person or family. I’m a smidge over two years old and I’ve had all of my shots, I’ll never have to worry about paying child support, and frankly, I’m cute enough to melt just about any heart. My friends here at Grant County Animal Outreach – grantcountyanimaloutreach.org - are treating me well, but I’d really like to come home with you. Also, if you can’t take me home, you could help get me some kibble by clicking the “donate” button at the top of the GCAO website.

Moses Lake student sings national anthem at Mat Classic

TACOMA — Nearly 300 schools were at the first day of the Mat Classic wrestling tournament at the Tacoma Dome Thursday, with thousands of wrestlers, parents, coaches and fans. But one voice cut through the air at the opening ceremonies, and that voice belonged to a Moses Lake Maverick.