Structure fire on Road 5 NE results in fatality

MOSES LAKE – Grant County Fire District 5 with the aid of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Moses Lake Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Road 5 Northeast near Road E Northeast Thursday morning.

Planting the future

Heritage Garden at Lower Peninsula Park ready to educate the public

MOSES LAKE — The Heritage Garden at Lower Peninsula Park, 3519 W. Peninsula Drive in Moses Lake, is beginning to come together, and now there are signs to explain to the public exactly what’s what. “The first sign has the riparian plants,” said Dinah Rouleau, conservation director for the Columbia Basin Conservation District. “Then (another) honoring the history of the site and the Moses Columbia Tribe, talking about some of their historically used plants. We have a Heritage Program sign, an Urban Water Efficiency Program sign and one about us and why we did this.” The signs are the latest phase in the Lower Peninsula Park’s Heritage Garden project, which began last October. The CBCD, with a lot of help from the city of Moses Lake and local businesses, removed the grass in a 15,0009-square-foot area of the park and replaced it with plants native to the area, interspersed with gravel beds and stone paths. The signs, designed by CBCD Communications Specialist Anna Maletzke, are affixed to stones and describe the plants in the garden, the animals and insects that live among them, and the history of the area, as well as what to do and what not to do to keep the flora and fauna thriving.

Slices Pizza to open early next week after fire

MOSES LAKE — A fire closed Slices Pizza in Moses Lake Tuesday, according to owners John and Becky Boyer. The restaurant is expected to be closed until early next week, the couple said.

Hellewell becomes first inductee in Moses Lake Demo Derby Hall of Fame

MOSES LAKE – During the second day of the Demo Derby, the Moses Lake Round Up organization honored Vern Hellewell as the first inductee into the Moses Lake Demo Derby Hall of Fame. Hellewell said he has been participating in the event since it first started at the fairgrounds. “I was there from the beginning and from that point until (today) it’s just been tremendous,” said Hellewell.

Ephrata PD logs for Aug. 21, 2025

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

Big Bend loads up new ag mechanics certification

MOSES LAKE – Big Bend Community College announced the establishment of a new Agricultural Mechanics certification program, according to an announcement from the college. “The launch of the Agricultural Mechanics certificate program is a direct response to the growing demand for skilled workers in our region’s ag industry,” said BBCC Dean of Workforce Education Michelle Morley via the announcement.

BUILDING PERMITS: Aug. 15, 2025

City of Moses Lake July 2025 Nate Currier, 400 block of North Mattson Avenue, residential plumbing, no valuation given. Hayden Homes, 1100 block of Redwood Road, new residence, $292,954.33 Hayden Homes, 1000 block of West Windrose Drive, fence, no valuation given.

ESA to hold charity golf tourney in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE – On Saturday, August 16, the Alpha Omega chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha will be holding a charity golf tournament at Lakeview Golf and Country Club. ESA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and money for local charities and families in need, event organizer Abby Smith said.

Ephrata PD logs for Aug. 14, 2025

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

Invasive animals pose risks to the Basin

MOSES LAKE – The Washington Invasive Species Council has 29 animals and insects listed on their site as priority invasive species that have either found themselves at home in the state or are of concern around the country. The Columbia Basin has become home to a number of these species.

Grant Co. Sheriff’s Office logs for Aug. 12, 2025

Grant Co. Sheriff’s Office logs for Aug. 12, 2025

Grant Co. making progress on 6-year roads plan

EPHRATA – Grant County has updated a six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), as outlined in a signed resolution from 2025 to 2030, with drafts extending the resolution from 2025-2030 and drafts going into 2031.

Sun City Cycle & Sports: Moses Lake shop offers repair, new and used bikes

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin has a new place to buy, sell or repair bicycles. “It was a service we wanted to offer the city of Moses Lake that it didn’t previously have,” said Andrew Spark, co-owner of Sun City Cycle & Sports. “I've had a lot of people walk in, not really to buy anything, just to say ‘We're so happy you're here now. We don't have to take our bikes to Wenatchee, Tri-Cities or Spokane.’”

Mattawa council discusses animal control

MATTAWA – Mattawa City Council members discussed dogs running at large during the council’s Thursday meeting after a problem with a dog at the residence of council member Sylvia Barajas.

MLPD logs for Aug. 8, 2025

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

Building Permits for Aug. 8, 2025

Unincorporated Grant County July 19-25

GALLERY: July 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN – Booming fireworks began the month but so much more happened in July in the Columbia Basin. The month was packed full of local events, students completing summer school and baseball.

Second brush fire ignites in Beaumont, 2 acres burnt

MOSES LAKE – A second brush fire ignited Monday evening along Beaumont Avenue, following a weekend blaze in the same area. The latest fire, which burned approximately 2 acres, was reported at 5 p.m. behind the 1600 block of Beaumont Avenue.

Ephrata FD knocks down small fire Friday

EPHRATA – A small fire flared up in Ephrata Friday afternoon but was quickly dealt with, according to Ephrata Fire Chief Jeremy Burns.

Lightning causes fire at Moses Lake cold storage facility

MOSES LAKE – A structure fire at a Moses Lake cold storage warehouse in the 3200 block of Road N Northeast Thursday afternoon appears to have been caused by a lightning strike, according to a City of Moses Lake press release.