Legals for June, 12 2025

Feasibility study to look at options for MLFD

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials will advertise for a consultant to conduct a feasibility study to determine what changes, if any, would be beneficial for the Moses Lake Fire Department. City officials have been looking at ways to reduce expenses, including a restructuring of the fire department, and Fire Administrator Mike Ganz told Moses Lake City Council members May 23 that his analysis determined the city had three options.

Legals for June, 6 2025

WA use-of-force database up and running

Bipartisan effort supported by law enforcement to improve transparency and accountability.

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has announced the official launch of the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety, after several years of delays, according to Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. “A single location with clear, standardized and contextual information will help the public better understand the use of force in Washington,” Brown wrote in a statement. “Law enforcement and policymakers will have common tools to better analyze force and make informed decisions about policing policies and practices.”

Royal Dairy models self-sufficient farming

ROYAL CITY — Words like “sustainable” and “regenerative agriculture” get tossed around a lot. But a Royal Slope farm recently showed the world how it works in reality.

Listings up, mortgage rates steady, but buyers are still nervous

MOSES LAKE — Listings are up in Washington, and interest rates are holding steady, according to the latest data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends for 26 of Washington’s 39 counties.

Big Sky Now: Big Sky to big leagues, NFL draft surprises and pro potential

We break down where the top Big Sky Conference football stars landed in the NFL and CFL drafts — and what it means for their professional futures.

Wahluke principal retiring after 40-plus-year career

MATTAWA — Saddle Mountain Elementary Principal Kurt Hoffman said he became a teacher because he wanted to give young people the same type of experience he had in school. “I had a great time as a student and athlete. I wanted to see if I would be able to do that for others,” Hoffman said. “It just makes sense that you’d like to replicate what you were given as a kid and give that back to kids as well.” After seven years in the Wahluke School District and more than 40 years in education, Hoffman announced his retirement at the end of the school year.

Employers ready to recruit at WorkSource Hiring Event

MOSES LAKE — Folks who are looking for work will stand a good chance of finding it May 30 at WorkSource’s Spring Hiring Event.

MLSD discusses levy fund use in 2025-26

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis discussed plans for the 2025-26 school year levy funds at the May 1 regular school board meeting. The district will only collect a partial levy in the second half of the school year at an estimated $5.9 million om revenue. However, the following school year the district will be able to do a full collection of about $11.9 million.

Five arrested in Othello trafficking investigation

OTHELLO — Five men were arrested on suspicion of attempting to patronize a prostitute during an operation conducted recently in Othello, according to a release from the Othello Police Department. The announcement was made May 2.

MLPD uncovers large rooster fighting operation during drug search

MOSES LAKE – On May 1, the Moses Lake Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Moses Lake Tactical Response Team, executed a search warrant at 10032 Rd N.4 NE in Moses Lake. The operation, initially focused on methamphetamine sales and illegal firearm possession, unearthed an extensive illegal rooster fighting operation on the premises, according to MLPD.

Wins and losses: WA legislative leaders share takeaways on this year's session

(The Center Square) – Three days after sine die, caucus leaders from both sides of the aisle in the Washington State Legislature are reflecting on wins and losses during this year’s 105-day session.

Candidate filing period scheduled for next week

EPHRATA — Twelve cities in Grant County will be electing mayors in 2025, city council and school board seats will be on the ballot, along with other jobs such as fire and hospital district commissioners. The filing period for the 2025 election is May 5-9.

Bill revises rules for police, fire state retirement plan

OLYMPIA — The Washington Legislature has approved revisions to state law that will make it easier for law enforcement officers and firefighters in one tier of the state’s retirement system to use time they spent on authorized leave toward their retirement, regardless of whether they returned to work.

Donald Ervin Voss

1938 – 2025

Donald Ervin Voss, 87, passed away March 26, 2025. He was born on September 5, 1938, in Lisbon, North Dakota to Evelyn Ufer and Ernest Voss.

‘The budget blackout continues’: WA GOP frustrated by Dems’ tax hike proposals

(The Center Square) – With just 10 days remaining in session, majority party Democrats in the Washington State Legislature have yet to reveal their final budget proposals. Meanwhile, Republicans remain largely powerless to stop an onslaught of tax hikes as part of Democrats’ revenue plan to deal with a projected operating budget shortfall of $16 billion over the next four years.

Gas prices decline slightly in Washington and nationwide

MOSES LAKE – In a welcome development for motorists, the national average price of gasoline has fallen for the first time in nearly a month, dropping 7 cents from last week to $3.13 per gallon, according to data from GasBuddy. This decline comes after a period of rising prices, with the national average up 7.8 cents from a month ago but 46.9 cents lower than the same time last year.

New conservation district program offers sprinkler system analysis

MOSES LAKE — Residents of Grant and Adams counties who want to reduce their water use but who may not want to completely change their landscape – or do want to make changes - can get some help from the Columbia Basin Conservation District.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Examine each thing independently

Over the last several years, our country has gotten into an all-or-none mentality that seems a bit odd to me. Maybe it’s because of my job, but it seems weird that we look at our political leaders and decide that they’re either always right or always wrong. I don’t mean this simply toward Donald Trump, though he’s in the mix, but rather toward the high-end political leaders that regularly make national headlines. They include Mitch McConnell, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Dan Newhouse and a host of others.