Kelda, pre-trained and ready to be adopted

OTHELLO – Meet Kelda, a remarkable Ridge Dog graduate from the Coyote Ridge Correctional Center in Connell, Washington. With her stunning athleticism, gentle demeanor, and playful spirit, Kelda is a joyful companion waiting to enrich your life. She thrives on human interaction and is always eager to meet new friends, making her the ideal addition to a loving family. Kelda has undergone an extensive training program, mastering commands such as sit, stay, lie down, and come when called.

Gene (Clinton) Smith

June 11, 1952 — Sept. 23, 2025

Gene Smith, 73, passed away peacefully, Sept. 23, 2025, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington. Gene was born June 11, 1952, to Clinton and Geneva Smith in Seattle, Washington. They moved to Moses Lake in 1957 where he went to school and raised a family. Gene graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1971 and married Naomi Johnson that same year. They were married 54 years at the time of his death. Gene worked for Americold, then moved on to Columbia Colstor where he retired. He quickly became bored and went to work at Genie until he had to quit working.

Moses Lake parks plan includes new Longview park

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials want to make some changes to Sinkiuse Square and build a new park in the Longview neighborhood. Those were the projects included in the city’s capital projects improvement plan for parks.

Veterans support fair set for Saturday

Veterans resource and job fair happening at Grant Co. Fairgrounds on Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Veteran Advisory Board is hosting its annual Veteran Resource and Job Fair on September 27th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds' Commercial and 4-H Buildings. This long-standing event, which has been a staple of community service for nearly 20 years, aims to connect veterans and their families with crucial resources and employment opportunities in a single, accessible location.

Legals for September, 24 2025

Sports Schedule Sept. 24-31, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN – The weather is cooling down but fall sports for our local athletes are red hot. Check out who the local high school teams will be facing this week.

‘Blockbusters to Broadway’

Central Basin Community Concert Association opens season with Jason Lyle Black

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association kicks off its 2025-26 season Thursday, with a performance by Jason Lyle Black’s Electric Trio.

Legals for September, 23 2025

Likely remains of Travis Decker, wanted for killing his daughters in Chelan County, found

WENATCHEE – The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday the discovery of human remains believed to be those of Travis Decker, who has been the subject of a months-long manhunt after the bodies of his three daughters were found near the Rock Island Campground near Icicle Creek due west of Leavenworth.

Legals for September, 17 2025

Columbia Bank celebrates rebranding

MOSES LAKE — With a snip of the scissors and a burst of confetti, Columbia Bank presented its new face to the community Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting and open house. “I've been trying to reintroduce our bank to the community, building it back up, giving it a new vibe, making sure that it's one that's positive and helpful and all of those things,” Branch Manager Kristine Bailey said.

Warden to get new police chief, approves updating planning documents

WARDEN – The Warden City Council met Tuesday to discuss the hiring of a new Warden Police Department Chief, acknowledge the clerk-treasurer assistant, receive updates on city projects, approve adding a climate element to the comprehensive plan and approve the development of a planning document for the wastewater facility and general sewer plan.

Vern Griffith

1941 - 2025

Vern Leon Griffith was born on Sept. 27, 1941, to Harold and Isabelle (Scrimsher) Griffith in Spokane, Washington. He spent his early years in Twisp, Washington, where his father served as superintendent of schools. The family later moved to Yakima, where Harold became the superintendent for West Valley School District. Vern graduated from West Valley in 1959.

Legals for September, 10 2025

Legals for September, 9 2025

Smoke forecast to stick around through Friday

MOSES LAKE — Wildfires and light winds have combined to produce poor quality throughout Eastern Washington, a situation that is forecast to persist for a few days. “We’re kind of under this stable (air) layer,” said Charlotte Dewey, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane. “We don’t have a lot of (air) mixing near the surface.”

Courtright takes over as CBCCA president

MOSES LAKE — The gavel has been passed at the Central Basin Community Concert Association, as Caren Courtright succeeded Frances Irwin as president last week.

EWU to offer law enforcement leadership program

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University plans to launch a Law Enforcement Leadership & Practice program in the fall of 2026 to help working police officers build practical skills, advance in their careers, and meet the evolving challenges of modern policing, according to an announcement from the university.

Quincy man injured in tractor-pickup collision

QUINCY — A Quincy man was airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane after the tractor he was driving, allegedly without lights, was hit by a car about five miles south of Quincy early Thursday morning. Miguel Contreras, 34, was driving south on State Route 281 on a tractor at about 4 a.m. Thursday, allegedly without the lights on, according to a press release from the Washington State Patrol. Contreras was rear-ended by a pickup driven by Isael Solano, 45, Quincy, the WSP memo said. The impact knocked both vehicles into the ditch, it said. The collision closed SR 281 for about four hours. Solano was not injured. Charges of driving a vehicle without legal lighting are pending against Contreras, the WSP memo said.

WDFW seeks comment on landowner hunting permits in Grant Co.

WILSON CREEK — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for public comments on proposed updates to landowner hunting permits following recent changes in property ownership and management in Grant and Spokane counties.