WA aviation projects receive $36 million for sustainability

BLAINE, Wash. – The U.S. government has awarded significant federal funding to two major sustainable aviation projects in Washington. This was announced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, in her press release on August 16.

NEWS BITES for August 12, 2024

EPHRATA – A 40-year-old Ephrata man was injured due to a one-vehicle collision in the late morning on Friday according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. There was a semi-rollover collision at North Frontage Road just East of Adams Road. Jesus Villa Ambriz was driving a 2003 tractor-trailer westbound on North Frontage Road when his vehicle failed to make a northbound curve. Villa Ambriz sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital.

FIRE REPORT: Kittitas County has a multi-fire outbreak

KITTITAS COUNTY — On Friday and Saturday, Kittitas County saw an outbreak of eight fires, six of them being 10 acres. The fires include from largest to smallest: Thomas Mountain Fire, 10 acres; Stave Creek Fire, 10 acres; Davis Peak Fire, 1 acre; Anna Bell Drive Fire,1 acre; Waptus Fire, 0.5 acre; Bear Creek Fire, 0.5 acres and Skeeter Creek Fire, 0.1 acre.

STUDIO BASIN: Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete and an All-American athlete

MOSES LAKE -- On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Managing Editor Rob Miller sits down with Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete to discuss a recent marijuana bust in the Ephrata area, National Night Out and safety for the upcoming Grant County Fair.

Back to school

Quincy students get ready for school at health fair, school opening dates announced

QUINCY — There’s still some summer left, but it won’t be long. Quincy Community Health Center helped children and families get ready for school with backpacks and pencils, health and resource information, fire hats and the chicken dance at the Back-to-School Health Fair Tuesday. Mary Jo Ybarra-Vega, outreach and behavioral health coordinator for QCHC, said it’s of of the organization’s recognition of National Health Center Week, and a longtime tradition in Quincy. “Every year we do a back-to-school health fair, and we’ve been doing it, I think, 20 years now,” she said.

Historic federal awards are accelerating the I-5 bridge replacement effort

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The century-old bridge connecting Washington and Oregon over the Columbia is due for replacement, according to an announcement from Gov. Jay Inslee’s office. Washington and Oregon have committed $1 billion apiece to the $6 billion project, and the federal government is helping bridge the gap. On Thursday, leaders and lawmakers gathered to celebrate a $1.5 billion award from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Investment Program. Over 76,000 bridges across the country require replacement, but the I-5 bridge is not most bridges, according to the announcement. More than 143,000 vehicles and $132 million in goods cross daily. It’s a vital connection for the regional economy, but it’s rated as one of the worst truck bottlenecks on the West Coast. The bridge’s importance and condition earned it the largest award from the BIL Bridge Investment Program, one of the most ambitious federal infrastructure projects in history.

Legals for August, 12 2024

National Night Out comes to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The bells, lights, sirens and hoses were all on display Tuesday at Moses Lake’s National Night Out at McCosh Park, and about 2,500 people were there to see them, according to Moses Lake Police Sgt. Jeff Sursely.

FIRE REPORT: Swawilla fire contained

MOSES LAKE – The Swawilla Fire, ignited by lightning at 11:30 p.m. on July 17, was Washington's largest active blaze, having consumed approximately 53,500 acres. The fire is now 98% contained, as of Thursday according to InciWeb.

Mt. Rainier Nat. Park burn restrictions begin Saturday

ASHFORD — Mount Rainier National Park will implement a parkwide fire ban starting Saturday due to increased regional fire risks, according to a press release from the park.

Law enforcement logs for Aug. 9, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Legals for August, 9 2024

‘We’re human too’

Quincy National Night Out connects law enforcement with the community

QUINCY — The kids who came to Lauzier Park Monday evening for National Night Out knew what they wanted. “Mostly candy. They come up, they take the shots and run over for stuff,” said Tom Richardson, who was manning the Quincy Valley Medical Center booth. QVMC had set up a beanbag toss painted like a giant game of “Operation,” and youngsters who made a shot could take a treat. “They enjoy it. One year we had a kid who just kept looping through over and over just to keep playing.”

FIRE REPORT: Williams Mine Fire expands rapidly

WHITE SALMON -- The Williams Mine Fire started Monday at about noon and was only burning five acres; however, the fire quickly expanded to more than 2,700 acres Tuesday and expanded again to about 4,500 acres Wednesday with no containment according to NIFC. According to InciWeb, a national fire tracking site, the fire is currently wind-driven and moving primarily south. Smoke will be heavily visible for Trout Lake, Washington and surrounding communities until the fire is contained.

NEWS BITES for August 8, 2024

MOSES LAKE — An irrigation canal break northeast of Moses Lake caused flooding and triggered evacuation notices Monday night, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Primary voters choose gubernatorial, congressional candidates

Both major parties frustrated with lack of voter turnout for Tuesday election.

MOSES LAKE — Washington voters chose candidates for governor, U.S. Senator and House of Representative seats, along with other state offices, in the primary election Tuesday. Grant and Adams County voters each cast ballots for two county commission races.

FIRE REPORT: Combine tractor ignites, burns wheat near Coulee City

GRAND COULEE – A vegetation fire started shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday near G Road in Douglas County, near Coulee City. The fire was caused by a combine tractor igniting. The combine fire spread to the crop of wheat and burned about 350 acres.

Moses Lake man arrested in connection with November murder

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man has been apprehended in California by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in connection with a November 2023 murder in Montlake Park.

Koeppen wins in Grant GOP court case

EPHRATA – Grant County Superior Court Judge Tyson Hill ruled in favor of Andrew Koeppen in Grant County Superior Court, indicating that Koeppen, not David Hunt, is the rightful chairperson of the Grant County Republican Party. “This situation is an unfortunate one,” Hill wrote in his decision. “The Grant County Republican Central Committee has a long history of electing its own leaders through respectful civil interaction. However, beginning in October of 2023, a power struggle fractured the GCRP into two camps.”

Eagles fall to Huskies in first exhibition

CHENEY — Eastern Washington women's soccer hosted new Big Ten opponent the Washington Huskies to open preseason play. The Eagles fell to the Huskies 2-0, but head coach Missy Strasburg was pleased to host a quality Big Ten opponent at home.