Wrestling with confidence

Quincy’s Alvarez sets win record

QUINCY – Quincy senior Saidt Alvarez entered the 2024-25 season 23 wins shy of etching his name into the Jackrabbit wrestling history books – well, another mark for the three-time state placer. Alvarez was seeking to become Quincy’s all-time winning wrestler.

Ephrata students give insight into proposed EP&O levy

EPHRATA – On Feb. 11, the Ephrata School District will have results from the proposed Education Programs and Operations levy on the ballot. The levy is seeking to collect approximately $11.5 million over the next four years at a proposed rate of $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The funding is intended to address gaps between state funding and the actual costs of operating the school district.

Barkley a key difference in Super Bowl rematch

MOSES LAKE – Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley has captured the headlines for the Eagles this season, and for good reason; he’s a key reason why the Eagles are in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.

MLHS musicians shine at NCWMEA competition

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School choir, piano, guitar and band students showcased their musical talents at the North Central Washington Music Educators Association Regional Solo & Ensemble Competition held on Saturday, Jan. 25, in Wenatchee.

Late wins push Mavs to 35-32 win over Sunnyside

Moses Lake wins Big 9

MOSES LAKE – With the Mavericks holding a 35-32 lead entering the final match of Tuesday’s dual against Sunnyside, Moses Lake sophomore Cristian Ramos knew was on the line as he took the mat for the 285-pound bout; a win meant Moses Lake would win its first Big 9 title since 2018.

Rental affordability debate ramps up in Olympia

OLYMPIA - As many Washingtonians struggle to meet rapidly rising housing costs, companion rent stabilization bills aiming to cap rent and fee increases have sparked significant debate amongst lawmakers, renters, and housing developers. The House version passed the Housing Committee in a 9-8 vote and was heard in Appropriations Monday.

‘Comfort through chaos’

CB Cancer Foundation auction raises money for cancer patients

MOSES LAKE — The worst part of some people’s lives will be their fight with cancer, but the crowd at the Grant County Fairgrounds Saturday night was ready and able to help them through it. The Country Sweethearts benefit banquet and auction brought in more than $300,000 to support cancer patients and their families, according to Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation Executive Director Angel Ledesma. This is the 16th year for the event and the 25th anniversary of the CBCF’s founding, Ledesma said.

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Married firefighters save lives together

SOAP LAKE — Lots of couples have a special activity that they share. Some garden together, some do home improvement projects, some do charity or church work. And some, like CW and Emily Forrest, save lives together. “There'll be times at night where she'll have to take off and go to the call and I'll stay with the kids,” said CW Forrest, a firefighter with Grant County Fire District 7. “Or Grandma. My … mom lives with us, so sometimes we'll both be able to go on calls.”

LETTER: It only takes a moment to make an impact

Less than five minutes of your time can change the lives of thousands of our Moses Lake students for years to come. The Moses Lake School District Levy election voting is open now and continues until February 11.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Staying in their lanes

Over the last few weeks as executive orders have been issued, immigration raids have occurred across the country and social media has turned into a circus of rage and crazy, there’s been a lot of criticism of local school districts and law enforcement.

'I learned to fly before I learned to drive'

Moses Lake's Betty Warnick stays busy at 100

MOSES LAKE — Betty Warnick, who turned 100 in January, has never been one to sit still, whether it was taking off cross-country for a new job or taking a plane up in the air. “I learned to fly before I learned to drive,” she said.

Music, magic and slippers

Quincy High School prepares to present ‘Cinderella’

QUINCY — One of the most iconic stories of our culture will take the stage Feb. 28, as Quincy High School theater group presents “Cinderella.” It’s the classic tale of a girl who languishes under the cruel eye of her stepmother, bullied by her stepsisters, until her fairy godmother comes along and outfits her for the prince’s ball.

BASIN SENIOR EVENTS for Feb. 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — There are plenty of opportunities to stay active in the Basin this month. Here are a few possibilities:

Study will evaluate EMS service in GC Fire District 3

QUINCY — Emergency medical services in Grant County Fire District 3, what they cost and their future in the Quincy area, will be the subject of a study commissioned by the fire district and its EMS partners. “We’re in the process of selecting a firm to (conduct) the study,” said GCFD 3 Chief David Durfee. “We’re estimating it’s going to take about four months.”

Vikings secure fifth straight victory

MOSES LAKE -- Riding a four-game winning streak, the Vikings aimed to make it five as they traveled to Walla Walla on Saturday to face off against the Warriors. BBCC got off to a strong start, holding the Warriors to single-digit points in both of the first two quarters and building a substantial lead, heading into halftime up 31-15.

Mary Poppins to host children’s tea party

MOSES LAKE — She’s practically perfect in every way, and next month, some children will get to enjoy her magic in person.

Signing off

Moses Lake Fire Chief Brett Bastian retires after 33 years

MOSES LAKE — A 33-year era ended as Moses Lake Fire Chief Brett Bastian retired Friday. His tenure as firefighter and then chief was celebrated at a small party at the Moses Lake Civic Center. “Chief’s first day of work was April 20, 1992,” said MLFD CARES Coordinator Heather Kok. “The population of Moses Lake at that time was about 12,000 people. Today we're at 25,000, roughly. The jurisdiction for the Moses Lake Fire Department was nine square miles. Today it is 23-ish square miles … They had 14 career firefighters, which is roughly the amount of firefighters that we have on an average day today. The number of apparatus that they had at the time was one engine, one wildland truck (and) a command vehicle that was shared ... Today we have five engines, two ladders, three wildland vehicles, two tenders and a handful of special technology vehicles. And a lot of that has been done in the last five years. So congratulations, Chief. That’s a huge win for our crew.”

Celebrated French horn quartet Genghis Barbie to perform at CWU

ELLENSBURG — The renowned French horn quartet Genghis Barbie will be returning to Central Washington University on Thursday for a 7 p.m. performance in McIntyre Hall. Heralded as “the leading post post-feminist feminist all-female horn experience, the most innovative and energizing chamber ensemble of its generation and beyond,” the all-female horn ensemble delivers a visceral and unadulterated musical adventure. The group last performed at CWU in November 2012, presenting arrangements of pop music from the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s, and today. They are regarded as one of the most versatile and expansive groups on New York’s classical/pop/rock/jazz/indie/alternative/punk/electro-acoustic scene.

Legals for February, 4 2025

GCFD 3 pays off two fire stations

QUINCY — A facilities committee will be evaluating Grant County Fire District 3 stations to determine priorities for upgrades following the final payment on the bond that built the main fire station in Quincy. Fire district officials announced last week the bond was paid off at the end of 2024.