To help distance learning absentees, educators go sleuthing

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — After a knock on his door, third-grade student Jamie-Lee emerged to see his school principal smiling at him from his doorstep. She held out her arms, offering a socially distant “air hug,” and told the boy how much she’d missed him since the pandemic closed their school building.

To help distance learning absentees, educators go sleuthing

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — After a knock on his door, third-grade student Jamie-Lee emerged to see his school principal smiling at him from his doorstep. She held out her arms, offering a socially distant “air hug,” and told the boy how much she’d missed him since the pandemic closed their school building.

Groff students settling into new campuses

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District is settling students and teachers into classrooms Groff Elementary will be closed for the remainder of the school year after electrical issues resulted in the injury of an unidentified individual. The school was originally planned to be closed March 3 through March 7 with students attending classes from home. However, at the March 6 school board meeting, it was announced the school would remain closed for the remainder of the school year.

Winds forecast to increase fire danger through Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — Summer officially starts Saturday, but really it’s already here, and elevated fire danger is one of the signs. It's been dry in Central Washington over the last 30 days, and winds are expected to increase ahead of a cool front forecast for the weekend. Daniel Butler, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane, said the highest risk is Wednesday.

Weather, reinforcements helping in California wildfire fight

VACAVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters hard-pressed by some of the largest wildfires in California history scrambled Wednesday to take advantage of cooler weather and an influx of aid as they carved and burned containment lines around the flames.

Demystifying massage: How to choose what's right for you

(ARA) - Massage is no longer a luxury reserved for the wealthy. Growing public awareness of massage's benefits for alleviating a number of health problems - from stress to arthritis pain - and greater availability of services have made massage therapy accessible and affordable to a much broader spectrum of consumers than ever before.

Window opens for Virgin Galactic's final round of testing

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The window for the final round of testing of Virgin Galactic’s rocket-powered spacecraft opens later this week as the company inches toward commercial flights.

Window opens for Virgin Galactic's final round of testing

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The window for the final round of testing of Virgin Galactic’s rocket-powered spacecraft opens later this week as the company inches toward commercial flights.

New Web site adds market place for jobs

COLUMBIA BASIN - Potential employees looking for work in Central Washington just got a new Web site to aid them in their search.

Changes coming to Mattawa development application process

MATTAWA — With residential and commercial building activity coming to Mattawa, city officials are working on ways to streamline the development application process. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners, told Mattawa City Council members that a checklist is being prepared to give people thinking about development some basic guidelines.

With 737 MAX set to return to skies, Boeing will rebound again

Finally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cleared Boeing’s revamped 737 MAX to return to service.

WISe treatment

Intensive program cares for children with complicated needs

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes, a child or teen with problems needs to take a different approach. “This is designed to be completely different than the traditional ‘Come to therapy for 50 minutes, sit on my couch, we'll talk about it, and off you go. We'll see you in a month,’” said Andrea Peyton, a WISE program director in Kennewick. “This is a much more intensive service.”

Lions Park expansion, planning for road improvements in 2025 Royal City budget

ROYAL CITY — Royal City will spend some of its reserves to expand Lions Park and will be working on designing improvements to Apple Avenue Northeast. Royal City City Council members approved the city’s 2025 budget in December. The city’s current expense fund is budgeted at about $2 million. It’s projected to end 2025 with about $1.9 million, a decrease from $2.2 million at the end of 2024. Janice Flynn, the city’s finance director, said the city will use part of the money for Lions Park improvements. The park is located on Camelia Street. “We’re spending some of our funds,” Flynn said.

Transitional housing replacing shelters

Task force created to implement plan for ending homelessness

Alcohol consumption slightly down under Belgian lockdown

BRUSSELS (AP) — A university research survey has found that alcohol consumption in Belgium is remaining mostly stable during the country's coronavirus lockdown, with only one out of four respondents saying they are drinking more while confined at home.

Alcohol consumption slightly down under Belgian lockdown

BRUSSELS (AP) — A university research survey has found that alcohol consumption in Belgium is remaining mostly stable during the country's coronavirus lockdown, with only one out of four respondents saying they are drinking more while confined at home.

Alcohol consumption slightly down under Belgian lockdown

BRUSSELS (AP) — A university research survey has found that alcohol consumption in Belgium is remaining mostly stable during the country's coronavirus lockdown, with only one out of four respondents saying they are drinking more while confined at home.

Alcohol consumption slightly down under Belgian lockdown

BRUSSELS (AP) — A university research survey has found that alcohol consumption in Belgium is remaining mostly stable during the country's coronavirus lockdown, with only one out of four respondents saying they are drinking more while confined at home.

Progress on police reforms gets mixed reviews in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Almost five months after George Floyd was killed in police custody in Minneapolis, the Virginia General Assembly has passed a host of police reforms as it nears the end of a special session.

Othello to install temporary roundabouts in traffic test

OTHELLO — The city of Othello will install temporary traffic circles at a number of intersections in residential neighborhoods between Seventh and 14th avenues and between Main and Hemlock streets.