Rock blasting to close I-90 for brief period Thursday

ELLENSBURG — The first night of closing Interstate 90 near Easton for a short period to blast rocks is scheduled for Thursday.

Work-based learning programs foster hands-on learning in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — With its significant recent growth in industry, Moses Lake is also seeing increasing opportunities for work-based learning and workforce development, such as Sila Nanotechnologies’ partnership with local schools, alongside traditional educational options like Columbia Basin Job Corps Center.

Court to hear legal challenge to new WA Parents Bill of Rights

(The Center Square) - A King County Superior Court judge will next week hear arguments in a lawsuit over the new parent’s bill of rights, adopted by lawmakers from citizen initiative I-2081. The new law gives parents, among other things, access to instructional materials and notification when a student is seeking counseling or medical care for issues related to sex or gender confusion.

‘Old Ephrata’ spirit

Live music, family fun highlights of Sage-N-Sun 2024

EPHRATA – The annual Sage-N-Sun festival for 2024 featured a lot of music, a lot of food and a lot of people enjoying an outing on the Grant County Courthouse lawn Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “I was just very excited that we had such good music,” Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Board President Jenni Bates said after the event.

MLSD deficit more than $13 million after cuts

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board held a study session Tuesday to discuss the district’s reduced education program for the next school year.

UW president to step down next year

SEATTLE — Ana Mari Cauce, who has served as president of the University of Washington for a decade, announced Wednesday that she’ll be stepping down at the end of her second five-year term in June 2025. She plans to return to her faculty position. “Throughout her tenure, President Cauce has been a skilled relationship-builder, a champion for student success, and a strong advocate for the importance of public universities like the University of Washington,” said Ken Denman, UW Foundation Board chair. Cauce, the 33rd president in the university’s history, is the first woman, first Latina and first openly-gay person to serve as president.

Major drought for Yakima Basin growers means paying more for irrigation water

(The Center Square) — A dismal snowpack for Washington this past winter spells a bleak water picture for much of the state. That has the Washington Department of Ecology declaring a new drought declaration. The Yakima Basin is in bad shape with a water supply forecast at 47% according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. That’s the lowest since 2015. Emily Tasaka is the Central Region Communications Manager for the Department of Ecology. “The reason that this was declared was because of snowpack, which was very very low this season,” Tasaka told The Center Square. “For junior water-rights holders, that is serious and this is going to impact them a lot this irrigation season.”

Local squads clash in spring football jamboree

ROYAL CITY — There are still a few months to go until the scoreboard gets turned on and teams step onto the field for Friday night lights, but local football squads from Moses Lake, Royal, Wahluke and Warden hit the field for their spring jamborees on Tuesday afternoon in Royal City. “It’s great, we love it,” Royal Head Coach Wiley Allred said. “It’s a good time, we have the surrounding towns in here and their squads. It’s a good chance for the kids to play against somebody else and get the feel of full-speed football again.” Brief scrimmages were played at the varsity, junior varsity and C-squad levels Tuesday afternoon, with one school’s offense matching up against another school’s defense for a 10-play scrimmage beginning on the opposing 40-yard line.

Signs of summer — local swimming pools opening this week

MOSES LAKE — It took a while but it’s finally here. Summer has arrived, and one way to tell is that the swimming pool is open. Opening day is different in different communities, but it’s usually tied to the day school is dismissed for the summer. Tuesday was the first day of daily operation at the Surf ‘n Slide water park in Moses Lake, which will be open through Aug. 27. Surf ‘n Slide, 401 W. Fourth St., is open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Othello honors 2024 graduating class of almost 300 students

OTHELLO – The Othello School District filled the bleachers and lawn of Huskie stadium Friday evening with a large crowd of friends, family and community members celebrating the Othello High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony.

NEWS BITES: June 12, 2024

EPHRATA — A 22-year-old Quincy man was jailed Tuesday for possessing sexually explicit images of children, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Othello Independence Day celebration set for all-day July 4

OTHELLO – The Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce will kick off its annual Independence Day celebration July 4 at 10 a.m. with a parade down Main Street before moving to Lions Park for an all-day celebration culminating in a fireworks display. Chamber Manager Jackie Wilhelm outlined what to expect.

Lind-Ritzville graduates 34 students in 2024 commencement ceremony

RITZVILLE – The Lind-Ritzville High School Class of 2024, school staff and community members met for this year’s commencement ceremony June 1 at Gilson Gym in Ritzville to honor 34 students’ graduation from the Lind-Ritzville Cooperative School Districts.

‘Overwhelmed with emotions’

Royal High School celebrates Class of 2024

ROYAL CITY — For their final time as high schoolers, 119 Royal High School seniors walked onto David Nielsen Memorial Field for the RHS graduation ceremony Friday evening, for a program to recognize their achievements made during four years of high school.

Wilson Creek celebrates nine graduates for the Class of 2024

WILSON CREEK – The Wilson Creek School District celebrated and honored nine graduates in the Class of 2024 Saturday at Wilson Creek High School with a ceremony put on by the graduating class.

Eagles encouraged to reach for their dreams

SOAP LAKE – The gymnasium was decked out with school colors and balloons, and filled with excited graduates, their families, and community members as the Soap Lake High School Class of 2024 received their diplomas. Valedictorian Anthony Beregovoy stood tall as he encouraged his classmates to reach for their dreams.

Tigers walk with a little something extra

EPHRATA – The Class of 2024 Tigers walked onto the field to graduate with a bit more pizzazz than some other graduating classes. Backflips, leg sweeps, “proposals,” tons of confetti cannons and even some heavy metal devil horns marked the opening of the ceremony that celebrated Ephrata High School’s most recent graduates. “Today marks a monumental moment in our lives as we gather here to celebrate years of hard work, dedication and learning,” said opening speaker Harper Grizzel. “Thank you for being a part of our journey, for standing by us through the highs and lows and for making this day even more special with your presence.”

2024 Cougars seek to make a positive impact

WARDEN – On a verdant lawn with families, friends, teachers and hundreds of other community members out to celebrate with them, the Warden Cougars graduating class walked the stage on Friday. Warden High School Principal Katie Phipps started the ceremony on a high note. “You are prepared, you can conquer all of the firsts life will throw at you. Your future is bright. Your future holds endless possibilities. Your future is yours for the taking,” she said.

FIRE REPORT: Lake Chelan fire strands hikers

MOSES LAKE — A wildfire along the shore of Lake Chelan necessitated the evacuation of some hikers Saturday, according to a statement from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

Quincy plan to reduce water use may involve revised rates

QUINCY — Quincy city officials will look at ways to reduce water use and clean and reuse water, while pursuing additional water sources. Water program manager Bob Davis told the Quincy City Council that the city is approaching the limits of its existing water permits. Davis presented an update to the council June 4.