Nominations open for Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards

OLYMPIA — Nominations are being accepted for Washington state’s Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. The award honors volunteers, service officers, community members, Tribal veterans, National Guard members, or others who day in and day out go above and beyond the call of duty making sure veterans and their family members are cared for, according to the announcement. Whether they submit claims for benefits, arrange funeral honors for grieving families, coordinate events or donate countless hours in veteran’s hospitals or nursing homes, this is an opportunity to nominate them for one of seven Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards. This awards program is sponsored by the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, the announcement said. Award winners are invited to participate in the Auburn Veteran's Day Parade, followed by recognition at a special luncheon.

Transparency, accountability critical, incumbent commissioner says

EPHRATA — Rob Jones said he’s running for a second term as Grant County Commissioner because there are some important initiatives coming up and projects he wants to see through.

Legals for July, 18 2024

$42M tort claim accuses Washington AGO, WSU of racketeering

(The Center Square) – A potential subcontractor for a state police use of force database project who has had a long-running feud with the state Attorney General’s Office and Washington State University has now filed a $42 million tort claim that includes accusations of racketeering.

WA Supreme Court leaves high-capacity magazine ban in place

(The Center Square) – Washington's ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines will remain in effect after a Monday decision by the state Supreme Court.

FRESH NEWS: Fishing good all around in reservoir and nearby lakes

MARDON – The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1,037 feet – dropping 2 feet this past week. We are currently 9.50 feet below full pool. The water temperature on the main lake is right around 75degrees. The water temperatures in the sand dunes have jumped this week to the mid to upper-80s.

FIRE REPORT: Evacuation notices issued for Electric City

ELECTRIC CITY — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation warnings Tuesday afternoon in Electric City due to a wildfire that broke out near Sunbanks Resort. Level 2 warnings – be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice – were in place Tuesday afternoon for the area from Sunny Drive to Fifth Street North. Level 1 notices – get ready – were in place between SR 155 and Western Avenue.

Crime trending down in Othello, Ritzville

OTHELLO — With a few exceptions crime in Othello and Ritzville is following the statewide trends - crime rates are going down. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs released its 2023 report last week, which included data for most cities statewide, including both Adams County cities.

FIRE REPORT: Wetland fire burns 60 acres in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A 60-acre fire broke out in the wee hours of Monday morning in an undeveloped wetland in Moses Lake, according to a statement released Monday afternoon by the Moses Lake Fire Department.

NEWS BITES: DUI collision, a rough landing and an arrest

NEWS BITES: DUI accident, a rough landing and an arrest

Basin students make EWU Dean's List

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University has released its Dean’s List for spring quarter 2024. To qualify for the Dean’s List, an undergraduate student must earn 12 quality hours and receive a GPA of 3.5 or better. The following Basin students were named to the Dean’s List:

Crime trending down in Moses Lake, Ephrata

MOSES LAKE — Crime trends in Moses Lake and Ephrata seem to be following the rest of the state - they went down between 2022 and 2023. A report on crime trends throughout the state, including individual cities, was released last week by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

Study: WA fuel prices plunge at the third-fastest rate

MOSES LAKE — Washington's gas prices fell at the third-fastest rate in the past year in the United States, according to a recent study announced Thursday.

Alumni Association surpasses $260K in scholarships in 2024

MOSES LAKE — In 2024 the Moses Lake Alumni Association, founded in 2007, completed 18 years of activity, during which it awarded college scholarships totaling $265,000 to 240 recipients. The funds came entirely from membership donations, including donations honoring deceased family, friends and classmates.

498 Vikings named to honor rolls

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College has released its President’s and Vice President’s lists for spring quarter 2024.

Most of WA remains in drought conditions

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology has announced that most of the state remains in a drought despite a wetter-than-average June. A drought was declared for most of the state in April.

FIRE REPORT: GCFD 7 knocks down fireworks fire

SOAP LAKE — Fireworks sparked a wildfire late Wednesday night, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 7. At about 11:10 p.m., firefighters were called to a vegetation fire at Road 19 and Division Road, according to the statement. There they found a fire spreading at a moderate rate through light, flashy fuels. The first arriving brush engine made an aggressive attack and the fire was contained to 3.12 acres. Crews remained on the scene until 3:30 a.m. mopping up.

Shruumz recalled products cause illness in Grant Co.

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District is urging people to avoid eating, serving or selling Diamond Shruumz products. “(The health district) is responding to a report of serious intoxication and hospitalization of a Grant County resident linked to consumption of these products,” according to a GCHD press release.

STUDIO BASIN: Hot weather, GCSO staffing and Basin sports action

EPHRATA – On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller sit down for our monthly segment with the Grant County Sheriff's Office. This week the pair discussed water and heat safety and Kriete provided an update on staffing at GCSO and touched on how the new Grant County Jail's construction is going. In Sports, sports reporter Ian Bivona and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer recap baseball and softball games with the Columbia Basin River Dogs, Othello Red Raiders and Washington Rage, as well as two Moses Lake Wrestling Club wrestlers competing in a national duals tournament in Indiana last month. The STUDIO BASIN podcast can be found on your favorite podcast apps, or downloaded directly at https://bit.ly/3VZ0pot.

Crime mostly down in Grant and Adams, report says

EPHRATA — While crime went up in some individual categories in the unincorporated areas of Grant and Adams counties between 2022 and 2023, overall it was on a downward trend, according to information released Tuesday by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.