Larry Pittack

June 24, 1947 — Jan. 2, 2025

Larry Gene Pittack, 77, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 2, 2025. Larry was born in Fresno, California on June 24, 1947, to parents Claudie C. Pittack and Carmelina A. (Paolercio) Pittack. They moved to Madera, California in 1955 and then to Wenatchee, Washington in 1963. He graduated from Eastmont Senior High School in 1965 and received an AA degree from Wenatchee Valley College in 1967. He was married to Patricia Hill in 1968. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1970 with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for Grant County Public Utility District in Ephrata, Washington starting in 1970. He worked in various positions leading up to the position of Hydro Supervisor, which he held when he retired in 2004. He married his wife Barbara in 1993. Upon retirement Larry and Barbara moved to Hamilton, Montana where they built a home and lived the remaining years of his life.

Knights avenge state playoff loss, defeat Riverside 78-39

ROYAL CITY – While the 2023-24 season is in the past, the Royal Knights had a chance to avenge their loss in last season’s state boys basketball tournament with Friday night’s non-league matchup against Riverside, doubling up the Rams in a 78-39 win. Riverside defeated Royal 55-40 in the Round of 12 at the 1A State Boys Basketball Tournament last February in Yakima. Both teams returned three starters from their previous matchup.

Four Seasons Farm Service

Serving the community year-round with practicality and a smile

EPHRATA — J.J. Heston, owner of Four Seasons Farm Service, was already familiar with the store long before he owned it. “All through high school and my young adult years, I’d say ‘Hey, Dad, what do I spray on this weed?’ ‘Go see (then-owner Bernie Martin),’” he said. “‘Hey Dad, where do you get fertilizer?’ ‘Go see Bernie.’ So I just kind of bypassed Dad and came to talk to Bernie.”

Weather for the week of Jan. 6, 2025

Weather for the week of Jan. 6, 2025

Fifteen WA bills enacted in the new year

Impacts to be seen in health care, workers rights and more

OLYMPIA – At the beginning of 2025, a suite of fifteen Washington bills became law, transforming key areas from health care to workers’ rights, to cosmetics.

Legals for January, 6 2025

Basin events for Jan. 3-10, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s a new year and things are beginning to get back to normal after the holiday season. Here are a few of the things going on in the Basin this week:

Replacing electrical system components requires care

MOSES LAKE — It didn’t end well for that power pole – that tends to happen when they get hit by a vehicle. Sometimes it’s a relatively minor incident, like the pole on Gumwood Street in Moses Lake that lost a four-foot section to a garbage truck Dec. 27. Sometimes it’s more serious, like the one on Road 26 Southwest that took out a distribution pole and cut power to about 1,020 customers Dec. 31. Or the lines that went down southwest of Quincy Dec. 26.

Law Enforcement logs for Jan. 3, 2025

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

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Best of the Basin issues

MOSES LAKE – Due to an export issue, some categories were not included in the Best of the Basin results distributed Tuesday. Results and corrections for affected categories are below. Full results may be viewed at: https://bit.ly/CBHBESTOF2024.

Ephrata businesses thrived this holiday season

The Athletic Club, Sole Performance, the Nat Washington House and The Bookery received love from locals

EPHRATA – As the holiday season concludes, some local businesses said this year was particularly good. The Bells on Basin celebration attracted a crowd into Ephrata businesses for the celebration but also people buying gifts for their loved ones helped stimulate these small establishments.

Weather forecast for Jan. 2-7, 2025

Weather forecast for Jan. 2-7, 2025

Mattawa man cited for hit and run after damaging power pole

MATTAWA — A Mattawa man was cited for hit and run after he hit a power pole near Mattawa early Tuesday morning.

Man arrested following altercation at Ritzville business

RITZVILLE — An Ocean Shores man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a law enforcement officer after an altercation at a Ritzville service station Monday. Kenneth Curtiss, 42, allegedly got into an altercation with Adams County Sheriff’s deputies and Washington State Patrol troopers after two reports of an unidentified man causing a disturbance, according to an ACSO statement.

Basin events for January 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s a brand-new year and there are lots of things to do around the Basin. Here are a few ideas:

Inslee reflects on tenure during exit interview

OLYMPIA – In an exit interview conducted by Austin Jenkins on TVW's “Inside Olympia”, Governor Jay Inslee reflected on his twelve years in office, highlighting his accomplishments, disappointments and the pivotal moments in his tenure. As he prepares to transition leadership to Governor-elect Bob Ferguson, Inslee emphasized the unique challenges and achievements that marked his administration.

Northwest power planners challenged by increasing demand of data centers

(The Center Square) – With energy-intensive artificial intelligence, or AI, consuming more electricity than traditional data-center activities, reliability of the electrical grid should be the top priority, according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Big Bend AD Griffin looks to create strong ties with community

MOSES LAKE – Creating a bond with the community is a focal point for new Big Bend Athletics Director Benjamin Griffin. Griffin takes over for former athletics director John Meeks, who was named the Director of Athletics at Vincennes University in August.

Distribution expansion, new construction on Grant PUD 2025 agenda

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District will be working on the construction of new transmission lines, upgrading its generating capacity and planning a new maintenance center in Ephrata in 2025. Those are some of the projects included in the PUD’s capital budget for next year.

Moses Lake man arrested for DUI after being tased

MOSES LAKE – Abel Valdez, 32, of Moses Lake was arrested Friday evening after he reportedly caused damage to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, according to a GCSO statement.