COLUMN: Head west, they say

This column came together probably as quickly as my decision to move from Columbus, Ohio to Moses Lake. When I graduated from Denison University in May 2024, I remember being overcome with emotion after receiving my degree.

Legals for November, 27 2025

Othello council approves money for Taggeres Park upgrades

OTHELLO — How to allocate the city’s money was the subject of a lengthy discussion by the Othello City Council at its regular meeting Monday. Spencer Williams, the city’s finance officer, said the draft budget that was presented for a public hearing was the result of a long process.

Knights welcome new leader ahead of season

ROYAL CITY – After a successful season last winter where the Royal Knights went 27-3, new Head Coach Tim Ravet is excited to lead them into the future. He is excited to join a winning culture, he said. “That culture is built at home, and you could tell the families and the community care about winning. They're about doing it the right way, about the kids just playing the right way and kind of shaping them from boys to men, it's just the right situation for me,” Ravet said.

WA college sports schedule: Nov. 28 – Dec. 5, 2025

MOSES LAKE — College athletes finish up their fall seasons and begin to transition into their winter schedules. See where your favorite teams will be headed this Thanksgiving weekend.

Huskies look for success on the mat with fresh leadership

OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies head into the season with hopes to repeat the success from previous seasons with new leadership in the head coaching positions. Girls Head Coach Sammy Rocha took over last season and boys Head Coach Reuben Lopez will be stepping into the head coaching position for the first time this season. “I already had really strong leaders last year, and everything went as planned,” said Rocha. “Lots of youth, but that youth has a lot of experience and coming into this year I still have that same core from last year.” Both Lopez and Rocha have had years of experience with the team and worked extensively with the athletes last season to build the team they have today. At the end of last year, the Huskies girls team would finish second in state. The boys finished third.

Jacks hoopsters eye league breakthrough after transition year

QUINCY – After three straight league titles, the Jacks moved up to the Central Washington Athletic Conference last season and finished 7-14. Despite moving to a higher level of competition, Head Coach Scott Bierlink said he loved how his players competed. “The CWAC last year was loaded,” Scott said. “But we were real competitive. Kept most games close, so I was actually happy with our performance last year.” The Jacks made an appearance in the 2A district tournament play in game against East Valley but fell short 79-58. However, with their first year back in the CWAC behind them, Scott is confident his players will be ready to compete in a league he believes won’t be as top heavy.

2,500 families expected for Moses Lake Food Bank Thanksgiving distribution

MOSES LAKE — The line of cars stretched for the better part of a mile at noon Monday, an hour into Moses Lake Food Bank’s Thanksgiving meal distribution. “We have 2,500 families, and we’re anticipating all of them by Wednesday,” said food bank Operations Lead Jim Gantenbein.

Grant Fairgrounds suspends riding activities amid EHV-1 outbreak

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fairgrounds has announced a suspension of all private riding and open riding activities until at least December 16, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 that was initially reported in Waco, Texas.

Legals for November, 26 2025

WSP urges caution after 3 injured on Hwy. 2

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Patrol is urging caution after an accident sent three individuals involved in a Berne-area collision to Cascade Medical Center Tuesday evening. The accident was determined to be caused by one of the drivers going too fast for the conditions, according to the release. Throughout Tuesday afternoon, Eastern Washington had rain and snowfall occurring throughout the region with an inch or more of snow in some areas.

Purple Sage Meadows developer considering suit against Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — A dispute between North Pacific Investments and the city of Soap Lake has intensified following NPI’s recent decision to file a formal legal appeal against the city's administration. The developer says Mayor Peter Sharp's denial of the Purple Sage Meadows' affordable housing project—a $66 million initiative intended to provide 232 affordable homes—represents an unjustified obstruction of the planned development.

GCSO explains weekend dog removal

MOSES LAKE — Last Thursday the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Animal Outreach worked in a joint effort to assist a citizen who had accumulated over 20 dogs onto their property. “The owner acknowledged that he was overwhelmed and surrendered the dogs,” said Kyle Foreman, Public Information Officer for GCSO.

Grant County Jail logs as of Nov. 25, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

COLUMN: The military oath

So we all know from the get-go, the oath of enlistment is the same across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is codified in 10 U.S.C. §502. “I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

LETTER: The high cost of school construction: A call for reform

Excessive soft costs • 35-45% of school construction budgets are consumed by soft costs – engineering, design and planning – before a single nail is driven or cement poured. • These costs must be reined in and redirected toward actual construction.

Tigers prepared to overcome league rivals

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers wrestling team is preparing to build off their returning young team from last season and strive for greater postseason success. The Tigers will once again face a tough Central Washington Athletic Conference as they push to distinguish themselves. “We had a decent season (last year), and we were just about a .500 team,” said Tigers boys Head Coach Joe Knox. “We’re building a program.” Last season, the Tigers had multiple players on both the boys and girls teams making the state tournament. The girls team ended up taking nine athletes to state after placing in the top ten in districts, said Tigers girls Head Coach Raul Tejeda.

ACH Warriors ready for another run to state

COULEE CITY – After falling short by three points in the state championship last season, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (27-2) return to the court this season with the same expectations. Head Coach Graham Grindy said the standard has been set especially since they return most of last year's roster. “Bringing back what we brought back, statistically, we're bringing back a lot of our major players that led us in scoring, rebounding, defensively, all the areas. We definitely have high hopes,” Graham said.

MLSD passes resolution due to potential teacher strike

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District Board of Directors passed a resolution on Thursday in response to an possible strike by teachers represented by the Moses Lake Education Association. MLEA members voted to authorize a strike if a labor agreement is not met by Friday, Nov. 28.

Bingo nights raise money for K-9 programs

MOSES LAKE — About 100 people filled the Moses Lake Taproom Thursday, hoisting pints and stamping bingo cards to support Columbia Basin K9s. So far this year, the bingo nights have raised a bit more than $100,000. “I’ve done a ton of fundraisers down there over the last couple of years, and that was probably one of the biggest ones,” said Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete, who served as MC and bingo caller for the event.