10 years of fine cuts

Pure Country Harvest brings local meat to local tables

MOSES LAKE — With grilling season beginning, it’s time to start thinking about the meat you’re fixing to cook. Did it come from across the country, or across town? “There are a lot of small (meat) producers in Washington that produce a quality product, but don't have a place to take it to be processed,” said Andy Huff, plant manager at Pure Country Harvest in Moses Lake. “That's what we're here to do, is not only provide high quality protein for the local community, but also to provide a service for the small producers, so that they can get their products out.”

Gas prices rise nationally, drop slightly in WA

MOSES LAKE— In the latest report from GasBuddy, the national average price of gasoline has increased for the third consecutive week, rising 10.6 cents to $3.21 per gallon. This marks a 13.2-cent increase from just a month ago but remains 35.6 cents lower than the same time last year. The national average price of diesel has also seen an uptick, climbing 3.6 cents to settle at $3.594 per gallon.

Discover Pass fee increase considered by WA legislature

OLYMPIA —Washington State Senate Bill 5390, which proposes to increase the cost of the Discover Pass and day-use permits, was the subject of discussion during a recent hearing before the House Committee on Appropriations. The bill aims to update fees that have remained unchanged since their implementation in 2011 and address a growing budget deficit in state recreational programs. The bill passed the Senate with a 29-20 vote. Senate Democrats voted in favor, with the exception of Sen. Adrian Cortes, D-Battle Ground. All Republican senators voted no.

MLSD provides more details on Groff legal action

District closes elementary campus for ‘25-26 school year due to safety concerns

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake School District officials announced during a Friday press conference that Groff Elementary will remain closed for the 2025-26 school year due to the ongoing infrastructure issues tied to the original construction of the building. The district is also pursuing legal action against Fowler General Construction Inc., the contractor that built Groff, for breach of contract and breach of warranty.

City of Ephrata considering logo options

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council is reviewing options for a logo for the city which could be used for marketing and other purposes and discussed how to move forward during their April 3 meeting. “A logo is a graphic symbol or emblem that visually represents a company, organization or entity,” said City Clerk Kaitlin Kapalo. “It distinguishes us from others and gives us something to recognize (us for). Logos matter because it’s our first impression as a city.”

Guns, cocaine paraphernalia seized in drive-by investigation

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department announced the successful execution of search warrants that resulted in officers confiscating a dozen firearms and evidence of cocaine sales at a home in the 200 block of W. Knolls Vista Drive. The search was associated with the second of two drive-by shootings in Moses Lake in less than two weeks.

Grant PUD considering solar power agreement

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District commissioners will consider purchasing the electricity produced at a proposed solar farm between the Grant County International Airport and Rocky Ford. Under the agreement with Quincy Solar, the PUD would receive all the electricity generated by the project. It's planned to produce 120 megawatts of power. The contract would run for 20 years.

All three suspects in custody for March 21 drive-by

U.S. Marshals confirm two suspects' involvement in Norteños

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Police Department and U.S. Marshals service have captured all three suspects in a March 21 drive-by shooting on Loop Drive in Moses Lake. The suspects, an unnamed 14-year-old from Mattawa, Jose Beltran-Rodriguez, 20 of Moses Lake, and Mathew Valdez, 18, Moses Lake are all now in law enforcement custody.

Gas prices rise in Washington

MOSES LAKE — The average price of gasoline in Washington has reached a year-high of $4.38 per gallon, marking a significant increase from recent weeks. As of March 31, the price represents a 34-cent jump from the previous week and reflects a broader trend observed nationwide.

CCA Ag exemption bill moves through Senate

OLYMPIA – The Washington House of Representatives has approved a bill aiming to help farmers receive cap-and-trade tax exemptions promised under the Climate Commitment Act. The legislation passed the floor with a 94-4 vote and was heard in the Senate Wednesday, March 26, for further consideration. “There was a promise made, and we're going to try to keep that promise,” main sponsor, Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said in a public hearing.

Mavs’ Dietmeyer signs with Embry-Riddle

MOSES LAKE –Moses Lake Senior Jaedynn Dietmeyer signed her letter of intent Friday in the Moses Lake High School gym to continue her track and field career with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “It’s going to be an amazing school,” said Dietmeyer. “I love the location; the coaches and the team are just amazing people.”

Showing growth and perseverance

Ephrata High's Edgar Lopez recognized as a student of the month

EPHRATA — Edgar Lopez, a student in the Life Skills program at Ephrata High School, has been named one of the February Students of the Month for his significant academic and personal growth. His journey through high school, while marked with challenges, stands as a testament to perseverance, kindness and enthusiasm for learning, said Tanya Piturachsatit, the teacher who nominated him.

Overproduction, possible tariff retaliation - interesting times for tree fruit growers

WENATCHEE — An old saying – said to be Japanese, and said to be a curse – talks about living in interesting times. While it’s always an interesting time to be in the tree fruit business, times are especially interesting now.

Annual narcotics enforcement report released

iNET reports an increase of drug seizures and overdoses in Grant Co. in 2024

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team released its annual report Monday, revealing a rise in drug-related activity in the region for 2024. The report noted increases in drug seizures, overdose deaths and overall criminal activity.

Cantwell, Newhouse discuss budget impacts on Medicaid

MOSES LAKE — If Congress makes cuts to Medicaid, the results could be disastrous for Central and Eastern Washington, Sen. Maria Cantwell said at town hall meetings in Spokane and Richland last week.

OneD process passes independent test

MOSES LAKE — Testing by a third party has indicated the process used by a company with a battery development facility in Moses Lake is less harmful for the environment than traditional alternatives, according to an announcement from OneD Battery Sciences. The results of testing by Minviro were released Tuesday.

Gas prices drop for fourth consecutive week

MOSES LAKE – The national average price of gasoline has fallen for the fourth straight week, according to data from GasBuddy, which tracks prices from more than 12 million reports across over 150,000 gas stations.

New Ephrata golf coach excited to connect with players, teach skills

SOAP LAKE – Ephrata Tigers started making the short commute to the Lakeview Golf & Country Club last week to begin practicing their swings for the 2025 spring golf season. Head Coach Dan Molitor said the boys golf team is looking solid for his first year leading the program.

Grant PUD appoints John Mertlich as new general manager and CEO

EPHRATA – John Mertlich is the new general manager and chief executive officer of the Grant County Public Utility District, PUD commissioners announced Tuesday. The decision was announced during the Commission's meeting Tuesday. Mertlich's official start date is today. He succeeds Rich Wallen, who is leaving to take a position with Oglethorpe Power in Georgia.

Legals for March, 6 2025