Legals for November, 21 2025

BASIN EVENTS: Nov. 21-29

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s Thanksgiving week, and there are turkey-related events happening everywhere in the Basin, plus holiday shopping, crafts and much more. Here are some ways to enjoy the week:

Telehandler accident near Royal City sends 1 to hospital

ROYAL CITY — One subject was injured when the telehandler he was driving lost its brakes and crashed at a moderate speed into an apple orchard in rural Royal City, according to a statement made by Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Moses Lake Police Department logs as of Nov. 20, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Moses Lake Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

WA Collegiate Sports Schedule: Nov. 21-28, 2025

MOSES LAKE — College sports in Washington are at full capacity with some teams preparing for postseason play and others looking toward a long season. Check out where your favorite team will be headed this week.

Public School Employees of Moses Lake hold back on strike issue

MOSES LAKE — On Tuesday, the Public School Employees of Moses Lake held a membership meeting to vote on whether classified staff would or would not support the Moses Lake Educators Association if they choose to strike. PSE decided it will not be taking a formal stance of support if a teacher strike is officially called.

LETTER: Homelessness demands compassion, not control

In July 2025, President Trump signed “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.” The order frames homelessness as a crisis of addiction, mental illness, and public disorder. It directs federal agencies to support states that expand civil commitment programs and prioritize treatment over housing. While it promises funding incentives, it risks reducing human beings to problems of “crime and disorder” rather than neighbors in need. For the veteran without a home or the family priced out of housing, this framing misses the mark. Utah rushed to comply, announcing a 1,300-bed homeless services campus in Salt Lake City. Leaders say it will provide treatment, recovery, and transitional services. Supporters call it bold action; critics warn it could become a warehouse for the poor. The campus may help those with severe health needs, but it risks overlooking the many who are homeless simply because housing costs outpace wages.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Focusing on civic literacy...

Over the course of the last year, we’ve published several stories and opinion pieces related to civic discussions and literacy. There’s a reason for that.

Legals for November, 20 2025

GCFD 3 to add new advanced life support vehicle

QUINCY — Grant County Fire District 3 will begin implementing the recommendations from a study that looked at ways to strengthen emergency medical services in the Quincy Valley. The district will add another vehicle for EMS calls to the district’s inventory. “The next step will be to add a fire-based advanced life support intercept unit in George,” said GCFD 3 Chief David Durfee. “It’s an important step for EMS in the Quincy Valley.”

New Ephrata tower full, final testing underway

EPHRATA — The long-awaited completion of Ephrata's new water tower is in its final stages, as city officials report that the structure is expected to significantly enhance water pressure and volume throughout the community. Public Works Director Rob Harris confirmed that the new reservoir, which can hold approximately 3.8 million gallons of water, has been fully filled and final tests underway, with hopes of becoming fully operational by the end of the month.

Fire department, animal shelter funding allocated in Othello budget

OTHELLO — The city of Othello will keep funding in its 2026 budget for a separate city fire department and increase the funding for the city’s animal shelter facility. The 2026 budget will be considered by Othello City Council members by mid-December. Funding for the fire department and the animal shelter were among the items on a list of potential expenditures.

COLUMN: Mariners start the offseason right

On Monday, the Seattle Mariners announced that Josh Naylor re-signed with the team on a five-year deal for $92 million. Re-signing the star first baseman is an excellent first step in a successful offseason for the Mariners, who should be looking to reload and make another run at a World Series.

GCSO unveils 2025-27 strategic plan

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has launched a strategic plan for 2025-2027, focusing on employee engagement, community outreach, maintaining accreditation and transitioning operations to a new jail complex. Sheriff Joey Kriete outlined priorities during a Tuesday interview, emphasizing the importance of enhancing public safety and operational effectiveness.

Firefighters get hands-on training with donated houses

MOSES LAKE — The alert that came out from MACC Dispatch Monday, that a house on East Terrace Avenue in Moses Lake was engulfed in flames with people inside, was part of an exercise with no actual fire or victims involved. Instead, it was designed to be a training simulating a real situation firefighters might respond to.

Legals for November, 19 2025

Quincy Police Department logs: Nov. 8-13

The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Roberts scores four touchdowns as ACH rolls past Entiat

COULEE CITY – The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (9-1) defeated the Entiat Tigers 57-14 at home to advance to the quarter finals of the 1B state football tournament. Head Coach Brandon Walsh said his team has come together recently.

First baseman Josh Naylor agrees to $92.5 million, 5-year contract with Seattle Mariners

SEATTLE (AP) — First baseman Josh Naylor and the Seattle Mariners finalized a $92.5 million, five-year contract on Monday. Naylor gets a $6.5 million signing bonus payable within 120 days of the deal's approval by the commissioner's office and salaries of $10 million next season, $16 million in 2027, $18 million in 2028, $20 million in 2029 and $22 million in 2030. He has a full no-trade provision, requiring his approval to be assigned to any other team.

CBTECH students push in their own fire engine

MOSES LAKE — The Fire Science students at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center held their first push-in ceremony last week, welcoming home their new fire truck. The truck was a donation from the city of Moses Lake, and while the program had borrowed it in the past, it’s now all theirs, explained CBTECH Fire Sciences teacher Lynn Dodd. “It was a fire truck that was still in service,” Dodd said. “It was a backup of a backup of a backup, but if for some reason the city needed it, they could come and get it and they could utilize it. This last summer it failed pump testing and was deemed no longer an asset to the city. It doesn’t meet the requirements to be an in-service engine anymore … So we can do whatever we want with that truck and stock that truck and train on that truck, and it now is an asset of our class.”