Grant County PUD manager to stay on the job

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD General Manager Rich Wallen will continue in that job. Utility district commissioners made the announcement during a workshop Tuesday morning, followed by a statement from Commissioner Terry Pyle warning against listening to rumors. Commission Chair Tom Flint said commissioners wanted to make it clear where they stood. “As you know, there has been a quite a bit of rumor and misinformation floating around the district,” Flint said. “The commission would like to clarify some of that. The commission has never asked Rich Wallen to resign.” All five commissioners supported, and still support, Wallen, Flint said.

Educational Service District 123 Superintendent discusses priorities, services

PASCO – Washington Educational Service District 123, based out of Pasco, serves 23 school districts in seven counties of Southeastern Washington – including Othello School District – with more than 70,000 students, according to ESD 123’s website.

Seat belt emphasis patrols statewide through June 2

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Patrol is conducting emphasis patrols for seat belt use through June 2. It’s part of the annual seat belt enforcement campaign sponsored by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Man sentenced for sexually abusing children in Othello

PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon man who was convicted of sexually abusing two girls in Othello was sentenced Thursday to more than 12 years in prison, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Oregon.

ACH defeats Northport, reaches state semifinals

WENATCHEE – Runs were hard to come by in Saturday’s 1B State Baseball Tournament quarterfinal matchup between No. 3 seed Almira/Coulee-Hartline and No. 6 Northport, but the Warriors advanced to the state semifinals with a 1-0 win over the Mustangs.

News bites for May 21, 2024

EPHRATA — An Ephrata man was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault – domestic violence and making a bomb threat after portions of the neighborhood around the 10 block of K Street Northeast were evacuated Sunday night. Nicholas Svetich, 49, was arrested Monday morning, according to a release from the Ephrata Police Department. “Due to threats made by the suspect, neighbors were evacuated as a precaution,” the release said. “Neighbors were notified they could return to their homes (Monday morning).” OTHELLO — A former law enforcement agent who thought he was meeting an underage girl in Othello and instead found police officers waiting for him has been convicted of attempted online enticement of a minor, according to a statement from the Othello Police Department.

Construction begins on new Habitat for Humanity house

MOSES LAKE — Workers from Bailey and Sons Construction started clearing the site for a new Habitat for Humanity house in Moses Lake on Monday, about five years after the last house was finished. Executive Director Rebecca Mabius said there have been some changes, including almost all new board members, and some challenges since the last house was built. “It really has been a journey,” she said. “It’s definitely been a great learning opportunity for myself and our board members.”

Reykdal visits Wahluke

State superintendent learns of challenges faced by rural, underfunded district

MATTAWA – Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal visited Wahluke School District Thursday afternoon for a tour and various discussions and panels with teachers, administrators and students. “It's a great visit. I do a lot of these around the state, but it's nice to see everyone's unique community, particularly a school district where your elementary, middle and high (schools) feel like such a family,” Reykdal said in a later interview.

Wahluke falls to Seton Catholic in state playoffs

ROYAL CITY – Wahluke’s season came to a close on Friday night, after the No. 6 seed Warriors fell to No. 11 Seton Catholic in the second round of the 1A Boys State Soccer Playoffs in Royal City. Seton Catholic scored two goals in the first half, eventually winning the match 3-0.

Opponents of three fall ballot initiatives come out swinging

(The Center Square) – Efforts to convince Washington state voters to reject three initiatives on the ballot this fall are in full swing. Initiative 2117 would repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act, Initiative 2109 would repeal the state’s capital gains tax and Initiative 2124 would allow Washingtonians to opt out of the state’s mandatory long-term care benefit program.

Lane closures on SR 17 this weekend, other projects continue

MOSES LAKE — Lane closures are scheduled for the State Route 17 bridge that crosses Interstate 90, starting at 8 p.m. today and lasting through Monday. Crews will be working 24 hours per day, from Friday night through 6 a.m. Monday.

Othello board reflects on national conference

OTHELLO – Monday afternoon’s Othello School Board meeting saw a presentation from Superintendent Pete Perez and the board members on their time at the National School Board Association’s annual conference from April 6 to 8 in New Orleans.

Grant, Adams counties need more housing, Department of Commerce says

OLYMPIA — The state of Washington will need to build more than 1 million new residences over the next 20 years to catch up to current demand and accommodate new residents, according to a report released this week by the Washington Department of Commerce. The Housing Advisory Plan was issued by the Washington State Affordable Housing Advisory Board.

Lind facing unbudgeted expenses, errors and $1.7 million loan

LIND – The Lind Town Council dealt with several issues during Tuesday’s regular meeting, including about $40,000 in unbudgeted expenses due to clerical errors dating back to 2008, other staff errors and a $1.7 million loan offered by the Department of Health.

Sprucing up downtown

Work of Moses Lake students yields colorful results downtown

MOSES LAKE — Samatha Underwood said one lesson she’s learned in three years of planting the flower boxes in downtown Moses Lake is that people really are paying attention. “People actually do appreciate this,” she said. “We actually had somebody in a truck roll down the window and yell, ‘Thank you.’”

Shoppers hunt for the good stuff at museum yard sale

MOSES LAKE — The appeal of a yard sale is that hunt for treasure. Maybe the treasure is a 1930s radio in a handsome wood cabinet. Maybe it’s jewelry or artwork, maybe a vintage baseball mitt or even a 1970s sewing pattern catalog. The thrill of the hunt attracted shoppers to the Rusty Mammoth sale Friday night and Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

Huskies defeat Tigers for CWAC title

SELAH – A five-run bottom of the fifth inning helped surge No. 1 seed Othello past No. 3 Ephrata in Tuesday’s Central Washington Athletic Conference district championship game, as the Huskies moved on to the 2A State Softball Tournament with a 12-5 win over the Tigers.

Annual Chamber Golf Tournament celebrates 24

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce held a luau-themed golf tournament at the Links at Moses Pointe on Friday to help raise money for the chamber. This was the 24th year of the chamber golf tournament which saw a record number of participants as they had to increase the number of teams from 32 to 36 making the total number of golfers 144 for the day. All 18 holes were sponsored with most having games for golfers to play to win prizes as they made their way through the course, said Debbie Martinez President of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Former customs officer found guilty in Othello child sex case

SPOKANE. — Koby Don Williams, 49, has been found guilty of one count of Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor, according to a May 15 press release from Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Four Mavs sign to play college football

MOSES LAKE – The gymnasium at Moses Lake High School was crowded on Monday afternoon, as numerous fellow players, coaches, friends and family gathered to watch Maverick seniors Caleb Jones, Hayden Throneberry, Joel Middleton and Kyson Thomas sign on to play college football. “It’s like a dream come true,” Thomas said.