Surplus multi-season deer and elk tags soon available

OLYMPIA – Deer and elk hunters who applied for a Washington multi-season application earlier this year will have a chance to purchase some of the remaining surplus tags this month. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday that 2,693 multi-season deer tags and 160 multi-season elk tags will be available for sale in August, with sales occurring on separate days to streamline the process.

Grant PUD line safety demo focused on safety

MOSES LAKE — It is the message of the Lineman Safety demonstration put on by Grant County Public Utility District that while it’s easy to forget power lines are overhead, the electricity they transit must be respected.

New Wyndham Microtel coming to Ephrata

EPHRATA – Ephrata residents can look forward to additional hospitality options as a new Wyndham Microtel is set to break ground next year. The owners expect to open the doors by June or July 2026. The hotel, which will feature 81 rooms—including 16 suites—will occupy a footprint of nearly 36,000 square feet, making it about 25% larger than the existing Holiday Inn Express in George, spokesperson Dustin Canfield said.

Volunteering at the fair can be a family affair

MOSES LAKE — The benches in the horticulture building at the Grant County Fair are filled with flowers, carefully matched with entries and ribbons. Of course, somebody has to do all the work of matching the ribbons to the right flowers. That was the work of the two sisters and their children sitting around a table piled with supplies. “We’re the Kalamakis crew,” said Hailey Everett, Spokane.

Ephrata PD logs for Aug. 14, 2025

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

19 plants added to WA quarantine list

OLYMPIA – Following extensive public outreach and community petitions, the Washington State Department of Agriculture has amended its Noxious Weed Seed and Plant Quarantine list, adding several new plant species. The updated rule will take effect on August 9, 2025.

Legals for August, 14 2025

Legals for August, 14 2025

Ephrata approves grant programs

EPHRATA – During the August 6 regular Ephrata City Council meeting, the city approved six resolutions addressing a variety of issues including contracts, street maintenance, transportation and communication. Two of those involved grants that would make improving transportation and managing growth easier.

Warden moves several projects forward

WARDEN – The Warden City Council met for its regular meeting and continued a port annexation process, discussed an update to weed policies and police chief hiring, accepted an application for a Transportation Improvement Board grant and selected a person to serve on the Grant County Homeless Housing Task Force.

Raising livestock is the tough part of fair competition

MOSES LAKE — Participants in livestock classes at the Grant County Fair exhibit a diverse range of animals, including steers, chickens, and horses; they come from various communities with varying levels of experience. There does seem to be one point of agreement: raising animals is a lot of work. It's even more work than the show ring.

Two local health licenses suspended

MOSES LAKE – The Department of Health has suspended or restricted two licenses of healthcare providers in Grant and Adams counties.

Equitation takes center corral at Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Youth Equine Program is in the midst of its fourth year of hosting Equitation at the Grant County Fair. According to Becky Shay, president and founder of GCYEP, this is also the fourth year the program has existed.

COLUMN: Mariners ready to be tested

The Seattle Mariners have a big pairing of games coming up against the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies - two of the best teams in the National League. However, they are poised to prove they are better than both opponents.

Norman Medenwaldt, Jr.

1941 — 2025

Norm Medenwaldt, Jr., 84, was born on January 29, 1941, in Hankinson, North Dakota. He grew up on a farm near Foxhome, Minnesota.

Gary Gene Haugen

1938 — 2025

Gary Gene Haugen, age 87, passed away July 7, 2025, at his home in Moses Lake, Washington. He was born May 22, 1938, in Culbertson, Montana to Albert and Jessie Haugen and was the youngest of five children. His siblings included Shirley, Bonard, James, and Lyle.

Cody Jon Cole

Oct. 30, 1994 — Aug. 5, 2025

Cody Jon Cole, 30, of Spokane, Washington, passed away on August 5, 2025. Born on October 30, 1994, in Moses Lake, Washington, Cody grew up surrounded by family and friends who loved him dearly.

John Wayne Thorn & Carol Ann Thorn

82 & 80

John Wayne Thorn was born September 28, 1936, and passed August 8, 2018. He was 82 years old at the time of his passing. Carol Ann Thorn was born February 9, 1940, and passed away July 23, 2020, at the age of 80.

STUDIO BASIN: Primary election results, jails and BMX

On this week’s episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer runs through the results of the primary election. General election season is coming soon, with ballots due Nov. 4.

First day of the Moses Lake Demo Derby

MOSES LAKE – The first night of Miner Services’ Demolition Derby kicked off Tuesday with a variety of racing and knockout events, concluding with a last man standing demo derby with Seth Dompier coming out on top. “It’s just a great time,” said Dompier. “It’s a lot of fun coming out here with your friends and a lot of good people (and being) in front of the fans and just having a great time wrecking some cars.”