LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Public service and transparency...

Transparency is a word that gets thrown a lot these days. From the perspective of a newspaper editor, it’s become something of a talking point with little substance from a lot of elected officials. We hear it from Congressional folks on both sides of the aisle while at the same time those you and I have elected to serve us at city hall, in county courthouses, in Olympia and in Washington D.C. simply do everything they can to control the message in a way that is the furthest thing from transparent.

LETTER: The Parable of the Blocked Gate

There once was a great city with two gates. The largest gate, on the south side, welcomed merchants, scholars, travelers, local farmers, and the city’s grand army. A long and narrow road leading into the small, northern gate received the sick, the crippled, and the vagabonds. The ruler and his counselors feared the northern gate. “It brings shame to our name,” they said. Some elite voices said: “And diseases and filth.” The ruler had it blocked with stone; the rampart guards told those who approached that the law required them to go somewhere else. One day, a stranger came to the small gate. Dusty from the road, sandals worn, face tired, he saw the gate blocked up. The guards turned him away. He went to the open gate.

Legals for July, 31 2025

Othello man arrested in stabbing incident

OTHELLO — An Othello man was booked on suspicion of first-degree assault-domestic violence after he allegedly stabbed his partner then fled the scene Tuesday. Gilberto Valdovinos-Medina, 36, was arrested after he was found hiding in a house in Moses Lake, according to a release from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly stabbed his partner during a dispute at a residence in the 700 block of South Thacker Road southeast of Othello.

GCSO's Kriete elected VP of law enforcement association

EPHRATA — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete has been elected vice president of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. “I am honored to represent the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs in this new capacity as Vice President,” Kriete said. “I look forward to working alongside my peers across the state to support law enforcement excellence and strengthen public safety in all our communities.”

Moses Lake athletes attend gridiron camp

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Youth Football Camp hosted by the Mavericks football team concluded yesterday. The camp was held July 28, 29 and 30 and was open to youth from kindergarten to eighth grade. “I just love the environment, these little kids are out here having fun,” said Carson Huberdeau, who is a senior on the Mavs football team this year. “This is fun for us, coaching, it’s awesome.”

Mark Randall Call

1950 — 2025

We are sad to announce the passing of Mark Randall Call on July 20, 2025. He was our brother, uncle and dear friend. Mark was born on February 23, 1950, in Pasco, Washington to Mark and Lucille Call. In 1952, the family moved to Quincy, Washington, where Mark lived most of his life.

Crime declining, drugs climbing locally, statewide

OLYMPIA — In the 2024 Crime in Washington report published by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, released Monday, a noticeable decline in crime rates across various categories was reported. Various police chiefs and Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said trends found within the report were mostly reflected locally.

Moses Lake athletes hit national track competition

MOSES LAKE – Last week, three athletes from Moses Lake Athletics Club competed in the USA Track and Field Nationals event. Brody Baker, Jaedynn Dietmeyer and Liam O’Shea traveled to Savannah, Georgia from July 21 to July 27. Looking back, Dietmeyer called it a great experience.

Mavs and Jacks attend girls soccer camp at EWU

COLUMBIA BASIN — The Moses Lake Mavericks and the Quincy Jackrabbits girls' soccer teams attended a training camp at Eastern Washington University from July 23-25 where they played against teams from all around Eastern Washington at different levels. “The girls had a good time,” said Mavs Head Coach Alysha Overland. “It’s a good way to bring a group of girls together right before we get to season.”

LETTER: Remembering my friend, Kevin Fuhr

Kevin Fuhr will be missed. My sincere condolences to Emily, Jordan and friends and family who are sad during this time. Em and Jordan, you two will always be his #1 priority. He super-duper loves, loves, loves you both. His spirit is wrapped around you both.

DMLA debuts new digs, merch

MOSES LAKE — The Downtown Moses Lake Association has a new home, and it comes with sunshine. “The old location was kind of dark, and it didn’t have any windows,” said DMLA Event Specialist Sarah Page. “And now we have six beautiful, big windows.” This year, the DMLA has moved from the back hallway of the Desert Plaza Building at West Third Avenue and South Alder Street to its home at 205 S. Division St., the same location that housed the DMLA’s business incubator, the Obra Project. That incubator, which was designed to grow small businesses, proved successful enough to be retired, Page said. “A lot of their businesses flourished and have been able to get their own spots,” Page said.

Masquers to audition for ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

SOAP LAKE — Auditions for the Masquers Theater production of “Little Shop of Horrors” will take place Aug. 16-17, according to an announcement from the theater troupe. All roles are for adults and are available, according to the announcement. Auditioners will be asked to sing a verse or chorus from the play, preferably one specific to the character for which they’re auditioning, and do a cold read of lines from the script. Auditions will be recorded for the final selection process. An audition form is available at the Masquers website and should be submitted along with a headshot. Resumes are optional.

Legals for July, 30 2025

WSDOT adjusts ramp closures near Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Department of Transportation issued updated schedules Tuesday for the paving work being done on Interstate 90 near Moses Lake. The closures will begin with the eastbound onramp closure at Exit 174 scheduled for July 30 and 31 from 7 a.m.-noon and the eastbound offramp closure is now scheduled for July 31 from 7 a.m.-noon, according to the WSDOT announcement.

New Othello Police Department officer sworn in

OTHELLO — Oscar Munoz returned to his hometown to start his law enforcement career. Munoz was sworn in as the newest Othello Police Department officer Monday.

Othello-area broadband project going out for bids

OTHELLO — The second and last phase of an Adams County project to expand broadband service should be advertised for bid by late summer. Adams County Commissioner Dan Blankenship said some of the areas originally in the county project got broadband service in the time since construction started. “We’re in the process of having the designers design around those areas,” Blankenship said.

Gonzalez named Othello AD

OTHELLO — Carlos Gonzalez has been selected as the new Athletic Director for the Othello School District, taking over the position after previous director Jenny McCourtie stepped away from the position. “My hopes are to see how athletics and activities can help provide the best schooling experience for kids on top of their safety and their learning,” said Gonzalez.

David Dale Westphalen

1961 — 2025

David Westphalen, 64, of Moses Lake, Wash., passed away peacefully at Confluence Hospital in Wenatchee, Wash., on July 24, 2025, after a long battle with heart problems.

Victor Gilliland

1934 — 2025

Vic Gilliland, long-time professor of the biological sciences and known as Big Bend marathon runner and national cyclist, passed away June 28, 2025, after battling a long-term illness with courage, integrity, and perseverance. He was 90.