WSU Extension tackles climate awareness

Groups of gardening enthusiasts were huddled around lab tables examining preserved insect specimens, learning the tell-tales signs of invasive pests that a warming climate could bring to the Pacific Northwest.

Passion for performance sends CWU Music standout to Italy and beyond

Ever since she was 12, Mac Sherman has been singing her heart out. Starting in middle school, the senior vocal performance major at Central Washington University discovered a life-long passion for the stage. Sherman studied music all the way through high school, developing into a gifted vocalist and setting the stage for a highly successful college career filled with hands-on experiences and the promise of a bright future as a performing artist.

Quincy, GCFD 3 finalize fire contract

QUINCY — The city of Quincy and Grant County Fire District 3 have reached an agreement on a new four-year contract for fire services. Quincy City Council members ratified the agreement last week.

Care Moses Lake honored

OLYMPIA — Serve Washington has selected Care Moses Lake as the recipient of a 2024 Washington State Volunteer Service Award for the state’s north central region, according to an announcement from Serve Washington.

Plethora of I-90 projects coming this summer

VANTAGE — Travelers going over Snoqualmie Pass this summer should add pencil in a little extra time for delays due to road work, and not just at the Vantage Bridge. Most of the work is concentrated between North Bend and Ellensburg and will involve lane closures, sometimes all eastbound or westbound lanes for short times.

Vikings split, yet again

MOSES LAKE – Seeming to play one quality, well-rounded ball game and one where a major aspect whether it be defense, offense or pitching struggles seems to be the norm for the Vikes. After three consecutive splits, the Vikings needed to take two on Saturday to make up ground in the Eastern Region playoff race.

McFarland students make Technology Student Assn. nationals, need funding

OTHELLO – Othello students in McFarland Middle School’s Technology Student Association, an ASB club focused on technology skills, qualified for the TSA national competition in Orlando, Florida after the state conference in March. Now they just need the funds to get there.

GCSO K-9 officers discuss dog selection, entering law enforcement

EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff’s Office K9 officers Malli and Uno are settling in with their new handlers after being acquired by the department in early March. The two Belgian Malinois, Malie and Uno, are working through training with handlers Deputy Zane Bundy and Luis Jimenez, respectively. Both officers have had experience with canine officers in the past, Jimenez as K9 Zedd’s handler and Bundy has done some informal understudy work with Jimenez.

Mavs boys tennis wins against Wenatchee

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School boys tennis team handily won its dual match against Wenatchee Thursday, while the MLHS girls swept the doubles matches but lost to the Panthers 4-3.

MLSD levy voting closes April 23

MOSES LAKE — Ballots should be returned by Tuesday in a special election that will decide the fate of a two-year educational programs and maintenance levy proposal from the Moses Lake School District.

Grant Co. Community Court reaches first year

EPHRATA – Grant County has its share of repeat offenders who can be considered proverbial frequent fliers through the court system, but a program that began about a year ago works to help them land on firmer runways as they move through the system.

N. Cascades Hwy. opens for the summer, regional road construction projects continue

WINTHROP — In one of those signs that spring really is coming, the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) will open for travel today. The gates at either end of the 33-mile section will swing open at 10 a.m., according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation.

Code changes add to housing costs, industry spokesman says

MOSES LAKE — There have been some changes to the Washington State Building Code that stand to add to the cost of building homes, a spokesman for the Building Industry Association of Washington said.

Applications sought for Grant Tourism Commission

EPHRATA — The Grant County Tourism Commission is looking for a volunteer to serve a three-year term representing the northern part of the county.

Ephrata schools security officers foster connections

EPHRATA – Mike Crowder and Greg Hutchison are familiar faces at Ephrata High School. The two security officers, both of whom have law enforcement experience, have their office inside the Ephrata High Commons. Crowder said the location of their office is by design.

Gwen Jenson of Othello makes the honor roll at SFCC

SPOKANE – Gwen Jenson, of Othello, Washington, has earned a place on the Spokane Falls Community College honor roll for Winter quarter 2024, according to an announcement from SFCC. According to the statement, students must earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be on the honor roll. Community Colleges of Spokane is a 12,300-square-mile state community college district that includes Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College and six rural education sites, serving residents in Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whitman, Ferry and parts of Lincoln counties, the statement said. According to the announcement, CCS offers academic transfer, career-technical and eLearning degree and certificate programs, business and community training and adult literacy programs throughout northeastern Washington, enrolling approximately 34,000 students a year.

Remodeled Ephrata Middle School shown to district patrons at ribbon cutting

EPHRATA — Ephrata Middle School Principal Tina Mullings got help from her predecessors and current students to cut the ribbon - actually a paper chain - on the renovated and enlarged EMS Monday evening. District patrons got the chance to tour the building to see the changes. Mullings said the renovations expanded the options for EMS students.

Wayne Marsh Tower

April 22, 1932 – March 2, 2024

Wayne Marsh Tower was born April 22, 1932, to Guy A. and Leah L. (Marsh) Tower in Helena, Mont., joining a sister, Lois.

CWU partners with NMPC for medical physics program

ELLENSBURG — Not all physics majors want to pursue a career in research or teaching. Some prefer to use the skills they learn in college to study living systems or enter the medical field.

Next stage of Grant Co. Jail construction to begin in May

EPHRATA — People driving by the site of the new Grant County Jail will start seeing progress soon.