National Night Out comes to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The bells, lights, sirens and hoses were all on display Tuesday at Moses Lake’s National Night Out at McCosh Park, and about 2,500 people were there to see them, according to Moses Lake Police Sgt. Jeff Sursely.

FIRE REPORT: Swawilla fire contained

MOSES LAKE – The Swawilla Fire, ignited by lightning at 11:30 p.m. on July 17, was Washington's largest active blaze, having consumed approximately 53,500 acres. The fire is now 98% contained, as of Thursday according to InciWeb.

Crystal clear

Fairygenix offers unique treasures for the home

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes, a business starts just because a hobbyist has too much of a good thing.

Chip-sealing scheduled for SR 26 next week

OTHELLO — Drivers on State Route 26 between Othello and Vantage should be ready for occasional delays starting Monday through Aug. 22 as construction crews work on pavement repair. “Travelers will encounter pilot cars and flagger-controlled traffic while contractors perform chip sealing work during daylight hours,” wrote Sebastian Moraga, communications officer for the Washington Department of Transportation.

Mt. Rainier Nat. Park burn restrictions begin Saturday

ASHFORD — Mount Rainier National Park will implement a parkwide fire ban starting Saturday due to increased regional fire risks, according to a press release from the park.

Law enforcement logs for Aug. 9, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Watershed festival lets fans celebrate country music

GEORGE — Watershed Festival had another successful show Aug. 2-4, bringing some of the biggest, and some soon-to-be-famous, country music artists to the Gorge.

Missoula Children’s Theater to stage ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Friday and Saturday

OTHELLO — Missoula Children’s Theatre will present “The Wizard of Oz” Friday and Saturday at Bailie Memorial Youth Ranch, starring 64 local children from Adams and Franklin counties.

FIRE REPORT: Williams Mine Fire expands rapidly

WHITE SALMON -- The Williams Mine Fire started Monday at about noon and was only burning five acres; however, the fire quickly expanded to more than 2,700 acres Tuesday and expanded again to about 4,500 acres Wednesday with no containment according to NIFC. According to InciWeb, a national fire tracking site, the fire is currently wind-driven and moving primarily south. Smoke will be heavily visible for Trout Lake, Washington and surrounding communities until the fire is contained.

Miniature therapy horse visits Brookdale Hearthstone

MOSES LAKE — Of all the things residents at Brookdale Hearthstone Moses Lake expected to find in the halls of the assisted living facility, a horse wasn’t one of them.

Changes planned for Wahluke elementary schools

MATTAWA — Elementary school will look a little different in the Wahluke School District this fall. District officials will divide elementary students by grade levels with each of the three elementary schools housing different grades.

Hourathon fundraiser brings in $100K to support MLSD students

MOSES LAKE —The total kept climbing – about $44,000 after half an hour. Ten minutes later Moses Lake High School and Vanguard Academy students had broken the $50,000 barrier and then some. “Fifty-five thousand, one hundred (dollars),” said Manny Melo, who was keeping track of the running tally during the “Hourathon” Monday night in the MLHS gym. “Nice work.”

FIRE REPORT: Combine tractor ignites, burns wheat near Coulee City

GRAND COULEE – A vegetation fire started shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday near G Road in Douglas County, near Coulee City. The fire was caused by a combine tractor igniting. The combine fire spread to the crop of wheat and burned about 350 acres.

The Watershed King

Leaving a legacy of free hugs and kindness

GEORGE - While Watershed Festival may be known for the big-name artists that hit the stage every year, one person you may not have heard about yet is the Watershed King.

Senior events calendar for Aug. 2024

COLUMBIA BASIN – The weather may be warm, but that’s no reason to stay home. Here are some things seniors might enjoy going to this month.

Bulls, broncs and biscuits

Cowboy Breakfast kicks off fair week Friday

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair is a big deal in Grant County, and it’s only fitting that it should have a proper introduction. That happens the Friday before the fair, which this year is Aug. 9. The breakfast, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake, will be from 7 to 10 a.m. at Sinkiuse Square next to the post office. “A lot of people who work in Moses Lake come and eat before they go to work,” said Dayna Dent, who’s coordinated the breakfast for the Kiwanis for the last three years.

Five Columbia Basin hikes for August adventures

MOSES LAKE – As August ushers in perfect outdoor weather, there's no better time to lace up your hiking boots and discover some of Washington’s trails. Here are five destinations worth visiting. Additional hiking opportunities in the area can be found at www.alltrails.com. Trails may require a Discover Pass which can be picked up at most local outdoors stores.

FIRE REPORT: Washington’s largest fire 90% contained

MOSES LAKE – The Swawilla Fire, ignited by lightning at 11:30 p.m. on July 17, is Washington's largest active blaze, consuming approximately 53,400 acres. However, the fire went from 70% containment on Saturday to 90% on Monday.

Officers close down two Ephrata area marijuana operations

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it had shut down two large illegal marijuana growing operations on Thursday. “Detectives say the sites were part of a large and organized illegal drug enterprise,” The announcement read.

New Soap Lake superintendent happy to be back, focused on wise budgeting

SOAP LAKE — New Soap Lake School District Superintendent Angela Rolfe said she and her administration are focused on responsible budgeting and that she's glad to be back in the district. “The Soap Lake School District has really always felt like home to me, so I was really excited to be able to come back,” Rolfe said.