Hanford Reach turns 25

RICHLAND — Sen. Patty Murray visited the Hanford Reach Wednesday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Reach’s designation as a national monument. “Even though a lot has changed over the last 25 years, still one thing that hasn’t changed,” she said. “The Hanford Reach. And that’s a testament, not just to the huge victory we won that day, but also to the hard work that this community has done every year since to continue preserving and protecting the Hanford Reach.”

Grant Co. Sheriff’s Office logs for Aug. 12, 2025

Grant Co. Sheriff’s Office logs for Aug. 12, 2025

Special filing period for open elected positions in Adams County

RITZVILLE — A special filing period for elective offices in Adams County that haven’t attracted any candidates is scheduled for Aug. 20 through 22. City council, school board, fire district and parks and recreation district seats are among the offices that didn’t attract candidates.

Soap Lake welcomes new police chief

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Police Department officially welcomed its new chief, Patrick Canady, who was sworn in at City Hall on Monday morning at 9 a.m. Participating in the ceremony were Sharp and several city officials, who expressed their excitement about Canady's arrival and the fresh perspectives he brings.

Big Sky announces coaches poll and preseason MVP

CHENEY – After finishing third in the Big Sky last season, Eastern Washington women's soccer has been picked to finish second in the 2025 Big Sky preseason coaches' poll, according to a statement by the Big Sky Conference. The preseason poll and preseason All-Conference Team was voted on by the league's nine head coaches, who could not vote for their own team.

MLHS recognized as a "School on the Rise"

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School has been honored as a 2025 "School on the Rise" by the Association of Washington School Principals and the Association of Washington Student Leaders. This recognition highlights the school’s strides in fostering a culture of inclusivity, leadership and student success, according to a statement from the district.

Donald Stuart McDowall, Sr.

Sept. 27, 1933 — Aug. 3, 2025

Don was born and raised in a log cabin in the Canadian Rockies just north of Glacier National Park, in Alberta. His childhood was the difficulties of the Great Depression and then the struggle of World War II, which for Canada began in 1939.

Soap Lake lights up with Moonlight Paddle

SOAP LAKE — The surface of Soap Lake was lit up Saturday night by canoes, kayaks, inflatables and paddleboards for the annual Moonlight Paddle. “We had an amazing turnout, probably one of the best I’ve seen,” said Susan Carson, vice president of the Soap Lake chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event. “We had 52 registered vessels and … probably at least another 10 that were just there for the fun. We had people (who) came clear from West Seattle, Wenatchee and Tri-Cities.”

Vehicle catches fire in Coulee City

COULEE CITY – A call has been put out for a structure fire that has broken out at 301 W Locust Street in Coulee City. It came in as a brush fire at first, but it has since been discovered as a vehicle fire.

Grant Co. making progress on 6-year roads plan

EPHRATA – Grant County has updated a six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), as outlined in a signed resolution from 2025 to 2030, with drafts extending the resolution from 2025-2030 and drafts going into 2031.

MLSD's new business manager focused on making a difference

MOSES LAKE – Ruby Perez has officially taken the reins as the business manager for the Moses Lake School District. With over a decade of experience in educational finance, Perez said she brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment to the community's future. “God gives me a word every year,” Perez said. “This year, it was trust, and he said to trust him, and he led me to the Moses Lake School District. I don’t think God has coincidences."

Parkway Fields getting upgrades

EPHRATA – Over the last week, the ballfields outside of Parkway Intermediate School have been undergoing some upgrades. According to Ephrata School District's Director of Communications, Sarah Morford, the fields needed repair.

QVAA to stage summer double feature

QUINCY — Quincy Valley Allied Arts is offering a two-fer this weekend, with a pair of short plays for the whole family. “Last summer (QVAA) … posted on Facebook, ‘We don’t have enough volunteers to have a summer production,” said director Emily Ellis. “And my heart is really in theater … so I wrote them and said I would volunteer. And they wrote back and said ‘So you want to direct.’ I said I haven’t directed a whole lot, just my second year of college. And they were like ‘That’s fine. You’ll be great.’ So here I am.”

Sun City Cycle & Sports: Moses Lake shop offers repair, new and used bikes

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin has a new place to buy, sell or repair bicycles. “It was a service we wanted to offer the city of Moses Lake that it didn’t previously have,” said Andrew Spark, co-owner of Sun City Cycle & Sports. “I've had a lot of people walk in, not really to buy anything, just to say ‘We're so happy you're here now. We don't have to take our bikes to Wenatchee, Tri-Cities or Spokane.’”

Moses Lake looks to the future with top priorities established for 2026

The City of Moses Lake has a bright future. The Moses Lake City Council is moving forward with its newly-adopted top priorities for 2026. The priorities resulted from hours of discussion during a two-day council retreat in June. The retreat covered a number of topics and policy issues and culminated in the establishment of priorities the City Council wants to accomplish in 2026. This list of priorities will influence what gets included in the 2026 budget.

Weather for the week of Aug. 11, 2025

Weather for the week of Aug. 11, 2025

Legals for August, 11 2025

Small brush fire along Moses Lake Sunday

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Fire Department crews were mopping up the scene of a fire along the shore of Moses Lake about mid-afternoon Sunday.

Mattawa council discusses animal control

MATTAWA – Mattawa City Council members discussed dogs running at large during the council’s Thursday meeting after a problem with a dog at the residence of council member Sylvia Barajas.

Mattawa launching utility rate study

MATTAWA — Water and sewer rates in Mattawa will be reviewed to see if they’re still adequate to pay for the services. “In 2022, we did an update (of a 2019 study) with the new funding packages,” said Jaymin Ankney, engineer with Gray and Osborne, during the Mattawa City Council meeting Aug. 7. “More things were known, more projects were defined, and we updated it.”