Fatality collision closes Road 4 NE in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – Road 4 NE was closed near Road F NE in Moses Lake late Monday afternoon due to a two-vehicle collision that resulted in one fatality and one injured, said Kyle Foreman, Public Information Officer for Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The road is closed until further notice as officials investigate and remove vehicles from the scene. More information on the collision will be provided as it becomes available.

Grant Co. opioid overdoses up in 2025

MOSES LAKE — With seven months of the year done, the number of overdose deaths in Grant County is running ahead of the same period in 2024. KC Sherwood, death investigator for the Grant County Coroner’s Office, said as of the end of July, Grant County has had 27 overdose deaths. “Last year, I think our total was 34. And we’re at 27 (cases) already,” Sherwood said. "There are more deaths due to overdoses than there were in the past.”

Two injured in collision near Ephrata

EPHRATA — An East Wenatchee woman was airlifted to Confluence Health-Central Washington Hospital after she ran a stop sign and hit another car about five miles south of Ephrata Monday morning.

MLFD puts out small brush fire Saturday

MOSES LAKE — A small brush fire lit up the sky Saturday night, but was quickly extinguished, according to a statement from the city of Moses Lake.

Huskies women's golf adds assistant coach

SEATTLE – Michelle Duan, a former assistant at Seattle University and collegiate golfer herself, has joined the Washington women's golf coaching staff, head coach Anna Temple announced Monday. “Michelle will be a wonderful addition to our program,” Temple said. “She has had a unique start to her coaching career, working with both the women's and men's teams at Seattle University, and will bring great insight with her to Montlake. She is passionate about the game of golf, building great relationships with our student-athletes, and through her hard work and dedication, she will help us get better each and every day.”

Gas prices see slight decline Grant, Adams Co.

MOSES LAKE – Fuel prices in both Grant and Adams counties saw a slight decline of one cent each. Washington prices stayed steady for the third week in a row and national prices saw a slight increase.

George Campbell Walker

1926 — 2025

George Campbell Walker, 99, of Othello, Washington, passed away on July 21, 2025, in Spokane, Washington.

Ephrata to debut resource fair

Local event aims to connect Ephratans with the resources they need to thrive

EPHRATA — The first Ephrata Community Resource Fair will take place Aug. 19 at the Ephrata Recreation Center, bringing together community resources in a single place.

Thousands ticketed under new construction zone speeding program

OLYMPIA – It's summer time and that means construction across Washington. Ninety days after a new camera monitoring program was launched in the state’s work zones, the Washington State Patrol said in a recent press release that there’s a significant problem with speeding in work zones. “The first few months of the program confirm what statistics show and what our workers have been saying - too many people speed through work zones,” said Washington Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith. “We hope this changes driver behavior – that people slow down, and everyone comes home safe at the end of the day.”

BBCC volleyball coach starts tenure with tradition

MOSES LAKE – Last week, Vikings volleyball held an annual camp for local volleyball players ranging from third grade to the 12th grade. This year's camp was led by new head coach Lindsey Linthicum, who thought starting with tradition was a great way to kickstart a new era. “I knew that there was a camp that the previous coach and other previous coaches had always put on (camps) at the end of July. So, I just figured, ‘You know what? Let's just keep the tradition rolling.’ That's something that I'm big on. I came here 15 years ago to play and fell in love with this place,” Linthicum said.

2025-26 school year approaching fast

Area schools prepping for students returning to their studies.

MOSES LAKE – As summer draws to a close, school districts across the Columbia Basin are making final preparations for the upcoming academic year, with many families eagerly anticipating the first day of school. With schedules set and orientations underway, administrators highlight an atmosphere of excitement and readiness.

Othello street tax renewal to appear on November ballot

OTHELLO — Othello residents will be asked to approve or reject a proposal to extend a two-tenths of 1% addition to the city’s sales tax to pay for street improvements in the November general election. “That money has been going into the transportation benefit district fund. It’s a sole standalone fund, and those dollars are being used for various street projects, from total rehab of a street to crack seal (and) the smaller things,” said Spencer Williams, the city’s finance officer. “It’s not a new tax. If the members of the public want it, it would continue that tax for the next 10 years.”

Jacks softball alum, Morris, moving forward

QUINCY – This fall, former Jacks softball player Emilee Morris will be attending Saint Martin University to play for the Saints. Her journey to Lacey, Washington, was not a linear path. After walking away from Lamar Community College, she was content never playing again, she said. “It was just like a whole wave of just anger where I just like, I threw away all my cleats, I threw away a bunch of stuff, and I was kind of just like, I'm okay with never playing again,” Morris said.

Weather for the week of Aug. 4, 2025

Weather for the week of Aug. 4, 2025

Moses Lake Junior Mavs look ahead to coming season

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Jr. Mavericks organization is preparing for the start of the Fall 2025 season. The program through Columbia Basin Youth Football is open to grades K-8 with regular registration ending August 16. “Our mission extends beyond the field. We aim to instill discipline, teamwork, and resilience in our young athletes while creating a seamless developmental path that prepares them for future success – both in football and in life,” said Tyson Olson, president of the Moses Lake Jr Maverick Football program.

Mariners trade wins Friday and Saturday in series with Rangers

SEATTLE — The Mariners split wins with the Texas Rangers in Friday and Saturday play as they faced the Lone Star State team on the Mariners’ home diamond. The Mariners grabbed a 4-3 win Friday after dropping the Rangers 6-0 Thursday, but lost a bit of momentum Saturday in a hard-fought 11 innings that led to a 6-4 loss for the Washington team.

Idaho prosecutors to victims: 'You will not be forgotten'

Latah County officials reflect on UI quadruple murder case

A week after Bryan Kohberger, 30, was sentenced to four life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of the four college students, longtime Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ashley Jennings reflected on the case which has filled much of their time for the better part of three years.

WAHLUKE SCHOOL BOARD: Elia Mendoza

MATTAWA — Elia Mendoza, a candidate for the Wahluke School Board, said her background and diverse experiences have helped shape her commitment to enhancing opportunities and fostering community partnerships, if elected to the board. "I have always been dedicated to providing education and technical assistance, whether it is with small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic or as a substitute teacher," she said.

Ephrata FD knocks down small fire Friday

EPHRATA – A small fire flared up in Ephrata Friday afternoon but was quickly dealt with, according to Ephrata Fire Chief Jeremy Burns.

Artis Ann Ballinger

Jan. 18, 1935 – July 19, 2025

Artis Ann Ballinger, 90, was born on January 18, 1935, to Arthur and Geralda Herk in North Dakota. She grew up on the family farm in Barnes County, and her only sibling, sister Bonnie, was born a few years later. During the winter months, the family often lived in Bismarck, where Arthur served in the North Dakota Legislature.