Mavs defeat Sunnyside, finish third in league

Moses Lake enters districts with confidence as regular season fades

MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks closed out the regular season with a trip to Sunnyside on Thursday night, coming out on top of a closely contested game with a 67-66 win over the Grizzlies. “They’ve been playing better, scoring more,” Head Coach Craig Groth said. “We’ve been doing a little bit better job on defense in certain situations and winning games leading up to that. Even games we haven’t won, we’ve been in really close games. Our confidence is really good right now, we felt great going into the game.”

Treasure troves

Appraisal fair lets folks find out what their heirlooms really are

MOSES LAKE — It’s sometimes said that one person’s trash is another’s treasure, but sometimes people have treasures stashed away that they haven’t thought about in years. The Moses Lake Creative District will give those folks a chance to find out from a professional what they really have in that attic.

Wahluke capital levy request passing in updated vote totals

EPHRATA — A Wahluke School District capital levy request that was losing after the first vote count Feb. 11 edged ahead in updated vote totals released Feb. 13, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office. The total of yes votes increased slightly for educational programs and operations levies submitted to voters by the Moses Lake and Ephrata school districts.

MACC addresses audit findings

OLYMPIA – An audit report released on February 13, 2025, by the Washington State Auditor’s Office has identified significant deficiencies in the financial management and internal controls of the Multi Agency Communications Center for the fiscal years of 2022 and 2023. This report, designated as Report No. 1036601, highlights the need for improved financial oversight and compliance with new regulatory requirements.

Legals for February, 18 2025

Idaho coughs up lead late as EWU rallies for victory

On Thursday, Idaho plays at Northern Arizona, and Eastern Washington is at Northern Colorado.

Donna Leighter

1942 – 2025

Donna Marie Leighter, 82, of Ephrata, Washington, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, in Palm Springs, California.

Jacob Weber

1936 – 2025

Jacob Edward Weber, 88, passed away peacefully at his home near Ritzville, Washington, on Feb. 12, 2025. Jake was born in Ritzville, WA, on May 5, 1936, to Jacob A. and Margaret Weber.

Lunah looking for someone to take moonlit walks with

OTHELLO – Lunah, an adult female terrier, is waiting for the right person to come in and take her home. She is a sweet girl, who may be a little shy at first; however, after she gets to know you she is very playful and loving. She loves walks and adventures. Lunah is microchipped, spayed and fully vaccinated. If you think you could offer Lunah the loving home she is looking for, please fill out an adoption application form online at AdamsCountyPetRescue.com or call 509-488-5514 with any questions. For those unable to adopt but who would like to support the shelter, consider donating by clicking the “donate” button at the top of the website.

SLPD Chief fired for alleged misconduct

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox has been terminated, according to a statement from the city. However, Cox also held the role as the city administrator. No statement regarding his role of city administrator has been released from the city. Cox was initially placed on administrative leave Nov. 15. On Thursday, more than 13 weeks later, the city released a statement announcing Cox’s termination from the police department, effective immediately.

Grant Co. Fairgrounds getting upgrades

Incoming improvements set to improve safety, visibility and visitor experience.

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Fairgrounds is installing around $1 million in upgrades, according to Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan. The upgrades include new light towers and lighting at gates, additional cameras, a new public address system, improved fencing, removing track from the rodeo grounds, new bleachers for the rodeo and power and water stalls. There will also be increased policing staff at the fairgrounds this year. “A lot of our efforts, as far as capital projects are having to do with safety this year as a result of last year's shooting,” McKiernan said.

Columbia Basin Events for Feb. 14-22

COLUMBIA BASIN — Live music, theater, art and family fun await those who are willing to venture out this week. Here are a few possibilities around the Basin:

Home market moving, but affordability still iffy

MOSES LAKE — The housing market is moving faster than a year ago in Washington, but affordability is still up in the air, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service for January. Active listings increased 44.6% between January 2024 and January 2025 in the 26 Washington counties covered by the NWMLS data. Grant County had one of the largest rates of increase in the state at 48.8%, but Adams County, with its much smaller population, dipped very slightly.

CBIT continues jail death investigation

EPHRATA – The Central Basin Investigative Team determined that Richard Lambert’s death at the Grant County Jail was due to sepsis caused by an accident prior to his arrest, according to a statement from Ephrata Police Department Captain Troy Froewiss. Froewiss was not available for comment Thursday.

Regional college sports schedule for Feb. 14-20

MOSES LAKE – Check out this week’s college sports schedule, complete with basketball, tennis, track and field, swimming and wrestling events for Big Bend, Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga and Washington State.

Nat Washington Way roundabout coming summer 2025

EPHRATA — Construction is planned this summer on a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way near the new Grant County Jail construction site. Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said there is a tentative timeline.

BASIN HOOPS ROUNDUP: District playoffs begin

MOSES LAKE – District playoff action for boys and girls basketball across the Basin is in full swing. Read along for a breakdown of where local teams finished in their league standings, as well as a recap of recent district playoff games.

Joann Fabric and Crafts Moses Lake location to close

MOSES LAKE — The Joann Fabric and Crafts location in Moses Lake is one of 21 stores that will be closing as the company continues bankruptcy proceedings. Locations in East Wenatchee, Walla Walla and Clarkston also will be closing, along with one of two locations in Spokane and one location in Spokane Valley.

NEWS BITES: Feb. 14, 2025

NEWS BITES: Feb. 14, 2025

Legals for February, 14 2025