Sixer 18U complete another busy weekend

MOSES LAKE – Over the weekend, the Central Washington Sixers 18U team went 3-1 across four games. Head coach Jason Laugen was pleased with what he saw from his team over the weekend. “Overall, we played pretty well. We were in an 18U tournament. We're a team of a bunch of 16- and 17-year-olds, and so we're playing up a little bit, and the kids played really well,” he said.

A Life Well Lived: Remembering Eleanor E. Sortor

November 25, 1923 — June 25, 2025

Eleanor Esther Sortor passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, at the age of 101. Born in Ridgefield, Washington, and raised in Woodland, Eleanor lived a long, full life rooted in family, faith, hard work and joy. She was the daughter of Andrew and Katherine (Thoeni) Weissenfluh and the youngest of four children, joining her beloved brothers Bert, Ernie and Walter.

MLSD signs WIAA contract, asks for amendments

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District signed its 2025-26 membership contract with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association at the regular school board meeting June 25. However, concerns were brought up about the contract’s language. “It's the standard membership form that the WIAA sends out every year,” MLSD Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon said. “The district has been signing a form or a form similar to that for a number of years.”

UW women’s golf 2024-25 season in review

SEATTLE – The Husky women's golf team simultaneously celebrated the beginning and the end of an era during the 2024-25 season – the kickoff of competition in the Big Ten, and the final year of an illustrious 42-year career of head coach Mary Lou Mulflur, according to a statement by UW Athletics. The Huskies started out the season at home back in September 2024, finishing in a tie for sixth place at the Leadership & Golf Invitational in University Place, Wash.

Seattle switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje is picked for All-Star Futures Game at Atlanta on July 12

NEW YORK (AP) — Seattle switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje was among nine first-round picks from last year's amateur draft selected Monday for the All-Star Futures Game at Atlanta's Truist Park on July 12. A 22-year-old from the Netherlands selected with the 15th overall pick, Cijntje is 4-4 with 4.88 ERA in 12 starts and three relief appearances for High-A Everett in his first professional season, striking out 58 and walking 31 in 51 2/3 innings.

Red, White and Boom gets a head start on Independence Day

MOSES LAKE — In some ways, Moses Lake is ahead of the curve. Independence Day celebrations are one of those. Like last year, Moses Lake’s Red, White and Boom celebration will be held on July 3. For several years before that, Independence Day festivities were held on the Saturday before July 4. The reason isn’t just because we love to be first out of the gate, said Moses Lake Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Doug Coutts. “The fireworks company cannot come out for us on the Fourth of July,” Coutts said. “There’s only one that I’ve been able to find that provides the insurance and such that we need is at bigger cities doing larger events that pay more money.”

Early Literacy Fair gets children comfortable with reading

MOSES LAKE — If you can get children reading and learning early, they’ll never stop. That’s the theory behind the Moses Lake Public Library’s Early Literacy Fair. “We have a variety of what are called the big books,” said children’s librarian Zach Walker, holding up an ABCs book that looked to be about 12 inches by 18. “The letters are all nice and big, so (children) can more easily start with the big stuff and work their way down to the smaller ones.” The Early Literacy Fair is the library’s way to give small children, mostly under 5 years old, a chance to get acquainted with books and other brain-stimulating activities. Several activity stations were set up Thursday in the children’s section of the library, with books, coloring sheets and crayons and activities to engage little hands and young minds.

Sweet as pie

MOSES LAKE – Granny Smith, sweeter than your grandmother’s pie, is waiting to be taken home to a loving family. She is one year old, domestic shorthair and ready to come home and cuddle. She is spayed and up to date on vaccinations and now she just needs you to fill out her application at GrantCountAnimalOutreach.org. If you can’t adopt right now but you want to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Warden wrestling hosts annual golf fundraiser

WARDEN — On Saturday, the Warden High School wrestling program held its annual golf fundraiser at Sage Hills Golf Course. According to Warden assistant wrestling coach Alan Martinez, they exceeded last year’s total of $14,000 by raising roughly $16,000 this year. “Our head coach, Johnny Hernandez, says all the time, we have one of the best communities around,” Martinez said. “For whatever reason, there’s a lot of love for this program. There’s a lot of history, and our alumni always come by, and they show out and they take care of us, and then our kids and our future kids who are coming to the program get to benefit from that.” Tee off was at 9 a.m. Saturday and the weather was suitable for golfing with clear skies and reasonably warm weather. According to Martinez, the turnout hit maximum capacity to the point they had to borrow carts from other businesses ahead of time.

Legals for July, 1 2025

Wildcats Ntekpere selected as GNAC female athlete of the year

PORTLAND, Ore. — Emy Ntekpere’s 2025 track and field season at Central Washington University was nothing short of spectacular, according to a statement by Central Washington Athletics. She broke records seemingly every time she competed, won three NCAA Division II national titles and on Thursday was announced as the 2024-25 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Female Athlete of the Year, according to the statement. She is the second woman and fourth student-athlete in school history to earn the top individual award from the conference and is the 12th women’s track and field athlete to receive the honor. Other CWU winners were LeAnne McGahuey (volleyball) in 2005-06, Mike Reilly (football) in 2008-09 and Johnny Spevak (football) in 2009-10

STUDIO BASIN: Homelessness plan, reduced hours at Connelly Park and martial arts features

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Reporter Cheryl Schweizer discussed Moses Lake's plan to address homelessness post Open Doors Sleep Center closure. Reporter and producer Nance Beston, added on talking about the resource fair that happened in front of the Open Doors Sleep Center Monday last week, including information for all of the resources as well as contact information for them.

Gas prices see slight decrease this week

MOSES LAKE – There was a slight decrease in fuel prices this week in Washington, nationally and Grant County. Adams County didn’t follow the trend and saw a slight increase in prices this week compared to last week, according to AAA. “The national average price of gasoline has resumed its decline, with falling prices driven by easing tensions in the Middle East—just weeks after those same tensions had pushed prices higher,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy in a statement. De Haan said prices are likely to continue falling going into Independence Day weekend.

Moose causes Soap Lake dog park closure

SOAP LAKE – On Monday morning Soap Lake Public Works discovered a moose wandering around public works land before jumping a fence and making its way into the Soap Lake Dog Park, prompting the park to be closed briefly, according to Soap Lake Mayor Peter Sharp. “We closed the dog park for the day,” Sharp said. “Public Works Director, Eli (Olson) got ahold of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and let them know. They said just stay away from it. It'll be fine. Let it go out of its way. Basically, they're not going to do anything to it.”

Sally Rose McFarlin

Jan. 20, 1943 — June 13, 2025

Our beloved mother, Sally Rose McFarlin joined our dad in heaven on June 13, 2025, passing in her sleep at 82 years of age. Sally Rose was born Jan. 20, 1943 to Elmer and Martha Mae Lottes in Saint Marie, Wisconsin. Gradually the family headed west following the rail line and Elmer’s job before making their home in Othello, Washington. Graduating from Othello High School in 1961, Sally met Jack when she was a soda jerk at the local pharmacy. Sally and Jack were wed in 1962, making their home in Othello. Sally was a very talented mother and wife, including being a seamstress, making clothes for the family until she went back to work as a teacher’s aide in 1972. She and Jack spent many years involved in the community including Sally as president of Little League and Babe Ruth, and also coaching teams. Later she and Jack operated the Othello Roller Skating sessions for several years but then moved on to watch their children play sports and school activities. Sally loved to work her paper crafts especially in their travel trailer while the family went their separate ways to have fun in the mountains with hiking, fishing, and motorcycle riding. Later in life, she and Jack shared these peaceful times with their many grandchildren and great grandchildren. In the cooler months they stayed outside Tucson Arizona to enjoy the warmth, but missed the holidays surrounded by family.

Trevor Tibbs

Trevor Dee Tibbs, 52, passed away on June 26, 2025, due to a tragic accident while working for his ranch. Born in 1973 to Dave and Karen Tibbs, Trevor lived a life defined by integrity, faith and deep devotion to family, country and the land he loved. A proud Marine Corps veteran, Trevor served his country honorably, achieving the rank of corporal. After his military service, he returned to the wide-open spaces he cherished and pursued his lifelong calling as a cattle rancher. Trevor was known for his strong work ethic, big dreams of expanding his ranch, and his deep love for cattle and horses. He was a true cowboy – an old-school yarn-spinner and storyteller – who never met a stranger and always kept his word.

Steel Wolf Karate stays busy for the summer

MOSES LAKE – Steel Wolf Karate has plans to keep busy during the summer months following their break for the Fourth of July and into the future. These plans include expanding their regular classes and getting more involved in creating community activities.  “There's a lot to be said for just having a productive physical outlet,” said Robert Heale, the owner and head instructor for Steel Wolf Karate. “Kids are full of energy and we’ve got to help them direct it somewhere that’s constructive.”

Traditions making a comeback for the Fourth at George

GEORGE — Some traditions are returning to George’s Fourth of July celebration this year. “We’re going to begin the day with the pancake breakfast at the George Community Hall kitchen,” said organizer Debby Kooy. “I don’t think we’ve had a pancake breakfast at the hall on the Fourth of July for about 10 years. It’s fun to see that come back, because people still ask for it every time. And we’re having the return of the cherry pit spitting contest. There might be a few other things added … but we’ll at least do the cherry pit spitting.”

Jessie Young all-in at Freewind Martial Arts

MOSES LAKE – According to Jessie Young, martial arts was not something she thought she would take interest in. However, after giving Freewind Martial Arts a few tries, she was all in. “After the first lesson, I was totally hooked. I was not ready for it; I could not do push-ups or sit-ups or run around the mat like everybody else, but I absolutely fell in love with it.

Nonprofit of the Day: Community Services of Moses Lake

Community Services of Moses Lake 9299 Beacon Road NE Moses Lake 509-765-8101 www.mlfood.org CSML operates the Moses Lake Food Bank, which feeds local people in need as well as distributing food to a network of 48 food pantries in Grant, Adams, Benton, Lincoln, Yakima and Whitman counties.