iNET works at identifying, mitigating narcotics in the Basin

Local joint task force works to mitigate the flow of controlled substances into Grant, Adams counties

EPHRATA – If you live in the Columbia Basin, you've seen coverage from the Columbia Basin Herald and other outlets regarding the prevalence of drugs such as fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in the area. The Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, otherwise known as iNET, is tasked with fighting the drug epidemic in the region. “We have a mission – I would say mandate – but our mission is to target middle to upper-level narcotics traffickers in drug trafficking organizations,” said the group’s lead detective. “... Our primary area of responsibility is Grant and Adams counties.”

SLPD chief now 13 weeks on paid admin leave, investigation ongoing

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox was placed on paid administrative leave on Nov. 15, 2024, making it 13 weeks, today. Robert Geates has been the acting police chief since Cox was placed on leave. Mayor Peter Sharp confirmed an investigation was underway.

Wrestling with confidence

Quincy’s Alvarez sets win record

QUINCY – Quincy senior Saidt Alvarez entered the 2024-25 season 23 wins shy of etching his name into the Jackrabbit wrestling history books – well, another mark for the three-time state placer. Alvarez was seeking to become Quincy’s all-time winning wrestler.

Grant PUD general manager leaving for Georgia job

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District General Manager Rich Wallen has announced his resignation from the PUD to take a new job in Georgia. Wallen will take the job of chief operating officer and executive vice president at Oglethorpe Power in Tucker, Georgia. Wallen worked there from 2014 to 2017.

Ephrata students give insight into proposed EP&O levy

EPHRATA – On Feb. 11, the Ephrata School District will have results from the proposed Education Programs and Operations levy on the ballot. The levy is seeking to collect approximately $11.5 million over the next four years at a proposed rate of $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The funding is intended to address gaps between state funding and the actual costs of operating the school district.

Barkley a key difference in Super Bowl rematch

MOSES LAKE – Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley has captured the headlines for the Eagles this season, and for good reason; he’s a key reason why the Eagles are in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.

Regional college sports schedule for Feb. 7-13

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

Future and development focus of ML council discussion

MOSES LAKE — Water, urban growth and future development was the focus of an extensive discussion by the Moses Lake City Council while they considered amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan. The council considered an extensive list of amendments, with the discussion focusing on the city’s urban growth boundary. That prompted a question from council member Deanna Martinez.

Bill to protect seniors’ roommate options considered in Olympia

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Legislature took a step last week toward making senior housing costs more stable. House Bill 1204, which passed the House Housing Committee Jan. 30, would allow residents of senior mobile and manufactured home communities to have at least one roommate, as long as that roommate also meets the age requirements of the park. “It’s a national problem with mobile homes, especially senior mobile home communities, that the properties are being purchased, and in some instances, there has been a lack of maintenance and upgrades in the communities,” said State Rep. Carolyn Eslick, R-Sultan, who introduced the bill. “And that new person or corporation starts doing all the work, and then they start increasing the land leases.”

Plant early with milk-jug mini-greenhouses

MOSES LAKE — Some plants are meant to be left in the ground through the winter, and now that it’s February and the ground outside is as hard as week-old peanut brittle, it’s a little late to be planting. Fortunately, there are ways to use milk jugs and even ice cube trays to get planting underway. “Some seeds need to be frozen in order to split their outer shell,” said Valerie Parrott, president of the Columbia Basin Garden Club. “Things like carnations, they really need to be cold. So, you just fill your ice cube tray (with water), dump a few seeds in one, freeze them for two weeks, then you can go outside and plant them, and that will act the same as a cold stratification ... as if they had gone through a lot of hard freeze cycles.”

Legals for February, 7 2025

A princess looking for her castle

SOAP LAKE – Princess Ebby, a 2–year–old mixed breed pup, is looking for a loving and playful home. Ebby came to the Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry with a shattered back left leg above the growth plate at the hip. The vet determined she was either stepped on or kicked by an adult human which caused the break. Ebby received corrective orthopedic surgery, and now one leg may be shorter than the others, but she doesn’t let that slow her down. Ebby is friendly and wins the heart of everyone she meets. She is a very smart pup who picks up new things quickly. Her favorite activity though is a good cuddle with many belly rubs. Ebby is spayed, up to date on vaccinations and microchipped. For those interested in taking home the sweet girl, visit RockBottomRocker.org to learn more. 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.

Late wins push Mavs to 35-32 win over Sunnyside

Moses Lake wins Big 9

MOSES LAKE – With the Mavericks holding a 35-32 lead entering the final match of Tuesday’s dual against Sunnyside, Moses Lake sophomore Cristian Ramos knew was on the line as he took the mat for the 285-pound bout; a win meant Moses Lake would win its first Big 9 title since 2018.

Rental affordability debate ramps up in Olympia

OLYMPIA - As many Washingtonians struggle to meet rapidly rising housing costs, companion rent stabilization bills aiming to cap rent and fee increases have sparked significant debate amongst lawmakers, renters, and housing developers. The House version passed the Housing Committee in a 9-8 vote and was heard in Appropriations Monday.

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Married firefighters save lives together

SOAP LAKE — Lots of couples have a special activity that they share. Some garden together, some do home improvement projects, some do charity or church work. And some, like CW and Emily Forrest, save lives together. “There'll be times at night where she'll have to take off and go to the call and I'll stay with the kids,” said CW Forrest, a firefighter with Grant County Fire District 7. “Or Grandma. My … mom lives with us, so sometimes we'll both be able to go on calls.”

LETTER: Back again supporting the levy

I’m back again, hoping that everyone votes, and the school levy passes February 11th. Not just for the kids, but for our community as a whole.

New law adds ID to Department of Corrections reentry plans

OLYMPIA — A new law will require the Department of Corrections to help state inmates to get some form of state identification before they are released. The law, which went into effect in January, requires the Washington Department of Corrections to make identification available as part of a reentry plan program that was already mandated by the state.

Vikings continue to stack wins, improve to 17-5

MOSES LAKE – After an 11-4 start to the season, Big Bend women’s basketball Head Coach Preston Wilks took the time to notice trends in the Vikings’ game on the court.

Maverick swimmers prep for district meet

MOSES LAKE – The postseason begins later this week for the Moses Lake boys swim team, who recently competed in the Columbia Basin Big 9 Championships last week.

Students think fast during Amazing Shake

MATTAWA — Let’s see – the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Aiden Avila Salgado ran through it one more time with his friend Ledger Carl while they waited their turn at what is known as the gauntlet. The school fight song? McFarland Middle School students practiced as they lined up.