Lions open the season 2-0

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions got off to a strong start to their season taking two home games against Touchet and Entiat on Tuesday and Wednesday to start their season 2-0. “I think it went good, I think we got a little jumbled during the (second) game, but I think it was it was a good game for us to start off,” said Lions senior Brynlynn King. The Lions dominated in their season opener against Touchet on Tuesday, holding their opponent to five points total and preventing a single score in both the second and third quarters. The MLCA/CCS offense and defense were on full display in this game as they won 59-5.

Big Sky Now: Big Sky to big leagues, NFL draft surprises and pro potential

We break down where the top Big Sky Conference football stars landed in the NFL and CFL drafts — and what it means for their professional futures.

The Latest: Remnants of hurricane spread wind, rain in South

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Latest on Delta (all times CDT):

The Latest: Louisiana gov vows hard work on storm recovery

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Future leaders

Ephrata High FBLA students learn applicable skills on their way to state competition

EPHRATA — Future Business Leaders of America is the largest career and technical organization in the U.S., said J. Ryan Shannon, a communications teacher and advisor for the FBLA chapter at Ephrata High School. “It’s the largest career and technical student organization in the country, facilitating students learning and opportunities within the business community and learning the skill sets that will help them be successful in various aspects of business, whether that be the actual operational or the technical side of the business,” he said. Aided by fellow EHS teachers Scott Sandberg, Katie Cummings and Keeva Kimble, Shannon helps EHS FBLA’s 81 members work on a variety of projects in multiple fields to develop the skills they need to pursue a variety of careers. Skills have a wide range of fields from broadcast journalism to client services and simply understanding how to conduct themselves professionally as they network or develop relationships in a work environment, Shannon said. The various fields of development are evaluated in three categories at state-level competition: objective testing, roleplaying and presentations.

Chess tournament sharpens wits in Ephrata

Annual strategic competition set for February 1

EPHRATA — A hundred young players will go head-to-head – and brain-to-brain – at the Waypoint Foundation Scholastic Chess Tournament in Ephrata Feb. 1. This is the 18th year the tournament has been held at Parkway Elementary School. said Troy Pugh, who created and manages the tournament with his brother Roger Pugh. This year, Pugh said, the foundation has added online registration for the first time. There were 89 players registered Tuesday morning, he said, which is the fastest it’s ever filled up. “Usually, we don’t get to 89 until the week of the event,” he said.

Home solar can trim bills, but research before installing

EPHRATA — With the cost of everything going up, some homeowners want to embrace self-sufficiency in energy by mounting solar panels on their roofs to generate power. And considering the Basin’s abundant sunshine, that seems like a great solution for this area. “We do encourage customers to go into their solar investment fully educated with clear expectations,” said Chris Buchmann, energy programs supervisor for the Grant Public Utility District.

‘Hourathon’ fundraiser Monday to support MLSD athletics, activities

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School students will be on the phones Monday evening raising as much money as they can to help pay for extracurricular activities in the 2024-25 school year. Students will be setting up in the MLHS gym and hitting the phones from 7 to 8 p.m.

Bipartisan WA effort to combat fentanyl continues

MOSES LAKE – Washington’s Congressional delegation is working to combat the fentanyl crisis in the state and nation on a variety of fronts in our nation's capital. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., Sens. Patty Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell, both Washington Democrats, all have efforts in place to mitigate the deadly drug’s impacts.

Home and Garden Show a great place to gear up for spring projects

MOSES LAKE — It’s getting close to the time when people start to come out of their winter hibernation and get serious about the projects they’ve been waiting to tackle. The Columbia Basin Home and Garden Show, coming to Moses Lake Feb. 28 and March 1, could be an excellent place to start.

‘Midnight in Soap Lake’

Mystery novel explores life – and death – in a small desert town

SOAP LAKE — Murder, family secrets, mysterious water and a terrifying urban legend. It’s all lurking behind the small-town innocence of Soap Lake in a novel released Tuesday.

MLHS softball falls to Richland

Mavs take loss as an opportunity to strengthen their resolve

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Mavericks softball team fell to Richland 3-8 Wednesday evening. “Overall, as a team, I think we have a lot to work on, but I think we’re going places,” said junior Samantha Kling. “Everybody as a team works together and I think if we put some more work into our bats that we’re going to go places.”

S(up)porting youth

Annual YOU auction will raise money to take disabled children hunting and fishing

MOSES LAKE — Basin folks will have a chance to help make some youngsters’ dreams come true tomorrow. The 14th annual Youth Outdoors Unlimited fundraiser auction will raise money to take Basin youth who are dealing with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses on guided hunting and fishing trips. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. at the Best Western Lake Front Hotel in Moses Lake Saturday.

Champion Tigresses

All seven Ephrata High girls head to state golf competition this week

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers’ girls golf team secured the title of district champions after the tournament on Monday and will move on to the state championship. This is following the team earning the league title the week prior.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s coming Saturday

MOSES LAKE — There will be more purple shirts and multicolored flowers on the streets of Moses Lake Saturday at the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s than ever before, according to Julie Reathaford, who manages the event.

Budget cuts projected to reduce Moses Lake 2026 deficit

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake’s general fund is projected to have a smaller deficit than it did in 2025, but still to have a deficit. While spending in the general fund is projected to decrease, the city’s overall preliminary budget includes an increase in capital projects.

Basin football roundup – Week 8

MOSES LAKE – Week eight of Basin football has concluded. At this point in the season, not only do playoff teams start to solidify their standing, but seniors are recognized for their contributions to their respective programs. See below where your favorite team stands and their current record.

Ephrata Parks and Recreation hosts summer athletic activities

EPHRATA – As the Columbia Basin enters the middle of summer, Ephrata Parks and Recreation has a variety of events and activities to keep both youth and adult athletes busy through the end of the season. “From young age groups to older age groups, just bringing a sense of community and doing something together is always good, helps put a smile on people's faces,” said Gunnar Blankenship, the Recreation Supervisor at Ephrata Parks and Rec. “Just a way to get out and move and stay active during the summer months, it’s always good and keeps people healthy and happy.”

ACH Warriors ready for another run to state

COULEE CITY – After falling short by three points in the state championship last season, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (27-2) return to the court this season with the same expectations. Head Coach Graham Grindy said the standard has been set especially since they return most of last year's roster. “Bringing back what we brought back, statistically, we're bringing back a lot of our major players that led us in scoring, rebounding, defensively, all the areas. We definitely have high hopes,” Graham said.

Cowboy Breakfast in new hands this year

MOSES LAKE — ’Round these here parts, the Cowboy Breakfast is almost as much of a tradition as the rodeo. So when the Kiwanis Club wasn’t able to organize it this year, the Chamber of Commerce saddled up. “The Rodeo Association came to us and we said ‘Sure. We don’t want to see it go away,’” said Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Doran-Martinez.