Warden School Board discusses ‘22-23 finances, end of federal relief funding

WARDEN — Thursday’s Warden School Board meeting at Warden High School featured a review and discussion of the 2022-23 school year’s finances and the upcoming end to Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding.

Othello library exploring potential remodel or new location

OTHELLO — Mid-Columbia Libraries and Adams County Rural Library District 1, which contracts with MCL for library services and management in Othello, are in the process of evaluating either a potential remodel or new building for the Othello Public Library. MCL Associate Director of Communications Carlos Orozco said discussions have already started about a remodel or finding another location to move to.

WSU professor warns of fire blight antibiotic resistance

MOSES LAKE – Frank Zhao, a professor of plant pathology at Washington State University, spoke at the April 4 Fire Blight Webinar hosted by Michigan State University, providing an update on current research and results of fire blight antibiotics and resistances at WSU.

Cohort of leaders: RDI program gives grants to Othello institutions

OTHELLO – Rural Development Initiatives wrapped up its six-month-long Rural Community Leadership Program in Othello Thursday evening with a final session for the leadership cohort at the Othello Senior Center and the presentation of $5,000 in grants from the cohort to various community institutions.

Adams commissioners approve $60.7M budget

RITZVILLE — Adams County commissioners have approved a budget of about $60.73 million for 2025. The county’s general fund was budgeted at about $14.71 million. The current expense carryover at the end of 2025 is projected to be about $1.65 million, a decrease from 2024, when the carryover is projected to be about $2.52 million.

Mammoth dig site tours open

KENNEWICK — Reservations are being accepted for tours of the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site offered by Mid-Columbia Basin Old Natural Education Sciences, or MCBONES, according to an announcement from the organization.

Golf tournament benefitting Run the Dam comes to Electric City

ELECTRIC CITY – Those looking for a charity golf tournament next month can make the trip up to Electric City for the Swing for the Good charity golf scramble, hosted by Jess Ford and benefitting Run the Dam.

GALLERY: Scenes of June

MOSES LAKE – June has been a busy month in and around the Columbia Basin. Community events, retirements and lots of sunshine have had the residents of Grant County out and about. The photos below are just some of the scenes that have made the area a wonderful place to live.

Fuhr retires as city manager after resigning from MLSD Board

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake City Manager Kevin Fuhr has decided to retire as of June 30, citing health reasons, according to a press release from the city of Moses Lake. He also recently resigned from his post on the Moses Lake School District Board of Directors for the same reason.

‘We are here to fight’

Purple Party gets community ready for Walk to End Alzheimer’s

MOSES LAKE — Alzheimer’s disease is a terrifying thing for many people: the fear that one day they will watch helplessly as they cease to remember their families and even who they are. The 150-200 people who came to the Purple Party at the Porterhouse Steakhouse in Moses Lake Thursday want to make that fear a thing of the past.

Run defense a focus for Eagles in 2024

SPOKANE – While Eastern Washington’s offense is looking to build off significant strides made during the 2023 season, the Eagle defense is looking to turn itself around after surrendering the second-most points in the Big Sky last fall.

Soap Lake School District approves '24-25 budget

SOAP LAKE — While Soap Lake School District officials expect to have the equivalent of 455 students from kindergarten through high school during the 2024-25 school year. The Soap Lake School Board approved the budget at a special meeting July 29.

Most primary races unchanged as more votes counted

Voter turnout remains low in Grant, Adams counties

EPHRATA — Most primary election races in Grant and Adams counties remain unchanged after additional votes were counted during the week.

Battle Buddies fundraiser brings in $10,000

Ephrata Legionnaires pull together to support nonprofit fighting PTSD with all four paws.

EPHRATA - The American Legion Art Semro Post and Unit 28 held a fundraiser Saturday to raise money for Northwest Battle Buddies, a nonprofit that gifts professionally trained service dogs to veterans battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD.

Democrats' challenge: Courting evangelicals in the Trump era

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s strong white evangelical support poses a challenge to Democrats: how to connect with a group of Christian voters whose longtime GOP lean makes them compelling antagonists in a polarized era.

Fixing energy policy a focus for Ybarra in 2025 session

OLYMPIA – The Washington Legislative session began lasl Monday with many lawmakers, including State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, unsure of what to expect. Ybarra has served the 13th district since 2019 and is trying to move his legislative priorities forward amid a new administration and a significant $10-$16 billion budget shortfall.

New Elks Lodge hosts youth hoop shoot

MOSES LAKE — Four Moses Lake youths will advance in the Elks Hoop Shoot thanks to their free throw skills. Fabian Vargas, Preston Groth, Linden Wiltbank and Brinly Wiltbank emerged the champions in their divisions in the competition held Saturday at Frontier Middle School, according to an email from Debbie Doran-Martinez, a member of the new Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge that formed in November in Moses Lake.

Knights, Eagles meet in Seattle for 1A championship

Royal seeks 4th straight state title

ROYAL CITY — A trip across the Cascades to Seattle awaits the No. 1 seed Royal Knights, who will face off against No. 2 Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) Friday in the 1A state football championship. The Knights have won three straight state championships and are seeking their 12th overall title. “We’ve been pretty blessed,” Royal coach Wiley Allred said. “The kids work hard, pay attention to detail and worked hard again this year to get to where we’re at. We’re preparing to win it, and know it’s going to be a battle.” After a 42-7 win over Chelan in the 1A District 6/7 Crossover, the Eagles rattled off postseason wins over No. 15 Life Christian Academy (41-14), No. 10 Freeman (24-20) and No. 6 Nooksack Valley (24-23) to reach the 1A championship.

WSDOT updating Highway System Plan

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation held a virtual public meeting Thursday regarding its draft for the 2024 Highway System Plan update. According to the plan, the previous version was released in 2007. WSDOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Development & Delivery Kerri Woehler introduced the draft.

Running for paws: Othello Christmas 5K raises funds for ACPR

OTHELLO – Saturday’s Othello Christmas events started off with a bang as community members congregated outside Othello City Hall at 8 a.m. to begin the Run, Run, Rudolph 5K run or walk fundraiser for Adams County Pet Rescue.