Date of Downtown Moses Lake Association annual meeting to be announced

MOSES LAKE — The Downtown Moses Lake Association will review its plans for 2025 and its schedule of events during its annual public meeting, tentatively scheduled for early February. The date will be determined during the annual DMLA board member retreat this weekend.

Legals for January, 7 2025

Mrs. Claus needs a new home

Mrs. Claus, a mixed breed two-year-old at Grant County Animal Outreach is looking for a new friend to take her home. She is a shy and sweet girl who gets along well with other animals. She may be a bit timid to begin but she warms up quickly. She loves to explore, go for walks and sunbathe. She is looking for a patient home which will allow her to warm up of her own accord. For those interested in taking how the fabulous four-pawed friend visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org or call 509-762-9616.

Larry Pittack

June 24, 1947 — Jan. 2, 2025

Larry Gene Pittack, 77, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 2, 2025. Larry was born in Fresno, California on June 24, 1947, to parents Claudie C. Pittack and Carmelina A. (Paolercio) Pittack. They moved to Madera, California in 1955 and then to Wenatchee, Washington in 1963. He graduated from Eastmont Senior High School in 1965 and received an AA degree from Wenatchee Valley College in 1967. He was married to Patricia Hill in 1968. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1970 with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for Grant County Public Utility District in Ephrata, Washington starting in 1970. He worked in various positions leading up to the position of Hydro Supervisor, which he held when he retired in 2004. He married his wife Barbara in 1993. Upon retirement Larry and Barbara moved to Hamilton, Montana where they built a home and lived the remaining years of his life.

Fifteen WA bills enacted in the new year

Impacts to be seen in health care, workers rights and more

OLYMPIA – At the beginning of 2025, a suite of fifteen Washington bills became law, transforming key areas from health care to workers’ rights, to cosmetics.

Legals for January, 6 2025

More than 700 ACPR animals found homes in 2024

Rescue hopes for more adoptions and education in 2025

OTHELLO — The Adams County Pet Rescue had a successful year taking in 604 dogs and 432 cats in 2024. Of those pets, 383 dogs and 321 cats found their forever homes. There were 180 transfers to other shelters.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Best of the Basin issues

MOSES LAKE – Due to an export issue, some categories were not included in the Best of the Basin results distributed Tuesday. Results and corrections for affected categories are below. Full results may be viewed at: https://bit.ly/CBHBESTOF2024.

Fixing the damage

It’s wise to have a pro on your side when filing a claim

MOSES LAKE — It was, as they say, a dark and stormy night. Now it’s the next morning, and you’re looking with dismay at the tree that the wind sent crashing into your roof. You’ve got homeowners insurance, of course, but where do you go from there? “I hope you have an agent, as opposed to an 800 number,” said Chris Arnberg, an American Family Insurance agent in Moses Lake. “If you just have an 800 number, a company … where you don't have an actual person whose job it is to provide individual service, if you call to ask about opening a claim, they're going to open a claim.”

Legals for January, 3 2025

MLK Jr. program to take place Jan. 20

MOSES LAKE — The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program will take place Jan. 20, according to committee President Miranda Bridges, celebrating the life and legacy of the civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968. “It's a chance for the community to come together and be supportive to one another, recognize Dr. King’s life and his dream and his vision for all of us,” Bridges said.

Mavericks defeat Shadle Park, even record at 5-5

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake boys basketball team evened its record at 5-5 with Monday night’s win over Shade Park, defeating the Highlanders 77-69 in a non-league home matchup. “We were feeling good, we’ve been playing better over the last few weeks,” Head Coach Craig Groth said. “Kids have been growing and learning the offense, learning the principles on defense and coming together as a team. They’re doing a really good job at that.”

Ephrata businesses thrived this holiday season

The Athletic Club, Sole Performance, the Nat Washington House and The Bookery received love from locals

EPHRATA – As the holiday season concludes, some local businesses said this year was particularly good. The Bells on Basin celebration attracted a crowd into Ephrata businesses for the celebration but also people buying gifts for their loved ones helped stimulate these small establishments.

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.

Man arrested following altercation at Ritzville business

RITZVILLE — An Ocean Shores man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a law enforcement officer after an altercation at a Ritzville service station Monday. Kenneth Curtiss, 42, allegedly got into an altercation with Adams County Sheriff’s deputies and Washington State Patrol troopers after two reports of an unidentified man causing a disturbance, according to an ACSO statement.

Legals for January, 2 2025

Basin sports schedule Jan. 2-7

MOSES LAKE – AFter a slowdown for the winter break high school athletics across the Columbia Basin are back on the agenda, including bowling, competitive cheerleading, basketball, swim and dive and wrestling events.

Ronald William “RW” Hilmes

1938 – 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ronald (RW) William Hilmes on December 17, 2024. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, RW was born on May 28, 1938, at the family home in Ransom, Kansas, as the eighth of 13 children to John Henry and Dorothy Mary (Pabst) Hilmes. RW graduated from Ransom High School and soon enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany.

William Herup

1932 – 2024

William Carl Herup, much-loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and friend passed away on December 25, 2024. He was 92. William (Bill) was born on September 19, 1932, in Ross, California, the only child of Vilhelm Christensen Herup and Laura Janette Leonardi.

Benita Martinez Elizalde

1958 – 2024

Benita Martinez Elizalde, 92, a longtime resident of Warden, WA passed away at her home on December 28, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. Benita was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Anselmo and Francisca Obregon Martinez on May 8, 1932. The family moved to Washington in 1956. She married Jose Elizalde on July 7, 1958, in Grandview, Washington. After moving to Warden, she worked for Skone and Connors for many years.