Community dinner, silent auction, march planned for MLK weekend

MOSES LAKE — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Jan. 19, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee is hosting their annual freedom march that day at 4:30 p.m. This year the committee is expanding the celebration with a community dinner and silent auction taking place Saturday at 5 p.m.

Remembering a father’s valor that saved a future star

MOSES LAKE — Time passes and with that comes the loss of people, but this does not mean that the stories those people tell should be lost with them. Richard Black, a resident of Moses Lake and veteran, has one such story involving renowned musician Tony Bennett and Richard’s father Herbert “Blackie” Black, who both fought in a battle in World War II that would change their lives forever.

Lady Vikings sit atop region after win over Spokane

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Vikings (17-1) extended their win streak to eight after defeating the Spokane Sasquatch 74-43 Wednesday in Moses Lake. Despite a lull in the third quarter, Head Coach Preston Wilks said the team performed really well. “We ended the game on a real positive note, which is always good, because that can carry over to the next game, and our next game is super important,” Wilks said.

Quincy voters to consider school EP&O levy Feb. 10

QUINCY — Ballots are scheduled to be mailed next week for a special election that will decide the fate of a four-year educational programs and operations levy proposal from the Quincy School District. If ballots are mailed, they must be postmarked by Feb. 10.

Ephrata School District proposes Grant Elem. replacement

EPHRATA — Grant Elementary – an overcrowded, nearly 70‑year‑old school where more than 40% of students learn in portables – has become a driver behind the Ephrata School District’s $75 million Feb. 2026 bond proposal to replace the aging campus, according to Ephrata School District officials.

Douglass sticks to local roots

Windermere broker looks to give back to community

MOSES LAKE — Real Estate Broker Brandon Douglass with Windermere Realty has been a longtime partner in the community. Douglass said it is his goal to serve the community in whatever ways possible and he is working to do that by helping homebuyers.

Legals for January, 16 2026

WA GOP, journalist file injunction to stop state from deleting public records

(The Center Square) — The Washington State Republican Party and journalist Jonathan Choe have jointly filed an injunction in Thurston County Superior Court barring the state from scrubbing or removing public access to records related to child care centers in the state that receive public funds.

BBCC mens basketball falls at home to Spokane

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (8-10) were defeated 80-72 by the Spokane Sasquatches Wednesday. Despite another late rally, it came down to execution, Head Coach Jason Hopkins said. “It's the second game where our willingness to do the right thing consistently throughout the bulk of the game was really tested, and we failed that test,” Hopkins said. “We made some plays and we were able to make it a game, but a huge reason that we had to do that was because we weren't ready to execute in the way that we needed to, defensively early and offensively at stretches in the second half. We’ve got to do better.”

Washington coach Jedd Fisch downplays fallout over QB Demond Williams Jr.'s return to Huskies

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington coach Jedd Fisch defended Demond Williams Jr. on Wednesday and downplayed concerns about any fallout from the quarterback's decision to return to the school. Williams originally announced last week that he was entering the transfer portal, then changed his mind two days later and said he would be back with the Huskies.

Tigers cheer qualifies for state competition

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers competitive cheer team has qualified for the state competition for the second consecutive season. Head Coach Heather Wood was elated to see her team qualify for second time in the three years they’ve had a competitive team.

Swartz chosen for second term as Moses Lake mayor

MOSES LAKE — Dustin Swartz will be serving as Moses Lake mayor for the next two years. Swartz was reelected by Moses Lake City Council members on a 5-1 vote Tuesday. Council member Victor Lombardi voted no, after nominating Mark Fancher for the mayor’s job. Fancher, however, declined.

Ephrata Schools bond: Parkway Intermediate

EPHRATA — Parkway Intermediate School is one of the campuses the Ephrata School District is looking to replace with a proposed $75 million, 25-year school construction bond. The bond measure is set to appear on the Feb. 10, 2026, ballot, and will fund not only a replacement of Parkway but also Grant Elementary’s replacement and improvements at Ephrata High School.

Frontier Cheer takes first at Battle in the Desert

MOSES LAKE — The Frontier Middle School Spartans cheer team took first at the Battle in the Desert competition in Hanford Saturday. Spartans Head Coach Kelsy Kelley said it was a long day of competition, but it was a good experience for the team as they head into the final weeks of the season. “It was the first time ever competing on a stage in front of a lot of people,” said Kelley. “I think a lot of them were nervous, but we’ve been working on this for months now, and it’s just getting through those nerves. I think overall they did an amazing job.” The Battle in the Desert consisted of multiple cheer teams in the middle and high school levels with each team competing against similar age groups. The coach said it was highly competitive at the middle school level, but the Spartans managed to win over the judges out of around 40 other performances.

On ‘Wicked’ in print

Why Gregory Maguire’s Oz isn’t for kids — but is for grown‑up wonder

MOSES LAKE — “Wicked” and the sequel “Wicked: For Good” have taken over my household. After the first watch at Fairchild Cinemas, I was hooked on the extension of the Oz universe. But, when I went back to the source — Gregory Maguire’s novel — I discovered a world far darker, stranger and more adult than the glittering emerald we see on stage and screen.

Legals for January, 15 2026

WA Legislature considering face mask bans for law enforcement

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers have introduced a bill that aims to ban local and federal law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public.

Huskies defeat the Mavericks 45-30 on the mat

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies defeated the Moses Lake Mavericks 45-30 Tuesday, after a competitive meet that went back and forth all night. Huskies Head Coach Reuben Lopez told his team the first to 36 points wins.

COLUMN: Demond Williams, Jr. situation highlights transfer portal issues

On Jan. 2 the transfer portal opened in college football, and players from across the country flooded the pool to gauge interest from other schools. One situation that stands out so far surrounds University of Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr.

Locals compete in Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars

MOSES LAKE — Volunteer firefighter Brian McGowan took home the coveted mirrored ball trophy at Saturday night’s Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars. “This has been a life goal,” McGowan said. “Definitely, since I was a little kid, this has been a dream of mine.”