Legals for December, 15 2025

Legals for December, 11 2025

Confluence Health refunding $1.8M following AG investigation

OLYMPIA — After an extensive investigation by the Washington State Attorney General's Office, Confluence Health has agreed to refund over $1.8 million to thousands of patients who were eligible for charity care but did not receive appropriate reimbursements for medical fees. The investigation revealed that Confluence Health, operating two hospitals in Central Washington, failed to refund payments made by patients who qualified for charity care after they had already made out-of-pocket costs.

Skyview Dental opens new clinic

MOSES LAKE — The new Skyview Dental clinic is open. “It’s been under planning for about two and a half years,” said Dr. Calvin Despain at the clinic’s ribbon-cutting Friday. “We broke ground in March of this year and then just finished up and started seeing patients a couple of weeks ago.” The 6,000-square-foot clinic features 10 treatment rooms with brand new equipment, arranged in an open, airy space that allows Despain and his staff to move around easily between patients. “It’s built around patient comfort, Despain said. “We’ve got the most advanced equipment and dental chairs that are available … We do same-day crowns. We have 3D printing where we can get dentures made faster. We have our 3D X-rays … We have our little special surgery rooms (where) we can have a nice private place for people to be who have longer procedures.”

Construction should begin in early 2026 on Othello broadband expansion

OTHELLO — Installation of additional fiber optic cables south of Othello is projected to start early next year. A bid for the project should be awarded before the end of this month or in early January. Adams County Engineer Scott Yaeger said the timing of the project depends on selecting a contractor, a process that has hit a roadblock. “Until a contract and contract bond are executed we will not know an estimated construction timeline,” Yeager wrote in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. Adams County received a $10.3 million Washington Department of Commerce grant in 2022 to expand fiber connectivity. The area south of Othello is the second and final phase of that project. The county is installing the fiber; providing internet service to homes and businesses will be the work of private companies. The new fiber backbone will provide access south and southwest of the Othello city limits, an area around the Othello Golf Club along West Bench Road and surrounding subdivisions. Some areas originally in the county project got fiber access from the expansion of private companies in the meantime.

Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office

SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday. Sharp was previously appointed to this role at the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting after his predecessor Allen DuPay quit during the Aug. 7, 2024, meeting.

'South hill rapist' Kevin Coe dies in Federal Way

(The Center Square) – Kevin Coe, the infamous “South Hill rapist,” died Wednesday at an adult family home in Federal Way. He was 78. The Federal Way Mayor’s Office and the Federal Way Police Department confirmed he was reported dead of natural causes. As reported by The Center Square, Coe was recently released from the civil commitment center at McNeil Island after doctors and staff members there determined he was no longer a threat to the public because of his advanced age and declining health.

WA’s ban on assault weapon sales withstands another round in court

A judge last month once again upheld Washington’s 2023 law banning the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms classified as assault weapons. But the dispute is likely not over. The gun rights advocacy group suing to overturn the ban says it will appeal. And whether restrictions like Washington’s are constitutional may eventually be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Washington’s law doesn’t prohibit owning assault weapons, just their manufacture, importation, distribution or sale. The term “assault weapon” is defined in the law, including with a list of specific firearm models, such as AR-15s.

The Floral Cottage opens in Ephrata

Local shopkeeper helps celebrate special moments with floral flair

EPHRATA — The Floral Cottage, a new floral design shop owned by Liz Graaff, held its open house Monday, drawing members of the community to celebrate the launch of the store. Located in the heart of Ephrata, the shop provides flower arrangements, plants and locally sourced gifts inspired by Graaff’s passion for floral arrangement. "I absolutely love flowers," Graaff said as she welcomed each guest into her shop with a smile.

Local organizations collect Christmas presents for children

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot of talk about the true meaning of Christmas, but it’s hard to deny that one of the best parts is seeing children open their new toys.

Legals for December, 4 2025

Plan early for dementia care

MOSES LAKE — Having dementia can seem like the end of everything. But in some ways, it’s only the beginning. “The most important thing (for) people with dementia is planning for the future,” said Dr. A. Carroll Hayman, a Seattle physician who specializes in Alzheimer’s and other dementias, at a symposium in Pasco in October. “In fact, if we can do an early diagnosis that gives people an opportunity to plan (and) also allows the patient themselves to be involved in some of that planning. If we wait too long they can’t say what they want anymore, then we’re just sort of guessing what they wanted rather than involving them.” As much as we might wish otherwise, dementia isn’t going to go away, and it isn’t going to be cured. How long it could last varies widely from one patient to the next. The patient will have medical, legal and social needs to work out, and they can’t do it alone. Starting early is key, Hayman said.

Legals for December, 3 2025

Celtic Christmas returns to Moses Lake Dec. 12

MOSES LAKE — Fiddler Geoffrey Castle will bring his Celtic Christmas show to Moses Lake again Dec. 12.

Verify before responding to charitable requests

MOSES LAKE — Along with many other things, Christmas is the season of charity. But because scammers are still out there even during the Christmas season, the Washington Attorney General’s Office suggests that people verify before they donate. Othello Police Interim Chief Aaron Garza said a good way for people to protect themselves from charity scammers is to be proactive.

Legals for December, 1 2025

Moses Lake teachers commit to Monday strike, if no agreement reached

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Education Association executive board voted to initiate a strike Monday if an agreement is not reached with the Moses Lake School District by the end of mediation Sunday, according to a statement from MLEA issued Friday afternoon.

COLUMN: Head west, they say

This column came together probably as quickly as my decision to move from Columbus, Ohio to Moses Lake. When I graduated from Denison University in May 2024, I remember being overcome with emotion after receiving my degree.

Legals for November, 27 2025

Legals for November, 26 2025