Mattawa Winter Festival includes crafts, cocoa and ugly sweaters

MATTAWA — Mattawa’s annual Winter Festival will take place Wednesday. “The goal is to bring families together to celebrate the holiday and to make crafts as a family,” said Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya. The event is put together by a coalition of community stakeholders including the city of Mattawa, Wahluke School District, the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic and Columbia Basin Health Association, Celaya said. Crafts play a large part in the Winter Festival, Celaya said. Local first responders will have a table where children can decorate cookies with police officers, and MCMC will have a space where children can write letters to Santa. The Wahluke High School Future Business Leaders of America will have a booth where children can make a Christmas ornament for the 50-foot tree in the school commons. The craft materials are donated by CBHA, Celaya said.

Mavs win first league game off dominant second half

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (3-2) earned a statement league win over the Wenatchee Panthers 82-56. Head Coach Craig Groth said it was great to start league play with a win. “It's a good win,” he said. “It's going to be a battle no matter who you're up against. Our players know coming in that we had to play our best from start to finish. It took us a little while to get going. Once we got going, the buckets started to fall. Our defense started to come together as a team.”

Legals for December, 15 2025

Weather for the week of Dec. 15

Monday: Rain likely, mainly before 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 4 p.m. High near 55. Chance of precipitation is 80% Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow before 7 a.m., then a chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Thursday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Friday: A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team carries out drug raid in Quincy

QUINCY — The Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence on I Street in Quincy Thursday, leading to the arrest of Jilberto Lucatero-Lora, a 20-year-old suspect alleged to be involved in the distribution of cocaine and marijuana to Sureño gang members.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office reports as of Dec. 12, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Quincy community food bank seeks donations amid expansion plans

QUINCY — As the Quincy Community Food Bank embarks on a new chapter following 40 years of service, the organization is facing increased demand for food assistance while simultaneously planning a significant expansion of its facilities. The food bank, which has operated since 1988, has indicated that community support is crucial to its mission of ensuring that no one in the Quincy Valley goes hungry.

Sheriff talks crime, enforcement at Mattawa town hall

MATTAWA — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete held a town hall meeting at Wahluke High School Dec. 9, discussing law enforcement issues affecting Mattawa and Desert Aire. “You're going to probably hear me say a million times. We can't do this alone,” Kriete told the attendees. “We have to have our communities out here to help us and share information with us and give us ideas. We get a ton of new and great ideas from the community.”

Revised Moses Lake ordinance designed to recover some MLFD costs

MOSES LAKE — An ordinance revision approved by the Moses Lake City Council will allow more consistent billing of insurance companies in cases of emergency response by the Moses Lake Fire Department. In certain circumstances, property owners or vehicle owners may be responsible for paying whatever emergency response costs are not covered by insurance. The revisions passed on a 6-1 council vote Tuesday, with council member Victor Lombardi voting no.

BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 12-20

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas out there, and there are holiday goings-on galore in the Basin. Here are a few things to make your spirits bright:

CCS students spread Christmas cheer

MOSES LAKE — Students from Covenant Christian School in Moses Lake, along with teacher Valerie Parrott, delivered handmade Christmas ornaments to Monroe House and the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation Monday. “Our hope was simple: to bring a little light, encouragement, and joy to those who may need it most this season,” Parrott wrote to the Columbia Basin Herald. “We are so proud of our students for their servant hearts and their desire to bless others.”

Ephrata rings in the holidays with Bells on Basin on Saturday

EPHRATA — Bells on Basin will fill downtown Ephrata with holiday spirit Saturday, with games, shopping and a lighted parade. “It's a festive event that a lot of people look forward to, to kick off and bring everybody together for the holidays,” said Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Director Britney MacLeod.

Legals for December, 12 2025

Ephrata town hall highlights local growth

EPHRATA — On Wednesday night, leaders of several Ephrata agencies gathered at the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center to give updates to the community on various projects. There were presentations from the school district, both the mayor and mayor-elect, the Port of Ephrata, Columbia Basin Hospital, Grant Public Utility District and Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

GCSO Sgt. McDonnell helps empower rural resident

SOAP LAKE — After a postal worker discovered a note asking for help inside a rural Soap Lake mailbox Wednesday, the worker called the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Jason McDonnell answered the call and checked on the person who lived at the home, according to GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

COLLEGIATE SPORTS SCHEDULE: Dec. 12-19, 2025

MOSES LAKE – Throughout the state, college football teams are heading to bowl games while basketball teams are still battling in the early season to set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. See where your favorite teams will be heading this week.

EWU earns win in rivalry game against WSU

PULLMAN – The Eastern Washington Eagles Women’s basketball team (6-4) earned a significant win against the Washington State Cougars 71-69. This game marked the Eagles’ first win over the Cougars since March 18, 2015 when the teams faced off in the first round of the Women’s NIT tournament. “Washington State is a really good team. They’re very well coached and they’re prepared,” said Eagles Head Coach Joddie Gleason. “They run their offense really well and are hard to guard. Coming in here to get the win is huge for us. It shows that we’re read to get these road wins in the Big Sky.”

Merle Jay Royer

September 14, 1929 – December 9, 2025

Merle Jay Royer, 96, of Quincy, Washington, passed away peacefully on Dec. 9, 2025, surrounded by family. Born Sept. 14, 1929, near Industry, Illinois, Merle grew up in Illinois and Colorado before making Quincy his lifelong home. Merle met the love of his life, Wilma Whitbeck, at a small church gathering in Quincy, and they married in 1957. Together they raised four children and built a life centered on faith, family and community. A farmer at heart, Merle stepped into a new season of life when health concerns required him to work out of the sun. With Wilma and family, he faithfully operated Coast to Coast Hardware, later Royer’s True Value, for 38 years. Merle was known for his work ethic, generosity, and the way he treated every customer with dignity and care.

Moses Lake Police Department logs for Dec. 11, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Moses Lake Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Legals for December, 11 2025