Ron PuFahl

Oct. 9, 1951 – Dec. 1, 2025

When asked how he was doing, Ron's answer was always the same: “Better than Most.” It wasn't just a phrase, it was how he lived. Throughout life Ron chose humor, connection, optimism and gratitude. Ron PuFahl – a deeply loved husband, dad, papa, brother, son-in-law, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to all who knew him – passed away Dec. 1, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born to William and Lina (Montreuil) PuFahl on Oct. 9, 1951, Ron lived a mischievous childhood in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He grew up in the big pink house across the street from the convent. There were so many things for kids to do in the ’50s and ’60s, and Ron tried them all, including many shenanigans with his brother and cousin. Ron attended St. Thomas Elementary and I.H.M. Catholic Academy, graduating in 1970.

Six-peat!

Knights win sixth straight 1A state championship

ROYAL CITY – The Royal Knights (13-0) are the 1A state football champions for the sixth straight season. The Knights held off a late comeback by the Cashmere Bulldogs to win 21-20 at Husky Stadium.

Mini-farm for sale has deep Grant County roots

SOAP LAKE — There’s a little piece of history in the mini-farm for sale east of Soap Lake. “It’s been with the same owner since the 1930s,” said Anna Van Diest of Moses Lake Realty Group, who is listing the 25.19-acre property at 20226 NE Adrian Road, just south of SR 28. The well, still in use, was dug in 1931, she added, more than two decades before the Columbia Basin Project brought irrigation water to the Basin. There’s not much left now of the town of Adrian, but if things had gone a little differently in 1910, the Grant County Courthouse might have been located where the farm now stands. When Grant County was formed out of the eastern part of Douglas County in 1909, the city of Ephrata, then just over 300 people, was named the county seat. The people of Adrian got up a petition the following year to grab the county seat away, according to the Washington history site historylink.org, but were defeated in a 945-802 vote. A few remnants of the town and the railroad cutoff nearby are still visible from the road or in aerial photos.

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.

‘People connector’

Small business mentor Allan Peterson prepares to retire

MOSES LAKE — Allan Peterson is hanging it up after more than two decades of helping the little guy find success. “(We) really appreciate all that he has done for Grant County,” Grant County Economic Development Council Director Brant Mayo said. “He’s been an unsung hero of the growth in this area.”

Moses Lake Police logs as of Dec. 3, 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.

Senior events for December 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather outside may be frightful, but the holiday events this month make the chill in the air a little more bearable. Here are some opportunities to get out and about in December:

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.

Trade group: High taxes, regulations straining WA restaurants to the breaking point

(The Center Square) — The holidays are typically the busiest time of year for restaurants, but if trends continue in Washington state, it might be a blue Christmas for eatery owners and operators. “Costs have gone up, and customers are really pushing back on price,” said Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, in an interview last week with The Center Square.

BASIN EVENTS: December 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Now that the Thanksgiving turkey coma has passed, it’s time to get off the couch and start the December festivities. Here are some things happening this month.

Knights set for semifinal game at home Saturday

ROYAL CITY — This weekend the Royal Knights (11-0) will host the Lynden Christian Lyncs (10-1) at home Saturday at 3 p.m. in the semifinals of the 1A state football tournament. With a win, the Knights could be headed back to the state championship game, however, they remain focused on one game at a time.

2,500 families expected for Moses Lake Food Bank Thanksgiving distribution

MOSES LAKE — The line of cars stretched for the better part of a mile at noon Monday, an hour into Moses Lake Food Bank’s Thanksgiving meal distribution. “We have 2,500 families, and we’re anticipating all of them by Wednesday,” said food bank Operations Lead Jim Gantenbein.

Scam resurfaces in Grant County

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a scam has resurfaced with callers pretending to represent local law enforcement agencies or court personnel and asking for money.

LETTER: The high cost of school construction: A call for reform

Excessive soft costs • 35-45% of school construction budgets are consumed by soft costs – engineering, design and planning – before a single nail is driven or cement poured. • These costs must be reined in and redirected toward actual construction.

Lions strive to strengthen basketball community in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Christian Covenant School Lions boys basketball team has set its sights on another successful season but have also set a community goal to build up basketball in Moses Lake. “We accomplished most of what we wanted to do (last season) which was to win our league and to win districts,” said Emerson Ferguson, head coach for the Lions. “We fell short of winning at regionals... so that kind of left a bad taste in our mouths so we’re working really hard to make sure it doesn’t happen this year.” The Lions finished the last season with a 20-5 record going undefeated in league matchups and taking first in the Central Washington B District 5 tournament. At state, the Lions made it all the way to the quarterfinals before falling to Almira/Coulee Hartline.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office Log as of Nov. 13, 2025

Judith ‘Judy’ Church

August 24, 1937 – November 3, 2025

Judith “Judy” Ann Church, 88, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on Nov. 3, 2025, in Federal Way, Washington. Born on Aug. 24, 1937, in Portsmouth, Ohio to Eugene Samuel Crull and Eileen Pearl Hawkins Crull, Judy was the eldest of three sisters and a former resident of Moses Lake and Othello, Washington. A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 6 at Pillar Rock Golf Course in Moses Lake from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dress in your holiday colors. Join for lunch and share a story.

Knights shutout win secures undefeated regular season

ROYAL – On Thursday, the Knights (9-0) football squad followed up the soccer game prior to it with a 76-0 win over the Wapato Wolves. Head Coach Wiley Allred said his players did their jobs to finish the regular season undefeated.

WA directs state dollars to food banks as SNAP funding cliff nears

Washington state will give food banks $2.2 million per week as they deal with the potential end of food stamp benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Quincy PD blotter

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