New officer

Othello native Dereck Garza, right, was sworn in as an officer of the Othello Police Department by Othello Mayor Shawn Logan, left, during Monday’s regular Othello City Council meeting. According to Othello Police Chief Dave Rehaume, Garza’s hiring brings the Othello PD up to full staff.

North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force receives award

NESPELEM — The North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force was named 2023 Agency of the Year for Washington Region 2 by the Western States Information Network, according to an announcement by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. According to the statement, the commander of the NCWNTF is Colville Tribal Police Chief Steve Brown. The NCWNTF is comprised of fewer than four full-time employees, including other Colville Tribal Police officers in addition to Brown. Colville Business Council Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson commented on the award in the statement.

Gas leak shuts down stores, streets in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A gas leak closed streets and caused some businesses to be evacuated Tuesday morning in Moses Lake. At just before 8 a.m., a construction crew was excavating at Penn Plaza, at North Stratford and Mart roads, when workers struck a natural gas line, according to Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “(It) caused a significant enough leak to spread pretty far and wide, so out of an abundance of caution we closed down the area as best we could,” Sands said.

Town hall gathers Ephrata officials together in one room

EPHRATA — Eight public officials and figures from Ephrata gathered onstage at the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center Thursday evening for the We Are Ephrata Town Hall, providing updates on the various agencies and organizations in the city. The event was organized and moderated by the Columbia Basin Herald with assistance from students in Ephrata High School’s TigerVision group and community leaders.

WA law enforcement org weights in on pursuit law changes

(The Center Square) – In less than two months, law enforcement agencies across Washington state will have a less restrictive set of rules when it comes to vehicle pursuits of fleeing suspects.

Washington to fund more non-armed vehicle pursuit technology for law enforcement

(The Center Square) - As restrictions on law enforcement pursuing criminals are set to take effect on June 6 after passing in the Legislature, the state is offering police agencies a second funding opportunity to buy equipment capable of pursuing suspects without the use of firearms.

Kathleen Morley

Feb. 25, 1945 – March 28, 2024

Kathleen ‘Katy’ Ann (Baier) Morley, 79, passed away at home March 28, 2024 in Centralia, Wash.

Next stage of Grant Co. Jail construction to begin in May

EPHRATA — People driving by the site of the new Grant County Jail will start seeing progress soon.

GCFD 13 promotes three to command positions

EPHRATA – Grant County Fire District 13’s command staff looks a bit different than it did a week ago after a badge-pinning ceremony that promoted two firefighters to captains and one to battalion chief last week.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: It takes a village…

EPHRATA – We’ve all heard the old saying telling us that it “takes a village to raise a child” or some similar paraphrase. After my experience last Thursday with the We Are Ephrata Town Hall, I’d have to say that it’s also important to note that it takes a village to raise a town.

Quincy hospital bonds to be paid off sooner than projected

QUINCY — The collection rate for the bonds sold to build the new Quincy Valley Medical Center may be lower than originally anticipated. The sale of the second set of bonds, which will generate about $9 million in revenue, is set for late June.

Legals for April, 2 2024

Legals for April, 2 2024

Japanese consul-general visits Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The ties between Moses Lake and Japan were highlighted Monday as Japan’s consul-general for the region paid a visit to Moses Lake.

MLSD levy voting closes April 23

MOSES LAKE — Ballots should be returned by Tuesday in a special election that will decide the fate of a two-year educational programs and maintenance levy proposal from the Moses Lake School District.

Wayne Marsh Tower

April 22, 1932 – March 2, 2024

Wayne Marsh Tower was born April 22, 1932, to Guy A. and Leah L. (Marsh) Tower in Helena, Mont., joining a sister, Lois.

STUDIO BASIN: Soap Lake School District, traffic updates and Maverick baseball

MOSES LAKE — A developing story in Soap Lake, awards for local law enforcement officers for their heroism and summer traffic season in the Columbia Basin were the subjects of the STUDIO BASIN podcast for March 29. The Soap Lake School Board asked for the resignation of Superintendent Aaron Chavez during the board meeting March 25, and board members also declared a financial emergency. According to the resolution, the financial emergency could lead to reductions in school district staff. Law enforcement officers from the Moses Lake Police Department, Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Quincy Police Department received recognition for acts of heroism. Quincy officer Stephen Harder received the Carnegie Medal for Heroism for his part in rescuing an unconscious woman from a burning house in January 2023. Moses Lake officers Edgar Salazar, Kyle McCain, Omar Ramirez and Curt Ledeboer, along with Korey Judkins from the GCSO received the Washington State Medal of Honor for their actions in saving a woman during a shooting at the Gorge Amphitheater in June 2023.

Ronald E. Ries

May 7, 1945 – March 23, 2024

Ronald E. Ries, 78, passed away on March 23, 2024, at Samaritan Hospital. Ronald was a modest and private man whose last wishes included a request that no services be held. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories. Ronald was born on May 7, 1945, in Long Beach, California, the son of the late Darrell and Mary Ellen Ries. His family moved to Moses Lake in 1949. He graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1963. He met his future wife, Janet N. Ries, while attending college and was married to her in 1965 in Ephrata. In 1967, Ronald graduated from Central Washington University with a B.A. in Business and Accounting and enlisted in the Air Force. In the service, Ronald received flight training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona and pilot-instructor training in Panama City, Florida.

Ephrata man arrested in apparent road rage incident

EPHRATA — A man was arrested Friday evening for pulling a gun on a motorist in Ephrata, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Grant GOP resolves leadership crisis

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Republican Party has had an identity crisis for the past several months after some Precinct Committee Officers opted to remove David Hunt as Grant County Party Chair during an Oct. 5, 2023 meeting, citing legal issues Hunt is facing and electing Andrew Koeppen as chair. Hunt said the October meeting’s chair election is invalid. Washington GOP Chair Jim Walsh expressed frustration in a letter to both sides of the issue.

Police logs for April 5, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.