CASEY MCCARTHY
Staff Writer
Recent Stories
Fundraising continues for Moses Lake Rotary's skate park project
Fundraising for the Moses Lake Rotary Club’s project to upgrade the Moses Lake Skate Park is continuing a few months beyond the previous final date of Dec. 31.
MLHS looks at regional scheduling for athletics when they return
High school athletic directors are working to update their planning and processes for the season after new guidelines were announced by Gov. Jay Inslee last week in addition to schedule revisions released by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Othello's McCourtie named CWAC AD of the Year
Othello High School athletic director Jenny McCourtie is the Central Washington Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the year for 2020.
Former MLHS standout off to hot start for Fresno State this season
Moses Lake native Hunter Cruz is off to a hot 4-0 this year wrestling for Fresno State University in his redshirt sophomore season.
WIAA moves traditional fall sports to Season 1 in revised season schedule
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association(WIAA) Executive Board voted Wednesday to amend the proposed season schedule for 2020-21.
Down to business: New DMLA executive director looks forward to helping her hometown grow
In a year filled with numerous firsts (and hopefully a few lasts), Lexi Smith added one more to her own slate: She stepped into a new role Monday as executive director of the Downtown Moses Lake Association.
Columbia Basin Allied Arts Mural Project delayed until next summer
Columbia Basin Allied Arts Mural Project, originally planned to be unveiled at the 2020 Grant County Fair, was delayed until next summer over concerns about the mural’s design.
New Year's events limited as we say goodbye to 2020
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events are limited this year due to restrictions from COVID-19.
Ways to dispose of Christmas trees
In Moses Lake, there are at least three ways to dispose of Christmas trees.
WIAA releases proposed amendments for January vote
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) announced 10 proposed amendments last Monday that will be discussed and finalized by the WIAA Representative Assembly during the virtual Winter Coalition Jan. 25.
Local Boy Scouts of America leader responds to recruiting issues with Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America have found themselves in contention in some areas, as lawyers for the Girl Scouts said the Boy Scouts have unfairly recruited girls recently.
Nestled around the fire: Fireplaces can keep families warm while stuck indoors
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.” The holiday lyrics ring true this season as more and more people spend time inside the house and during the pandemic. A fire burning in the den or living room can help warm up these winter months as people are stuck indoors.
Columbia Basin wrestlers continue success at club level with season on hold
Local high school wrestlers find time on the mat with the season on hold at the club level, making trips to tournaments in Iowa, Arizona and Oklahoma.
Local wrestlers find success at club level with HS season on hold
With the girls wrestling high school season still waiting to get started, if at all, a number of local wrestlers have found success at the club level.
Lights and Santa Claus kick off Quincy Valley Christmas Holiday Celebration
Grant County Fire District 3 helped bring Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to downtown Quincy Friday evening to kick off the weekend’s Quincy Valley Christmas Holiday Celebration.
Christmas celebration: Quincy museum, volunteers put together a Christmas Market and Living Nativity
QUINCY — Quincy Valley Historical Society & Museum hosted Christmas activities all day Saturday, starting in the morning with the Christmas Market and wrapping up the day’s celebrations with the Living Nativity at night.
Sign company adjusts to meet changing needs during pandemic, and to help
MOSES LAKE — Printed stickers on floors and “masks required” signs have become common sights since the coronavirus pandemic came into play in March. Businesses have been forced to adopt new health guidelines and strategies to help keep their stores going this year.
Happy places: Greenhouse owners discuss how plants fare after first frost
Greenhouses in the area, and the plants they house, have seen their first tests in recent weeks, with temperatures dropping and even a few snowflakes falling.
WIAA pushes back 2020-21 season schedule again
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association executive board voted last Tuesday to alter the 2020-21 season schedule again, postponing the start of the revised Season 2 to Feb. 1. Each season will also be shortened to seven weeks with the change in schedule.
Royal senior headed to Saint Martin's University to play basketball next season
Royal High School senior Chenoa Louie cemented another four years for her basketball career on Friday as she signed her letter of intent to play next season at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington.
A giving tradition: Columbia Basin Elks keep annual Thanksgiving event going amid limitations
Smiles and ‘thank yous’ were in abundance as people came through the line at the Elks Lodge in Moses Lake on Wednesday afternoon. While the event might have looked a little different this year with restrictions due to COVID-19, the appreciation from the community remained the same.
Collecting, growing, sharing: Plant lovers are continually learning
A love for plants and gardening grew for Heather Gessele and Ekko Nash from a young age. Gessele’s mom and grandmother always had a “green thumb” when she was growing up while Nash’s mother had a cut flower garden herself.
Coffee with a Cause returns to Ironworks in Othello
High school and middle school students from Othello First Presbyterian Church, partnered with Ironworks Cafe & Market for the church’s annual Coffee for a Cause event on Sunday. Coffee and cinnamon rolls were served by students and volunteers on Sunday morning, with proceeds going towards the church’s “Soul 2 Sole” fundraiser.
Patton Clinic celebrates anniversary with free flu shots
The Samaritan Clinic on Patton Boulevard marked its first anniversary, last Wednesday, with a free flu shot event Friday afternoon.
Bringing the garden view indoors
That lush green landscape of flowers and foliage doesn’t have to disappear with the cold weather and shorter days this fall. Keeping houseplants around is a great way to keep that greenery around while waiting for the growing season to return.
Mobile Market returns to Ephrata for third time
EPHRATA — For the third, and likely final time, since COVID-19 came into effect last March, the Second Harvest Mobile Market food distribution returned to Ephrata on Thursday.
SOUTH Royal Knights football return to practice for first time since 1A title
The Royal High School football team has been waiting eagerly for a chance to hit the field again after celebrating with the 1A State Championship trophy in the rain last year. The Knights will get their chance, hitting the practice field this afternoon.
Storing plants and flowers through the winter
Rather than starting fresh next spring, there are plenty of plants that can be saved from your garden or lawn for next season. Making sure your plants are stored properly helps ensure they make it through the winter.
Moses Lake movie theater set to welcome back patrons Saturday
After finishing up some work on the interior, Fairchilds Cinema gets set to finally welcome back patrons this Saturday afternoon. Andrew Jensen, Moses Lake theater manager, said it feels strange coming back after being gone for so long.
MLHS football returned to the field this week
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School football players got back on the field for the first time since last fall on Monday afternoon. Returning to limited practices this week, the team and coaches look to make up for some of the missed time in spring and summer.
Sharing stories again: Quincy Public Library welcomed back patrons on Monday
Galilee Ontiveros was filled with excitement as she showed her mom, Christine Ontiveros, the Curious George book sitting on the table at the Quincy Public Library on Wednesday afternoon. Christine Ontiveros said having the library open again is sure to make her young daughter happy.
Moses Lake softball back in action after missing out on last season
Moses Lake High School softball players spent Tuesday afternoon practicing inside the gym due to the rain after getting back in action last week for the first time since having their season cut short in March.
Ballot drop-offs and voter registration continue day before elections
Prospective voters made up a steady line outside of the Elections Department at Grant County Courthouse on Monday, the day before Election Day. Last-minute registrations to vote were taken care of, while others stopped to drop off their ballots.
Farmers Market season comes to a close
MOSES LAKE — Costumes and candy were in abundance at McCosh Park on Saturday as vendors came out for the final time this fall. The Moses Lake Farmers Market wrapped up its final event this fall on Saturday with a number of Halloween festivities to help cap off the season.
Rotary Club of Moses Lake receives $15,000 donation from Confluence Health
MOSES LAKE — The Rotary Club of Moses Lake received a $15,000 donation from Confluence Health and Wenatchee Valley Physicians’ Association to go towards the organization’s proposed plans for renovations at the Moses Lake skate park.
Warden teen looks forward to victory in cancer fight
This time last year, Avree Pruneda was dealing with a pain in her arm that would eventually lead her down a trying path. The pain turned into a diagnosis with Ewing’s sarcoma in January, an extremely rare form of cancer.
Cellist and composer set to bring 'Nosferatu' soundtrack to life tonight
Columbia Basin Allied Arts and Grant County Fairgrounds are teaming up tonight for a special edition of Cars Under the Stars for their showing of the classic film “Nosferatu.”
Moses Lake Public Library prepares to welcome back patrons
The staff of Moses Lake Public Library is preparing to reopen the doors to the public on Monday, Nov. 2.
Limited practices starting up for high school athletics
Limited practices have started for athletic programs in the area in recent weeks after revisions to the WIAA’s guidelines regarding interscholastic activities and athletics. Jennifer Gering, head volleyball coach at Moses Lake High School, got her team back in the gym for the first time on Monday.
Canceled blood drives leave supply low; Red Cross plans drive in Moses Lake
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the variation in blood collection and supply has been a “roller coaster,” according to Ryan Rodin, executive director of the Greater Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Target Zero, local first responders hold Basin-wide food drive
The Target Zero program partnered with local law enforcement, fire, and EMS workers in Grant County over the weekend for a Basin-wide food drive to support local food banks. Stations were set up in Moses Lake, Ephrata, Soap Lake, Quincy and Royal City.
Saving seeds for next year
Cold weather is on its way, and the next few days might be the last opportunity of the year to save some of your favorite vegetables and to grow again next season.
Warden athletics get set for return under revised WIAA guidelines
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association revised the guidelines for school-based sports and activities returning last week. The new guidelines will no longer follow the phases of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan, and be based upon COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents as well the percentage of positive tests, with guidance from the Department of Health.
Ephrata athletes to start limited practices Monday
Spring athletes at Ephrata High School will get a chance to return to practice on Monday for the first time since athletics were put on pause due to COVID-19 in March.
A party fit for the dogs
Pit bull fans, pack your party hats, flying discs and dog treats for this Saturday afternoon.
Second Harvest Mobile Market food distribution brings long line of cars in Othello
Second Harvest’s Mobile Market saw a long line of cars come out to Othello High School on Tuesday morning for their free food distribution event. Boxes of a variety of different food items were distributed to families and Othello community members who came out for the event on Tuesday
Second Harvest Mobile Market comes to Othello
Second Harvest’s Mobile Market food distribution stopped by Othello High School on Tuesday to the welcome of a long line of cars. The free food dispersal event provided a variety of food items for families and community members who stopped by on Tuesday morning.
Moses Lake BMX hosts final race of the season
Bike tires skirted the dirt track in Moses Lake for the last time this fall as Moses Lake BMX wrapped up its season on Saturday.
Little libraries popping up locally
You’ve probably seen one, even if you didn’t know it. A small wooden box on post filled with an assortment of books nestled within your community. These Little Free Libraries have continued to pop up around the country, and here locally in our own community.
Moses Lake movie theater gets ready for reopening
Fairchild Cinemas in Moses Lake continue to work on getting ready to reopen their doors after being closed to the public for months during the pandemic. Mamie Gale, general manager at Fairchild Cinemas, said they are working on finishing up some interior work currently, including replacing some cabinets.