CASEY MCCARTHY

Tips for getting your heating unit ready for the winter

Colder temperatures are right at the doorstep this fall, with winter knocking at the door. Ensuring your home’s heating unit is ready to go for the cooler months can be beneficial to help prevent issues coming up when the unit is needed most.

WIAA updates guidelines again for return of school-based activities

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association revised the guidelines for school-based sports and activities returning last week. Rather than continuing to follow the phases of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan, the new guidelines will be based upon COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period and the percentage of positive tests, with guidance from the Department of Health.

MLHS launches Campus Learning Center for student assistance, tutoring

Moses Lake High School recently launched a Campus Learning Center on its campus once a week for students to come in for tutoring and academic support. The Campus Learning Center is currently available on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. in the commons area of the high school.

Constantly growing: a landscape developing over time

Over time, gardens and lawns tend to evolve and grow almost as an organism on their own, changing and evolving. Vicky Walker is an avid gardener in Moses Lake has seen her garden and landscaping expand at her home to the point that she even has plants spilling out to beyond her yard now.

Rock Bingo offers opportunity for people to explore Moses Lake parks and win prizes

Need an excuse to hunt down rocks at local parks? Moses Lake Parks & Recreation has got you covered in October with their new Park Bingo Scavenger Hunt, now wrapping up its second week.

After Spaceburgers, Lioness Club committed to finding more ways to assist

It has been an interesting few months for the new president of the Lioness Club of Moses Lake, Frogg McMain. She took the helm in June.

Safety tips for celebrating Halloween this year

The city of Moses Lake issued some safety tips in advance of Halloween, courtesy of the State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ephrata coach remains in 'wait and see' mode as proposed athletics start date draws closer

Heather Wood, Ephrata High School head softball coach, varsity cheer coach, physical education teacher, and junior class adviser, felt firsthand what it was like to miss out on the opportunity for a season with her softball team last spring.

Small gathering for ceremony held at Peace Pole in Moses Lake

A small group gathered near the Peace Pole beside Moses Lake Public Library on Sunday afternoon for a small ceremony to discuss thoughts on how to better work toward peace in society today.

A Friday night under the lights

MOSES LAKE — Longtime Chiefs announcer Mike Love made his signature call on Friday night, “Welcome to Lions Field, home of the Chiefs,” as Moses Lake High School’s Friday Night Football Flashback kicked off.

Greenhouse a welcome addition for Moses Lake gardener

Justin Henley, of Moses Lake, says he purchased his greenhouse about two years ago but never had the time to assemble it until this summer.

Columbia Basin Buddy Walk goes mobile for 2020

The 2020 Columbia Basin Buddy Walk, like most events recently, looked a little bit different this year with restrictions from COVID-19 in place. The annual walk hosted by the Down Syndrome Society of Grant County was replaced with an impromptu car parade on Saturday, Sept. 26.

WIAA launching 'Mind Gym' seminar series for coaches, athletes

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association will be launching a free weekly seminar series on Oct. 7 that will focus on training mental toughness and mindfulness for athletes and coaches. Mind Gym Wednesdays will start next Wednesday and feature a new training session each following Wednesday through Nov. 11.

Peace Pole rededication ceremony to be held on Sunday

A rededication ceremony for the Peace Pole near the Moses Lake Library on Fifth Avenue will be held on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. The ceremony will feature readings from participants, who wish to read, on the history of the Peace Pole and quotes on peace.

Rotary Club raises funds to renovate skate park in Moses Lake

The Rotary Club of Moses Lake is currently raising funds for their annual community service project, with their eyes set on the skate park in Moses Lake this year. The club has currently raised about $31,000 for the project and are planning on launching a GoFundMe page to go towards their ultimate goal of raising $300,000 for the remodel.

Classic Chiefs game to show at Lions Field on Friday night

Chiefs fans will have a chance to get together at Lions Field this Friday night for a bit of a throwback event. Moses Lake High School is hosting a Friday Night Football Flashback, a “drive-in” setup where fans can come and line up in their cars to watch a classic game featuring their Moses Lake Chiefs.

Growing space: Othello teen uses free time to create garden boxes

Picking up new hobbies this summer was probably not an uncommon thing with people spending more time indoors, and around the house, due to restrictions from COVID-19. Othello High School graduate Jaxon Rocha found himself having a lot more free time this spring after his senior baseball season was cancelled.

Starting a remodel, ready or not

Projects and remodels around the home and yard have been a popular trend over the last few months with people spending more time around the house since the coronavirus came into affect. Postponed vacations, cancelled trips, extra funds from the stimulus check over the summer, or just being around the house more often are just a few of the reasons people noted for deciding to pick up projects in recent months.

New Wahluke football coach excited to begin the season this spring

Wahluke head coach Anfernee Cortez has had some extra time this fall to prepare for his first season as head coach of the Warriors football program after the fall athletic season was postponed due to COVID-19. After a couple of seasons as an assistant coach with the Warriors, Cortez said it is nice having a little extra time to get settled as he takes over the reins this year.

Spaceburgers finally landed in Moses Lake last weekend

Locals finally got their annual fix of Spaceburgers last weekend on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Boys & Girls Club of the Columbia Basin location on North Paxson Drive in Moses Lake. The event was sponsored by the Lioness Club of Moses Lake, with proceeds being split between the Boys & Girls Club and the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation.

Coats for Kids drive kicks off in Moses Lake

The Rotary Club of Moses Lake kicked off its annual Coats for Kids drive on Saturday, with 10 drop boxes made available around Moses Lake for people to donate coats.

School counseling complicated by distance learning

MOSES LAKE — Staff and students are still adjusting to the changes implemented for the new school year after kids returned to classrooms last week, having missed the first few days due to lingering smoke from wildfires.

Quincy first responders step up to assist community member

Quincy first responders from Grant County Fire District No. 3, AFF Local 4418 firefighters, Quincy Police Guild and Protection One Ambulance Service came together last week to assist a community member in need. Members of the various emergency services purchased two 12-volt batteries, and a new wheelchair charger for Quincy resident Dave Stratton.

Concrete ideas: Remodeling and outdoor projects keep contractor busy even during pandemic

Christina and Darin Arnall are the owners of D.C. Custom Construction Inc. in Quincy. Christina Arnall said their business has remained busy throughout the coronavirus-related shutdown and restrictions, something that surprised her to see.

Northwest Berkley Big Bass Tournament canceled

Northwest Berkley Big Bass Tournament on Oct. 3 at MarDon Resort on Potholes Reservoir has been cancelled this year after being postponed already this May. Marilyn Meseberg, an owner at MarDon Resort, said there were a number of reasons that led to the event being cancelled this fall.

MLHS band students pick up instruments for remote study

Students stopped by Moses Lake High School on Wednesday to pick up instruments for band classes this year with the semester kicking off remotely. Without being able to meet in groups, putting together ensembles or collaborative works is difficult to accomplish through the remote learning platform.

100 years on the road: Troopers reflect on working in Moses Lake detachment

MOSES LAKE — Troopers from the Moses Lake Washington State Patrol detachment, both old and new, recently discussed what drew them to the agency and how it has transformed in the time they have been there.

Moses Lake girls soccer hopes to build off last year’s success

After making a surge to the District Championship game last fall, Moses Lake High School girls soccer coach Liz Bigger said in an interview on Tuesday she’s hoping they can improve off last year’s run if they are able to return this spring. The Chiefs’ soccer season was moved to the spring under the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s revised athletic calendar for 2020-21.

A remote start to the year for Moses Lake schools

The school year kicked off remotely in Moses Lake on Monday as students and teachers begin the year under unconventional circumstances. In-person learning was cancelled early this week due to the lingering smoke in the area after recent wildfires.

Donations gathered to assist Washington communities after wildfires

Local community members gathered up a variety of donations to be delivered on Friday afternoon to assist those impacted by the wildfires in Malden, Washington. Kevin Burgess, a realtor in Moses Lake, put out a call for donations on social media on Thursday, Sept. 10, and quickly saw his message begin to spread through fellow realtors, friends, family, and community members.

New school year: Chromebooks distributed to Moses Lake students

Chromebooks were distributed to students in the afternoon on Friday, Sept. 11, at North Elementary School in Moses Lake as staff and parents gear up for the beginning of the school year today. The North Elementary School staff had ice cream treats available for students with an opportunity for students to meet their teachers from a distance.

Picking up projects: Coronavirus restrictions have spurred a flurry of home improvement work

Coronavirus-related stay-at-home orders and restrictions have spurred a flurry of home improvement work

With people spending more time in and around their homes the last few months since the coronavirus surfaced around March, picking up home improvement projects and remodelings has become a major trend.

Wahluke girls soccer look to build off last year's run

Wahluke High School girls soccer team look to build off last year’s success after making their first trip to the 1A State tournament since 2001. The start of the regular season is postponed until the spring due to revisions to the athletic calendar made by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Ritzville holds its parade, with a different route

Instead of the traditional route through downtown Ritzville along Main Street, this year’s Ritzville Community Parade took an unorthodox route. The parade kicked off at Ritzville Grade School before zig-zagging through town and finally coming to a halt in the downtown area.

Fridays without football: Local coaches miss the start of the season

Football stadiums remain empty on Fridays this fall with the football season postponed until spring. Coaches from the Columbia Basin discussed what it has been like not having those Friday nights to look forward to in what would be the second week of the regular season.

New Royal athletic director adjusting to calendar

ROYAL CITY — New Royal High School Athletic Director Gary Winston Jr. will have some time to adjust before the sports calendar gets underway in his first year with the school.

ACH coach discusses delayed season

Brandon Walsh, head football coach and athletic director at Almira Coulee-Hartline High School, said he's just working on getting set up for virtual learning to begin the year with football on hold this fall. With the season pushed back until the spring in the revised athletic calendar, Walsh prepares for his 22nd year of coaching with an unusual season on the horizon.

100 years on the road: Troopers carry a legacy forward

Tuesday marked the beginning of the 100th year of service for the Washington State Patrol, kicking off a year of remembrance and celebration for the department. The Moses Lake WSP detachment was originally part of District 4 out of Spokane before the agency expanded to six districts in 1948.

Fresh air, fresh look: People staying home are tackling outdoor projects

QUINCY — Outdoor remodeling projects and other home renovations have become popular with people spending more time at home and around their yard during the pandemic.

State agency adjusts its work during pandemic, as school returns

MOSES LAKE — As families prepare for students returning to school this fall under unprecedented conditions, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families is working to assist and support families moving forward.

Spuds wrap up summer with weekend tournament

The Central Washington Spuds returned to action over the weekend for the first time in nearly three weeks. The Spuds made the trip to Kalispell, Montana, for a final four-game weekend slate.

Families line up for Mobile Market in Quincy

Volunteers from Army and Air Force National Guard directed the line of traffic backed all the way out to First Avenue Southwest in Quincy on Monday afternoon for the Second Harvest Inland Northwest Mobile Market.

Wahluke AD's focus on student athletes for coming season

Wahluke Athletic Director Jackson Haak heads into his second season with the school facing unprecedented challenges and a season unlike any other. His focus remains on making sure the best precautions are taken for student athletes as the 2020-21 calendar comes into shape.

Othello baseball duo getting set for next level

After missing out their final season with the Othello Huskies, Jaxon Rocha and Trey Garza wrapped up their final summer together with Mercedes-Benz College Prep team recently.

Red Rock Elementary gets set to welcome students back

Staff at Red Rock Elementary School in Royal City worked to wrap up final preparations on Thursday before students returned today. Boxes were unpacked, social distancing markers were placed, and final touches came together as the staff worked to ensure students were facing minimal risk returning to school for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic first arose in March.

Buses ready for students to return with new measures

The Royal School District Transportation Department spent Thursday deep-cleaning the buses and making sure new measures were ready to go with students beginning to head back to school today.

Parents of children with special needs work to navigate options with school returning

Special education parents working to find best options

MOSES LAKE — Parents and families are preparing children as the school year nears. Parents of children dealing with special needs face a number of challenges as they seek the best option for this fall.

Moses Lake artist Jan Thacker having work displayed in Montana gallery during September

Local artist to exhibit in Montana

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake artist and writer Jan Thacker will have her work displayed in her home state in the month of September at the Phillips Studio and Gallery in Kalispell, Montana.

Sand Scorpions bring out riders for first major event of summer

Riders come out for Race Around the Bowls

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Sand Scorpions held its first major event this summer on Saturday as riders came out to Moses Lake Sand Dunes for the annual Off Road Race Around the Bowls.

Looking back on a legacy of athletics and family in Othello for the McCourtie family

OTHELLO — A passion for athletics has a long tradition in the Othello community. Othello High School Athletic Director Jenny McCourtie recounted her own family’s legacy as the high school works on revamping its track.