CASEY MCCARTHY
Staff Writer
Recent Stories
Royal High School football seniors staying ready when their return comes
ROYAL CITY — Coming off another Class 1A state championship and an undefeated season, the Royal Knights look to pick up where they left off when the season kicks off this spring.
Second-year Ephrata head coach Gary Klepec hoping experience will benefit Tigers in delayed season
EPHRATA — Entering his second year as head coach for girls soccer at Ephrata High School, Gary Klepec will be faced with a completely new situation as he returns.
Outdoor recreation offers a chance to escape during pandemic
MOSES LAKE — As people have continued to adjust to new and changing ways of life under the pandemic guidelines, outdoor recreation has been a popular activity for people seeking to maintain social distancing.
Unusually quiet at Grant County Fairgrounds as animals arrive for the livestock sale
Adjusted sale at GC Fairgrounds underway
MOSES LAKE — Cattle, sheep, goats and other livestock arrived at the Grant County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, with animals set to be evaluated today and auctions to begin this afternoon.
East Adams Library District getting creative in offering programs behind closed doors
RITZVILLE — Employees of the East Adams Library District in Ritzville have needed to get creative in how they offer their programs and services with the library doors still closed to the public due to the pandemic.
Moses Lake BMX continuing strong with a rise in new riders this summer
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake BMX hosted a single-point event at the BMX Track in town on Saturday morning.
7th Annual Ag World Golf Classic raises money for Ronald McDonald House
MOSES LAKE — After some delays due to the coronavirus, the seventh annual Ag World Golf Classic was held at The Links at Moses Pointe on Thursday, bringing in more than $85,000. All of the money raised goes toward the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest.
Mercedes-Benz win streak comes to end in high-scoring affair
MOSES LAKE — Mercedes-Benz college prep squad went 1-2 over three games this past week, moving to 20-10-1 on the summer.
Warden grad looking forward to college game after summer play
WARDEN — Coming off his summer season with Mercedes-Benz College Prep baseball team, Ryan Arredondo said his confidence is building as he gets set to begin his college career.
Children’s Learning Center of Ephrata stays open, adapts to difficult time
EPHRATA — Kate and Steve DuVall with the Children’s Learning Center of Ephrata continue to work, in this unusual time, to offer opportunities for parents and families as the school year nears.
Moses Lake football players, coaches look to keep busy with the season delayed until spring
MOSES LAKE — In a time when practices should be gearing up and teams figuring out schemes, Moses Lake High School football players and coaches wait and plan for a unique season this year in the spring.
New guidelines handed down for indoor fitness facilities in Washington
New state guidelines will affect local indoor fitness facilities
MOSES LAKE — An update to the requirements and guidelines for indoor training and fitness facilities was issued by Gov. Jay Inslee last week to go into effect on today, Aug. 10.
East Adams Library District adjusting to keep programs going behind closed doors
RITZVILLE — Empty aisles of books and quiet hallways have become the new normal for East Adams Library District employees at the Ritzville Public Library. Like many organizations in the area, the library district has had to get creative in changing up the services and programs it offers as a result of the current pandemic.
WIAA continues to work on revisions for 2020-21 athletic calendar
RENTON — The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Board continued planning and processes for carrying out the 2020-21 athletic calendar. After already deciding to move to a new four-season schedule next year, the WIAA took further actions to ensure schools and athletes have the best chance of participating next season.
Moses Lake museum launches YouTube channel
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center has launched its own YouTube channel to highlight current exhibits while the doors remain closed to the public. Grant County is in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening process, and the museum will not be able to open to the public until the county reaches Phase 3.
Legacy Golf Course hosted second annual Special Olympics fundraising tournament last weekend
OTHELLO — Golfers came out early Saturday morning to The Legacy Golf Course and Resort at Frenchman Hills for its second annual Special Olympics Fundraising Tournament.
Spuds 2-2; Riverdogs drop doubleheader in weekend summer baseball play
MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Spuds picked up a pair of wins over St. Maries last weekend as the two squads matched up for the fifth and sixth times this summer. The Spuds took a 14-8 win to open up the doubleheader on Saturday.
Mercedes-Benz summer squad unbeaten against 2020 City Baseball
MOSES LAKE — Mercedes-Benz summer college prep baseball team wrapped up four games Sunday and Monday, going unbeaten through the stretch.
Moses Lake BMX hosts single-point race event on Sunday
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake BMX was able to host a single-point race event this weekend, attracting riders from across the state and Pacific Northwest.
A chance to give back: Trout Lake Farm holds food distribution
EPHRATA — The line of cars wrapped around the parking lot out into the street in front of Moore Furniture on Basin Street Southwest in Ephrata on Friday afternoon for 2nd Harvest’s Mobile Market free food distribution.
Heart of a teacher: Gaynor Edwards found her calling and touched lives
MOSES LAKE — Education, like many professions, is often considered a calling. For Moses Lake High School instructor Gaynor Edwards, it was a call she didn’t expect to hear. But she heard it, and many students in the Moses Lake area have been enriched by her teaching talents.
Othello High School decides on new Huskies logo
OTHELLO — Othello High School finalized its decision on a new logo design for the Huskies moving forward. The new logo will be added to the football field and track currently being renovated at the high school. Basketball courts, uniforms and other school facilities will be updated down the road with the new design as well.
Stewart’s Arena in Royal City welcome 16 teams for weekend roping event
ROYAL CITY — Sixteen teams of ropers from across Washington and Oregon came together at Stewart’s Arena in Royal City last weekend for the first Buckaroo Bash event.
Central Basin Target Zero hosting vehicular heatstroke awareness event in Ephrata Friday and Saturday
EPHRATA — Central Basin Target Zero will be hosting a two-day Vehicular Heatstroke Awareness and Prevention event at Walmart in Ephrata today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Special Olympics golf tournament fundraiser Saturday in Othello
OTHELLO — The Legacy Golf Course and Resort at Frenchman Hills in Othello will host its second annual Special Olympics Fundraising Tournament on Saturday.
WIAA released revised sports season calendar for 2020-21
RENTON — The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Board released its modified sports calendar for 2020-21 as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The new schedule will feature four seasons with moderate- to high-risk fall sports moving to the new Season 3.
WIAA Executive Board continuing to work on revisions and guidelines for the 2020-21 athletic year
RENTON — The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Executive Board continued planning and actions for the 2020-21 athletic calendar. After making the decision to move next year’s athletics to a new four-season schedule, the WIAA took additional actions at this week’s meeting to ensure events could be held next year.
Spuds split midweek doubleheader against St. Maries on Tuesday
ST. MARIES, Idaho — The Central Washington Spuds split a doubleheader against St. Maries on the road in St. Maries, Idaho.
Riverdogs, Spuds summer clubs fare well
GRANT COUNTY — Both the Columbia Basin Riverdogs and Central Washington Spuds finished up a busy scheduled last week. The Spuds finished 3-1 in four games last week, while the Riverdogs won five of six over the weekend.
Mercedes-Benz prep baseball finish 2-2 in four-game stretch last week
IDAHO — Mercedes-Benz college prep baseball team finished 2-2 in a four-game stretch last week in Idaho.
WIAA releases revised calendar for 2020-21 athletics
RENTON — High school sports this fall are going to look different in the Columbia Basin, and statewide.
Big Bend volleyball coach discussed adjusting to later season next year
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College’s volleyball season moved from the first sport to begin to the last one to end after the Northwest Athletic Conference’s adjusted schedule was released.
Adjusted Girl Scout Cookie sales period came to a close Monday
MOSES LAKE — Girl Scout Cookies were on sale for the final time in Moses Lake yesterday as the revised sale period came to a close. The annual sale was extended from the typical four-week stint to six weeks this summer.
Riverdogs finish weekend stretch of games up 4-2
MOSES LAKE — Columbia Basin Riverdogs finished up a six-game slate over the weekend, going 4-2.
City employees working to keep recreation opportunities going this summer
MOSES LAKE — Keeping recreation opportunities going in Moses Lake has been a challenge as the COVID-19 pandemic has created a number of hurdles in the process.
Desert Oasis High School celebrated 2020 graduating class last Thursday
OTHELLO — While it may have been later in the summer than expected, the smiles and excitement were still visible as graduating seniors crossed the stage at Desert Oasis High School’s 2020 graduation ceremonies last Thursday evening in Othello.
Riverdogs lose close game
TRI-CITIES — The Columbia Basin Riverdogs returned to play Thursday afternoon, losing a tight game to Northwest Athletics 2-0.
Mercedes-Benz prep baseball club wins four of five against LC Twins
LEWISTON, Idaho — Mercedes-Benz College Prep summer team finished up a five-game series against LC Twins beginning last Thursday, losing just once.
Big Bend athletics bracing for ‘non-traditional’ season
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College’s athletic schedule is shifting.
Tom Taylor first musical guest of the summer for Moses Lake Farmers Market
Music returns to Moses Lake Farmers Market
MOSES LAKE — From behind a plastic sheet, under a canopy set back off a path in McCosh Park, musician Tom Taylor delivered Moses Lake Farmers Market’s first musical performance of the year Saturday.
Coulee Summer Kickoff welcomed barrel racers for the two-day event last weekend
COULEE CITY — Riders and their horses arrived in Coulee City over the weekend for the Coulee Summer Kickoff barrel racing event at Ted Rice Arena.
Both Columbia Basin summer baseball squads in action over the weekend
Both Columbia Basin summer baseball squads were in action this weekend on the road.
Warden’s Aubree Skone ready for rodeo circuit’s return
WARDEN — After seeing her college rodeo season come to a close the night before the opening competition, Warden’s Aubree Skone had been biding her time until she had a chance to return.
Riverdogs riding momentum as the summer baseball season moves along
EPHRATA — After a rocky start to the summer, the Riverdogs have found their groove, winning eight straight games heading into their weekend tournament in Selah.
Mercedes-Benz prep baseball club finish weekend unbeaten
BEND, Ore. — Mercedes-Benz college prep baseball team finished the holiday weekend undefeated in its four contests against Boss Baseball in Bend, Oregon.
Car wash celebrates 6 months in business
MOSES LAKE — The owners of Sun Splash Car Wash wanted to thank the community of Moses Lake for helping them begin to build their business over its first six months. So the car wash, which opened in January, will offer special deals — and a karaoke contest with a substantial grand prize.
Spuds head coach Blake Springer looked to carry hot bats over to weekend tournament
MOSES LAKE — One game into a unique season, the Spuds and first-year head coach Blake Springer look to build off a closely contested 15-13 loss last Tuesday to Post Falls.
Lavender Farm Days extended with social distancing
MOSES LAKE — Tiffany and Jeremy Quilter of Columbia Plateau Lavender began their Lavender Farm Days event this year by welcoming visitors Thursday.
Warden teen hanging tough through cancer
WARDEN — Almost six months from the day she received her initial diagnosis, Avree Pruneda is cancer-free and loving it.
Warden’s Aubree Skone discusses dealing with time away from rodeo competition this summer
WARDEN — With rodeo events few and far between this summer, participants like Warden’s Aubree Skone have been biding their time until they get a chance to return.