Adams Co. receives funding for bridge rebuilds

RITZVILLE — Adams County officials are scheduled to start work this fall on the first of six bridges that will be rebuilt to accommodate the widening of the East Low Canal.

Immigration, workforce integration addressed at economic conference

ELLENSBURG — The pattern followed by current immigrants to the United States is similar to earlier periods of higher immigration. Both workers and employers must adjust when integrating immigrants into the workplace. Those were among the conclusions from speakers discussing immigration and its impact on the workplace in Washington at the annual Economic Outlook Conference Monday at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.

SR 17 paving to begin May 8 near I-90

MOSES LAKE — The second phase of repaving of the section of State Route 17 that runs through Moses Lake will begin Wednesday. The second phase is paving, and so drivers should plan for a little slower traffic through the work zones, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation.

WA economy slowing but in relatively good condition, state economists say

ELLENSBURG — Washington’s economy, its job market and unemployment were topics of discussion at the annual Economic Outlook Conference Monday at Central Washington University. Dave Reich, executive director of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, said the state is still dealing with the aftereffects of 2020.

Changes to Grant Co. marijuana regs coming in July

EPHRATA — While some licenses have been issued to multiple entities, as of April 25 the unincorporated areas of Grant County have 117 active licenses for marijuana producers and 29 for marijuana processors. There are 57 tax parcels in the unincorporated areas where people are producing or processing marijuana, according to data that Grant County Development Services personnel obtained from the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Last piece of steel framing goes into place at Samaritan Hospital

MOSES LAKE — That short piece of steel framing had been around. It was the last steel beam going into the framing at the new Samaritan Hospital. Samaritan Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan chronicled some of its travels before it was tacked into place. The last piece of framing marks a milestone, and it’s treated accordingly.

Chip sealing underway near Othello, Royal City next

ROYAL CITY — Road crews will start chip-sealing on a 30-mile section of State Route 26 in the Royal City area beginning in mid-May. Crews are scheduled to finish chip-sealing on a section of SR 26 near Othello later this week. Additional chip seal work is scheduled for US Highway 97 between Tonasket and Oroville in Okanogan County, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation.

Candidate filing opens Monday

EPHRATA — Two countywide elected positions in Grant and Adams counties, county Superior Court seats, all state Representative and some state Senate seats will be up for election in 2024. Two positions also are up for election on the Grant County PUD board. Candidate filing week is next Monday through Friday.

Odessa groundwater area bridge rebuilds receive fed funds

WARDEN — The efforts of Washington legislators have resulted in federal funding to rebuild bridges as part of a long term project to switch irrigators to surface water in a section of the Columbia Basin Project.

Warden sweeps Royal in softball doubleheader

WARDEN — Warden High School softball coach Randy Wright said Tuesday’s doubleheader sweep of the Royal High School Knights was the performance he wanted to see with one week left in the regular season. Warden came from behind to take the first game 9-8 in extra innings and won the second game 7-3. “That’s the sort of thing I was looking for,” Wright said.

Historic view: Things have changed a lot over Lillian Tokunaga’s life

MOSES LAKE — Lillian Tokunaga was born in 1924, into a much different world. Tokunaga turned 100 last week, and has lived in Moses Lake for 76 years. (She’s always liked Moses Lake, she said.) But before moving to Moses Lake her life took her halfway around the world, into some very challenging places.

Owners of Mattawa Fitness Club have big plans

MATTAWA — Ulises Sanchez and Hector Guerrero said their business started as one of those casual conversations, a couple of friends kicking around possibilities. “It started as an idea,” Guerrero said. “We’re both gym people; we go to the gym all the time. And everybody has that conversation, ‘Oh, we should just do a gym one day.’ And one thing led to another.”

Bourbon & Bowties organizers express gratitude

MOSES LAKE — With framing going up for the new Samaritan Hospital, Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan told the packed house at the Bourbon & Bowties fundraiser that it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of hospital district residents.

Options on display at Outdoor Career Day

MATTAWA — No question, life as a firefighter can be demanding, as the abbreviated version of the physical agility test set up by Grant County Fire District 8 demonstrated. Participants dragged a length of fire hose, used a sledgehammer, dragged a dummy a specified distance, then dragged it back. That, said Wahluke High School student Ricardo Sandoval, was the real challenge.

Grant Co. rail expansions to aid economic growth

MOSES LAKE — Four Grant County port districts are working on projects to expand rail transport options available to existing and future businesses. The ports of Moses Lake, Quincy, Warden and Ephrata are researching, designing, planning, and getting ready for construction to expand or add rail service. Some received federal or state funding this spring. Representatives of each of the ports said the expansion of rail service in and around the county would help draw additional tenants to the port and likely the county as a whole. The expansion would provide options for manufacturers and others to bring in needed supplies. It will broaden the area’s cargo transport options to add rail to easy access to air, over-the-road and river-based industrial transport.

Mavs’ Richardson says circle is where she belongs

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School softball pitcher Paige Richardson said one of the most appealing things about the game is the chance it gives her to test herself. “I think a lot of it is the adrenaline that comes from it,” she said. “I love getting that rush, to just have that sense of urgency. I just want to be out there.” She wants to do well for her team, she said, and while softball requires practice, there’s a payoff at the end.

Crack sealing may result in traffic delays throughout Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — Drivers traveling through the Columbia Basin and North Central Washington have another reason to build in a little extra time to the trip between now and mid-June. Washington State Department of Transportation crews will be sealing cracks on roads throughout the region. Crack-sealing starts Monday, wrote Sebastian Moraga, WSDOT communications, in a press release. Crews will start near Othello and be working from Othello to Brewster, Wenatchee to Coulee Dam.

Quincy pharmacy searched by federal agencies

QUINCY — Officers from a number of federal agencies conducted a search at a Quincy pharmacy, and at a second location owned by the same people in East Wenatchee, Wednesday afternoon.

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.

Jacks soccer team falls to Cascade

QUINCY — About halfway through the second half, with the Quincy High School soccer team on the attack, an opportunity opened up in front of the Cascade High School goal. The shot went over the crossbar. Quincy Coach Hector Vaca said plays like that summed up the Jackrabbits’ 3-0 loss Tuesday in Quincy

Ephrata softball takes doubleheader over Quincy

QUINCY — The Ephrata Tigers softball team used strong hitting and strong pitching to gain wins over the Quincy Jackrabbits, 23-0 and 21-2, in a doubleheader Tuesday at Quincy High School. Ephrata Head Coach Heather Wood said the Tigers have been hitting well all season.

Music, visual arts, drama talents on display at Quincy Arts Night

QUINCY — Music, drama, visual arts, even culinary arts were all on display Monday at Quincy High School at the district’s annual Arts Night. Quincy High School choir director Kylie Youngren said the program was designed to show what arts students have been doing – but also what arts do for the students, and why art is an important part of education. “The arts are important because it’s what makes us human. It helps teach collaborative problem-solving that students can use in a variety of areas, in and outside the arts,” Youngren said.

MLSD levy election today

MOSES LAKE — Ballots are due today in a special election for a two year levy proposal for the Moses Lake School District. If the levy is approved, property owners would pay $2 per $1,000 of assessed property value. If it’s approved it would generate $15.78 million in the first year and $18.94 million in the second year.

Quincy, GCFD 3 finalize fire contract

QUINCY — The city of Quincy and Grant County Fire District 3 have reached an agreement on a new four-year contract for fire services. Quincy City Council members ratified the agreement last week.

Plethora of I-90 projects coming this summer

VANTAGE — Travelers going over Snoqualmie Pass this summer should add pencil in a little extra time for delays due to road work, and not just at the Vantage Bridge. Most of the work is concentrated between North Bend and Ellensburg and will involve lane closures, sometimes all eastbound or westbound lanes for short times.

Pet rescue asks for community help to support veterinary care

SOAP LAKE — Shawna Kluge, operator of The Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry, said the vet bill the organization has at Pioneer Veterinary Clinic illustrates the challenges associated with helping animals in need. Kluge put out an appeal for donations to help pay the vet bill early last week.

Mavs boys tennis wins against Wenatchee

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School boys tennis team handily won its dual match against Wenatchee Thursday, while the MLHS girls swept the doubles matches but lost to the Panthers 4-3.

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.

N. Cascades Hwy. opens for the summer, regional road construction projects continue

WINTHROP — In one of those signs that spring really is coming, the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) will open for travel today. The gates at either end of the 33-mile section will swing open at 10 a.m., according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation.

‘Love Letters’ slated for two weekends at Masquers Theater

SOAP LAKE — The story of a man and woman who never quite know what they want from each other comes to the Masquers stage for two weekends. “Love Letters” runs for four performances.

Remodeled Ephrata Middle School shown to district patrons at ribbon cutting

EPHRATA — Ephrata Middle School Principal Tina Mullings got help from her predecessors and current students to cut the ribbon - actually a paper chain - on the renovated and enlarged EMS Monday evening. District patrons got the chance to tour the building to see the changes. Mullings said the renovations expanded the options for EMS students.

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.

Soap Lake water, sewer rates to increase

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake residents will see increases in their water and sewer rates, beginning in May. The increases follow a six-month study of water and sewer rates, and a 6-1 vote to approve the increases by the Soap Lake City Council April 9. Council Member Peter Sharp voted against the increase.

Statewide fishing season opens April 27, redesigned fishing app launched

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will recognize the opening of fishing season with a statewide trout fishing derby. Lakes throughout the state open April 27.

Chilly and dusty weather returns to the Basin

MOSES LAKE — The good news is the likelihood of snow in Tuesday’s forecast isn’t all that likely in the Columbia Basin. The bad news is that the warm, tantalizing, sunny, summerlike weather is gone and the dust and chilly temperatures will be sticking around for a few days.

Apple Blossom Festival 104-year-old Wenatchee tradition

WENATCHEE — Apples, apple blossoms, parades, a car show, carnival rides, live music, crafts for children, food booths and plenty of activities will fill the streets of Wenatchee during the 104th Apple Blossom Festival. Activities begin this week, with the grand finale, the Stemilt Grand Parade, May 4. There have been some interruptions – little events like World War II and a coronavirus pandemic – but for the most part, Apple Blossom has been part of Wenatchee since 1920. Director Darci Christoferson said the festival’s purpose, then and now, is to highlight the Wenatchee Valley and the industry that gave it a big part of its identity - and still plays a crucial role in the valley’s economy. “It celebrates our comm

Respiratory virus season ends for ‘23-24

MOSES LAKE — Grant County had three COVID-19-related deaths and three flu-related deaths in the 2023-24 in the epidemic phase of the respiratory virus season, according to a press release from the Grant County Health District.

Grant PUD sets community meetings on rate policy

Board seeking input on how residents feel rates should be set

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners and staff will be soliciting the opinion of PUD customers on the future of its rate structure in a series of public meetings beginning next week.

Homes to start going up soon in Quincy’s Jackrabbit Estates

QUINCY — Construction crews are already moving dirt at the site of the new Jackrabbit Estates, and houses should start going up by the end of April. Developer Angel Garza and family members both cut the ribbon and pulled out the golden shovels for a ceremonial groundbreaking April 8. “The first 55 lots are being built as we speak,” Garza said. “We should be building our first home in six to eight weeks.”

Grant PUD sets public meeting to gather rate policy opinions, ideas

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners and staff will be soliciting the opinion of PUD customers on the future of its rate structure in a series of public meetings beginning next week. Commissioners will be talking to different classes of customers at different times throughout April and May. A meeting with ag customers is up first, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 16 in the commission hearing room at PUD headquarters, 30 C St. SW in Ephrata. The meeting with small and medium-size business customers also is April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Moses Lake Civic Center auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St. Residential customers are invited to a discussion from 6 to 8 p.m. May 21 at the Civic Center Auditorium in Moses Lake.

Construction underway on new pedestrian crossing in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — Work has already started on a project to build sidewalks on one side of South Daisy Street and add flashing lights at the crosswalk of Daisy Street and Third Avenue Southeast. Soap Lake Mayor Allen DuPuy said a project to overlay a number of city streets should go to bid soon. Daisy Street is state Route 17 where the highway passes through the city limits. The upgraded pedestrian crossing is designed to improve safety for people walking across the street, said city consulting engineer Michael Woodkey in a presentation to the Soap Lake City Council in February. Sidewalks are being replaced on the east side of Daisy Street between First and Third avenues as part of the project, DuPuy said. Total project cost is about $282,000.

Grant PUD buys land for new Ephrata service center

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners have approved the purchase of 34 acres near Ephrata for the eventual site of the new equipment storage and maintenance facility, known as the Ephrata service center. Utility district officials paid $525,000 for the property, located next to the site of the new Grant County Jail, at one time the Ephrata Raceway.

Grant Co. accepts $155.5 million price for new jail

EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners have decided to accept a “guaranteed maximum price” of about $155.55 million for the new Grant County Jail. Marc Seeberger, project manager for general contractors Lydig Construction, gave commissioners an estimate of the total project cost, one option including administrative offices for the Grant County Sheriff, the other without the offices.

Behavioral health, drug use among biggest Grant health concerns

MOSES LAKE — About 88% of participants said mental and behavioral health services as one of the biggest health challenges in Grant County. Another was drug use and alcohol abuse. Those were among the results reported in the 2023-24 Community Health Assessment conducted by the Grant County Health District and released April 5.

Double jump: Jacks take doubleheader from Royal

QUINCY — The Quincy Jackrabbits baseball team used good pitching, some timely hits and aggressive baserunning to take both games of a non-league doubleheader from the Royal Knights Saturday.

Local doubleheader

Quincy's Evander Stephen's hits an inside the park home run to give the Jacks an 8-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning of the first game of a doubleheader with Royal Saturday. The full story will be available in the Tuesday Columbia Basin Herald.

Quincy regional parks district board in process of formation

QUINCY — Selecting board members will be the next step in the formation of the Quincy Valley Regional Parks District. Quincy City Council members approved an interlocal agreement for the city’s participation in the district’s governing board April 2. The agreement must be approved by all three governing entities that make up the district, which includes the cities of Quincy and George and Grant County. The proposed district was approved by voters in November 2023.

Grant Co. health report highlights disease and mortality rates

MOSES LAKE — LIfe expectancy in Grant County went down in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and life expectancy in Grant County was lower than the statewide average in 2020. Statistics on life expectancy were among the information included in the “Community Health Assessment” released by the Grant County Health District Friday.

Sprint to success: Mavs 4x100 relay team breaks school record set in 1978

MOSES LAKE — As everybody who’s ever been involved in track and field knows, relays are tough. Sprint relays are even tougher. Not only does the leadoff have to get out of the blocks - a clean start is crucial in sprints - but the handoffs have to be precise, especially when runners are coming in fast and going out fast. It’s so easy to mess up the pass. Or worse, drop the baton...

Soap Lake enrollment drop affects revenue, places staffing at risk

SOAP LAKE — Enrollment in the Soap Lake School District dropped substantially from the 2021-22 school year to the current school year, and that brought with it a drop in revenue. The Soap Lake School Board declared a financial emergency at its March 25 board meeting, citing a drop in enrollment as one of the factors in their decision.