CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Conditional use permit for Holy Cross Church subject of Mattawa council discussion

MATTAWA — What is and isn’t allowed under the provisions of a conditional use permit was the subject of extensive discussion at the Oct. 3 Mattawa City Council. The rules will have an impact on an event sponsored by the Holy Cross Catholic Church, scheduled for this weekend.

Favored Farmhouse expands business – more to come

MOSES LAKE — The owners of the Favored Farmhouse celebrated expanding their business by cutting the ribbon for the new drive-through Thursday – and co-owner Daphne Martinez said there’s more to come.

Woman arrested after stealing cat at knifepoint

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake woman was booked on suspicion of felony harassment – threats to kill after allegedly threatening a man on Patton Boulevard Northeast and allegedly stealing his cat.

Woman arrested after stealing cat at knifepoint

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake woman was booked on suspicion of felony harassment – threats to kill after allegedly threatening a man on Patton Boulevard Northeast and allegedly stealing his cat.

Moses Lake man arrested after running from law enforcement, getting tasered

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was booked on suspicion of first-degree criminal trespassing Sept. 1 after allegedly threatening behavior toward Moses Lake Police Department officers caused them to tase him.

Man dies when tractor rolls into canal

MATTAWA — A Mattawa man died Sept. 4 when the farm tractor he was riding rolled into an irrigation canal, trapping him underneath it.

Care Fair moves to Farmers Market for 2026

MOSES LAKE — There are a lot of volunteer opportunities for people who want to get involved, and organizer Michaelle Boetger said helping people find those opportunities is what the Care Fair is all about.

Fighting wildfires from above

2 Aerial firefighters based in Moses Lake share their experience

MOSES LAKE — Wildland fires can be fierce and chaotic. Fighting them, however, is a precision task, even when it looks like it would be hard to be precise. Matt Gilstrap, an aerial firefighter with Henry’s Aerial, said the aircraft that apply water and retardant have a specific purpose in mind.

Road projects on hold for Labor Day weekend

MOSES LAKE — With Labor Day weekend dead ahead, drivers will be able to move freely about the state. Most road projects are on hold for the holiday weekend. Nobody will be working on the Hansen Road overpass on Interstate 90, but the lane restrictions that are in effect will continue through the end of the project.

Dryer vent cleaning is important -- but often overlooked

MOSES LAKE — Not all the maintenance a house needs is visible. Sometimes a potential problem just goes unnoticed until it causes trouble, sometimes serious trouble. But a lot of potential problems give off warning signs. Clothes dryers often do when they need a good cleaning.

Cost estimates for water source alternatives given to Moses Lake City Council

Protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, efforts are ongoing to keep it self-sufficient

MOSES LAKE — It’s going to cost a lot of money to provide alternative water sources for the city of Moses Lake, but some of the possible alternatives will cost more than others. City officials provided the Moses Lake City Council with costs for various alternatives Tuesday.

Connecting farm to consumer focus of Quincy celebration

QUINCY — After 45 years, the purpose of Quincy’s annual celebration remains what it’s been from the beginning. “The whole point is to connect the farmer with the consumer,” said Leia Watkins, chair of the Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day committee. It’s scheduled for Sept. 12.

Corrective action taken against Quincy teacher after student report

QUINCY — Quincy School District officials have issued a statement following a complaint from the guardian of a Quincy High School student that the district mishandled an allegation against a QHS teacher. The teacher is still employed by the school district.

Information campaign coming for Mattawa Community Medical Clinic district voters

MATTAWA — Mattawa Community Medical Clinic commissioners plan a more intensive information campaign following the rejection of a proposal to raise the amount collected through the district’s property tax levy. District voters voted down a similar proposal in 2025.

Soap Lake SAIL class provides physical and mental benefits

SOAP LAKE — Leanna Hayes said the Stay Independent and Active for Life class at the Soap Lake Senior Center is focused on helping seniors stay active, but its benefits go beyond that.

GCFD 8 emphasizes pedestrian safety on first day of school

MATTAWA — Grant County Fire District 8 crews used the first day of school to emphasize school crossing safety by putting in a shift as crossing guards.

Quincy Intermodal Terminal to expand

QUINCY — The Port of Quincy will be expanding its intermodal rail yard. Commission chair Curt Morris said the port has an apparent low bidder for the project, but the contract award is delayed until federal rail officials give final approval for the funding. “We should have that (approval) this week, for sure,” Morris said.

Like other local districts, Quincy’s school enrollments declining

QUINCY — The trend is gradual, but it’s the same in the Quincy School District as other Columbia Basin school districts, and districts statewide – student enrollment is declining. For the 2026-27 school year, QSD officials are projecting enrollment at the equivalent of about 3,120 students, plus 48 children in the district’s transitional kindergarten class. The 2025-26 school year ended with the equivalent of 3,181 students, but the graduating senior class was considerably bigger than the incoming kindergarten class.

Health district reports possible toxic algae bloom at Crescent Bar

QUINCY — People are being advised to avoid a section of the Crescent Bar shoreline between Trinidad Beach and Chinook Park after a dog died Aug. 26 from possible exposure to blue-green algae.

Grant County PUD preliminary budget released, budget hearings scheduled

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District commissioners will hold two public hearings on the 2027 budget Oct. 27 at the PUD headquarters building, 30 C St. Southwest in Ephrata. Commissioners approved both the meeting schedule and filing the preliminary budget at their Aug. 25 meeting.

Road projects continue as September approaches

QUINCY — The dirt is flying on A Street Northeast in Quincy. Construction crews were moving excavated soil and compacting the roadbed Thursday morning. A Street Northeast is being completely rebuilt from the intersection with Third Avenue Northeast to Sixth Avenue Northeast. The section of Sixth Avenue to the intersection to B Street Northeast is part of the project also.

Roundabout, sidewalks, road rebuilds part of Othello six-year street plan

OTHELLO — A roundabout at the intersection of SR 26 and South 14th Avenue is the top priority for Othello city officials, with the goal of construction in 2029. The project is part of the city’s annual six-year street plan approved by the Othello City Council Monday. Othello Public Works Director Robin Adolphsen said the plan can be amended as needed.

Next phase of Othello water project to start in about two weeks

OTHELLO — There’s at least one more test, but when it’s completed, the city of Othello should be ready to build the first phase of a facility that will treat water from irrigation canals to municipal use standards.

Othello City Council wrestles with vintage downtown, modern parking needs

OTHELLO — The former Othello Public Library will be up for sale after Othello City Council members voted to declare the land and building surplus, but not before a discussion about parking.

Fewer incidents, increased attendance at 2026 Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE — An increased law enforcement and security presence helped keep incidents at the 2026 Grant County Fair to a minimum.

Royal School District enrollment dropping gradually

ROYAL CITY — The Royal School District is experiencing the same declining enrollment trends that are affecting other local school districts. Royal Superintendent Roger Trail said so far, the district has been able to absorb the resulting staff cuts.

Groff Elementary to reopen with ribbon cutting, facility tours

MOSES LAKE — The repaired Groff Elementary school will be introduced to Moses Lake School District patrons with a ribbon cutting and facility tour Aug. 31. The ribbon cutting for the remodeled school will be at 7 p.m., with tours immediately following.

Royal City’s new police union to begin contract negotiations

ROYAL CITY — Negotiations should begin soon between the union representing the Royal City Police Department and the city. Royal City Council members appointed a negotiation committee at the regular meeting Aug. 18.

Summer’s end approaches, but roadwork continues

MOSES LAKE — Summer is winding down, but road construction season still has a couple more months to go – something drivers will have to keep in mind when school starts next week. Sections of A Street Northeast and Jackrabbit Street Northeast in Quincy remain closed for construction.

Grant County Fair history barn keeps fair memories alive

MOSES LAKE — There was a time, that time being 1911, when Wilson Creek was the up-and-coming town in a county that was only two years old. Back in the day, every self-respecting county had to have a county fair, so the good folks of Wilson Creek sponsored one. The history barn at the Grant County Fairgrounds has a picture of the 1911 fair parade as well as a copy of the fair program. Some existing events can trace their roots back to that first fair – livestock exhibits, for example – but others are long gone. The 2026 fair isn’t sponsoring three-legged races, potato sack races, or a footrace for men weighing more than 200 pounds.

First-year rabbit competitor takes home Grand Champion ribbon

MOSES LAKE — Remmi Reffett and her rabbit Domino did pretty well at the 2026 Grant County Fair, all things considered. “We won Grand Champion in showing,” Reffett said. “And he got Best of Breed and Reserve (Champion) Best in Barn. This is also only my first year showing rabbits.”

Fire weather watch in effect Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for much of eastern Washington, including Grant and Adams counties, for Saturday afternoon and evening.

Sila Nanotechnologies looking at possible Moses Lake expansion

Quincy Solar project breaks ground

Sila Nanotechnologies is considering expansion of its Moses Lake facility following the announcement of a $1.4 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Defense earlier this month. The company also received about $300 million in funding in July, said co-founder and chief executive officer Gene Berdichevsky.

‘We’re planting seeds’

FFA shows students opportunities in agriculture

MOSES LAKE — Othello High School ag teacher Chris Baginski said there’s plenty of opportunity in agriculture, and one of the goals of FFA is to show students what’s possible, no matter their background. Many FFA participants don’t have farm experience, he said, but there’s room in agriculture nonetheless.

DiscoverWorks summer school program -- a fun way to learn for Royal students

ROYAL CITY — The Royal School District was chosen for the inaugural DiscoverWorks program in Washington. The program is the work of a foundation based in Bellevue, the Ballmer Group. The Wahluke School District also was part of the initial program.

Day of preparation before the Grant County Fair opens

MOSES LAKE — For the volunteers at the Covenant Christian School booth, the Grant County Fair started with a lesson in how to make smoothies. The fair starts today, and CCS students, staff and parent volunteers are running the fruit smoothie booth as a school fundraiser. Monday was the day to set up the displays, booths and tents, house the animals, enter exhibits and generally clean up those spaces that are used sparingly during the rest of the year. The booth was packed with parents, staff and CCS elementary and high school students. Principal Desiree Sept said CCS does use a lot of its equipment year-round, but a test run is never a bad idea.

Man hit by bus near Gorge Amphitheatre

QUINCY — A Spokane Valley man was airlifted to an out-of-area hospital after he was struck by a bus near the Gorge Amphitheatre early Friday morning. Alexis Morga-Sevilla, 29, was hit by the bus after he stepped into the road at about 1:30 a.m. Friday, said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Morga-Sevilla was walking near Silica Road and Sagecliff Road Northwest, Foreman said, and was wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident.

Gorge death under investigation as controlled substance homicide

MOSES LAKE — The death of an Olympia man at the Gorge Amphitheater over the weekend is being investigated as a controlled substance homicide. A Seattle man was arrested on controlled substance distribution charges in connection with the case. Quincy Travers, 28, was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of one count of delivery of a controlled substance and three counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, in a media release. Travers was identified by witnesses as the man who sold the victim the drugs, Foreman said. “Cocaine was the drug,” Foreman told the Columbia Basin Herald in a separate interview. “Whether the dose, or amount, he was using was too strong or whether he used too much, I don’t know.”

Death at the Gorge under investigation as controlled substance homicide

QUINCY — The death of an Olympia man at the Gorge Amphitheater over the weekend is being investigated as a controlled substance homicide. A Seattle man was arrested on controlled substance distribution charges in connection with the case.

New location, big crowd for Cowboy Breakfast

MOSES LAKE — The traditional kickoff for the Grant County Fair and Moses Lake Roundup drew a crowd that filled the back patio at its new location. The Cowboy Breakfast is a longstanding tradition that dates back decades, with the Elks Lodge hosting breakfast for 2026. Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Manager Debbie Doran-Martinez said it drew a lot of interest, including so many sponsors that breakfast could be offered free of charge.

Basin road projects ongoing to the end of summer -- some into fall

QUINCY — Back-to-school sales, NFL preseason games, apple harvest dead ahead – it's still summer, but fall is approaching. While some road projects are wrapping up, others are still ongoing, and some will continue after fall gets here.

Port of Quincy electrical project hoping to start generation in 2029

QUINCY — A project to bring a standalone energy source to the Quincy area could be in the testing phase by 2029. Port of Quincy Commissioner Brian Kuest said Wednesday that Colusa Indian Energy has completed a first draft of a proposal that eventually will be submitted to state and federal agencies.

Moses Lake man arrested for unlawful gun possession

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was booked on suspicion of possession of narcotics, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of firearms after a search of his home turned up four guns he allegedly wasn’t allowed to possess.

Othello School District 2026-27 finances healthy -- but there are warning signs

OTHELLO — While the Othello School District is in good financial condition for 2026-27, things look a little bumpy over the next four to five years unless there’s some advance planning. Othello School Board members reviewed the proposed 2026-27 budget Monday, and Othello Superintendent Pete Perez said there could be some tough decisions ahead.

Othello City Council considering second pool bond proposal

OTHELLO — The fate of the Othello Community Pool – whether to fix or replace it, how to fix it, and when – was the subject of a lively discussion at a special meeting of the Othello City Council Monday.

Othello City Council approves pre-annexation fire contract

OTHELLO — The city of Othello and Adams County Fire District 5 will work to annex the city into ACFD 5. Othello City Council members approved a pre-annexation agreement with the fire district on a 6-0 vote Monday.

Port of Moses Lake issues bonds to buy property

MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake will issue about $19 million in bonds to buy land adjoining existing port property.

Evaluation of possible Othello School District construction bond underway

OTHELLO — There’s no timeline, and any possible construction bond is still in the discussion phase, but Othello School Board members and Othello School District officials may be asking for a bond in the next few years. Board members have approved a facility analysis that’s one of the requirements for the district to qualify for state construction funding.

Warden PD chief outlines best ways to get quick response

WARDEN — The Warden Police Department is advising residents that the best way to ensure the quickest response is through the lines at the Multi-Agency Communications Center, also known as MACC.

Wahluke School District general fund budget about $52.6 million for 2026-27

MATTAWA — The Wahluke School District will operate with a general fund of about $52.6 million for the 2026-27 school year. The general fund pays for most district operations, including staff salaries and supplies.