CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Applicants sought for Grant County Health Commission seat

MOSES LAKE — Applications are being accepted from qualified people for one commission position and two alternate positions on the Grant County Board of Health. Vice chair Matt Palach said the job involves overseeing an agency with wide-ranging responsibilities, from birth and death certificates to infectious disease investigations.

Books that are great for – well, define beach read

MOSES LAKE — Ah, summer. Long lazy evenings, vacation, perfect for chilling with a good book. Now, each person’s definition of a good summer read is going to be different. Maybe it’s a romantasy set in a faraway world. Or maybe, those long summer days, when the living is easy, are a good time to set up on that challenging stuff that’s just too grim for the cold and dark of winter. (Third volume of the Stalin biography, anyone?)

Former Port of Mattawa director under investigation for misuse of funds

MATTAWA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report from the Washington State Auditor’s Office that found former Port of Mattawa General Manager Lars Leland may have misappropriated port funds. Port commissioners said in a statement that some possible irregularities were discovered while port officials were preparing for an audit.

Some road projects close to completion, others scheduled for July

MOSES LAKE — Summer construction season does not always mean road construction. A section of a downtown Moses Lake street got a new sidewalk this week. Crews from McBoyz Construction, Moses Lake, were out on Thursday morning pouring and finishing new sidewalk at the intersection of West Third Avenue and South Balsam Street. The old sidewalk was removed from about half the block of West Third Avenue, along with the corner sections and about half the block along South Balsam Street.

Moses Lake Ace store closes

MOSES LAKE — Ag Supply Ace Hardware has ceased operation in Moses Lake after seven years in business. The closure was announced Tuesday.

Moses Lake response to homelessness still in development

MOSES LAKE — What follows the closure of the Open Doors Sleep Center at the end of the month, and the role of the city of Moses Lake, is still under discussion. Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz said the city is not the only one dealing with homelessness, and from his perspective, some of the government responses to the issue seem to be changing statewide. Moses Lake is looking at a new approach. “We’re proposing more of a treatment-first approach,” Swartz said Wednesday.

Memories, gratitude at Quincy graduation ceremony

QUINCY — Class speaker and Quincy High School teacher Wade Petersen had some praise and some advice for the QHS class of 2025. “You didn’t just buy through high school, you slayed it,” Petersen told the seniors. “You became young adults, ready to skibidi your way into the real world.” It won’t always be easy, though, Petersen said. “Whatever you choose, know this. Life’s not always going to be a dub. You’re going to take some L’s along the way,” he said.

Excitement, emotion at Wahluke 2025 graduation

MATTAWA — Standing in a packed hallway following the ceremony, new Wahluke High School graduate Juanairis Lopez said graduation was both exciting and disconcerting. “It feels awesome,” he said. “But it went by too fast, that’s for sure.”

Mattawa man drowns in irrigation canal

MATTAWA — The body of a Mattawa man was discovered late Tuesday after he apparently drowned in an irrigation canal.

Former Hatton town clerk-treasurer arrested for theft from town

RITZVILLE — The former Hatton clerk-treasurer and fire chief turned himself in to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office June 6 while under investigation for first-degree theft, first-degree possession of stolen property and seven counts of mail theft. Jared Potts, Lind, allegedly misappropriated town funds and kept town equipment at his home.

Othello park rental fee revision sparks heated discussion

OTHELLO — Park rental fees in Othello have been amended after some confusion led to an overcharge of the Othello Chamber of Commerce and a spirited discussion between Othello City Council members and city employees Monday.

Port of Moses Lake eyeing industrial development district

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake officials will have a public hearing at 10 a.m. June 23 to get public reaction to a proposal to form an industrial development district. The port’s attorney, Frank Chmelik, said an industrial development district would give port officials more flexibility. “You pick up a few more powers for industrial development, is essentially what happens,” Chmelik said.

Fire burning near Royal City

ROYAL CITY — Grant County Fire District 10, state, federal and other local firefighters are battling a blaze about 14 miles northwest of Royal City as of 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Wanapum fire, near Beverly, burns about 370 acres

BEVERLY — A wildland fire closed a portion of state Route 243 north of Beverly Burke Road for about four and a half hours Saturday near Wanapum Dam and the Wanapum Village.

MLFD chief search presenting a challenge

MOSES LAKE — Applications will be accepted through June 22 for a new Moses Lake Fire Chief. It’s the second attempt to find a replacement for longtime Chief Brett Bastian, and Fire Administrator Mike Ganz said the process will be different the second time around.

Feasibility study to look at options for MLFD

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials will advertise for a consultant to conduct a feasibility study to determine what changes, if any, would be beneficial for the Moses Lake Fire Department. City officials have been looking at ways to reduce expenses, including a restructuring of the fire department, and Fire Administrator Mike Ganz told Moses Lake City Council members May 23 that his analysis determined the city had three options.

Fire near SR 243 has highway closed

WANAPUM VILLAGE – Drivers will have to look for alternate routes along State Route 243 between Beverly and the junction with State Route 26. The Washington Department of Transportation has issued an alert saying the road is closed due to a wildfire in the area.

ROAD REPORT: Bids opening July 2 for Adams Co. Schoonover Road project

OTHELLO — Bids will be opened July 2 for the first phase of the rebuilding of Schoonover Road, with construction tentatively scheduled for early August. The first phase is a section about eight miles north of Ritzville; among other things, Schoonover Road connects Ritzville and Odessa. “This is a reconstruction that is widening (the road), with a new subbase and surfacing with asphalt, drainage facilities and safety rail where needed,” said Adams County Engineer Scott Yaeger in an earlier interview.

Study may lead to redesign of Quincy fieldhouse project

QUINCY — Quincy Valley Regional Parks District officials may have to review the preliminary design following a feasibility study for the Quincy fieldhouse, called the Q-Plex, presented to commissioners Tuesday. Parks District Executive Director Pat Haley said the original design might not be able to accomplish the original objective.

Public’s help sought in Quincy homicide investigation

QUINCY — The Quincy Police Department is asking for the public’s help in solving a homicide in the southwest area of town on May 15.

Ideas, suggestions, challenges focus of homelessness forum

MOSES LAKE — About 100 people came to the Moses Lake Civic Center Tuesday to make suggestions and consider options for the way forward after the Open Doors Sleep Center closes at the end of the month.

Othello considering two annexations

OTHELLO — Othello residents are being invited to give their opinions on two proposals for petitions for annexation of two pieces of property into the city at a public hearing June 23. Anne Henning, community development director, said annexation, if the petitions are approved, would be the start of a different process. “Annexation would be the first step,” Henning said.

Partnership encourages businesses to come into Wahluke schools

MATTAWA — The Wahluke School District is inviting businesses in Mattawa, or any business outside of Mattawa that’s interested, to participate in a new initiative that will bring volunteers from those businesses to Wahluke classrooms. Wahluke Superintendent Andy Harlow said “Partners in Educating Kids” is a way to increase connections between school and community.

Moses Lake receives state money for upgrades of two wells

MOSES LAKE — Two wells in Moses Lake will receive a combined $982,000 in rehabilitation and upgrades with the help of the state capital budget. Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz said it’s work that needs to be done.

Fire safety, preparation important in an RV

MOSES LAKE — Among many other things, summer is a good opportunity for a road trip – or road trips – in the trailer, maybe out in the woods or to the beach, maybe a multi-state adventure, maybe setting up camp at a family event. Unfortunately, fire does not respect road trips, and in some ways trailers or recreational vehicles present different hazards than a house does.

Moses Lake launches resource info site

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials are working on a new option for people looking for support services and help finding what they need. The “community resources page” is available on the city’s web page, and city officials hope to print a brochure with the information eventually.

Moses Lake to host homelessness forum

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents will be asked for their ideas on how the city can help address homelessness following the impending closure of the Open Doors sleep center at a community forum beginning at 6:30 p.m. June 2.

Angled parking may come to more of downtown Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Additional angled parking may be coming to sections of Third and Fourth avenues in Moses Lake as part of the project to resurface downtown streets. City engineers presented some details to the Moses Lake City Council at a May 20 workshop, including a proposal for additional angled parking. Council members must approve any angled parking changes.

Ephrata man arrested in connection with Schwana murder

EPHRATA — An Ephrata man was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder and drive-by shooting Thursday following the fatal shooting of a 44-year-old man near Schwana late Wednesday night.

Back on the water

Volunteer time, labor and materials crucial to bringing fountain back to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Around the Columbia Basin there are certain signs that summer is coming – crews start pumping water into local pools, “roadwork ahead” signs start popping up – and the fountain in Moses Lake has been a reliable sign of summer for decades. It’s also a sign, not as much fun, that winter is coming when the fountain is pulled out of the lake.

GALLERY: Lots of cool vehicles, different interests at Spring Festival car show

MOSES LAKE — Just as every recipe will be at least a little different depending on the cook, said Angel Mora, Moses Lake, so too is every truck – or car or tractor or motorcycle – different depending on the owner. “You can make it, but it won’t be the same as everybody else’s,” Angel Mora said.

Port of Moses Lake opens new maintenance facility

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners cut the ribbon Monday on the new maintenance facility completed this spring.

Wahluke principal retiring after 40-plus-year career

MATTAWA — Saddle Mountain Elementary Principal Kurt Hoffman said he became a teacher because he wanted to give young people the same type of experience he had in school. “I had a great time as a student and athlete. I wanted to see if I would be able to do that for others,” Hoffman said. “It just makes sense that you’d like to replicate what you were given as a kid and give that back to kids as well.” After seven years in the Wahluke School District and more than 40 years in education, Hoffman announced his retirement at the end of the school year.

Special filing period for Adams Co. offices coming

RITZVILLE — A three-day special filing period will be announced for Adams County elective offices that didn’t attract candidates during the filing week earlier in May. Elections administrator Jacque Laird said it was tentatively scheduled for July.

Applications sought for Grant County Prosecutor

EPHRATA — Applications are being accepted through June 13 from qualified attorneys for the job of Grant County Prosecutor. Incumbent Kevin McCrae announced his resignation effective Aug. 3.

Traffic restricted on Vantage Bridge throughout June

Other Basin and regional road construction projects planned or underway.

VANTAGE — It turns out the Vantage Bridge will be reduced to one lane on weekdays in June after all.

PUD access fee decision delayed

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District commissioners will delay consideration of a proposed policy to raise application fees for some classes of customers. The decision followed questions and concerns, some from customers and some from commissioners, at a PUD workshop Tuesday.

New Quincy Valley Medical Center opens

QUINCY — It’s the same with every move; there are always those last few things that have to wait until the last minute. The portable x-ray machine is a perfect example – it was one of the last pieces of equipment to leave the old Quincy Valley Medical Center. The old QVMC was open until 6:59 a.m. Wednesday, and the hospital staff was using the last few minutes to ensure everything was ready when the new QVMC opened its doors at 7 a.m. “We open in three minutes,” said Director of Nursing Danielle Hodge as the staff set up at the new nurse’s station.

Quincy homicide victim identified

QUINCY — The identity of a Quincy man killed in a shooting May 15 has been released by the Grant County Coroner. The body of Joshua Avalos, 33, was found at a residence in Quincy about 7 a.m. May 15; a release from the Quincy Police Department said it was likely he was killed sometime between 12:30 and 2 a.m. Tim Catlin, an investigator with the coroner’s office, said Avalos died of multiple gunshot wounds. “During the investigation, detectives discovered several spent (shell) casings,” the QPD release said. A person was arrested in the 8000 block of state Route 281 May 16 in connection with the murder, according to a release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Quincy police have not released any further information about the arrest or its connection with homicide.

Quincy woman drowns when car goes into canal

QUINCY — A 24-year-old Quincy woman died when she lost control of her car and drove into a large irrigation canal near Quincy, apparently sometime Sunday. Erika Martinez Chavez was driving on a canal maintenance road near Road 7 Northwest when she apparently lost control of the vehicle, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle went into the canal and Martinez Chavez was unable to get out of the car, the GCSO release said. “This was one of the larger canals,” said Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. “It’s about 75 feet wide and the water was about 20 feet deep.”

Mattawa Council approves proposed contract with police union

MATTAWA — After a negotiation process that went to mediation, the Mattawa City Council voted May 15 to approve a new three-year contract with the union representing Mattawa Police Department officers. The vote was 4-2, with council members Tony Acosta and Fabiola Hernandez voting no. City Attorney Kathryn Kenison said it was a challenging process. “We didn’t think we were going to get there, but we asked the mediator to work with us a little longer and this is what the parties compromised on,” Kenison said. “The open items were mostly the financials.”

Current and future development focus of Adams County Commission discussion

RITZVILLE — Adams County Commissioners discussed possible options for the design of a new evidence facility for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office near Othello, but it was part of a wider-ranging discussion about the future. County officials obtained funding for a building in 2021 and decided to build it on county-owned property adjoining the Othello Fairgrounds. Commissioners have discussed using that property for additional county buildings, and Commissioner Jay Weise said he wanted to at least think about how they want to use that land. “What we don’t usually do is think ahead,” Weise said. “Then it ends up that the people who are sitting here in our seats 10 years from now are (saying), ‘We have a mess.’ Could we at least have done something that kind of sets it up, so the decisions aren’t as much of a rat’s nest?”

'Well done'

Open house shows new Quincy hospital to community

QUINCY — Port of Quincy Commissioner Curt Morris had a couple of words for Quincy Valley Medical Center commissioner Randy Zolman during the open house at the new Quincy hospital Wednesday.

Moses Lake homelessness town hall set for June 3

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to discuss how the city will address homeless issues after the closure of the Open Doors sleep center 6:30 p.m. June 3 at Moses Lake City Hall, 401 S. Balsam St.

PUD revamping application fees for industrial users

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD Commissioner Larry Schaapman talked about one of the main questions surrounding the Grant County PUD’s proposal to raise application fees for large industrial customers, while Commissioner Tom Flint detailed one of the reasons for the change. The proposal was presented to commissioners at the commission meeting Tuesday and will be the subject of a further discussion at a workshop May 20.

Primary races coming for Adams County offices

RITZVILLE — The job of the Lind mayor and three Lind Town Council seats will be on the primary ballot, and Othello will have at least two new city council members. The filing period for the 2025 election was last week.

Playground planned, tentatively, for Othello’s Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO — A new playground probably will be coming to Othello’s Kiwanis Park, but funding will affect the timeline. It’s the next phase in improvements to the park, some of which are finished, some of which are ongoing. Othello did receive a grant to upgrade the Kiwanis Park basketball courts. A timeline for that project will be announced. Sarah Montemayor, the city’s grant coordinator, said Othello officials submitted grant requests to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office to upgrade the parking lot and build a new playground. The city got part but not all of the grant, she said.

Moses Lake port to open new maintenance facility

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners will cut the ribbon on a new $1.4 million building May 27. The new maintenance building will replace an existing structure, and Commissioner Darrin Jackson said replacement is overdue.

Secondary filing period for office set for midsummer

EPHRATA—Some elective offices in Grant County did not attract candidates during the filing period last week, so a second chance to file is scheduled for midsummer.

Spokane man arrested for impersonating law enforcement

QUINCY — A Spokane man was booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail on suspicion of second-degree criminal impersonation after he allegedly attempted to stop a car by pretending to be a police officer May 8.