CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Study will evaluate EMS service in GC Fire District 3

QUINCY — Emergency medical services in Grant County Fire District 3, what they cost and their future in the Quincy area, will be the subject of a study commissioned by the fire district and its EMS partners. “We’re in the process of selecting a firm to (conduct) the study,” said GCFD 3 Chief David Durfee. “We’re estimating it’s going to take about four months.”

Worker retraining, sick leave focus of new Washington laws

OLYMPIA — Changes to Washington law will give more options to Washington employers looking to keep on workers who are recovering from temporary disabilities. Other changes will expand eligibility to use sick leave to take care of family members and increase the amount families can receive through a once-yearly financial emergency program.

GCFD 3 pays off two fire stations

QUINCY — A facilities committee will be evaluating Grant County Fire District 3 stations to determine priorities for upgrades following the final payment on the bond that built the main fire station in Quincy. Fire district officials announced last week the bond was paid off at the end of 2024.

Big Bend Community College Viking Food Pantry fills a need

MOSES LAKE — For Big Bend Community College students, the Viking Food Pantry can help them bridge a crucial gap. Food Pantry Director Tara McCoy said there aren’t a lot of options out by the campus for students who don’t have transportation to the grocery store – or who might lack the resources for food.

Revised Washington law makes it easier for youth to get identification

OLYMPIA — It will be easier for young people 16-18 years of age to get a Washington identification card without a parent’s or guardian’s signature under revisions to ID laws that took effect Jan. 1.

Negligent driving law revisions add penalties in some cases

MOSES LAKE — Drivers will be subject to new penalties if they are charged with negligent driving in collisions that involve people who aren’t in a car or truck.

One infrastructure project complete, others planned for Royal City

ROYAL CITY — Cross one long, long project off the list. The last section of old water line in Royal City was replaced in 2024, wrapping up a project that Mayor Michael Christensen said took a while. “Over the years we’ve been trying to upgrade our water system, and now the entire city is upgraded,” Christensen said. “That was a long time coming and it was a bit of a task.”

2024 projects, challenges continuing into 2025 in Quincy

QUINCY — Accommodating growth and upgrading infrastructure were the big challenges facing the city of Quincy in 2024, and they’re the challenges going into 2025. Quincy City Administrator Pat Haley said the city’s water and wastewater treatment facilities have been, and will continue to be, at the top of the agenda. “(Evaluating) what’s required in terms of growth and upgrades. Our facilities are aged, or at capacity, and that’s probably true for those cities of our size or communities that are growing,” Haley said. “So, we’re still pretty aggressively working on those things.”

Voters to weigh Wahluke capital levy

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a three-year capital projects levy request in a special election Feb. 11. If the levy is approved, it would raise $2.58 million over the three years. The levy will allow the district to be more proactive, says Superintendent Andy Harlow. “I feel like we’re always in the tyranny of the urgent. We’re always putting out fires,” he said. District staff and students will be canvassing neighborhoods in Desert Aire from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday to remind residents to vote. The proposal requires a bare majority, 50% plus one vote, to pass.

Othello Public Works set for a busy 2025

OTHELLO — Some long-term projects in Othello reached completion in 2024, and there’s a whole list of new projects planned for 2025. Public Works Director Robin Adolphsen summed it up. “There’s a lot going on,” she said. Summer 2024 saw the completion of a project that was first considered in 2019, the opening of the new Iron Horse playground in Lions Park. Most of the project was paid for with grants the city received from the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office and a capital appropriation from the Washington Legislature.

Construction coming on new Quincy Aquatic Center

QUINCY — Residents could see work beginning on a new Quincy Aquatic Center by late spring. “Our architects are working on getting all the documents finalized,” said Russ Harrington, Quincy Parks and Recreation director. “They’re still tweaking things to make sure everything will fit.”

Priest Rapids Dam passes major safety inspection

MATTAWA — A comprehensive safety assessment of the structure at Preist Rapids Dam determined the dam met standards that will allow it to keep operating safely. That was the conclusion of a report released by Grant County Public Utility District officials.

Construction, repair projects starting at GC International Airport

MOSES LAKE — Construction and repair projects will be starting soon at the Grant County International Airport. Airport Director Rich Mueller said contractors are working on preparations for the reconstruction of the apron – a type of aircraft shelter – on the west taxiway, a project started in 2024.

Basin law enforcement, schools address immigration concerns

MOSES LAKE — Local law enforcement and schools will continue following state law regarding immigration enforcement, according to statements made by those organizations. The announcements come in response to rumors that began circulating last week after various immigration-related executive orders from President Donald Trump.

Fed. Judge issues order delaying stop on birthright citizenship

OLYMPIA — A Seattle-based federal judge granted a request from the Washington Attorney General’s Office for a temporary restraining order to delay an executive order that could reinterpret the rules of birthright citizenship issued by President Donald Trump. U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour issued the restraining order Thursday, two days after the AG’s office had filed suit.

4 officers join Quincy PD

4 officers join Quncy PD

REC Silicon job fair and support events planned

MOSES LAKE — Former REC Silicon employees laid off due to the closure of the Moses Lake facility can learn about available benefits and reemployment assistance at a “rapid response event” Friday. Two sessions are scheduled, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the WorkSource Central Basin office, 309 E. Fifth Ave. In Moses Lake.

Karlinsey hired as new Moses Lake city manager

MOSES LAKE — Robert Karlinsey, currently the city manager of Kenmore, Washington, has been hired as the new Moses Lake city manager. Moses Lake City Council members hired Karlinsey on a unanimous vote in a special meeting Jan. 21. Karlinsey will replace Mike Jackson, who had been the acting city manager following the resignation of Kevin Fuhr in July 2024. Fuhr retired for health reasons. Moses Lake Finance Director Madeline Prentice is the interim city manager.

AC commissioner says county may get monetary help for mandated services, or not

RITZVILLE — Adams County Commissioner Dan Blankenship said one of Adams County’s biggest challenges is finding the money to fund all the services it’s required to provide. Nor is Adams County alone, which is why county officials from throughout the state are looking to the 2025 Washington Legislature for some monetary help meeting mandates the state has placed on them.

Informational meeting on Wahluke capital levy Jan. 28

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District officials will be available to answer questions on the district’s capital levy request at an 11:30 a.m. presentation on Jan. 28 at the Sagebrush Senior Center, 23 Desert Aire Drive SW, Desert Aire. The levy’s purpose is to pay off debt and and upgrade safety infrastructure in school buildings.

WA car insurance rates up more than 15% in 2025

MOSES LAKE — Like pretty much everything else, the cost of car insurance is going up – and in Washington, it’s going up by a hefty percentage. Divya Sangam, insurance specialist for LendingTree.com, said in a press release that car insurance rates in Washington are going up by an average of 17.2% in 2025.

Pillar Rock Fitness opens in Othello

OTHELLO — The owners of Pillar Fitness, the first business in a long-vacant building on Othello’s Main Street, cut the ribbon Friday and immediately got to work. “We’ll be open today after this ribbon cutting – you can come and work out,” said Jesse Dominguez, one of the owners.

Upgrades to water system will be expensive, Moses Lake officials say

MOSES LAKE — Meeting the demands growth will make on Moses Lake’s water system will require updating some of the city’s development plana, and some discussion about how the Moses Lake City Council wants to handle growth. City Engineer Richard Law reviewed the city’s current planning process and consideration of future growth with council members Tuesday.

Othello board begins discussing next EP&O levy, a year early

OTHELLO — It’s a year away, but Othello School District officials are discussing the district’s next educational programs and operations levy.

Moses Lake council continues city manager search

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council will meet in executive session Wednesday to discuss the qualifications of a possible candidate for city employment, according to an agenda posted on the city’s website Monday. A vote on a city manager contract is also on the agenda.

Samaritan Healthcare projected to finish 2025 with carryover

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare is expected to spend a lot of money on its new hospital in 2025, enough that its operating income will show a loss for the year, according to the budget approved by Samaritan commissioners late last year. However, there’s projected to be enough non-operating income to cover the loss and leave Samaritan in the black by the end of 2025. The hospital’s 2025 budget projects an operating income loss of about $15.1 million, but a non-operating income gain of about $23.2 million. As a result, Samaritan should end 2025 with a net income gain of about $8.1 million. Spending for the new hospital was projected at about $86.15 million in 2025.

Grant County Jail scheduled to open in mid-2026

MATTAWA — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said the new Grant County Jail is projected to open in about 18 months. “They’re still targeting for the opening of May of 2026,” Kriete said. “It felt like it was going to be so long when we started, but here we are. We’re getting close.” Kriete gave an update on the project’s progress at a Jan. 9 luncheon sponsored by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. The new jail will hold 512 inmates, more than double the existing jail.

Challenge, innovation, appreciation at law enforcement luncheon

MATTAWA — Staffing, recruitment and innovation were among the subjects discussed by Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and Yakima County Sheriff Robert Udell during a luncheon in Mattawa Thursday recognizing law enforcement contributions.

Community servant

Peny Archer put her heart into feeding the hungry

MOSES LAKE — Peny Archer first encountered the Moses Lake Food Bank more than 20 years ago. It changed her life. Her youngest child was starting school, Peny said in a 2023 interview. “Because of working and having a career, I had missed a lot of school plays, a lot of things my children were involved in because I had to work,” she said. “I wanted to spend some time with our youngest during the summer and so on. When school started again, I thought ‘You know, I’m going to go to the food bank and volunteer for two hours a week.’” That volunteer shift was a revelation, she said.

Othello teams up with partners to work on improving water storage permitting process

OTHELLO — Othello city officials will be working with a coalition of regional partners to make it easier to work on – and finish – projects to find and build additional water sources.

Wahluke district patrons to vote on capital levy Feb. 11

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a three-year capital projects levy in a special election Feb. 11. District officials are asking for $2.58 million over three years.

Volunteers sought for Wahluke facility committee

MATTAWA — Volunteers are being solicited to work on a long-term plan to address building maintenance and facility needs in the Wahluke School District. Superintendent Andy Harlow said the Facilities and Operations Committee will meet over the winter and spring with the goal of finishing a plan by June 30.

Date of Downtown Moses Lake Association annual meeting to be announced

MOSES LAKE — The Downtown Moses Lake Association will review its plans for 2025 and its schedule of events during its annual public meeting, tentatively scheduled for early February. The date will be determined during the annual DMLA board member retreat this weekend.

Lions Park expansion, planning for road improvements in 2025 Royal City budget

ROYAL CITY — Royal City will spend some of its reserves to expand Lions Park and will be working on designing improvements to Apple Avenue Northeast. Royal City City Council members approved the city’s 2025 budget in December. The city’s current expense fund is budgeted at about $2 million. It’s projected to end 2025 with about $1.9 million, a decrease from $2.2 million at the end of 2024. Janice Flynn, the city’s finance director, said the city will use part of the money for Lions Park improvements. The park is located on Camelia Street. “We’re spending some of our funds,” Flynn said.

Law enforcement funding, recruitment, retention challenging

OLYMPIA — A proposal to allocate money to help hire additional law enforcement officers would address one part of a complex challenge – but recruiting isn’t necessarily the biggest challenge for Columbia Basin law enforcement agencies. That was the reaction of local law enforcement agencies to the proposed legislation.

Replacing electrical system components requires care

MOSES LAKE — It didn’t end well for that power pole – that tends to happen when they get hit by a vehicle. Sometimes it’s a relatively minor incident, like the pole on Gumwood Street in Moses Lake that lost a four-foot section to a garbage truck Dec. 27. Sometimes it’s more serious, like the one on Road 26 Southwest that took out a distribution pole and cut power to about 1,020 customers Dec. 31. Or the lines that went down southwest of Quincy Dec. 26.

Adams commissioners approve $60.7M budget

RITZVILLE — Adams County commissioners have approved a budget of about $60.73 million for 2025. The county’s general fund was budgeted at about $14.71 million. The current expense carryover at the end of 2025 is projected to be about $1.65 million, a decrease from 2024, when the carryover is projected to be about $2.52 million.

Mattawa man cited for hit and run after damaging power pole

MATTAWA — A Mattawa man was cited for hit and run after he hit a power pole near Mattawa early Tuesday morning.

REC Silicon announces closure of Moses Lake operation

MOSES LAKE — Owners of REC Silicon have announced the company will end production at its Moses Lake facility, beginning immediately, according to a press release issued Monday. The shutdown is expected to take about three months.

Fire department, pool, animal shelter among projects in 2025 Othello budget

OTHELLO — The city of Othello is projected to spend about $28.6 million in 2025. Of that, about $9.6 million will be from the city’s general fund.

Drivers who plan to drink on New Year’s Eve urged to plan ahead

MOSES LAKE — One of the many traditions of the holiday season is ringing in the New Year. The key to truly enjoying the ringing-in thing is making it convivial, not one of those occasions that’s remembered for going horribly wrong – that night, for instance, that somebody got arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxicants.

Distribution expansion, new construction on Grant PUD 2025 agenda

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District will be working on the construction of new transmission lines, upgrading its generating capacity and planning a new maintenance center in Ephrata in 2025. Those are some of the projects included in the PUD’s capital budget for next year.

Respiratory virus season is here, GCHD says

MOSES LAKE — Winter is here – as of Dec. 21 it was official - and so is one of its faithful companions, flu season. The Grant County Health District announced the beginning of “respiratory virus” season Friday. It’s the respiratory virus season because there’s more than just flu out there, according to the GCHD press release. There are benchmarks that indicate when respiratory virus season actually arrives.

Water, streets, sewer, parks included in Quincy capital budget

QUINCY — Between sewer system upgrades and repairs, street work and water system improvements – among many other possible projects – 2025 is going to be a busy year in Quincy. Quincy City Council members approved a list of possible capital projects for 2025 at a special council meeting Dec. 23.

Snowy weather in the travel forecast

MOSES LAKE — It may be Dec. 27, but there are still a few days of holiday left, and a few days of holiday travel back and forth over the mountains. Drivers should check the weather and road conditions before they leave, since it’s still going to be raining and snowing out there all weekend.

Quincy hospital officials announce new QVMC opening date

QUINCY — The new Quincy Valley Medical Center is scheduled to start admitting patients for treatment May 21, 2025. Glenda Bishop, QVMC chief executive officer, made the announcement Monday during the regular hospital board meeting. “There may be some staggering for some of our outpatient services, but our go live date is May 21,” she said.

GALLERY: Celebration of holiday season in Mattawa

MATTAWA — Children and parents filled the Wahluke High School cafeteria to make ornaments and color pictures, take pictures with Santa, try to eat a doughnut without any hands and play other games at the annual Winter Festival in Mattawa.

Mattawa churches come together to tell the Christmas story

MATTAWA — Almost two dozen Mattawa churches came together to tell the Christmas story in a Living Nativity pageant recently.

Mattawa council approves 2025 budget

MATTAWA — The city of Mattawa is projected to spend about $6.8 million in 2025 for city operations. The city will be required to use some reserve funds next year, which prompted council member Tony Acosta to vote against passage of the budget at the Dec. 19 council meeting.

Christmas driving looking hazardous

Checking road conditions, especially in passes, recommended

MOSES LAKE — What with Christmas, it’s a busy travel week – over the river and through the woods and all that – but drivers planning to head out are advised to check road and weather conditions. There’s plenty of precipitation in the forecast and while the valley forecast is for rain, there could be some traffic-snarling snow through the mountains.