CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Multi-decade Grant PUD project three-quarters complete

EPHRATA — A decades-long project to upgrade turbines and generator units for both dams owned and operated by the Grant County PUD is three-quarters complete. Upgrades to the fifth of 10 generator-turbine combinations at Priest Rapids Dam are done.

Hard-fought Royal-Wahluke game ends in 50-42 Knights victory

ROYAL CITY — A lot of times intense, hard-fought games come down to one or two things that do or don’t go right. In Royal’s 50-42 boys basketball win over Wahluke Friday, Knights coach Greg Jenks said some rebounds went Royal’s way, and Warrior coach Clayton Buck said some shots didn’t go Walluke’s way.

Moses Lake port officials start fuel cleanup study

MOSES LAKE — A fuel tank leak at the Port of Moses Lake that occurred in the mid-1990s will be the subject of a new study and possible additional cleanup. Port directors approved a contract for further evaluation of the site, called Pumphouse 1, at the regular meeting Jan. 22.

Grant Co. extends marijuana production moratorium

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commissioners have extended the moratorium on establishing new marijuana production or processing operations in unincorporated areas of the county for another six months.

No recounts for Grant Co. in Nov. general election

EPHRATA — While there were two races that might’ve qualified for an automatic recount after the November 2023 general election, in the end neither of them did.

Curtain to rise on Masquers production of ‘Harvey’ next week

SOAP LAKE — The tale of a nice but eccentric fellow, his boon companion – a six-foot, three-inch invisible pink rabbit – and his scheming relatives comes to Masquers Theater this February with the troupe’s production of “Harvey.” Director Pat Rosman said the 2023-24 season is one of classic plays, and “Harvey,” which premiered in 1944 and ran more than four years on Broadway, is a theater staple. Elwood P. Dowd (Dave Stearns in the Masquers production) is a very nice fellow who likes a drink or two – or more. And then there’s his friend Harvey, the invisible one, the tall pink rabbit. They go everywhere together.

Capital levy goes before Wahluke voters

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a four-year capital levy request in a special election Feb. 13. Ballots for the election were mailed late last week.

Funding research, educating public among jobs of potato commissions

KENNEWICK — Look at the pictures, and farming seems timeless: tractors and dramatic sunsets and all that. But like all other industries, farming is subject to change – and in the last half-century those changes have been big ones. Potato farmers, like farmers and growers in every other agriculture sector, have had to adapt and change with the times. There are visible signs of changing times. Rob Wagstaff’s family has operated a farm near Nyssa, Oregon for generations. Wagstaff, a member of the Oregon Potato Commission, keeps track of his acreage, and the map is dotted with the names of the people who used to farm that land. “We go to our acreage map, and we have about 53 that we have got from different people,” he said. “You’ve got 50 families that used to be there that aren’t there anymore.”

Grant PUD rates to go up 3%

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers will see an increase in their electrical rates beginning April 1. Utility district commissioners approved an overall 3% rate increase, averaged across all rate classes, on a 3-1-1 vote Jan. 23.

Framing starts new Samaritan Hospital

MOSES LAKE — The walls are rising at the site of the new Samaritan Hospital. The steel framing started going up about Jan. 19.

Potato Chip Challenge tests chip knowledge

Attendees have a bit of crispy fun at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference.

KENNEWICK — Gustavo Garcia and Eric Toews took their time over the Potato Chip Challenge, thinking it over, going back for seconds just to be sure of their answers. Alas, it didn’t really help all that much.

Intermittent closures scheduled for Soap Lake road project

SOAP LAKE — State Route 17 will be closed to traffic intermittently during the first phase of a project to remove rocks and stabilize the cliff face from Soap Lake to Lake Lenore Caves. The first phase is scheduled to begin in mid-February.

New QVMC framing starting soon

QUINCY — Construction of the new Quincy Valley Medical Center should reach an important milestone early next week. “Steel starts going up a week from today,” said Joe Kunkel, the project manager, during the QVMC commission meeting Jan. 22.

Potatoes front and center

KENNEWICK - Oregon and Washington potato commissioners dish up a baked potato lunch at the 2024 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference on Wednesday. The potato bar is a longstanding tradition at the annual conference, traditionally served by the commissioners. The menu used to feature new varieties in development, giving farmers a chance to test them out before they went on the market. But Ann Van Dyke of the Washington Potato Commission said the conference got so big that researchers couldn’t supply that many potatoes.

‘Bright Star’

Quincy Valley Allied Arts to present tale of redemption

QUINCY — Quincy Valley Allied Arts will tell a story of love, bad choices, their consequences and ultimate redemption starting Friday night. “Bright Star” will run for three weekends, with a matinee Feb. 10, at the Quincy High School Performing Arts Center, 403 Jackrabbit St. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2 and 3, and Feb. 9. A matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 10. Director Brian Higgins said he was attracted to the story by the journey taken by the characters.

MLSD levy proposal put to voters in February

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a two-year educational program and operations levy request in a special election Feb. 13. Ballots are being mailed this week.

Donations still important for Moses Lake Food Bank

MOSES LAKE — The need for the services provided by the Moses Lake Food Bank is year-round. From that it follows that the food bank needs donations year-round.

Ballots coming for levy proposals in local districts

EPHRATA — Ballots will be mailed to voters Jan. 24 for the Feb. 13 special election that features educational program and operations levy requests in a number of school districts.

Mattawa PD Chief Robert Salinas led by example

MATTAWA — Officers with the Mattawa Police Department posted a message to MPD Chief Robert Salinas on the department’s social media Wednesday. “Thank you for your service, dedication and friendship,” it said. “Time will pass, but your memory will live forever. Rest easy, Chief Robert Salinas. “Your shift is over. We have the watch.”

Columbia Basin cautioned to prepare for possible freezing rain

MOSES LAKE — Getting out and about on Friday might be a challenge throughout the Columbia Basin, with the arrival of yet more precipitation, but this time with the chance of it falling as freezing rain.

GC Fire District 8 residents to vote on EMS levy Feb. 13

MATTAWA — Voters in Grant County Fire District 8 will be asked to accept or reject a six-year emergency medical services levy request in a special election Feb. 13. If it’s approved, the levy would replace the district’s existing levy, approved in 2018. The levy rate would continue at 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. Fire District 8 is about 248 square miles, encompassing the city of Mattawa, Desert Aire and surrounding orchards, farms and wildlands. Chief Matt Hyndman said in an earlier interview that more than half the district is owned by the federal or state governments.

Pursuit of the dream continues

Program commemorates work, impact of Martin Luther King

MOSES LAKE — The life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was commemorated with music, poetry and a reading of King’s 1963 speech at the Lincoln Memorial – commonly referred to as the “I have a dream” speech – in a ceremony Monday.

New hospital will impact Samaritan bottom line in 2024

MOSES LAKE — While revenues for Samaritan Healthcare are projected to increase in 2024, Samaritan’s budget will reflect the current project of a new hospital, and will be in the red as a result.

Tech tune-up: MACC upgrades designed to make emergency response easier all around

MOSES LAKE — Emergencies are no respecters of time, place, or circumstances. With that in mind, operators of the Multi-Agency Communications Center are working on upgrading technology to make it easier for people to report an emergency, and for dispatchers to get the information emergency responders need to know.

Severe winter weather incoming

Columbia Basin to see more cold with added factors of snow, wind and possible freezing rain

SPOKANE — It being January and being winter, there’s some good weather news and some bad weather news. The good news is that temperatures are forecast to rise above freezing, at least a little. The bad news is the forecast is for nasty, messy, slippery weather.

Honoring MLK

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake residents stepped out to celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday Monday.

Residents asked to use online option for non-emergency situations

MOSES LAKE — Officials at the Multi-Agency Communications Center are asking people calling the non-emergency line to use the website’s reporting app instead.

Quincy school program takes students into community

QUINCY — A program that focuses on using a student’s interests to help them connect with school is having some success at Quincy Innovation Academy. How the “Big Picture Learning” program will work next year is still to be determined, since funding for some parts of the program come from a state grant that’s expiring.

CUTTING THE RIBBON: Podium Physical Therapy

MOSES LAKE — Podium Physical Therapy co-owner Ryan Carpenter, center, cuts the ribbon on his business Thursday, surrounded by family, staff and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members.

Spud-focused: Research results among subjects at 2024 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference

KENNEWICK — Research into potato pests and disease, new labor rules in Washington and innovations in the potato industry will be among the topics covered at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Jan. 23 through 25 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

SR 17 repaving set for Moses Lake area

MOSES LAKE — Work is scheduled to start about April 1 on a project to repave a section of State Route 17 where it runs through Moses Lake.

Soap Lake School District levy on ballot Feb. 13

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election Feb. 13. Ballots will be mailed later this month. District Superintendent Aaron Chavez said the levy, if it’s approved, will replace the existing levy. Property owners in the district would pay $2.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value if the levy is approved, the same rate as the current levy. “The board decided to keep it at $2.29 because they feel the way the economy is right now, we don’t want to overburden our taxpayers,” Chavez said.

Precautions will prevent plumbing headaches caused by winter weather

MOSES LAKE — It’s going to be cold outside for the next few days - like, single-digit cold - and that can mean bad things for water pipes. And bad things for water pipes mean bad things for homeowners and tenants.

Five decades of muscle

Moses Lake Classic Car Club kicks off 50th anniversary year

MOSES LAKE — The first car for Dave Robins was a 1947 Frazer. Robins and his twin brother were about 14 years old, he said, and were mowing lawns that summer. One of their clients was an older man, a veteran with limited mobility and limited means. He gave the brothers the old Frazer as payment for their work.

Demolition to start next Monday at Grant jail site

EPHRATA — People driving by the site of the new Grant County Jail will start seeing the existing buildings coming down Jan. 15. The jail will be built on the site of the old Ephrata Raceway, and the grandstands, ticket booth, concession stand and track are still in place. Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said demolition of all of that will start next month. The contractor is Sellen Construction, Seattle. While there hasn’t been much visible work at the site, there’s been work underway, Gaines said. Testing found asbestos and lead paint in some of the structures, and petroleum products in the pit area and on the racetrack. Crews have already removed hazardous materials from the buildings and the site, he said, preparatory to demolition. “All the environmental hazards have been remedied,” he said.

Port of Moses Lake starts executive director hunt

MOSES LAKE — A new executive director for the Port of Moses Lake should be announced by the end of March. Port commissioners hired Prothman, a business based in Issaquah, to conduct a search for candidates for the position Monday. The contract is $19,500 plus applicable expenses, which were expected to be about $5,000 to $6,500 for placing recruitment ads. Jim Darling, a consultant working with port officials on recruitment, said the port saved money by doing some of the work before looking for a consultant. “Their fee is a little bit less than they normally would charge, because we spent several months on a draft job description and characteristics summary,” Darling said.

Othello boys, girls basketball teams drop two games

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies boys basketball team got off to a slow start and never caught back up in an 88-49 loss to Prosser Friday in Othello. The Huskie girls basketball team made a run but ultimately lost to Prosser 73-36.

Winter hits as passes close and snow falls

MOSES LAKE — It took a while, but winter is finally here in earnest in the Columbia Basin. And it looks like it’s not going away soon. The snow started Monday morning and was still coming down at press time.

Port says no: Municipal Airport in Moses Lake will not change management from city to port.

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners have declined a proposal from the city of Moses Lake to assume control of the Moses Lake Municipal Airport. Port commissioners suggested forming an airport district as an alternative.

January weather dead ahead; snow, lows near zero on the way

MOSES LAKE — It being January it had to happen sometime, and it looks like it’s happening later this week. Temperatures are expected to drop to near zero by Friday night.

Road project starts next month north of Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — Work will begin in late February on a project to reduce the possibility of rocks falling onto State Route 17 north of Soap Lake. Miguel Castillo, engineer on the project for the Washington State Department of Transportation, said the project is scheduled to start Feb. 20. The project area is the section of SR 17 from Soap Lake to the Lake Lenore Caves, where the road runs between Soap Lake or Lake Lenore and the rock embankment. Due to the intricate nature of the work, he estimated the project will take about seven months to complete. “There’s a lot of work there,” Castillo said. “All that work is very slow – it is time-consuming.”

Living small

Grant County proposes revised rules for accessory dwelling units

EPHRATA — Revised regulations for building accessory dwelling units in the unincorporated areas of Grant County are available for review and comment through Jan. 20. Jim Anderson-Cook, Development Services deputy director, said the revisions were designed to address some problems residents had experienced when trying to build an ADU, and to clarify the process. The new rules allow up to two ADUs on a property, but how they can be built depends on the location. People living in an ADU must be permanent residents, and they can’t be rented for less than 30 days. A place that’s rented for less than 30 days is called a short-term rental and is handled under a different ordinance.

More money for ambulance service, senior center in Quincy 2024 budget

QUINCY — The city of Quincy is projected to spend about $107.13 million in 2024, according to the budget approved by the Quincy City Council in December. The ongoing discussion over a block of B Street Northeast, whether changes are needed and how to pay for them if they are needed, prompted council member Dave Dormier to vote no on the budget resolution. The city’s general fund was budgeted at $16.77 million. The general fund includes the Quincy Police Department, parks and recreation, part of the salaries of some city workers and some city operations. Some contracted services and other agreements with local entities also are in the general fund.

Grant PUD commissioners to vote on 3% overall rate increase

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will vote on a proposal for a 3% overall rate increase, effective April 1, at the Jan. 9 commission meeting. While the overall increase is 3%, individual classes may pay more or less than that. Julio Aguirre Carmona, the PUD’s rates and pricing program manager, said that will be the recommendation from PUD staff. If commissioners approve it, it will be the same policy they followed in 2023. If commissioners approve the 3% overall proposal, residential and irrigation rates would increase by 3.5%; so would the rate for general service and large general service, which are typically businesses. The rates for large industrial customers would increase by 1.74%, and for industrial customers by 5.25%. The difference between the industrial classes is based on the amount of electricity they use.

Ice cream truck provides marketable skills, educates community, owner says

EPHRATA — The Street Sweets Ice Cream and More truck is a good place to get a cold snack on a hot day, but co-owner Tiffany Mullings said it’s about more than that. “I am the autistic mother to two autistic children,” she said. “And my husband and I had a little money left over from a (financial transaction), and we thought, ‘Hey, let’s look for a step van and if we can, we’ll start an ice cream truck, as a way to give them an opportunity for meaningful employment and to build some marketable skills that they can use throughout their life.” For two years Mullings and her daughters Riley and Dorieann Mullings, 22 and 21 respectively, her co-owners in the business, have driven the streets of Ephrata throughout the spring, summer and fall. She drives, she said, and her daughters do the serving.

Grant County Animal Outreach gets funds for new shelter

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Commissioners have approved $1 million in funding for a new Grant County Animal Outreach shelter, if GCAO meets some conditions. That matches a similar $1 million commitment from the city of Moses Lake. The $2 million, said GCAO Chair Sara Thompson Tweedy, should pay most, if not all, of the cost of construction of a new facility. “We think we have just about what we need,” she said.

Grant County eyes updating short-term rental rules

EPHRATA — Revised ordinances governing short-term rentals in Grant County will be available for review and challenge through Jan. 20.

A long process: Finding the next popular apple variety takes time tenacity

KENNEWICK — For all the research, all the focus groups, all the test marketing, it is the consumer who ultimately decides the success of something new or different. That’s as true in the tree fruit industry as anywhere else - the apple variety that was the queen of the orchard in 1967, or 1997 or 2017, might have a fraction of market share today. Or maybe it’s not on the market at all.

Projected revenues higher than expenses in Soap Lake 2024 budget

SOAP LAKE — The city of Soap Lake is projected to spend about $1.52 million from its general fund in 2024, which is below the revenue projection.

Wahluke SD capital levy going back to voters

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will consider a request for a four-year capital improvements levy in a special election Feb. 13.