CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Warden receives $9.8 million to fund water system upgrades

WARDEN — The city of Warden has received funding from the Public Works Board to pay for upgrades to the city’s water system.

Alternative routes suggested for Vantage Bridge travel

QUINCY — The Washington Department of Transportation is installing additional signs to inform drivers of delays at the Vantage Bridge. Construction is ongoing at the bridge seven days per week through Nov 1.

Moses Lake water quality subject of ‘State of Our Lake’ meeting

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake and Grant County residents are being invited to learn about efforts to improve Moses Lake water quality at the annual “State of Our Lake” meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in the council chambers at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Ron Sawyer, president of the Moses Lake Watershed Council, said the lake is the focus of a lot of work, some completed, some ongoing. “We try to focus on reducing nutrient inputs into the lake,” he said.

Moses Lake cross country competes in Hawaii meet

Runners raised money for two years to pay for trip

MOSES LAKE — After two years of fundraising, the Moses Lake High School cross-country team will be running in Hawaii Saturday.

Ephrata receives $6M for sewer treatment upgrades

EPHRATA — The Wahington Public Works Board has awarded funding for ongoing sewer system upgrades in Ephrata. The board awarded $6.05 million to pay for part of a project to rebuild and refurbish parts of the city’s wastewater treatment facility. The awards were announced Monday.

Quincy legends added to Wall of Fame

QUINCY — Athletic legends at Quincy High School were recognized with inclusion on the QHS Wall of Fame during an induction ceremony Sept. 6. Devin Howe, Wade Gebers, Franciso Alejandrez, Manny Ybarra Jr., and the 1997 boys 4x400 boys relay team were recognized during halftime of the Quincy-Selah football game. “I have a lot of good memories,” Ybarra said of his career at QHS. “I remember the good people of Quincy behind us. “It’s fun growing up in a small town,” he said.

Design work begins on Adams County bridge project

RITZVILLE — Construction will start in fall 2025 on the first of six bridges that will be rebuilt to accommodate widening the East Low Canal. Adams County Commissioners awarded a $157,000 contract Tuesday for what Adams County Public Works Director Todd O’Brien called preliminary engineering.

Vantage Bridge work slows I-90 travel

Travelers encouraged to utilize alternate routes while construction continues

VANTAGE — Washington Department of Transportation officials are recommending that drivers look for routes across the state that avoid the Vantage Bridge on interstate 90 on weekends through the end of the construction season in late October. The first weekend of work on the bridge resulted in major traffic delays Friday night.

Syringe program part of larger drug mitigation effort

MOSES LAKE — The complexities that substance abuse leaves in its wake present a challenge to public health organizations as well as individuals and families. Grant County Health District officials work to address the challenge with a program designed to reduce the effects, not only on substance users and the people around them, but also on everybody else.

Jacks fall to Selah in season opener

QUINCY — The return of Quincy Jackrabbits football to the Central Washington Athletic Conference got off to a rocky start with a 59-0 loss to Selah in the season opener Friday at the Quincy High School stadium. “Really rocky,” said Quincy head Coach Russ Elliott. “I don’t think we’ve looked that bad – I can’t remember looking that bad.”

Vernita Bridge resurfacing completed as construction season slows

MATTAWA — An ongoing project to resurface sections of state Route 24 reached the Vernita Bridge yesterday. The bridge was part of a regionwide chip-seal project and was resurfaced Wednesday and Thursday.

Quincy girls soccer brings experience to new league

QUINCY — The Quincy Jackrabbits girls soccer team will take the field with a mix of experience and younger players and a roster of about 50 girls – oh yeah, and they’re going to be competing in a whole new league.

Grant PUD still accepting input on proposed rates

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District customers will have chances to comment on proposed changes to the policy for setting rates at PUD commission meetings in September and October. A revised rate-setting policy proposal is scheduled to be submitted to commissioners in November.

Grant Health ‘listening session’ scheduled for Ephrata

EPHRATA — Ephrata and Soap Lake residents are being invited to tell the Grant County Health District what they think are important health-related challenges in the county during a “listening session” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Ephrata City Hall, 121 Alder St. SW.

Music, dancing horses, prayer part of Wahluke return

MATTAWA — The first day of the 2024-25 school year at the Wahluke School District started with an ecumenical prayer, many elementary students in new buildings and dancing horses outside Wahluke Junior High.

Bid awarded for Ritzville fiber buildout

RITZVILLE — Installation of fiber optic cable within the Ritzville and Lind city limits will start sometime this fall and should be finished by spring 2025. Adams County Commissioners awarded a $2.97 million contract to Zero Db Communicatons of Spokane for the first phase of the broadband project.

Othello pool fix to be a multiyear project

OTHELLO — Reopening the Othello Municipal Pool likely will be a multiyear project, according to the chair of a city task force looking into alternatives for repair or replacement.

Schoesler arrested, cited for DUI

RITZVILLE — Washington State Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, was cited for DUI after he attempted to leave the Wheat Land Fairgrounds Saturday evening.

Work progressing quickly on new Quincy hospital

QUINCY — If the project stays on schedule, the new Quincy Valley Medical Center should be treating patients by summer 2025. Project manager Joe Kunkel said there’s progress outside and inside the new building.

Vantage Bridge construction to shift to seven days per week

VANTAGE — The unofficial end of summer also means the winding down of most road construction projects, but some are still ongoing and drivers should plan for some delays through the end of October.

Quincy football coach thinks players can meet challenges of new league

QUINCY — It’s not only a new season but a whole new league for the Quincy football team. Coach Russ Elliott said the Jackrabbits’ success or failure might be more about themselves than their opponents.

Huskie football team looking to return to state playoffs

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies started the 2023 football season with a team dominated by sophomores and a lot of unknowns; they finished with a 7-3 record and a state playoff appearance. So, in 2024, Othello starts with high expectations and – well, some unknowns.

2 arrested for suspected car theft, assault in Quincy

QUINCY — A Moses Lake man and Moses Lake teen were arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault after they allegedly stole a car, crashed it and ran away, with one suspect knocking on doors in a Quincy neighborhood asking for a ride.

Samaritan construction remains on schedule, on budget

MOSES LAKE — If construction of Samaritan Hospital stays on schedule, the first patients will be treated in the new facility in early March 2026. Joe Kunkel, a consultant on the project since its inception, told Samaritan commissioners Tuesday that planning for the move will start soon.

Quincy to study possible water project partnership

QUINCY — The city of Quincy could be working with two local businesses to build a facility to treat water used in food processing. The city will sign an application for a $20 million grant as part of a project with Ag-Iris, a consortium representing Quincy Foods and Lamb-Weston.

Longtime Ritzville Police Chief to retire Sept. 30

RITZVILLE — A first review of applications for the job of Ritzville Police Chief is scheduled for Sept. 3. Ritzville Mayor Scott Yaeger said there are three applicants. The new chief will replace longtime Chief David McCormick, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Royal SD adapting to declines in enrollment

Administration adjusts budget to address decline in student body

ROYAL CITY — Royal School District officials are projecting lower enrollment for the 2024-25 school year. The budget approved by the Royal School Board projects enrollment at the equivalent of 1,611 students, about 14 students below the 2023-24 budget and 22 students below actual average enrollment for the last school year. District superintendent Roger Trail said smaller enrollments may be the wave of the future.

Warden School District unveils updated strategic plan

WARDEN — The Back-to-School open house for Warden School District students included a look at the district’s updated strategic plan. Warden Superintendent Scott West said the plan’s goal is to ensure Warden students can do what they want when they leave school.

Boys & Girls Clubs will continue at MLSD

Memorandum worked out between organizations to support after-school programming.

MOSES LAKE — Officials from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin and the Moses Lake School District are scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding later this week allowing operation of the Boys and Girls Clubs locations at four MLSD elementary schools.

Moses Lake Education Association approves agreement with MLSD

MOSES LAKE — Members of the union representing Moses Lake School District teaching (certificated) staff approved a one-year agreement Tuesday with the Moses Lake School District for the 2024-25 school year. With the union approval, the memorandum of understanding is submitted to the Moses Lake School Board; a vote to approve or reject is on the MLSB Aug. 22 agenda. Moses Lake Education Association President Heather Whittall said 388 teachers, about 90% of MLEA members, cast a vote.

Enrollment decline projected in Othello School District budget

OTHELLO — Othello School District officials are projecting lower enrollment for the 2024-25 school year and expect enrollment to keep decreasing in the future. District officials will sponsor a question-and-answer session on the 2024-25 budget for Othello School Board members and district patrons 1 p.m. Thursday in the district office, 1025 South First Ave. Amy Suarez, OSD executive director of business services, said it’s time to start looking at the future and getting ready for it. “I want to take you back to last year when we said, ‘We’re going to kick the rock down the road a little bit.’ This year we’re going to pretend that rock is a soda can. What happens when you kick it down the road? It explodes and goes everywhere. That’s what we’re trying to prevent,” Suarez said during a budget presentation Aug. 12.

Quincy SD implements AI policy, other districts exploring similar action

QUINCY — The Quincy School District will add the use of artificial intelligence to the list of online uses subject to district policy, beginning with the 2024-25 school year. The rise of AI presents challenges for schools that QSD officials said needed addressing, and school districts across the Columbia Basin are reviewing policies and determining how they want to address it.

Quincy School District to restrict use of cell phones

QUINCY — Student use of cell phones in the Quincy School District will be restricted during the school day under the provisions of a new policy to be implemented Nov. 12. “We would kick it off right after parent conferences,” said Quincy Middle School Principal Scott Ramsey during a presentation at the Aug. 13 Quincy School Board meeting. Quincy Superintendent Nik Bergman said different restrictions will be implemented at different grade levels.

Workshop on Grant PUD rate policy Tuesday

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District customers are being invited to attend a workshop on future electrical rates and rate-setting policy at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the PUD main office in Ephrata, 30 C St. SW.

Little change in enrollment forecast in Quincy School District 2024-25 budget

QUINCY — Quincy School District officials are estimating enrollment will not change much between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. The 2024-25 QSD budget estimates enrollment at the equivalent of about 3,100 students.

‘It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year’

Effort by nonprofit food vendors at Grant County Fair yields good return

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Lions lion ears were a hit. “I’ve been waiting for these,” a customer said, as she sat down at the picnic table.

ROAD REPORT: Repaving work underway on Road H SE

POTHOLES RESERVOIR — Drivers thinking of using Road H Southeast between Potholes Reservoir and Othello should be prepared for delays as the road gets rebuilt.

MLSD, Teachers Association reach tentative agreement

MOSES LAKE — Members of the union representing Moses Lake School District teachers will vote Aug. 20 on a tentative agreement with the district. Depending on the outcome of the teachers’ vote, the agreement could be considered by the Moses Lake School Board at its Aug. 22 meeting.

Wilson Creek School District to implement four-day week

WILSON CREEK — The Wilson Creek School District will hold classes four days per week for the 2024-25 school year. Students will attend classes Monday through Thursday, with the school day beginning a few minutes earlier and ending a few minutes later.

Experienced eye, cool head needed in lamb competition

MOSES LAKE — That lamb just would not behave. It didn’t want to enter the arena for market lamb competition. It didn’t want to follow the other lambs as the judge sent them around in a circle. Its owner, Liam Segura Jones, tugged and pushed, and the lamb pushed back and escaped.

Othello to start municipal fire department

OTHELLO — The city of Othello will be starting its own fire department before May 2026, when its current contract with Adams County Fire District 5 expires. A proposed increase in the contract price for 2024 and beyond and resulting negotiations went to mediation.

Grant County Fair opens today for five-day run

MOSES LAKE — Measuring the ingredients for the first batch of elephant ears – no, no, Lion ears – was not an exact science. The proportions of spices added to the mix might’ve been off a little bit. But Susan Hickok, who was leading a refresher for the volunteers in the Moses Lake Lions Club booth at the Grant County Fairgrounds Monday morning, was philosophical. “It’s day one. That’s how it is,” Hickok said. The Lions were installing their cash register, vendors were working to set up their booths in the Commercial Building, entries were being dropped off in the Agriculture and Arts and Crafts buildings. The Grant County Fair starts its 2024 run today.

Wenatchee Valley Medical Group makes $25,000 CAA donation

MOSES LAKE — A $25,000 donation from the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group helped push a fundraising effort for Moses Lake School District's extracurricular activities to the $450,000 mark. The group leading the fundraising drive, Community Athletics and Activities, began raising money in late June, following the rejection of an educational programs and activities levy proposal. Typically all extracurricular activities are funded through the levy. Luther Thompson, a family practice physician at the Confluence Health clinic in Moses Lake, said WVMG is the largest physician group in the Confluence Health system. Thompson is a member of the board, and said the initiative came from the physicians in Moses Lake.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office recommends safety measures for GC Fair

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office will be giving out free wristbands to parents and guardians who stop by the GCSO booth at the Grant County Fair. Family members will be asked to write the phone number of the child’s caregiver on the wristband to make it easier to reunite children and their families if somebody goes astray. It’s one of the safety tips released Monday by Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. Foreman also suggested parents and caregivers take pictures of their children when entering the fairgrounds, another way to identify any children that get lost.

Ceremony at Ephrata Armory signals change of command

EPHRATA — Golf Company, the Ephrata unit of the Washington Army National Guard, received a new commander in a ceremony Saturday morning that included a literal handing over of the unit emblem

Back to school

Quincy students get ready for school at health fair, school opening dates announced

QUINCY — There’s still some summer left, but it won’t be long. Quincy Community Health Center helped children and families get ready for school with backpacks and pencils, health and resource information, fire hats and the chicken dance at the Back-to-School Health Fair Tuesday. Mary Jo Ybarra-Vega, outreach and behavioral health coordinator for QCHC, said it’s of of the organization’s recognition of National Health Center Week, and a longtime tradition in Quincy. “Every year we do a back-to-school health fair, and we’ve been doing it, I think, 20 years now,” she said.

Moses Lake Industries donation helps ML fundraising effort reach first goal

MOSES LAKE — A $55,000 donation from Moses Lake Industries helped an organization raising money to support extracurricular activities in the Moses Lake School District to reach its first – but not its last – milestone. Ryan Carpenter, president of the Community Athletics and Activities organization, said the donation guarantees that extracurricular groups will have enough money for their activities in the 2024-25 school year. “We have our base budget goals met,” said CAA secretary Eva Olson. While announcing the donation Friday, MLI President Hiroyuki Era said his family moved to Moses Lake when his children were in elementary school.

Most primary races unchanged as more votes counted

Voter turnout remains low in Grant, Adams counties

EPHRATA — Most primary election races in Grant and Adams counties remain unchanged after additional votes were counted during the week.

Chip-sealing scheduled for SR 26 next week

OTHELLO — Drivers on State Route 26 between Othello and Vantage should be ready for occasional delays starting Monday through Aug. 22 as construction crews work on pavement repair. “Travelers will encounter pilot cars and flagger-controlled traffic while contractors perform chip sealing work during daylight hours,” wrote Sebastian Moraga, communications officer for the Washington Department of Transportation.

Grant PUD seeks public input on rate policy changes

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers are being invited to give their opinions about proposed changes to rate-setting policy during August and early September. Public comments can be submitted now through the PUD website, and at the PUD commission meeting Aug. 13 for starters.