CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Splash pad coming to Othello’s Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO — Planning is underway for upgrades to Othello’s Kiwanis Park, which are tentatively scheduled for summer 2024. City Engineer Shawn O’Brien said that’s the plan, but there are details still to be worked out. “The schedule is still up in the air,” he said. “The final plan has not been ironed out yet.”

Longtime Moses Lake attorney Brian Dano announces retirement

MOSES LAKE — There were things about the practice of law that Brian Dano liked, and things he didn’t, he said. But overall it was a great career.

Quincy council approves annexation

QUINCY — Improvements will be made to a section of Monument Hill Road NW and M Street Northeast as part of an annexation agreement approved by the Quincy City Council December 18.

School district levies to be on February ballot

MOSES LAKE — Voters in several local school districts will be asked to approve or reject requests for educational program and operations levies in a special election Feb. 13.

Down-to-the-wire gardening gifts

Plenty of choices out there for the gardener in your life

MOSES LAKE — This is it. Christmas is dead ahead, so there’s no more time for lollygagging. It’s time to find something for the gardeners on the Christmas list.

‘This is the time of giving’

Children, law enforcement officers find presents, have good time at Shop With a Cop

MOSES LAKE — They might have been the best shoes ever.

Outstanding Resource Water recognition

Soap Lake's unique properties have helped garner protections for it under Department of Ecology Program

SOAP LAKE — The Washington Department of Ecology has designated Soap Lake an “outstanding resource water,” effective Jan. 18. Under the new designation, any new or expanded source of pollution on the lake could not make a measurable change in water quality.

GCFD 3 working on plan to ensure best use of levy money

QUINCY — Grant County Fire District 3 officials will be looking at the district’s long-term planning to determine the best use of additional funds generated by the levy increase approved by district voters in November. The “levy lid lift” received 812 yes votes and 534 no votes. It’s an increase in an existing levy, and will raise the amount levied in property taxes in the fire district to $1.30 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Collection of the additional levy money will start in 2024. The levy is paid by property owners within the district. The city of Quincy contracts with GCFD 3 for fire services, but is not part of the district...

Presents purchased, good time had at Othello Shop With a Cop

OTHELLO — Othello Police Officer Omar Ledesma and his shopping buddy were looking everywhere, but there was no slime to be found. Not in aisle G, or E or F. Evelyn, Ledesma’s shopping buddy for the OPD Shop With a Cop, needed slime for a present. “Let’s see.. .slime, slime,” Ledesma said as he searched the aisles of the Othello Walmart. But there was no slime. Finally, Ledesma pulled out his phone to do a search of Walmart’s website.

Ephrata girls take 64-23 win over Quincy

QUINCY — The Ephrata Tigers girls basketball team leveraged their height, experience and an aggressive defense to run their record to 5-0 with a 64-23 win over the Quincy Jackrabbits Thursday night in Quincy. The Tigers used a pressing defense and good outside shooting to build a 17-2 lead in the first five minutes of the first quarter. Ephrata Coach Alain Black said the team used its defense to make offensive opportunities, and that’s been a focus of the early season.

Book donation project ends in a kiss for a pig

MOSES LAKE — Usually the monthly assembly at Midway Elementary School holds the children’s attention, what with awards being handed out and things. But the students were a little fidgety Friday, and no wonder. Something was going to happen that had never happened at a Midway assembly before.

Basin Battle: Jacks take Tigers, 62-47 Thursday in annual Battle of the Basin

QUINCY — Good defense and a productive second quarter helped the Quincy Jackrabbits boys basketball team defeat the Ephrata Tigers 62-47 in a non-league game Thursday night in Quincy. Quincy Coach Scott Bierlink said the team has focused on defense, and the work is paying off. “We can really lock some teams down,” Bierlink said.

Water and power

Grand Coulee Dam such a big project some thought it was too big

GRAND COULEE — The editors of Life magazine could not hide their suspicion that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had decided a trip to check on a project was an excellent excuse to get out of town.

Water and power

Grand Coulee Dam such a big project some thought it was too big

GRAND COULEE — The editors of Life magazine could not hide their suspicion that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had decided a trip to check on a project was an excellent excuse to get out of town.

Soap Lake eyeing $7.15M budget

SOAP LAKE — The city of Soap Lake is expected to spend about $7.15 million in 2024, according to the proposed budget to be voted on by the Soap Lake City Council Dec. 20. The proposed budget includes a 5% decrease in spending. Utility rates may be increased in 2024, although that is still to be determined.

Benefit auction Saturday for GCAO

MOSES LAKE — Animal lovers are being invited to participate in a fundraising silent auction to benefit Grant County Animal Outreach Saturday afternoon. “Paws for a Cause” will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Rick’s Eatery & Entertainment, 810 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake.

A vehicle for learning: CB Tech gets fire engine for fire science class courtesy of MLFD

MOSES LAKE — There’s a tradition in the fire service when a new piece of apparatus is added to the fleet, and students at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center followed that tradition Wednesday morning.

Masquers to audition for ‘Harvey’

SOAP LAKE — Open auditions for the Masquers production of “Harvey” will be Dec. 18 and 19 at 6 p.m.at the theater, 322 E. Main St., Soap Lake.

Soap Lake receives $2.15M streets grant

SOAP LAKE — The city of Soap Lake will be doing some work on its streets in 2024 with the help of a $2.15 million grant from the Washington Transportation Improvement Board.

Adams Co. residents urged to get respiratory vaccines

RITZVILLE — Adams County health officials are urging people to get vaccinations for respiratory illnesses as the rate of those diseases increases in the county.

Grant PUD approves interim rate-setting resolution

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners have approved a new resolution on rate setting policy, which Commissioner Larry Schaapman said was a temporary fix while commissioners revisit the way rates are established.

Opportunities for holiday kindness

Columbia Basin communitiess still have time to support locals in need.

MOSES LAKE — The Christmas season is traditionally a time of charity, and there are still opportunities out there to donate to charities for people in need.

Grant Co. October unemployment lowest in three decades

MOSES LAKE — While the month-to-month figures go up and down, unemployment rates in Grant County in October were some of the lowest seen in more than 30 years, according to information from the Washington Department of Employment Security.

Soap Lake Public Library facelift incoming

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake residents are being invited to discuss their ideas for remodeling the Soap Lake Public Library at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Soap Lake Community and Senior Center, 121 Second Ave. SE.

Quincy PD holding raffle supporting Shop With a Cop

QUINCY — Tickets are on sale through Dec. 15 for a fundraising raffle sponsored by the Quincy Police Department for its Shop With a Cop program. The winners will be announced at 4:30 p.m. December 15.

Community generosity

Fundraising dinner nets more than $35,000 for McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation

SOAP LAKE — A November fundraiser for McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation generated enough money to pay for new televisions for all McKay residents.

Hispanic presence in tree fruit industry reflected at annual meeting

KENNEWICK — As the presence of Hispanic workers, managers and growers has increased in Washington’s tree fruit industry, so have efforts to provide training and support. The Spanish-language sessions at the Washington Horticultural Association annual meeting earlier this week reflect that. Jacqui Gordon-Nuñez, director of training, education and member services for the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, said the Spanish-language sessions have grown a lot since the first class in 2011. “They began with a tiny room of 50 people with a couple of talks, and now it’s the biggest session in the hort convention,” Gordon-Nuñez said. “It’s evidence of how much the Hispanic community wants to get educated, and wants to get the trending information of the industry.”

Bright Quincy: Lights, pictures, the Christmas story at community celebration

QUINCY — Grant County Fire District 3 decked out their ladder truck in lights, Santa posed for pictures and the Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum told the Christmas story during the Quincy Valley Christmas celebration Friday night.

Horticulture focus

KENNEWICK — Attendees at the 119th annual meeting of the Washington Horticultural Association look over a farm implement during a break in classes Tuesday. The convention and trade show filled the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick with all things tree fruit-related, from wind machines to rootstock and vendors from multi-generational family operations to international companies. Washington State University researchers gave attendees samples of a new apple variety, WA 64. The convention also included two and a half days of classes covering all phases of the industry.

Holiday parade returns to Mattawa Friday

MATTAWA — There’s so much going on in Mattawa to celebrate the Christmas season that events are scheduled on two days. In fact, Christmas events are happening throughout the first half of December throughout the Columbia Basin. Mattawa’s annual Christmas parade will walk and roll down Government Road at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Winter Festival will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec 14 at Wahluke High School; it’s sponsored by the city of Mattawa and the Mattawa Community Medical Clinic. Most holiday events were in Hund Memorial Park for a few years, but in 2022 the festivities were moved to WHS.

Grant PUD profits higher than projected

EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD is making more money than anticipated through the first nine months of 2023 and projections show revenues will be above the budget estimates for the year. Utility district staff are suggesting using some of that money to provide some extra cushion in the district's bond repayment fund.

Tigers boys basketball falls to Pullman, 56-48

EPHRATA — The Ephrata High School boys basketball team played tough in the second half, but couldn’t overcome an early deficit and lost to Pullman High School, 56-48, in the Tigers’ home opener Saturday.

Tiger victory: Ephrata girls take first home game of season 56-36

EPHRATA — The Ephrata High School girls basketball team took an early lead and never looked back in a 56-36 win over Pullman High School in the first home game for the Tigers Saturday.

Quincy-area fieldhouse, aquatic center design coming 2024

QUINCY — Design work for the new Quincy-area fieldhouse and swimming pool is scheduled for 2024. Voters narrowly approved the formation of a new regional parks district in the November election, with 1,008 votes in favor and 945 against. Park district property owners will pay 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to fund the district. Quincy city Administrator Pat Haley said the work necessary to form the district will take some time.

Mavs lose season opener to Kennewick

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School girls basketball team took an early lead, lost it, fought to overcome a second-half deficit but fell short, losing their season opener to Kennewick, 55-49 Friday.. Head Coach Matt Strophy said it had the characteristics of a first game of the year. “Early on, they created the pace instead of us controlling the pace. So they sped us up, and we want to dictate that,” Strophy said. “I don’t mind if we go fast, but we have to want to go fast, not them make us go that way. They made us do a lot of things we didn’t want to do.”

45 and stunning: Char Glo School of Beauty celebrates sapphire anniversary

MOSES LAKE — Charles Determan readily acknowledged it was a gamble. Determan was one of those employees who needed to find a new job when the U&I Sugar refining facility closed permanently in the late 1970s.

Winter weather

A little bit of snow in the valleys, a lot in the mountains, over next two days

MOSES LAKE — Technically it’s not quite winter yet, but winter’s here anyway. A storm is forecast to bring one to two inches of snow to the Columbia Basin and heavy snow to the Cascades today and Saturday. Temperatures are forecast to start warming up Sunday – and with warmer temperatures comes a chance of rain. “We’re going to be seeing inches of precipitation measured in the Idaho panhandle and the Cascade Crest,” said Charlotte Dewey, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane, during a Thursday morning briefing. The Moses Lake-Ephrata-Quincy area is forecast to get snow during the day Friday, with a projected accumulation of one to two inches. Less snow, an inch or so, is projected for the Mattawa area.

New mayor in Ritzville, Othello council race may go to recount

RITZVILLE — A race for an open seat on the Othello City Council may be headed for a mandatory recount and a former member of the Ritzville City Council will take over the mayor’s job. The 2023 general election was certified Tuesday.

Two Grant Co. races may be headed for recount

EPHRATA — One race for a seat on the Moses Lake School Board and one race for Royal City City Council may be headed for a recount. Both may fall within state guidelines for a mandatory machine recount, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office.

Quincy hospital to lease new CT equipment

QUINCY — The new Quincy Valley Medical Center will have some new equipment, including a new CT scanner. Hospital commissioners approved a lease proposal during their regular meeting Monday.

More to offer

Grant County's performing arts menu more diverse than it seems at first glance

MOSES LAKE — Maybe it’s a drama or a comedy, maybe a musical, maybe a classical concert or a quartet, maybe a tribute band or a solo recital, maybe players sitting around jamming. Whatever it is, there’s nothing like a live performance.

Crafted heritage: Traditional handcrafts at center of bazaar at Wanapum Heritage Center

PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — Emilee Maurice unwound her string and laid the dried stalks of the tule reed in a neat row. “This will be a table mat,” she said, as she began looping string around each reed.

Moses Lake officials ask port to take over municipal airport

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners have asked for more information before deciding whether or not to accept a proposal from Moses Lake city officials to assume ownership of the Moses Lake Municipal Airport. Moses Lake City Manager Kevin Fuhr requested that the port take over the municipal airport at a commission meeting Monday.

Santa slated for an appearance at Soap Lake’s Winterfest

SOAP LAKE — Santa Claus will be coming to town, downtown Soap Lake anyway, Saturday afternoon. Santa’s arrival, however, is one of many events during Winterfest, Soap Lake’s annual holiday celebration. Susan Carson of the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce said Santa’s arrival is the biggest deal of the day.

Business, organizations collaborate on Moses Lake toy drive

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake business and two organizations are joining together on a toy drive to benefit children six to 13 years of age.

B St. NE again is focus of Quincy council discussion

QUINCY — The current and future status of a section of B Street Northeast, and possible work on A Street Northeast, brought residents and business owners to a public hearing during the Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday.

Quincy PD swears in two new officers

QUINCY — Jesse King and Hector Avila were sworn in as Quincy Police Department officers and Officer Sal Mancini was recognized for 20 years with the department during the Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday.

Mattawa man dies in rollover

RICHLAND — A Mattawa man was killed when the car he was riding in ran off the road and rolled at about 2:30 a.m. November 18.

Grant PUD developing 2024 rate increase

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers are considering a rate increase in 2024, but whether it will be 3% across the board to all customer classes, or an overall 3% increase, is still to be determined. Utility district commissioners talked about some of their thinking on rates during a rate workshop Tuesday.

Columbia Middle Schoolers help out for Thanksgiving

MOSES LAKE — The families of 30 Columbia Middle School students will have a turkey and all the trimmings for Thanksgiving dinner, with the help of CMS students.