CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Grant PUD buys land for new Ephrata service center

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners have approved the purchase of 34 acres near Ephrata for the eventual site of the new equipment storage and maintenance facility, known as the Ephrata service center. Utility district officials paid $525,000 for the property, located next to the site of the new Grant County Jail, at one time the Ephrata Raceway.

Grant Co. accepts $155.5 million price for new jail

EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners have decided to accept a “guaranteed maximum price” of about $155.55 million for the new Grant County Jail. Marc Seeberger, project manager for general contractors Lydig Construction, gave commissioners an estimate of the total project cost, one option including administrative offices for the Grant County Sheriff, the other without the offices.

Behavioral health, drug use among biggest Grant health concerns

MOSES LAKE — About 88% of participants said mental and behavioral health services as one of the biggest health challenges in Grant County. Another was drug use and alcohol abuse. Those were among the results reported in the 2023-24 Community Health Assessment conducted by the Grant County Health District and released April 5.

Double jump: Jacks take doubleheader from Royal

QUINCY — The Quincy Jackrabbits baseball team used good pitching, some timely hits and aggressive baserunning to take both games of a non-league doubleheader from the Royal Knights Saturday.

Local doubleheader

Quincy's Evander Stephen's hits an inside the park home run to give the Jacks an 8-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning of the first game of a doubleheader with Royal Saturday. The full story will be available in the Tuesday Columbia Basin Herald.

Quincy regional parks district board in process of formation

QUINCY — Selecting board members will be the next step in the formation of the Quincy Valley Regional Parks District. Quincy City Council members approved an interlocal agreement for the city’s participation in the district’s governing board April 2. The agreement must be approved by all three governing entities that make up the district, which includes the cities of Quincy and George and Grant County. The proposed district was approved by voters in November 2023.

Grant Co. health report highlights disease and mortality rates

MOSES LAKE — LIfe expectancy in Grant County went down in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and life expectancy in Grant County was lower than the statewide average in 2020. Statistics on life expectancy were among the information included in the “Community Health Assessment” released by the Grant County Health District Friday.

Sprint to success: Mavs 4x100 relay team breaks school record set in 1978

MOSES LAKE — As everybody who’s ever been involved in track and field knows, relays are tough. Sprint relays are even tougher. Not only does the leadoff have to get out of the blocks - a clean start is crucial in sprints - but the handoffs have to be precise, especially when runners are coming in fast and going out fast. It’s so easy to mess up the pass. Or worse, drop the baton...

Soap Lake enrollment drop affects revenue, places staffing at risk

SOAP LAKE — Enrollment in the Soap Lake School District dropped substantially from the 2021-22 school year to the current school year, and that brought with it a drop in revenue. The Soap Lake School Board declared a financial emergency at its March 25 board meeting, citing a drop in enrollment as one of the factors in their decision.

Sail On to bring sounds of Beach Boys to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The sounds of endless summer come to the stage at the Wallenstien Theater April 9. Sail On, a quintet paying tribute to the Beach Boys, performs at 7 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the Central Basin Community Concert Association.

Road upgrades near Gorge Amphitheater on schedule

GEORGE — The asphalt is going down on sections of Silica Road Northwest and Southwest and West Baseline Road near the Gorge Amphitheater. Grant County Engineer David Bren said the project is on schedule. “They’re paving already,” Bren said.

Social media contributes to bullying in Quincy schools

QUINCY — A survey of Quincy Middle School and Quincy High School students indicates that most students believe they can get help from an adult if they think they are being bullied. Data from the 2023-24 school year to date indicates relatively few referrals to administrators for bullying cases. But Superintendent Nik Bergman said it’s still a concern in Quincy schools, and that district officials need the help of parents to combat it.

Grant County property tax statements mailed

EPHRATA — While some property owners will see new taxes and levies on their 2024 property tax statements, for most areas the total levy rate is lower than 2023. Grant County Treasurer Darryl Pheasant wrote in a press release that property tax statements were mailed late last week.

MLSD levy ballots mailed this week

MOSES LAKE — Ballots will be mailed to Moses Lake School District voters later this week for a special election to decide the fate of a two-year educational programs and operations levy request. Ballots must be returned by or postmarked April 23. The levy proposal is identical to one rejected by voters in February. If it’s approved property owners will pay $2 per $1,000 of assessed property value. That’s an increase of 50 cents per $1,000 from the levy approved by voters in 2021.

Molahiettes bring home state championship

MOSES LAKE — Being a member of the Molahiettes brings with it a set of expectations. The Moses Lake High School drill team successfully defended its title in the military category at the WIAA Drill/Dance State Championships March 23. By the nature of competition, few teams win a state title, but for the Molahiettes it’s kind of – expected. It’s what the Molahiettes do. It’s tradition. Co-captain Ashlynn Tate said coping with the pressure is a tradition too.

SR 17 paving work starts Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — Construction will begin Wednesday on resurfacing a seven-mile section of state Route 17 through Moses Lake. Construction crews will be working from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m. Monday through Friday, and drivers should plan for delays during working hours.

Royal dance team brings home third straight state title

ROYAL CITY — As high school coaches know, every year is a new team. Seniors graduate, participants decide to do something else, somebody is sidelined due to injury – every year is different. Royal High School dance Coach Makynlee Myrick said that’s part of the appeal. “It takes, really, a whole year to get the girls competition-ready,” she said. “It’s always pretty cool, though, to know that every year we’re coming in with new members and they’re working with the girls who were on the team from the previous year. It’s always cool to see them come together.” The Knights successfully defended their state title in 1A/2A military dance competition Saturday night, taking their third straight title in the category. To add to the challenge Royal was the last team, not just for military competition but for the entire tournament, taking the floor at 9 p.m.

Garden wisdom

Growing plants, greening lawns and saving water subject of Grant-Adams Master Gardeners symposium at BBCC

MOSES LAKE — Using water more efficiently in the garden and on the lawn will be the subject of presentations and demonstrations April 20 at the Eco-Gardening Symposium by the Grant-Adams Master Gardeners.

Soap Lake School Board asks for superintendent’s resignation

Board declares financial emergency, asks for ‘modified education plan’

SOAP LAKE — First-year Soap Lake School District superintendent Aaron Chavez will not be returning for the 2024-25 school year, following action by the Soap Lake School Board Monday. “My status is, I’ve been asked by the board to resign,” Chavez said Tuesday. Chavez has been asked to stay through the end of the 2023-24 school year. Board chair Curt Dotson and board members Signe Knudson, Donald Clark and Nicole Frazier did not return phone calls asking for more information on the decision.

Travelers urged to check for travel impacts at Vantage Bridge, along alternate routes

VANTAGE — Work on the Vantage Bridge is expected to lead to delays – maybe long delays – especially on busy summer weekends. As a result the Washington Department of Transportation is suggesting that drivers look for alternative routes on those busy weekends. The $79 million project will repair the bridge deck, which has shown signs of deterioration. Work is scheduled for spring, summer and fall through 2027. Cost of the project is about $79 million. Megan Lott, DOT public information officer for the South Central region, said travelers should prepare for longer trips, no matter what route they take.

Design starting for event center at Grant Fairgrounds

MOSES LAKE — A preliminary design for a new event center across the street from the Grant County Fairgrounds could be finished this year. The existing fairgrounds complex is scheduled for some upgrades sometime this year, including additional lighting in a spot that’s very popular during the fair. Fairgrounds manager Jim McKiernan said the event venue would be something a little different for Grant County. “Our goal is to be able to host a 750-person event, with catering, kitchens and some breakout rooms, and stuff like that,” McKiernan said.

Two Basin schools win state drill championships

YAKIMA — Two Columbia Basin dance teams brought home titles from the WIAA Dance/Drill State Championships over the weekend.

School resource officers offer human connections at MLSD campuses

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Police Department Officer Ray Lopez said the biggest part of the job of a school resource officer – also known as an SRO – is to make connections.

Four Columbia Basin teams compete at state dance and drill

YAKIMA — Dance teams from Moses Lake, Quincy, Othello and Royal school districts were among the teams competing in state competition Friday and Saturday at the Yakima Sundome.

Mavs’ Vela signs to play soccer in Walla Walla

MOSES LAKE — Family, teammates, coaches and friends got together at the Moses Lake High School to recognize Mavs girls soccer goalie Gabi Vela, who has signed to play for Walla Walla Community College.

Quincy council approves B Street Northeast variance

QUINCY — Quincy City Council members have approved a variance for two blocks of B Street Northeast, ending long-standing discussions about the street and a repaving project that narrowed it. Some residents and business owners along that section of the street said in their opinion the repaving project narrowed it too much. The variance was approved on a 5-1 vote, with council member Dave Dormaier voting no. Council member Josey Ferguson did not vote. After the vote Mayor Paul Worley said city employees will be looking to see if there’s any way to alleviate some of the concerns with B Street. The city’s 2024 budget includes money for preliminary design work on A Street Northeast, the next block over.

Land use designation process for Moses Lake 12th elementary school still in the works

EPHRATA — Advertising for bids for - and construction of - the 12th elementary school in Moses Lake is on hold while the land sale is still pending. Grant County officials said the process of revising the land use designations to allow construction and use is ongoing.

Road closure revisions starting Monday north of Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — Traffic control measures will be changed for a few weeks on a project to remove some of the rock slope along state Route 17 from Soap Lake to the Lake Lenore Caves. Sebastian Maraga, communications consultant for the Washington Department of Transportation, said the changes will go into effect March 25, and may last at least three weeks. “The contractor will move to single-lane alternating traffic with 20-minute holds,” Moraga wrote in a press release. “At 20 minutes, traffic will be released in one direction, then stopped to allow traffic to clear in the other direction. The road will be open to two-way traffic without restrictions during non-working hours.”

Moses Lake High School drama, speech competitors bring home state awards

MOSES LAKE — Students in the Moses Lake High School speech and drama clubs brought home medals and awards from state competition earlier this month.

Non-surgeons try out surgical robot at Samaritan demonstration

MOSES LAKE — The brightly colored little cones were a little bigger than chocolate kisses. Under magnification from the demonstration da Vinci surgical robot, they looked more the size of cupcakes.

Work underway on some county roads, scheduled for others

EPHRATA — Drivers who frequently travel on Road 9 Northwest between Dodson Road and State Route 283 already know it, but drivers who don’t might want to find an alternate route while the road gets some work. Road construction also is planned for a section of Road H Southeast near Royal City, and upgrades to sidewalks and pedestrian ramps in the Larson area north of Moses Lake.

Quincy baseball wins two for two against Wahluke

QUINCY — The Quincy Jackrabbits baseball team took a doubleheader from the Wahluke Warriors Saturday, in a match of what both coaches said are young teams with room to learn.

Othello Municipal Court achieves first anniversary

OTHELLO – It’s been a bit more than a year since the city of Othello ended its interlocal agreement with Adams County for court services in favor of establishing its own Othello Municipal Court. Municipal Judge Carolyn J. Benzel said the court has since grown into a well-functioning system.

Jacks softball takes two Ws from Wahluke Warriors

QUINCY — A pair of hard-fought games went to the Quincy Jackrabbits softball team in a doubleheader against the Wahluke Warriors Saturday.

Jobs, programs at risk as voters to decide on MLSD levy

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District patrons will have the choice to accept or reject a two-year educational programs levy in a special election April 23. It’s the same proposal as the one rejected by voters in February.

Roundabout planned near Royal City

ROYAL CITY — A new roundabout at Road 12 Southwest and South Dodson Road could be installed in 2024 - and will be, if Grant County officials can swing it. “We’re hoping to get that done in 2024,” said Grant County Engineer Dave Bren. “But we’re still working on some right of way.”

Budget, intended uses important when planning a deck

MOSES LAKE — The process of building a deck - one that will last, anyway, and one that will be what the homeowner wants it to be - starts long before construction. “It’s just like building a home,” said Omar Jones of Handyman Starz Unique, Moses Lake.

Samaritan to demonstrate new surgical robot Monday

MOSES LAKE — People who are curious about the new surgical robot put into service in November at Samaritan Hospital can see it for themselves during a demonstration at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the 4-H building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3593 Airway Drive NE.

Historic road trips

Quincy museum announces 2024 educational field trip schedule

QUINCY — The Quincy Valley Historical Society & Museum will be back on the road for 2024 with a series of tours and lectures detailing the geological and human history of the region. Seating on the bus is limited; interested people can go on the museum website and purchase tickets. Ticket prices vary depending on the tour and whether or not the tour includes lunch, said QVHSM Director of Operations Harriet Weber.

Quincy boys golfers looking to learn, improve

QUINCY — Coach Chris Trevino said the Quincy boys golf team will be a work in progress in 2024. “We’ve got a couple of guys that I think are going to be pretty good for us, and we’re just trying to build out the next two guys to post a team score,” he said. Six players make up a high school varsity team, with the top four individual scores counting for the team score. Quincy has nine players out for golf, but Trevino said 2024 fits into a pattern that’s been going on in Quincy for a while.

Grant County bridge work under way

MOSES LAKE — Two Grant County bridges will be closed for a while, maybe a long while, while one is repaired and the other designed and rebuilt. Bridge 247, southeast of Warden on Road W Southeast, has been removed completely. Bridge 202, east of Moses Lake on Road N Northeast, is still there but one end is resting on temporary supports. Grant County Engineer David Bren said the trouble at Bridge 202 was discovered by an anonymous truck driver.

SR 17 repaving begins April 1 in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Construction begins April 1 on a project to resurface a seven-mile section of State Route 17 through Moses Lake.

VROOM into 2024

Car shows in the Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE – As spring pulls up and shows its face in the beams of our headlights, there are loads of car shows coming to the Columbia Basin over the next few months. Car aficionados can polish their valve covers, get their cameras ready and head out to take a look at streets full of classic sedans, antique vehicles, street rods, rat rods, lowriders, modern mods, trucks, motorcycles and much more at car shows throughout the rest of the year.

Work on Vantage Bridge begins this week

VANTAGE — The Vantage Bridge will be subject to single-lane closures beginning this week as crews start a multiyear project to replace the bridge deck.

Eastern Washington spring home and garden shows begin

SPOKANE — As the days get longer and spring inches closer, thoughts turn to - well, lots of things, but getting out in the garden and sprucing up the house, among others. So spring is the season for home and garden shows.

Quincy boys soccer looks to build on 2023 success

QUINCY — New Quincy head boys soccer coach Hector Vaca said the biggest challenge for the Jackrabbits heading into the 2024 season might be on their side of the field. “I think our biggest challenge is ourselves,” Vaca wrote in response to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald. “We need to go into every game with a positive mindset and ensure we take each game one at a time, as well as not overlook any opponent.”

Academic athletes

Soap Lake girls basketball team brings home academic state championship

SOAP LAKE — When a team sets a goal, it takes - well, teamwork to reach it. A new banner soon to be installed in the Soap Lake High School gym illustrates what happens when the SLHS girls basketball team took the concept and put it into practice.

Changes coming to Quincy administration

QUINCY — Quincy city officials will be revising city administration following the retirement of Clerk/Finance Officer Nancy Schanze, scheduled for later this year.

GALLERY: Basin competitors at state basketball

MOSES LAKE – Congratulations to the five local basketball teams that qualified for their respective state tournaments this season; the Almira/Coulee-Hartline girls, the MLCA/CCS boys, the Royal boys, the Soap Lake boys and Warden girls.

Grant Co. unpaved road grading to start as weather permits

EPHRATA — Grant County residents can expect grading to start on unpaved county roads as snow melts, rainy weather and roads dry out. Supervisors of all three county road districts gave an update to the Grant County Commissioners Monday.