CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Late Wanapum leader honored by Grant PUD

Rex Buck, Jr. recognized for contributions preserving tribal heritage, culture.

EPHRATA — The late Rex “Puck Hyah Toot” Buck Jr., longtime leader of the Wanapum, was honored by the Grant County Public Utility District commissioners at their regular meeting June 13. The resolution follows the end of a year of respect traditionally observed by the Wanapum after the death of a tribal member...

School is OUT for MLSD retiree

‘I truly love the seven (and) eight-year-olds. I’ve always just related.’

MOSES LAKE — Joan Dopps said her career as a second grade teacher started with a visit to her former second grade teacher. “I went through many different bouts of ‘what am I going to do.’ I worked a year in a bank; I got an AA degree from Big Bend,” she said. “I went to visit (her former teacher) in California. And then I came back home and quit the bank, commuted to Ellensburg and became a teacher.” ...

Basin prepped for July 4

Area communities set to celebrate nation's birthday.

COLUMBIA BASIN — The nation’s birthday will be celebrated with parades, tournaments, flash and plenty of sparkles, with three local communities sponsoring festivities and fireworks. Moses Lake leads off with “Red, White and Boom!” July 1...

Quincy roundabout opening delayed

QUINCY — The opening of the new roundabout at the intersection of White Trail Road and State Route 28 has been delayed to June 26. Lauren Loebsack, communications manager for the North Central region of the Washington Department of Transportation, said the plan was to open it June 14, but it was put off due to the need for repairs...

Quincy High graduates 100% of senior class

QUINCY — All eligible students in the Quincy High School class of 2023 made it to graduation, according to district officials. “We were at 161 (graduates) of 161 (eligible),” said district superintendent Nik Bergman during the regular Quincy School Board meeting Tuesday...

Quincy schools look to get more parents involved

QUINCY — Encouraging parents to get more involved in school is easier when school officials start with something familiar to the parents. Victoria Hodge, director of support services and programs for the Quincy School District, said that’s been a lesson reinforced during the 2022-23 school year. “The first strategy is to expand parent groups in each building,” Hodge said during a presentation to the Quincy School Board at its regular meeting Tuesday...

Desert Aire Fly-In scheduled for Saturday

DESERT AIRE — People will get a chance to see some cool airplanes and eat a pancake breakfast at the Desert Aire Airport Saturday. The annual Desert Aire Fly-In is scheduled for 7 to 11 a.m. at the airport hangar at 121 Desert Aire Place. “It’s really intended to provide an opportunity for the community to come together, see some airplanes, talk to pilots,” said Joyce Trantina, the event organizer. “It’s the airport’s only fundraiser, but that’s not its main purpose. It’s for community building.” ...

Excitement, mixed emotions at Othello graduation

OTHELLO — Luis Alvarado, Othello High School class of 2023, admitted to mixed emotions as he left Huskie Stadium after OHS graduation ceremonies. “Happy. Most definitely,” he said.

Desert Oasis High School seniors persevere

OTHELLO — Valedictorian Michelle Torres summed it up after the Desert Oasis High School class of 2023 had received their diplomas. “Start of a new day, you know?” she said. The 29 seniors officially finished school, five of them through a SkillSource program, in a ceremony June 5. In her valedictory speech, Torres said she knew it hadn’t been easy for her classmates. But they had done it nonetheless. “As for those who have cut us down, made us feel less of ourselves, and told us we weren’t getting far, look at us now. We are graduating, and this is just the beginning,” she said.

Hard work pays off for 2023 Jacks

QUINCY — Brand-new Quincy High School graduate Xavier Tagle said there was a lesson in the ceremony on June 10. “All those years, all that work, and it pays off,” he said. “It feels great (to graduate). I can’t wait for the future.” Tagle said his goal is to work in the tech field, starting with a couple of years at a community college. Mya Nguyen echoed Tagle’s sentiments about the pleasure of seeing work pay off. “I’m very grateful,” she said. “It’s very rewarding for all the hard work I’ve put in,” she said, adding that she plans to become a nurse.

Parks district vote could be coming up in Quincy

QUINCY — Residents of Quincy, George and some rural areas around Quincy may be voting on a proposal to create a new regional parks district. Quincy Administrator Pat Haley said money raised through the district would help pay for the proposed indoor sports facility, called the Q-Plex, along with a new Quincy Aquatic Center and help pay for their operation.

Color and imagination

Othello artist works to put human interest into watercolors

OTHELLO — Duke Stoker paints the landscapes he sees in his imagination.

Written in Stone

Those impacted by cancer leave words for 'heroes, past, present and future.'

MOSES LAKE — The encouragement, the remembrances, the sentiments won’t be visible, but they’re there. “‘No one fights alone.’ God.” ...

Memories, pride at MLHS PALS graduation

MOSES LAKE — Six students in the PALS club (the Life Skills class) at Moses Lake High School were recognized for their accomplishments with a special graduation ceremony June 7. “Amazing students,” said Life Skills instructor Cristina Dinges.

Sabey Data Centers expands in Quincy

QUINCY — Sabey Data Centers Executive Director John Sabey said the company expects data centers to be a growth industry for some time to come. “We anticipate the business is going to grow quite rapidly,” he said Thursday. “There’s always a next data center push that uses data center demand.” ...

White Trail roundabout may open next week

QUINCY — The new roundabout at White Trail Road and State Route 28 could be ready for traffic by next week and possibly by tomorrow, although that’s less likely. “Looks like we could see the intersection open by early next week, with a couple of days of flagging to add permanent striping after the materials have set,” wrote Lauren Loebsack, communications manager for the North Central region of the Washington Department of Transportation, in answer to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald...

Section of Quincy pool opening may be delayed

QUINCY — One section of the Quincy Aquatic Center may open late this summer, or may not open at all. Parks and Recreation Director Russ Harrington said mandatory revisions to the original pool, called the lap pool, may keep it dry for at least part of the summer. “Whenever you go to do something new to your pool, you have to come up to that (current) standard,” Harrington said Wednesday...

Lane changes

Mattawa approves speed limit update, no-parking zones.

MATTAWA — Speed limits will be lowered to 25 miles per hour on Road 24 SW from the roundabout at State Route 281 to Pat-Chee Drive, and no parking will be allowed on sections of Boundary Road and Riverview Avenue. Mattawa City Council members approved the changes after extensive discussion at the regular meeting June 1...

Summer entertainment coming up for local communities

EPHRATA – A long summer evening just seems like a good time to be outside. Three local towns will help families make the most of summer evenings with a monthly series of free outdoor movies. In Ephrata there’s also a free summer music series....

Congrats Desert Oasis grads!

OTHELLO - Graduation season is continuing across the Columbia Basin. As a reminder, we will be printing a special keepsake edition with full coverage of local graduations on June 14.

Dodson Road project underway

Grant County works to upgrade roadway between I-90 and Ephrata.

EPHRATA — Drivers using Dodson Road between State Route 282 and Road 4 NW will be experiencing some delays as that section of the road gets a new layer of asphalt. “It’s under construction right now,” said Grant County Engineer Dave Bren...

Post office clerk retires after 30 years

MOSES LAKE — Phil Bilodeau said he wants his customers to know he appreciated their business. Bilodeau retired Friday after 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service, most of them at the customer counter at the Moses Lake Post Office.

Mattawa council approves housing action plan

MATTAWA — After about five months of discussion, the Mattawa City Council approved a housing action plan at its regular meeting Thursday. City officials are working to apply for funding to upgrade and expand the city’s water and sewer systems, and updating development regulations, including an action plan, is part of that. “The plan has also been reviewed by the (Washington Department of) Commerce and it is sufficient,” said Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners...

Summer reading programs offer books, events

WENATCHEE — With sunny weather and warm days dead ahead, summer reading programs are beginning at local public libraries. The Mid-Columbia Libraries system, which includes the Othello Public Library, already started its “Summer Reading Challenge.” Children and adults can participate; the challenge requires participants to read or listen to books for a minimum of 15 hours prior to Aug. 18...

'Walk with Ease'

New Dept. of Health program helps residents get healthy.

MOSES LAKE — The Washington Department of Health has started a new online program designed to help people manage and possibly prevent chronic conditions by going for a walk. The “Walk with Ease” program information is available in English and Spanish. “Walking is still one of the best exercises out there for overall health (benefits) and low injury,” said Dale Kemper, manager of Evolve Fitness in Moses Lake...

Columbia Basin swimming pools publish opening dates

MOSES LAKE — It’s that time of year – city crews have swept out all the dead leaves, all the toys are back up and the pool is full, or almost full. Summer is dead ahead. The Surf ‘n Slide Water Park, 401 W. Fourth Ave., has already opened for the summer – the joint was jumping Memorial Day weekend – and will be open the first two Saturdays and Sundays in June. Daily operation begins June 15, after Moses Lake School District classes are dismissed for the summer.

'Excited' and 'happy'

Wahluke life skills students off to college with a ROAR

MATTAWA — Getting accepted to college requires a lot of effort, some of it doing scary things. Three students in Wahluke High School’s life skills class didn’t let that stop them - they’re off to college next fall. “We’re going to (Washington State University) in Pullman,” said Juan Ramos...

In memoriam

EPHRATA - American Legion Post 28 in Ephrata hosted a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday. This was just one of multiple events in the area held to honor those killed in service to the nation. Additional coverage of these events will be included in Wednesday's edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.

Moses Lake School Board approves new elementary design

MOSES LAKE — The new Moses Lake elementary school scheduled for construction in Mae Valley should go to bid in late fall. Moses Lake School Board members approved a design for the building at the regular meeting Thursday. “The goal (is) to bid the project this year, before Christmas and the holidays,” said Matt Whitish of Design West, the lead architect on the project. “The construction schedule hasn’t changed. We’re looking to have a contractor on board at the very early start of 2024, and (to) still have construction completed in time for the school year in 2025.” ...

‘Beautiful cars’

Spring Festival car show fills the street with cool rides

MOSES LAKE — Two full blocks of cool cars. Their owners thought so, of course, and so did the spectators that filled West Third Avenue in front of Frontier Middle School for the Spring Festival car show Saturday. “Beautiful cars. Beautiful cars I haven’t seen in years,” said Noland Dominguez of the Lakesiders Car Club...

Remembrance, Spring Festival mark Memorial Day weekend

MOSES LAKE — Memorial Day in the Columbia Basin will be marked with both remembrances and Spring Festival activities in Moses Lake. Memorial Day is first and foremost about honoring the fallen, and there will be solemn ceremonies around the Basin on Monday. The Ephrata American Legion post will sponsor ceremonies honoring veterans at three cemeteries Monday. Post members will gather at 10 a.m. at the Soap Lake cemetery, 11 a.m. at the Ephrata cemetery and at 12:30 p.m. at the Quincy Cemetery. “Each ceremony is a little different, with flag raising and lowering, speakers, color guard, gun salute and the playing of taps,” wrote Jane Montaney of the post auxiliary chapter.

News Bites for May 26

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was booked into the Grant County Jail Tuesday on suspicion of vehicular assault and DUI after he allegedly struck a motorcycle and left the scene of the accident...

Solar races

Energy lessons, racing and trying to set hot dogs afire at Solar Car STEM event

MOSES LAKE — Fifth-grader Rafaela Arnberg explained the principle behind the propulsion system on her solar race car. “Basically the energy from the sun hits the solar panel and the solar panel makes the motor move,” she said. Her Knolls Vista classmate Nathalia Anguiano showed the mechanism. “The motor is attached to this thing here that makes it go,” she said, pointing to the tiny car’s rear axle. “When the solar panel touches the sun, it goes.” Fifth-graders from schools throughout Grant County built solar cars from a kit and brought them to Big Bend Community College for a day of racing and learning about energy. The annual Solar Car STEM days were sponsored by the Grant County PUD, Big Bend Community College, the Moses Lake School District and REC Silicon.

Quincy board, FFA boosters honored

WENATCHEE — The Quincy School Board was honored as the Board of the Year and the Quincy FFA Boosters received a Friends of Children award from the North Central Education Service District. The annual NCESD awards were announced May 22. “The Quincy School Board exemplifies a student-centered approach in all that they do,” wrote Quincy School District Superintendent Nik Bergman in answer to a question from the Herald. Bergman wrote that board members helped write the district’s updated strategic plan, and have worked to implement it throughout the school year.

Wood from existing Quincy Valley Medical Center site to become part of new hospital

QUINCY — A pair of trees that will come down as part of the construction of the new Quincy Valley Medical Center will be turned into a piece of furniture for the facility, with the help of students in the Quincy High School construction classes. Hospital board members accepted a proposal from QHS construction class instructor Nick Heuker to use the wood from the trees to build a conference table.

Ritzville mayor, Lind council races attract multiple candidates

RITZVILLE — The mayor’s job in Ritzville, Ritzville City Council and Lind Town Council positions will be on the August primary ballot, some having attracted five candidates. The filing period for elected offices open in 2023 was last week. The two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the primary will advance to the general election in November.

Council to consider housing plan

MATTAWA — Mattawa City Council members will vote June 1 on a plan designed to help address growth and housing availability. Council members held a public hearing on the draft housing action plan Thursday; there was no public comment. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planner, reviewed the plan for the council, and said it had been updated based on previous comments from residents. Information on the plan was reviewed at a March public meeting and at a couple of community events. “We added (a new section) based on feedback, which is to implement a citywide code enforcement program,” Bradley told council members.

Quincy set to break ground on new park in 2024

QUINCY — Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2024 on a new park along Quincy’s Sixth Avenue NE. Quincy City Council members approved a contract with Michael Terrell Landscape Architects, Deer Park, for a design during their regular meeting May 16. “The park property is located near the Quincy Animal Shelter,” wrote Public Works Director Carl Worley in response to an email from the Herald. “It was property dedicated by the developers of the nearby apartments as the requirement for open space.” ...

Hot career

Fire science class shows path to an occupation of service

QUINCY — Yanetzi Gonzalez said the fire science class at Quincy High School helped her make up her mind about her future. Marcelo Moreno said he had a good idea what he wanted to do after high school, but the fire science class showed him there were even more opportunities. Gonzalez, Moreno, Genesis Franco and Mario Guerrero, all QHS juniors, were among the participants in fire science state competition sponsored by SkillsUSA, and all four of them finished in the top 10. Gonzalez and Moreno qualified for SkillsUSA national competition; Moreno had other commitments, so Franco will be taking his place...

Soap Lake City Hall to reopen Fridays

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Hall will return to Monday through Friday hours beginning May 22. Soap Lake City Council members approved reopening city hall on Fridays after an extensive discussion at the regular council meeting Wednesday. The vote was unanimous...

Races shaping up as candidate filing continues

EPHRATA — Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya will face at least one challenger for her office, and the race for an at-large seat on the Samaritan Healthcare board will be on the primary election ballot. One race on the Moses Lake City Council also will go to the primary election. Filing for offices up for election in 2023 began Monday and ends today...

Colorful results

FFA project brings bright blooms and greenery to downtown Moses lake

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School FFA members and horticulture students fanned out through downtown Wednesday, shovels in hand, followed by wagons filled with flowers and water buckets. After all, those flowers that beautify downtown every summer don’t plant themselves. They don’t raise themselves, either. The FFA participants and hort students do that, all winter long...

Trujillo promoted to Quincy PD captain

QUINCY — Jorge Trujillo, a 15-year veteran of the Quincy Police Department, was sworn in as the QPD captain during Quincy’s regular city council meeting Tuesday...

Lind council seats attract multiple candidates on first-day filing

RITZVILLE — One seat on the Lind Town Council attracted three candidates while another seat attracted four candidates on the first day of filing for the 2023 general election. The filing period ends Friday. Because there are more than two candidates for each position, both races will be on the ballot in the Aug. 1 primary election.

Council, school board races taking shape in first day of candidate filing

EPHRATA — Incumbents on the Moses Lake City Council and Moses Lake School Board will be facing at least one challenger for their seats. There will also be a race for one seat on the Samaritan Healthcare board. Those races emerged after the first day of filing for Grant County offices in the 2023 general election. The filing period ends Friday. Races that attract more than two candidates will be on the ballot in the Aug. 1 primary, but as of Monday no races had three candidates.

Michele Talley finds rewards in the fire service

QUINCY — Michele Talley said she got interested in firefighting right out of high school and has stayed interested ever since. “I started as a volunteer firefighter in Southern California when I was 18,” she said. “When I got married and started a family, l left the fire service – and I missed it.” So when she had the chance she started learning more about it...

E. Nelson Road light being replaced

MOSES LAKE — Drivers can expect flaggers controlling traffic at the intersection of State Route 17 and East Nelson Road Wednesday or Thursday. Washington State Department of Transportation crews will be replacing the light on the east side of the intersection...

Timeline TBD

White Trail Road roundabout project completion date still up in the air

QUINCY — Washington Department of Transportation officials are not sure yet what the revised timeline will be on the construction of a roundabout at State Route 28 and White Trail Road. Department of Transportation officials discovered a mistake in the project after construction had started. “We needed to remove a little bit of concrete,” Lauren Loebsack, communications manager for the WSDOT North Central Region, said Monday...

Summer — not spring — weather forecast for next week

MOSES LAKE — While it’s not the hottest weather ever in mid-May, the Columbia Basin is getting an early taste of summer, with temperatures in the high 80s to mid-90s expected through next weekend. Todd Carter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane, said that while the temperatures are not unheard of for this time of year in Eastern Washington, it’s still pretty warm for mid-May...

MLSD funding reduction should not result in layoffs

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District shouldn’t have to lay off any staff as a result of changes in the funding Moses Lake receives from the state, at least not for the 2023-24 school year. “Back in 2017-18 we were getting 6% regionalization (funding) added to our apportionment. That’s been decreasing by 1% a year the last few years,” said Director of Finance Stefanie Lowry during the Moses Lake School Board meeting Thursday. “It was supposed to completely go away next year.” ...