CHERYL SCHWEIZER

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.

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.