CHERYL SCHWEIZER

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.

Levy lid lift moves forward

Facility repairs, vehicle maintenance priorities for GCFD 7 after proposal passes

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 voters have all but assured the passage of a request to raise the amount levied by the district, and GCFD 7 Chief Chris Baker said the biggest priority for the district will be fixing the maintenance shop and hiring a full-time mechanic.

SLPD officers to become baristas for Tip A Cop 2023

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Police Department will be serving coffee in a good cause at the Busy Bean coffee stand Dec. 5. Proceeds from the “Tip A Cop” fundraiser will go to the SLPD Benevolent Fund, used for its Shop with a Cop program, among other things. Officers will be serving coffee from 6 to 11 a.m.; the coffee stand is located at 320 Sixth Ave. SE in Soap Lake.

Grant awarded to help SLPD retain officers

SOAP LAKE — The city of Soap Lake will receive a grant that helps the Soap Lake Police Department retain officers. Chief Ryan Cox explained the terms to the Soap Lake City Council at its regular meeting Wednesday. Cox said it was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice.

MLHS to present ‘The Three Musketeers’

MOSES LAKE — Adventure and intrigue, romance, duplicity, danger and honor in Ancien Regime France come to the Moses Lake High School stage this weekend. The MLHS Drama production of “The Three Musketeers” opens at 7 p.m. Friday at the MLHS Theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave. Performances are scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, with a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday...

Holiday spirit hits the stage

'Elf: The Musical' coming to Masquers Theater stage

SOAP LAKE — The curtain rises Nov. 25 on a tale of Christmas spirit, and the efforts of a long-lost - and slightly magical - son to rebuild it for his family. The Masquers Theatre production of “Elf: The Musical” runs weekends through Dec. 16. “Elf” is based on the 2003 movie, which Masquers co-director Clifford Bresee called a “modern Christmas classic.” The musical premiered on Broadway in 2011.

Ten decades: Centenarian Eleanor Sorter recalls life and times

MOSES LAKE — Eleanor Sorter is a tough chick. She had to be when her husband Norman passed away from heart problems. Norman Sorter was working on a project – a big project – when he died.

Dinner to spotlight, raise funds for McKay Healthcare

SOAP LAKE — A dinner to raise money for McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation, to thank people for their support of McKay and to showcase McKay’s services is scheduled for Sunday, The “Gathered in Gratitude” dinner and fundraiser is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Soap Lake Natural Spa & Resort, 236 E. Main Ave.

A calling followed: Kersey leaves Moses Lake port to head up Group14 plant

MOSES LAKE — Don Kersey said that, for him, the manufacturing sector holds an irresistible appeal. Kersey is the new manager of the Group14 Technologies facility under construction in Moses Lake.

Moses Lake Municipal Airport could change hands

MOSES LAKE — Management of the Moses Lake Municipal Airport was the subject of a brief discussion at the Port of Moses Lake commission meeting Monday, as city officials mull over the notion of passing management of the facility to the port.

Desert Artists present miniature art show

MOSES LAKE — Art on a small scale is featured at the Miniature Art Show, on display through Nov. 17 at Banner Bank, 322 S. Division St. in Moses Lake. The 15th annual art show is sponsored by Desert Artists.

Moses Lake Classic Car Club to celebrate 50th anniversary

MOSES LAKE — Now technically, the Moses Lake Classic Car doesn’t celebrate its 50th anniversary until 2024, but its members decided to start the party a little early. Club members brought out some of their cars Nov. 5 for a show and shine, part of an open house at Youth Dynamics in Moses Lake. Club members also raised $1,111, which they donated to Youth Dynamics. President Dave Robins described the late fall show and shine as the “kickoff event” for the 50th anniversary. “We’re definitely planning for 2024,” he said.

Quincy considering 2024 capital projects

QUINCY — With 2024 dead ahead, Quincy City Council members are considering proposals for repairs, upgrades, expansion of city services and property. City officials have submitted a list of capital requests to the council.

Scrap metal art competition tests creativity, teamwork

MOSES LAKE — The organizers of the scrap metal art competition work to make it a challenge. That was the lesson of the oxygen tank that attracted the attention of the team from Pasco.

Bids opened for preparation of new Grant County Jail site

EPHRATA — Site preparation for the new Grant County Jail will begin by late February 2024, with the start of construction still to be determined. County officials opened bids for the site preparation phase of the project Tuesday. Capstone Structures LLC, Quincy, was the apparent low bidder. The company bid $2.58 million as its base bid. Marc Seeberger of Lydig Construction, the project manager, said county officials must award the contract to what is called the lowest responsive bidder. “That means there are certain specific requirements they have to include with this (bid) envelope,” Seeberger said. “There were certain ways the bid form had to be filled out.”

Voters make their choice on fire district, parks and rec proposals

EPHRATA — Voters in two fire districts decided the fate of requests to raise levy assessment rates, and decided whether or not to form a parks and recreation district in the Quincy area, in the general election Tuesday.

Quincy Valley Medical Center board approves third phase of construction contract

QUINCY — Quincy residents are beginning to hear and feel, if not yet see, construction on the site of the new Quincy Valley Medical Center. The site has been cleared of three buildings, some trees and grass, and Tony Sanchez of Graham Construction said Monday that the next task is installing the pilings to support the new building, called geopiers. “We drill eight to 10 feet (in) depth, fill them with rock and crush them down,” Sanchez said.

City council, school board seats, levy requests on Election Day ballot

EPHRATA — Candidates for mayor, city councils, school boards, hospital boards, fire districts, port districts and others will learn whether or not they were elected after 8 p.m. tonight. Ballot boxes for the 2023 general election close at 8 p.m., or voters must have mailed their ballots in time to have them postmarked today.