CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Othello uses defense to take 48-43 win over Grandview

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies girls basketball team built a sizable lead and contained a comeback from a determined Grandview team for a 48-43 win in Othello Thursday night. With the win, Othello advanced to play Clarkston Saturday for a berth to the state tournament.

A modern look

Quincy High School Band to receive new uniforms after community effort

QUINCY — The Quincy High School band will be getting new uniforms with the help of a donation from the Quincy Music Boosters and a grant from the Washington Music Educators Association. Devan Chandler, the district’s director of bands, said it had been a while since the uniforms were replaced. “If you were wondering, the last time a uniform purchase was made to my knowledge was 1988,” Chandler said. “So we are overdue.” ...

Active communities

A look at events coming up in the Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — A night of awards and games in Othello, and afternoon of music and suds in Moses Lake, a Civil War story in Quincy - there’s a lot going on around these parts the next month or so. The Othello Chamber of Commerce will host its annual banquet beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 616 E. Juniper St. “Casino Night” is the theme for 2023, and the evening includes silent and live auctions and games...

A big job, but a good job

New Adams Co. commissioner learning intricacies of new position

OTHELLO — Recently elected Adams County Commissioner Mike Garza said there’s more to the job than he anticipated, and that’s a good thing. “What I’ve figured out is that it’s a lot more - elaborate, a lot more time-consuming, is a good word. Much more intricate than I thought the position would be. Which is okay. Which is good,” he said. “There are a myriad of things that a commissioner can fill his days with - all important things. It’s one of those (jobs) where there are enough issues that need tending to that a guy could fill his days very easily.” ...

Data center under construction in Quincy

QUINCY — Construction has begun on a new data center near the intersection of D Street Northwest and Road R Northwest in Quincy...

Amazing Shake participants put their skills to the test

MATTAWA — Wahluke Junior High Principal John Muchlinski said the idea behind the Amazing Shake is that communication skills are as crucial to young people as academic skills. “Whatever (career) you choose, you’re going to have to interact with people, and you’re going to have to carry on conversations. And that’s what this is about, is being able to interact with people, be polite, carry on conversations, know follow-up questions, and those kinds of things that you don’t necessarily get in your standard academic class,” Muchlinski said...

Moses Lake School Board discusses, declines to pursue, flag policy

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School Board members decided not to pursue research on a possible policy governing the display of flags in district buildings. Board members discussed the question briefly at the regular board meeting Thursday, following a request from board member Paul Hill. Board chair Kevin Fuhr said the board discussed it sometime last year and board members had asked district officials to research it, but other events intervened and the board never pursued it. Hill said some districts in Washington have considered or adopted flag policies, some limiting displays to U.S. and state flags.

‘Almost, Maine’

Masquers new production set to open this weekend

SOAP LAKE — A play about the many variations of love, as revealed as a cold night in a small Maine community, comes to the stage at the Masquers Theater for the next three weekends. “Almost, Maine” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the theater, located at 322 E. Main St., Soap Lake.

Nonprofits receive donations from Light Up Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Three Moses Lake nonprofit organizations received donations of $539 each, courtesy of the annual Light Up Moses Lake contest, its sponsors and participants...

Quincy PD officers recognized for rescue

QUINCY — The fire had already engulfed the front of the house when Quincy Police Sergeant Jazzlynn Silva and QPD Officer Stephen Harder arrived on the scene. For their actions after they got there, Silva and Harder received an award from the city, another from Grant County Fire District 3, and a standing ovation from the crowd at the ceremony Tuesday. It was Jan. 10, and Harder said he had just returned to patrol. “I literally was two blocks from the station,” he said, and dispatchers notified him of an emergency, a structure fire on L Street Southwest...

Under the sea...

‘The Little Mermaid’ takes to the Quincy stage

QUINCY — A tale of love based on a classic Disney movie is running for two more weekends at the Quincy High School theater. The curtain rises on “The Little Mermaid” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 and 17 and 2 p.m. Feb. 11 and 18. The musical is presented by Quincy Valley Allied Arts and opened last weekend...

Green named interim Quincy PD chief

QUINCY — Ryan Green has been named the interim chief for the Quincy Police Department. Quincy City Council members approved Green’s appointment on a 6-0 vote at a regular meeting Tuesday. Green will replace Kieth Siebert, who announced his retirement from law enforcement last week. Siebert has accepted a job in the emergency management department at the Grant County Public Utility District...

Othello approves two police union contracts

OTHELLO — Othello Police Department officers and sergeants are getting a raise under the terms of agreements between the city and the unions representing them. Othello City Council members approved a three-year agreement with the union representing sergeants and a separate three-year agreement with police officers Monday. Both passed unanimously without discussion...

The Warrior stands

To the Wanapum, Yakama, Wahluke School District and Mattawa, iconic image is more than school mascot

MATTAWA — To the Wanapum, residents of Mattawa and the Wahluke School District, the Wahluke Warrior is a symbol of a longstanding and valuable relationship, one that goes beyond the school. Alyssa Buck of the Wanapum Interface Office said the ties between the Wanapum, the WSD and the town of Mattawa go back decades. “The school district has been consulting with the Wanapum. They were, I guess, collaborating with the Wanapum before the warrior was even selected. The Wanapum leader(ship) had a big part in that,” Buck said...

Mattawa annexes roughly 40 acres

MATTAWA — A new housing development could begin construction this spring on 40 acres annexed into the city of Mattawa. Members of the Mattawa City Council approved the annexation application and a development agreement between the city and CAD Homes, Moses Lake, at the regular meeting Feb. 2. The vote was 6-0; Council Member Wendy Lopez did not attend the meeting...

Chemical incident at Lamb Weston leads to air monitoring in Quincy

QUINCY — Air quality is being monitored around the Lamb Weston processing facility in Quincy, 1005 E St. SW, following the release of anhydrous ammonia at the plant Sunday.

Quincy High School teacher Rod Cool stresses importance of ag industry

QUINCY — In Rod Cool’s estimation, ag teachers have a pretty important job. “One thing I always tell people about teaching ag and FFA is that, now more than ever, agriculture education in high schools is the most important thing that they can teach,” he said. “Because the farm population is so small, percentage-wise, there’s no way that it can sustain itself. Less than 2% of Americans are producers that produce for everyone else, and then almost the rest of the world. So it’s our job as ag teachers to make sure that for every 100 graduates at any high school we turn out two farmers, because if we don’t we’re going to starve to death.” Cool is in his 36th year as an ag teacher, he said, including the last six at Quincy High School, and he’s got no plans to move on any time soon...

Quincy Police Chief Kieth Siebert moving on to Grant PUD

QUINCY — Kieth Siebert said one of the attractions of a law enforcement career was the variety. “You never knew what you were going to get,” Siebert said. “You could go to the same house five times and get a different issue every time.” But Siebert said it’s time to move on from law enforcement. He announced his retirement as Quincy Police Chief last week; Feb. 15 is his last day at the QPD. The Quincy City Council is scheduled to select an interim chief at its Feb. 7 meeting.

More patients, smaller staff challenge for Samaritan ER

MOSES LAKE — More patients, fewer staff, more paperwork and cramped spaces have combined to put strains on the emergency department at Samaritan Hospital. Matthew Lockwood, the physician in charge of the department, detailed some of the challenges in a presentation to Samaritan Healthcare commissioners Tuesday. “If you have been there, you know that we’re small,” Lockwood said...

Samaritan Healthcare asking for $130 million construction bond authorization

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan hospital district patrons will be asked to accept or reject a construction bond for up to $130 million in a special election April 27. If approved, the bond would pay part of the cost of building a new Samaritan Hospital. District commissioners voted 5-0 to authorize the bond request at the commission meeting Tuesday, without discussion...

Sandhill Crane Festival registration opens Friday

OTHELLO — Registration opens Feb. 6 for the 25th Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, scheduled for March 24 to 26. “Silver Anniversary, Celebrating our Annual Visitors” is the theme for 2023. Advance registration is encouraged, and is available at the festival website, www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org...

Successful pursuit

Moses Lake man arrested after attempting to flee from deputies

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested early Satuday on suspicion of felony eluding a police vehicle after he drove through a ditch, then abandoned his car in an orchard north of Moses Lake in an attempt to avoid law enforcement...

Enrollment up at MLSD, deficit higher than normal

MOSES LAKE — Enrollment is higher in the Moses Lake School District than projected in the 2022-23 school budget, which will mean more money for the district beginning this month. Stefanie Lowry, MLSD director of finance, reviewed enrollment numbers and the status of the current budget during the regular Moses Lake School Board meeting Thursday...

Possible temporary solution to MLHS roof troubles found

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School roof, repair options and their possible cost were the subject of a presentation during the regular Moses Lake School Board meeting Thursday. Chief Operations Officer Jeremy O’Neil said the MLHS roof leaks, and over time the leaks have gotten worse. He said the source of the problem lies in the roof materials used when the high school was remodeled in 1997, called a mineral surface rolled system. “The hallmark of that particular system is low cost,” O’Neil said. “And that low cost comes at a price, and the price is, durability is usually low, and its lifespan is not long. Certainly we’re experiencing all those.” In a separate memo to the board, O’Neil wrote that the roofing material was applied in pieces that are about four feet by 10 feet. “That, when coupled with an abundance of roof penetrations - vents, HVAC units, drains, etc. - results in ample opportunity for water to find its way through the aging system,” he wrote. “Furthermore, MSR roofs are notorious for their inability to expand and contract.”

Country Sweethearts fundraiser set for Feb. 4

Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation event sold out as community fights against cancer

MOSES LAKE — The Country Sweethearts Benefit Auction sponsored by the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation is so popular it’s already sold out, and it’s still more than a week away. “Sold out, and we have a waiting list,” said CBCF Director Angel Ledesma...

QSD upgrades

2 Quincy schools to receive utility upgrades, district office to move

QUINCY — A project to upgrade the heating-cooling systems at Pioneer and Mountain View elementary schools should go out for bid in late February or early March. It’s one of two remodeling projects planned by the district with proceeds from the sale of 155 acres south of town. The second project will remodel a district-owned building into a new district office. Quincy School Board members approved a proposal from the Spokane architectural firm NAC for design services for the heating-cooling project at the regular board meeting Tuesday. Quincy Superintendent Nik Bergman said after the meeting the total project cost will be about $1.1 million. The NAC contract, which is included in the total cost, is about $109,000...

Mattawa sets Feb. 2 public hearing on annexation

MATTAWA — Mattawa residents are being invited to submit their opinions of the proposed annexation of 40 acres into the city limits. The public comment period on the application for annexation of the Brodero property opened Jan. 19 and will be open through Feb. 2. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for the Feb. 2 Mattawa City Council meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m...

Villa a 'good addition' at Mattawa PD

MATTAWA — Edgar Villa is the newest officer on the force at the Mattawa Police Department. Villa was sworn in at the Jan. 19 Mattawa City Council meeting, introduced by MPD Chief Robert Salinas. Prior to joining the department Villa worked for the city in the business office. “He’ll be a good addition to this agency,” Salinas said in a later interview...

QVMC commission to select contractor Feb. 6

QUINCY — Quincy Valley Medical Center officials have narrowed to four the number of construction firms being considered to build the new Quincy hospital. Hospital officials will conduct interviews with the candidates Jan. 25 and will make a recommendation to Quincy hospital commissioners at a special meeting Feb. 6. Quincy voters approved a bond in August 2022 authorizing up to $55 million to build a new hospital. Groundbreaking tentatively is scheduled for this summer, and Joe Kunkel, a consultant working with QVMC on the project, said the planning is getting fast and furious. “We’re heading into the whitewater,” Kunkel said...

Practice, practice, practice...

Consistent effort earns MLHS wind ensemble a gig at Carnegie Hall

MOSES LAKE — The wind ensemble ran through the selection nice and slow the first time through; there are details that need attention. The tempo picked up, faster and then faster still. When practice was over, there was still work to be done – the sound needs to be crisp, the players as close to perfect unison as they can get. Moses Lake High School band instructor Pablo Hernandez reminded his musicians that practice now, even when it’s a chore, will pay dividends later. “Don’t wait until you feel inspired for practice,” he said. “Perspiration is better than inspiration.” ...

Huskies place second, Knights sixth at Lady Huskie Invitational

OTHELLO — The Othello girls wrestling team got points from almost every wrestler and took second place among 61 teams at the Lady Huskie Invitational, the team’s home tournament, over the weekend. “We had a lot of great matches,” said Head Coach Rafael Ruiz. “I couldn’t be any happier, how well they did.”

Othello boy charged in October murder of Quincy girl

OTHELLO — A 17-year-old Othello boy was arrested late Thursday on suspicion of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault with a firearm and drive-by shooting in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Quincy girl in 2022. The boy was arrested about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, according to a release from the Othello Police Department. His name was included in an affidavit filed with Adams County Superior Court, but the Columbia Basin Herald generally does not release the names of juveniles. He was arrested in the area of Shady Lane and East Scootney Street, about a block from the murder scene at the intersection of Rose Drive and Sylvan Drive. “(The suspect) surrendered peacefully at his residence after the Othello Police surrounded his house for approximately four to five hours,” according to the affidavit.

Samaritan officials look to gather community reaction at open house

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials displayed their proposals for a new Samaritan Hospital at an open house Wednesday evening, part of their ongoing effort to solicit public opinion and ideas on the project. Samaritan commissioners originally approved the construction of a new hospital in late 2018, and groundbreaking tentatively was scheduled for summer 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic discombobulated that timetable. In addition, Samaritan was affected by the same changes that hit healthcare systems nationwide. Hospital board chair Katherine Christian said officials wanted to come back to the community and explain the new realities...

Sunday fire destroys home near Mattawa

MATTAWA — A Mattawa-area home was destroyed in an early evening fire Sunday Grant County Fire District 8 Chief Matt Hyndman said no one was injured. “They were all at church, and unfortunately came home to their house burned down,” Hyndman said...

Quincy examines pool, water, sewer issues

QUINCY — Quincy city officials are beginning the process of planning for water and sewer projects designed to upgrade the city’s utility systems. Quincy City Council members voted Tuesday to advertise for proposals for a number of studies, including one that would analyze the city’s existing sewer system. Quincy Administrator Pat Haley said in an earlier interview that the city has reached 85% of its sewer capacity. When that happens the city is required by the Washington Department of Ecology to conduct an analysis of the system and options for enlarging it...

Warrior Academy provides extra support for students

MATTAWA — The first-graders had their tents set up Friday morning, the campfire burning (or at least a paper replica of a campfire burning), but no camping trip is complete without s’mores. The question before the first graders was how to make s’mores. “We are going to start doing writing,” Wahluke School District counselor Dulce Molina told the first-graders...

Adams Co. sheriff pleased with agency’s response to challenging times

OTHELLO — Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said he originally intended a career in medicine, but he really wanted to be a law enforcement officer. “I got into law enforcement pretty early due to my brother, who was a Pierce County sergeant for many years,” Wagner said. “When he was in Pierce County I was a teen, and I was able at that time to go with him on ride-alongs. It just piqued my interest and it really stuck with me.”

Peeling the apple market

Domestic apple sales strong, but tariffs, congestion affecting exports

QUINCY — Washington apple growers, having survived a wild and crazy 2022, are making the turn into a new year with a market that’s looking pretty good domestically, but facing some export challenges. Riley Bushue, director of Congressional relations and export programs for the Northwest Horticultural Council, cited Washington apple sales to India as an example of the export issues. “In India, we face retaliatory tariffs on apples,” he said. “Those were put in place by India in 2018 in response to the U.S. putting in place steel and aluminum Section 232 tariffs.” ...

Moses Lake superintendent, board member to hold monthly Q&A

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District patrons will have the chance to ask questions and talk face-to-face with district superintendent Monty Sabin and Moses Lake School Board member Shannon Hintz once each month, beginning in February. Hintz said during Thursday’s regular board meeting that she and Sabin will be at the Red Door Cafe, 202 W. Third Ave., at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15, and plan to make it a monthly meeting. “Monty or myself will be there for anybody to come in and talk, to voice concerns, ask questions if you want to know why things happened or why things don’t happen. We’re there to help you understand it,” Hintz said. “So if anybody would like to come down and just talk, say whatever you want to say – we’ll be there.” Hintz said she wanted to give district residents another avenue to meet and talk with school officials after the meeting. “To have more community connection,” she said. Monthly meeting dates will be announced. Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at [email protected].

Decades of service

GCFD 3’s Jim Kling retires from fire service after 34 years

QUINCY — Firefighters and EMTs have the chance to help people out in trying times, and Jim Kling said that was something that attracted him to firefighting, and kept him in it over a 34-year career. “We get called when people have bad days,” he said. “If you enjoy helping the community and the people in the community, it’s the perfect job for you.” Kling retired Jan. 1 from his job as assistant chief and fire marshal for Grant County Fire District 3. He joined GCFD 3 as a volunteer in 1988 and became a part of the paid staff in July 1996. He was working for the city of Quincy, he said, when a friend asked him about volunteering for the fire department...

Grant County Jail construction planning process starts today with kickoff meeting

EPHRATA — Grant County officials and representatives of the general contractor and architects will be meeting today to discuss the initial phases of construction of the new Grant County Jail. Tom Gaines, Grant County Central Services director, said Grant County Commissioners selected Lydig Construction out of Spokane Valley as the general contractor. “All of our pieces are in place,” Gaines said. “The team is now together, and we’re (planning) the next six to eight months.” Thursday’s meeting is the start of that process. “Everybody that’s responsible for getting this thing built meets in the same place,” Gaines said, and will review the work done to date. “Where we’ve been and where we’re going.” County voters approved a three-tenths of 1% increase in the county’s sales tax in 2019, with the money to go toward law and justice projects including a new jail. Grant County Commissioners approved the sale of up to $90 million in limited tax general obligation bonds for the project in July 2022.

Law abiding panel: Animal control, traffic topics of conversation at Law Enforcement Appreciation in Mattawa

MATTAWA — Animal control and traffic on State Route 243 were among the topics at a question and answer session during an event to recognize law enforcement officers for their work Monday in Mattawa. The “Law Enforcement Appreciation” event was sponsored by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce. Wahluke School District Superintendent Andy Harlow said he hoped the participants would come back. “I hope it’s the first time of many to come,” Harlow said...

GCSO ends contracts in Desert Aire, Coulee City

EPHRATA — The governing board in Desert Aire is requesting proposals for security services following the end of a contract for law enforcement services between Desert Aire and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said a similar contract with the town of Coulee City is also being terminated...

Mattawa examines CAD Homes development

MATTAWA — The nuts and bolts of government - development regulations, comprehensive land use, housing density, traffic impacts and control - was the subject of a lengthy workshop for the Mattawa City Council on Jan. 5. Council members reviewed a proposed housing development agreement with Moses Lake-based CAD Homes and owner Drew Scott, covering details ranging from parking to financial responsibility for street development. The council requested a development agreement before making a decision on a request to annex 40 acres, known as the Brodero property, into the city limits...

Mavericks boys wrestlers get convincing dual meet win

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake boys wrestling Coach Jose Tanguma said the goal in Wednesday’s dual meet with West Valley (Yakima) was to get decisive wins. The Mavericks did that – only one match went to a decision in a 66-15 Moses Lake win. The girls dual featured only one match, with the rest being forfeits; Moses Lake won 54-12. “Our guys went out there and got pins, and that’s what I wanted them to do today,” Tanguma said...

Planning underway for Quincy street improvements

QUINCY — A project to improve connections between 13th Avenue Southwest and the rest of Quincy, and to accommodate development between 13th Avenue and Seventh Avenue Soiuthwest, is in the engineering phase. Quincy City Council members approved a change to a contract with the project engineers at the regular meeting Tuesday. The vote was unanimous with no discussion. The contract revision adds $78,300 to the original contract price. The original contract with Pace Engineers of Kirkland was approved in May 2021 and amended in September 2022 to continue through 2024. A construction schedule has not been announced.

Hours may shorten at Mattawa garbage facility

'We're down to one customer a day, and we can't support that.'

MATTAWA — Declining use of a Grant County-owned garbage collection facility near Mattawa, also called a drop box, may lead to reduced winter hours for the facility. Grant County Public Works Director Sam Castro said he has submitted a request to the Grant County Commissioners to open the facility only on Saturdays for now. “We’re down to one customer a day, and we can’t support that,” Castro said...

Watering the high desert

Othello working on separate water system for outdoor use

OTHELLO — The city of Othello is instituting an irrigation water utility for new subdivisions built around Othello. The new utility will establish a separate water system for lawns, gardens and other outdoor uses, using water from outside the municipal system. Othello Mayor Shawn Logan said the goal is to conserve municipal water resources. “Water is valuable in the desert,” Logan said...

Quincy city budget includes money for street revisions, indoor activity center

QUINCY— The city of Quincy will spend about $86 million in 2023. Quincy City Council members voted unanimously to approve the 2023 budget at the Dec. 20 council meeting. The budget includes a general fund of about $21.6 million. Most of the money for employee salaries and many city operations, like most parks and recreation and the Quincy Police Department, comes out of the general fund. The city has about $12 million in a separate fund to build a new indoor sports complex. City Administrator Pat Haley said in a separate interview that the project has been in the works for a while. “We still have the fieldhouse on the drawing board and we’re looking at funding sources for that,” Haley said. “We have been putting that money aside to do something.” Council members voted in November to look for funding for the rest of the project. Estimated total cost is about $23 million, which includes some provisions for inflation. Haley said he doesn’t expect construction to start in 2023.

Othello boys take 71-28 win over Warden

OTHELLO — An aggressive Othello defense and what Warden Coach Brent Erdman said was a depleted Warden bench combined to give the Huskies boys basketball team a decisive 71-28 victory Wednesday in Othello. “We’re still trying to get healthy as a team,” Erdman said. “We’re missing a lot of kids, so we’re not at full strength. So that’s tough.” Warden scored the game’s first two points, but once Othello took a 3-2 lead, they never trailed again. The Huskies led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter, and Othello Coach Roman Pruneda said his team picked up the tempo from there. “We came out a little flat. We weren’t playing as aggressive on defense as I wanted them to, being a little timid,” Pruneda said. “But as we started going in the quarter, the kids picked it up. They found more of a sense of urgency from there on.”