CHERYL SCHWEIZER

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ to open in Othello

OTHELLO — A story of young men who deceive, and the romantic trouble it causes them, comes to the stage in Othello this weekend. The Othello High School production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 through 12 on the stage at McFarland Middle School, 790 S. 10th Ave. The Oscar Wilde play premiered in 1895, and director and OHS theater arts teacher Thomas Christesen said that for him it hasn’t lost its appeal. “I love the show,” Christensen said. “And this particular batch of kids, I felt were up to the challenge. Because it’s not easy.” ...

Valdez appointed to Othello City Council

OTHELLO — Danae Valdez has been appointed to fill the empty position on the Othello City Council. Linden was appointed to the seat after council members interviewed four candidates at the regular meeting Monday. Linden replaces Maria Quezada, who resigned Oct. 24. In her resignation letter, Quezada said her job made it difficult for her to give the council position the time it warranted. Linden is an Othello native, she said, and the branch manager and loan officer for the Columbia Bank branch. She has three children, one each in high school, middle school and elementary school...

'A buddy bench

Larson Elementary hosts dedication of memorial honoring late student

MOSES LAKE — Ella’s Nana Lana Redal said purple was Ella’s favorite color. So the butterfly bench Redal commissioned in Ella’s memory reflects that. Sarah Steffler and her daughter Ella Muongmany were killed in a traffic accident in August of 2018, just before Ella was to start first grade at Larson Heights Elementary. Redal wanted to add a memorial for her daughter and granddaughter at Larson, where she is a first-grade teacher. The bench was dedicated Friday afternoon...

Othello advances to round of 16 with 48-14 win over Shadle Park

OTHELLO — With the Othello Huskies leading 21-14 after a competitive first half, the Shadle Park Highlanders kicked off to start the second half. The ball went to Othello’s Sonny Asu. Asu said he told his teammates at halftime that he would angle for the sideline if the ball came to him on the second half kickoff. It did, and he did. “I saw my blockers spread out in front of me, pushing back,” Asu said. He worked his way down the sideline and cut back about midfield. “And it was off to the races,” Asu said. 80 yards later Asu crossed the goal line, increasing Othello’s lead to 28-14 on the way to a convincing 48-14 win. With the win Othello advances to the round of 16 in the 2022 2A state football playoffs.

Mattawa Council approves well rehabilitation

MATTAWA — Water, and ensuring there’s enough of it, was a subject of discussion at the Mattawa City Council meeting Thursday. Council members voted unanimously to rehabilitate one of the city’s three wells, following a recommendation from Nancy Wetch of Gray & Osborne, the city’s engineers. The well is located in Hund Park. “This well is your oldest well - I think it dates back to the late Seventies, early Eighties,” Wetch said. “At this time, it’s not running at all.” Engineers and city employees reviewed Mattawa’s existing water system in 2020, and from that came a recommendation to update the electronic systems on the Hund Park well, and if necessary do some work on the well itself. “It needs an updated warning system, updated controls, everything updated,” Wetch said.

‘It’s happening’

New Moses Lake Food Bank facility to open in December

MOSES LAKE — After eight years of effort, donations and fundraising efforts throughout the community, it’s here. Moses Lake Food Bank Director Peny Archer said Moving Day is about a month away. “The official move-in date is Dec. 5,” Archer said. The building, about 10,000 square feet, will house the food bank’s local distribution area; a separate building refurbished in 2020 houses food to be distributed to other regional food banks. Food is delivered to the Moses Lake food bank and then redistributed to 34 food banks in central Washington.

Q&A with Adams Co. Sheriff candidates

With the general election next Tuesday, the Columbia Basin Herald submitted some follow-up questions to candidates running for office in Grant and Adams counties. Incumbent Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner and challenger Matthew Carlson each received the same questions. The Herald appreciates the candidates’ taking the time to answer the questions...

Bomb squad responds to suspicious device near Othello

OTHELLO — The discovery of a suspicious device in a vehicle belonging to a fugitive led to the evacuation of some residences in the 300 block of South Reynolds Road north of Othello Wednesday afternoon. Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said the suspect, Nicholas Romero-Rivera, 34, Othello was still at large as of Wednesday. He is being sought in connection with an incident Oct. 28. “We’re still looking for him,” Wagner said in a later interview...

Quincy shows economic development promise, officials say

QUINCY — Grant County, including Quincy, is drawing a lot of interest from businesses looking for new or additional locations, according to local economic development officials. Grant County Economic Development Commission Director Brant Mayo and economic development consultant Pat Boss talked to Quincy City Council members about some of the possibilities at the regular meeting Tuesday. “With Grant County, we are seeing an unprecedented amount of businesses wanting to come into our area, through all sectors – data centers, manufacturing, ag, aerospace,” Mayo said. “In fact, our liaison with the Washington Department of Commerce (said) we are the busiest EDC in the state. We have more live projects going on than any other county at this point in time.” ...

Othello playground design could begin this month

OTHELLO — Construction should begin next spring or early summer on upgrades to the playground at Othello’s Lions Park. Othello Mayor Shawn Logan estimated the project cost will increase by about $800,000 from the original $1 million estimate. Logan said city officials should receive construction contracts for the project this week, and design can begin once those contracts are in hand. Once the design is completed the project will go out to bid, he said. “That anticipates we would begin the project sometime in May or June,” Logan said. “Those (estimates) are in perfect worlds.” ...

Research recommended when making Medicare decisions

MOSES LAKE — Rolling up on retirement - or even just rolling up on 65 - brings with it certain rituals, among them deciding what to do about Medicare. Medicare, of course, is health insurance for people 65 years of age and older, although it can be available to people younger than 65 if they meet qualifying criteria. “When you apply for retirement or disability benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board) it also serves as your application for Medicare,” according to information on the Medicare website. “Once you get approved for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll automatically get Part A coverage, without having to pay a premium for it, once you’re eligible for Medicare.” ...

Badge discussion

Q&A with Grant County Sheriff candidates

GRANT COUNTY - With the general election a week away, the Columbia Basin Herald submitted some follow-up questions to candidates running for office in Grant and Adams counties. Grant County Sheriff’s Office candidates Joey Kriete and Joe Harris each received the same questions. Harris and Kriete are running to replace Tom Jones, who resigned as sheriff in July. Their answers are below and have been slightly edited for clarity and to fit the available space. The Herald appreciates the candidates’ taking the time to answer the questions...

Adding perks to a Rose

Othello business owner adds new café to boutique

OTHELLO — Desert Rose Designs owner Melody Anguiano said she wants the new Desert Rose Cafe to be the kind of place where people can take their time. She had customers who already spent time browsing the Desert Rose boutique - and besides, she likes a cup of coffee and a conversation with friends, she said. “My dream was just to see people relaxing and meeting here,” Anguiano said. The new cafe, 745 E. Hemlock St., is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. It’s inside the building that has housed Desert Rose Designs for more than a decade. Desert Rose was a floral and gift shop when Anguiano bought it in 2015, and she expanded the gift line and added clothing and accessories to the boutique. Adding a coffee bar seemed like a natural next step. “I wanted the opportunity to invest in the building, and expand,” she said. “It was like, okay, coffee (and) flowers - obvious. Shopping while you’re drinking your coffee.” ...

Moses Lake Community Coalition

Local organization works to strengthen families, reduce substance abuse

MOSES LAKE — Helping parents navigate some of the challenges of the job, and to keep children away from substance abuse, is the goal of a group working to recruit partners in pursuit of that task. Moses Lake Community Coalition Coordinator Megan Watson said the group sponsors classes periodically throughout the year to give parents and children a look at the world from each other’s point of view. It also sponsors periodic classes to give parents specific strategies they can use to help with the job of parenting. “A lot of times, we just go off how we were raised. Everybody just does what their parents did,” Watson said. “But now we’re starting to see, as we’re tracking more and more child behavior, (that) negative, aggressive, difficult child behavior has increased over the last 10 years.” ...

Huskies overcome rough start

Othello defeats East Valley 35-10 in season capper

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies overcame a raggedy first half, shut down the East Valley (Yakima) offense in the second half and finished the regular season with a 35-10 win. “That’s about as ugly as you can play and still win,” said Othello defensive coach Kevin Hale. He attributed the rocky start in part to the two-week layoff since the team’s last game; the Oct. 21 game with Kelso was canceled at the last minute. But the Red Devils came out ready to play, Hale said. “I give East Valley credit, their hustle, their toughness,” Hale said. I’ve got a lot of respect for those guys.” ...

Moses Lake SD board approves state-required transgender policy

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board approved the addition of a policy governing district response to transgender students at the regular board meeting Thursday. A policy covering the issue is required per state law. “This is a requirement; our legal counsel is advising us to approve it,” Moses Lake Superintendent Monte Sabin said. “I know there are some strong feelings on both sides of this, but the law exists.” Board members Susan Freeman and Paul Hill voted against the measure in a 3-2 vote. Sabin brought the policy to the board at the Oct. 13 meeting, saying it had been discussed in June and July 2021, but that the board had not taken action. Hill and board member Alana DeGooyer asked for more information before taking a vote. Freeman asked if the proposed policy could be added to the district’s already-existing non-discrimination policy. That already included transgender students, she said...

Samaritan approves wage increase, effective Sunday

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare employees, except hospital administrators and staff physicians, will receive a 3.5% raise, effective Oct. 30. Hospital commissioners approved a recommendation made by administrators at the regular commission meeting Tuesday. Steve Brooks, Samaritan’s chief human resources officer, said the raise will help retain current staff and make Samaritan a more attractive alternative in the search for employees. “We’re going to make sure we’re competitive with the local market,” he said. Brooks estimated the pay increase would cost Samaritan about $149,000 per month on an annualized basis. It would add up to about $1.8 million per year...

Q&A with Grant County Commissioner candidates

GRANT COUNTY - With the general election just days away, the Columbia Basin Herald submitted some follow-up questions to the candidates running for public office. Incumbent Grant County Commissioner Cindy Carter and challenger Jeff Foster each got the same questions. Their answers are below and have been lightly edited for clarity and to fit in the available space. The Herald appreciates both candidates’ timely responses...

Quincy seeks general contractor for hospital project

QUINCY — A request for proposals for a general contractor to build the new Quincy Valley Medical Center could be issued by early December. Joe Kunkel, the consultant working with hospital officials on the project, said whether or not the RFP goes out in December depends on approval of a district request to the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board. “This is a state agency that gives the opportunity to public agencies like yourself to use a construction management-general contractor approach in lieu of doing a hard bid,” Kunkel said. Normally a public works project is designed first, then is advertised for bid, Kunkel said. Quincy hospital district officials want to hire a general contractor to be part of the design process. “So they can help as you are (designing) this, they can do estimates throughout the project, they can do constructability reviews as your project is being designed,” he said.

Drivers urged to prepare for winter weather

OLYMPIA — Drivers can start installing studded tires on vehicles Nov. 1. The Washington State Department of Transportation said in a press release that studded tires are legal through March 31. All-weather tires without studs are legal year-round. Drivers should start preparing for bad weather before the snow starts to pile up, the press release said. Department of Transportation Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin wrote in the press release that WSDOT crews are prepared for winter conditions, but that drivers need to be ready also...

Fundraising raffle underway for Quincy PD’s Cops & Kids

QUINCY — The Quincy Police Department is sponsoring a fundraising raffle and accepting donations for the department program that works to make the holiday season brighter for families in need. The winners in the QPD “Cops & Kids” raffle will be announced Nov. 3. Jazzlynn Silva, a detective with QPD and one of the organizers, said the department provides Thanksgiving meals for families as well as assisting the families at Christmas. “We aim to help eight to 10 (families),” Silva said. “It all depends on the money that we raise.”.....

Brass quintet performs in Moses Lake Thursday

MOSES LAKE — Selections from the classical brass repertoire come to Moses Lake Oct 27 when the group Seraph Brass performs in concert. The five-woman ensemble will take the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Wallenstien Theater on the Big Bend Community College campus. The concert is sponsored by the Central Basin Community Concert Association. It’s the second of the association’s four concerts for the season. The CBCAA returned to the Wallenstien Theater after a year away while the space was being renovated...

Tigers grab 20-17 win in OT

Final hustle on the field changes rough pass to victory against Mustangs

EPHRATA — With the game in overtime, the Prosser Mustangs leading 17-14 and the Ephrata Tigers down to their last couple of chances, Ephrata quarterback Travis Hendrick took the snap. The football bounced away on the wet turf. Kiwanis Field was in pandemonium, players from both teams were scrambling for the ball, but Hendrick got there first. He scooped up the ball, ran out to the left and threw downfield. Running back Hudson Sager was in the end zone and caught the pass for a touchdown and a 20-17 overtime win for Ephrata. “It wasn’t the perfect throw, but (Sager) made the perfect catch,” Hendrick said after the game. “... I just try to keep calm.” ...

Mattawa council delays annexation vote again

MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council may decide whether or not to annex 40 acres of property into the city at its Dec. 8 meeting. Council members voted to continue the annexation application process to Dec. 8 at the regular meeting Thursday. The vote was 5-1, with council member Alex Heredia voting no. “I would ask that we make sure we stay to that date (for a decision), if at all possible,” Heredia said during the discussion before the vote. The annexation proposal was discussed at the Oct. 6 meeting, but council members delayed a vote after asking for more information. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners, requested that the council delay the decision until Dec. 8 to allow planners to gather the information. Previously Bradley had recommended approving the application with the stipulation that an agreement be negotiated between the city and CAD Homes, the company requesting annexation...

Produce stands fill local niches

OTHELLO/QUINCY — Nature is said to abhor a vacuum; agriculture definitely does. Two produce stands, one in Othello and the other in Quincy, show how farmers saw a niche in the market and fashioned a product – a similar product, but not the same – to fill it. Pam Schmidt said her family’s Sunny Farms Fruit Stand, 2050 E. Main St., Othello, serves mostly local customers. “We get to do a lot of visiting, a lot of talking. We know our customers very well,” Schmidt said. White Trail Produce, 10024 Road U NW, Quincy, is located just off Highway 28, a main route to and from Wenatchee. Alejandra Toevs said the family fruit stand gets a lot of customers who are in transit.

New bathrooms going in at Grant Co. Fairgrounds

MOSES LAKE — The framing is up for a new bathroom and storage area in the space between the commercial and 4-H buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds. Tom Gaines, Grant County Central Services Director, said completion is scheduled for January. Project cost will be about $1.6 million, he said, but that’s paying for more than a bathroom. The design has to tie together two buildings of different sizes, he said. “There’s a lot going on there,” Gaines said...

New officer joins Quincy PD

Quincy City Council approves additional SROs

QUINCY — Emily Pratt said she’s always been interested in helping the community, and being a police officer is the way she wants to do that. Pratt was sworn in as the newest Quincy Police Department officer at the regular Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday. “I’m very excited,” Pratt said about starting her new job. Quincy Police Chief Keith Siebert said Pratt started her field training with QPD Monday. Pratt said she worked for two years as a corrections deputy at the Chelan County Regional Jail in Wenatchee before applying for the position with QPD. Community service was something that always attracted her, she said, and joinin QPD gives her a chance to act on that ambition. “It’s a dream that I’ve had since I was very young,” she said...

Grant County PUD 2023 budget includes recommended rate increase

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will consider a 3% overall rate increase for 2023, followed by a 2.5% increase in 2024 and a proposed 2% increase in 2025. That’s the recommendation of the PUD’s staff, presented to the commissioners at a budget hearing Oct. 11. Utility district rates have remained unchanged since 2019. John Mertlich, senior manager of financial planning and analysis, said the 3% rate increase next year, decreasing to 2.5% in 2024, best fits the PUD’s long-term goal of predictable rate increases, while taking into account the impact of inflation. And inflation is having a big impact.....

Hometown Harvest

Quincy celebrates first annual festival with a look at its diversity and history

QUINCY — Jose Machado and Juliana Sandoval both said tradition matters, and tradition and history were on display Saturday at the Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum. Machado is the leader of Mariachi Imperio, based in Wenatchee, and he said the band members play mariachi as a way to remember their family roots. “It’s mostly the tradition for me,” Machado said. “It’s more of a feeling.” “For us, it’s about the music,” Sandoval said...

MLSD examines transgender requirements

Board seeks efficient ways to meet requirements of state law

MOSES LAKE — The first reading of a policy designed to address possible discrimination against transgender students generated discussion and a request for additional information at the Thursday meeting of the Moses Lake School Board. Board members Alana DeGooyer and Paul Hill asked district Superintendent Monte Sabin to research the district’s existing non-discrimination policies and see if state requirements could be met by amending what the district already has, or if a separate policy is needed. Sabin said the policy had been discussed in June and July 2021, but the board had not taken action at that time...

Making it happen

Manufacturing Week tour stops in Moses Lake, focused on area facilities

MOSES LAKE — Association of Washington Business President Kris Johnson said the Manufacturing Week tour that stopped in Moses Lake Thursday is designed to demonstrate that the manufacturing sector is alive and well. Johnson said Grant County is an example. “There are 93 companies in Grant County, 4,300 women and men who go to work for them every day,” Johnson said...

Quincy schools discipline policy undergoing changes

QUINCY — Quincy School District officials are working on a program designed to improve discipline while keeping students in school. Assistant Superintendent DJ Garza discussed the district’s “Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports” plan with Quincy School Board members at the regular meeting Tuesday. “(The program) is a framework for building better habits for students,” Garza said. “We’re all creatures of habit, and all students come to us with a set of habits, good or bad.” The goal is to change bad habits, hopefully before student behavior becomes a problem in the classroom. The program starts with a set of behavior expectations that are the same at all five elementary schools, Quincy Middle School and Quincy High School, Garza said...

Meet the Herald Part 2:

The news crew

Back in September, we began introducing the members of our team to our readers, starting with the administrative team. Today, we continue with the editorial department. Lots of people read the news every day. But who are the people who write it? Here’s a look at the names and faces behind the stories.

Weekend celebration: Quincy Hometown Harvest Fest features history, culture

QUINCY — Three Quincy organizations are working together on a weekend of art, music, cultural recognition, historical demonstrations, hay rides and a host of activities at the first Hometown Harvest Fest, beginning Friday. “I think it’s going to be a phenomenal weekend,” said Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum Director Harriet Weber. Entry into most events is free; the exceptions are the Art, Wine and Brews Walk at the Quincy Public Market Saturday night and the straw maze at Becerra Farms Saturday and Sunday...

Grant Co. Jail project planning moves forward

EPHRATA — A request for proposals for site preparation for the new Grant County Jail is tentatively scheduled to be issued in December. A preliminary plan for the new facility is in the works and is still subject to change due to construction costs, among other factors. “That’s why it’s important for us to get this general contractor on board,” Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said. “Because as we start to really detail all this stuff out, we’ll start getting pricing. And we’ll start to get a real idea of what our budget is going to look like, and then we’ll know if we’re overextended or not. We have a plan that we want to stick to.” County voters approved a three-tenths of 1% increase in the county’s sales tax in 2019, with the money going 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...

An absolute doll

Late Moses Lake nurse recognized for generosity after collection donated

MOSES LAKE — Delphie Bifano was always busy, always working on a project, always adding to her collections and always on the go. “She just couldn’t sit still,” said her daughter Beth Smith. Bifano, who died in May 2021, was a nurse as well as a ranch wife and mother of eight and spent many years working at Brookdale Hearthstone Moses Lake. “She loved it up here,” her daughter Sylvia Carlson said. “She loved it. She was involved; she’d come to do activities. She’d bring her dolls. She had this ‘Mother’s Love’ series, and I remember, she’d bring it up and display it for Mother’s Day. At Christmas, she’d bring up some of her Santas.” “She loved to share her dolls,” Smith said...

Mattawa Council delays annexation decision

MATTAWA — Mattawa City Council members deferred a decision on annexing 40 acres into the city limits, asking for more information before taking a vote. The decision followed a half-hour discussion at the regular council meeting Thursday. The applicant, CAD Homes, Moses Lake, has announced plans to build housing on the site, known as the Bodrero property. Council member Fabiola Hernandez said she hesitated to make a decision until she had more information about the impact of the project to the city’s water system. Council member Sylvia Barajas said she was concerned about water, and about the impact to the city in general. “I’m also concerned with the schools - 100 houses, that’s a lot of families that are going to have children. It’s going to impact the school, it’s going to impact the police department because that’s a new addition that they have to patrol. We’re just barely making it right now. So I would like a little more information about how we’re going to meet all those demands before I think I can make a decision,” Barajas said...

Othello defeats Prosser 28-17

Huskies take home the W against Mustangs for first time since 2017

OTHELLO — With about nine minutes left in the third quarter and the Othello Huskies leading 21-10, Prosser quarterback Kory McClure rolled to his right and threw the football downfield. Between the Prosser receiver and the ball was Othello linebacker Ezra Gonzalez. . .

Quincy council approves special events application ordinance

QUINCY — Organizations and individuals planning special events in Quincy will be required to obtain a permit. Quincy City Council members approved adding the requirement to the city code during the regular meeting Tuesday. The proposal was approved on a unanimous vote with no discussion. The ordinance will not apply to events that have already been approved by the city but haven’t happened yet. In a memo to the council, Municipal Services Director Carl Worley wrote that the permit would make it easier to manage special events. “The permit will allow the city to manage festivals, parades, athletic and other special events that have the potential of impacting city services and public safety,” Worley wrote.

Farm close-up

Animals, tractors, lessons, fun at First Grade Farm Day

MOSES LAKE — The first graders pleaded, and they commanded, but that pig refused to listen. “Pig, come here,” the first graders shouted. “Please come here. Wake up, pig.” The pig was lazing in his pen, enjoying a warm fall afternoon, and he was not interested in being petted by the first-graders. It took a nudge from his owner to persuade him to cross the pen.

Benzel hired as Othello municipal court judge

OTHELLO — Current Adams County District Court Judge Carolyn Benzel will be the judge for the new Othello Municipal Court, which will begin operation in January. Currently Benzel is also the judge for the Othello District Court branch. Othello City Council members approved the contract at the regular meeting Monday. “I think we have a contract,” said Mayor Shawn Logan. “Other than maybe a couple of minor changes, all the major stuff is in there.” Hiring the judge, Logan said, will allow state officials to start the necessary procedures to get the new court connected to the proper agencies. “They’re going to get this actually started. Once we hired the judge, then they know we’re serious, I guess,” Logan said.

Suspects sought in Othello-area burglaries

OTHELLO — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying two men who may be involved in a number of burglaries in the Othello area. The ACSO released pictures of the men and a black car that may be associated with them Saturday. Sheriff Dale Wagner said they had not been identified as of Monday. “They have not been caught,” Wagner said Monday. “We have several leads.” Sheriff’s deputies are still trying to identify the men, Wagner said.

GC Fair attendance down from 2021, up from 2019

MOSES LAKE — Attendance at the 2022 Grant County Fair was lower than 2021, but higher than 2019. Fairgrounds Manager Jim McKiernan estimated about 68,000 people came through the gate over the 2022 fair’s five-day run. That was about 16% lower than the 2021 fair, but higher than 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. “Overall, the (2022) fair went very well,” McKiernan said. The annual stock sale, where 4-H and Future Farmers of America participants sell the animals they raised for competition, may have set a record. McKiernan said the sale generated about $876,000 for the participants.

Class gives donation to Moses Lake Food Bank

MOSES LAKE — Graduates in the Moses Lake High School Class of 1972 donated the remaining money in the class treasury to a good cause Thursday, presenting a check for $1,700 to the Moses Lake Food Bank. The MLHS Class of 1972 held its 50th reunion this summer, and members of the organizing committee said they think it will be the last one that requires a treasury. Jerry Fisher, who’s on the organizing committee, said classmates have been putting together a reunion every five years, and plan to keep on going. But 2022 is the end of reunions that require a committee.

Grapes and timing

Slow but solid harvest, say wine growers

QUINCY — The 2022 Washington wine grape harvest is just getting underway, but wine growers are optimistic it’s going to be a good year. Vicky Scharlau, executive director of the Washington Winegrowers Association, said Sept. 14 that harvest was just gearing up. “It’s just barely starting in some areas,” she said. “Which is very late. About two weeks later than normal.”...

Patti Trujillo

The Herald pays tribute to a respected colleague who was a beloved part of our family

MOSES LAKE — Patti loved those Dairy Queen Blizzards, especially the mint chocolate chip. So when the Herald staff paid tribute to Patti with ice cream, of course, there was some mint chocolate chip. Because it was Patti. Patti Trujillo was in the advertising department here at the paper, but more than that she was an integral part of the Columbia Basin Herald, known to a generation of coworkers and customers. Patti passed away Sept. 9 while undergoing her first treatment for lung cancer. “She was like my second mom,” said CBH General Manager Bob Richardson...

Planning continues for new Quincy Valley Medical Center

QUINCY — Consultants and officials at Quincy Valley Medical Center are starting to establish a timeline for the construction of the new Quincy hospital. Joe Kunkel, the consultant working on the project, estimated the preparation, planning and design process would last about a year. “Our goal right now is that we should be turning dirt next summer, or this time next year,” Kunkel said during the regular meeting of the QVMC board Monday. Hospital district voters approved a construction bond proposal for a new hospital in August, authorizing up to $55 million for the project. Hospital officials chose Trinity: NAC, Spokane, in July as the project architects...

Everything fabric focus of new Moses Lake shop

MOSES LAKE — If there is a needle and thread and material - doesn’t matter much what kind - involved, Sophie Mattson is pretty sure she can take it from there. “I’ve done a boat cover repair, I’ve done a golf cart cover repair,” she said Wednesday. “I did a chair repair today. And (the owner) was super stoked about that too.” “If it can be done on one of my machines, I’ll figure it out,” she said. Mattson and her husband Andrew are co-owners, with business partner Dave Johns, of Stitch N Time, 1626 W. Broadway Ave., Suite A, in Moses Lake. The shop opened July 1. Mattson said she’s still building her inventory, and for now the shop features a lot of quilting material; she also offers quilting classes. While quilting will always be a focus, Mattson already does more than quilting, and she said she plans to do a lot more.

Walking path completed, city to consider no-parking signs

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal for no-parking signs on a walking path on East Nelson Road on the route to Groff Elementary. The path was a joint project of the Moses Lake School District and the city of Moses Lake...

Quincy defeats Brewster 34-6 for second win

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks football team evened its record at 2-2 with a convincing 34-6 win over the Brewster Bears Friday at the Quincy High School field. It was the first home win for Quincy in two years. “I thought it was a great group effort,” said Quincy head coach Russ Elliott. “The defense played really well, the offense got going - we had some great runs, and we threw the ball better tonight.” “They played sound fundamental football. And we did not,” said Brewster head coach Travis Todd. Quincy never trailed in the game, scoring first on a 35-yard touchdown run by Jackson Yeates with 11:21 left in the second quarter. The Jacks recovered a Brewster fumble and capitalized on it with a pass from quarterback Ethan Gregg to David Gudino that put the ball on the 2-yard line. Gregg scored from two yards out to put Quincy up 14-0 at the half. “I thought the kids came out and played hard from the start,” Elliot said. “We’d had an issue with that.” ...