CHERYL SCHWEIZER

All-City Classic Car Show revs into Othello Friday & Saturday

OTHELLO — Slow drags and cool cars will fill Othello this weekend at the All-Cities Classic Car Show Friday night and Saturday. The slow drags are scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday on Main Street. Registration for the car show is from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Kiwanis Park...

Food truck park site may move

Moses Lake City Council rejects widely different bids for project.

MOSES LAKE — A proposed community food truck park may be relocated following the rejection of bids for the project by the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday. Interim City Manager Kevin Fuhr, who also serves as police chief, told council members relocating the project might help reduce the costs...

New Othello police chief wants to continue 'path of success'

OTHELLO — Dave Rehaume said the Othello Police Department is going in a positive direction, and he wants to continue and enhance that. Rehaume was hired as OPD chief last week. Rehaume, a 34-year veteran with the OPD, started as a patrol officer. He was hired for the interim job in May, replacing retiring chief Phil Schenck, and hired for the permanent position July 3. He had been assistant chief for eight years prior to being hired as chief...

Sustainable jet fuel developer, Twelve, breaks ground in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — Production could begin by spring 2024 at a facility designed to reuse carbon dioxide and water to produce other products, in this instance jet fuel. Governor Jay Inslee joined the founders of Twelve at a groundbreaking ceremony for the facility on Wheeler Road in Moses Lake Tuesday. “The technology breaks apart (carbon dioxide) and water and then recombines the elements to make more useful products, such as jet fuel. Jet fuel is totally made of carbon and hydrogen, so we get the carbon from CO2, and the hydrogen from water, and that allows you to make jet fuel that can be used in any aircraft today, but without using oil,” said Twelve Cofounder and CEO Nicholas Flanders said.

Party for pets

Party for the Paws raises more than $20,000 for Adams County Pet Rescue

OTHELLO — Lisa Newton and her good buddy, her cat Crumpet, probably wouldn’t have known each other without Adams County Pet Rescue. Giving other cats and dogs – and the occasional lizard and bird – the same chance as Crumpet was one reason Newton drove over from Seattle to attend the ACPR’s “Party for the Paws” fundraising dinner Saturday night. The dinner raised more than $20,000 for ACPR, according to the group’s social media, and the crowd almost overflowed the venue at Phoenix Family Farms near Othello. The proceeds will be used for shelter operations, said ACPR director Kyya Grant. Newton is a veterinarian who volunteers with ACPR about three times each year. She knew what she wanted when it came to a pet, and she gave Grant a description. “I told Kyya that I wanted an overwhipped whipped cream long-haired calico,” Newton said. “I was over here (on) May 1 two years ago. We were in Ephrata, and as we were finishing the last cat (at a spay/neuter clinic), Kyya sent me pictures of this really mad 17-ounce kitten.”

Othello ambulance levy on primary election ballot

OTHELLO — Voters in the Othello Community Hospital district will be asked to approve or reject a six-year levy proposal to fund ambulance services in the primary election Aug. 1. Bob Carlson, chair of Othello Citizens for EMS, said the proposed levy would replace an existing one, and that the levy amount will not change...

Outlet of support

Grocery Outlet owners, customers work to help the community

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Grocery Outlet co-owner Kris Emerson said the store’s involvement in community projects is a way to pass on the support that was given to her and husband Paul, back in the beginning...

Equine expansion

Grant County Fairgrounds upgrades provide opportunities for self-sufficiency.

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Fairgrounds officials have expanded available accommodation for horses, and will be moving other horse accommodation, probably this year. Fairgrounds manager Jim McKIernan said attracting additional equestrian events is part of the effort to increase revenue at the fairgrounds, with the goal of becoming self-supporting, or close to it...

Grant County May employment data shows gains in some industries

MOSES LAKE — The employment picture in Grant County improved between May 2022 and May 2023, although the number of people employed in nonfarm jobs didn’t change much. A report from the Washington Employment Security Department shows nonfarm unemployment dropping between April and May 2023 as well. The county’s unemployment rate was 3.8% in May, down from 5.4% in May 2022. The unemployment rate dropped a full percentage point between April and May of this year; it was 4.8% in April. Don Meseck, WESD regional labor economist, wrote that the number of people with jobs didn’t change much between May 2022 and May 2023, as some industries gained jobs and others lost them.

Quincy employee recognized for 10 years with the city

QUINCY — Howard VanBaugh, right, receives a certificate recognizing his 10 years with the city of Quincy from Mayor Paul Worley, left, at the Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday.

Contract awarded to widen sidewalk near Quincy High

QUINCY — A section of Jackrabbit Way opposite Quincy High School will get a wider sidewalk. Quincy Public Works Director Carl Worley said city officials are hoping the project will be completed by the time school starts in late August. “That’s our goal,” Worley said...

Rehaume chosen as Othello PD chief

OTHELLO — Dave Rehaume, a 34-year veteran of the Othello Police Department who was named interim chief in May, was hired and sworn in as chief during the Othello City Council meeting Monday. The council's vote to hire Rehaume was unanimous...

Grant Co. to contract for animal control study

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commissioners will contract with the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society to conduct a study of animal control in Grant County and the options for improving it...

High temps expected this week

MOSES LAKE — It’s to be expected, being the height of summer and all that, and it’s here. Temperatures will be flirting with the 100-degree mark for a few days this week, although smoke drifting in from fires to the north may keep them below triple digits. “We do have some fires in Canada - they’ve been going about two months,” said Krista Carrothers, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane which serves much of Eastern Washington...

Moses Lake School Board adjust meetings, receives good bus report

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School Board members cut their schedule to one meeting in July and August. Board members agreed on the change earlier, but made it official on a unanimous vote at the regular meeting June 29. “In June, July and August, we’ll have one meeting, the fourth Thursday of those months,” said district Superintendent Monty Sabin...

Powering up

Design phase to begin for Wanapum Dam to Quincy line

QUINCY — The preliminary design phase for a new electrical transmission line from Wanapum Dam to Quincy should be starting in July. It’s part of a larger Grant County PUD project to increase electrical availability in the Quincy area, but Jeff Grizzel, the PUD’s chief operations officer, said getting the electricity to Quincy is only part of the equation. “We have a very long list of customers who either want to expand in the Quincy area because they’re already there, or new customers who want to locate in the Quincy area,” Grizzel said. “And right now, if you look at that list and add up all the service requests in terms of how many megawatts they’re asking for, the (project being planned) will help many of those requests, but not all of them.” ...

Hot degree

Continuing education crucial part of firefighting career, GCFD 3 deputy chief says

QUINCY — The science and technique of fighting fires is always changing, said David Durfee, and firefighters must learn and change with it. “Continuing education is part of our job all the time in the fire service,” he said. “It was always instilled into me that you’re training every day, and if you’re not training, you’re not a firefighter.” ...

July 4 celebrations planned around Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — The nation’s birthday will be celebrated with a lot of flash and all kinds of events throughout the Columbia Basin, tomorrow in Moses Lake and Tuesday in Othello and George...

Quincy student board representatives recognized

QUINCY — Quincy School Board student representatives Nallely Uribe and Brianna Herrera were recognized for their tenure on the board at their official last meeting June 27...

Quincy School Board recognized by NCESD

QUINCY — The Quincy School Board received recognition for its selection as the School Board of the Year in the North Central Education Service District June 27, with NCESD Superintendent Michelle Price traveling to Quincy to present its members with a plaque.

Quincy School Board extends superintendent contract

QUINCY — The contract of Quincy School District Superintendent Nik Bergman has been extended through 2026. Quincy School Board members approved a new contract for Bergman with no discussion, as part of the consent agenda, at the regular meeting Tuesday. “The school district hereby employs Nik Bergman as the superintendent of schools commencing on July 1, 2023 and ending on June 30, 2026,” according to the contract...

Tentative Quincy hospital construction start announced

QUINCY — Construction for the new Quincy Valley Medical Center is tentatively scheduled for this fall. “September 11 is our go date for construction,” said QVMC board member Anthony Gonzalez. “We’re trying to get this thing off the ground as quickly as we can.” ...

Installation of Othello playground to begin

OTHELLO — The long-running project to build a new playground and expanded basketball courts in Othello’s Lions Park should be completed by this fall...

Temp staff costs push up Samaritan expenses

MOSES LAKE — The effort to recruit employees to fill open positions at Samaritan Healthcare may not bear fruit until 2024. Samaritan Chief Administrative Officer Alex Town said temporary employee expenses have not dropped as much as hospital officials hoped...

Evolving retail

Expanded opportunities for online shopping, but still room for brick and mortar

OLYMPIA — From pandemic lockdowns to a surge in thefts to major changes in shopping habits, it’s been a bumpy few years for retail businesses. Renee Sunde, president and CEO of the Washington Retail Association, said the road ahead could be getting smoother - or maybe not...

FIBERED UP: Grant Co. fiber expansion nears finish line

EPHRATA — A decades-long project to provide fiber optic cable, and fiber access, to most Grant County locations is almost done. Terry McKenzie, senior manager of wholesale fiber for the Grant County PUD, said the buildout is scheduled for completion in 2024. “We’re about 90-ish (percent) complete with the project customer base, with the customer count,” McKenzie said. “We’re about 60-ish (percent) complete on miles. The very last year and a half is going to be a lot of miles, getting very little customers, because we waited to do the rural (areas) at the end.” ...

Abraham Guzman: Quincy SRO focuses on patience and uplifting students.

QUINCY — Abraham Guzman said the job of school resource officer involves a whole lot of responsibilities, only one of which is law enforcement. “For me, the school resource officer means being more of a mentor and advocate for our children in our community. I’m not there to punish or lay down the law.” ...

Volunteers provide free dental care

Moses Lake Seventh-day Adventist congregation helps locals take care of their teeth.

MOSES LAKE — From the outside the Crestview Christian School looked like it does every summer day last Friday and Sunday, but inside it was a dental clinic, and a busy one at that. The Moses Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church congregation and an Adventist charitable organization teamed up to offer a free walk-in clinic. “We’re offering free dental services to the community. Moses Lake and the surrounding area,” organizer Linda Morgan said...

Indian apple, pea and lentil tariffs to be lifted

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tariffs imposed on American apples, peas and lentils by the Republic of India in 2018 will be lifted within 90 days. Lifting of the tariffs was announced Thursday, during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington D.C. “It’s a happy day when things go right,” said Kim Schrier (D-Washington), who represents the state’s Eighth Congressional District, which includes Chelan County and a small portion of Douglas County...

Samaritan construction plans moving forward

MOSES LAKE — An updated analysis of the cost of building a new Samaritan Hospital could be presented at the July 25 commission meeting. “(The project general contractor) is working on updating the guaranteed maximum price for the project, so we should see that sometime in July,” said Samaritan CEO Theresa Sullivan at the commission meeting Tuesday...

Animal party

Tickets on sale for ‘Party for the Paws’ supporting Adams County Pet Rescue

MOSES LAKE — Groundbreaking is scheduled for early July for a new facility that its owners say will manufacture aviation fuel from hydrogen, carbon dioxide and electricity. Nicholas Flanders, co-founder and CEO of Berkley, California-based Twelve, announced the construction of the new facility Monday at the Paris Air Show, accompanied by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

Sustainable jet fuel production coming to Grant Co.

MOSES LAKE — Groundbreaking is scheduled for early July for a new facility that its owners say will manufacture aviation fuel from hydrogen, carbon dioxide and electricity. Nicholas Flanders, co-founder and CEO of Berkley, California-based Twelve, announced the construction of the new facility Monday at the Paris Air Show, accompanied by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. “We have a groundbreaking next month,” said Richard Hanover, director of business development for the Port of Moses Lake Tuesday...

Mattawa considering second cleanup event

MATTAWA — The spring cleanup in Mattawa was a big enough success that city officials are considering a second one in the summer or fall. “We collected 10.8 tons, which is 21,000 pounds of solid waste,” said city Public Works Director Juan Ledezma during the Mattawa City Council meeting June 15...

Late Wanapum leader honored by Grant PUD

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

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

Basin prepped for July 4

Area communities set to celebrate nation's birthday.

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

School is OUT for MLSD retiree

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

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

Quincy roundabout opening delayed

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

Quincy High graduates 100% of senior class

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

Quincy schools look to get more parents involved

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

Desert Aire Fly-In scheduled for Saturday

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

Excitement, mixed emotions at Othello graduation

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

Desert Oasis High School seniors persevere

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

Hard work pays off for 2023 Jacks

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

Parks district vote could be coming up in Quincy

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

Color and imagination

Othello artist works to put human interest into watercolors

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

Written in Stone

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

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

Memories, pride at MLHS PALS graduation

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

Sabey Data Centers expands in Quincy

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

White Trail roundabout may open next week

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

Section of Quincy pool opening may be delayed

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