CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Samaritan Healthcare commissioners reaffirm commitment to new hospital project

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare commissioners released a statement Friday affirming their commitment to building a new Samaritan Hospital. “We are committed to finding a solution to building the new hospital as planned,” according to the statement. Commissioners approved the construction of a new 50-bed hospital in October 2018, with design work taking up most of 2019. The project was almost ready to be advertised for bid when the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down. The new hospital was the subject of an extensive discussion at the July 26 commission meeting, with commission members ultimately turning down a “guaranteed maximum price” proposal. The GMP was about $31 million more than the available funding.

Healthcare facilities mask mandate to stay in place in Washington

OLYMPIA — While most emergency orders issued by Gov. Jay Inslee in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic will end Oct. 31, the order requiring masks in healthcare facilities, and in jails and prisons in some situations, will not. Washington Secretary of Health Umair Shah said in a briefing Thursday that conditions still don’t support ending that mandate. “We may simply not be there yet,” Shah said. Masks will still be mandatory in all healthcare facilities, and in jails when there’s a moderate to high risk of spreading coronavirus. Shah said the masking order for hospitals and jails came from the Secretary of Health, and as a result isn’t subject to the end of the governor’s orders. Connie Agenbroad, chief executive officer at Othello Community Hospital, said the hospital’s guidelines are being evaluated.

Quincy council approves second school officer

QUINCY — The Quincy School District and Quincy Police Department will add a second school resource officer position, beginning with the 2023-24 school year. Quincy superintendent Nic Bergman told Quincy City Council members during the regular meeting Tuesday that QSD officials think it’s time for a second SRO. “Our district has grown such that we have about 740 students in the middle school,” Bergman said. “Our high school, we’re at about 860, and next year we’ll be over 900. So with the population that we have, especially at our secondary school, it really is essential to have two SROs, so that we can have a dedicated law enforcement presence at our high school and at our middle school.” The council approved the request on a 7-0 vote...

Mattawa teens hit by car, one injured

MATTAWA — Mattawa Police officers are still investigating a collision involving two teenagers who were hit by a car while crossing Government Road Monday morning. “We’re looking at cameras in the area,” said Mattawa Police Chief Robert Salinas Wednesday. One teen was transported to a hospital, but Salinas said the injuries were not life-threatening...

Grant PUD fish hatchery production will remain unchanged

EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD will not be required to build any new fish hatcheries over the next 10 years. Utility district officials renewed an agreement governing PUD hatchery production for the next decade with other parties involved in salmon and steelhead mitigation.

Othello Fair car show features sweet rides

OTHELLO — Johnny Suarez had the spray bottle out, polishing his Subaru WRX to a gleaming shine. The Subaru was among the entries in the second annual car show at the Othello Fair Saturday, and it’s been a work in progress for a while.

Unidentified pedestrian killed in Othello collision

OTHELLO — Identification is pending of a pedestrian struck and killed in a hit-and-run collision early Sunday morning in Othello. The collision occurred about 12:30 a.m. Sunday near the intersection of West Park Street and Highway 24, according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol. State Patrol Trooper Collin Cumaravel said officials are still trying to determine the identity of the victim.

Unidentified driver killed, Mattawa couple injured in collision

RICHLAND — An unidentified driver was killed and a Mattawa couple were injured in a collision late Saturday night near Richland. Washington State Patrol trooper Chris Thorsen said Monday that officials have not yet been able to identify the deceased victim. Andres Negrete-Gonzalez, 63, and Irene Gonzalez, 61, of Mattawa were transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

A lot going on during Othello Fair finale

OTHELLO — The announcer ran down the list of events at the Othello Fair just after noon Saturday – the car show near the entrance, music on the brand-new main stage, the stock sale underway at the livestock barn. “We have so much going on today,” she said. There was in fact a lot going on during the fair’s finale Saturday, from the annual fair parade downtown on Saturday morning to the second performance of the Othello Rodeo Saturday night.

Mattawa annexation request reviewed in public hearing

MATTAWA — Mattawa City Council members will make a decision on Oct. 6 regarding a proposal to annex 40.5 acres of land near Wahluke High School into the city limits. The proposed annexation was the subject of a public hearing Thursday. “This proposal includes acreage that will be zoned for residential (use), and then there will be subdivision and residential components in the future if the applicant is successful in their annexation,” said Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners. The applicant, CAD Homes of Moses Lake, has announced a tentative plan to develop single-family and multifamily housing on the property. The first phase would include about 26 acres...

Soap Lake loses 22-0 to Bridgeport

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Eagles came close, but they couldn’t quite get into the end zone, losing to the Bridgeport Mustangs 22-0 Friday in Soap Lake.

Summer’s work results in new stage, fresh look at Othello Fairgrounds

OTHELLO — Fresh paint, new sidewalks and a brand-new entertainment stage are the visible results of a summer’s worth of work by volunteers, and with the help of local companies and organizations, at the Othello Fairgrounds. “We’ve made a lot of improvements,” said Othello Fair Board Member Katy Stovern. Stovern said volunteers provided a lot of the labor to give the fairgrounds a general sprucing up. They were helped by donations of money, materials and labor from local businesses, and assistance from Adams County. The Othello Fair opened Wednesday and will continue through Saturday. The old entertainment stage next to the fair office was replaced with a brand-new stage, and a concrete pad added in front of the stage. Stovern said that’s the dance floor. The old stage was recycled, being moved across the grounds to the area where competitions are held.

Samaritan Foundation Desert Golf Classic draws full house

MOSES LAKE — The fundraising golf tournament sponsored by the Samaritan Healthcare Foundation drew a full field of 32 teams to The Links at Moses Pointe Thursday. Proceeds from the 21st Desert Golf Classic will go toward the “Build Community” project, the construction of a new Samaritan Hospital. “We are going ahead with that hospital,” said foundation board member Susan Carbon, who’s also a hospital district commissioner. Construction of the new hospital has been delayed while district officials work to address a funding shortfall, the result of steep increases in construction costs.

Former Mattawa chamber now South Grant County Chamber of Commerce

MATTAWA — Volunteers working to revitalize the Mattawa Chamber of Commerce have announced a name change that reflects what they see as part of its mission. Pam Thorsen, secretary/treasurer of the renamed South Grant County Chamber of Commerce, said the goal is to make the Chamber a place where business owners, government officials and regular citizens can make connections. “Everybody has been working individually for what they need to have done, but a collective umbrella is kind of what we’re looking for,” Thorsen said. “Because it will take all of us to get whatever we need done (to get) done.” The volunteers are recruiting a new Chamber president and vice-president, and hope to get some business owners in those roles, Thorsen said.

Quincy veterans recognition wall always a work in progress

QUINCY — Mark Owens said his dad R. Judge Owens wanted the memorial to Quincy-area veterans to be something that could grow. And both Owens and his dad wanted a way to recognize all veterans. “Everybody deserves recognition, no matter when they served,” Owens said. Over time, people and events slipped out of living memory, he said, and as a result his dad didn’t like memorials for one era, or one war. That was part of the thinking behind their idea for the wall in Quincy, located in Memorial Park right next to State Route 28. The recognition wall has room for more names on its current walls, and room to grow when necessary. New names were added to the wall in a ceremony Saturday morning.

Othello council approves ordinance establishing municipal court

OTHELLO — The city of Othello will have its own municipal court beginning in January. Othello City Council members approved an ordinance establishing a court at the regular meeting Monday. “Earlier this summer Adams County informed us that they weren’t going to renew our contract for incarceration, adjudication and prosecution of adult misdemeanor crimes in the city of Othello,” City Attorney Kelly Konkright said. “And so that requires us to create our own municipal court.” Mayor Shawn Logan said after the meeting that city officials have hired a court administrator, and are working to hire a judge. The judge must be hired within 30 days of the passage of the ordinance. The court must be established by Dec. 31, when the city’s current contract with the Adams County District Court expires. Felony and juvenile cases will still be handled by Adams County.

Visitors fill Quincy

Farmer Consumer Awareness Day draws big crowd

QUINCY — Gigi Lowry was standing with a stack of plates on one side and an equally big stack of hamburger buns in front of her just after noon on Saturday. Lowry was in charge of preparing the plates for the crew on the chow line at the Quincy Rotary chapter’s barbecue lunch booth, a staple that goes back a quarter century or so at Farmer Consumer Awareness Day. It looked like a little bit of work, but Lowry said it was a perfectly good way to spend FCAD. “It is a blast,” she said. The Rotary barbecue was in high demand - the line snaked out the door at Quincy Middle School and stayed that way for at least 90 minutes. Quincy’s annual town celebration returned for the 41st time and drew a crowd for the parade, the quilt show, the dancing horses, the children’s soccer tournament, the tractor pull and the farmers market run by the Quincy High School Future Farmers of America chapter, among other events. Kacey Kiehn, a member of the QHS FFA alumni organization said the proceeds from the produce sale went back to the FFA chapter. “This is one of our two main fundraisers for the year,” Kiehn said...

Othello Fair, Rodeo return for 2022

OTHELLO — Exhibits, rides, rodeo, a demolition derby, the annual parade; there’s going to be a lot to do at the annual Othello Fair, Othello Rodeo and Demolition Derby which begin Wednesday. Events get started early Wednesday with market class livestock judging at 9 a.m. for all participants. Market class will continue all day. The exception is the poultry class, according to information on the fair website. Following recommendations from the Washington State Veterinarian’s Office, waterfowl will not be allowed on the grounds, and all market-class birds will be terminated at the end of the fair. No birds will be returned to their owners, according to the announcement from fair organizers. Children who want to participate but not bring a bird to the fairgrounds can substitute a stuffed animal with a circus theme. Organizers also are planning a “purdie birdie” photo contest, where participants dress up their animals and submit a photograph for judging.

‘If I can do it to help others, I’m going to do it’

Longtime Grant County Fire District 8 volunteer puts on chief's helmet

MATTAWA — Grant County Fire District 8 Chief Matt Hyndman said he liked the job of a firefighter from his first fire, back in 1993 when he was a teenager. But it was a long time, he said before he knew why he liked it. “At the time, it was just like, ‘this is something fun to do. And it’s awesome.’ You feel that adrenaline rush on fires and some glory and everything - and of course there were some hard things,” he said. “But over time, and it wasn’t for a long time, I learned that basically, it’s my God-given talent. It’s something that I can do, I feel I can do it well, and if I can do it to help others, I’m going to do it.” Hyndman was named district fire chief earlier this year, taking over the department in his hometown, the one he joined while a student at Wahluke High School...

Moses Lake mounts comeback but still falls

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School Mavericks football team fought back from a 14-point deficit but the Kamiakin Braves scored late to take the win, 36-29, in Moses Lake’s first home game of the season.

MLSD, teachers union approve three-year contract

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District personnel with instructional certification will receive a 7.5% pay raise for the 2022-23 school year. Moses Lake School Board members approved a three-year contract with the Moses Lake Education Association at the regular board meeting Thursday. The contract was approved on a unanimous vote with no discussion. Michelle Musso, the district’s human resources director, said in a Friday email that the MLEA ratified the contract Aug. 29. “It was quite a challenge getting to where we are,” Musso said.

Grant Co. development remains active

Applications 'ebb and flow' year over year

EPHRATA — Building development in the unincorporated areas of Grant County through the end of August is a little slower than it was through the same period in 2021, but is still fairly lively, according to county officials. “(Development) is still going strong, not only in the county but our partner cities, too,” Grant County Director of Development Services Chris Young said. The development services department provides a monthly update of building permit applications in the unincorporated areas, which Young presented to the Grant County Commissioners Tuesday. As of the end of August 2022, the county had received 144 applications for new residences in unincorporated areas. That compared to 181 applications in the same period in 2021. The report showed some variations in the number of applications received each month, compared year over year. There were 27 residential construction permit applications submitted in March 2022, compared to 21 in March 2021. There were 14 submitted in April 2022, compared to 27 in April 2021...

COVID-19 update

Additional death reported in Adams County

RITZVILLE — Adams County Health Department administrators have reported another death related to COVID-19, raising to 39 the number of coronavirus-related deaths in Adams County since the pandemic began in 2020. “A male, age 83, died of cardiac arrest and pneumonia secondary to the COVID-19 virus,” according to an ACHD press release. “According to the available records, of the 15 most recent COVID-19 deaths in Adams County none were fully vaccinated against this disease,” the release said. The last reported coronavirus-related death reported in Grant County was announced Aug. 18 in a weekly update from the Grant County Health District. The patient was a woman in her 80s who had an underlying health condition, according to the health district release...

FCAD celebrates 41

Farmer Consumer Awareness Day returns to Quincy

QUINCY — A parade, antique tractors, a car show, a quilt show, a memorial for military veterans and games for children are among the events - but by no means all the events - scheduled for the 41st Farmer Consumer Awareness Day Saturday in Quincy. “A lot going on, oh yes,” said FCAD President Wyman Duggan. Farmer Consumer Awareness Day started as a way to show consumers the contributions made by farmers, and that’s still FCAD’s foundation. Bierlink Farms and its owners will be recognized as the farm family of the year, and a longtime community volunteer, the late Grace Kok, will be honored for her contributions to Quincy. Kok was named the honorary farmer of the year. “She did many, many, many things for this community,” Duggan said...

Challenging but exciting

Othello girls soccer looks to build on success

OTHELLO — The Othello High School girls soccer team had a good 2021, and Coach Juan Garcia said the goal is to keep building on that success in 2022. “This is going to be a challenging year, but exciting,” Garcia said. The Huskies finished third in the Central Washington Athletic Conference in 2021, advancing to the state playoffs before losing 1-0 in the first round. Garcia said that’s the starting point for 2022. “We want to make it our goal to finish again in the top three in league. We want to be able to start consistently keeping up with Ellensburg and Selah - those are kind of the model schools for the CWAC,” he said...

Grape Dr. roundabout nears completion

MOSES LAKE — Construction of the roughly $2.3 million roundabout at State Route 17 and Grape Drive is scheduled for completion this week. “Crews will return later in the fall for beautification work,” wrote Justin Hammond, engineer on the project for the Washington State Department of Transportation, in response to an emailed question from the Columbia Basin Herald. “The project is moving forward and there haven’t been any holdups,” Hammond wrote. “Work was paused during the week of the (Grant County) Fair. Since then there has been a lot of ‘invisible’ work happening outside the roadway on items like sidewalk and electrical systems.” As of Friday, most but not all of the sidewalks have been completed. Some but not all of the road has been paved. The two lanes on SR 17 are partially open. The roundabout itself has a pile of rocks in the middle, and those will stay where they are. Hammond wrote and added that the rocks have a purpose. “The mound of rocks in the center is actually working as intended to limit visibility. The idea is that the driver entering the roundabout shouldn’t need to see any vehicles beyond the mound, since they only need to check their left side for vehicles to yield to,” Hammond wrote. “Any car making a left turn would be traveling slow enough that the entering driver won’t have a conflict.” The roundabout replaces the traffic light at the intersection. When completed it will have two lanes in each direction on SR 17 and one lane in each direction on Grape Drive. Two roundabouts are tentatively planned for the region in 2023, one at the intersection of White Trail Road and State Route 28 west of Quincy, and one at SR 17 and Cunningham Road at the entrance to Othello. Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at [email protected]. ...

Wahluke football wins season opener, 21-19

Team tears apart Grandview’s early lead

MATTAWA — The Wahluke High School football team stopped Grandview’s extra-point attempt on the next-to-last play of the game to win its season opener, 21-19 during their first at-home game Friday. “We fought back and did what we needed to do,” Coach Anfernee Cortez said. “I was really pleased with my team continuing to fight.” The Warriors came back from a 13-0 deficit against a 2A team, and Cortez said he liked the team’s reaction when they fell behind...

Grant PUD examining rate increase

EPHRATA — Rising costs for the Grant County PUD may lead to customer rate increases for 2023. Utility district commissioners asked for more information on costs and budget impacts before making a decision. . .

MLHS freshman get started

Administration puts out extra effort in post-pandemic school start

MOSES LAKE — The freshmen sitting through orientation in the Moses Lake High School gym can be forgiven for their skepticism when MLHS teacher Tiffany Janosov started talking about head and shoulders, knees and toes. Janosov and the administrators had something more fun than that old grade school game in mind. The game did involve heads, shoulders and knees, as well as plastic cups and all-class competition. Freshmen paired off and attempted to grab the cup when Janasov gave the word. Janosov, co-coordinator for MLHS Associated Student Body, said teachers and administrators decided to rethink the start of the school year. “This is a full revamp of the first day of school,” she said...

'Competing and playing deep'

Othello Huskies to rely on experience

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies football team feel like they have reason to be optimistic going into the 2022 season.

Hankins resigns

Moses Lake mayor vacates seat on city council

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Mayor Dean Hankins has announced his resignation as mayor and as a member of the Moses Lake City Council. “This morning we received a letter of resignation effective today (Tuesday),” wrote Moses Lake City Manager Allison Williams in response to an email from the Herald. “Don Myers will step in as mayor, per our council procedures.” Williams did not say if Hankins had cited a reason for his resignation.

MLSD board passes '22-23 budget

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will operate with a budget of about $196.36 million for the 2022-23 school year. Moses Lake School Board members approved the budget on a unanimous vote and with no discussion at the regular meeting Thursday. In Washington, basic school support funds from the state are allocated based on the number of students in school. However, because district officials don’t know how many students will actually enroll until school starts, school budgets throughout the state are based on a projection. In a July budget presentation, MLSD Director of Finance Stefanie Lowry said the projection for 2021-22 was higher than the actual enrollment. “We were a little bit short of our projection, and that was an impact of about $75,000 to $80,000 in apportionment,” Lowry said...

Othello SD passes 2022-23 budget

OTHELLO — The Othello School District will operate with a $91.87 million budget for the 2022-23 school year. Othello School Board members approved the budget proposal at the Aug. 21 regular meeting. The vote was unanimous. The budget includes a general fund of about $87.65 million, which covers most expenses and operations. The general fund includes most staff salaries and benefits as well as most school operations...

‘What cherry harvest?’

Snow, rain, cold combine to reduce 2022 Pacific Northwest cherry harvest

ROYAL CITY — There are short and long crops in the tree fruit business, good and bad years, and then there are those years, those harvests, the ones few growers - if any - remember fondly. The 2022 Pacific Northwest cherry harvest may be one of those. . .

Quincy hospital finances improving

QUINCY — Financially, 2021 was a good year for Quincy Valley Medical Center. Luke Zarecor, of the Spokane Valley accounting firm DZA, said he attended the Aug. 22 board meeting in part to recognize the work done by hospital employees and board members. “The reason I wanted to come in person this year, in particular, is to say congratulations for an amazing job,” Zarecor said. “Going back six, seven years ago when I first started here, your registered warrants were greater than your net patient service revenue in one year. And I did not know what the path forward was.” Registered warrants are issued by junior taxing districts, like the hospital, when they don’t have enough cash on hand to pay their obligations. The junior taxing district borrows money from Grant County to pay its bills, then pays the money back with interest...

Tradition, connection at center of mariachi, traditional dance

MOSES LAKE — It’s an American tradition for people coming to the United States to bring their cultures with them. . .

Grant PUD eyeing nuclear options

Commissioners examine need to diversify power sources

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD officials will continue to look at building a small nuclear reactor, called a small modular reactor or SMR, in conjunction with the nuclear reactor engineering firm X-energy. Commissioners gave verbal approval to continuing the research at the regular meeting Tuesday, though at least one expressed concern. “I guess I have some reservations from the standpoint of the single focus on nuclear,” Commissioner Larry Schaapman said. Commissioners also asked for information on other forms of power production and the costs, risks and benefits associated with them. Chief Resource Officer Kevin Nordt said the group that’s been studying the options for generating power from other sources recommended dropping the PUD’s involvement in a second possible SMR project, and commissioners agreed.

Lonestar headlines Grant Co. Fair

MOSES LAKE — Longtime country band Lonestar took the stage and gave fans live performances of classic hits and new sounds Aug. 18 at the Grant County Fair. “Are y’all ready to have some fun?” said lead vocalist Drew Womack. Keyboardist Dean Sams said Lonestar has been playing together as a band for nearly 30 years. The band has a long string of hits, including 10 that have hit the top of the country charts. “We just love Lonestar,” said Darlene Przybylksi, who had staked out a seat in the front row of general admission. She and husband Rick selected a Lonestar song for the first dance at their wedding a few years ago, she said. “We want to hear that song again,” she said. “We’re looking forward to it.” Deanna Martinez said there was a reason she was at the fairgrounds on a very hot summer night. “Of course, Lonestar,” she said...

Road construction prompts questions for Quincy City Council

Process compliance a concern for some residents

QUINCY — A section of B Street Northeast currently under construction was the topic of a lengthy discussion at the Quincy City Council meeting Aug. 16. It was the second meeting that the work on B Street Northeast prompted questions and concerns from residents of the section under construction, who have businesses there or who use land along the street for commercial purposes. Construction crews are rebuilding and repaving the street between Central Avenue North and Sixth Avenue Northeast. Speakers at the council meeting expressed concerns that some sections of the street, especially the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenue Northeast, will be too narrow for some uses. Additionally, the street as it’s being constructed does not meet street width requirements and will require a variance; city officials did not go through the variance process before starting construction. Rob Soul, who owns Blue Skies Storage on B Street Northeast, asked about the variance process. Public Works Director Carl Worley said city officials should’ve applied for the variance, and hope to schedule a date for a public hearing at the Sept. 6 council meeting. Soul said city officials have been willing to work with him since he raised his concerns...

Making room

Sandhill Estates development continues to expand

OTHELLO — Construction crews began pouring foundations this week in a new 44-lot subdivision in Othello. Developer Angel Garza cut the ribbon on the fourth phase of the Sandhill Estates development Aug. 8.

Keeping the fair moving

Volunteers ensure smooth operations for visitors

MOSES LAKE — It looks - easy. Participants in livestock competition at the Grant County Fair enter the arena, they’re checked off, and at the end, the right ribbon goes to the right person. A hungry fairgoer walks up to a food booth run by a local nonprofit organization and places an order, and the right order arrives. From the ribbons to the Spaceburgers, it all runs pretty smoothly. It's the people over at the folding table next to the show ring, and the crews that are kind of out sight, staffing the food booths and the exhibit buildings, that make it look easy. Most of them are volunteers. Fairgrounds manager Jim McKiernan estimated it took about 250 volunteers to help the fair run smoothly. The organizations that operate the fundraising food booths find their own volunteers, and for some, it’s been a struggle. The volunteers overseeing competitions and running the food booths said it provides its own rewards...

Keeping cool

Triple-digit temperatures require fair exhibitors to keep close eye on animals

MOSES LAKE — The swine barn at the Grant County Fair is shady and relatively cool compared to outside, and the pigs were dozing in a pile of wood shavings.

Primary election results certified, recount possible in Grant County Commission race

EPHRATA — Terry Thompson, incumbent Adams County Commissioner, will be challenged by Mike Garza in the November general election. The race for Grant County Commissioner may be headed for a recount, at the request of one of the candidates and paid for by that candidate.

Final piece of mural project dedicated

MOSES LAKE — A mural depicting some of the attractions of Grant County, designed with the help of people who attended the Grant County Fair in the last few years, got its official unveiling Tuesday morning. Columbia Basin Allied Arts director Shawn Cardwell said the project started about 2016, and was and is designed to add art in and around the fairgrounds. It evolved a little over the years, she said. The mural, on a water cistern across Airway Drive from the fairgrounds, depicts flora and fauna found in Grant County, along with a rider on horseback. Artist Erika Kovalenko, Moses Lake, said she’s done a lot of murals in her career. “This has been one of my funnest pieces to paint,” she said...

Cowboy Breakfast kicks off fair, rodeo

MOSES LAKE — A sunny summer Friday drew a big crowd to the annual Cowboy Breakfast, so big the cooks ran out of waffles. And eggs. The Cowboy Breakfast is the traditional kickoff for the Grant County Fair, the Moses Lake Roundup and Demolition Derby. The fair starts Tuesday, the demolition derby is set for Tuesday and Wednesday and the rodeo is Thursday through Saturday. Harper Carey reigned as the queen of the Pee Wee Stampede, the ridin’ and ropin’ games for children that are a traditional part of the breakfast. Breakfast was sponsored by the Moses Lake chapter of Kiwanis, the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association, the Moses Lake Senior Center, Mason’s Coffee and AgriSured (Tom and Stacey Cobb). Kiwanis president James Shank said breakfast drew a good crowd, but people don’t just come for breakfast. “This is the real show over here,” Shank said, pointing to the children playing with the stick horses.

Are you ready? Grant Co. Fair opens today

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County PUD crew had staked out their tents, and were testing the fans and misters. The cookies, cakes and breads were being evaluated by the bakery department judges. Volunteers for the Moses Lake Lions were making sure the lion ears - non-Lions may know them as elephant ears - fryer worked. The Grant Transit Authority dispensed with little displays like tables and brought a whole bus, which was parked in the commercial building. Grant County Republicans and Democrats were united in washing windows and hanging red, white and blue bunting. The Grant County Fair starts its five-day run today, and exhibitors and vendors were cleaning booths, testing equipment and otherwise getting ready Monday morning. The fair emphasizes tradition, and the bakery division judges were trying to figure out how long they’ve been judging. After some discussion Kirk Holben said it’s been 30 years for him and his wife Terri, counting the time they spent volunteering with 4H. Terri said she’s worked out a system, and pies, breads and cakes that she thinks are exceptional get set aside for consideration by the entire judging panel. “For the top of the top ribbons,” Kirk said...

Grant PUD considering Wanapum Dam embankment analysis

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will consider a proposal to hire the engineering firm Gannett Fleming to analyze the right embankment at Wanapum Dam to determine if it is at risk for erosion. If approved, the 10-year contract would cost a maximum of $15 million. “Our embankments were built well, and with the best practices of the time they were built,” said Rebecca Simpson, PUD engineering manager. Utility district engineer Logan Castle said during a presentation at the commission meeting Tuesday that the analysis would focus the embankment on the Grant County side, and would look at the potential for what Castle called internal erosion. Christine Pratt, PUD public information officer, said there is no risk to the public, but that utility district officials want to ensure the embankment remains stable. However, the construction method meant that some of the work was done in the water, what Simpson called,” in the wet,” which limited the options. Some sections of the embankment are at higher risk than others, she said...

Cowboy Breakfast set for Friday

MOSES LAKE — It being the Grant County Fair next week - and the fair being all about tradition - Fair Week kicks off Friday with the traditional Cowboy Breakfast. Breakfast will be served starting at 7 a.m. in Sinkiuse Square, next to the Moses Lake Post Office. . .

Quincy kindergarten enrollment low so far

QUINCY — The number of kindergarten students registering for the 2022-23 school year in the Quincy School District is lower than normal for this time of year. District Superintendent Nik Bergman updated Quincy School Board members on the kindergarten registration during the regular board meeting Tuesday. In answer to a question from Board Member Tricia Lubach, Bergman estimated kindergarten registration so far at about 180 children. Typically, kindergarten enrollment is about 220 children, he said. “A little lower than normal,” Bergman said. “But what we experienced last year is a heavy enrollment the week before school started and the week after school started.” Depending on enrollment, one of the district’s elementary schools may have to add another class to accommodate kindergarten, Bergman said. How that would affect staffing is still to be determined, he said.

Othello receives grant contract for new basketball courts

OTHELLO — Othello city officials have received a contract for a $350,000 grant that will pay for construction of two new basketball courts in Lions Park. It’s the first contract of a $1.35 million project to expand the basketball courts and rebuild the Lions Park playground. “What I’ve heard from (the Recreation and Conservation Office) is that we have contracts by the end of September because their budget season is coming to an end and we need to have all those contracts out by then,” Thalia Lemus, the city’s grant administrator, said. City officials obtained grants in 2021 to pay for the basketball courts as well as the redesign and rebuild of the playground. Construction was scheduled for 2022, but changes in the construction market and the need to meet contract stipulations led to a delay. Lemus said contracts are still pending for the two grants that will pay for the playground redesign. Lemus updated Othello City Council members on the status of ongoing grant-funded projects during the regular council meeting Monday...