CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Legislation would make changes to successful Quincy School District program

QUINCY — Changes may be coming to a Quincy School District program that have shown some success in getting children ready for kindergarten. Colleen Frerks, director of the district’s Whole Child program, told Quincy School Board members the Transitional Kindergarten program is for children who have had little or no access to preschool classes.

Othello girls take sixth at state tournament

YAKIMA — The Othello High School girls basketball team accepts the sixth place trophy at the WIAA 2B State Tournament Saturday. The Huskies season ended with a heartbreaking 34-32 loss to Sequim in the fourth place-sixth place game, with Sequim hitting the game-winning shot with four seconds to play. It was the first time the Huskie girls have appeared in the state tournament since 2009 and the second-highest state finish in the program’s history.

Othello takes 33-31 state playoff win

YAKIMA — The Othello Huskies used tough defense and hit a couple of critical free throws to defeat the Lynden Lions 33-31 and advance to the quarterfinals of the 2A Girls State Basketball tournament Wednesday. The Huskies took a three-point lead on a single free throw from Riley Farman with about one minute left in the game; Lynden scored to cut the lead to one. A free throw from Annalee Coronado put Othello up by two with eight seconds left. A Lynden shot at the buzzer fell short. It was the first time the Othello girls basketball team has won a game at the Sundome since 2009, and Othello Coach Adolfo Coronado took a moment to appreciate it.

Public should get look at new Quincy hospital design by April

QUINCY — Quincy residents should get a look at the design of the new Quincy Valley Medical Center by the end of April. “I expect with the finishing of all this stuff, we will have renderings of the facility for public consumption in the next 30 to 60 days,” QVMC consultant helping coordinate the new facility, Joe Kunkel said...

‘Beauty and the Beast’ opens Friday at Quincy High

QUINCY — A classic tale of love, sacrifice and rediscovering one’s humanity comes to the Quincy High School stage for the next two weekends.

Quincy SD board gets special guest star

QUINCY — Hailey Beegle, who plays Belle in the Quincy High School production of “Beauty and the Beast,” performs a song from the musical for Quincy School Board members Tuesday. The play opens at 7:30 p.m. in the QHS theater, 403 Jackrabbit St. NE, and runs for two weekends.

Othello Chamber hosts annual awards banquet

Johnson, Kix Stand Espresso and others recognized for service excellence

OTHELLO — Ken Johnson fought back emotion as he accepted the Citizen of the Year award, and Maria Montalvo almost didn’t believe it when the presenters gave her the Civil Servant of the Year award. The Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce presented those and other awards at its annual banquet Friday. Kix Stand Espresso was named Business of the Year, with the final votes cast during the banquet. Janette Zuniga-Gomez, a teacher at Lutacaga Elementary School, was the K-5 Teacher of the Year. McFarland Middle School teacher Regina Holmes-Zamora was the 6-12 Teacher of the Year...

Centenarians have lots of stories to tell

MOSES LAKE — Edna Watkins, Ann Klobucher and Helen Theis have seen a lot. They were girls in grade school when the Great Depression started, in their late teens and early 20s when World War II started. They were in their late 40s when men walked on the moon and in their early 80s at the start of a new century. They’re still going, 100 years – or more –after they were born. Tice will celebrate her 100th birthday March 9; Kobucher will be 102 years old March 7 and Watkins turns 103 years of age March 3. “Gee, Mom, you’re the young ’un here,” Tice’s daughter Jackie Chmela told her when the three women and members of their families got together at Monroe House, where they live. Tice is a Spokane girl, the daughter of a farm family, she said.

Warden girls take state tournament first-round win

ELLENSBURG — The Warden Cougars used defense to take their opening round game in the Class 2B girls WIAA state basketball tournament with a 61-45 win over the Adna High School Pirates Saturday at Ellensburg High School. Warden is the defending state champion in Class 2B. Warden trailed briefly early in the game, but had a 15-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and never trailed the rest of the game. Cougars Coach Josh Madsen said it was a good way to start the state tournament...

Good tabs

Moses Lake women collect pop tabs to support Ronald McDonald House charities

MOSES LAKE — Rebecca Camden said the donation for Spokane’s Ronald McDonald House started with a contest at an out-of-state car show. “We were at a car show in Oregon seven years ago, and the hosting club did a competition to see who could collect the most pop tabs,” Camden said...

ML School District to sponsor community forum to review strategic plan

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District patrons, staff and students will be invited to review a draft of the district’s new strategic plan. The date of the community forum will be announced. District superintendent Monty Sabin said during Thursday’s meeting of the Moses Lake School Board that the project has attracted a lot of interest.

Samaritan Healthcare finishes 2022 with a profit

December net income pulls health district out of the red.

MOSES LAKE — Thanks to a good month for revenue in December – partly due to a one-time payment – Samaritan Healthcare finished 2022 with a small profit. “We’ve been able to finish off pretty well with revenue,” Samaritan Chief Financial Officer Alex Town said. “For the year to date, we are up 7% (above the budget projection), which is pretty phenomenal for the organization.” ...

Meeting will determine what’s required to reopen Adams Co. Jail

RITZVILLE — What it will take to reopen the Adams County Jail, and how to make plans for the jail’s future, was the subject of an hour-long discussion at the Adams County Commission meeting Tuesday. “We need to start coming up with an actual game plan to address what we currently have, and what we’re going to do going forward,” Wagner said. “And it needs to be faster than slower.” The jail was closed and has been the subject of continuing discussions among the commissioners and Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner. Wagner said the jail actually has been a subject of discussion between different commissioners and three different sheriffs for over a decade, and it needs attention now...

Adams Co. economy shows signs of slowing in December

RITZVILLE — After declining for 19 consecutive months, the year-over-year unemployment rate in Adams County increased in November and December 2022. The county’s unemployment rate in December 2022 was 7.6%, up from 5.9% in December 2021. Unemployment also increased between November and December 2022. November’s unemployment rate was 4.9%...

Not spring yet

Temperatures in low teens to return this week

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring is coming, isn’t it? After all, temperatures crept north of 50 degrees over the weekend - in fact they got close to 60 degrees. February is almost over, so that winter weather, those cold temperatures heading down toward zero, that’s all in the rear-view mirror, right? ...

Rodriguez signs with Yakima Valley Community College

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School soccer player Abril Rodriguez will take the field for Yakima Valley Community College next fall. Rodriguez signed a letter of intent to attend YVCC last week. “It was close to home, and the coach was very friendly. I thought we could work well together,” Rodriguez said. “And I just really liked the campus, too.”

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...