CHERYL SCHWEIZER

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.” ...

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...

‘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. . .

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...