CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Othello takes third at Lady Huskies invitational

OTHELLO — The Othello High School girls wrestling team finished third in its own tournament, the Lady Huskies invitational, Friday and Saturday in Othello.

Creating opportunity: Voters to decide on Wahluke School District levy

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a two-year educational programs and operation (EP&O) levy in a special election Feb. 8.

Every hat a story: Moses Lake man’s collection spans decades

MOSES LAKE — Every hat on the wall in Mike Cobb’s Moses Lake shed, about 140 of them, is a reminder of a person or a place. So are the 150 or so hats in storage.

Flying field: Aviation maintenance technology offers high opportunity

MOSES LAKE — Christine Kelly said she was looking for training opportunities when she found some online information about the aviation maintenance technology program at Big Bend Community College.

Homes needed: Grant County housing market still contends with low inventory

MOSES LAKE — The housing market in Grant County is a seller’s market as 2022 moves in, although supply chain issues may be slowing down the selling.

Spreading out: Grant PUD is expanding its fiber-optic network to every corner of Grant County

Most business owners knew it already, but one of the lessons learned over the course of the coronavirus outbreak is that fast, reliable communication is a necessity.

Country for a cause: Cancer fundraiser to (hopefully) return in person

MOSES LAKE — After a year online, the annual Country Sweethearts cancer benefit auction, sponsored by the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, will return in person Feb. 5.

Giving voice: MLHS Chamber Choir members discuss their experiences, competition

MOSES LAKE — The chamber choir broke apart into smaller groups, working on the music, trying to get the sound right.

Medical treatment options expanding

Medical treatment options in the Moses Lake area continue to expand, and will keep expanding, adding to the health care services available for residents and employers in a broad region.

Senior night: Wahluke students have a chance to look back – and forward

MATTAWA — The senior year of high school is, in part, a recognition of change. High school will be done; kids will be moving on.

Royal High School boys win two games; Wahluke boys lose two

MATTAWA — The Royal High School boys basketball team came away from Mattawa with a 50-45 league win Friday over Wahluke High School in a wild and hard-fought game that had the WHS gym rocking.

Royal High School girls basketball team splits games; Wahluke girls lose two

MATTAWA — The Royal High School girls basketball team split a pair of games, defeating Wahluke High School 57-18 Friday, but losing to College Place High School 46-40 Saturday.

Mattawa P.O. boxes will be removed; Postal window to remain open

MATTAWA — Mattawa residents won’t have access to post office boxes after Jan. 31 at the U.S. Postal Service contractor in Mattawa.

Ready to play: Royal High School celebrates new gym

Office, counseling center, classroom also added

ROYAL CITY — Royal School District officials will mark the halfway point of construction at Royal High School and Royal Middle School with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 7 p.m. Saturday in the rebuilt RHS gym.

Part of King's legacy: March, program in Moses Lake celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

MOSES LAKE — The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was commemorated Monday with a march through a part of downtown Moses Lake and a service at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Donation to Serve Moses Lake helps another person in need

MOSES LAKE — Serve Moses Lake Director Brandon LaBonte said the donation of a truck was unexpected.

To fix, or not to fix: When it comes to cell phones, that’s often the question

MOSES LAKE — It can happen in a flash. The cell phone slips and crashes on a concrete floor. Or it’s safely stowed in a purse – except the purse gets slammed in the car door, and that crunching sound isn’t good.

Martin Luther King Jr. to be commemorated in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. will be commemorated in Moses Lake with a march and a service, featuring a recital of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, beginning at 1 p.m. Monday.

‘Healing music’: Violinist to perform benefit concert in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — An upcoming violin concert will help further Christian ministry and complete a local church.

Keeping up: Sticking with exercise has benefits for body and mind

MOSES LAKE — Bob Ray, who was doing upper body work at the South Campus Athletic Club in Moses Lake Friday morning, said regular workouts are important to him for his physical well-being, but more than that.

‘A voice for citizens’: Wanke reflects on 32 years on the Ephrata City Council

EPHRATA — Mark Wanke first ran for the Ephrata City Council in 1989. “I wanted to be a voice for the citizens,” he said.

Making room: Royal City to consider permit-only parking

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council will discuss an ordinance to allow city officials to establish permit-only parking zones.

Heading east: Moses Lake student receives full ride to Vassar College

MOSES LAKE — For Moses Lake High School senior Samuel Rebuelta, it started with a postcard.

Buying furniture complicated by market conditions

MOSES LAKE — Maybe Santa didn’t deliver that new couch and chair after all. Or maybe Santa brought a couple of new chairs. Now that couch just has to go.

Snow business: Know the rules when clearing driveways, walks

MOSES LAKE — Yes, it is January. And yes, that is snow out there. There’s the potential for snow as late as mid-March. So the time has come to consider getting in and out of the driveway – after all, it won’t clear itself.

Three for the show: Country trio Taylor Red to perform in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Three-part harmony comes to the Moses Lake Alliance Church at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 when the trio Taylor Red performs in concert.

Clearing danger: County, cities have priorities in keeping roads safe in winter

EPHRATA — Winter might not be so annoying for some people if it didn’t mean snowy and icy roads – which the Basin has faced and will deal with more before spring.

New year, new hopes: Community members look back – and look forward

MOSES LAKE — Every year brings the unexpected, and 2021 brought more than its share.

Othello School District voters to consider capital projects bond

OTHELLO — Ballots will be mailed to Othello School District voters this month and will include a proposal for a $51 million capital projects bond. Ballots should be mailed about Jan. 24. and must be returned by Feb. 8.

Serious about service: Elks work to support community

MOSES LAKE — Bill West said the Elks service organization and its members are focused on service to community.

Rodeo royalty: Othello PRCA Rodeo queen reflects on two unique years

OTHELLO — Brianna Kin Kade rode in as many parades, went to as many rodeos, attended as many events as she could in 2021, and didn’t mind at all.

Othello library expands hours

OTHELLO — The Othello branch of the Mid-Columbia Libraries, 101 E. Main St., extended its hours starting Monday.

White Trail Road roundabout on tap: Traffic circle construction will affect major route in region

QUINCY — Construction is scheduled to begin in late summer or early fall 2022 on a new one-lane roundabout at White Trail Road/Road U Northwest and state Route 28, about four miles west of Quincy.

Up to 4 inches of snow forecast; libraries close

EPHRATA — Keep that snow shovel, snow blower or snow plow handy, because more snow is coming, with up to 4 inches forecast by Friday.

Grant County commissioners seek two civil service commissioners

MOSES LAKE — Grant County commissioners are looking for two county residents to fill open positions on the civil service commission.

Moses Lake doctor’s scrapbook details early Scouting trip

Robert Ruby was a pioneering surgeon in Moses Lake and an enthusiastic collector of autographs. He studied Native American culture and wrote a number of books about his research, including a biography of Chief Moses.

Parks, pets and police: Othello council approves $19.5 million 2022 budget

OTHELLO — Othello City Council members on Dec. 13 approved a $19.5 million budget for 2022.

Behind the lens: Paula Zanter-Stout is passionate about photography.

MOSES LAKE — Paula Zanter-Stout said she’s loved photography from the time her mom gave her a camera.

Ups and downs: It’s been a wild and crazy couple of years for rodeo queens

MOSES LAKE — Both Mykiah Hollenbeck and Brianna Kin Kade were looking forward to summer 2020. Hollenbeck had been selected as Moses Lake Roundup queen, and Kin Kade was the new Othello Rodeo queen. Their schedules were full, and they expected to be busy.

The real deal: Farm and ranch children focus of new book by Moses Lake woman

MOSES LAKE — Sue Tebow started her “agriCULTURE” social media accounts to give her readers an insight into farm and ranch life.

Very cold weather forecast for next week to 10 days, light wind

MOSES LAKE — It’s going to get cold out there.

Handy ideas: Some options for last-minute gifts for DIYers in your life

MOSES LAKE — Let’s face it, time’s about up for getting those Christmas gifts.

Warden School District voters to weigh in on two levies

WARDEN — Warden School District voters will decide the fate of two levy requests in a special election Feb. 8.

Shopping with a purpose: Kids, local law enforcement officers take carts through store aisles in search of gifts

OTHELLO — Addy Martinez knew exactly what she wanted, and exactly where it was. She went shopping Saturday as part of the Othello Police Department’s annual Shop With A Cop, but she didn’t need to consult her shopping buddy, Officer Rafael Vargas.

A tradition of caring: Community project helps Othello families at Christmas

OTHELLO — The tables were heaped with toys and books, a big plastic bin filled with winter hats, piles of blankets and pillowcases – all of which had to be sorted for donation to individual families.

‘Unchained’: Supporting each other, giving back

MOSES LAKE — Members of the Unchained Brotherhood MC (Motorcycle Club) were on Stratford Road the first two Saturdays in December, just like they’ve been every year for more than a decade.

Operation Homefront: Troop 777 works to bring Christmas cheer to other kids

MOSES LAKE — Members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 777 not only sorted the toys and bagged the toys, they delivered the toys for curbside pickup.

Festive blooms: Flower options during the Christmas season

MOSES LAKE — It may be true poinsettias are basically the go-to Christmas flower and boughs from fir and pine trees the go-to Christmas greenery.

‘Personal shoppers’: Fun event with law enforcement returns after missing a year

MOSES LAKE — Bellaluna Binns knew exactly what she wanted: socks that weren’t too long and weren’t too short, and were just the right color.

Flatware art: Mary Courtright turns forks and spoons into something unique

MOSES LAKE — Mary Courtright said she got bored when the COVID-19 pandemic confined her to her Moses Lake home.