CHERYL SCHWEIZER

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...

GCSO seeks public's aid in finding missing Othello-area man

OTHELLO — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in finding an Othello-area man who has been missing since Aug. 4. Audel Espinoza-Duenas, 43, was last seen near his home in the 7700 block of Road 12 SW, about five miles south of the Potholes Reservoir, wrote Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. He was last seen about 7:40 p.m. that day. “He does not have any history which would lead investigators to suspect he disappeared due to his own decision,” Foreman wrote. Espinoza-Duenas is about six feet tall, weighs roughly 240 pounds and was last seen wearing blue work overalls. “To ensure a secure investigation, there is information about this case we cannot share publicly and questions we cannot currently answer,” Foreman wrote. Anyone with information on Espinoza-Duenas is asked to contact the GCSO, 509-762-1160, or email [email protected]. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

MLSD Learning Services Center gets new landmark

Student-built sculpture a work of 'perseverance'

MOSES LAKE — The entrance to the Moses Lake School District Learning Services Center is now identifiable by a stack of books. Okay, not actual books, but a book sculpture constructed by students at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center. “It’s pretty cool-looking, isn’t it?” former MLSD Board Member Vickey Melcher said. The metal statue was installed Monday afternoon while an interested audience of MLSD personnel watched. A crew from Miers Construction, Moses Lake, moved the sculpture into place. Melcher said the project started when the district offices moved from their former location on Ivy Street. The sculpture depicts two books leaning against each other and sitting on a third book. Former MLSD administrator Dave Balcom said the design was a collaboration between skills center students, instructors and former MLSD superintendent Josh Meek...

Mattawa revisits regulating adult entertainment

MATTAWA — The regulation of adult entertainment in Mattawa was the topic of discussion at Thursday’s Mattawa City Council meeting. “I think we need some kind of protection for the city,” Councilmember Wendy Lopez said. “Regardless, we’re still going to have problems, so I still think we need something in play. So we can take action if something happens.” Thursday’s discussion followed a previous conversation at the July 21 council meeting, after city officials learned that a local business had hosted performances of an adult nature. City attorney Kathryn Kenison said the question of adult entertainment has been extensively adjudicated, and cities can’t prohibit it. It can, however, be regulated. Lopez said she felt the regulation was a good idea...

‘We have kids out here enjoying themselves’

Games and fun at first ever National Night Out in Mattawa

MATTAWA — Children and adults got a chance to look at law enforcement and fire vehicles - lights flashing and everything - play games and run in and out of a big sprinkler, courtesy of Grant County Fire District 8, at the first ever National Night Out in Mattawa on Aug. 2. Mattawa Police Chief Robert Salinas organized NNO in Mattawa, having been part of similar events when he worked in Granger, Ellensburg and Toppenish, he said on Aug. 2. National Night Out gives law enforcement and fire agencies a chance to talk to people in their communities, he said. . .

Quincy school board passes $74.14M budget

QUINCY — The Quincy School District will operate with a budget of about $74.14 million for the 2022-23 school year. Quincy School Board members approved the budget, in part based on student enrollment, with a unanimous vote at the regular meeting July 26. “It’s a crystal ball,” said Quincy superintendent Nik Bergman of the yearly enrollment projections. “You never know.” Of the total, about $62.86 million is in the district’s general fund, which pays for most operations and maintenance. State funding for education in Washington is based on the number of students in school. Quincy district officials are projecting district-wide enrollment will be the equivalent of 3,140 students. The funding mechanism means that district officials must estimate enrollment before the school year begins. “We budget very conservatively. We feel that’s the prudent thing,” Bergman said...

Chief for a Day, lots to do at Quincy National Night Out

QUINCY — The Chief for a Day was sworn in - by a judge, too - there were police cars and police motorcycles, fire trucks, games, fun cars, hot dogs and ice cream. . .

Rising costs, decreasing revenue have impact on Samaritan financial picture

MOSES LAKE — It’s been an economically bumpy 2022 for Samaritan Healthcare, and the tough economic times contributed to the decision by hospital board members to delay the start of construction of a new Samaritan Hospital. Joe Kunkel, the consultant working with the hospital on the construction project, said the cost-benefit analysis is the same for Samaritan as for any business, or even a home loan. “There’s the capital cost of the project itself,” Kunkel said. “But then there’s the underlying feasibility study that says to the (lender) that you have an operation that can pay the mortgage.” . .

Quincy hospital design set to start in September after primary vote

Unofficial results show 64% of voters approving of bond funding

QUINCY — The first phase of designing a new Quincy Valley Medical Center is tentatively scheduled for early September after Tuesday’s election results indicate likely final approval of a $55 million bond proposal for Grant County Hospital District 2. “Once (certification) is behind us, we’ll be setting the wheels in motion,” Quincy hospital administrator Glenda Bishop said Wednesday. “And then we will follow the lead of the team that we’ve put in place, and who I have tremendous confidence in.” Bishop said some planning has started and will ramp up after the election is certified Aug. 16. Initial results show that voters are approving a construction bond proposal for a new hospital.. The proposal had received 951 yes votes and 531 no votes as of Tuesday night, about 64.3% voting yes. Because the proposal was a revenue measure, it required at least 60% yes votes to pass...

Up from the ashes

Garza family reopens Jab Fitness a year after devastating fire

OTHELLO — Jab Fitness co-owner Jonathan Garza said he smelled the smoke, but didn’t think anything of it at first.

Rectenwald to remain as interim Grant Co. sheriff through Nov.

EPHRATA — Ryan Rectenwald will continue as interim Grant County Sheriff through mid-November when the 2022 election is certified. Rectenwald’s appointment to the interim position was approved unanimously by the Grant County Commissioners Monday. Rectenwald had been serving as sheriff since July 1, when former sheriff Tom Jones retired. Jones announced earlier this year he was not running for reelection. Three people are running for the position, including Joe Kriete, currently the chief deputy for investigations, former Mattawa Police Chief Joe Harris, and James Baker, a Moses Lake-area farmer...

MLSD board reviews 22-23 proposed budget

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District officials are projecting enrollment in preschool through high school to be the equivalent of 8,028 students for the 2022-23 school year. Stefanie Lowry, MLSD director of finance, reviewed the proposed budget for the new school year for the Moses Lake School Board at the district’s regular meeting Thursday. Including all funds, the 2022-23 budget is projected to be about $49.4 million. That includes about $17.94 million in the general fund, which pays for most school operations and personnel. Lowry said the actual P-12 enrollment for the 2021-22 school year was the equivalent of 7,993 students, less than the budget projection of the equivalent of 8,060 students...

ICE officer arrested in Othello child sex trafficking investigation

OTHELLO — A 47-year-old Ellensburg man was arrested by Othello Police officers Tuesday in connection with an incident where he allegedly traveled to Othello to pay for sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Quincy council approves downtown revitalization plan

QUINCY — A plan that provides a framework for possible improvements to downtown Quincy was approved by the Quincy City Council on July 19. The downtown revitalization plan was approved on a 5-1 vote, with Councilmember Dave Dormaier voting no. “Each of the projects will still have to be vetted again to go out for design and construction,” Municipal Services Director Carl Worley said. “We would look at things again, and if there was something that just wasn’t going to work, if it was identified in the plan, that doesn’t mean we have to do it. It’s not anything in concrete.” ...

QVMC board selects architect

Hospital project still dependent on bond approval

QUINCY — Quincy Valley Medical Center commissioners have selected Trinity:NAC, Spokane, to design the new Quincy hospital, if the project moves forward. “This is all contingent on the bond levy,” Joe Kunkel, the consultant working with the hospital district on the project, said. “So, negotiating the agreement, this all stops Tuesday if the bond agreement doesn’t fall in our favor.” ...

Mobile rec van brings fun to the Moses Lake parks

MOSES LAKE — It’s just fun to stack up a bunch of big plastic cups and knock them down. It’s just as much fun to play a supersize connect the dots game. . .

‘We are looking at the potential for record heat’

Near-record temperatures forecast for the week

MOSES LAKE — It being July and North Central Washington being desert country, it’s to be expected that it’s going to be hot sooner or later. And it will be hot, darned hot, although temperatures are forecast to moderate at least a little bit by the weekend. Steven Van Horn, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said the Moses Lake and Wenatchee areas will be the first to experience the hottest temperatures, but it will get hot region-wide. “There’s a very high heat risk for the central and north central parts of the state,” Van Horn said.

Mattawa increases dog license and impound fees

MATTAWA — Mattawa City Council members have increased dog license and dog impound fees as part of a review of the city’s fee schedule. “The current (fees) are not covering our costs,” Public Works Director Juan Ledezma said prior to the vote.

Mattawa council considers regulating adult entertainment

MATTAWA — Mattawa City Council members will consider possible ordinances to regulate the operation of businesses offering adult entertainment. Council members asked for regulation options after a discussion at the regular meeting Thursday. “If we were to have adult entertainment within the businesses, we need policies that would allow law enforcement to enforce regulations on it,” Celaya said...

Basin Community Theatre presents ‘Cinderella’ this weekend

MOSES LAKE — The classic story of a selfless but unappreciated stepchild and how she lives happily ever after comes to the Moses Lake High School theater this weekend in the Basin Community Theatre children’s production of “Cinderella.” The curtain goes up at 7:10 p.m. tonight and 1:10 p.m. Saturday...

Video released of July 10 Stratford Road shooting, chase

QUINCY — The team investigating an officer-involved shooting on Stratford Road on July 10 has released a video of the incident. The video released Wednesday by the Quincy Police Department, which is the lead agency investigating the incident, shows the initial contact between Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy Tyson Voss and the suspect, Robert Gwinn “Voss’s body camera is activated as he attempts to stop Gwinn, who is traveling in a Nissan passenger vehicle,” according to the QPD media release...

Commissioners opt to continue offering QVMC credit

QUINCY — Grant County Commissioners denied a recommendation from the Grant County Finance Committee to immediately reduce to zero the interest-bearing warrant - a type of government loan - balance available to Quincy Valley Medical Center. Commissioners had previously committed to a four-year agreement to bring the QVMC warrant balance to zero. “We made a commitment with the December letter,” Commissioner Cindy Carter said Wednesday...

New members appointed to Grant County Board of Health

EPHRATA — Changes in state law have resulted in two new members on the Grant County Board of Health, with two more to come. Legislation passed in 2021 required a board with an equal number of elected officials and people who do not hold elective office. “The intent was to bring citizens alongside elected officials to govern local boards of health,” said Theresa Adkinson, Grant County Health District director...

Urban growth area application slows Grant County Jail project

EPHRATA — County officials are working on the application needed to add the site of the new Grant County Jail into the city of Ephrata’s urban growth area. Inclusion in the UGA is a necessary prerequisite to building the jail on the selected site...

Q&A with Grant County Commission candidates

GRANT COUNTY - Incumbent Cindy Carter has two challengers, Jeff Foster and Dan DeLano, for her current seat on the Grant County Commission. All three are running as Republicans.

Othello car show features slow drags, poker run

Saturday event seeks to entertain while raising money for local causes

OTHELLO — The slow drags are back on Othello’s Main Street Friday night, and Kiwanis Park will host all kinds of cool cars Saturday, as the All City Classics car show returns to town.

Grant Co. Commissioners Court approves sale of bonds for jail project

EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday authorizing the issue of up to $90 million in limited tax general obligation bonds to pay for law and justice projects, including a new Grant County Jail. The vote was unanimous...

Q&A with Adams County Sheriff candidates

ADAMS COUNTY - The race for Adams County Sheriff attracted two candidates, incumbent Dale Wagner and Matthew Carlson, currently an officer with the Ritzville Police Department. Both are running as Republicans. The Columbia Basin Herald submitted four questions to each candidate and asked them for a brief biography. Their answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Candidates were both given a maximum of 200 words to respond to each question and a deadline to respond which they both met...

Othello Food Bank looks to keep the lights on

Food distribution continues as nonprofit seeks funding

OTHELLO — Othello Food Bank director Sharon Mobley was loading the truck Tuesday morning, getting ready for a delivery. Supplying the food is one of the less challenging parts of running the facility, she said. “People kind of forget - you’ve got to keep the lights on,” Mobley said. “We’ve got to keep the refrigerators and freezers going, gas in the truck to pick up all the food. People don’t always think about those things.”

Quincy School Board considering property sale

QUINCY — Quincy School District officials have not set a timeline for the proposed sale of 155 acres south of the current Quincy city limits to the Port of Quincy. “We’ll determine the timeline of the sale (during negotiations),” QSD Superintendent Nic Bergman said...

Grant County employment keeps rising

OLYMPIA — Grant County’s nonfarm employment increased for 14 consecutive months, April 2021 to May 2022, and the labor force expanded from June 2021 to May 2022. How long the growth will continue is uncertain, however, according to an analysis from the Washington Employment Security Department.

Time Out Pizza looks for a consistent slice in Othello

OTHELLO — Timeout Pizza co-owner CJ Garza said the crucial ingredient in making good pizza isn’t so much an ingredient as good habits of mind. “I think what makes good pizza is to have consistency,” Garza said. “Yes, the ingredients matter. All that stuff matters, but I feel like consistency in our prep, in our ovens – everything kind of ties in, the cheese, the sauce amount. It all matters, but being consistent day in and day out is really important.” ...

Mattawa council approves annexation application moratorium

MATTAWA — Reversing a decision made June 16, Mattawa City Council members have voted to impose a moratorium on applications for annexation of property into the city. The vote at the regular council meeting July 7 was unanimous.

QPD close to full strength after Diaz sworn in

QUINCY — Jessica Diaz was sworn in as the newest Quincy Police Department officer during the regular Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday. Diaz was sworn in by QPD Chief Keith Siebert before an audience of family, friends and fellow officers.

Quincy swim team helps connect community

QUINCY — Communities big and small are held together with lots of little connections, groups that get together to do - well, whatever, from a service club project to a program at the museum. The Quincy swim team teaches children how to swim, of course, and gives its participants a chance to get a taste of competition. But it also is one of those little connectors that plug back into the bigger community. Kirsten Escure, taking over the coaching duties on a Friday morning, said the program is returning in 2022 after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think we’re right at 40-ish (participants),” Escure said...