CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Options under discussion for former Red Rock Elementary building

ROYAL CITY — The condition of the former Red Rock Elementary building, and its eventual fate, is prompting discussion among Royal City residents and city officials. “We’ve had some concerns with people continuing to break in,” said Royal City Mayor Michael Christensen. The building, located at the intersection of Calla Street and Hawthorne Avenue Northwest, originally was sold in 2005 by the Royal School District, according to records from the Grant County Auditor’s Office. The property is held jointly. Any plans to remodel or use the property haven’t materialized, Christensen said.

Othello Chamber celebrates start of school with community

OTHELLO — Technically summer has a couple more weeks to run – Sept. 22 is officially the first day of fall – but summer seems to end when school opens. Othello schools opened last week, but the Othello Chamber of Commerce couldn’t let summer go without one last party.

Food fundraisers are important part of Warden Community Days

WARDEN — It is true the line at the Warden High School Class of 2026 booth was not as long as that at the Queen of All Saints Catholic Church booth. Nevertheless, by 12:30 p.m. it was clear the seniors had underestimated the demand. “We’re running out of pizzas already,” said Bryce Cox, who oversaw the seniors’ pizza fundraiser.

Anchor AS becomes majority shareholder in REC Silicon

MOSES LAKE — Enough shareholders responded to an offer to buy outstanding shares of REC Silicon to increase the proportion of shares owned by Anchor AS to more than 50%. Anchor AS is a subsidiary of the Hanwa Group, which owned about 45% of REC Silicon previously.

New Columbia Basin Railroad owners assume operation

MOSES LAKE — The owners of Jaguar Transport Holdings, Joplin, Missouri, officially took over operation of the Columbia Basin Railroad Thursday. The owners of Jaguar Transport announced they were buying CBRR in mid-July. “We take a disciplined approach to acquisitions, and this opportunity – backed by proven success, strong infrastructure, a dedicated team and a growing customer base – truly excites us,” said Jaguar Chief Executive Officer Stu Towner in a press release announcing the change. Jaguar did not respond to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald about the purchase. The sale was completed in mid-August.

Road report

Construction suspended for Labor Day weekend, but some restrictions still in place

VANTAGE BRIDGE — Most road construction will be suspended during the Labor Day weekend, although lanes and sometimes roads will still be closed. “All four lanes across the Vantage Bridge will reopen by 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29,” according to a press release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. “Travel will return to one lane in each direction by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2.” Road construction in Grant and Adams counties is in full swing:

Some Banks Lake boat ramps closed next week due to drawdown

GRAND COULEE — Some boat ramps around Banks Lake will be closed over the Labor Day weekend due to lower water levels. According to a press release from the US Bureau of Reclamation, water levels could start dropping as early as Aug. 27 and will continue into the first week in September. Erika Lopez, office of communications for the bureau, said it happens every year in late August and early September.

Temporary traffic revisions planned for Ephrata’s A Street SE

EPHRATA — Traffic revisions are coming to the intersection of Nat Washington Way and A Street Southeast in Ephrata during the times parents are dropping off or picking up students at Ephrata Middle School. Mayor Bruce Reim said he hoped the traffic revisions would be very short-term.

Group14 obtains, leverages new investments

WOODINVILLE — The owners of Group14 Technologies have announced the company has acquired full ownership of its facility in South Korea. The company also obtained additional funding from the previous co-owner of the South Korea property and other investors, according to a company press release.

Salaries for Adams Co. elected officials under discussion

RITZVILLE — Adams County commissioners decided to delay consideration of an ordinance to revise the way salaries for county elected officials are established. Board Chair Mike Garza emphasized the ordinance was still a work in progress after rumors about the proposed changes brought about half a dozen to the commission meeting Tuesday. “It’s not set in stone yet,” Garza said.

Othello Library provides free fun

OTHELLO — Othello Library branch manager Georgia Reitmire said the library offers something people can’t get just anywhere. “We’re a free place to have fun,” she said. Technology has changed the way libraries do business, she said, but not their purpose.

Wahluke schools budget for declining enrollment

MATTAWA — The general fund for the Mattawa School District will be about $51.5 million for the 2025-26 school year. That’s slightly higher than the 2024-25 budget, but district superintendent Andy Harlow said the district is seeing a trend of declining enrollment. He cited the incoming kindergarten class as an example. “I would say the last two years have been about 180 (students). Now we’re looking at bringing in 134-136,” he said.

Grant PUD budgets for projects in 2026

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District customers will have through Dec. 9 to submit their comments on the 2026 PUD budget. The PUD’s preliminary budget projects about $236.9 million in hand at the end of the 2026, but Public Information Officer Christine Pratt said the final budget could, and will, look different. “Department budgets are still being written, so those numbers are sure to change,” Pratt said in answer to an emailed question from the Columbia Basin Herald.

Law enforcement focused on impaired drivers

Drunk or high driving will be the focus for police in Grant County through Sept. 1

MOSES LAKE — Grant County law enforcement agencies are participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” emphasis patrols through Sept. 1. The campaign started Aug. 13.

Property purchased for new Grant County Morgue

MOSES LAKE — Construction on a new Grant County morgue is scheduled to start this fall. County officials interviewed possible contractors Aug. 14, with the selection announced in late August or early September. “We would expect to make a decision on a general contractor pretty rapidly,” said Tom Gaines, Grant County Central Services director.

New Grant County prosecutor sets goals

EPHRATA — Brandon Guernsey was sworn in Aug. 4 as the new Grant County Prosecutor. He replaces Kevin McCrae, who announced his resignation in May, effective Aug. 3. Guernsey said he has set some goals for the prosecutor’s office, one of the most important being to improve morale. The prosecutor’s office does not have a sufficient staff of attorneys, he said, and he wants to remedy that. “For me personally, cracking down on drugs and gangs,” he said. “That’s really where my passion is, to stop drug cartels from destroying our lives.” Attorneys in the prosecutor’s office, he said, should be accessible. “We should be holding ourselves accountable to the community,” Guernsey said.

Hit-and-run east of Othello injures four

OTHELLO — Four people were transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland after they were injured in a crash about 20 miles east of Othello Wednesday. One of the drivers involved in the three-car collision fled the scene. Nelly Kereiyian, 32, Pullman, and Timothy Oronge, 41, Everett, a 6-year-old boy and a 10-year-old boy were transported to Kadlec after the van they were in rolled down an embankment, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol. Passengers Fatina Jepleting, 26, and Erick Kayioni, 37, both of Pullman, were unhurt, the WSP wrote. Kereiyian was driving east on state Route 26 at the Highway 395 overpass at about 5 p.m. Wednesday when a vehicle heading stopped at the top of the Highway 295 offramp pulled out in front of her, the statement said. Kereiyian attempted to avoid the vehicle and lost control, crossing into the eastbound lane.

Schoonover Road construction begins, other road projects progressing

RITZVILLE — A section of Schoonover Road north of Ritzville is closed to traffic as construction crews start work on a complete rebuild. Schoonover Road is closed from Rosenoff to Rehn roads. “Currently the contractor has ground the existing pavement and is working on clearing vegetation on the shoulder, and will then begin the earthwork portion,” wrote Adams County Engineer Scott Yaeger in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. Construction is scheduled for completion Nov. 4. The old road surface will be removed, the roadbed rebuilt with improved drainage, the road widened, and guardrails added where needed, Yaeger said in an earlier interview. It’s the first year of a multiyear project; the first phase project cost is about $3.13 million.

Volunteering at the fair can be a family affair

MOSES LAKE — The benches in the horticulture building at the Grant County Fair are filled with flowers, carefully matched with entries and ribbons. Of course, somebody has to do all the work of matching the ribbons to the right flowers. That was the work of the two sisters and their children sitting around a table piled with supplies. “We’re the Kalamakis crew,” said Hailey Everett, Spokane.

Grant PUD line safety demo focused on safety

MOSES LAKE — It is the message of the Lineman Safety demonstration put on by Grant County Public Utility District that while it’s easy to forget power lines are overhead, the electricity they transit must be respected.

Raising livestock is the tough part of fair competition

MOSES LAKE — Participants in livestock classes at the Grant County Fair exhibit a diverse range of animals, including steers, chickens, and horses; they come from various communities with varying levels of experience. There does seem to be one point of agreement: raising animals is a lot of work. It's even more work than the show ring.

GALLERY: Opening day at Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Fair began Tuesday with vendors, local artisans, Future Farmers of America students and those who crave the taste of a Space Burger gathering at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

Law enforcement has fun, makes connections in Mattawa

MATTAWA — Mattawa Police Chief Alex Zesati said National Night Out is one of the Mattawa Police Department’s best nights of the year. “I would say National Night Out is one of our favorite times of the year,” Zesati said. “It’s basically because of the connection we get with the public.”

Controlled agriculture burns underway around Moses Lake Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — Smoke visible around Moses Lake Tuesday afternoon is actually a pair of controlled agriculture burns.

Fire burns about 3 acres along Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A fire blackened about three acres and required a return visit from Moses Lake Fire Department crews Sunday afternoon. A press release from the city said the fire apparently was caused by an illegal campfire. No one was injured, and no homes were threatened.

Grant County Fair opens today

MOSES LAKE — It was quiet in the swine barn at the Grant County Fairgrounds Monday morning; the pigs were not due to arrive for a few hours. They were running tests on the ice cream machines in the Block 40 booth and volunteers were hanging artwork for display. The Grant County Fair opens Tuesday.

Special filing period for open elected positions in Adams County

RITZVILLE — A special filing period for elective offices in Adams County that haven’t attracted any candidates is scheduled for Aug. 20 through 22. City council, school board, fire district and parks and recreation district seats are among the offices that didn’t attract candidates.

Small brush fire along Moses Lake Sunday

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Fire Department crews were mopping up the scene of a fire along the shore of Moses Lake about mid-afternoon Sunday.

Mattawa council discusses animal control

MATTAWA – Mattawa City Council members discussed dogs running at large during the council’s Thursday meeting after a problem with a dog at the residence of council member Sylvia Barajas.

Mattawa launching utility rate study

MATTAWA — Water and sewer rates in Mattawa will be reviewed to see if they’re still adequate to pay for the services. “In 2022, we did an update (of a 2019 study) with the new funding packages,” said Jaymin Ankney, engineer with Gray and Osborne, during the Mattawa City Council meeting Aug. 7. “More things were known, more projects were defined, and we updated it.”

Auditor investigating finances at East Adams Rural Hospital

RITZVILLE — The Washington Auditor’s Office is investigating allegations of financial irregularities at East Adams Rural Healthcare in Ritzville. “We have an active investigation of the hospital district,” Adam Wilson, WSAO assistant director of communications, wrote in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “We are in the final stages of writing the report and expect to publish it in September. However, we are aware of new issues in the district that may require further investigation.”

Healthy Lake Tracker active for 2025

MOSES LAKE — People who are planning a day out on Moses Lake can check levels of blue-green algae toxins at their destination with the help of a joint project of the Grant County Health District and the Columbia Basin Conservation District. The Healthy Lakes Tracker is an interactive map that measures blue-green algae levels at six points around the lake. Lexi Smith, GCHD communications coordinator, said blue-green algae is common in lakes across the state.

Looking at ag mental health

New Washington report highlights need for behavioral health resources in farming and ranching

OLYMPIA — Improving mental health services for farmers and agricultural workers – and working to reduce the factors that lead to mental health challenges for them – are among the recommendations of a report issued by a Washington legislative task force working on the issue.

Firefighting challenging, interesting, rewarding, ACFD 5 chief says

OTHELLO — It’s getting busier in Adams County Fire District 5, at a time when it’s more difficult to find volunteers. Chief Tom Salsbury said July 2025 was almost a record month. “(In June) we had 53 calls, and (in July) we had 58 calls,” Salsbury said. “Our call volume has really, really gone up from what it used to be.”

Adams County Jail remodel could begin early next year

RITZVILLE — Remodeling of the Adams County Jail could begin in spring 2026. Adams County Commissioners authorized county officials to go ahead with a draft design for the project within the existing budget Tuesday. Todd O’Brien, county public works director, said the goal is to determine what can be done with the money and square footage available.

Moses Lake considering options for fire, EMS services

MOSES LAKE — Options for changing fire and EMS delivery in and around Moses Lake, or whether to keep the existing system, will be the subject of a study commissioned by city officials. The city has issued a request for proposals for a consultant to study three alternatives, and Mayor Dustin Swartz said it’s a sign of growth in Moses Lake and the surrounding area.

Grant Co. opioid overdoses up in 2025

MOSES LAKE — With seven months of the year done, the number of overdose deaths in Grant County is running ahead of the same period in 2024. KC Sherwood, death investigator for the Grant County Coroner’s Office, said as of the end of July, Grant County has had 27 overdose deaths. “Last year, I think our total was 34. And we’re at 27 (cases) already,” Sherwood said. "There are more deaths due to overdoses than there were in the past.”

Othello street tax renewal to appear on November ballot

OTHELLO — Othello residents will be asked to approve or reject a proposal to extend a two-tenths of 1% addition to the city’s sales tax to pay for street improvements in the November general election. “That money has been going into the transportation benefit district fund. It’s a sole standalone fund, and those dollars are being used for various street projects, from total rehab of a street to crack seal (and) the smaller things,” said Spencer Williams, the city’s finance officer. “It’s not a new tax. If the members of the public want it, it would continue that tax for the next 10 years.”

Synthetic opioids driving increased overdoses

MOSES LAKE — More – and more powerful – controlled substances are making their way into the Columbia Basin, and that trend is making itself felt in overdose deaths and nonfatal overdoses. Mariah Deleon, harm reduction coordinator for the Grant County Health District, detailed some of the statistics. “Between 2016 and 2018, there were 19 deaths (in Grant County). Then, between 2021 to 2023, there were 63 deaths,” Deleon said.

Mobile fun

Rec van brings toys, crafts and games to Moses Lake neighborhoods

MOSES LAKE — Four-year-old Leilani Torres examined her artwork critically. “Okay, what else do I need?” she asked, as she searched through the piles of construction paper.

ROAD REPORT: Aug. 1, 2025

MOSES LAKE — Drivers should be ready for single lane traffic, delays and temporary ramp closures along sections of Interstate 90 between Dodson Road and Road O Northeast. Sections of the road and the access ramps are being repaved, with the work expected to continue through the end of the construction season.

Moses Lake city offices closed for Fuhr memorial

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department office will be closed Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday to allow MLPD officers and staff to attend the service for former Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr.

Basin thunderstorms possible Thursday and Friday

MOSES LAKE — One more day of hot weather will be followed by a gradual temperature drop down into the mid-80s by next week, but there is the chance of thunderstorms between today and those cooler temperatures.

Othello pool bond headed to Nov. ballot

OTHELLO — Othello residents will be asked to approve or reject a $3.55 million construction bond to make repairs and upgrades to the Othello Community Pool. The bond will be on the ballot in the Nov. 4 general election. The unanimous decision from the Othello City Council came after a lengthy discussion of the options. “I don’t think this is a very easy decision,” said Chris Dorow, the chair of a committee tasked with looking at the options.

New Othello Police Department officer sworn in

OTHELLO — Oscar Munoz returned to his hometown to start his law enforcement career. Munoz was sworn in as the newest Othello Police Department officer Monday.

Othello-area broadband project going out for bids

OTHELLO — The second and last phase of an Adams County project to expand broadband service should be advertised for bid by late summer. Adams County Commissioner Dan Blankenship said some of the areas originally in the county project got broadband service in the time since construction started. “We’re in the process of having the designers design around those areas,” Blankenship said.

Grant PUD examining rate structure changes again

EPHRATA — A new rate structure might be coming to Grant County Public Utility District customers in 2026, and customers will be able to tell PUD commissioners what they think about it beginning in September. Commissioner Tom Flint said electrical rates will be on an upward trajectory, given substantial increases in demand and increased costs to produce electricity.

Republican Party fairgrounds booth gets upgrade

MOSES LAKE — With the Grant County Fair dead ahead, it’s sprucing-up-fixing-up-freshen-up the booth time. The Grant County Republicans are working on a top-to-bottom renovation. “It’s looking pretty cool.” said Vickey Melcher, who’s leading the volunteer crew. “We’re pretty excited about it.”

Four lanes to stay on E. Wheeler Road

MOSES LAKE — A section of East Wheeler Road won’t be reconfigured to one lane in each direction and a left-turn lane. Moses Lake City Council members voted 6-1 July 22 to agree to a request from businesses along Wheeler Road to keep the current lane configuration.

Two Moses Lake annexations under consideration

MOSES LAKE — Two separate property owners have requested annexation into the city of Moses Lake, and Moses Lake City Council members have agreed to consider the requests. Vivian Ramsey, interim community development director, said considering the request does not mean the properties will be annexed.