CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Adams Co. transportation improvement discussed

RITZVILLE — Improving public transportation in Adams County, and getting the word out about what is available, was the subject of a meeting called by QUADCO Regional Transportation Planning Organization to discuss transportation issues and needs Monday. Madelyn Carlson, chief executive officer for the People for People...

Othello athletes recognized for academic achievement

OTHELLO — The Othello High School dance and drill team was named Class 2A academic state champions, and four OHS boys wrestlers received Class 2A academic all-state honors....

Three arrested near Warden

WARDEN — A Ritzville man and two Warden residents were booked into the Adams County Jail on outstanding warrants following an investigation into a theft near Lind. . .

Othello Council discusses open meetings tech

OTHELLO — Possible upgrades to the video and sound system in the Othello City Council chambers were the subject of discussion at the regular council meeting Monday, though no final decision was reached. . .

Royal City man arrested for vehicle theft

RITZVILLE — A Royal City man was booked into the Adams County Jail for suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle after he attempted to flee from Adams County Sheriff’s deputies. . .

Othello wins both games of season-opening doubleheader

OTHELLO — The Othello High School girls softball team took both games of the team’s season-opening doubleheader Saturday in Othello, winning both games in five innings. . .

As coronavirus mandates change, Quincy schools adjust

QUINCY — Students and staff are no longer required to wear masks indoors in Quincy schools as of Monday. Masks won’t be required on Quincy school buses moving forward either. Some protocols instituted to fight the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to be mandated by state authorities...

Sky’s Coffee owner following family tradition

MATTAWA — For Sky’s Coffee owner Alisha Avalos, small business runs in the family.

Cello, vocal duo to perform in concert in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Tenor Branden James and cellist James Clark will perform in concert at 7 p.m. March 22 at the Moses Lake Alliance Church, 1100 North Grape Drive. The duo performs as Branden & James. The concert is sponsored by the Central Basin Community Concert Association. Typically CBCCA performances are...

YOU banquet raises money for youth hunting, fishing trips

MOSES LAKE — Cyrus Levine bagged his bear in record time. “It was the fastest (bear hunt) that they said they’ve done yet,” he said. Levine went hunting with the help of Youth Outdoors Unlimited, a Moses Lake-based organization that takes children and teens with physical challenges...

Celebrating a Century

MOSES LAKE — Edna Watkins and Ann Klobucher remember things like the Great Depression - Watkins was nine years of age, and Klobucher eight, at the time of the 1929 Wall Street crash that started it all. They were 21 and 20, respectively, when the attack on Pearl Harbor catapulted the U.S. into World War 11. Watkins celebrated her 102nd birthday March 3, and Klobucher her 101st birthday March 7. And for her birthday, Watkins got a motorcycle ride.

Othello moves to acquire PJ Taggares Park

OTHELLO — The city of Othello will start negotiations to take over ownership of PJ Taggares Park, and is taking over park maintenance this spring. Othello City Council members voted to approve an interlocal agreement with Adams County Parks and Recreation District 1, the current park owners, at the Feb. 28 council meeting. Parks and rec commissioners had previously approved the agreement...

Coronado named CWAC girls basketball coach of year

OTHELLO — Othello High School girls basketball coach Adolfo Coronado was named Central Washington Athletic Conference coach of the year and OHS junior Annalee Coronado was named to the CWAC all-conference team. The all-conference basketball teams were announced last week. Coronado led the Huskies to a third-place finish...

Othello High School wrestlers named All-Conference

OTHELLO — Four Othello High School girls wrestlers were named to the Central Washington Athletic Conference all-conference team, and two OHS boys wrestlers took first team CWAC honors. The 2021-22 wrestling all-conference teams were announced last week. The Othello boys wrestlers were...

Stella & Me

Family business offers one-stop fashion options

MOSES LAKE — The boutique Stella & Me is the realization of a longtime dream. Owner Mary Davenport’s mom Tami owns a boutique in Tri-Cities, where Davenport grew up. “Small business has always been in our family,” Davenport said...

Othello Sandhill Crane Festival back in action

Tours, hikes, lectures and birds take the stage

OTHELLO — After two years of self-guided tours, the Othello Sandhill Crane Festival is back in-person for 2022. The festival is scheduled for March 25 through 27. “It feels good to come back and have a presence again,” festival committee member Chris Braunwart said. There will be some changes for 2022, including new venues

Quincy High School drama club to present ‘High School Musical’

QUINCY — The story of a star-crossed romance and its effect on East High School comes to the Quincy High School stage for two weekends starting Friday.

Jacks win first state game

YAKIMA — After some first-half jitters, the Quincy Jacks scored a convincing 69-51 win over the Blaine Borderites in the first game at the 1A Hardwood Classic state basketball tournament Wednesday. Quincy trailed 33...

Community members honored at Othello Chamber banquet

OTHELLO — Othello area residents gathered Friday for the Othello Chamber of Commerce’s banquet where several people were recognized for their contributions to the community. “It was a good turnout. A really good turnout,” 2022 Chamber president Mat Garza said. “It exceeded my expectations.”

Adams County unemployment rate drops in December

OTHELLO — Recovery in Adams County’s food processing sector and expansion of its health services industry contributed to a substantial drop in the county’s unemployment rate between December 2020 and December 2021. The December 2021 unemployment rate of 5.5% was a substantial improvement from December 2019 too. The unemployment rate in December 2020...

In memoriam: MLHS student honored with memorial nursing scholarship

MOSES LAKE — Fabrizio Delgado worked all his life to help people.

Moses Lake Distinguished Young Women contestants to take stage

MOSES LAKE — Six high school juniors will compete for the title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman in the annual program scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12 at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave.

James Yonko named CTE administrator of the year for FFA District 9

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School ag teacher Tony Kern said he nominated James Yonko for the FFA District 9 Administrator of the Year award because Yonko found ways to make things happen.

Youth Outdoors Unlimited banquet March 5

MOSES LAKE — Tickets are on sale for the annual Youth Outdoors Unlimited fundraising banquet March 5. YOU is a Moses Lake organization that gives young people with physical challenges or life-threatening illnesses the chance to go on a fishing or hunting adventure.

Planning continues for new Samaritan Hospital

MOSES LAKE — A discombobulated construction market and construction material availability concerns are having an effect, or could have an effect, on the construction of the new Samaritan Hospital.

Ephrata man arrested after two-hour negotiation

EPHRATA — Glenn Bensch, 52, of Ephrata was arrested Wednesday afternoon after about two hours of negotiation with deputies from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, according to a GCSO statement.

Masquers auditions for next production announced

SOAP LAKE — Auditions are scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. March 4 and 5 at the Masquers Theater, 322 E. Main Ave. in Soap Lake, for the company’s next production. “These Shining Lives” opens April 22.

Lynn Falconer named Paramedic of the Year for Moses Lake Fire Department

MOSES LAKE — Lynn Falconer said she originally volunteered as a firefighter to get some experience with a fire department.

Leading energy: Rich Wallen new head of Grant County PUD

EPHRATA — Rich Wallen didn’t take the traditional path to get to his new job as general manager and chief executive officer of the Grant County Public Utility District.

Wahluke SD to run revised levy proposal while Othello SD defers bond decision

ATTAWA — The Wahluke School Board has decided to submit a revised educational programs and operations levy proposal to district voters in April.

Ephrata Lions like the friends they’ve made and service to community

EPHRATA — Ephrata Lions Club President Mark Wanke said the club offers its members two important advantages - Camaraderie among members and working for something bigger.

Most, but not all, school levies approved in final election results

EPHRATA — Elections results for Feb. 8 special elections for all counties in the state of Washington were canvassed and adopted as final on Friday.

Grant County December unemployment rate lowest in more than 30 years

MOSES LAKE — Employment in Grant County is beginning to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tunes to heal: Local physician wants to spread the healing power of music

MOSES LAKE — Larry Birger said he has experienced the support that music can provide in hard times, and wanted to pass it on to others. That’s why he founded the Learn from the Masters Music Outreach.

Two injured in Moses Lake hit-and-run collision Thursday

MOSES LAKE — Two people were transported to Samaritan Hospital after the car they were riding in was hit by a vehicle Thursday evening.

Most school EP&O proposals passing in special election

COLUMBIA BASIN — School district levy proposals are passing in Quincy, Wilson Creek, Grand Coulee, Warden and Royal City but failing in the Wahluke School District in Mattawa.

Critter champion: New Grant County Animal Outreach chief accepts challenge to make things better

MOSES LAKE — Darrin Hein said there’s been a learning curve in his new job at Grant County Animal Outreach.

Royal, Wahluke wrestlers advance to girls state tournament

EPHRATA — Royal wrestler Alondra Morales won a regional championship, and the Knights qualified a second wrestler for the girls state wrestling tournament in regional competition Saturday in Ephrata.

Clarkston man injured in collision near Quincy

QUINCY — A Clarkston man was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane after his pickup collided with a semi-truck about two miles west of Quincy Monday afternoon.

Othello boys wrestlers qualify 12 for state, win regional title

ELLENSBURG — The Othello High School boys wrestling team qualified 12 wrestlers for the state tournament and edged out Selah High School for the Region 4 title in regional competition Saturday in Ellensburg.

Royal, Wahluke qualify wrestlers for boys state tournament

ROYAL — Two Royal High School wrestlers and one Wahluke High School wrestler will be going to the state tournament Friday and Saturday.

Othello girls wrestling team qualifies three for state tournament

EPHRATA — The Othello High School girls wrestling team qualified three wrestlers for the state tournament and finished second in regional competition Saturday in Ephrata.

Grant will help expand broadband availability in Adams County

RITZVILLE — An expanded fiber optic network is coming to Adams County with the help of a $10.3 million grant from the Washington Department of Commerce.

Moses Lake High School cheer team wins two state championships

MOSES LAKE — No question about it, there were expectations for the Moses Lake High School cheer team going into the state championship.

100-year-old Moses Lake woman lives remarkable life

Delight Morrison Leas is one of those people who didn’t talk much about her life. But her son Terry Leas said he wishes she’d reminisced a little more, since it’s been a remarkable life.

Free concert to feature electric, acoustic guitar

An Ellensburg-based musical education organization will sponsor a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Huck Fuller building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr. NE in Moses Lake.

Moses Lake artist finds unlimited possibility in acrylic medium

Phyllis PuFahl said her exploration of jewelry making started as a way to use acrylic pouring paintings that hadn’t turned out like she planned.

New homeowners need checklists when moving in

The finances have been secured, the place has been inspected, the papers are signed and the keys are in hand.

‘It is not a job to me’: Shuttle driver loves meeting interesting people

MOSES LAKE — Ray Mayo said Moses Lake, and central Washington in general, are full of interesting people.

Othello wrestlers take CWAC title; co-recipients of sportsmanship award

OTHELLO — The Othello High School boys wrestling team upset No. 2-ranked Selah High School to take the Central Washington Athletic Conference district title Saturday in Grandview.