CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Telemedicine provides care options for patients

MOSES LAKE — For patients who needed to visit the doctor during the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine often became a necessity. Restrictions are easing, and people are returning to medical facilities, but telemedicine is still an option for patients seeking primary care as well as specialty care.

Basic steps can help reduce spread of coronavirus

MOSES LAKE — The COVID-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc around the world, around the U.S., around Washington and Grant County, down to the community and individual level.

Museum to open new exhibit, but public won’t be able to see it right away

MOSES LAKE — A new exhibit at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center technically will open June 26, although the date when people will be able to get into the museum to see it is undetermined.

Fireworks in county areas allowed, with limits; not in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — From the beginning, the nation’s birthday has been celebrated with fireworks. Of course, cities have different rules for setting off those fireworks.

Senior picnic scores big success

Senior picnic big success in community

MOSES LAKE — The drive-thru 2020 Senior Picnic was such a success the organizers had to order more lunches.

Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day canceled for 2020

QUINCY — Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day, a longstanding annual celebration in Quincy, has been canceled for 2020.

Opening a water park has become unexpectedly complicated

MOSES LAKE — It seems like a simple enough question. When does the pool open?

Fireworks allowed at certain times in Quincy, Ephrata

EPHRATA — John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, wrote to his wife, Abigail, that the anniversary of the signing should and would be celebrated with fireworks. Adams was right about the fireworks, but he thought the nation’s birthday would be celebrated on July 2.

Work on projects at Grant County Fairgrounds continues

MOSES LAKE — Construction crews were installing insulation in the Agriculture Building at Grant County Fairgrounds on Tuesday in one of a number of projects underway or near completion at the fairgrounds.

Othello marchers bring attention to problem of racism in society

OTHELLO — About 80 to 100 people gathered at Othello City Hall on Saturday afternoon to raise awareness of, and demonstrate opposition to, racism and racist attitudes.

Fate of Grant County livestock show still uncertain

MOSES LAKE — A meeting is scheduled for June 18 between officials of fairs canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak and representatives of the governor’s office to look for ways to offer alternatives, a livestock show or other event, for 4-H and FFA participants who were raising animals to show and sell.

Children go exploring at a summer camp option

MOSES LAKE — It’s almost summer and children can — no, they can’t. Not this summer. The COVID-19 outbreak is messing up summer.

Wahluke High School Class of 2020 graduates with car parade

Wahluke High School Class of 2020 graduates with car parade

MATTAWA — It might not have been the way students of the Wahluke High School Class of 2020 thought they would graduate, but they went out in style Friday night. Graduation started with a parade through town and ended back at the high school, where seniors were allowed out of vehicles long enough to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.

Car parade sends Wahluke High School graduates out in style

MATTAWA — It might not have been the way the Wahluke High School class of 2020 thought they would graduate, but they went in style Friday night. Graduation started with a parade through town, and ended back at the high school, where seniors were allowed out of the vehicle long enough to get a diploma.

Road work to begin on Route 282 in Ephrata

EPHRATA — The overpass that begins at the intersection of Basin Street Southwest and state Route 282 will be closed June 19-22 to allow the SR-282 to be resurfaced.

Rest of Freedom Festival canceled, but fireworks show approved

MOSES LAKE — Sean Sallis, president of the committee in charge of the Freedom Festival, said he wanted people to know the July 4 fireworks in Moses Lake are happening. Some people had expressed skepticism to him about the fireworks display, he said, but it’s confirmed.

Samaritan’s financial results tied to COVID-19 outbreak

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials have some idea of the financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the hospital, but the long-term financial effects are uncertain.

Freedom Festival canceled, but fireworks go on

MOSES LAKE — The Fourth of July still will be celebrated with fireworks in Moses Lake, though the Freedom Festival has been canceled, organizers have announced.

Grant PUD commissioners decline to pursue rate cut

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners have declined to pursue a proposal to cut rates for some PUD customers for six months. The decision came after an hour-long discussion at the regular commission meeting Tuesday.

Organization looking for owners of possible lost dog

MOSES LAKE — Gracie the puppy may have a home out there, and organizers of a Grant County organization are trying to find it.

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin still open for kids

MOSES LAKE — There are boys and girls at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin, but not nearly as many as usual.

Othello parents, students to be surveyed about school opening options

OTHELLO — Othello School District officials will send out a survey by the end of this week asking parents and students their opinion of various options for opening school for the 2020-21 school year.

Grant County unemployment rises sharply in April

MOSES LAKE — The restrictions placed on movement and business in April due to the COVID-19 outbreak are being seen in the local employment picture.

Parade sends fifth-graders off in style

Parade sends fifth-graders off in style

MOSES LAKE — Fifth-graders at Park Orchard Elementary School went off to sixth grade in style with a car parade through the parking lot Monday night, with their teachers leading a cheer.

Long-term impact of coronavirus on PUD finances uncertain

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD projects it will finish 2020 with about $206.3 million in revenue, which is less than the projection in the 2020 budget. But the utility’s financial analysts aren’t sure yet how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect the PUD’s finances in the long term.

Helen Turner celebrates 100th birthday

MOSES LAKE — Helen Turner was a little girl in the Roaring ’20s, a teenager in the Great Depression, and a World War II bride. Her family and friends were determined to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Unique graduation for Moses Lake High School Class of 2020

MOSES LAKE — In a lot of ways, there was no precedent for the Moses Lake High School graduation of 2020.

Water line replacement continues on Loop Drive

MOSES LAKE — Work on new water pipe along Valley Road and Loop Drive is expected to continue through July. The project was tentatively scheduled for completion in early July, but the date has been pushed back to mid- to late July.

Police in region address rumors of agitators

MOSES LAKE — Rumors have been swirling on social media, but local authorities say they have not seen evidence of out-of-town agitators coming to Grant or Adams counties.

Commissioners discuss reimbursement for GCHD

EPHRATA — Grant County is eligible for about $5.4 million in federal aid to reimburse the county for expenses directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak. County commissioners and other elected officials conducted a discussion Monday on possible qualifying uses of the aid, with one focus being Grant County Health District.

Grant PUD refinances some debt

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD will save an estimated $3.1 million in interest payments on its debt in 2020 and about $52 million in interest payments through 2044, according to Bonnie Overfield, PUD treasurer.

2020 Grant County Fair canceled

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair has been canceled for this year. The cancellation was recommended by fair manager Jim McKiernan and approved by the Grant County commissioners last week.

Grant PUD reopens some recreation sites

EPHRATA — Some campsites at Crescent Bar and other Grant County PUD recreation sites were reopened Monday.

Temporary Grant PUD rate cut to be discussed

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will discuss a temporary 4 percent rate cut for residential, irrigation, and small and medium commercial customers at its June 9 meeting.

Authors to talk about works in library series

WENATCHEE — Writers of adventure, science fiction and memoirs will be among the participants in the 2020 summer author lecture series, NCRL Reads, sponsored by North Central Regional Library.

Samaritan Healthcare logs loss for month of April

MOSES LAKE — The COVID-19 outbreak and measures taken to fight it resulted in a net loss in April for Samaritan Healthcare.

Informal car show, cruise fill streets

MOSES LAKE — The parking lot outside of Big Lots on Stratford Road was jammed with cars Saturday night, a display of 90 years of automotive history.

Businesses begin reopening with start of Phase 2

Businesses begin reopening with start of Phase 2

MOSES LAKE — The phone was ringing off the hook at Eden Salon, Inc., in Moses Lake on Tuesday morning. Down the street, tables and chairs had been restored to the dining room at the Red Door Cafe.

Grant County Fair canceled for 2020

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair has been canceled for this year.

Grant County approved for variance, allowed to reopen some

MOSES LAKE — Grant County was moved into Phase 2 of the state’s “safe start” plan on Saturday by the Washington Department of Health.

Phase 2: Grant County allowed to reopen a little

Grant County allowed to reopen a little

MOSES LAKE — Washington Department of Health on Saturday moved Grant County into Phase 2 of the state’s plan to reopen businesses and remove restrictions imposed to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Memorial service honors victims of 1952 airplane crash

MOSES LAKE — The victims of a 1952 air crash at Larson Air Force Base were remembered with a ceremony Memorial Day morning.

Badly wounded dog loses gallant fight for life

MOSES LAKE — In the end, Chester couldn’t overcome the injuries.

Museum names new manager

MOSES LAKE — Dollie Boyd has been hired as manager of the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

Big Bend reopens workforce education labs

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes it’s just not possible to take the class online.

When Grant County qualifies, commissioners want to be ready

EPHRATA — As of Wednesday, Grant County doesn’t qualify for a variance that would allow portions of the economy to restart. But county officials are working on an application for a variance, so it can be submitted as quickly as possible when the county does qualify.

Samaritan Healthcare to resume offering all services

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Hospital will start performing non-emergency surgeries and offering other services, following the May 18 expiration of an order by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Grant County commissioners looking for Phase 2 explanations

EPHRATA — Even with a change in the criteria, Grant County still doesn’t qualify for the second phase of the reopening plan announced by Gov. Jay Inslee. It’s a circumstance that Grant County commissioners find hard to understand.

After gallant fight, injured dog found near Mattawa dies

MOSES LAKE — Although he fought hard, in the end Chester didn’t make it. His injuries were just too severe.

License of Ephrata doctor suspended

EPHRATA — The license of an Ephrata physician has been suspended, the Washington Medical Commission announced Monday.