CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Wahluke principal retiring after 40-plus-year career

MATTAWA — Saddle Mountain Elementary Principal Kurt Hoffman said he became a teacher because he wanted to give young people the same type of experience he had in school. “I had a great time as a student and athlete. I wanted to see if I would be able to do that for others,” Hoffman said. “It just makes sense that you’d like to replicate what you were given as a kid and give that back to kids as well.” After seven years in the Wahluke School District and more than 40 years in education, Hoffman announced his retirement at the end of the school year.

Special filing period for Adams Co. offices coming

RITZVILLE — A three-day special filing period will be announced for Adams County elective offices that didn’t attract candidates during the filing week earlier in May. Elections administrator Jacque Laird said it was tentatively scheduled for July.

Applications sought for Grant County Prosecutor

EPHRATA — Applications are being accepted through June 13 from qualified attorneys for the job of Grant County Prosecutor. Incumbent Kevin McCrae announced his resignation effective Aug. 3.

Traffic restricted on Vantage Bridge throughout June

Other Basin and regional road construction projects planned or underway.

VANTAGE — It turns out the Vantage Bridge will be reduced to one lane on weekdays in June after all.

PUD access fee decision delayed

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District commissioners will delay consideration of a proposed policy to raise application fees for some classes of customers. The decision followed questions and concerns, some from customers and some from commissioners, at a PUD workshop Tuesday.

New Quincy Valley Medical Center opens

QUINCY — It’s the same with every move; there are always those last few things that have to wait until the last minute. The portable x-ray machine is a perfect example – it was one of the last pieces of equipment to leave the old Quincy Valley Medical Center. The old QVMC was open until 6:59 a.m. Wednesday, and the hospital staff was using the last few minutes to ensure everything was ready when the new QVMC opened its doors at 7 a.m. “We open in three minutes,” said Director of Nursing Danielle Hodge as the staff set up at the new nurse’s station.

Quincy homicide victim identified

QUINCY — The identity of a Quincy man killed in a shooting May 15 has been released by the Grant County Coroner. The body of Joshua Avalos, 33, was found at a residence in Quincy about 7 a.m. May 15; a release from the Quincy Police Department said it was likely he was killed sometime between 12:30 and 2 a.m. Tim Catlin, an investigator with the coroner’s office, said Avalos died of multiple gunshot wounds. “During the investigation, detectives discovered several spent (shell) casings,” the QPD release said. A person was arrested in the 8000 block of state Route 281 May 16 in connection with the murder, according to a release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Quincy police have not released any further information about the arrest or its connection with homicide.

Quincy woman drowns when car goes into canal

QUINCY — A 24-year-old Quincy woman died when she lost control of her car and drove into a large irrigation canal near Quincy, apparently sometime Sunday. Erika Martinez Chavez was driving on a canal maintenance road near Road 7 Northwest when she apparently lost control of the vehicle, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle went into the canal and Martinez Chavez was unable to get out of the car, the GCSO release said. “This was one of the larger canals,” said Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. “It’s about 75 feet wide and the water was about 20 feet deep.”

Mattawa Council approves proposed contract with police union

MATTAWA — After a negotiation process that went to mediation, the Mattawa City Council voted May 15 to approve a new three-year contract with the union representing Mattawa Police Department officers. The vote was 4-2, with council members Tony Acosta and Fabiola Hernandez voting no. City Attorney Kathryn Kenison said it was a challenging process. “We didn’t think we were going to get there, but we asked the mediator to work with us a little longer and this is what the parties compromised on,” Kenison said. “The open items were mostly the financials.”

Current and future development focus of Adams County Commission discussion

RITZVILLE — Adams County Commissioners discussed possible options for the design of a new evidence facility for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office near Othello, but it was part of a wider-ranging discussion about the future. County officials obtained funding for a building in 2021 and decided to build it on county-owned property adjoining the Othello Fairgrounds. Commissioners have discussed using that property for additional county buildings, and Commissioner Jay Weise said he wanted to at least think about how they want to use that land. “What we don’t usually do is think ahead,” Weise said. “Then it ends up that the people who are sitting here in our seats 10 years from now are (saying), ‘We have a mess.’ Could we at least have done something that kind of sets it up, so the decisions aren’t as much of a rat’s nest?”

'Well done'

Open house shows new Quincy hospital to community

QUINCY — Port of Quincy Commissioner Curt Morris had a couple of words for Quincy Valley Medical Center commissioner Randy Zolman during the open house at the new Quincy hospital Wednesday.

Moses Lake homelessness town hall set for June 3

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to discuss how the city will address homeless issues after the closure of the Open Doors sleep center 6:30 p.m. June 3 at Moses Lake City Hall, 401 S. Balsam St.

PUD revamping application fees for industrial users

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD Commissioner Larry Schaapman talked about one of the main questions surrounding the Grant County PUD’s proposal to raise application fees for large industrial customers, while Commissioner Tom Flint detailed one of the reasons for the change. The proposal was presented to commissioners at the commission meeting Tuesday and will be the subject of a further discussion at a workshop May 20.

Primary races coming for Adams County offices

RITZVILLE — The job of the Lind mayor and three Lind Town Council seats will be on the primary ballot, and Othello will have at least two new city council members. The filing period for the 2025 election was last week.

Playground planned, tentatively, for Othello’s Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO — A new playground probably will be coming to Othello’s Kiwanis Park, but funding will affect the timeline. It’s the next phase in improvements to the park, some of which are finished, some of which are ongoing. Othello did receive a grant to upgrade the Kiwanis Park basketball courts. A timeline for that project will be announced. Sarah Montemayor, the city’s grant coordinator, said Othello officials submitted grant requests to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office to upgrade the parking lot and build a new playground. The city got part but not all of the grant, she said.

Moses Lake port to open new maintenance facility

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners will cut the ribbon on a new $1.4 million building May 27. The new maintenance building will replace an existing structure, and Commissioner Darrin Jackson said replacement is overdue.

Secondary filing period for office set for midsummer

EPHRATA—Some elective offices in Grant County did not attract candidates during the filing period last week, so a second chance to file is scheduled for midsummer.

Spokane man arrested for impersonating law enforcement

QUINCY — A Spokane man was booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail on suspicion of second-degree criminal impersonation after he allegedly attempted to stop a car by pretending to be a police officer May 8.

Grant Co. primary election ballots set after filing last week

EPHRATA — All three open seats on the Quincy City Council will be on the primary ballot, along with the Grand Coulee mayor’s job and one seat on the Soap Lake School Board. The mayors of Ephrata and Quincy will also face challengers. Candidate filing for the 2025 election was last week.

ROAD REPORT: Westshore Dr. and Othello roundabout updates

MOSES LAKE — The rebuilding of a 2.1-mile section of Westshore Drive west of Moses Lake has reached the sidewalk stage.

Moses Lake man arrested in assault, meth case

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of trafficking methamphetamines following an alleged assault in late April.

Occupants evicted from Hiawatha Lake camp

MOSES LAKE — Occupants of an encampment near Moses Lake were notified they were trespassing Wednesday morning and asked to leave by Thursday morning.

Defensive driving key for vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders

MOSES LAKE — Spring is here, summer is coming and among other things that means motorcycles returning to the road. That means vehicle drivers may need to readjust their thinking, and motorcycle riders may need to reacquaint themselves with the bike.

Applications open for Othello Community Hospital position

OTHELLO — The Othello Community Hospital Board will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday to discuss candidates for an open position on the board.

Othello receives $1 million capital budget allocation for water reuse facility

OTHELLO — The city of Othello will receive about $1 million from the Washington Senate capital budget for a long-running project for water aquifer storage and recharge.

West hired as Moses Lake School District administrator

MOSES LAKE — Scott West said he thinks his new job is the right fit for him and for the Moses Lake School District. West was hired as executive director of safety and wellbeing last week.

Mattawa in line for additional water rights

MATTAWA — The city of Mattawa has secured a place in line for new water rights. Jamin Ankney of Gray and Osborne, the city’s engineers, said the Washington Department of Ecology is taking applications for additional water rights in very limited areas, a consequence of local conditions in those areas.

Five arrested in Othello trafficking investigation

OTHELLO — Five men were arrested on suspicion of attempting to patronize a prostitute during an operation conducted recently in Othello, according to a release from the Othello Police Department. The announcement was made May 2.

Transit authority to buy property for Ephrata transit center

EPHRATA — A former auto dealership in Ephrata is scheduled to be converted into a Grant Transit Authority transit center. The GTA board authorized the purchase of 548 Basin St. SW at a special meeting Monday. The property was the Barry auto dealership until earlier this year.

Lots of options at MLHS College and Career Day

MOSES LAKE — One of the challenges of high school is that eventually, it comes to an end. Graduation arrives and – then what? Whatever the choice – college or into the workforce, career training or military service – the decision affects the rest of the student’s life.

Addressing homelessness discussed at DMLA event

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials will sponsor a town hall meeting June 2 to discuss how the city plans to proceed following the closure of the Open Doors Sleep Center. City Manager Rob Karlinsey said Friday that an update on the plans will be provided to the Moses Lake City Council at 5:30 p.m. May 13, prior to the regular council meeting.

Website launched for Moses Lake seal coat project

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials have started a website with information on a proposed chip seal project that could mean major changes to West Third, West Fourth and West Fifth avenues downtown, along with East Wheeler Road and East Hill Avenue.

Various road projects underway in Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — Drivers around Moses Lake will have seen the truck with the tank in the back and the guy with a hose looking like he’s vacuuming the street. Actually, the attachment that resembles a vacuum is sealing cracks in the pavement.

Sleep center's closure part of a more complex situation

MOSES LAKE — The decision by the Moses Lake City Council to end support for the Open Doors sleep center has prompted a lot of discussion, from the April 22 council meeting to community members to the people who use the sleep center itself.

Group14 to slow Moses Lake project

MOSES LAKE — Group14, a battery manufacturing company, will slow down but not stop construction of its Moses Lake facility. The company announced Thursday that the opening of its Moses Lake production plant will be pushed back to the second half of 2025.

Money allocated for irrigation project north of I-90

MOSES LAKE — About $44 million in state funding will be allocated to a section of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project as part of the Washington Senate’s capital budget. The budget was approved Sunday.

Aircraft firefighting spring session starts May 1

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College will be hosting firefighters from throughout the Pacific Northwest at the spring session of the Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Program beginning May 1. College officials said that means people will be seeing smoke – sometimes a big black plume of it - from the area west of the Grant County International Airport.

Filing period next week for Adams County offices

RITZVILLE — Two Adams County towns will be electing mayors, most will be electing city council and school board members along with fire, parks and recreation and port district commissioners. The filing period for the 2025 election is May 5 through 9.

Candidate filing period scheduled for next week

EPHRATA — Twelve cities in Grant County will be electing mayors in 2025, city council and school board seats will be on the ballot, along with other jobs such as fire and hospital district commissioners. The filing period for the 2025 election is May 5-9.

Moses Lake approves new contract with employee union

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake municipal employees represented by Washington State Council of City and County Employees will receive a 3% pay raise in 2025. Moses Lake City Council members approved a three-year contract April 22.

Bill revises rules for police, fire state retirement plan

OLYMPIA — The Washington Legislature has approved revisions to state law that will make it easier for law enforcement officers and firefighters in one tier of the state’s retirement system to use time they spent on authorized leave toward their retirement, regardless of whether they returned to work.

Steady home sales market in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The return of mortgage interest rates to more historic norms has resulted in a Moses Lake housing market that’s closer to historic norms. Longtime real estate professional Alan Heroux said there are about 210 to 215 houses on the market currently, compared to a historic average of about 250 to 350 at any given time. But a couple of years ago the number was less than 30 houses for sale at any given time, he said.

Workshop Tuesday to discuss possible revisions to downtown Moses Lake streets

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to discuss a project that may mean some revisions to Third, Fourth and Fifth avenues, as well as roundabout at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Road L Northeast. The open house is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. April 29 at the Moses Lake Civic Center auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St.

Moses Lake, Warden residents arrested on drug, weapons charges

MOSES LAKE — Two Moses Lake and two Warden residents are in federal custody in connection with multiple investigations by the Moses Lake Police Department and two federal agencies into drug trafficking and firearms violations.

Mattawa Public Library to expand hours, add services

MATTAWA — North Central Washington Libraries officials will be expanding the hours at the Mattawa Public Library. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. four days a week, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It's open Wednesday morning from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Adams Co. Fire District 5 chief to retire

OTHELLO — Longtime Adams County Fire District 5 Chief Gary Lebacken has announced his retirement effective May 31. Lebacken will be replaced by GCFD 5 Assistant Chief Tom Salsbury. Lebacken has been ACFD 5 chief since 2008, but he started as a volunteer firefighter in 1982. He became a volunteer captain in 1989, an assistant chief as a volunteer in 1999, and was hired full-time in 2001.

Yakima man arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking

GRANT COUNTY — A Yakima man was arrested on possession of fentanyl and methamphetamines with intent to deliver during a traffic stop April 18.

Three injured in two separate collisions near Othello

OTHELLO — An Othello woman was injured and charges are pending against a Moses Lake man following a head-on collision near Othello Saturday evening. An Othello man was injured when his car was hit while he was directing traffic at the scene after the initial crash. According to a press release from the Washington State Patrol, Demetrio Robles, 19, of Moses Lake was driving north on State Route 17 about two miles north of Othello when he crossed the centerline and ran head-on into a vehicle driven by Nancy Cortes, 44. The collision occurred at about 8:30 p.m.

Quincy continues to consider downtown big rig restrictions

QUINCY — Semi-trucks, where they should and shouldn’t be on the streets of Quincy, is a subject of longstanding discussion, which continued during a public hearing April 15 on a proposed ordinance to change designated truck routes.

Moses Lake council votes to end support of sleep center

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will end its support of the Open Doors sleep center June 30. Moses Lake City Council members made the decision in a unanimous vote at a special meeting and workshop on homeless issues Friday.