CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Salon Envy owner plans to reopen

MOSES LAKE — The owner and staff of a hairstyling salon destroyed in a spectacular fire last Saturday will be setting up shop in temporary quarters Tuesday. Salon Envy owner Heather Kerekffy said she’s working on reopening in a new location.

Unexpected challenge leads to rewarding career

KENNEWICK — Susan Hoose had to deal with challenges she didn’t expect. So she did.

Ballots for Othello school bond mailed this week

OTHELLO — Ballots will be mailed this week for a special election to approve or reject a $61.4 million construction bond proposal from the Othello School District.

Fundraising page set up for destroyed Moses Lake salon

MOSES LAKE — A GoFundMe page was set up for a Moses Lake hairstyling salon destroyed by fire Saturday night. The “Save Salon Envy ML” page had raised $1,850 as of Tuesday morning, in less than 24 hours. The salon was one of two businesses destroyed in the spectacular fire; the second was Chico’s Pizza, the longtime Moses Lake landmark. Customers from the salon and friends of owner Heather Kerekffy set up the page. They asked regular salon customers to donate the cost of their last haircut or product purchase from the salon, and for others interested in donating, to donate the cost of their last haircut. “The cost of one haircut is a small sacrifice to an individual, but pooled together with a community of caring individuals, this could really make an impact,” the page sponsors wrote. “My salon team/family is completely devastated by the fire,” Kerekffy wrote on social media. “Our lives are on hold until we find a new location.” “Heather has been an amazing hairstylist, friend and listener whenever my family has come in, and she has such a big heart, especially for those with special needs,” wrote Connie Suehero on the GoFundMe page. The page can be found at www.gofundme.com/save-salon-envy-ml.

Grant PUD customers to see an average 1.5 percent rate increase

EPHRATA — Electrical rates will be going up for most Grant County PUD customers, effective April 1. The rate proposal was unveiled at the regular PUD commission meeting Tuesday.

'Cupcake Wars' at CB Tech

MOSES LAKE — The frosting was the crowning touch, strawberry cream cheese frosting for red velvet cupcakes. It had awesome strawberry flavor, had been whipped to maximum creaminess —

'Patriot Nations' opens at Wanapum Heritage Center

WANAPUM DAM — The contributions made by Native Americans to the U.S. armed forces is the subject of a new exhibit at the Wanapum Heritage Center. “Patriot Nations: Native Americans in our Nation’s Armed Forces” is on display through May 8.

Flu filling emergency rooms

OLYMPIA — Winter is flu season, and flu season means crowded emergency rooms, and crowded doctor offices and medical facilities in general. Washington Department of Health officials are asking people to take some steps to keep the crowding to a minimum.

Big Bend enrollment down

MOSES LAKE — Enrollment dropped at Big Bend Community College at fall quarter, and enrollment also is down for winter quarter. What to do about that was a topic of discussion at the regular meeting of BBCC trustees Wednesday.

'Women's March 2.0' set for Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The second annual march to spotlight issues the organizers say are important to women is scheduled for noon Saturday in Moses Lake. People who want to participate in “Women’s March 2.0” are asked to assemble in the parking lot of the Surf ‘n Slide Water Park on Fourth Avenue.

Plans for Big Bend CC building submitted to county

MOSES LAKE — Plans for the new workforce education center at Big Bend Community College will be submitted to Grant County building officials for review next week.

Warden Food Pantry in need of donations

WARDEN — The Warden Food Pantry will change its day and hour of operation beginning in February. But whatever its hours, the food pantry is looking for some support.

East Columbia Irrigation District election set for Feb. 8

OTHELLO — East Columbia Basin Irrigation District landowners will vote on a proposal to reconfigure the board of directors from five seats to seven seats.

Tax overhaul will have real-world impact

Moses Lake business owner provides raise for employees

MOSES LAKE — Federal tax legislation passed in December will make a difference to businesses and individuals – but business owners in particular should consult their accountants to determine the exact impact. The news was good enough for one local business owner that he gave his employees a raise.

Lots of choices for apple consumers

QUINCY — Growers have reason to be satisfied, at least so far, with the 2017 apple season. Consumers also have reason to be satisfied with the choices available to them in the stores, according to apple industry experts.

Workshop for Alzheimer's caregivers, families Jan. 22

MOSES LAKE — The local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will sponsor a workshop to help caregivers and families understand dementia-related behavior from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 22 at Samaritan Hospital, 801 E. Wheeler Rd.

Construction at Crescent Bar to be completed this year

EPHRATA — The final phase of improvements to recreation facilities at Crescent Bar is scheduled for 2018, and when it’s done, the Grant County PUD is done with major recreation improvements, at least for the time being.

Grant PUD 2018 rates to be unveiled at Jan. 23 meeting

EPHRATA — A public meeting to get a first look at the proposed Grant County PUD rates is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the PUD headquarters building, 30 Southwest C St., Ephrata.

Grant County unemployment drops in November

MOSES LAKE — Unemployment in Grant County rose between October and November 2017, but is still almost two percentage points below the November 2016 employment rate.

November unemployment down in Adams County

RITZVILLE — Unemployment in Adams County dropped more than two percent between November 2016 and November 2017. Unemployment went up between October and November 2017, however.

Bond talk at Othello meeting

OTHELLO — School overcrowding, school construction funding and what happens if Othello keeps growing were among the subjects discussed at a community forum sponsored by the Othello School Board Monday night.

Moses Lake Museum celebrates 60th anniversary

MOSES LAKE — Sasquatch – or what people thought they saw when they thought they saw Sasquatch – and a new take on a legendary exhibit will be among the major exhibits as the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2018.

Wedding photography, dresses focus of museum exhibit

MOSES LAKE — Tying the knot in style, and how couples commemorated their day, is the subject of a new exhibit opening Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

(Kind of) warmer weather on the way

MOSES LAKE — So – the East Coast is coping with an epic storm, heavy snow, hurricane-force winds, possible flooding along the coast, airports closed, roads impassable. Snow in South Carolina and Florida.

Grant Transit Authority opens new transit center

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Transit Authority opened its brand-new bus garage with a ribbon cutting July 31. With the new transit center came an expanded bus schedule.

Technical training grant to benefit central Washington

WENATCHEE — North central Washington, including Grant and Adams counties, will receive a grant to improve science and technology education and training. The $855,000 grant is part of the statewide “Career Connect Washington” initiative.

Food banks still in need

MOSES LAKE — With the arrival of Thanksgiving and Christmas, charitable projects, donation drives, efforts to help the less fortunate go into overdrive. But eventually Christmas is in the rear view mirror, and attention turns to other things.

Grant PUD to continue fiber project

EPHRATA — After a year of studies, meetings and discussions, Grant County PUD commissioners decided to continue expanding the utility's fiber network – but with conditions.

Long cold winter left a mark on the Basin

MOSES LAKE — It will be a topic of discussion for years – oh, yeah, remember that really bad winter? The winter of 2016-17?

Basin railroad history subject of museum lecture

MOSES LAKE — The expansion of the railroad in the Columbia Basin, and the traces – and problems – from those pioneer days that are still visible today will be the subject of a lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

New phone scam targets Grant County residents

EPHRATA — Grant County residents are being warned about a new telephone fraud scam using a real company and real Grant County District Court case numbers.

Grant County counselor's practice credential reinstated

OLYMPIA — A Grant County counselor has had his practice credential reinstated with conditions. Aaron Glenn’s permission to practice had been suspended in 2013.

Snow, freezing rain forecast for next few days

MOSES LAKE — So far, the winter of 2017-18 hasn’t been that bad in Grant County. The little tiniest trace of snow, cold but not deep-freeze cold. Unfortunately, that’s not going to last.

Elections planned for cherry committee

YAKIMA — Representatives will be selected for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee at annual grower meetings in Yakima and Wenatchee in January.

Apricot committee elections set for January

Elections during meetings in Yakima, Wenatchee

YAKIMA — Apricot growers and processors will vote for members of the state's apricot marketing committee in meetings in Yakima and Wenatchee next month.

Horticulture information meetings set for Wenatchee, Yakima

WENATCHEE — Advance registration is open for an annual program of continuing education classes for cherry growers in Yakima. Four days of presentations for cherry, apple, pear and stone fruit growers is scheduled for Wenatchee. Both events are in January.

Samaritan projected to finish 2017 in the black

MOSES LAKE — Revenues dropped during October at Samaritan Hospital, but appear to have rebounded in November. At the end of October Samaritan Healthcare was still ahead of its budget target for net revenue. Chief financial officer Alex Town reviewed the financial report at the regular meeting of hospital district commissioners Dec. 19.

Raffle results in donation to warming center

MOSES LAKE — A charitable raffle resulted in a $630 donation to the Grant County Homeless Task Force for its warming center.

Peninsula Elementary principal gets silly-stringed

MOSES LAKE — The fifth-graders in Lory Benavidez’ class at Peninsula Elementary came armed with silly string. Lots of silly string.

Samaritan to apply to upgrade trauma treatment designation

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials are submitting an application to the Washington Department of Health that would, if approved, allow the hospital to treat more complicated trauma cases. If the application is approved the hospital would become the second Level 3 trauma center in north central Washington.

Teachers tackle obstacle course in Toys for Teens challenge

EPHRATA — It sounded kind of easy, really. It looked easy, even. Just a little obstacle course around the Ephrata High School gym. Considering other situations teachers have faced when nominated as the “winners” in the culminating Toys for Teens challenge, it looked simple.

Big Bend CC employee turnover subject of discussion

MOSES LAKE — Keeping employees at Big Bend Community College was a subject of discussion at the regular meeting of the BBCC trustees Thursday.

White Christmas unlikely in Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — Look, maybe all that stuff about snow on Christmas is overrated. Sleighbells ringing and one-horse open sleighs and lanes glistening with snow – hey, who even owns a sleigh any more?

New BBCC program proving popular

MOSES LAKE — A new program at Big Bend Community College that provides students training they need to work at data centers is proving so popular BBCC is adding a second class.

Activities planned at local libraries over vacation

MOSES LAKE — There’s usually plenty of excitement in the first few days of Christmas vacation, but then there comes that moment, the time when kids start complaining about being bored. Local public libraries have started a winter reading program to help with that.

Grant PUD releases customer survey data

EPHRATA — Electrical rates are the chief concern of Grant County PUD customers, but residential and commercial customer satisfaction is very high. Those were some of the conclusions of a customer satisfaction survey conducted this fall and presented to PUD commissioners Tuesday.

Grant County PUD approves 2018 budget

EPHRATA — The budget for the Grant County PUD was set at $274.27 million for 2018, an increase of about $10.5 million from the preliminary budget presented in October. Utility district commissioners approved the budget at the regular commission meeting Tuesday.

Othello School Board makes plans for community forum

OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons will have a chance to ask questions about the upcoming construction bond proposal at the January 8 Othello School Board meeting. The board will meet in special session at 6 p.m. Jan. 8 in the cafeteria at Desert Oasis High School.

Moses Lake High School conducting food drive

MOSES LAKE — Students at Moses Lake High School are locked in competition – to collect the greatest number of cans, boxes or bags of non-perishable food. The annual food drive at MLHS will continue through the end of this week.

Othello Christmas Baskets

OTHELLO — Donations are still being accepted for the annual Othello Christmas Basket project, a town tradition that dates back more than four decades.