CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Packed house for Cellarbration 2025

Scholarship fundraiser draws a crowd to support Big Bend students

MOSES LAKE — Keynote speaker Aldo Farias said the money donated during the Cellarbration for Education dinner benefiting the Big Bend Community College Foundation was more than a donation.

New principal named for Wahluke’s Saddle Mountain Elementary

MATTAWA — Melissa Hattaway has been named the principal at Saddle Mountain Elementary beginning with the 2025-25 school year. “She’s replacing Kurt Hoffman who’s retiring after 40 years in education,” Wahluke School District Superintendent Andy Harlow said. “Melissa is a Royal High School graduate and has worked for (the Wahluke School District) for 15 years. This will be her first role as principal.”

OneD process passes independent test

MOSES LAKE — Testing by a third party has indicated the process used by a company with a battery development facility in Moses Lake is less harmful for the environment than traditional alternatives, according to an announcement from OneD Battery Sciences. The results of testing by Minviro were released Tuesday.

Moses Lake water fines delayed

MOSES LAKE — Encouraging water conservation – and how to enforce city water use ordinances – turned into a wide-ranging conversation about not only water but code enforcement, education and control at the Moses Lake City Council meeting.

Grant PUD financials solid with above-projected revenues

EPHRATA — Higher-than-anticipated revenue is projected to make 2024 a good year for the Grant County Public Utility District. Wholesale and contracted power sales are projected to end 2024 at $286.5 million, once the books are fully balanced. That's $196.3 million over the initial budget projection. Angelina Johnson, PUD deputy treasurer, said that may be a short-term advantage though.

Moses Lake man arrested in connection with March 8 shooting

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Friday in connection with a March 8 shooting on Stratford Road in Moses Lake. Luis Medina, 27, was arrested in Moses Lake and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting, said Moses Lake Police Department Captain Jeff Sursely in a press release.

Mistakes cost Mavs in baseball season opener

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School baseball team opened the 2025 season with a 5-2 loss to Mt. Si (Snoqualmie) Friday afternoon.

Royal’s Arroyo named SCAC co-wrestler of the year

ROYAL CITY — Junior Sharon Arroyo was named as one of two wrestlers of the year, and girls coach Jesus Carlos Villa named coach of the year on the South Central Athletic Conference all league team. The Knights also received the sportsmanship award.

Additional testing needed for Quincy pool

QUINCY — Excavation for the new Quincy Aquatic Center is going to require some additional soil sampling first. Parks and Recreation Director Russ Harrington said in an earlier interview that city officials hope to start work on the pool this summer, possibly in May or June. But the city may have to make some changes to the project before starting to move dirt, due to the possibility of subsurface contaminants.

Mavericks named to Big 9 all-league wrestling team

MOSES LAKE — Multiple Moses Lake wrestlers received honors on the Big 9 all-league wrestling team, and the girls wrestling assistant coaching staff was named the assistant staff of the year. All-league wrestlers are listed below.

Othello, Ephrata, Quincy girls named to All-CWAC team

OTHELLO — Othello Huskies Coach Sammy Rocha and Quincy Jackrabbits Coach Mark Kondo were named co-Coaches of the year for girls wrestling in the Class 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference. Wrestlers from Ephrata, Quincy and Othello were named to the all-league teams

Wrestlers named to All-CWAC team

OTHELLO — Othello boys wrestling Coach Rudy Ochoa II was named Coach of the Year in the Class 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference for the second consecutive year. It was Ochoa’s third Coach of the Year award. Othello, Quincy and Ephrata wrestlers were named to the CWAC all-league team.

Water, water conservation topics of planning and discussion in Othello

OTHELLO — Water, how to conserve it and how to get more of it, has been a topic of discussion and a focus of experimentation around the Columbia Basin. Othello city officials have been working for almost a decade on a project to reduce demand on the city’s underground aquifer, one that’s inching closer to fruition. A pilot project tested the possibility of using water from the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District canal system, treating it, and pumping it back into the aquifer. That was successful, and city officials are working on upscaling it, a project that will require a treatment facility. Public Works Director Robin Adolphsen said facility is in the process of design. “We’re working on how many gallons per day we want to take from the canal and determine what that plant is going to need to treat water,” she said.

Broncos hope to build on softball success

RITZVILLE — After qualifying for the state playoffs in 2024, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague softball team is looking to for ways to continue that success in 2025.

Move to CWAC good opportunity for Jacks soccer, coach says

QUINCY — Quincy boys soccer coach Hector Vaca said he expects the Central Washington Athletic Conference to be a tougher test for his team. And that’s good. “I’m excited for the boys. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for them to show off their skill, show how good they are,” he said. “We have a lot of great, talented soccer players here in Quincy, and I think this is a great opportunity for them to showcase that.”

New year for Royal softball after state championship

ROYAL CITY — Coach Lisa Lawrence said the Royal Knights softball team will be one to watch in 2025, although they have some holes from the team that won the state championship in 2024.

Huskies looking to get to state amidst strong competition

OTHELLO – Othello boys soccer coach Bernie Garza said the Central Washington Athletic Conference was already pretty tough, and now it’s going to be tougher. That means the Huskies will have to pay attention to every game, he said. Quincy and Toppenish moved into the CWAC from Class 1A; not only do both have strong programs, but the expansion makes it tougher to get familiar with other league schools, Garza said.

Attorney General files suit against Adams County SO; dispute over immigration

SPOKANE — The Washington Attorney General’s Office has filed suit against the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Adams County alleging the sheriff’s office is violating state law by working with the federal government on immigration enforcement.

Meeting with Blitz leads to new kicks for kids in Othello

OTHELLO — Shawn Christopherson, mascot coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, said he understood why Othello Police Officer Tyson Cox decided to investigate those guys parked along an Othello street one day last summer. “A bird on a scooter with four influencers following him draws some attention,” Christopherson said. “Officer Cox kind of pulled over just to check out what was going on.” Well, of course a bird wasn’t actually driving the scooter – it was Blitz, the Seahawks mascot.

Knights bring home fifth-place in 1A state basketball

YAKIMA — Royal High School fell just short in overtime and brought home a fifth-place trophy from the Class 1A state boys basketball tournament after a 75-70 loss to Zillah Saturday.

Stratford drive-by injures one

MOSES LAKE — One person was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following a shooting on Stratford Road.

Port of Moses Lake acquires 3 miles of rail

MOSES LAKE — After about two decades of work and three years of negotiation, the Port of Moses Lake took ownership of about three miles of railroad track between State Route 17 and Port property Monday. The rail line had been the property of the Columbia Basin Railroad.

Water lines flushed to address discoloration on Patton Boulevard

City of Moses Lake works to ensure water quality after facility closures

MOSES LAKE -— Samples of water from the system around North Elementary and along Patton Boulevard late last week met and were consistent with water quality standards. Discolored water discovered Wednesday at North Elementary School prompted that campus’s closure through Monday. Discolored water also closed the Family Services of Grant County facility on Patton Boulevard.

Two Basin teams advance to trophy round

SPOKANE — The Almira-Coulee/Hartline boys basketball team played Lummi Nation School for the Class 1B boys state basketball title Saturday night at the Spokane Arena. The score was not available at press time, but a full story on the game will be in Tuesday’s Columbia Basin Herald. ACH made their way to the state title game with a 64-56 win over DeSales Friday. The Warriors got off to a slow start, trailing 17-12 after the first quarter and 29-26 at the end of the first half. They still trailed by three, 44-41, at the end of the third quarter. But the Warriors outscored DeSales 23-12 in the fourth quarter to take the semifinal victory

Lions, Warriors, Knights to play state tournament games Friday

SPOKANE — Three local teams will be playing Friday in the Class 1A and Class 1B basketball tournaments.

Addressing growth focus of Moses Lake comprehensive plan update

MOSES LAKE — Growth, and how Moses Lake manages it and adapts to it, is already a focus of attention by city officials. Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz said a lot of things go into answering that challenge, the city’s comprehensive plan among them.

No timeline set for replacement of Grant PUD CEO

EPHRATA — Commission chair Terry Pyle said the search for a new chief executive officer for the Grant County Public Utility District is starting with talking to employees.

BASIN GIRLS HOOPS SUMMARY

ACH girls end basketball season with loss in state second round

COULEE CITY — The Almira-Coulee/Hartline girls basketball team finished the 2024-25 season with a 58-45 loss to Sunnyside Christian in the second round of the Class 1B state basketball tournament. With the loss ACH just missed a trip to the Spokane Arena.

Wildcats women’s soccer coach resigns

ELLENSBURG — Lindsey Lee, head coach of the Central Washington University women’s soccer team, has announced her resignation.

Knights advance to state 1A quarterfinals

ELLENSBURG — The Royal High School boys basketball team advanced to the quarterfinal round of the WIAA Class 1A state tournament with a 65-47 win over Meridian (Bellingham) Feb. 28 at Ellensburg High School. Royal Coach Greg Jenks credited the Knights defense and rebounding.

Lions play for chance to advance at 1B state tourney

MOSES LAKE — The first round of state tournament play was one of those games for the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School boys basketball team. The Lions lost a hard-fought 48-43 defensive battle to Lummi Nation School Feb. 28.

New Quincy hospital close to completion

QUINCY — As of Tuesday it’s 78 days until a new hospital opens. The brand-new Quincy Valley Medical Center is still in the final stages of construction, with the first day for patients scheduled for May 21.

Vantage Bridge construction gets rolling again

VANTAGE — Among many other things, spring and summer mean roadwork. And work has already started for 2025 on the Vantage Bridge. Starting Monday, the bridge is back to a single lane of traffic in each direction. Summer Derrey, Washington Department of Transportation assistant communications manager for the south central region, said WSDOT is asking drivers to think about taking alternate routes.

Moore Brewing beer gets the word out about Carp Classic

MOSES LAKE — People who want to learn more about – and support - an unusual fishing tournament on Moses Lake now can do it with a glass of locally brewed summer beer. The Carp Classic is scheduled for May 17; rather than casting a line in the water, participants pull out their bows and arrows. It's an unusual way to get some of the nuisance fish out of Moses Lake and thereby improve lake quality.

Community volunteers sought for Wahluke facility committee

MATTAWA — People interested in helping write a plan to determine when and how the Wahluke School District will maintain and upgrade its facilities, among other things, are being invited to be part of a planning committee. The first meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 11 in the Wahluke School District office, 411 Saddle Mountain Drive.

Othello man arraigned for possessing explicit images of children

OTHELLO — An Othello man was arraigned Feb. 26 in federal court in the Eastern District of Washington on 11 counts of possession or production of material with sexually explicit images of children, extortion and interstate communication of a threat.

Defense key to ACH boys state basketball round two win

WENATCHEE — The Almira-Coulee/Hartline Warriors used a stifling defense to take a decisive 69-34 win over the Ocosta Wildcats in the second round of the Class 1B boys state basketball tournament Friday at Wenatchee High School. ACH held Ocosta to less than 10 points in the second and third quarters, and Coach Graham Grindy said defense was the key.

Man killed in accidental shooting

MOSES LAKE — An 18-year-old Moses Lake man was killed when he and another man were reportedly playing with a gun late Thursday night.

Car chase, robberies make for busy MLPD shift

MOSES LAKE — Two people were arrested for theft after a pursuit and another in a separate burglary, both in Moses Lake, while Moses Lake Police Department detectives investigated a fatal accidental shooting, all in the space of about six hours Thursday night into Friday morning. “Busy night,” said MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely. “We ended up calling the detectives out.”

Top seed ACH opens boys state championship play today

WENATCHEE — The top-seeded Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors open the first round of the Class 1B state tournament against the Ocosta Wildcats at 6 p.m. Friday at Wenatchee High School.

Sale of possible 12th Moses Lake elementary site still pending

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District officials have started a committee that will conduct a review of all district facilities, including the potential construction of a new elementary school. Funding for the new campus was approved by voters in a 2017 bond election but the pandemic and other factors have delayed its development.

More water conservation work to come in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Conservation measures have saved the city of Moses Lake a lot of water over the last two years, but not as much as the city has lost through system leaks. City officials will be working in 2025 to identify leaks and address them. Mayor Dustin Swartz said finding leaks is a priority.

Royal boys take on Meridian in first round of Class 1A state basketball

ROYAL CITY — While both teams are on their way to the Yakima Sundome, the Royal High School boys basketball team will take on Meridian (Bellingham) Friday to determine who will be guaranteed two more games in the state tournament.

Quincy ice cream shop moving into expanded location

QUINCY — The La Michoacana Paleteria makes ice cream and frozen treats that are so popular its owners are expanding into a much bigger space. Owner Heriberto Birrueta said demand has grown – a lot. As a result, they’ve outgrown their current location at 6 D St. SE.

Grant Co. road construction season starts March 10

EPHRATA — A section of Westshore Drive is scheduled for a complete rebuild in 2025, and upgrades are planned for a section of Stratford Road. Westshore Drive construction begins March 10. A pedestrian trail and traffic circles will be added in Desert Aire, and a third section of Drumheller Road will be graded. Those are among the road improvement projects scheduled for Grant County in 2025.

Maverick swimmers break personal records at state

FEDERAL WAY — The Moses Lake High School boys swim team finished the state meet with a long list of personal records. The Mavs tied with Kentwood for 26th place with nine points. Luke Molitor was Moses Lake’s highest placer, finishing 14th in the 100-yard butterfly.

Bridge and two Adams Co. roads scheduled for work in 2025

RITZVILLE — Sections of two Adams County roads were closed on an emergency basis following wet and windy weather. Others are subject to closure as spring approaches.

Changes coming to Mattawa development application process

MATTAWA — With residential and commercial building activity coming to Mattawa, city officials are working on ways to streamline the development application process. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners, told Mattawa City Council members that a checklist is being prepared to give people thinking about development some basic guidelines.

Port adopts updated strategic plan

MOSES LAKE — Within five years Port of Moses Lake officials have set the goal of completing a rail line to the port and will be working to provide additional electricity to its tenants – or will already be providing it. The port will be operating its own water system and will have additional businesses in the property on its western edge. Those are among the goals in the five-year strategic plan, approved by port commissioners Monday. Commissioner Kent Jones said it’s a work in progress, building off the previous plan. And since it’s a plan, it’s subject to change. “Our thought process is that this is a plan of what we expect to do over the next five years,” Jones said. “It doesn’t tell us who’s going to do it or how it’s going to get done – and some of these are aspirational goals anyway.” Kim Detrolio, the port’s director of finance and administration, said port officials already are working on some of the projects, but more are planned. “it’s an expa

Lincoln Day Dinner draws big crowd

MOSES LAKE — Members and guests of the Grant County Republican Party gathered Saturday night to discuss the issues, network and fundraise at the annual Lincoln Day dinner. Andrew Koeppen, county chair, said the dinner was sold out. “Our preliminary numbers show this was another record year,” Koeppen said. The Lincoln Day Dinner is a longtime annual event for Republicans, and the 2025 dinner featured talks from William Kirk with Washington Gun Law and Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy), who represents the Ninth District in the Washington House of Representatives.