CONNOR VANDERWEYST

Ephrata teen pleads guilty

Case stems from fight

EPHRATA - An Ephrata teen with a criminal history pled guilty recently to third-degree assault in Grant County Superior Court.

Moses Lake man arrrested for flare gun

Charged with unlawful firearm possession

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man was arrested earlier this week after allegedly possessing a flare gun when he was stopped by police in connection to another arrest warrant.

Ephrata advances in polygraph training

EPHRATA - The Ephrata Police Department is moving forward with plans to send an officer to a polygraph training class in June.

Ephrata council tables cemetery display issue

EPHRATA - About 30 Ephrata residents came out in full force to combat a proposed ordinance that would restrict displays at the cemetery.

Quincy man enters Alford plea

EPHRATA - Another man connected to the September 2011 shooting of Ramiro Munoz, Jr. is facing prison time.

Officials discuss graffiti crackdown

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man is growing tired of the graffiti problem.

Alliance church to host grace conference

MOSES LAKE - Ken McLain first began dreaming about holding a conference about grace almost 10 years ago and soon his meticulous planning will come to fruition.

Quincy, Ephrata work to share polygraph services

QUINCY - Quincy city officials are trying to devise the most cost-efficient way to use polygraph services from the Ephrata Police Department.

Teens face adult charges in robbery

EPHRATA - Five teenagers who allegedly robbed a Moses Lake gas station were charged as adults this week.

Central Washington Home Expo connects homeowners with the right help in one spot

MOSES LAKE - Current homeowners or prospective homeowners around the Basin will converge on the Grant County Fairground this weekend for the Central Washington Home Expo.

Moses Lake man sought for Walmart return scam

EPHRATA - A man connected to a string of burglaries at different Walmarts and other businesses failed to appear in Grant County Superior Court.

Ephrata's Splash Zone may add lift, ramp to accommodate disabled guests

EPHRATA - There may be some drastic changes coming to Ephrata's Splash Zone pool due to new Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Ephrata may restrict cemetery displays

EPHRATA - The Ephrata City Council heard one woman's concerns during a recent hearing about its proposed restriction on cemetery displays.

Quincy man sentenced for child rape

EPHRATA - A Quincy man was recently sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl.

Death threat lands local man in jail

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man convicted of felony harassment was sentenced to eight months in jail.

Grant County appoints new judge for district

EPHRATA - A third Grant County District Court judge was appointed this week.

Moses Lake sex offender arrested

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man was booked recently into Grant County Jail for failing to register as a sex offender.

Rapper convicted of murdering Moses Lake man

Found guilty of killing Moses Lake man in 2011

SPOKANE - John Castro, 27, of Spokane was convicted of murdering a Moses Lake man following a 2011 shooting at a Spokane Quality Inn.

Shrine Circus dazzles Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Death-defying aerial stunts and dangerous animals were commonplace this weekend as the El-Katif Shrine Circus stopped in Moses Lake.

Oduduwa of Oregon excites Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Song and dance filled the room as the Oduduwa of Oregon Nigerian musical troupe entertained guests of "A Night to Remember" Saturday.

Drones may be tested at Grant County Airport

MOSES LAKE - With one of the largest airfields in the U.S., Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake is being considered as a site for testing drones, or unmanned aircraft systems.

Quincy man allegedly leads police on high-speed chase

EPHRATA - A Quincy man reportedly led police on a high speed chase throughout Quincy and onto state Highway 28.

Ephrata still allows dogs in park

EPHRATA - Ephrata will continue to allow pets in Sun Basin Plaza after a proposed ordinance change was rejected by the city council at its last meeting.

Felony DUI suspect allowed to drive

EPHRATA - A Quincy man, who was charged with felony DUI, is allowed to drive after being released from Grant County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Moses Lake man charged with assault, illegal firearm

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man is accused of assaulting and threatening to kill his girlfriend.

Drug dealer sentenced to 12 years in killing

EPHRATA - Gilberto Valdovinos Medina Jr., 24, of Moses Lake, pled guilty Tuesday to first-degree manslaughter in Grant County Superior Court and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Juvenile crime down in Grant Co.

EPHRATA - Juvenile crime in Grant County has seen a 25 percent drop in the last four years, according to Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee.

Soap Lake Fire Dept. fundraiser a success

SOAP LAKE - People came in droves to the Soap Lake Fire Department's spaghetti feed fundraiser on Saturday at the Desert Diner. The fundraiser was the fire department's first event and several community members, including Soap Lake Mayor Raymond Gravelle, came out to support the department, donate some money and enjoy some spaghetti.

New judge to be appointed in 2 weeks

EPHRATA - A new Grant County District Court judge will be announced in the next two weeks.

Castro murder trial begins

SPOKANE - The murder trial involving the 2011 death of a Moses Lake man began this week in Spokane County Superior Court.

Quincy man charged with felony-level DUI

Previously convicted of killing couple in 1997 wreck

EPHRATA - A Quincy man with a history of drinking and driving was charged with DUI.

Moses Lake shooting suspect allowed to see parents

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake boy, 14, will be allowed to see his parents after allegedly trying to kill them in March.

Moses Lake man sentenced for burglary, rape

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man was sentenced to 9 years and 7 months in prison following a burglary and rape conviction.

Moses Lake man sentenced for burglary, rape

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man was sentenced to 9 years and 7 months in prison following a burglary and rape conviction.

George man sentenced to 18 years in prison for 2011 Quincy murder

EPHRATA - A George man was sentenced to 18 years and 4 months in prison Friday for the murder of Ramiro Munoz, Jr.

Othello settles with former officer for $80K

OTHELLO - The City of Othello will pay a former police officer $80,000 to settle a 2009 sexual harassment case.

Nickels sentenced to 25 years in jail

EPHRATA - There was finally some closure in the case concerning the 2009 murder of an Ephrata man.

Suspect in vehicle crash charged with meth possession

EPHRATA- Methamphetamine was found in the vehicle a Moses Lake man used during a car chase that ended in a crash at the intersection of Broadway and Alder Street Sunday afternoon.

Friends, family mourn death of art teacher

YAKIMA - Desiree Sunford touched the lives of her students and had a smile that could light the room, her mother said.

Othello tries to attract softball, baseball tournaments

OTHELLO - The Othello City Council approved 50 percent fee decreases to rent the Lions Park softball complex.

Moses Lake father charged with assault

EPHRATA - Court documents offer more details in the case of a Moses Lake man who allegedly assaulting his 4-month-old daughter over the weekend.

Man allegedly pulls gun out during dispute

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man was arrested April 2 after he allegedly pulled a gun and threatened to kill one of his wife's friends.

Moses Lake man charged for meth possession

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man was arrested March 27 after reportedly leading Moses Lake police on a chase before being apprehended.

David Nickels denied new trial

Sentencing scheduled for April 12

EPHRATA - David Nickels' request for a new trial has been denied by Grant County Superior Court.

Ephrata teen arrested after car chase

EPHRATA - A 15-year-old boy was arrested Monday after leading police on a chase throughout Ephrata before being apprehended at his home.

Ephrata woman pleads guilty to child abuse case

EPHRATA - An Ephrata woman was sentenced to one year in the Grant County Jail after allegedly leaving her son with her then-boyfriend, whom she knew was hitting the child.

Sandhill Crane Festival returns to Othello

OTHELLO - The return of Sandhill cranes to central Washington means the Sandhill Crane Festival is getting ready to start in Othello. The community is preparing to host the festival featuring guest speakers, tours and activities.

Quincy teenager allegedly in fight, charged as adult

EPHRATA - A 17-year-old Quincy youth is being charged as an adult for his alleged involvement in a fight in which a pregnant teenage girl was reportedly beaten with a board.

Annual Lions Club egg hunt a success

MOSES LAKE - McCosh Park hosted the Moses Lake Lions Club's Easter egg hunt over the weekend and parents, children and community members came out in droves to celebrate on a sunny Saturday.

Freshman crowned Miss Warden 2013

WARDEN - The crowd inside Warden Elementary was hushed as the results for the Miss Warden pageant were waiting to be announced. The four contestants Madison Kilmer, 17, Betty Backell, 16, Rachell Backell, 15, and Levi Guerra, 16, stood nervously on stage waiting to possibly hear their name called.