EMRY DINMAN

A world apart: At Samaritan, a new virus center opens

At Samaritan, a new virus center opens, protected from the world

Protective steps Long days

Ephrata woman is eighth confirmed COVID-19 case

EPHRATA - Ephrata now has a confirmed case of coronavirus, the eighth case in the county and the first in that city, according to the Grant County Health District.

MLPD: Some businesses reported defying order to close

MOSES LAKE - Some businesses in Moses Lake are being reported for allegedly refusing to abide by Governor Jay Inslee’s emergency proclamation issued Monday that ordered that all restaurants, bars, entertainment and recreational facilities to close, according to the Moses Lake Police Department.

Virus evaluation Center opens at Samaritan Clinic

MOSES LAKE — A Respiratory Virus Evaluation Center has been opened at the Samaritan Clinic on Patton to screen patients experiencing respiratory illness symptoms that are associated with the coronavirus.

Safeway, Walmart and Akins announce senior shopping hours

GRANT COUNTY — In response to the coronavirus outbreak and empty store shelves, several grocery stores across the region will be implementing hours reserved for seniors and other populations most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Samaritan Healthcare closes to all visitors

MOSES LAKE — Effective immediately, Samaritan Healthcare will be barring visitors on all campuses, including the hospital and the clinics on Pioneer Way and on Patton Boulevard.

No symptoms, no COVID-19 test administered

GRANT COUNTY — The Grant County Health District is urging employers to stop sending asymptomatic employees to area hospitals to request coronavirus tests, saying that tests are not being administered under those conditions anywhere in the United States.

Cities move to halt utility shut-offs, but not evictions

Cities in the Columbia Basin are moving to halt utility shut-offs due to nonpayment during the current coronavirus outbreak, as many employers across the state are forced to close or reduce operations. But no municipalities thus far have broached a harder topic: evictions.

Cities shut down nonessential services

GRANT COUNTY — Following restrictions by Gov. Jay Inslee on gatherings of over 50 people and guidance from local and state health officials, many cities across the county are cutting back nonessential services through the end of the month.

After delays, local small businesses soon eligible for disaster loans

After initially not qualifying due to a mistake made on forms by the county commission, Grant County will soon be in the pool of Washington counties eligible for loans for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus.

Third Grant County COVID-19 case identified

GRANT COUNTY — As of Monday, March 16, there were seven cases of COVID-19 identified in Grant County and none in Adams County.

Businesses prepare to close or limit services

MOSES LAKE — Businesses across the county woke up to the news that they would be forced to shutter their doors or limit their business in the coming weeks in the face of the coronavirus outbreak and a Sunday announcement from Gov. Jay Inslee.

Area schools finalize plans as they close their doors

School districts across the county are finalizing their plans in the face of a statewide closure of all K-12 schools, including private and charter schools, beginning today until at least April 24.

Hospitals consider surge capacity in face of COVID-19

MOSES LAKE —While the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, can prove deadly for older patients and those with compromised immune systems, public health experts say one of the greatest concerns is that cases begin to overwhelm the health care system.

Quincy High School staff member is fourth COVID-19 case

QUINCY - A Quincy High School staff member is the fourth confirmed case of coronavirus in Grant County, according to the Quincy School District.

Governor: Schools to provide childcare for medical workers, first responders

GRANT COUNTY — In addition to ordering the closure of all K-12 schools in the state, Governor Jay Inslee has asked district superintendents to provide childcare free of charge for healthcare workers and first responders who are working parents during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Moses Lake parks superintendent retires after 42 years

MOSES LAKE — In 1977, Rolando Gonzales applied for a part-time position with the Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department. He was just 19 years old when he was hired by then-parks supervisor Wayne Hawkins.

Panic buying depletes store shelves across county

As customers rush to area stores, emptying shelves of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and meat, several big box outlets are limiting their hours so staff can restock their inventory.

Big Bend CC takes courses online due to COVID-19

MOSES LAKE — Facing a Friday announcement from Gov. Jay Inslee that all public and private colleges, universities and technical programs in the state are barred from conducting in-person classes, Big Bend Community College is going online starting Tuesday.

Inslee: All restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities to close

Gatherings limited further

Catholic priest is third Grant County COVID-19 case

GRANT COUNTY — A Catholic priest from Mattawa in his 40s has tested positive for the coronavirus, the third case in Grant County, according to local health officials.

School closures: Districts across county scramble to take next steps

GRANT COUNTY - Following the sudden announcement Friday from Governor Jay Inslee ordering all K-12 schools, including private and charter schools, to close by Tuesday, March 17, districts are scrambling to prepare their next steps.

Second case of coronavirus in Grant County

GRANT COUNTY - A second Grant County resident has been tested positive for the coronavirus, according to county health officials.

Quincy K9 soon to join the force

QUINCY — Grant County is about to get its newest four-legged officer — and she’s going to be the second female canine on the force.

Local senior living facilities brace for COVID-19

State mandate Local response

Three coronavirus tests come back negative

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Hospital has sent off six coronavirus tests as of Monday morning, three of which have returned negative and three of which are still outstanding, said Executive Director of Development and Communication Gretchen Youngren in an interview Tuesday.

Investigation into officer’s shooting of suspect near completion

Some details missed from new law

Quincy schools announce steps against COVID-19 spread

QUINCY — Quincy School District is asking students and community members with symptoms of the coronavirus to stay out of school buildings and is canceling or postponing a number of large indoor events, but will not be closing schools, according to a statement Tuesday evening.

Quincy High School, senior center react to coronavirus exposure

Quincy High School, senior center react to coronavirus exposure

QUINCY — In response to a case of novel coronavirus that killed a resident in their 80s, announced Sunday, Quincy organizations are taking steps to help stop the spread of the virus, also called COVID-19, in places visited by that person.

Grant County COVID-19 testing ticks up after Quincy case

As more laboratories across the state come online to assist in testing for the novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, and with the recent announcement of a fatal case of the virus in a Quincy resident, there has been an uptick of tests sent from Grant County medical facilities.

Thirty minutes before midnight: Two vets who saved Chief

MOSES LAKE — It’s thirty minutes before midnight on a Friday night, and two veterinarians over a hundred miles apart are in bed for the night.

Ephrata man pleads guilty to sexual assault

EPHRATA — An Ephrata man has pleaded guilty to two felony offenses in the 2019 violent sexual assault of an Electric City woman.

COVID-19 tent set up at local health center

MOSES LAKE — As medical facilities across the state brace for the impact of coronavirus, Moses Lake Community Health Center has set up a tent in the back parking lot to process those with similar symptoms.

Police dog returns to Moses Lake after successful surgery

MOSES LAKE — Hundreds turned out Wednesday to welcome home wounded Moses Lake Police Department patrol dog Chief after he was airlifted to Pullman for emergency surgery Friday.

Chief’s return expected Wednesday, group to line street

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin K9s organization will gather along Pioneer Way around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, starting from I-90 and stretching towards downtown, in honor of K9 Chief’s return to Moses Lake. The public is invited to participate in welcoming Chief home.

Concerns raised that CDC testing guidelines exclude potential coronavirus cases

MOSES LAKE – As clusters of the novel coronavirus continue to mount in Washington state, some residents of Grant County are concerned that current testing guidelines are insufficient to identify cases and halt the spread of the disease.

K9 Chief to lose an eye, career uncertain

MOSES LAKE - Though his recovery has been better than expected, K9 Chief will be losing an eye during surgery tomorrow, according to Moses Lake Police.

MLPD releases info on man killed during police chase

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department has identified those involved in a Friday altercation in which a Moses Lake man was killed by police after he allegedly shot a K9.

From the heart: Moses Lake girl raises money in honor of grandpa

MOSES LAKE — “Pow-Pow” Sean Simpson was grandfather and best friend to seven-year-old Paizley Simpson.

Gavin Seim of Ephrata now a refugee in Mexico

Gavin Seim of Ephrata now a refugee in Mexico

Libertarian activist, filmmaker and former congressional candidate Gavin Seim was recently granted refugee status in Mexico and has no plans to return to the States, he said in an interview Thursday.

Soap Lake man fined $3,000 for burning garbage, furniture

SOAP LAKE — A Soap Lake man has been fined $3,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology after repeated violations of outdoor burning rules, according to agency officials.

After hesitation, Moses Lake progresses with Larson Rec Center

After hesitation, Moses Lake progresses with Larson Rec Center

MOSES LAKE — After initial hesitation, the Moses Lake City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to move forward with the 30,000-square-foot recreation center. Deputy Mayor Daryl Jackson was absent.

After concerns, Grant Integrated Services to update policies

Grant Integrated Services says it’s on the cusp of bringing its policies into compliance with a law passed almost a year ago allowing parents to initiate mental health or substance abuse treatment for their children age 13 to 17.

FFA trap shoot draws young teams to Othello

OTHELLO — More than 100 high schoolers associated with the FFA traveled from across the region to Othello, shotguns in tow, for an annual trap shoot on Feb. 22.

Arrested man allegedly tried to smuggle drugs into jail under bandage

MOSES LAKE – A Moses Lake man was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of being in possession of heroin, providing a fake name to law enforcement, and then attempting to smuggle Suboxone strips into the jail under an adhesive bandage.

Moses Lake water main breaks Monday morning

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake maintenance workers were scrambled to the corner of Westshore Drive Northeast and Montana Street after a water main broke Monday morning.

Moses Lake council to discuss Rec Center contract and more tonight

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council will meet Tuesday night for a study session at 6 p.m. to discuss design fees for the proposed Larson Rec Center, followed by a regular council meeting at 7 p.m.

Rodeo community raises funds in memory of Cody DeTrolio

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Elks Lodge was nearly at capacity Saturday after hundreds of attendees packed in to support the fifth annual fundraiser for the Cody DeTrolio Memorial Scholarship.

Teams travel to Othello for FFA trap shoot

OTHELLO — More than 100 high schoolers associated with the FFA traveled from across the region to Othello recently, shotguns in tow, for an annual trap shoot.

Arrested man allegedly tried to smuggle drugs into jail under bandage

MOSES LAKE – A Moses Lake man was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of being in possession of heroin, providing a fake name to law enforcement, and then attempting to smuggle Suboxone strips into the jail under an adhesive bandage.