EMRY DINMAN
Staff Writer
Recent Stories
No end to public service for Marine Corps veterans
Today, many veterans of the Marines, an organization older than even the Declaration of Independence and which celebrated its 245th birthday Tuesday, still serve their communities in the Columbia Basin through law enforcement, fire fighting, education, elected office, or as volunteers.
Moses Lake council votes to pay for 2021 Freedom Festival fireworks, entertainment
There will be fireworks for next year’s Fourth of July Freedom Fest in Moses Lake despite initial funding concerns, after the Moses Lake city council voted unanimously Tuesday to add $50,000 to the 2021 budget in order to pay for the show.
Opening of Moses Lake managed camp for unsheltered delayed
The opening of Moses Lake’s sleeping center for unsheltered people, a managed camp of nearly three dozen “tiny homes,” has been delayed until December 1, Moses Lake city officials announced at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Moses Lake ice rink opening delayed; public skate uncertain
Temperatures may be falling, but not quickly enough for the city's ice rink to open Friday as previously scheduled, according to city officials.
Health care providers team up for 20th Annual Turkey Drive
The food drive kicks off at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 19, at both Walmart and Grocery Outlet in Moses Lake, and will run through 6 p.m. on Friday. Those wishing to donate can purchase a pre-packaged bag for $10, filled with curated Thanksgiving goodies, or drop off any canned food or other non-perishable items, according to the statement.
Some still skeptical of Moses Lake's managed camp for unsheltered
With Grant County’s first managed camp for unsheltered people, made up of a few dozen “tiny homes” with just enough space for a bed, set to open sometime in the next week or so, some are skeptical about the program from the city.
26th and 27th deaths linked to COVID-19 reported
Two Moses Lake women infected with the coronavirus have died, marking the 26th and 27th confirmed COVID-19-related deaths of Grant County residents since the pandemic began, the Grant County Health District reported last week.
Public records for Nov. 9, 2020
vital records
Eyes on the road: Moses Lake driving school brings vital service in trying time
For Kenn Bishop, whose family owns and operates Cruisers Driving Academy, the handful of hours that his students spend in his classroom or behind the wheel of one of his vehicles, less time than is spent in a single week of full-time work, is a matter of no less than life or death.
Soap Lake man imprisoned after guilty plea
A homeless Soap Lake man has been sentenced to a little under two years in prison after pleading guilty following an incident in which he attempted to flee the Walmart in Ephrata with a shopping cart carrying around $1,000 of merchandise.
Man sentenced in shooting case
A Quincy man previously convicted of felonies has been sentenced to 31 months in prison after pleading guilty in a case that involved shooting at a man who had shot at his car and picking up the casings to hide evidence from the police.
Police records for Nov. 5, 2020
Police logs
Columbia Basin Allied Arts’ airing of 'Nosferatu' a feat of creativity amid challenges
For every solution, for every creative decision, Columbia Basin Allied Arts faced another challenge with its Friday stream of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 production of "Nosferatu," complete with a live performance by cellist Gideon Freudmann providing a modern soundtrack for the old-school monster movie.
Newhouse on way to re-election
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse appears to have won re-election to Congress, obtaining a clear lead Tuesday night over his Democratic opponent, Douglas McKinley.
Local incumbents handily leading their legislative races
While national election results remained clouded Tuesday night, local legislative races were clear: incumbent Republicans handily defeated their Democratic challengers Tuesday.
Hundreds of trick-or-treaters pack Othello church Saturday
Hundreds of baby Yodas, princesses and pirates, ghosts and goblins, and little men both of the spider and bat variety all packed into the Bethel Assembly of God Saturday afternoon for a trunk-or-treat and car show Halloween event.
Knodell leads race for re-election
Incumbent Superior Court Judge John D. Knodell appears to be on the way to re-election, leading challenger Deputy Prosecutor Kevin J. McCrae by just over seven points as of Tuesday night.
Looking ahead toward growth, Moses Lake creates engineering division
The city of Moses Lake will create an Engineering Services Division, divvying up roles currently held by the Municipal Services Department and expanding the city’s engineering staff.
Scientist, linguist, musician, healer: Renaissance man and son of Moses Lake passes away
MOSES LAKE — Dr. Jose “Joe” Flores, who passed away in his Los Angeles home at the beginning of October, was a gifted athlete, engaging conversationalist and NASA physician with degrees from the nation’s top schools, who would examine astronauts as they left for or returned from the International Space Station.
Man who reportedly threw ax gets 70 months
A Grand Coulee man has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of charges connected to a December 2017 incident when he reportedly threw an ax at a Moses Lake Home Depot employee while he fled with stolen items.
More treat than trick: Moses Lake drive-in Halloween draws large, distanced crowd
Under the baleful glow of a full moon, downtown Moses Lake was filled with little goblins and ghouls Saturday as over a hundred families packed into their cars and participated in the Moses Lake Business Association’s Halloween Drive-thru event.
Dent returns home after COVID-19 hospitalization
Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, is at home recovering after being admitted to the intensive care unit at Samaritan Hospital on Oct. 21, two weeks after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Moses Lake managed homeless camp set to open mid-November
With tiny home units being hauled in at a pace of around five per week, the Moses Lake managed homeless camp is set to open its doors in mid-November, said Taylor Burton, housing and grants coordinator for the city.
Moses Lake man accused of attempted bribery of trooper
A Moses Lake man is facing charges of driving under the influence and bribery after allegedly trying to hand money to a state trooper while on his way to jail, according to law enforcement officials.
Othello man killed in Monday collision identified
An Othello man who died in a Monday traffic accident at the intersection of state Route 262 and state Route 26 has been identified as 31-year-old Payan Medinairrael, according to a press release.
Police records for Oct. 29, 2020
Police records
Coronavirus: 25th resident of Grant County dies
A 25th Grant County resident has died due to complications related to a COVID-19 infection, according to a statement by Grant County Health District.
Moses Lake man sentenced after reportedly throwing knife at girlfriend
A Moses Lake man was sentenced to just under a year in jail, with his sentence suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to charges related to an April incident in which he reportedly threw a kitchen knife at his girlfriend, according to court documents.
With shelter on the way, Moses Lake restricts where homeless can camp
With a number of projects in the works that will eventually provide homeless residents with a place to go, the city of Moses Lake is reintroducing restrictions on where homeless people can and can’t camp.
Quincy man arrested on domestic violence assault of a child
A Quincy man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of choking his 10-year-old child and punching his 12-year-old child in the gut, according to local police officials.
Police records for Oct. 27, 2020
Police records
Public records for Oct. 26, 2020
Births, marriages, divorces
Warden man sentenced to 14 months after attempted stabbing
A Warden man was sentenced to 14 months in prison last week after pleading guilty to charges related to a September assault in which he attempted to stab a man in the face.
Building communal roots by sharing seeds
Gardening can be a deeply personal activity, as residents spend hours by themselves making their yards bloom each year.
Breath of relief: Local vineyards appear free of 'smoke taint'
A month later after Grant County was blanketed by wildfire smoke, grape growers across the state are breathing a sigh of relief, as tests appear to show the smoke did not affect the flavor of the wine.
Kitten rescued, adopted out
A young kitten found in a sewer grate in Moses Lake by a local police officer and brought to the Grant County Animal Outreach was quickly adopted earlier this month.
State announces new restrictions for college residents
Washington colleges and universities will be responsible for providing isolation and quarantine facilities to students living in dorms, Greek system houses, off-campus congregate houses, as well as personnel if they don’t have a place to go, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday at a press conference.
Snowstorm to blow through Grant County, leave freezing temperatures
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Friday and into Friday night, the Spokane office of the National Weather Service warned Central Washington residents Wednesday.
Health care officials talk with Newhouse about pandemic response
Congressman Dan Newhouse met with local health care providers and officials in Othello on Tuesday to discuss the needs of workers on the frontlines of the pandemic.
Police records for Oct. 21, 2020
MLPD, Grant County Jail
Ephrata man pleads guilty to stealing Christmas gifts off of porches
A 46-year-old Ephrata man was sentenced to 45 days in county jail after pleading guilty to stealing Christmas gifts and other packages off of the porches of Ephrata homes in 2018.
Winter is coming: Chance of snow as early as Friday morning
The Columbia Basin may see its first snowfall of the season as early as Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service office in Spokane, as a storm system passes through the region and temperatures continue to drop.
Judicial candidates Q&A: Two in race for local judge position
Incumbent Judge John D. Knodell is being challenged for his seat on the Grant County Superior Court by Deputy Prosecutor Kevin McCrae during this November's election.
Moses Lake man seen in viral video arrested in animal abuse case
A 21-year-old Moses Lake man is facing charges of animal cruelty after a video circulated on social media showed him attacking his dog, a labrador-pitbull mix, according to local law enforcement.
Man sentenced to 44 months in prison
Derelle Lee Favors, 24, of Auburn, pleaded guilty last month to two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and one count of possession of a controlled substance, according to court documents.
Coronavirus: Grant County case rate falls
Since last Thursday, 107 cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Grant County, according to Grant County Health District.
Meet Grant County's newest defender
It’s been a little over two months since Jimenez hit the streets with the newest member of the sheriff’s office’s K-9 unit, K-9 Zedd, whose name is short for Zadak, which is Czech for “Defender.”
Eight-year-old airlifted to hospital after Wednesday collision
Two people were hospitalized after a two-car collision on state Route 17 near milepost 44-5 Wednesday, including an eight-year-old who had to be airlifted to Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Adams County Sheriff's endorsements may have broken electioneering laws
The Adams County Sheriff may have violated state electioneering laws with a recent post to the department’s official social media page that endorsed two candidates for the county board of commissioners, according to state election officials.
State patrol bomb technician sent out to dig site near the Gorge
A bomb technician with the Washington State Patrol was called out to a dig site near the Cave B Winery near the Gorge Wednesday afternoon after reports of a utility crew that unearthed old blasting caps at a dig site.