EMRY DINMAN
Staff Writer
Recent Stories
A life of service: Lee Blackwell remembered
MOSES LAKE — Lee Blackwell, who passed away July 7 at the age of 88, was among the pillars of Moses Lake.
Man suspected of exchanging gunfire with Othello officer caught
OTHELLO — U.S. Marshals on Thursday found a man who is suspected of firing shots Wednesday near the 800 block of Larch Street after being confronted by an Othello police officer, according to law enforcement officials.
Local elections change little after more ballots counted
GRANT COUNTY — Hundreds of additional ballots have continued to be counted in Grant County since Tuesday’s primary elections, with some candidates increasing their leads since earlier in the week. But there were no major shakeups in the top-two election.
Moses Lake woman with coronavirus dies
GRANT COUNTY — An 11th Grant County resident with the coronavirus has died, Grant County Health District confirmed in a press release Wednesday afternoon.
Moses Lake to launch drive-in movies
MOSES LAKE — Adapting to the current pandemic’s effect on modern recreational activities, the city of Moses Lake is looking to a classic to bring people in the community together while they keep their distance: drive-in movies.
Othello man in July 22 crash dies
WARDEN — An Othello man involved in a two-vehicle collision near Warden on July 22 has died in a hospital, according to Washington State Patrol.
Coronavirus: 29 new cases in Grant County
GRANT COUNTY — There were 29 confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County on Wednesday, as well as three cases still under investigation, including 22 in the Quincy area, six in Moses Lake, three in Warden and one in Royal City, according to Grant County Health District.
Democrats lead in most statewide races Tuesday
OLYMPIA — Some statewide races, including a gubernatorial race with 36 candidates, will be narrowed down to two candidates each following Tuesday’s primary election, with Democrats leading every race but that of Secretary of State as of 9:30 p.m.
Most incumbents comfortably lead in Tuesday primary
Most incumbents comfortably lead in Tuesday primary
EPHRATA — A number of important primary elections took place in Grant County and its legislative districts Tuesday, with incumbents comfortably leading in all but one race for a seat on the Grant County Commission.
Incumbents leading in Tuesday primary, except in county commission race
Incumbents comfortably led in all but one race for a seat on the Grant County Commission in primary elections that took place in Grant County and its legislative districts Tuesday.
Collision near Warden leaves one dead
WARDEN — A 55-year-old Kennewick man died Monday morning due to injuries suffered in a collision near Warden involving three vehicles.
Seven Samaritan Healthcare employees test positive for coronavirus
MOSES LAKE — Seven Samaritan Healthcare employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, the organization said Monday. They are all believed to have been exposed to the virus while out in the community.
Newhouse stops in Moses Lake before election
Newhouse stops in Moses Lake before election
MOSES LAKE — Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, stopped in Moses Lake on Monday to visit the newly opened headquarters of the Grant County Republican Party, located in the heart of downtown.
Coronavirus: 95 cases reported over the weekend
GRANT COUNTY — There were 95 confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County over the weekend, with new cases reported in nearly every community in the county, according to Grant County Health District.
Grant County has outsized COVID-19 positive test rate, but a low number of deaths
GRANT COUNTY — Grant County has the seventh-highest rate of positive COVID-19 tests of any Washington county, a metric which health officials have previously stated is an indicator of how widespread the coronavirus was in an area.
Q&A with 13th Legislative District candidates
Incumbent Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, Democratic challenger Eduardo Castaneda-Diaz, and John “the man” Malan, listed as a Classical Democrat, are running for a state House seat representing the 13th Legislative District.
New site for proposed homeless camp expected in coming weeks
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake has formed a committee that will meet in the next two weeks to determine options for a site for a managed homeless camp, which would then be presented to the city council, City Manager Allison Williams wrote in an email.
Coronavirus: 24 new cases in Grant County
GRANT COUNTY — There were 24 confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County on Wednesday: 10 new cases in Moses Lake, seven in the Quincy area, five in the Mattawa area, and two in Royal City, according to Grant County Health District.
State to launch $100 million rental assistance program
OLYMPIA — State officials will begin sending out $100 million in federal CARES Act funds early next week to help support those who cannot afford to pay their rent due to impacts from the pandemic, according to a spokesperson for the state Department of Commerce.
Tenth Grant County death linked to COVID-19
GRANT COUNTY — A Quincy man in his 70s is the 10th Grant County resident to die due to complications from the coronavirus, according to Grant County Health District.
COVID-19 outbreaks reported in two Moses Lake nursing homes
MOSES LAKE — Two nursing homes in Moses Lake are currently experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, Grant County Health District reported Tuesday.
Tenth Grant County death linked to COVID-19
GRANT COUNTY — A Quincy man in his 70s is the 10th Grant County resident to die due to complications from the coronavirus, according to Grant County Health District.
Red light cameras barely breaking even for Moses Lake this year
MOSES LAKE — Red light cameras at four intersections in Moses Lake city limits generated nearly a million dollars in 2019, but the city kept only a bit more than half of that. And this year, the cameras are producing a lot less revenue.
Moses Lake rap artist looks forward to better days
MOSES LAKE — N’kosi Lattimore, a rap artist who performs under the name KOSHWESTKOAST and graduate of Moses Lake High School, grew up around a lot of different kinds of music. He loved alt-rock band Cage the Elephant, thrash metal band Slayer and ’90s hip hop, and also often listened to jazz, or whatever else his family was listening to.
State to require masks be worn more, tighten limits
Washington state will be tightening a number of restrictions on businesses, face masks and certain religious services in the face of a surge of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Jay Inslee said at a Thursday press briefing.
First Adams County resident dies after being sickened with COVID-19
ADAMS COUNTY — An Othello man has died after becoming infected with the coronavirus, the first Adams County resident to die with COVID-19, Adams County Health District stated in a press release.
Ninth COVID-19-linked death in Grant County announced
GRANT COUNTY — A ninth Grant County resident with the coronavirus has died, according to Grant County Health District.
Ninth COVID-19-linked death in Grant County announced
GRANT COUNTY - The Grant County Health District is reporting the 9th COVID-19 associated death in a Grant County resident.
Crescent Bar shelter-in-place alert lifted after arrest
A suspect was arrested Thursday on suspicion of firing gunshots at Crescent Bar.
Year in prison for Walmart shoplifter
EPHRATA — A Kennewick woman was sentenced to just over a year in prison after pleading guilty in a case involving swapping price tags and concealing items at a Moses Lake Walmart where she had previously been trespassed, according to court records.
A happy end to a strange year for Othello High School grads
A happy end to a strange year for Othello High School grads
OTHELLO — It was the kind of unusual graduation ceremony that has become all too common during the pandemic, as around 250 Othello High School graduating seniors drove along the football field to receive their diplomas.
Official causes of death: Eight local cases were direct results of virus
GRANT COUNTY — All eight Grant County residents who were sickened by COVID-19 and later died passed away as a direct result of the coronavirus and not circumstantially, according to state and county health officials.
Man arrested in burglary at assisted-living center
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested early Friday morning in connection with an alleged break-in at a senior living facility and theft of a resident’s jewelry, according to local law enforcement.
School district finds mixed response for remote learning, but majority are concerned with school safety
School district finds mixed response for remote learning, but majority are concerned with school safety
MOSES LAKE — While remote learning was largely unpopular for the Moses Lake School District community, many are also concerned about their safety when school resumes, according to a survey published by the school district earlier this month.
Othello graduates receive their diplomas in unorthodox ceremony
Othello graduates receive their diplomas in unorthodox ceremony
OTHELLO — About 250 Othello High School graduates drove along the school’s football field Friday to receive their diplomas in a socially distant ceremony, the most recent change to traditional activities caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
24-year-old dead after collision on lake
MOSES LAKE — A 24-year-old Moses Lake man died Saturday morning from injuries suffered in a Friday night personal watercraft collision, according to law enforcement.
One dead, two hospitalized after collision
ROCK ISLAND — One man died and two other people were injured in a two-vehicle collision Saturday evening on state Route 28 near Rock Island in Douglas County.
Health officers have vast powers in pandemic
GRANT COUNTY — Washington state law is clear that health officers, such as Grant and Adams counties’ Alexander Brzezny, have vast powers to respond to pandemics like the COVID-19 outbreak. And that includes the June 24 order from state Secretary of Health John Wiesman requiring every person in Washington to “wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in any indoor or outdoor public setting.”
Two ML intersections stand out in police department data
Two ML intersections stand out in police department data
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department issued more than 10,000 citations last year based on infractions caught by traffic cameras at just four intersections, according to the department’s 2019 annual report.
Coronavirus: 26 cases reported in Grant County
GRANT COUNTY — Twenty-six new cases of the coronavirus were reported in Grant County on Thursday, including four new cases each in Ephrata, Moses Lake, and the Quincy and Mattawa areas, and three in Warden, according to Grant County Health District.
As next school year looms, MLSD wrangles with reopening safely
MOSES LAKE — Though the Moses Lake School District is still in the process of finalizing a plan to safely start the new school year in late August, one thing is clear: not every student will be back in the classroom.
Coronavirus: 13 new cases in Grant County
GRANT COUNTY — There were 13 new cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County on Wednesday, including five in Moses Lake, three in Royal City, three in the Quincy area, and two in Ephrata, according to Grant County Health District.
Freed, other statewide candidates, draw a crowd in Moses Lake
Freed, other statewide candidates, draw a crowd in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Joshua Freed, a candidate for governor, visited Civic Park in Moses Lake on Wednesday to lay out his plans for addressing a number of key issues, drawing an audience of nearly 100.
Moses Lake Surf ‘n Slide won’t open this summer
MOSES LAKE - The Surf ‘n Slide Water Park will remain closed this summer, Moses Lake city officials announced at a Tuesday meeting of the city council. “We cannot fully open until Phase 3, and despite our wonderful advertising efforts with our lifeguards to get people to wear masks, the report we had yesterday from the health district is that Phase 3 is not close in sight,” said City Manager Allison Williams. “In conferring with staff, we believe that we canot open the Surf ‘n Slide this season.”
Torres given 20 years for 2018 killing of his father
MOSES LAKE — Jonathan Torres, 22, of Royal City, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to shooting his father in the back of the head in 2018.
Coronavirus: 5 new cases
GRANT COUNTY — There were five new cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County on Tuesday evening, with one new case each reported in Moses Lake, Royal City, Warden, and the Mattawa and Quincy areas, according to Grant County Health District.
Coronavirus: Eighty-nine new cases reported over the weekend
GRANT COUNTY — Since Friday evening, there were 89 new cases of the coronavirus reported in Grant County, bringing the countywide total to 858, according to Grant County Health District.
Eighth Grant County resident has died of COVID-19
GRANT COUNTY — A Mattawa man in his 50s is the eighth Grant County resident to die after testing positive for the coronavirus, and the fourth death reported in just over a month, according to Grant County Health District.
Boy hospitalized after watercraft collision
GEORGE — A 12-year-old western Washington male was seriously injured Saturday morning when the personal watercraft he was operating collided with a ski boat on the Columbia River near the Sunland community in Grant County, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Gubernatorial candidate Freed, others to visit Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Former Bothell City Council member and Republican candidate for governor Joshua Freed will be in Moses Lake’s Civic Park at noon Wednesday. Freed, a graduate of Seattle Pacific University, served 12 years on the Bothell City Council.