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EMRY DINMAN

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Recent Stories

May 14, 2020 12:25 p.m.

Rtizville homicide suspect arrested after chase, shootout across state lines

A Ritzville homicide suspect has been detained by the Oregon State Patrol after a chase and shootout in the Troutdale/Portland area, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Department.

Ritzville homicide suspect arrested after chase, shootout across state lines
May 14, 2020 12:25 p.m.

Ritzville homicide suspect arrested after chase, shootout across state lines

A Ritzville homicide suspect has been detained by the Oregon State Patrol after a chase and shootout in the Troutdale/Portland area, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Department.

May 13, 2020 11:49 p.m.

Grant, 18 other county commissions urge governor to give them the reins

The Grant County Commission joined commissions from 18 other Washington counties urging Gov. Jay Inslee to speed up the state’s return to normalcy and to hand over more control to local authorities.

Moses Lake to rejoin Grant County Conservation District
May 13, 2020 11:41 p.m.

Moses Lake to rejoin Grant County Conservation District

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will re-enter the Grant County Conservation District in order to address the health of the lake, the city council decided in a 4-3 vote Tuesday.

200,000 pounds of Grant County potatoes to fill Tacoma Dome
May 13, 2020 11:41 p.m.

200,000 pounds of Grant County potatoes to fill Tacoma Dome

Around 200,000 pounds of potatoes, weighing more than a 737 Max plane, are going to be given away at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday, and every single one of those spuds is coming from a Grant County farm.

Coronavirus: No new cases reported Wednesday
May 13, 2020 5:28 p.m.

Coronavirus: No new cases reported Wednesday

GRANT COUNTY - There were no new cases of the novel coronavirus reported in Grant County Wednesday according to the Grant County Health District.

Moses Lake to build managed space for homeless in Longview Tracts area
May 12, 2020 11:58 p.m.

Moses Lake to build managed space for homeless in Longview Tracts area

Moses Lake to build managed space for homeless in Longview Tracts area

MOSES LAKE — A managed homeless camp will be built on a strip of undeveloped park land parallel to Longview Street Northeast near state Route 17, the Moses Lake City Council decided Tuesday. The site of the camp is sandwiched by residences on either side and is about a half-mile south of Longview Elementary School.

Coronavirus: Two new cases confirmed Tuesday, both in Quincy area
May 12, 2020 11:57 p.m.

Coronavirus: Two new cases confirmed Tuesday, both in Quincy area

188 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Tuesday evening

‘We can’t make money’: Small restaurants balk at criteria to reopen dine-in services
May 12, 2020 11:57 p.m.

‘We can’t make money’: Small restaurants balk at criteria to reopen dine-in services

The state on Monday released guidelines for reopening restaurant dine-in services when counties enter the next phase of restarting the economy, but some small businesses are saying that keeping their doors closed will be simpler.

200,000 pounds of Grant County potatoes to fill Tacoma Dome
May 12, 2020 7 p.m.

200,000 pounds of Grant County potatoes to fill Tacoma Dome

Around 200,000 pounds of potatoes, weighing more than a 737 Max plane, are going to be given away at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday, and every single one of those spuds is coming from a Grant County farm.

Coronavirus: No new cases reported Monday
May 11, 2020 4:35 p.m.

Coronavirus: No new cases reported Monday

No new cases reported Monday.

Coronavirus: Seven new cases reported Sunday
May 3, 2020 4:52 p.m.

Coronavirus: Seven new cases reported Sunday

Seven new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported in Grant County Sunday

Coronavirus: Four new confirmed cases reported Saturday
May 2, 2020 4:21 p.m.

Coronavirus: Four new confirmed cases reported Saturday

GRANT COUNTY - There were 175 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Saturday evening with three new cases reported in the Quincy area and one new case in Ephrata, according to the Grant County Health District.

Coronavirus: Recoveries narrowly outpace new confirmed infections for first time
May 1, 2020 4:40 p.m.

Coronavirus: Recoveries narrowly outpace new confirmed infections for first time

More people have recovered from the novel coronavirus in Grant County than tested positive since last Friday, the first time this has happened since the Grant County Health District began reporting recoveries.

People flock from across region for Moses Lake potato giveaway
May 1, 2020 12:05 a.m.

People flock from across region for Moses Lake potato giveaway

People flock from across region for Moses Lake potato giveaway

MOSES LAKE — In hundreds of vehicles Thursday, crisscrossing the length of the Grant County Fairgrounds parking lot, snaking more than a mile all the way back past North Grape Drive, organizers estimated that over 1,000 people came for the potatoes.

Add this to the list: Green fireball sighted in skies above Central Washington
April 30, 2020 7:16 p.m.

Add this to the list: Green fireball sighted in skies above Central Washington

GRANT COUNTY — A fireball appeared in the skies above Grant County Thursday afternoon on its way north towards the Canadian border, according to multiple eyewitness reports to the American Meteor Society and the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office.

Coronavirus: Three new cases each in Moses Lake, Mattawa area
April 30, 2020 5:26 p.m.

Coronavirus: Three new cases each in Moses Lake, Mattawa area

GRANT COUNTY - There were 167 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Thursday evening, including three new cases reported each in Moses Lake and the Mattawa area, according to the Grant County Health District.

Farmers donate tons of potatoes in Ritzville
April 29, 2020 11:21 p.m.

Farmers donate tons of potatoes in Ritzville

RITZVILLE — Potato farmers across Washington are facing an unprecedented economic crisis as restaurant demand for spuds bottoms out, with a billion pounds of potatoes once planned for domestic consumption that no longer have customers.

Coronavirus: No new cases reported Wednesday, second time in three days
April 29, 2020 5:31 p.m.

Coronavirus: No new cases reported Wednesday, second time in three days

GRANT COUNTY - No new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported Wednesday for the second time in three days, according to the Grant County Health District.

Coronavirus: Three new cases confirmed, including first in Electric City
April 28, 2020 11:52 p.m.

Coronavirus: Three new cases confirmed, including first in Electric City

161 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Tuesday evening, including the first case in Electric City and one new case each reported in Moses Lake and the Quincy area

Construction allowed to resume, but restrictions may be burdensome
April 28, 2020 11:21 p.m.

Construction allowed to resume, but restrictions may be burdensome

GRANT COUNTY — Construction has been allowed to resume for projects already underway, Gov. Jay Inslee announced April 24, so long as workers follow stringent social distancing and hygiene requirements.

Coronavirus: No new cases, 60 have recovered as of Monday
April 28, 2020 12:08 a.m.

Coronavirus: No new cases, 60 have recovered as of Monday

GRANT COUNTY - No new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported Monday, the third time this has happened in the last two weeks, according to the Grant County Health District.

Inslee announces partial reopening of outdoor recreation May 5
April 28, 2020 12:07 a.m.

Inslee announces partial reopening of outdoor recreation May 5

OLYMPIA - Certain outdoor activities will be reopened May 5 as some data suggests Washington is begginning to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Jay Inslee said at a Monday press conference.

April 28, 2020 midnight

Soap Lake police department seeks help to pay for K-9

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Police Department is asking for the public’s help to raise around $15,000 to pay for the department’s first K-9 unit, K-9 Billy.

Inslee to announce next steps for reopening fishing, outdoor recreation
April 27, 2020 1:20 p.m.

Inslee to announce next steps for reopening fishing, outdoor recreation

OLYMPIA - Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to announce next steps to reopen fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation at today’s 2:30 p.m. press conference, according to a spokesperson with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Around a hundred gather in Moses Lake to protest ban
April 26, 2020 11:56 p.m.

Around a hundred gather in Moses Lake to protest ban

Around a hundred gather in Moses Lake to protest ban

MOSES LAKE — Around 100 people from across the region gathered under overcast skies at Blue Heron Park Saturday morning to protest Washington state’s ban on fishing during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Ephrata police hunting for stranger who attempted to kidnap 14-year-old girl
April 25, 2020 9:16 a.m.

Ephrata police hunting for stranger who attempted to kidnap 14-year-old girl

EPHRATA - Ephrata police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down a hispanic male in his 20s or 30s that allegedly attempted to kidnap a 14-year-old girl in the 200 block of G Street Northeast in the wee hours Friday morning.

Coronavirus: Mattawa man sickened with coronavirus dies
April 24, 2020 4:10 p.m.

Coronavirus: Mattawa man sickened with coronavirus dies

A Mattawa man in his 50s died in his home today due to complications from COVID-19, according to the Grant County Health District.

Grant County elected leaders urge governor to begin opening small businesses
April 24, 2020 12:06 a.m.

Grant County elected leaders urge governor to begin opening small businesses

In a letter sent Thursday, the Grant County Commissioners, Sheriff and Prosecutor implored the governor to reconsider his moratorium on the construction of single-family homes and to begin reopening small businesses within the state.

April 23, 2020 11:41 p.m.

Footage of fatal police shooting released

The Columbia Basin Investigative Team released a partial video of an April 11 incident in Ritzville where a man armed with a machete experiencing mental health distress was shot and killed after advancing on police officers.

Coronavirus: Four new cases reported Thursday
April 23, 2020 4:08 p.m.

Coronavirus: Four new cases reported Thursday

There were 155 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Thursday evening, with two new cases in Royal City and one new case each in Moses Lake, the Quincy area and the Mattawa area, according to the Grant County Health District.

April 22, 2020 11:57 p.m.

State frees hundreds of prisoners, including some from Grant, Adams counties

Some prisoners are from Grant, Adams counties; plaintiffs to ask for more to be released

Hundreds of inmates have been released from state prisons in recent days in response to a state Supreme Court order to protect the health of the incarcerated during the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus: Four new cases in Grant County reported Wednesday
April 22, 2020 11:57 p.m.

Coronavirus: Four new cases in Grant County reported Wednesday

GRANT COUNTY - There were 151 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Wednesday evening, with one new case reported each in Ephrata, Moses Lake, the Quincy area and the Mattawa area, according to the Grant County Health District.

Moses Lake Food Bank operating with less than half staff
April 22, 2020 11:48 p.m.

Moses Lake Food Bank operating with less than half staff

MOSES LAKE — With many of its typical volunteers absent, Moses Lake Food Bank desperately needs healthy volunteers to help bag and issue food to those in need, operations manager Peny Archer said in an interview Wednesday.

April 22, 2020 12:11 a.m.

Some may be avoiding COVID-19 tests

ADAMS COUNTY — Not everyone who may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus is allowing themselves to be tested, according to information received anecdotally by a health official in Adams County.

April 22, 2020 12:03 a.m.

Earth Day lesson plans scrapped by COVID-19 shutdown

In a normal year, Elliott DeLong, environmental educator with the Grant County Conservation District, would be teaching third-graders in Moses Lake about soil health and the water cycle today, an Earth Day curriculum tailored for Eastern Washington.

Coronavirus: Four new cases reported in Grant County Tuesday
April 21, 2020 4:14 p.m.

Coronavirus: Four new cases reported in Grant County Tuesday

Four new cases reported Tuesday, including three in Royal City and one in the Mattawa area.

April 20, 2020 11:42 p.m.

Grant County Jail less crowded, though for different reasons than state prisons

GRANT COUNTY — While the public turns its attention to state prisons, where over 1,000 inmates are being released to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the often overcrowded Grant County Jail has also become a lot less crowded, though for different reasons.

Coronavirus: Zero new cases reported for first time since mid-March
April 20, 2020 4:15 p.m.

Coronavirus: Zero new cases reported for first time since mid-March

Zero new cases reported for the first time since March 18

K-9 Chief joins proud pack of law, military dogs aided by Project K-9 Hero
April 19, 2020 10:23 p.m.

K-9 Chief joins proud pack of law, military dogs aided by Project K-9 Hero

MOSES LAKE — When it was announced Wednesday that newly-retired K-9 Chief’s medical and food costs would be covered for life by national nonprofit Project K-9 Hero, the former officer became the 83rd member of a proud pack.

Coronavirus: Ten new cases over the weekend, outpaced by 24 recoveries
April 19, 2020 4:25 p.m.

Coronavirus: Ten new cases over the weekend, outpaced by 24 recoveries

Ten new cases have been reported in Grant County since Friday, six of which were from Moses Lake.

A month later, Samaritan’s RVEC sees progress
April 16, 2020 12:10 a.m.

A month later, Samaritan’s RVEC sees progress

A month later, Samaritan’s RVEC sees progress

MOSES LAKE — Though Samaritan’s Respiratory Virus Evaluation Center, set up in mid-March to help isolate potential COVID-19 patients, is still seeing a significant number of patients, things have started to slowly mellow a bit, physician assistant Brett Hymas said in a recent interview.

Coronavirus: Four new cases confirmed in Grant County Thursday
April 16, 2020 12:10 a.m.

Coronavirus: Four new cases confirmed in Grant County Thursday

133 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Thursday evening, with three new cases reported in the Mattawa area and one new case reported in Moses Lake

Coronavirus: Only one new Grant County case for first time since March 19
April 14, 2020 11:14 p.m.

Coronavirus: Only one new Grant County case for first time since March 19

122 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Monday evening, with one new case reported in Moses Lake

April 14, 2020 11:01 p.m.

Social distancing complaints filed against three businesses

GRANT COUNTY — Complaints were filed against three businesses in Grant County over the weekend for alleged violation of the governor’s orders regarding essential businesses, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigatory team issues initial report on suspect killed by Ritzville officer
April 14, 2020 8:30 p.m.

Investigatory team issues initial report on suspect killed by Ritzville officer

RITZVILLE — In its first legally mandated weekly update, the Columbia Basin Investigative Team issued a statement regarding its investigation into the death of a suspect at the hands of a Ritzville police officer.

Investigatory team issues initial report on suspect killed by Ritzville officer
April 14, 2020 8:30 p.m.

Investigatory team issues initial report on suspect killed by Ritzville officer

RITZVILLE — In its first legally mandated weekly update, the Columbia Basin Investigative Team issued a statement regarding its investigation into the death of a suspect at the hands of a Ritzville police officer.

K9 Chief will not return to duty
April 14, 2020 7:50 p.m.

K9 Chief will not return to duty

MOSES LAKE - K9 Chief will not be returning to service, Moses Lake police chief Kevin Fuhr said at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Third Samaritan employee tests positive for COVID-19
April 14, 2020 1:40 p.m.

Third Samaritan employee tests positive for COVID-19

MOSES LAKE - A third Samaritan Healthcare employee has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the organization said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. The employee has shown no symptoms of the disease, said Gretchen Youngren, Executive Director of Development and Communication at Samaritan, in a statement. The employee is isolating at home.

Coronavirus: Two new cases reported each in Grant, Adams counties
April 13, 2020 11:40 p.m.

Coronavirus: Two new cases reported each in Grant, Adams counties

GRANT COUNTY — There are 122 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Grant County as of Monday evening, with one new case reported each in Moses Lake and the Mattawa area, according to the Grant County Health District.