GABRIEL DAVIS
Gabriel Davis is a resident of Othello who enjoys the connections with his sources. Davis is a graduate of Northwest Nazarene University where he studied English and creative writing. During his free time, he enjoys reading, TV, movies and games – anything with a good story, though he has a preference for science fiction and crime. He covers the communities on the south end of Grant County and in Adams County.
Recent Stories
Adaptation and change
Imagine Realty and Palos Verdes to offer new custom floor plan
OTHELLO — Othello residents might soon be able to purchase houses with floor plans that include an attached second primary suite, one of a number of options an Othello realty company is using to adapt to the market.
Wheels spin at Othello Demo Derby
OTHELLO — The Othello Demolition Derby brought a swarm of audience members to the rodeo arena at the Adams County Fairgrounds Sept. 13 during the 2023 Othello Fair. Warden resident Tomas Pruneda spoke about what brought him to the event. “This is my sixth year racing,” said Pruneda. “I just love to race. I mean, we go everywhere, we go to Moses Lake, Tri-Cities, Walla Walla. We're hoping to go to Spokane on Sunday … big adrenaline.”
Soap Lake changes city hall hours ordinance
The Soap Lake City Council voted Wednesday to approve a change in the city’s ordinances, switching City Hall’s public hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. indefinitely. The ordinance change came after council members passed a motion at the Sept. 6 council meeting to adopt the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. public hours. City employees will still work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ...
Soup kitchen reopens for the winter at Our Lady of Fatima Parish
MOSES LAKE – The soup kitchen at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake is once again open for the winter. The church offers hot lunches every Thursday starting at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to the church website.
Livestock glamor
4-H and FFA youth take a turn in the show ring for Livestock Judging competition
OTHELLO – Future Farmers of America and 4-H members from all over the state of Washington traveled to the 2023 Othello Fair for the Livestock Judging event Friday morning, where they took a turn in the show ring to competitively judge animals. “What we do is we just take some animals that are pre-selected and we get four in a class and then the kids are asked to judge them on the quality,” said Grant County 4-H Program Coordinator Carolyn Russo. “This is market livestock judging, so most things are market. Sometimes we'll throw in a class of prospect breeding heifers or something.” ...
Moses Lake Ministerial Association hosts first United Community Worship Night
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Ministerial Association presented the city’s first inter-congregational United Community Worship Night Friday in the sanctuary of Restore City Church. Campus Coordinator at Youth Dynamics and Worship Leader at Grace Harvest Church Davie Sawyer, who was part of Friday’s worship team, explained the goal of the event...
Moving bales
Hay Bucking Contest returns for 2023 Othello Fair
OTHELLO – Othello Fair attendees lined the North Lawn next to the Adams County Fairgrounds entrance Thursday evening to watch teams of two participants compete in the 2023 Hay Bucking Contest for a chance at the first place $1000 prize. This is the second year the Hay Bucking contest has returned to the Othello Fair after a long absence, said Othello Fair President Becky Flint...
Soap Lake water accounts cause frustration
SOAP LAKE – The city of Soap Lake has experienced an increase in past-due water utility payments and shut-off notices, said Mayor Michelle Agliano. However, city residents say the issue is as much with the city’s billing processes as it is with nonpayment. “Payments are due on the 28th,” said Agliano. “The late notices go out the 29th and then if we have not gotten a payment by, usually the 4th after the new billing, we start sending out shut-off notices, which are hand delivered to each resident and I’ll tell you what, there were a ton of them this time that had notices.” ...
Magnetic Ink
Moses Lake tattoo shop doing well three years after starting business
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake native Eddie Bernier, the owner and operator of the Magnetic Ink tattoo shop, said near the beginning of August that business is doing well for him. Bernier can be found at his shop tattooing clients in a second floor room with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto South Balsam Street. Rows of Bernier’s own artwork hang on the walls of the shop...
Looking sharp: Othello Fair hosts annual market and Fit and Show livestock competitions
OTHELLO – Hundreds of 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Grange members spent the majority of Wednesday and Thursday at the Othello Fair showing the livestock they have been raising and caring for over the past year. Showings included both market showings and Fit and Showmanship presentations, said the President of the Adams County Livestock Association Robin Adolphsen...
Focus on the familiar
Masquers to open new season this weekend with ‘Blithe Spirit’
SOAP LAKE — The Masquers Theater in Soap Lake will be premiering Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit this weekend. The show will run through October 1 every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and every Sunday at 2 p.m., according to the theater’s website. “Blithe Spirit” marks the opening of the Masquers’ new theater season, said the play’s director Marla Allsopp, who is also on the Masquers Theater Board of Directors...
Mane management
Competitors lead horses at the Othello fair Halter and Showmanship competition
OTHELLO – The Othello Fair hosted the 4-H, Grange, Future Farmers of America and Open Halter and Showmanship horse judging event Wednesday morning, which saw competitors lead their horses around the ring and demonstrate their presentation and the quality of the horse itself. “Showmanship is showing off their horses, halters are their builds, the horses build,” said event organizer and Othello Fair Board Member Kyya Grant. “It's going good.” ...
2023 Othello Fair coming to town Wednesday to Saturday
OTHELLO – The Othello Fair will be held this week from Wednesday to Saturday at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Fairgoers can expect a variety of games, rides, attractions, competitions, livestock showings, food vendors and entertainment over the week, according to the Othello Fair website...
Frederick’s Jewelry to celebrate 70th anniversary Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake business Frederick’s Jewelry will celebrate its 70th anniversary Sept. 16 at 208 W. Third Ave. with extended hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The extended hours will partially coincide with the Downtown Moses Lake Association Sip n’ Stroll event. Frederick’s has been located in downtown Moses Lake since 1953, when Fred and Marlys Reiber opened Frederick’s Jewelry & Fine Gifts on Sept. 16, according to a press release from the store. Marty Utsunomiya, Fred and Marlys’ daughter, took over the business after Fred Reiber’s passing in 1993. “My sister is even coming for this and she lives in Ohio,” said Utsunomiya. “My sister and I were both raised in the store. In the very beginning, when my dad just had a shop for watchmaking, we went to work with them every day…And then when we moved here, we helped them set up everything, because this building was brand-new when we moved here.”
Braced for growth
Soap Lake real estate market comparable to other areas, but still soft
SOAP LAKE — The real estate market in Soap Lake is similar to other surrounding areas, but still not as strong as it could be with lower inventory and a softening market, said Realty Executives Grant County Broker Raymond Gravelle. Gravelle is also the president of the Grant County Association of Realtors and served as the mayor of Soap Lake from 2014 to 2019. “We do have an inventory crunch … Our inventory is still low. That is keeping pressure on the prices,” said Gravelle. “In the past three years, there's been 23 new homes sold with average stays on market of 35 (days) and an average price of $324,509. So today's average price is four percent lower than the average price over the past three years.”
Fill 'er up
Michael’s Bistro co-owner Michael Stevens cuts the ribbon unveiling the restaurant's new PourMyBeer self-pour beer tap and dispensing system Wednesday evening while other co-owners, employees, friends and family raise their glasses to mark the occasion.
GCFD 7 awarded grant, but anticipates budget shortfalls
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Fire District 7, based in Soap Lake, was awarded a four-year $590,000 federal grant for the recruitment and retention of volunteers. However, the district is also facing several budget shortfalls for 2024, said Fire Chief Chris Baker. Baker announced the award during Wednesday’s regular Soap Lake City Council meeting. “This grant will be used to hire a recruitment and retention coordinator, which will be full-time for the fire district for the next four years,” he said. The grant will replace the sign for the fire station with a programmable LED sign meant to help disseminate emergency and recruitment information to the public, said Baker.
Garden party!
Cloudview Farm to host fundraiser supporting educational programs.
EPHRATA – Non-profit Cloudview Farm will be hosting a Garden Party fundraiser for their Educate and Empower programs Sept. 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is for adults only, with dinner and drinks included in the cost of the $30 ticket. The main fundraising portion of the evening will be a silent auction for items donated by local and regional businesses, said Cloudview’s Education and Community Coordinator Julie Johnston...
Open Horse Show competitors demonstrate riding skills at fair
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities Fair hosted an Open Horse Show Saturday afternoon where any individual, regardless of association with the usual horse show organizations, could compete to demonstrate their horse riding skills. Erika Hennings, the fair’s horse superintendent and leader of the Saddle Warmers 4-H Club, said the Open Horse Show provides an opportunity for more competitors. “Yesterday would have been 4-H and FFA so those are the kids that bring their horses in on Wednesday, and are here for the duration. A lot of them are participating today but we have people that come in from the outside for the day or for the afternoon.”
Ritzville Fair livestock auction does well this year
RITZVILLE – As part of the Wheat Land Communities Fair in Ritzville, the Ritzville Livestock 4-H Club hosted an open livestock auction on Saturday, where youth involved in the fair and other members of the community sold their animals. Lori Williams, livestock sale secretary, vice president of the Wheat Land Communities Fair Board and head of the Ritzville 4-H Club, explained the basics of the event. “So all of these kids are 4-H and (Future Farmers of America) members,” said Williams. “The steers were purchased last fall and it takes them that long from beginning to end, and then it kind of culminates here at the sale.”
Community Days: Warden residents, guests gather for annual celebration
WARDEN – Citizens of Warden filled up Ash Street and Warden Volunteer Park for the Community Days celebration over Labor Day weekend. From Saturday to Monday, people gathered as a community. Renay Jorgensen, the event’s primary coordinator and organizer, said on Monday that the event was going “way better than expected.” ...
Othello approves Scootney parking restriction and robotic field painter
OTHELLO – The Othello City Council unanimously approved during Monday’s regular meeting a motion to institute a no parking zone on both sides of East Scootney Street between South First Avenue and South Broadway Avenue and to approve funds for a new robotic field painter...
Soap Lake confident heading into new season
SOAP LAKE – Eagles Head Coach Garrett Devine said that the team is much stronger than they were last season. Soap Lake’s first game of the season is Friday, where they will be playing against Wilbur-Creston-Keller at 7:00 p.m.
Soap Lake schools approve bargaining agreement for coaches
SOAP LAKE – After 14 years without a collective bargaining agreement, the Soap Lake School Board approved a CBA with the Coaches Association in the Soap Lake School District during Monday’s regular meeting. The agreement is in place until July 31, 2024. Board member Curt Dotson was initially against accepting the agreement without modifications...
ACDC to hold career showcases in Othello, Ritzville
OTHELLO — The Adams County Development Council will hold the 2023 Othello Career Showcase Oct. 24 at Othello High School and the 2023 Lind-Ritzville and Washtucna Career Showcase Oct. 19 in Lind-Ritzville High School, according to announcements from the council. ACDC wants businesses operating in Othello to take part in the event, which will be held inside the gyms of each respective high school...
Schools welcome back students
COLUMBIA BASIN — Students all over the Columbia Basin will head back to school this week and next. Schools in Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties all open between Aug. 28 and Sept. 6 for K-12. In Grant County, the Soap Lake School District celebrated its first day back at school Monday by rolling out a literal red carpet for students at Soap Lake Middle/High School. “As they entered school this morning, we had students, cheerleaders, staff cheering them on as they walked the red carpet into school,” said Soap Lake School District Superintendent Aaron Chavez. “Just a really awesome way to get kids excited about coming back for the school year.” Chavez said that they had a great first day and credited the school district faculty and staff for their work.
Warden High institutes Work Based Learning program
WARDEN – The Warden School Board approved the credit offerings for a new state mandated Work Based Learning program, to be instituted at the Warden High School during the upcoming semester, during its regular board meeting Thursday...
BBCC proposes Tech Hub for Grant, Adams
OTHELLO – The Adams County Board of Commissioners met in Othello Wednesday and heard a presentation from the Othello School District and Big Bend Community College on making Grant and Adams a national tech hub and supporting Othello students along the way. Big Bend Community College Vice President of Instructional Programs and Student Services Bryce Humpherys and Othello School District Student Services Director Amy Parris, who is also on the Big Bend board of trustees, ran the presentation...
Calling out cancer
Moses Lake City Council declares September to be Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake City Council declared during Tuesday’s regular city council meeting the month of September would be officially recognized by the city as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The council also unanimously passed a graffiti regulations ordinance...
Directing futures
CWU hires new dean of the College of Business
ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University recently hired a new Dean for the College of Business, Faiza Khoja, who took over for Jeffrey Stinson according to a June 27 press release from CWU. Khoja said she officially accepted the position in June, ahead of the 2023-24 school year. Her first week in the position began Aug. 15...
Othello Port Commissioner Kenny Schutte not running for re-election in the fall
OTHELLO – Kenny Schutte is opting not to run for re-election as a Port of Othello commissioner for District No. 1. Schutte said that he will serve until Jan. 1, 2024, leaving the position to one of the two candidates running in November.
Hundreds attend Grant County Fair Livestock Awards
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County branches and chapters of 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Washington State Grange partnered to host the annual livestock awards at the Grant County Fair Saturday afternoon in the Sale Barn. The awards honored youths for their livestock showings throughout the fair week. Bleachers surrounding the hay-covered floor were filled with hundreds of children, teens and family members waiting to see if they won an award or to support other youth livestock competitors. The Washington State University Extension Animal Sciences Regional Specialist Sarah Maki Smith – who works with and organizes 4-H and FFA educational programs – was one of the organizers of the awards and one of the many presenters at the event itself.
FFA hosts tractor driving contest
MOSES LAKE – The Future Farmers of America held a tractor driving contest Saturday at the Grant County Fair in the warm-up arena, where FFA members competed to show who had the most skill operating a tractor under pressure. Former FFA member and tractor contest competitor Austin Kern was helping organize and manage the event...
Soap Lake adjusts office hours, discusses waste disposal
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council voted four to two during Wednesday’s regular meeting to approve temporary changes to City Hall’s public hours. The council also heard a presentation from the Grant County Health District on an out-of-compliance solid waste disposal site. For the next two weeks, starting Monday, Soap Lake City Hall will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with employees taking staggered lunches so someone will always be available to the public. Mayor Michelle Agliano said that the temporary change is meant to help devote more hours in the morning to training Soap Lake’s two recently hired city hall employees...
NCW Libraries hosts storytimes throughout Grant County Fair
MOSES LAKE – NCW Libraries from all over Grant County hosted daily children’s storytimes throughout the duration of the Grant County Fair, including the Ephrata Branch’s storytime Friday at 11:30 in the fairgrounds Youth Building. Aaron Loeffelbein, the Ephrata Public Library branch supervisor, was set up with a microphone in front of rows of blanket-covered hay bales for the children and parents to sit on. Loeffelbein had several books ready to read...
Proper equestrians
4-H and GCYEP host English Equitation contest at Grant County Fair
MOSES LAKE – 4-H and the Grant County Youth Equine Program partnered to hold horse-riding-related events throughout the week at the Grant County Fair, including English Equitation Wednesday morning in the Gene Harwood Pavillion. Stephanie Roeter, the 4-H regional specialist for Grant, Douglas and Chelan Counties and the 4-H horse barn superintendent for this year’s fair, emceed the event...
Soap Lake City Council swears in new member
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council voted unanimously to approve Fred Slipper to fill the vacant position No. 2 on the council during Wednesday’s regular meeting. Slipper will hold the position until Jan. 1, 2024. Slipper’s letter of interest to the city outlined some of his background and involvement...
Soap Lake Conservancy pushing for Outstanding Resource Water classification
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Conservancy and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are pushing for Soap Lake to be designated as an Outstanding Resource Water by the Department of Ecology, the proposal for which is open to public comment until Sep. 27...
'...we're just people too.'
Othello’s National Night Out brings hundreds out to community gathering to connect with first responders.
OTHELLO – The Adams County Sheriff’s Department partnered with the Othello Police Department to host a National Night Out event Saturday evening at the Othello Columbia Basin Health Association Clinic. Adams County Sheriff’s Office Administrative Assistant Sandra Gomez led the Sheriff’s Office’s coordination of the event...
Food grants
Moses Lake Food Bank implementing new funding and still going strong
MOSES LAKE — Community Services of Moses Lake, a local food bank and regional food distribution center, is still going strong and preparing to implement new grant funding, said CSML’s Operations Manager Peny Archer. CMSL provides a food bank for residents of Moses Lake and distributes food to 49 food banks across Grant, Adams, Lincoln, Benton, Yakima and Whitman counties, said Archer, who has worked at the food bank for 23 years after starting as a volunteer...
Murray visits UW Computer Science and Engineering School
SEATTLE – Senator Patty Murray, D–WA, visited the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering Wednesday for a tour and briefing from UW researchers on AI development and research, according to a press release from Murray’s office...
Warden council approves port annexation agreement
WARDEN – The Warden City Council voted unanimously during Tuesday’s regular meeting to approve and sign an annexation agreement with the Port of Warden following a public hearing on the issue. The council also discussed grant applications for transportation infrastructure updates. Before the public hearing, Warden City Administrator Kriss Shuler explained to the council what the annexation agreement is...
Moses Lake council looks at water project funding
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake City Council approved a motion six to one during Tuesday’s regular meeting to revise the city’s 2023 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending plan to fund $3 million for water remediation projects to address the lack of potable water in Moses Lake. According to the city staff report, the spending revision will draw funds away from a water and sewer extension in Cascade Valley, a downtown stormwater project, a gravel street project and a conversion of city parks to lake water...
'Just be prepared to go full circle.'
Othello housing market strong compared to surrounding area, local real estate pro says
OTHELLO – Brenda Roosma, co-founder of the Othello Realty Group, provided an update on the Othello housing and real estate market and said it’s fairly strong compared to surrounding areas, even as interest rates climb. “I feel the market is still pretty stable, overall,” said Roosma. “For the Othello area, I've never seen a decrease. I've been doing this for 24 years, and the Othello area has always been strong, and it's always increasing. I haven't seen it go the other way.” ...
Othello approves facility use agreements
OTHELLO – Members of the Othello City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve two facility use agreements – for the Latino State Championship and the Columbia Basin Health Association Run for a Cause – as well as a Police Department dispatch console upgrade and a bargain collective agreement...
Adams Co. approves juvenile court contract
RITZVILLE – The Adams County Board of Commissioners voted during their regular meeting on Aug 1 to approve and sign the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Implementation County Program Agreement, which continues the Adams County Juvenile Services funding and cooperation with JDAI...
Port of Othello secures CERB funding for new water tower
OTHELLO — The Port of Othello unanimously approved a resolution during Tuesday’s regular meeting to accept $5 million from the Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board for the installation of a new water tower on Port property at the north end of Bruce...
Othello annexes 445 acres east of 14th Avenue
OTHELLO – The Othello City Council voted unanimously during Monday’s regular meeting to annex a 445-acre portion of land east of 14th Avenue, from Lee Road to West Cunningham Road, including residential, commercial, and light industrial zoning. “Staff recommends accepting the annexation with the proposed zoning,” said the City of Othello staff recommendation section of the annexation agenda memo. “Additional land is needed for residential development in order to reduce the housing shortage, and commercial development along Main Street at a major entrance to the city makes sense.” ...
OSPI releases free and reduced lunch materials
OLYMPIA – The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction provided application materials and information for parents and school districts in their bulletin for the week of July 31 through Aug. 4 regarding free and reduced lunch programs across the state...
Shrewd apples
Innov8.ag hosts Smart Orchard field day at Grandview Ranch
GRANDVIEW – Innov8.ag partnered with Washington State University Extension, the Washington Fruit Growers company and the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission to host a Smart Orchard Field Day at Grandview Ranch Wednesday morning. The field day showcased technologies that can automate and assist orchard data collection and growth. The founder of Innov8.ag, Steve Mantle, said that the Smart Orchard project, a collaboration between the organizations involved in hosting the field day, is in its third year of research...