JOEL MARTIN

Flash back to the ’60s and ’70s at the Moses Lake Senior Picnic

MOSES LAKE — It’s time to break out the leisure suits, bell bottoms and – for the very brave – platform shoes next Wednesday for the 11th annual Senior Picnic.

Royal Dairy models self-sufficient farming

ROYAL CITY — Words like “sustainable” and “regenerative agriculture” get tossed around a lot. But a Royal Slope farm recently showed the world how it works in reality.

Joining in heritage

Historic properties combine to create Soap Lake Natural Spa and Resort

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake has a long history as a resort and health spa town, and that tradition is coming back, one piece at a time. “People come here, and they’re surprised,” said owner Sherry Xiao. “They say ‘Wow, I didn’t know this place existed.’”

Listings up, mortgage rates steady, but buyers are still nervous

MOSES LAKE — Listings are up in Washington, and interest rates are holding steady, according to the latest data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends for 26 of Washington’s 39 counties.

Boys & Girls Club to offer free summer meals

MOSES LAKE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin will be offering breakfast and lunch for children again this summer. And this time, they’re offering it in more places. “We’re doubling our location sites,” said Cecily Hendricks, director of operations for the club. Breakfast and lunch will be served at the McGraw Clubhouse and North and Midway elementary schools, according to an announcement from the club. Lunch only will be served at Lakeview, Maple Grove and Doolittle parks. They’re free to any child 2-18 years old; there’s no need to be a Club member, the announcement said. Parents can pick up meals for their children by filling out a form. Because Moses Lake qualifies as rural, the meals don’t have to be eaten onsite.

Biggest Spring Fest yet comes off without a hitch

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes, everything just comes together. This year’s Moses Lake Spring Fest was one of those times. “This is the smoothest event we’ve had since I’ve been a part of it,” said Board President Sean Sallis. “Everything just seemed to be clicking on all cylinders. It got kind of crazy, but the flow was great, from the parade to the 3-on-3 (basketball tournament) to the fun run.”

Downtown streets lined for Spring Fest parades

MOSES LAKE — A seemingly endless line snaked through downtown Moses Lake Saturday: fire trucks, businesses, political candidates, bands, dancers – all part of the Spring Fest Grand Parade.

Volunteers, police make big difference at Spring Fest

MOSES LAKE — This year’s Moses Lake Spring Fest came off better than usual, in large part because of lots of community involvement, organizers said. “We welcome everyone in our community to come and volunteer,” Spring Fest Board Member Lori Valdez said. “But this year, we had a lot of people step up and volunteer that we’ve never had before, and that was very nice.” Nearly 200 people came out to help with the various activities at the festival, according to Board President Sean Sallis. The Fun Run alone had 60 volunteers, he said. There were 30 volunteers helping with the beer garden, 45 for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament and 11 for the parade. “One little boy was helping us put tape on the basketball court,” Sallis said. “He was like 4 years old, and he wanted to help lay tape. It’s just a picture of our community.”

Basin marks National EMS Week

MOSES LAKE — May 18-24 was National EMS Week, a time to honor emergency medical personnel, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake Fire Department.

Airborne adventure

Moses Lake Airshow returning June 20-21

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Airshow will take to the skies again June 21-22.

‘For us they fell’

Basin Memorial Day ceremonies honor America’s heroes

MOSES LAKE — Communities across the Basin bowed their heads, removed their hats and paid tribute Monday to those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Memorials to honor the fallen Monday in the Basin

COLUMBIA BASIN — Among the barbecues, festivities and relaxation of the three-day weekend, many Basin communities will take a solemn moment to recognize the reason for Memorial Day weekend. The Moses Lake Spring Fest, a tradition for more than 40 years, is adding a little patriotic remembrance into its Grand Parade at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, said Spring Fest Committee member Lori Valdez. “(This year) we ordered a very, very large flag that is going to encompass the street, and we have people who have volunteered to carry the flag. It will bring a tear to your eye if you’ve had a loved one serve.”

Hayden breaks ground on Sand Hill Place

MOSES LAKE — Hayden Homes broke ground May 16 on its newest Moses Lake development. Sand Hill Place, located off Hansen Road in Mae Valley, is Hayden’s 13th development in Moses Lake. “Our goal at Hayden Homes is to offer homes to the area median-income wage earners, and that has allowed us to provide over 1,000 homes to hard working families and individuals here in Moses Lake and in Grant County,” said Kristen Skinner, Hayden’s regional marketing specialist for the south Washington region. The groundbreaking served as a bonus Business After Hours function with the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members gathered at the site for the occasion, with lunch catered by Tacos El Rey of Moses Lake.

Small sisterhood

Moses Lake Woman’s Club may be few, but they’re making a difference

MOSES LAKE — There may be strength in numbers, but sometimes those numbers are small ones. “We gave 600 diapers, plus other items (to New Hope),” said Margaret Schiffner, president of the 10-member Moses Lake Woman’s Club. “We donated 30 packs of baby wipes and over $273.” The club has had a relationship with New Hope for many years. The signature project for the nationwide General Foundation of Women’s Clubs is domestic violence, and local clubs partner with local domestic violence advocacy organizations. The diaper drive in March was part of a statewide effort by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Washington state, in which more than 12,000 diapers were collected by 24 clubs statewide with a total membership of 303.

EARH installs ‘virtual emergency room’ to expand ER care

RITZVILLE — East Adams Rural Healthcare rolled out a new telemedicine system last month that officials say will improve emergency room responses dramatically. “We’ve used it probably a good dozen times now,” said EARH Chief Nursing Officer Lurisa Sackman. “We have had nothing but positive feedback from the staff in regard to the help that it offers them, and no issues or concerns from patients.” The system is called Avel eCare Emergency, and it’s a video link between the hospital in Ritzville and a facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which has on-call physicians and other providers who can talk with the patient and providers, help with diagnosis and take down vital information while the ER staff is doing the hands-on treatment.

Carp Classic defies weather to improve lake

MOSES LAKE — The Carp Classic wasn’t as big as it could have been, but it went well, all things considered. Twenty-seven boats filled with bow hunters set out from Connelly Park Saturday. That’s eight more boats than last year, said organizer Ty Swartout. “The biggest year we ever had was 39, but this was good,” Swartout said, “I was excited to see 27 boats. The weather wasn’t that great, so I didn’t know what to expect, but all in all we ended up having a decent tournament.”

Second annual Brent Reese Memorial Car Show coming June 7

MOSES LAKE — The Brent Reese Memorial Car Show is roaring back around June 7. “Our first annual (car show) was a wild success,” said Jeremy Reese, who organized the show in honor of his father, who passed away from ALS in 2020. “We raised about $4,000.” Last year’s show featured 64 registered vehicles and about 1,200 spectators came by to admire them, Reese said.

Employers ready to recruit at WorkSource Hiring Event

MOSES LAKE — Folks who are looking for work will stand a good chance of finding it May 30 at WorkSource’s Spring Hiring Event.

Food and Folk Festival returns to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Food and Folk Festival will have some changes the second time around. “This year we decided to have it a month earlier because last year on that day it was 100 degrees and higher,” said Ruthann Tobiason of Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee, which sponsors the event. “We know it kept a fair number of people away … We actually had a performer back out at the last minute because it was too hot and dang, I don’t blame her.” Last year’s one-day event drew a respectable turnout for an inaugural effort, enough that it’s been expanded to two days this year, June 20-21. Friday’s festivities will be homegrown, with an open mic at the Soap Lake Community Center and open mic followed by live music from Rebel Hearts at Cloudview Kitchen.

A few extra steps can prevent a kitchen tragedy

MOSES LAKE — One of the most dangerous things you can do at home is also something most people do every day. “If you look at the statistics, cooking is the leading cause of home fires,” said Travis Svilar, battalion chief with Grant County Fire District 5. The data from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office bears that out. Last year, Washington fire agencies responded to more than 700 structure fires that had started in the kitchen

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Washington State Patrol Trooper Travis Cunningham wears his hat with pride, mind for service

MOSES LAKE — The life of a Washington State Patrol officer isn’t all glamorous, but it does have one thing going for it: the coolest hat in all law enforcement. “I adamantly and wholeheartedly believe that,” said Trooper Travis Cunningham.

Wilson Creek gearing up to jam

WILSON CREEK — It’s time to rosin the bows, tune up the banjos and dust off the mandolin strings for the third annual Wilson Creek Bluegrass Jam. “It’s a laid-back jam,” said organizer Shirley Billings. “Anybody’s welcome to come, no matter what talent level they are. If they’re just starting out or if they’re great, or even if you just like music and want to just hang out.” Like last year, the Bluegrass Jam will be the second weekend in June, Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th. The event draws local bluegrass players from all over the area, most of them devoted amateurs who love the genre.

‘Whiskey Rebel’

Novel draws on Moses Coulee for isolated setting

MOSES LAKE — Out in the high desert country of Moses Coulee, it’s easy to imagine that strange things are happening just over the next ridge. There’s something peacefully secretive about the area northwest of Ephrata in the southern part of Douglas County, as though time stopped there and nobody was around to notice.

Space to grow

Moses Lake Catalyst Center gives fledgling businesses a chance to thrive

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake business community got a preview of the future of small business last week when the Chamber of Commerce unveiled its Chamber Catalyst Center downtown. “The first three years of a business are the most critical,” said Chamber Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. “Typically it’s five before you’re really solid.”

Long journey

Moses Lake man, 70, rides Palouse to Cascades Trail

MOSES LAKE — Ron Tebow has been a long trail, and it’s a long way from finished. “I’m halfway now,” Tebow said Friday. “Warden is right on half, 120 miles.”

Raising a glass

Moore Brewing celebrates a year in business

MOSES LAKE — Moore Brewing Company hit a big milestone this week. The brewery and pub opened last May in the building formerly known as Broadway Bar & Grill, the Mighty Quinn, Barney Google’s or the Southshore Restaurant, depending on how far back you remember. Its first birthday celebrations included live music, a ribbon-cutting, crafts and a birthday party for co-owner Chris Moore, wrapping up with two comedy shows by Tanyalee Davis. It’s been an educational year, said Lorie Moore, Chris’ wife and co-owner of the brewery.

Lake water improvement may not affect housing

MOSES LAKE — Owners of homes along the shore of Moses Lake may see an improvement in the view from their docks after treatment the water received last summer.

Bigger every year

Moses Lake Spring Fest to dominate Memorial Day weekend

MOSES LAKE — The biggest celebration in Moses Lake’s calendar just keeps getting bigger. Tens of thousands came to McCosh Park for Spring Fest last year. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament fielded 121 teams and there were 472 people at the fun run, said Spring Fest Committee Member Lori Valdez. “The car show had over 200 cars, and they ran out of room,” Valdez said. “They had to turn cars away.”

Arts celebration

Nautical-themed CBAA fundraiser weathers a squall and sails on

MOSES LAKE — Mother Nature dealt the Columbia Basin Allied Arts kind of a bum hand Saturday, but the organizers of the fundraiser rode it out with aplomb.

First responders to face off at Guns & Hoses softball game Saturday

QUINCY — The reputations of Quincy’s first responders will be on the line Saturday at the community’s first Guns & Hoses softball game.

Busy hands: Small core of volunteers keeps Gritman Senior Center serving Ritzville

RITZVILLE — A senior center is sort of like a grocery store or a bank: every town should have one. Big cities have extensive ones, and little towns like Ritzville, well, they plug along through lots of work from volunteers.

Stamp Out Hunger food drive coming Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Your letter carriers will be toting an extra burden on Saturday, and they’re asking folks to make it heavier.

YoungLives offers support, friendship for teen moms

MOSES LAKE — It’s a Thursday night at the Moses Lake Alliance Church, and the teenagers are eating, doing crafts, talking and praying, just like any other faith-based youth group. But this one is a little different: they’re all girls, and more than half are mothers.

MLCA to host Crab and Prime Rib feed

MOSES LAKE — For most folks, fresh crab would be a good enough reason to attend an auction. Prime rib would, likewise, be reason enough. Combine them, make them all-you-can-eat, throw in a live auction, and you have an irresistible draw.

Kicking off: Futsal mini-pitches open in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — An enthusiastic Boom Boom Clap spread across Harrison K. Dano Park in Moses Lake Tuesday. “Who here knows what Boom Boom Clap is?” Seattle Sounders Communications Manager Gisselle Pichardo asked the crowd, which included youth soccer players, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin students and city officials. “It’s a special cheer that we do every time the Seattle Sounders and Seattle Reign play at home at Lumen Field.”

Plant exchange

Free program helps homeowners trade grass for native flora

MOSES LAKE — Owning a lawn is kind of a pain, in a lot of ways. Sure, it looks nice to have that sea of lush green around the house, but it’s a lot of work to maintain, and it uses up valuable water besides.

Grant Co. listings highest in the western part of the county

MOSES LAKE — The western part of Grant County had the most active housing market in March, according to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Strong women center stage

‘Steel Magnolias’ showcases women in leading roles, challenging situations

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School senior Llayleni Fuentes has dreamed of staging “Steel Magnolias,” and now she has her chance. “I've been wanting to do the show for the last two years,” Fuentes said. “I asked (MLHS drama teacher Sharon Winningham), what's a really good play for all girls? Because what I've noticed is, there's a lot of men-heavy plays.”

Quincy bust reveals drug lab, guns, explosives

QUINCY — A bust at a home near Quincy yielded guns, explosives and a multi-faceted drug manufacturing operation, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Jason Robert Besel, 43, of Quincy was arrested on various drug charges as a result of the bust.

World’s shortest comedian to perform in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Comedian Tanyalee Davis may stand only three feet three inches tall, but she packs a big attitude. “My entire life, I've been underestimated,” Davis said. “People have wanted to feel sorry for me, and I'm like, ‘No, I've done incredible things with my life because I believed I could.’”

‘The hospital that you built’

Quincy Valley medical Center hosts preview of its new facility

QUINCY — The community got a sneak peek Friday at the new Quincy Valley Medical Center. “We've planned, we've thought about it, we've dreamed, and it's only because of the support of this community that tonight is a reality,” said QVMC Administrator Glenda Bishop at First Look, a gathering of community members to see what their new hospital will look like.

Moses Lake Farmers Market to open Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Farmers Market will open Saturday for the season in high style, with live music, entertainment, a raffle, a scavenger hunt and a ribbon-tying ceremony with Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz to symbolize the community coming together at the market. The event is in keeping with the theme of the market this year, according to an announcement from the Market Manager Christine Haguewood. “This year’s theme, ‘Tied Together by Community,’ highlights the power of local connections – bringing together farmers, artisans and neighbors for a fresh, meaningful start to the season,” Haguewood wrote. The Moses Lake Farmers Market was established in 1978 and takes place every Saturday from the beginning of May through the end of October at McCosh Park. The number of vendors varies, but this year’s market will kick off with more than 50, Haguewood wrote in her statement.

Columbia Basin Allied Arts fundraiser takes on a yacht rock theme May 3

MOSES LAKE — Get out the boat shoes and sailing togs and get ready to cruise in a good cause at the Columbia Basin Allied Arts annual fundraiser auction May 3. The theme is “Make Waves for the Arts,” and the background will be yacht rock music, said Shawn Cardwell, CBAA executive director.

Former Moses Lake pianist receives Finnish knighthood

MOSES LAKE — A former Moses Lake man was recently honored with a knighthood in Finland. Collin Hansen, a 1975 graduate of Moses Lake High School, was awarded the Order of the Lion of Finland at a ceremony March 18.

Coulee City students take their own art walk

COULEE CITY — Students at Coulee City Elementary School and Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School got a special look at the arts last week.

COLUMN: The unforgettable Pope Francis

This week, His Holiness Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, died. That’s not really surprising. He was 88 years old, and he’d been struggling with his health for several years. Nor is it unique; there have been 266 popes, give or take a few disputed claimants. Some of those guys made a huge difference in the world; most of them nobody has heard of outside dusty libraries and lists on Wikipedia. Name any pope who lived before their lifetime and most people will give you a blank look. But Francis was different.

Renew director brings back ideas from prestigious fellowship

MOSES LAKE — Behavioral health care in Grant County may see some improvements. Dell Anderson, director of Renew, formerly Grant Mental Health, recently completed a Baldridge Fellowship and came back with some ideas, he said Thursday.

BBCC to present Drum Fest on Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College will get rhythm this Saturday when the Drum Fest takes over the Wallenstien theater. “It will be a workshop-slash-mega drum line,” said John Owen, associate professor of music at BBCC.

Running in faith

Crestview Christian School students raise money with Jog-a-Thon

MOSES LAKE — “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” the Bible says in the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the students at Crestview Christian School in Moses Lake did just that.

Growing market

Master Gardener plant sale to offer veggies, flowers and solid advice

MOSES LAKE — If you haven’t put out your garden yet, it’s not too late. The WSU Grant-Adams Master Gardeners will hold their annual plant sale May 3 at McCosh Park. “We’ll have lots of different kinds of vegetables,” said Master Gardener Diane Escure. “I think we’ve got maybe 12 different kinds of heirloom tomatoes. We have herbs, we have flowering plants, geraniums, sweet potato vines.”