NANCE BESTON

Ephrata moves forward with upgrades to Sports Complex

EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is moving forward with the first phase of a long‑planned overhaul of the Ephrata Sports Complex, a project that will add six pickleball courts, a combined futsal and basketball court and a new 80‑stall parking lot. The first phase of construction is expected to begin in May and continue through July 2026. City Administrator Ray Towry said the project has grown beyond its original concept as community interest – especially from local pickleball players – continued to rise. “Pickleball is the fastest‑growing sport in the country,” Towry said. “The facility we have by Columbia Ridge is adequate, but not ideal. We wanted to do something for that group. It’s a lifelong sport, anyone can play it, even into their senior years and we wanted to support that.”

Soap Lake Council limits mayor’s authority

Multiple measures passed to limit access, secure records and finances

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Council approved a slate of resolutions Wednesday night aimed at safeguarding city records, tightening financial controls and limiting Mayor Peter Sharp’s access to city systems amid ongoing investigations into his conduct.

Kindergarten registration opens in Columbia Basin

EPHRATA — School districts across the Columbia Basin have opened kindergarten registration for the 2026-27 school year, urging families, especially first‑time parents, to begin gathering required documents and contacting their local schools ahead of spring break.

Columbia Basin Hospital Board reviews rural health funding

EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Hospital Board of Commissioners met for its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday to discuss Rural Health Transformation Program funding and approve a waiver of qualifications for Dr. Kori Hunt to make her active staff. Columbia Basin Hospital Chief Executive Officer Rosalinda Kibby said Washington is getting around $181 million to support rural health care from RHTP. “This is the state’s endeavor to ensure that every rural resident has reliable access to quality health care in their community and make rural Washington a desirable place for residents to consider homes across their lives,” Kibby said.

Sand Dunes collision results in one fatality

BEVERLY — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported an overnight collision at the Beverly Sand Dunes Saturday which resulted in the death of a 36-year-old man.

NEWS BITES: March 31

EPHRATA — Routine test results at the Ephrata Landfill Recycling Center, showed there was contamination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, according to the Grant County Public Works Department. The cost to dispose of the contaminated oil and clean the tanks was nearly $20,000, but routine recycling of the materials would have only cost around a couple hundred dollars, according to the department.

‘Just helping kids, helping people’

Ephrata’s Kaur competes at HOSA state, dreams of becoming pediatrician

EPHRATA — Sophomore Navi Kaur already knows exactly where she’s headed – and she’s not wasting any time getting there. The 16‑year‑old Ephrata High School student lights up when she talks about medicine, especially pediatrics. Her interest started early, shaped by the women who raised her.

Gas prices continue to rise after tumultuous year

MOSES LAKE — Washington gas prices surged past $5 per gallon this week, capping a year-long climb that has erased months of relief at the pump. As of March 30, the statewide average for regular gasoline sits at $5.33 per gallon, according to AAA data. That’s up from $5.27 a week earlier and $4.37 at the beginning of March. Nationally, prices have also seen around a $1 impact, reaching $3.99 this week after starting the month at $3.00.

Soap Lake Creative District awarded $39K signage grant

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Creative District has secured a nearly $39,600 Washington State Arts Commission grant to install new wayfinding signs throughout the downtown core; a project local organizers say will help visitors and residents navigate the community and strengthen the city’s visual identity.

Nobody injured in weekend shooting in rural Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — On Saturday morning, there was a report of a shooting in the 4500 block of Dunn Street Northeast, in unincorporated Moses Lake.