NANCE BESTON

Thompson leads 13th District race, plans focus on costs, access

EPHRATA — Joshua Thompson led Deanna Martinez by 3,278 votes for the 13th Legislative District’s state representative Position 2 seat in preliminary Nov. 11 results. According to the Washington Secretary of State, there are around 2,000 ballots left to count in the four counties that make up Legislative District 13. Thompson had 22,400 votes, or 52.73%, to Martinez’s 19,122 votes, or 45.02%, according to the Nov. 11 ballot counts. The election will be certified Nov. 24. Thompson said his early work would focus on building relationships with fellow lawmakers, learning the legislative process and making his office accessible to constituents.

Young scientists shine at Little House in the Desert science fair

EPHRATA — From erupting volcanoes and bouncing salt grains to homemade cleaners and Minecraft-inspired electrical circuits, students put curiosity on display Saturday as Little House in the Desert hosted its fifth annual homeschool science fair. The event brought together students from preschool through high school, allowing them to explore questions that interested them and present their findings to judges and visitors. Projects ranged from testing bacteria-killing cleaners to examining chicken breeds, air pressure, water filtration and sound vibrations. For organizer Hannah Gustafson, watching children learn through experimentation is exactly what the annual event is all about.

Ephrata residents honor veterans during annual parade

EPHRATA — American flags lined Basin Street Wednesday morning as veterans, community members and local organizations gathered for Ephrata’s annual Veterans Day parade, a celebration that participants said served as both a show of gratitude and a time for reflection. Veterans representing multiple generations of service marched through downtown while spectators waved flags and applauded from the sidewalks. For many of the veterans, the event was an opportunity to remember those who served alongside them and those who never came home. For Army veteran Guy Hopkins, the turnout was especially meaningful.

GCFD 7 EMS levy appears headed for approval

Voters back funding increase for staffing, ambulance service

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7's replacement Emergency Medical Services levy appeared headed for approval Wednesday after preliminary election results showed voters supporting the measure by a comfortable margin. As of the Nov. 10 ballot count, Proposition No. 1 received 914 “yes” votes, or 59.47%, compared to 623 “no” votes, or 40.53%. Election results remain unofficial until certification Nov. 24. The measure would replace the district's existing EMS levy and increase the rate from 25 cents to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for six years beginning in 2027.

Paraeducator Career Fair planned for next week to help fill support roles at MLSD

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District is hoping to fill around 20 open paraeducator positions through a hiring event later this month. It's designed to connect prospective employees directly with school administrators, teachers and human resources staff.

Ballot processing continues as certification approaches

EPHRATA — Election officials in Grant and Adams counties are nearing the finish line of the 2026 general election, with certification scheduled for Nov. 24 and most ballots already processed. According to the Washington Secretary of State's latest election data as of Nov. 9, Grant County had an estimated 1,800 ballots left to count, while Adams County had approximately 200 ballots remaining. In Grant County, 29,070 ballots were returned, resulting in a turnout rate of 54.7%, according to Grant County Elections Coordinator Rebecca Pettingill. While slightly below the county's final turnout of 57.34% in the 2022 general election, Pettingill said the numbers are largely in line with expectations. “I would say it's pretty average,” Pettingill said. “It's looking pretty good.”

Meeting the need

Moses Lake Food Bank needs help to feed 1,600 families this Thanksgiving

MOSES LAKE — Community Services of Moses Lake is preparing to distribute up to 1,600 Thanksgiving meals later this month while continuing to meet steady demand from local families and pursuing a major expansion that leaders say could transform how much food the organization can rescue and distribute across Central Washington. The food bank's annual Thanksgiving meal distribution is scheduled for Nov. 16 and will be conducted as a drive-thru event at the food bank facility. People who miss the drive-thru can ask for a Thanksgiving box Tuesday and Wednesday, but it depends on availability. Administrative Manager Lane Storwick said the organization expects to provide between 1,500 and 1,600 holiday meal boxes, though demand is likely to exceed available supplies.

Gas prices continue downward trend in Washington, Grant and Adams counties

MOSES LAKE — Fuel prices continued their steady decline across Washington and Grant County this week, marking the third consecutive week of decreases as seasonal factors and increased fuel supplies continue to ease pressure at the pump.

His Helping Hands opens for winter season with new commercial kitchen

EPHRATA — What started as a one-day Christmas coat giveaway for 35 people has grown into a community effort serving more than 1,000 people annually, and this year His Helping Hands is welcoming its guests with a major addition: a fully operational commercial kitchen and dining space.

Dent leads Garcia in 13th District race

Both candidates reflect on campaign, thank supporters

MOSES LAKE — Incumbent Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, maintained a commanding lead in the race for Position 1 in Washington's 13th Legislative District as additional ballots continued to be counted following the Nov. 3 general election.