MLHS welders heading to state competition

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake High School welders will be heading to state competitions March 27 and 28. The team this year consists of freshman Connor Nelson, sophomore Roenin Matosich and junior William Bennet. According to welding teacher Jimmy Herrin, the students just received the design for this year’s project, a tripod grill. Students then will work on welds and skills they think they will need to complete the object. The students will receive blueprints for the project 24 hours before the competition.

St. Rose of Lima, Young Ladies Institute partner for blood drive

EPHRATA — St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church is once again uniting its community for a noble cause. On April 16, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Young Ladies Institute and Knights of Columbus will collaborate to host a blood drive at the Ephrata Recreation Center. This annual event aims to bolster the local blood supply, which is persistently in high demand.

Ephrata PD joins BlueBridge Alliance to foster community ties

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Police Department announced its partnership Tuesday with the BlueBridge Alliance, an initiative aimed at enhancing community relations by providing help to the needy. This partnership helps provide immediate help to residents facing challenging circumstances.

Ephrata High’s Smith named student of the month

EPHRATA — Devin Smith, a sophomore at Ephrata High School, has been recognized as one of the EHS February Students of the Month, a recognition bestowed by his teacher, Scott Sandberg. Sandberg, who teaches cyber security and serves as the Future Business Leaders of America advisor, highlighted Smith’s exemplary performance and dedication both in and out of the classroom as the primary reasons for his nomination.

WA gun bill could have major implications for Grant Co. Fair

OLYMPIA — A Washington State Senate bill to ban firearms in public areas where children may be present had its first hearing in the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee Tuesday. More than 50 people were scheduled to testify regarding the bill during the committee meeting.

Infant attacked by dog, alive and receiving care

MOSES LAKE – Friday at around noon, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a dog attack incident involving a four-week-old baby boy. The minor was brought to Samaritan Hospital prior to police contact.

Gas prices drop for fourth consecutive week

MOSES LAKE – The national average price of gasoline has fallen for the fourth straight week, according to data from GasBuddy, which tracks prices from more than 12 million reports across over 150,000 gas stations.

Fairgrounds shooter sentenced after pleading guilty

MOSES LAKE – A 15-year-old has been sentenced for a shooting incident at the Grant County Fairgrounds last August, according to Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin McCrae.

UPDATE: Porterhouse moves up closing date

MOSES LAKE -- The Porterhouse Steakhouse owners have decided to close the restaurant earlier than anticipated with March 22 being the final day of operations. Owners Sam and Cale Russell said this is to help the new owner with the transition process. The steakhouse will be open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, then 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Afterwards, the building will begin its transition to an Elks Club.

Porterhouse Steakhouse to close after 15-year run

Russell brothers reflect on restaurant's legacy, sense of community

MOSES LAKE – The Porterhouse Steakhouse will be closing its doors March 29. Brothers Sam and Cale Russell have owned the restaurant for more than 15 years; however, they said it’s time for the restaurant to move onto its next era. The restaurant will remain open for normal business hours until then.

Local law enforcement responds to shooting at Hiawatha homeless camp

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department responded to a call for gunshots fired, just past noon Friday at the Hiawatha Lake homeless camp, near the 1000 block of North Frontage Road East in unincorporated Moses Lake.

MLSD, OSPI spar over transgender athletics

MOSES LAKE – The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has responded to a letter from the Moses Lake School District Board of Directors that was sent to State Superintendent Chris Reykdal with a copy addressed to Governor Bob Ferguson. The letter from MLSD addresses the issue of transgender athletes in girls sports.

DV suspect arrested near Grand Coulee Wednesday

GRAND COULEE – On Wednesday, Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call on State Route 174 East regarding a domestic violence incident. “Deputies answer many domestic violence-related calls daily,” GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. “This one escalated to a high level and required several deputies and other officers to help capture this suspect.”

Paws and applause: celebrating Ephrata’s outstanding Tiger leader

Erika Morford excels as student leader and community contributor

EPHRATA – Ephrata High School senior Erika Morford has been named one of the February Students of the Month, a recognition that the teacher who nominated her said highlights her significant contributions as treasurer of the Associated Student Body and vice president of the National Honor Society, among other activities.

Ephrata PUD office receiving ADA upgrades, closed until March 21

EPHRATA – The Grant County Public Utility District headquarters building, 30 C St. SW in Ephrata, will be closed from March 10 to March 21 to install accessibility upgrades and refurbish some of the public areas, according to PUD public information officer Christine Pratt. The upgrades will cost the utility district around $32,500.

Ephrata intermediate school staffs to compete in tie-breaker volleyball game

EPHRATA – The stakes are high, bragging rights are up for grabs and both teams are all in on the goal of raising funds and food for the Ephrata Food Bank. The Ephrata School District will be hosting its third annual Ephrata Middle School vs. Parkway Secondary School staff volleyball match March 17.

Exciting season ahead for Eagles boys' and girls' teams

SOAP LAKE — As the spring tennis season approaches, excitement is palpable within the Soap Lake Tennis program. Head coach Lee Leavell said he remains optimistic about both the boys' and girls' teams as they begin a journey filled with hard work, growth and competition. Practices have kicked off, with Leavell noting an increase in participation this year.

State Senate Bill has proposed restrictions on weapons in public spaces

OLYMPIA — A bill to increase restrictions on firearms in public places has passed in the Washington State Senate.

ACH baseball ready to swing for the fences in 2025

COULEE CITY — As the Almira/Coulee-Hartline baseball team gears up for the 2024 season, excitement fills the air, especially after a commendable last season that culminated in a second-place finish at the state championship. Head Coach Hunter Lee is optimistic about what lies ahead, especially with a roster boasting considerable experience and talent.

Grant PUD appoints John Mertlich as new general manager and CEO

EPHRATA – John Mertlich is the new general manager and chief executive officer of the Grant County Public Utility District, PUD commissioners announced Tuesday. The decision was announced during the Commission's meeting Tuesday. Mertlich's official start date is today. He succeeds Rich Wallen, who is leaving to take a position with Oglethorpe Power in Georgia.

North Elementary re-opened after water incident last week

MOSES LAKE – North Elementary will be reopen for normal operations Today, Tuesday March 11 after it was closed last Wednesday due to an issue with water quality caused by nearby work being conducted by the city of Moses Lake.

Warriors take second in tight championship round

SPOKANE – The Spokane Arena was roaring; the score was 50-49 for Almira-Coulee/Hartline with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter. Despite ACH’s best efforts, the Lummi Nation Black Hawks pulled ahead with less than 60 seconds left, winning the championship game with a score of 53-50.

Open Doors Sleep Center’s future uncertain

Shelter looks for additional city partners to ensure unhoused people are served

MOSES LAKE – On Monday, city officials from Moses Lake, Soap Lake, Warden and Royal City alongside Grant County Commissioner Rob Jones met at the Open Doors Sleep Center for a tour of the facility and to discuss the future of the shelter.

Vehicle hits cyclist in Soap Lake

GCFD7 recommends cyclists wear gear to increase visibility

SOAP LAKE – Friday at around 8:15 p.m., Grant County Fire District 7 was dispatched to a vehicle vs. bicyclist collision on Highway 28 near Franklin Street in Soap Lake.

MLSD announces plan in light of Groff closure

MOSES LAKE – Groff Elementary will be closed for the rest of the school year, according to an announcement from Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis at the March 6 school board meeting. As a result, district officials have initiated plans to ensure Groff students continue their education without interruption. “We understand that this is going to be challenging, frustrating and new for families to go through,” MLSD Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon said. “This is a pretty big lift that we're asking of families and even staff and most importantly, the students. This is a big deal, and we are just appreciative of the ongoing communication that teachers and families are having as we start to map out those educational plans for the coming weeks.”

Columbia MS has peaceful Friday after reported threat

MOSES LAKE – On Wednesday the Moses Lake School District was made aware of a potential threat related to Columbia Middle School for Friday, according to MLSD Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon.

MLSD finance director resigns

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Executive Director of Business and Operations, Mitchell Thompson, during a school board meeting held on March 6, 2025. Thompson’s resignation is set to take effect on June 30, 2025.

MLSD recognizes Lewis, receives finance update

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District had a regular board meeting March 6 to acknowledge Superintendent Carol Lewis, update on finances, pass several policies and finalize a letter to the superintendent of public instruction and the governor.

Soap Lake Liaison Committee eyes partnership with CBCD

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Lake Liaison Committee held a meeting Friday, inviting Ron Sawyer, the Conservation Director with the Columbia Basin Conservation District, to discuss potential collaborative efforts to address environmental concerns surrounding the city’s beloved lake. Sawyer, who brought extensive knowledge and experience in conservation practices, was welcomed as the committee seeks solutions for the lake's ecological challenges including the lowering of both water and mineral levels.

Groff Elem. to be closed remainder of school year

MOSES LAKE – Groff Elementary will be closed for the remainder of the school year, according to Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis at the March 6 regular school board meeting. “What has been done is lots of testing, lots of repairs,” Lewis said. “We first have to figure out exactly what the problem is and then make the proper repairs to the building.”

North Elem. to remain closed Monday

MOSES LAKE – North Elementary was closed Wednesday after an unforeseen water issue where sediment got into the schools' pipelines. The school was supposed to reopen Monday. However, because testing done by the Grant County Health District will not be done until Monday, the school will remain closed, Moses Lake School District’s Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon said.

Soap Lake passes six-year transpo plan

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed its six-year transportation improvement program for the Washington State Department of Transportation. There are 10 projects planned for the next six years.

MLSD institutes security protocols after Columbia Middle School threat

MOSES LAKE – On Wednesday at around 11:45 a.m. the Moses Lake School District was made aware of a potential threat related to Columbia Middle School for Friday, according to MLSD Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon.

Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry relocating

Volunteers and trucks needed for moving process

SOAP LAKE — The Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry is officially moving to its new location – a five-acre “raw” plot of land located in rural Soap Lake a couple of miles away from the current location. However, Shawna Kluge, who starts and runs the shelter, said she needs communities worth of help to accomplish the goal. “Right now, we’re focusing on the move which is the 15 dogs on site and then other gear and equipment,” Kluge said. “While we are doing that, I still have to make sure that all the daily operations are kept up with. There is a lot of (stuff) to do. I am overwhelmed and definitely need help.” The new location does not have access to electricity or running water. “The PUD was asking for $110,000 to be split between three properties to bring it to the road, but we are still another mile from the road,” Kluge said. “We don’t have $37,000 and change to do that, so we are going solar.”

North Elementary closed Wednesday after water issue

MOSES LAKE – North Elementary was closed Wednesday after an unforeseen water issue. According to Moses Lake School District’s Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon, the City of Moses Lake has construction underway nearby, opened a fire hydrant and debris got into the water. Then, when teachers started to arrive at around 8:30 a.m., an unfamiliar smell had filled the building, which caused MLSD to make the decision to bus students to an alternative location.

GALLERY: Mat Classic 2025

TACOMA – During Mat Classic XXXVI, five Columbia Basin wrestlers came home with championships and three wrestling teams finished in the top three. Four Basin wrestlers finished second and nine finished third with several other students placing in the top eight.

Area districts respond to OSPI immigration guidelines

OLYMPIA —The Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction released guidelines in January outlining practices it said are to ensure the protection of immigrant students' rights in K-12 public schools. The OSPI report comes after President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14148 rescinded a policy that limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s ability to operate in schools, hospitals and places of worship.

Wildcats win sole possession GNAC title with dramatic comeback against Simon Fraser

BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Central Washington University men’s basketball team defeated Simon Fraser University 73-70 Saturday night at the West Gym. This victory not only marked an impressive comeback for the Wildcats but also secured them sole possession of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Regular Season Title and a first-round bye for the upcoming GNAC Tournament.

‘Many others might have given up after such an injury, but not her’

Starting the season with a shoulder injury, ending with a state championship

OTHELLO – From the moment she stepped onto the mat as a young wrestler, Othello High School junior Alejandria Espindola had dreams of reaching the pinnacle of her sport. “It feels amazing because finally, my hard work and dedication have paid off,” Espindola said. “Coming from a really tough injury at the beginning of the season, I had so many doubts. It felt like I was on the verge of giving up, but then I realized that if you put your mind and heart into what you love, you can achieve great things.”

Illegal burn escapes, consumes 61 acres near Ephrata

EPHRATA – An illegal burn in the 12500 block of Road C.3 NW escalated into a significant wildfire on Friday, threatening nearby residences and posing challenges for firefighting crews, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 13. “It definitely is a large fire,” GCFD 13 Battalion Chief Mathew Meulman said. “That was pretty uncommon to see that rate of spread this early in the season with how our temps are, and especially during the nights that we're going to give it very wet, cool nights. It definitely was a large fire for this time of year.”

ACH girls triumph over Willapa Valley

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors secured a decisive 58-22 victory against the visiting Willapa Valley Vikings on Feb. 25. The non-league challenge at ACH's home court showcased the Warriors' growth and evolution under the direction of first-year head coach Nikki Strock.

Three stitches and a championship

Ritzville's Brock Taylor leaves Mat Classic with championship hardware

RITZVILLE – With sweat glistening on his brow and blood dripping down his eye bandage, Brock Tracy, a senior wrestler from Lind-Ritzville High School, etched his name into the annals of state championship history at the Mat Classic. This season’s grappling events culminated in an electrifying moment as Tracy claimed first place in the Boys 1B/2B 285-pound weight class in Tacoma. “I never expected to get as far,” Tracy said.

One championship claimed, aiming for more

ACH Warriors sophomore Noah Butler wins state championship

COULEE CITY — In a display of skill and tenacity, Noah Butler, a sophomore wrestler from Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School, captured the state championship title in Tacoma last weekend. With a season record of 39 wins and two losses Butler triumphed in the 215-pound weight class at the Mat Classic tournament. "It feels really, really good. It's like my dreams come true. I did wish I had it last year, but winning as a sophomore is a huge accomplishment,” Butler said.

GCSO asks for community assistance with two cases

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Detectives are seeking assistance regarding one case but two different aspects of the case – one regarding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and the other regarding a young girl who was at Slices Pizza.

Four pins and a championship win

Ephrata’s Adylene Sanchez crowned state champ in 155-pound bracket

EPHRATA – In the bustling atmosphere of the Washington State Wrestling Championship, Adylene Sanchez, a 155-pound junior from Ephrata achieved what many thought was impossible: she ascended from three years of competition—without a placement—to becoming a state champion. “It was very emotional,” Sanchez said on her win. “I was already crying earlier that day because my friend got injured, so I was really on edge during the match.”

Acting SLPD chief investigation discussed during city council

SOAP LAKE – At the Feb. 19 Soap Lake city council meeting, a public comment was made by Karen Dillon, a former City of Soap Lake employee. During her comment, Dillon brought up the Sept. 16, 2022, investigation of acting Soap Lake Police Department Chief Robert Geates during which he admitted to having sex on duty with a female trainee in 2021.

Moses Lake woman found deceased

MOSES LAKE – On Monday night, 60-year-old Rauline Silva was found deceased behind the Moses Lake Safeway according to Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison. A person had called into the Moses Lake Police Department at around 9:40 p.m., reporting an unconscious woman behind the store, according to MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely. Sursely did not have any other information on the matter. An autopsy was performed the following day and determined Silva had died at around 10:02 p.m. Monday from acute methamphetamine intoxication, according to Morrison.

Othello's Solorio crowned state champ in 215 bracket

OTHELLO – Anthony Solorio, a senior at Othello High School, achieved a lifelong dream over the weekend, capturing the state championship title in the boys 2A wrestling competition at 215 pounds with a record of 36-13.

MLSD board determines no civil rights infringement

Lack of access to PE impacts campuses with minority populations more than others

MOSES LAKE – In the Feb. 20 meeting of the Moses Lake School Board, the issue of equity in physical education resurfaced, spurred by a civil rights complaint submitted by Larry Dagnon, a teacher at North Elementary which he presented at the previous Feb. 6 meeting.

48 Columbia Basin wrestlers place at Mat Classic

Five wrestlers bring home championship titles

TACOMA — Five Columbia Basin wrestlers came home with championships and three wrestling teams finished in the top three at Mat Classic XXXVI last weekend. Four Basin wrestlers finished second and nine finished third. The champions include Almira/Coulee-Hartline’s Noah Butler, at 215 pounds; Ephrata’s Adylene Sanchez, 155; Brock Tracy, Lind-Ritzville, 285; Othello’s Anthony Solorio at 215 and Alejandria Espindola of Othello, 235. The Othello Huskie girls team brought home a second-place trophy in Class 2A with 221.5 points. The Royal girls also finished second in Class 1B/2B/1A with 181.5 points. The Othello boys team secured third in Class 2A with 178.5 points.