NANCE BESTON

Fresh and local

Moses Lake Farmers Market embraces locally owned farms and businesses

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Farmers market was bustling Oct. 19 with kettle corn popcorn, fresh produce, pesto, honey and customers toting around their newfound goods. “I like this market a lot. This market has nice people that come to it, fair attendees,” Mary Cummins from Mary Moon Farms based in Othello said. “Also, the market has EBT and a credit card ability. People with a credit card can get tokens, so the vendors all don't have to have a credit card reader to take money from people with a credit card.”

U.S. Attorney's Office pursues COVID fraudsters

YAKIMA — U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Vanessa R. Waldref, announced that BNL Technical Services, LLC has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining nearly $500,0000 through a scheme to secure COVID-19 relief funding, according to anOct. 22 press release.

Moses Lake resident pleads guilty to break-in case

MOSES LAKE – A Moses Lake woman was sentenced to 15 months incarceration after pleading guilty to multiple counts of second-degree assault Oct. 22.

Local woman steals vehicle with infant, then steals Warden PD vehicle

WARDEN – At around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday a vehicle was reportedly stolen by Moses Lake resident, Rita Gabriella Lozano, 21, on Main Street in Warden. The reporting party said her two-month-old infant was still in the stolen vehicle, according to a release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Using traffic cameras, the Warden Police Department saw the vehicle leave Warden north on Road U-Southeast.

Soap Lake gets new council members, raises officer pay

SOAP LAKE – During the Oct. 16 Soap Lake City Council meeting, the members convened to discuss issues including appointing two new city council members, officer retention, a new insurance plan and the purchase and installation of new security cameras at City Hall and the police department.

$25 microchipping events ongoing

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Animal Outreach hosted their first microchip event out of six Thursday. GCAO will have five more microchipping events Oct. 17 and 24; and Nov. 7, 14 and 21. Microchips will cost $25 during these events; they normally cost $50.

New AI system at MACC has successful first few months

MOSES LAKE – The Multi Agency Communications Center, also known as MACC 911 or just MACC, implemented a new artificial intelligence online system about five months ago for people to submit non-emergency requests online or via phone call to help manage call volumes. The program, AVA, helps MACC staff members focus on answering emergency calls and prioritizing dispatch to those and allows for shorter wait times for both emergency and non-emergency calls.

WA Attorney General sues TikTok over youth addiction claims

OLYMPIA — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is suing TikTok for allegedly prioritizing profits over the well-being of millions of vulnerable young users, according to a statement from Ferguson’s office.

Students travel to the Wanapum Heritage Center hosts 25th Archeology Days

The Wanapum Heritage Center hosted its 25th annual Archeology Day events Oct. 9 and 10. The first day of the event was dedicated to students with various schools attending including Wahluke School District, Yakama Nation Tribal School, Toppenish Pre-school, Connell elementary, home-schooled students from various towns and several others.

Potholes drowning victim found

EPHRATA – Sunday, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office recovered Richard Smith’s body from O’Sullivan Reservoir. Smith went fishing Oct. 3 and after his girlfriend did not hear from him for three days, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office began a search at the reservoir Oct. 6.

2024 good for most but not all Washington agriculture products

COLUMBIA BASIN — Washington, and more specifically the Columbia Basin, is known for its impact in agriculture, growing millions of pounds of apples, wheat, potatoes and other food. “We aren’t the best, we’re just blessed,” Dale Lathim, the executive director of Potato Growers of Washington, said.

MLSD to hold another community meeting regarding finances

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will discuss district finances in a meeting today at Vanguard Academy, 740 E. Yonezawa Blvd. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. This will be the third of four meetings in which MLSD Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis breaks down the financial errors that occurred recently, which the Columbia Basin Herald has reported on previously. The four meetings present mostly the same information with slides added to each presentation to address community questions. In the meetings, Lewis covers how school finances work, the levy failure which also resulted in the district losing local effort assistant, enrollment errors and accrual accounting errors.

Woman pleads guilty to threatening patrons at business with knife

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake woman was sentenced Tuesday for threatening customers at a Moses Lake business with a knife during an incident in Moses Lake in August.

Man pleads guilty to third-degree assault — domestic violence

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was sentenced to jail after he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge Tuesday.

Wallet thief pleads guilty to four counts of theft

EPHRATA — A Moses Lake woman was sentenced this week for stealing a wallet and charging hundreds of dollars on the victim’s credit card. Carmela Ramirez, 34, pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree theft Tuesday in Grant County Superior Court. Ramirez was originally charged with seven counts of second-degree theft, however, three of those charges were dismissed. Judge Tyson R. Hill sentenced Ramirez to four concurrent terms of 21 days of house arrest for the four counts. According to the Moses Lake Police Department, on Dec. 24, 2022, an officer was dispatched to a business in the 1000 block of North Stratford Road after a subject had her wallet stolen and transactions were completed at that business.

Ephrata school district welcomes new staff, teachers

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District hired 15 new teaching staff members this year as well as 13 classified staff. During the Sept. 23 Ephrata SD meeting the superintendent and school board had a special meeting before the regular board meeting to introduce and welcome new employees.

Boeing withdraws contract proposal

MOSES LAKE – After two days of mediated negotiation, Boeing withdrew its Sept. 23 offer to IAM 751 union Tuesday. The offer was released to the media and according to the union, this was a non-negotiated offer from the company.

O-Town showdown fundraiser coming Thursday

OTHELLO – This Thursday, the Othello Police Department and various teachers from the Othello School District will be competing in a game of flag football to raise funds for the Othello Cancer Support Group. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Othello High School Stadium and is $1 to attend with further donations encouraged.

GALLERY: ’90s makes a comeback at Grant Co. Fairgrounds

MOSES LAKE — Crowds of people decorated in colored flannels cheered as guitars were shredded and smashed, music blared and drinks sloshed at the third annual ’90s Flannel Fest.

MLSD holds second community forum on finances

MOSES LAKE — Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis convened the second of four community meetings with 19 attendees at Endeavor Middle School to discuss financial miscalculations that have plagued the Moses Lake School District. The district had a budget shortfall as a result of multiple factors including accounting errors, levy failures and lack of oversight of former Finance office staff.

Wanapum, PUD host archaeology events

MATTAWA - In celebration of Washington State Archaeology Month, the Wanapum and Grant Public Utility District are holding two Archaeology Day events at the Wanapum Heritage Center. Tuesday was youth day and today will be adult day. The event will goes from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. today with lectures, hide processing demonstrations and other opportunities to learn about the Wanapum.

MLSD votes to press charges, but communication errors seem to be the cause

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District held an executive session during its Oct. 4 meeting and afterward came out to vote regarding transferring a case from Moses Lake Police Department regarding former Moses Lake School District Superintendent Josh Meek and financial issues that led to his departure from the district. However, the issue appears to be based on miscommunication between MLPD and the school district.

An inside look at J.R. Simplot Moses Lake plant

MOSES LAKE – The Association of Washington Business stopped at the J.R. Simplot factory in Moses Lake Friday, during day three of their eighth-annual Manufacturing Week bus tour.

MLSD reviews finances, recognizes staff

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School Board held its regular meeting Thursday and reviewed the district’s financial situation and took time to recognize food service and custodial workers in the district, among other business.

Job seekers bustle at the WorkSource job fair

MOSES LAKE – The WorkSource Business Service Team hosted its 20th job fair Friday, drawing a crowd of 200 people within the first hour. The main room, filled to capacity with employers and potential employees, buzzed with activity as representatives conducted on-the-spot interviews, collected resumes, engaged in discussion and handed out free swag. Food trucks were also stationed outside including Wize Guys Beefs and Delicias, providing food and beverages to those in attendance. Employees of WorkSource were handing out free drink and food tokens.

Dust storms blowing through the Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE – The National Weather Service’s Spokane office released a blowing dust advisory for 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday for the Columbia Basin. The storm is the result of a cold front on the Gulf of Alaska, according to NWS meteorologist Steve Bodnar. “We're going to have the persistent gusts,” Bodnar said. “It will not be as strong as what we saw Sunday, but still strong enough that all the wind speeds that we could get blows dust and may make it difficult for people to see when driving.”

Ephrata schools looking for District 3 board candidates

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District is looking for community members who are interested in filling the school board's district three open board seat, according to a statement from the district. The School Board Chair, Anita Waller announced her resignation at the Sept. 23 board meeting. She will leave at the end of 2024.

WorkSource hosting job, resource fair Friday

MOSES LAKE — The WorkSource Business Service Team invites job seekers to the 2024 Fall Hiring and Resource Event on Oct. 4. Career and Training Manager Emily Anderson said the annual event aims to connect community members with employment opportunities and resources from various sectors.

2024 WA fire season coming to a close

MOSES LAKE – There are two active fires in Washington as of Oct. 2 but the rest of the fires from the season are contained or just being moderated according to Department of Natural Resources Wildfire Communications Manager Ryan Rodruck. Outside of that, Rodruck said fire season is coming to a conclusion; however, people should still be mindful because new blazes are still starting.

GCAO to host $25 microchipping events

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach is holding six microchipping events in Oct. and Nov. for $25 per animal. Normally microchips cost $55 a pet but Serena Jewell, assistant manager at Grant County Animal Outreach said they are trying to make it more affordable for pet owners.

MLSD finances explained during community meeting

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis led the first community meeting of four on Tuesday night to address the district’s current financial situation. Lewis explained to 27 attendees the financial errors that occurred which caused MLSD to have a $20 million budget shortfall.

20 days picketing

Union rejects vote on new Boeing contract, striking employees lose health coverage

MOSES LAKE – As the Boeing strike continues, making today the 20th day union members have picketed at the gates, members have lost health insurance coverage. Union members have decided they are not voting on the new contract proposal Boeing released Sept. 23.

Six-vehicle collision closes State Route 17 Sunday

WARDEN – Four people sustained injuries in a six-vehicle collision on State Route 17 between Warden and Moses Lake about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Two of the cars were totaled.

Public meetings on MLSD finances begin tonight

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will be holding a series of public meetings throughout October to address the district’s financial structure and issues that led to its current financial difficulties, according to a press release from MLSD. The first meeting will be held today from 6 to 7 p.m. at Sage Point Elementary, 4000 W. Peninsula Drive. The following meetings are Oct. 7 at Endeavor Middle School, Oct. 14 at Vanguard Academy and Oct. 22 at Frontier Middle School. All are from 6 to 7 p.m. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and work with MLSD officials to discuss the potential forensic audit. Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis also confirmed there will be a Spanish interpreter present for the meetings. However, the meetings will not be available virtually.

Freight train burns, no injuries or damaged cargo

QUINCY — On Saturday night a freight train lit on fire near Road W Northwest and Baird Springs Road Northwest, eight miles outside of Quincy. The fire started around 8:20 p.m. and was out by 8:40 p.m. Saturday night according to Grant County Fire District 3 Fire Chief, David Durfee. “I mean the incident took less than half an hour,” Durfee said.

Bus driver shortage at MLSD

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District announced a driver shortage Friday, which will impact morning and afternoon bus routes. The MLSD transportation department will notify parents by 5:30 a.m. each morning if the route is canceled for the day. “Bus driver shortages are not unique to this school year or unique to Moses Lake,” MLSD Marketing and Public Relations Specialist Claren McLaughlin said. “It is a nationwide issue.” McLaughlin said that if a morning route is canceled, the afternoon route is also canceled. The MLSD said in its statement that special education bus routes will not be impacted. The canceled routes will also be posted on the Moses Lake School District website.

MLSD addresses nursing concerns, passes Title IX resolution amendment

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District is weighing the potential of a forensic audit which is addressed in another story, a public comment regarding limited nursing staff and a proposed amendment to the Title IX resolution the district passed during a special Sept. 5 school board meeting.

MLSD considers potential forensic audit

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District is considering a forensic audit, after MLSD board member Paul Hill brought the idea up in closing comments of the Aug. 22 regular school board meeting.

Ephrata man sentenced in 2023 speeding, drug case

EPHRATA — An Ephrata man was sentenced to more than 11 years Tuesday in connection with leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase in 2023, according to Grant County Superior Court documents.

Eight-time felon pleads guilty to two charges

EPHRATA – David Mendez Cantu III, 46, Moses Lake pleaded guilty to first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen vehicle on Sept. 24 in Grant County Superior Court.

Moses Lake raises funds for Alzheimer's awareness

MOSES LAKE – Flowers decorated with names of loved ones spun in the wind, children ran around filling the sidewalks with affirming messages, smiley faces and games of hopscotch, people pulled their purple shirts over their heads and began the walk. The Walk to End Alzheimer's returned to Moses Lake for 11 years in a row and this year the attendance was phenomenal, according to the walk co-organizer Julie Reathaford.

‘Every vote counts’

General election voting starts soon, local party leaders encourage registration

MOSES LAKE – Voting for the upcoming general election begins in less than a month, with voting starting Oct. 18.

Ephrata School board chair announces resignation

Board reviews budget and expenses as first quarter continues

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School Board met for their Sept. 23 board meeting to introduce new staff, discuss new facilities purchases, update on the effectiveness of cell phone boxes, discuss the budget and at the end of the meeting, Board Chair Anita Waller announced she will be leaving at the end of 2024.

Soap Lake PD receives grant funding

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Police Department just received a $290,655 grant from the Community Oriented Policing Services U.S. Department of Justice. According to SLPD Chief Ryan Cox the funding will be used to pay an officer for a four-year period.

Castro focused on safety, workforce in commissioner race

MOSES LAKE — Republican Amador Castro, a local educator and entrepreneur is running for Grant County Commissioner District 1, against Republican Kevin Burgess. The incumbent, Danny Stone, is not seeking reelection. “This is not just a campaign for me; it’s about creating a better, safer, and more prosperous Grant County for us all,” Castro said.

Former officer sentenced in Othello child sex case

OTHELLO – Koby Don Williams, 49, Ellensburg was sentenced on one count of Attempted Online Enticement. Williams was convicted of the crime on May 14 following a jury trial, according to a Sept. 19 press release from the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Washington.

Five-hour power outage leaves 1,500 people without electricity

MOSES LAKE – There was a power outage that affected around 1,500 people in the peninsula area of Moses Lake Monday. The outage started at around 7:45 a.m. and power was restored at 12:35 p.m. according to Chistine Pratt, public information officer for the Grant County Public Utility District.

Moses Lake raises funds for Alzheimer's awareness

MOSES LAKE – Flowers decorated with names of loved ones spun in the wind, children ran around filling the sidewalks with affirming messages, smiley faces and games of hopscotch, people pulled their purple shirts over their heads and began the walk.

MLPD investigating drive-by shooting on North Buell Drive

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Department responded to a drive-by shooting incident Sept. 8 at around 3:11 a.m. at the intersection of North Buell Drive and West Gary Street, according to an MLPD press release.

Gang-related drive-by in Larson leads to three arrests

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department continues to investigate a Sunday afternoon drive-by shooting in the Larson Community.