NANCE BESTON

WA use-of-force database up and running

Bipartisan effort supported by law enforcement to improve transparency and accountability.

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has announced the official launch of the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety, after several years of delays, according to Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. “A single location with clear, standardized and contextual information will help the public better understand the use of force in Washington,” Brown wrote in a statement. “Law enforcement and policymakers will have common tools to better analyze force and make informed decisions about policing policies and practices.”

WA student summer food program open for applications

OLYMPIA – This summer, approximately 620,000 children across Washington will benefit from SUN Bucks, a program designed to help families purchase food when school is not in session. The initiative, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program is aimed at providing nutritional support during the summer months.

Extreme heat watch issued for Central Washington

MOSES LAKE – The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for several regions in Central Washington, including the Moses Lake and Wenatchee areas, effective from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday evening.

Applications open for Grant Co. leadership program

EPHRATA — The Community Foundation of North Central Washington is now accepting applications for its upcoming Leadership Institute of NCW program, set to take place in Grant County. This initiative aims to empower residents by equipping them with essential civic skills and leadership knowledge, ultimately fostering stronger communities across the region, according to Leadership Institute of NCW Site Coordinator Summer Hess. “Our goal is to educate and empower community members for civic leadership roles,” said Hess. “We believe that strong leaders are fundamental to creating strong communities. This program aims to provide citizens with tools to be strong leaders and work alongside governmental officials to solve problems, some people have even joined different governmental agencies after the course including city council and school boards.” The Leadership Institute of NCW is a free, bilingual training program designed to guide participants through an extensive 20-session curriculum focused on personal and civic leadership. The program is rooted in the nationally recognized Parent Leadership Training Institute framework, which is renowned for its effectiveness in engaging community members to enhance child and family outcomes, according to Hess.

Basin firefighters see busy weekend

QUINCY – Over the weekend, two wildfires and a home fire in Grant County and, as of Sunday, the county is in a burn ban effective until at least Sept. 30. “Be aware of what the rules are and follow the burn ban stipulations. We prefer not burning at all,” Grant County Fire District 13 Chief Jim Stucky said. “If you are going to do a campfire or whatever, make sure you have water nearby, don’t let it get too big and make sure it is fully out and cold to the touch before you go to bed for the night.”

Gas prices drop slightly in Adams Co., WA and nationally

Prices anticipated to rise around 6 cents from gas tax

MOSES LAKE – Gas prices this week saw a slight decline in Adams County, Washington and nationally compared to last week, according to AAA. However, in Grant County, there was a two-cent increase on average.

Moses Lake man arrested following domestic violence incident

MOSES LAKE – A 35-year-old man is in custody following a domestic violence incident that escalated into a standoff with law enforcement Monday morning, according to Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Ephrata area fire damages about 26 acres Thursday

EPHRATA – On Thursday at around 4:30 p.m., Grant County Fire District 13 was called out to a fire in the 12000 block of Road B.6 Northwest. The fire started as a controlled burn, but because of winds, it quickly became uncontrolled.

FIRE REPORT: Second Creek fire continues blazing, one other fire mostly contained

LEAVENWORTH – The Second Creek Fire is sitting at around 75 acres as of Thursday night, growing around 9.9 acres since Wednesday, according to a statement from Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue.

Ephrata schools mulling bond package for spring 2026

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Facility Study Group meeting discussed several options for potential bond packages for the upcoming school year. “We really began this work about a year and a half ago when it became apparent that we were going to need to defuse some of the dollars that were associated with the 2019 bond,” Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray said. “We weren't going to be able to complete all the projects that we believed we were going to be able to in that bond.”

Ephrata water tower final ring added, external design finalized

EPHRATA – Soon as people drive into Ephrata, they will be greeted with two 24-foot-tall Ephrata School District “E” logos adorned on the new water tower the city is building. The 16th and final ring of the tower was added Tuesday, with the tower anticipated to be fully functional by mid-fall, according to Ephrata Public Works Director Rob Harris. Ephrata City Council decided on the design at the May 22 regular city council meeting after a heated debate.

Firefighters battling Second Creek Fire near Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH — Firefighters are currently battling the Second Creek Fire, which began on Monday and has scorched an estimated 64.1 acres, according to a report from the Southeast Washington Type-3 Incident Management Team.

Grant County burn ban to begin Sunday

MOSES LAKE — As temperatures rise and vegetation dries out, Grant County is about to start its annual burn ban beginning June 1, a measure designed to minimize the risk of wildfires during the summer months. The ban will continue until Sept. 30, encompassing all unincorporated areas of the county. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, more than 85% of wildfires in the United States are caused by human activity, highlighting the significance of preventative measures. This year, local officials are particularly concerned about the forecasted increase in wildfire activity due to hotter and drier weather conditions

MLSD restructuring admin office, saving district money

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District has hired people for two new administrative positions, including Yvonne Walker as the executive director of teaching and learning, and Scott West as the executive director of safety and wellbeing.

Fire burns 5 acres in Moses Lake Monday

MOSES LAKE – Monday evening around 5 p.m., Moses Lake Fire Department was dispatched to a brush fire near State Route 17 and North Stratford Road.

Gas prices rise in Basin and state

MOSES LAKE – Gas prices have seen one of the largest increases in Washington this year, with prices sitting at an average of $4.42, according to AAA. There was also an increase in both Grant and Adams counties from the previous week.

Energy Science Days help students learn about renewable energy

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District participated in the Energy Science Days, hosted at Big Bend Community College last Wednesday for fifth-grade students.

WISe program helps youth amid mental health crises

MOSES LAKE —The Wraparound with Intensive Services program is making significant strides in addressing the mental health needs of youth in Washington, according to the Grant County Direct Supervisor of WISe, Velma De La Rosa.

Juvenile shot, suffers non-life-threatening injuries

MOSES LAKE — On Tuesday at around 6:30 p.m. the Moses Lake Police Department received a call of shots fired in the 500 block of Central Drive, according to a statement from the MLPD. When officers arrived, they located a 17-year-old male with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound in his leg. The victim was transported to Samaritan Hospital for treatment. MLPD Capt. Jeff Sursely said there have been no updates on how the victim is recovering.

Welded to success

EHS freshman sparks inspiration among peers

EPHRATA – Lila Smith, a freshman at Ephrata High School, earned the title as one of the Students of the Month for May in the Ephrata School District.

Ephrata Fire Department named 2025 Volunteer Fire House of the Year

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Fire Department has been awarded the title of "Volunteer Fire House of the Year" for 2025 by the Washington State Firefighters Association, significant recognition for the primarily volunteer-based team.

A promise fulfilled

Gov. Ferguson signs bill exempting farmers from CCA fuel taxes

OLYMPIA — Washington farmers were promised fuel exemptions from the state’s Climate Commitment Act, and four years after its initial passage, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1912 which facilitates fuel exemptions for farmers under the CCA.

New wildlife feeding ban takes effect in WA amid concerns of CWD

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has adopted new regulations prohibiting the feeding of deer, elk and moose statewide, effective last Friday. This decision comes as a precautionary measure to mitigate the risk of transmitting Chronic Wasting Disease, an always-fatal neurological disease that affects cervids, among Washington’s wildlife populations. The rule was formed in response to the discovery of CWD in Eastern Washington for the first time in 2024. With no known cure for this disease, state officials identified the need to reduce concentrations of cervids at feeding sites, which could accelerate the spread of this and other wildlife diseases.

1,100-acre fire contained near Grant-Kittitas border

ELLENSBURG — On Sunday afternoon around 12:35 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to Bourne Springs for a fast-moving wildland fire at the Yakima Training Center. “It occurred in an open training area, and it was caused due to training activities,” Yakima Training Center Public Affairs Officer Paul Noel said. The fire was located near the Grant County and Kittitas County border, near Mattawa.

Gas prices rise in Grant Co., WA and nationally

A look into Memorial Day weekend travel

MOSES LAKE — Gas prices across the nation rose, impacting both Grant County and Washington state, according to the American Automobile Association. However, gas prices are still lower than last year at this time, which is good for travelers this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Last week, Grant County was sitting at $4.28 per gallon for the second week in a row, but as of Monday gas prices had risen $0.02 per gallon, bringing the average gas price in the county up to $4.30, according to AAA. This is the same price consumers saw during the week of April 28. This week Adams County saw a decrease in gas prices from $4.20 to $4.18 this week, according to AAA. Two weeks ago, gas was averaging $4.17, lower than currently. Both Grant and Adams counties remain around the median of gas prices across the state, according to AAA. Wahkiakum County remained the most expensive for the second week in a row at $4.80 which is a $0.05 increase from the previous week. Asotin County also remained the cheapest at $3.84 which is a $0.07 increase from last week.

Littering fines, plastic bag prices to increase this summer

OLYMPIA — In Washington, customers will begin to pay more for plastic bags, and those who choose to litter will be facing high fines after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1293 into law Saturday. “People who dump garbage in our beautiful state must be held accountable,” said sponsor Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, in a statement. “Increasing the littering penalty for the first time since 1993 is an important step in addressing our horrible littering problem.” HB 1293, which received bipartisan support and ultimately passed with a 46-2 vote in the House and a 27-20 vote in the senate raises the penalty for littering to a class 2 civil infraction. Littering was previously a class 3 civil infraction.

Touch a Truck event supports Ephrata Food Bank

First responders, local companies gather to ensure locals are fed

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Fire Department's annual "Touch a Truck" event Saturday drew a crowd despite early rain showers, as community members visited the Splash Zone parking lot to engage with a variety of large vehicles. The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., served as both a fun outing for families and a fundraiser for the Ephrata Food Bank.

Groff Elementary 2025-26 plans in the works

MLSD reviews feedback from parents on this year and ideas for next year

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District board met Thursday night for a regular meeting to discuss the feedback the district received from parents at Groff Elementary for next year.

MLSD updates policies

MOSES LAKE — At the Thursday night regular Moses Lake School Board meeting, one new policy was passed relating to social media usage for employees. The board also updated a policy in regard to capital assets and theft.

Gov. proclaims support for WA veterans

State leadership committed to vet suicide prevention, mental health support

MOSES LAKE – Gov. Bob Ferguson recently signed a proclamation reaffirming Washington’s commitment to veteran suicide prevention. The proclamation comes amidst rising concerns about mental health challenges facing vets, with the rate of veteran suicide in Washington exceeding the national average, according to a statement from Ferguson.

MLSD meeting addresses gang activity, youth safety

MOSES LAKE — Community leaders, educators, law enforcement officials and parents gathered at the Moses Lake School District Tuesday for a discussion on youth safety and gang activity. The meeting, which featured a panel of experts from various sectors, aimed to convey important information regarding the challenges and trends in the community while outlining preventive measures and fostering collaboration between families and institutions.

Building their way to nationals

Ephrata’s Parkway Pizzazz heading to national LEGO robotics championship

EPHRATA – Ten sixth-grade Parkway Intermediate students, two advisors and a Lego robot named Jeff will travel to New Jersey this week for the national Lego Robotics championship. For a handful of the students this is their first time on a plane, for others their first time on the east coast. For all of them, it will be their first time competing in the national Lego championship. “It was a really good experience working together because we all got to work as a team together. We do have some coders that code and people who worked on the innovation project, but we all share what we learned throughout the day,” Liliana Zaets said. “It was a really good experience because we learned a lot of things.” The Parkway Pizzazz team competed in state Jan. 18 and won the “Breakthrough” award at state competition. The award entered them into a lottery to compete at nationals. The group was selected from the lottery and now they are on their way to the American Robotics Open Competiton in New Jersey.

EHS senior Chase Moser recognized as student of the month

EPHRATA — Ephrata High School senior Chase Moser has been named as one of the Students of the Month for May, an accolade that his teachers said highlights his exceptional abilities in writing, public speaking and critical thinking. Moser’s academic journey within Ephrata School District, which began in fourth grade, has been marked by notable achievements and an influential presence both in the classroom and beyond, according to EHS English teacher Don Hendrixson, who nominated him for student of the month. Moser is set to graduate this spring, and he has plans to further his education at Eastern Washington University, where he will pursue a degree in business with a minor in psychology. He emphasized the versatility of a business degree.

Grant Co. Fairgrounds preparing for busy season

90 days until the Grant County Fair opens with food, competitions and carnival attractions

MOSES LAKE — The days are getting warmer and with the Grant County Fair just around the corner, the fairgrounds team is ramping up its preparations. Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan announced upgrades to the facility aimed at enhancing safety and overall visitor experience, while simultaneously addressing a crucial staffing shortage for seasonal positions. The legislature decided to table some bills that could have had impacts on the fairgrounds.

Ferguson signs animal cruelty bill

OLYMPIA — In a step toward enhancing animal welfare, the Washington State Legislature has passed House Bill 1149, an act aimed at the prevention of cruelty to animals. The bill received overwhelming support, with a vote of 96-0 in the House and 47-1 in the Senate, before being concurred by the House at 85-11. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law Monday. “We will always be in favor and supportive of legislation that ends the suffering of animals and holds people accountable when they do cause unnecessary means of suffering to an animal,” Grant County Animal Outreach President Sara Thompson Tweedy said. “We’re always going to be in favor of legislation that enables law enforcement to do their job effectively and efficiently to end that suffering.”

Quincy man reported missing Saturday, found hours later

QUINCY — On Saturday night, a 68-year-old Quincy man was reported missing near the 23000 block of state Route 28 in the Trinidad area. Grant County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside Grant County Fire District 3, Quincy Police Department, Columbia EMS and Life Flight Network to search for this missing man.

Columbia Basin schools recognized for excellence

MOSES LAKE – In a display of educational dedication, several schools within the Columbia Basin area have received honors from the Washington State School Recognition Program for the 2023-2024 academic year. These awards celebrate schools that have excelled in crucial areas of student success, including closing achievement gaps, fostering growth among diverse student populations and attaining high levels of performance.

Outstanding Grit

Recognizing the outstanding seniors at Ephrata High

EPHRATA – Thirty exceptional seniors were called on stage with other students cheering and clapping Thursday morning during the Ephrata High School assembly. The students were presented with Outstanding Senior Awards or Grit Academic Department Awards.

MLSD to host gang town hall today

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will host a town hall today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Learning Services Center, focusing on youth gang awareness and prevention. This event seeks to engage families, educators and community members in a dialogue about the challenges that gang activity presents in the local area.

Gang awareness event held in Ephrata

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District organized an informational session on youth gang involvement Thursday night, bringing together educators, law enforcement and community members to address youth gang concerns in the region.

Grant Co. Fairgrounds has urgent need of seasonal staff

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fairgrounds is calling for immediate applications for seasonal positions as the county prepares for its busy fair season. Fairgronds Director Jim McKiernan said the organization typically hires four to six seasonal workers each year to help manage the increased workload but has encountered significant challenges in filling these roles for the upcoming season.

Ephrata passes 6-year transpo plan

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council passed its six-year transportation improvement program for 2026 through 2031 unanimously Wednesday night during the council’s regular meeting. “This is a plan for our roads, this is kind of a wish list,” Public Works Director Rob Harris said.

Ephrata Fire to hold Touch a Truck event to support Ephrata Food Bank

EPHRATA – Fire trucks, buses, ambulances, concrete mixers, dump trucks, tractors and other emergency vehicles and equipment will fill the Ephrata Splash Zone parking lot on May 17. The Ephrata Fire Department will be hosting its annual “Touch a Truck” event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise funds and food for the Ephrata Food Bank.

New Ephrata Sports Complex bathrooms open to the public

EPHRATA – Ephrata Public Works staff worked late into the night Thursday to pour and protect the new concrete pad for the new restrooms at the Sports Complex located at 121 Alder St. SW. The staff, according to Public Works Director Rob Harris, stayed until 4 a.m. to complete the project to ensure it was ready for a softball game the following day.

Ephrata SD gang town hall today

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District, in collaboration with local law enforcement and the North Central Educational Service District, will host a town hall meeting titled "Understanding Youth Gangs" on May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center.

Ephrata school nurse ensures students thrive despite medical needs

EPHRATA – Pam Cleveringa has been a part of the Ephrata School District since 2010, serving as the school nurse for over a decade. With a nursing career that began in 1999, Cleveringa initially engaged in various nursing roles, including hospital and maternity care. However, upon the recommendation of friends during a time of budget cuts, she transitioned to school nursing, a field where she has since found her passion.

Moses Lake School Board passes five policies, holds one

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School Board met for its regular meeting April 1 passed five policy updates and discussed one policy update with no action taken. The policies ranged from updating guidelines for non-resident students to removing a sentence from the district’s sexual harassment policy.

New water main connection will have two roads down to one lane in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – Today from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Moses Lake, Pegram Construction will be closing the two westbound lanes of Valley Road between Sunburst Court Northeast and Grape Drive Northeast to add a new water main connection.

MLSD discusses levy fund use in 2025-26

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis discussed plans for the 2025-26 school year levy funds at the May 1 regular school board meeting. The district will only collect a partial levy in the second half of the school year at an estimated $5.9 million om revenue. However, the following school year the district will be able to do a full collection of about $11.9 million.

WA wildlife crop damage law signed

OLYMPIA – In a move to support farmers in less densely populated areas, the Washington State Legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 5165, which aims to provide compensation for damage to commercial crops caused by wild deer and elk in designated frontier one counties.