NANCE BESTON

Shots fired suspect in Moses Lake turns himself in

MOSES LAKE – On the evening of Sept. 6, it was reported that shots were fired at 1842 West Broadway Avenue, according to Moses Lake Police Department.

Power outages affect hundreds in Moses Lake and Ephrata on Sunday

MOSES LAKE – On Sunday morning at around 10 a.m., Grant Public Utility District announced there was a power outage affecting nearly 300 customers in the Ephrata and Winchester area. An outage later in the day impacted more than 700 residences on the Moses Lake peninsula later in the day.

GCSO announces new emergency notification number

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced a change in the phone number used for its emergency alert system, Everbridge. Residents will now receive calls from 509-260-3440, a Cle Elum phone number.

FIRE REPORT: Sept. 12, 2025

MOSES LAKE – The fires below are burning around 91,400 acres across Washington as of Thursday afternoon. The blazes were causing air quality concerns regionally.

Warden to get new police chief, approves updating planning documents

WARDEN – The Warden City Council met Tuesday to discuss the hiring of a new Warden Police Department Chief, acknowledge the clerk-treasurer assistant, receive updates on city projects, approve adding a climate element to the comprehensive plan and approve the development of a planning document for the wastewater facility and general sewer plan.

Grant Co. Jail construction on schedule for summer 2026 opening

EPHRATA — Construction of the new Grant County Jail is progressing rapidly, with Chief Deputy of Corrections Phillip Coats of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office expressing optimism about the facility’s completion. The new jail will comprehensively address the current needs of inmates, staff, and the community, with several innovative solutions integrated into its design, Coats said.

Ephrata school bus driver takes passengers personally

EPHRATA — Brenda Wurl has become a beloved fixture within the Ephrata School District as a bus driver, where her enthusiasm for children and dedication to safety has set a high standard within the community, according to the Transportation Director Adam Roduner. “Brenda, our longest-serving driver, is a wonderful example of the heart and dedication our entire team brings to their work,” Superintendent Ken Murray said. “We are deeply grateful for Brenda and for every member of our transportation staff who shows up, rain or shine, to serve our students and families.” With over 15 years of experience under her belt, Wurl said she has established a unique rapport with her young passengers and their families, making her not just a driver, but also a trusted role model.

EXPLAINER: Funding libraries in North Central Washington

MOSES LAKE – The North Central Washington Libraries operate under a unique funding model reliant on local taxpayer dollars, primarily property tax revenue. NCW Libraries runs 30 branches in five counties.

Ephrata PD officer stops theft of nearly $600,000

EPHRATA – In early June, a call was made by Grant County Public Works to the Ephrata Police Department for a theft through deception of three checks totaling nearly $600,000. Ephrata PD Officer Zach Smith, who has been with the department for nearly five years, responded to the call and began investigating the theft.

Groff repairs on schedule, campus to reopen 2026-27

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis told the MLSD Board of Directors Thursday that Groff Elementary will open back up for the 2026-27 school year. While physical construction just began, assessments have been completed to ensure the campus’s deficiencies are addressed. “There's not a whole bunch of construction equipment crawling all over the campus and knocking things down and things like that,” Lewis said. “There is a lot going on that's starting to happen. It looked a little slow to outside observers at first, because there was a lot of assessment that had to be done, lots of people walking around with clipboards and things, and not necessarily the actual construction that needs to happen to fix that building.”

Moses Lake man convicted in child pornography case

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was convicted last week of possessing child pornography, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Michael Boyer, 69, was convicted in Grant County Superior Court on four counts of first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to the GCSO statement. In September 2023, GCSO and Moses Lake Police Department detectives received a case referral from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Seattle. The tip was from Google, identifying Boyer as the suspect, along with his birthdate, phone number and two email addresses. “The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is a national network of 61 task forces, and their mission is to investigate, prosecute and develop effective responses to the Internet Crimes Against Children,” GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said.

Gas prices saw increase in WA, Grant Co. and nationally

MOSES LAKE — There were slight increases to average gas prices in Grant County, Washington and nationwide this week, according to AAA. Adams County saw a slight decline in prices. “Most of the nation’s 50 states saw gas prices rise over the last week, while some Great Lakes states saw significant relief thanks to the restart of BP’s Whiting, Indiana, refinery after severe weather caused a temporary outage,” wrote Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in a statement.

Nearly 80,500 acres burning in WA on Monday

MOSES LAKE — Washington’s fire season is heating up with nearly 80,500 acres burning across the state as of Monday. “Part of the reason that you are seeing a lot of those large fires on the landscape is because we had several lightning storms that moved through during red flag conditions,” Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer Ryan Rodruck said. Despite this, the fire season is still under the 10-year average of about 470,000 acres with the state sitting at around 122,300 acres this year.

Soap Lake updates Smokiam fee schedule

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council updated the fees for Smokiam Campground and allowed for future changes to be done by resolution instead of changing the city code.

Soap Lake council receives community updates

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council met Thursday and got updates from Soap Lake Police Department, Grant County Fire District 7, Public Works, Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce, Soap Lake Creative District, Lake Liaison Committee and the Soap Lake Prevention Coalition.

WAHLUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT DIRECTOR: Candidates Q&A

MATTAWA – There are two candidates running for the Wahluke School District Director District 5 position. The candidates are Elia Mendoza and board president and incumbent Luke Jenne.

Brush fire engulfs house in Ephrata

EPHRATA – There was a report made of a brush fire in the 2200 block of Basin Street in Ephrata at around 12 p.m. Thursday, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. When crews arrived on scene, it was discovered that there was a house involved in the fire. “The one occupant of the house was rescued safely by sheriff’s deputies,” Foreman said.

Ephrata boil advisory lifted

EPHRATA – The City of Ephrata has officially lifted its boil advisory after the water sample testing came back negative for contaminants, according to City Administrator Ray Towry. “We apologize for the inconvenience,” Towry said. “We understand the stress that it puts on people and local businesses.”

Ephrata wastewater plant recognized by DOE

EPHRATA – The City of Ephrata’s Water Reclamation Facility was recognized by the Department of Ecology for outstanding performance in 2024. The city received a letter from DOE Water Quality Program Manager Joe Kenning on Aug. 20.

Roundabout near Ephrata complete days early

EPHRATA — The new roundabout at the intersection of Nat Washington Way and State Route 282 is officially open, marking the end of a detour that has been in place for several weeks. The project was completed 8–9 days ahead of schedule, according to Grant County Central Services.

Ephrata boil advisory still in effect

EPHRATA – Ephrata remains on a boil advisory as it waits for test results to return from Pasco after a broken pipe led to a low pressure situation that requires testing under state health codes.

SOAP LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT POS. 5 Q&A: Leavell vs. Novik

SOAP LAKE – There are two candidates running for the Soap Lake School District Director position 5 role. The candidates are Rebecca Leavell and Mark Novick. Both candidates were given the questions below and given identical deadlines and word count restrictions for their answers.

GCFD 8 commissioner candidates discuss visions for future

MATTAWA – A candidate forum for the upcoming fire commissioner election for Grant County Fire District 8 was held at Wahluke High School on August 28. The forum included two candidates running for the fire commissioner seats, Josh Seanard and Richard “Dick” Jenkin, both of whom are running unopposed for their respective positions.

WARDEN SCHOOL BOARD: Candidate Q&A

WARDEN – There are two candidates running for the Warden School District Director District 5 position. These candidates are incumbent Shawn Clausen and candidate Ryan Arredondo. Both candidates were given the questions below and given identical deadlines and word count restrictions for their answers.

Leitz discusses challenges, future of Port District 3

MATTAWA – Matthus Leitz, the unopposed candidate for the Grant County Port District 3 Port Commissioner position 2 seat, shared his vision for the local economy and community development during a candidate forum held at Wahluke High School on Thursday evening. Leitz, who was born and raised in the area, emphasized his commitment to restoring the port’s fiscal responsibility and enhancing economic diversity.

Celebrating all things Warden

WARDEN — The annual Warden Community Days kicked off this past weekend, drawing crowds for a series of events celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage and community spirit. As the Labor Day festivities unfolded, residents gathered to enjoy activities ranging from a vibrant parade to an inflatable costume race, marking the occasion with laughter and camaraderie. “Warden Community Days is a way for us all to come together,” said Warden Mayor Rosaelia Martinez. “It’s wonderful to see everyone supporting one another. This event brings a great sense of pride to our agricultural community.” The event began on Saturday with a classic car show, followed by a free community dinner featuring hamburgers and hot dogs—a highlight for many attendees.

Wahluke School District Board candidates discuss future goals

MATTAWA – A forum was held on August 28 at Wahluke High School, bringing together the three candidates for the Wahluke School Board: Luke Jenne, Elia Mendoza and Nick Trejo. Incumbents Jenne and Trejo are seeking re-election, while Mendoza is challenging Jenne for Director Position 5.

Ephrata boil notice to extend at least to Thursday

EPHRATA – The City of Ephrata has issued a boil advisory for residents after a water line leak was discovered Monday near the old juvenile detention building. “They are currently grabbing the samples for the test results right now,” City Clerk Katie Kapalo said Tuesday morning. “They're going into the different parts of town and making sure they're getting an accurate sample of the whole city. Then those are being taken to the state lab.”

Welcome back Tigers

Ephrata begins the 2025-26 school year

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District kicked off the 2024-25 academic year on Aug. 28 with a palpable sense of excitement among students and educators alike. As the first day of school unfolded, school administrators expressed their eagerness to engage with returning students and enhance their educational experience.

Gas prices see uptick in Grant Co. and nationally

MOSES LAKE – Gas prices saw a slight increase in Grant County and nationwide; however, Washington and Adams County prices remained stable for the week, according to AAA.

FIRE REPORT: AUG. 28, 2025

Air quality moderate across most of Washington

MOSES LAKE – The fires below were burning and causing smoke and air quality concerns regionally as of Thursday afternoon.

MLSD welcomes back most students Wednesday

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District welcomed back first through sixth graders and freshmen for the first day of school Wednesday. The seventh, eighth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth graders return to school Thursday.

Audit reveals issues in MLSD '23-24 spending

Corrective actions implemented prior to audit's publication

MOSES LAKE — Findings from a recent audit conducted by the Washington State Auditor's Office and published Aug. 18 have revealed compliance deficiencies within the Moses Lake School District regarding the management of federal funds in 2023-24.

SOAP LAKE MAYOR: Candidates Q&A

SOAP LAKE – There is one candidate and one write-in candidate for the Soap Lake mayoral race. Incumbent Peter Sharp is the only candidate listed on the ballot. However, Karen Woodhouse is running as a write-in candidate.

$30M hospital bond to run again in general election

EPHRATA – The Columbia Basin Hospital Board has decided to run its $30 million bond measure on the general ballot in November after it failed in the primary election. Chief Executive Officer Rosalinda Kibby during the Aug. 26 meeting said the district needed to work on getting more information out to voters. She explained that the primary didn’t even get enough voters for the bond package to pass. They needed 2,600 voters, but only 2,277 people voted in Ephrata, according to the Grant County Auditor results.

Applications open for Community Police Academy

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department is set to host its upcoming Community Police Academy, welcoming community members eager to learn about the inner workings of their local law enforcement agency.

Driver safety a focus as school begins

MOSES LAKE – As schools across the Columbia Basin reopen this week, law enforcement officials are emphasizing the importance of road safety for students, parents and motorists alike. Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman is urging everyone to remain vigilant as the school year begins.

Gas prices stable this week

MOSES LAKE – Gas Prices were stable this week with Washington and Grant County average prices remaining the same as last week. Both Adams County and national prices saw a slight uptick, though. Washington fuel prices remain some of the highest in the U.S.

MLSD approves transpo upgrades, saves money on personnel

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School board met for a regular meeting Thursday to pass its annual budget, approve several purchases and receive an update on personnel from the superintendent.

Blue-Green algae blooms still present in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Health District issued a water quality warning for North Moses Lake and Lewis Horn for blue-green algae.

MLSD approves balanced $144.6M budget for 2025–26

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School Board unanimously approved a balanced budget for the 2025–26 school year during its regular meeting Thursday evening. The $144.6 million budget matches projected revenues with expenditures.

Erick Brittain takes over at GCFD 7

SOAP LAKE – Grant County Fire District 7 has welcomed a new chief, Erick Brittain, who brings with him a wealth of experience and a passion for community service, he said. After a distinguished 25-year career as a firefighter-paramedic, Brittain's journey into firefighting began in the mid-1990s with a shift in career aspirations that uniquely shaped his path. Originally pursuing a degree in education at Central Washington University, Brittain's interests were redirected after he began working at Les Schwab, where he observed the benefits enjoyed by firefighters.

Hawk successfully rehabilitated near Quincy

QUINCY – A hawk that was found injured in a yard in rural Quincy has recovered and been released back into the wild thanks to the efforts of Shawna Kluge, President of Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry.

EPHRATA MAYOR Q&A: Steve Oliver

EPHRATA - Steve Oliver is running for the mayor’s seat in Ephrata against incumbent Mayor Bruce Reim. Both Oliver and Reim were concurrently presented with the questions below and given identical deadlines and word count restrictions for their answers. Oliver’s responses are below. Both submitted their responses in a timely manner.

EPHRATA MAYOR Q&A: Bruce Reim

EPHRATA – Incumbent Ephrata Mayor Bruce Reim is running for reelection on the November ballot against challenger Steve Oliver. Both Reim and Oliver were concurrently presented with the questions below and given identical deadlines and word count restrictions for their answers. Reim’s responses are below. Both submitted their responses in a timely manner.

Gas prices see slight decrease except for Grant Co.

MOSES LAKE – Washington, Adams County and nationally all saw slight decreases in gas prices this week. Grant County saw slight increases in average fuel prices this week, according to AAA. “The national average is nearly unchanged from a week ago, with gasoline prices continuing to hover in the same territory where they’ve spent much of 2025 so far — in the low-$3-per-gallon range — as oil prices remain anchored in the $60s,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

GCSO dealt with 49 incidents during Bass Canyon EDM concert

GEORGE – The Gorge Ampitheatre hosted its annual three-day electronic dance music festival, Bass Canyon, over the weekend. The festival security managed by both Grant County Sheriff’s Office and a private security organization had a busy weekend according to Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

Surplus multi-season deer and elk tags soon available

OLYMPIA – Deer and elk hunters who applied for a Washington multi-season application earlier this year will have a chance to purchase some of the remaining surplus tags this month. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday that 2,693 multi-season deer tags and 160 multi-season elk tags will be available for sale in August, with sales occurring on separate days to streamline the process.

New Wyndham Microtel coming to Ephrata

EPHRATA – Ephrata residents can look forward to additional hospitality options as a new Wyndham Microtel is set to break ground next year. The owners expect to open the doors by June or July 2026. The hotel, which will feature 81 rooms—including 16 suites—will occupy a footprint of nearly 36,000 square feet, making it about 25% larger than the existing Holiday Inn Express in George, spokesperson Dustin Canfield said.

Warden moves several projects forward

WARDEN – The Warden City Council met for its regular meeting and continued a port annexation process, discussed an update to weed policies and police chief hiring, accepted an application for a Transportation Improvement Board grant and selected a person to serve on the Grant County Homeless Housing Task Force.