NANCE BESTON

MLHS Class of 2025 steps out into the world

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School Class of 2025 celebrated a milestone on Tuesday evening as 386 graduates participated in the commencement ceremony held at the school’s stadium. The air was filled with excitement and pride as families and friends gathered to honor the achievements of the graduating class, marking the completion of their high school journey. Principal Sheila Kries opened the ceremony, reflecting on the unique challenges faced by students over the past few years, particularly during the pandemic. “When you arrived at Moses Lake High School as ninth-graders, I was your assistant principal,” she said. “I fondly recall interacting with you and the memorable chaos that ensued as the school reopened post-COVID.” Her remarks served as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability the students demonstrated throughout their high school years.

Moses Lake Christian Academy sends graduates forth with prayers, blessings

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy marked a significant milestone on May 31 as the Class of 2025 celebrated its graduation ceremony, featuring seven accomplished students. The event, held at the academy’s auditorium, was attended by parents, faculty, and friends, all coming together to celebrate the hard work and dedication of these young graduates. The ceremony opened with a heartfelt message from Valedictorian Brandon Swinger, who reflected on the trials and tribulations that shaped their high school experience.

MLSD celebrates inaugural graduation of Digital Learning Center

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District marked a historic milestone on May 4, as the Digital Learning Center proudly held its inaugural graduation ceremony at Lions Field. The school has had two other graduating classes, but they have been previously combined with Moses Lake High School. The event celebrated the academic achievements of the first graduating class, comprising a diverse group of students who have successfully completed their high school education through innovative digital learning methods. Attended by family, friends, educators, and community members, the ceremony featured heartfelt speeches, reflections on personal growth, and acknowledgments of the challenges faced throughout the academic year. “Your accomplishment marks not only a personal achievement but also the promise of a new beginning,” said Superintendent Carol Lewis during her opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of community support and perseverance throughout the students’ educational journeys.

Vanguard Academy celebrates first graduating class

MOSES LAKE — Vanguard Academy made history June 4 with the graduation of its inaugural class. The ceremony, held at Lion’s Field, featured heartfelt speeches from both staff and students as they reflected on the unique journey of project-based learning and the bonds formed throughout their high school experience. Vanguard Principal Mathew Stevens addressed attendees, emphasizing the significance of the moment.

Ephrata installs new sewer liner

Ephrata water tower gets its top

EPHRATA — The construction of the new Ephrata water tower reached a significant milestone on Saturday morning with the successful placement of its lid, marking the completion of the tower's main structural components. As community members looked on, the lid was hoisted to its final position, a crucial step forward in a project that is expected to enhance water pressure and reliability for residents. Mayor Bruce Reim, who has been closely following the project, expressed his excitement about the progress.

Three arrested after trespassing near Hiawatha Lake

MOSES LAKE – Friday afternoon, three people were arrested after they re-entered the site previously known as Hiawatha Homeless Camp, near Hiawatha Lake, in the 1200 block of North Frontage Road East.

Warden School District appoints Brouillet as interim superintendent

WARDEN — The Warden School District Board of Directors announced the appointment of Marc Brouillet June 4 as Interim Superintendent, effective July 1. Former Superintendent Scott West has taken the position of executive director of safety and well-being at Moses Lake School District.

Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry seeks forever homes for 16 animals

SOAP LAKE – In an era where pet adoptions have dropped due to economic challenges, Shawna Kluge, president of the Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry, is on a mission to find loving homes for the many animals within her care. With 16 puppies and dogs currently available for adoption or fostering, Kluge is calling on the community to extend their support, whether through adoption, volunteering or donations. All Rock Bottom Rocker dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

Domestic violence incident near Quincy under investigation

QUINCY — A domestic violence situation involving a firearm unfolded late Saturday evening in the unincorporated Quincy-Ephrata area in the 11000 block of Road G-Northwest, prompting a multi-agency response from local law enforcement, according to a statement from Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Gas prices drop slightly in Grant, Adams counties, WA and nationally

MOSES LAKE – Gas prices across the nation saw a slight decrease, including in both Grant and Adams counties and Washington, according to AAA.

Tractor trailer fire on SR 17 causes delays

MOSES LAKE – A tractor trailer carrying cardboard on state Route 17 ignited Monday morning at around 9:30 a.m. just north of Rocky Ford Creek, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

Superintendent Lewis provides update on MLSD finances

MOSES LAKE – During the regular Moses Lake School District board meeting held Thursday night, Superintendent Carol Lewis delivered a report weaving together elements of the district’s financial status and academic strategies, leaning into a prior cross-country race analogy for the next four years.

Thursday wildfire burns 105 acres near Quincy

QUINCY – A fire started around 3 a.m. Thursday near Road 13 Northwest, east of Adams Road. According to Grant County Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee, the fire was under control at around 105 acres as of 4:53 p.m.

3 new student representatives join MLSD board

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District announced the appointment of three new Student Board Representatives for the 2025-26 school year at the regular school board meeting Thursday. MLSD Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon introduced the new board members.

Local youth honored at upcoming Chief for a Day event

EPHRATA – What happens when Grant County children, who are battling significant medical challenges, are promised a day of fun and recognition? They become honorary Chiefs for a day on June 12, an exhilarating experience that leaves lasting smiles and cherished memories. “It’s all about giving the families and the children a memorable day where they can momentarily forget their medical challenges,” said Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

Soap Lake School District completes successful audit with no findings

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake School District has completed its annual financial and federal audit conducted by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. The audit results indicate a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and compliance with both federal and state regulations.

'Truly one of the best that Ephrata High School has to offer'

Senior Hannah Keen recognized as student of the month

EPHRATA – Hannah Keen, a senior at Ephrata High School, has been recognized as one of the June Students of the Month for her exceptional growth, dedication and positivity both in and outside the classroom, according to Marla Allsopp, the teacher who nominated her.

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.