Graduation plans begin to take shape
A second year of pandemic graduations are being planned by local high schools. While not all the details have been finalized due to the ever-changing nature of COVID-19, some districts have an idea of their plans.
Mattawa residents express concerns: Fear of retaliation, hostility cited; administrative assistant resigns
A few community members expressed concerns about the City of Mattawa and mayor firing Police Chief Joe Harris at a city council meeting Thursday.
Mattawa mayor releases statement on police chief firing
MATTAWA — Mattawa Mayor Maggie Celaya released a statement Tuesday following public outcry from her termination of Mattawa Police Chief Joe Harris April 8.
Wahluke School District hires new safety and security coordinator
The Wahluke School District hired JJ Calzadillas as the new safety and security coordinator, as the position was empty since Shelby Jensen left in 2019.
Mattawa City Hall reopens
Mattawa City Hall reopened to the public on Monday, after the Mattawa City Council approved it during a meeting March 18.
Current Mattawa mayor asked former mayor to resign
Current Mattawa Mayor Maggie Celaya appears to have asked former Mattawa mayor, Scott Hyndman, to resign.
Mattawa City Council approves radios for new police vehicles
Mattawa City Council on Thursday approved the purchase of mobile radios for three new Mattawa Police Department vehicles, with just council members Tony Acosta and Wendy Lopez voting "no."
Grant County approaches 9,000 cases of COVID-19
The total of reported COVID-19 cases in Grant County rose approximately 900 from the end of January, reaching 8,954.
Mattawa City Council appoints new member
Vicente Acosta was appointed to the Mattawa City Council during a virtual council meeting on Feb. 18.
Mattawa City Council proposes annexation into Grant County Fire District 8
The Mattawa City Council wants annexation with Grant County Fire District 8 because the fire district is increasing the fee the city pays for fire protection services. But fire officials said the agreement won't benefit the district.
Date of Scott Hyndman Day changed
The date for Scott Hyndman Day has been changed from March 1 to April 4, which he said is his birthday.
Garbage rates increasing in Mattawa
The Mattawa City Council voted Feb. 18 to raise the rate for residential garbage from $18 to $23 beginning March 1.
Mattawa City Council defers appointing new council member
The Mattawa City Council voted 4-2 Feb. 4 to postpone appointing a new council member until later in the month, after hearing from two applicants.
Mattawa City Council discusses financing for wastewater facility restoration
The Mattawa City Council discussed and voted on several financial matters Feb. 4.
March 1 declared Scott Hyndman Day
The Mattawa City Council voted Feb. 4 to make Scott Hyndman Day be March 1.
Mattawa City Hall improvements discussed
Plans to add to the Mattawa City Hall were discussed Jan. 21 in a virtual city council meeting.
Mattawa Police Department shares call statistics
The Mattawa Police Department responded to 64 calls for service during December 2020, according to a report given to the Mattawa City Council meeting Jan. 11.
Wahluke High School to offer new classes, pathways
Students at Wahluke High School can choose five new classes and eight new pathways for the 2021-22 school year, as the Wahluke School Board approved the options in a virtual meeting Jan. 12.
Mattawa City Council conditionally approves COPS grant
The Mattawa City Council on Thursday approved accepting the COPS grant from the Department of Justice on the condition the Wahluke School Board accept a sub-award, passing the funds and the liability for the matching funds portion of the grant to the school district.
Mattawa City Council designates new point of contact
New point of contact fails to respond to media inquiries
The Mattawa City Council decided the mayor is the sole point of media contact for the city, unless the mayor delegates the job to a staff person.
Mattawa City Council extends COVID-19 emergency provisions
The Mattawa City Council voted to extend the COVID-19 emergency provisions that were put into place in the spring of 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, during a regular, virtual meeting on Thursday.
Wahluke School District SRO contract to be updated
The SRO (school resource officer) contract between the City of Mattawa and Wahluke School District is being modified to reflect changes that have occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wahluke School District students start hybrid classes
Students in the Wahluke School District set foot in classrooms for the first time in months after Christmas break.
Former Desert Aire Airport commissioner receives award
Former Desert Aire Regional Airport Commissioner Karl Gruber was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
Mattawa City Council discusses year-end budget changes
During a special virtual council meeting Monday, the Mattawa City Council discussed a policy, brought by city attorney Katherine Kennison, that would take the ending fund balances for each department at the end of each fiscal year and put them back into the general fund for reallocation.
Mattawa Council, Wahluke School District officials discuss grant
The Wahluke School District met with the Mattawa City Council during a special virtual council meeting on Monday, where the school district shared the importance of the COPS grant the City of Mattawa received from the Department of Justice and how it will benefit Mattawa’s schools.
Grant to fund Wahluke security upgrades moves forward
The Mattawa Police Department is moving forward with a $372,750 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for security upgrades and personnel at schools in the Wahluke School District, with the city of Mattawa providing $124,250.
Port of Mattawa parcels annexed into city of Mattawa
The Mattawa City Council approved the annexation of three parcels of land, with city utilities, in the Wahluke Industrial Park in the Port of Mattawa.
Othello chamber supports local restaurants with Take Out Tuesday
The Othello Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to support local restaurants with a new initiative named Take Out Tuesday, in which they can get take out on Tuesdays.
Mattawa discusses financial support for Grant County Health District
During the virtual Mattawa City Council meeting Thursday, Grant County Health District Administrator Theresa Adkinson asked council members for a renewal of the agreement with her district and to consider contributing money to help support it.
Coronavirus increases in Grant, Adams counties in past month
The number of COVID-19 positive cases in Grant County rose by 1,800 in the past month, according to the Grant County Health District.
Mattawa City Council discusses vacant council position
MATTAWA — With the appointment of former councilmember Maggie Celaya to the position of mayor, after the resignation of former mayor Scott Hyndman, the Mattawa City Council is in need of a new member.
Sun Hwang named Mattawa mayor pro tem
MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council chose a new mayor pro tem, Sun Hwang, during its regular, online meeting Dec. 3. The position of mayor pro tem was held by Councilman Brian Berghout since former mayor Scott Hyndman became the mayor of Mattawa.
Four more coronavirus deaths confirmed in Grant County
Four new COVID-19 deaths were reported in Grant County Nov. 25. Three of those were associated with outbreaks at McKay Healthcare & Rehab Center, in Soap Lake, and Lake Ridge Center, in Moses Lake. The fourth death was a Moses Lake resident who was not part of a long-term care facility.
Othello School Board pushes back reopening start dates
OTHELLO — The Othello School Board wrestled with some tough decisions regarding school reopening during a special online meeting on Monday, Nov. 16. Preschoolers and fourth- through sixth-graders will start in-person instruction on Jan. 4; middle school will start Jan. 11 or 25; and high school will start Jan. 25.
Food bank, People for People partner to deliver food to small communities
OTHELLO - In the era of COVID-19, community organizations have started partnering together in ways they might not have otherwise. Two such organizations are the Othello Food Bank and People For People.
Mattawa rebuilding at wastewater plant after January fire
Rebuilding work at the Mattawa Wastewater Treatment Facility may be completed in the next few months, following a fire in January.
Old Hotel Art Gallery celebrates 45th anniversary
For the Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello, Halloween will be more than just a day of candy and costumes. This year, it will celebrate it’s 45th anniversary.
Ephrata's history highlighted in new book
A new book on the history of Ephrata, "Images of America: Ephrata," was published Wednesday, and the author is Dan Bolyard, a resident of Coulee City who was born in Ephrata.
Fall is a time of opportunity for gardeners
Spring isn’t the only time to plant flowers. According to Nancy Richardson, a sales and landscape consultant at Emerald Desert Nursery, in Quincy, there are a variety of plants that bloom in the fall and can be put in the ground this time of year.
Work continues to rebuild the Mattawa Wastewater Treatment Facility
It has been 10 months since the Mattawa Wastewater Treatment Facility blower room was destroyed by a fire. Since that time, progress has been made on repairing the facility, with work expected to be completed in the next few months.
Royal City Food Bank receives large donation
The Royal City Food Bank received a $3000 contribution from Legends Casino, in Toppenish, on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Old Hotel Art Gallery hosting drive-thru meal
The Old Hotel Art Gallery will be hosting a drive-thru birthday party themed meal on Saturday, Oct. 24. The drive-thru meal is one of the ways that the Old Hotel is revamping the annual dinner auction.
Othello City Council passes solid waste ordinance
The Othello City Council passed a new solid waste ordinance during a virtual meeting on Monday, Oct. 12. The ordinance updates the current ordinance that is set to expire at the end of year.
Second annual Kindness Week being held this week
This week, Oct. 13-20, has been proclaimed Kindness Week by Othello Mayor Shawn Logan. The event started last year in memory of a 10-year-old boy who had passed away the year before.
Desert Aire airport levy on November ballot
With the need for funds to do maintenance to the runway and weather system associated with the airport, along with a directive this spring from the Washington State Auditor’s Office, the Desert Aire Regional Airport commissioners have put a levy on the November ballot.
Local organizations benefit from Rotary Club COVID-19 grants
Three Moses Lake organizations have received funds through the Rotary Club of Moses Lake for COVID-19-related needs.
Moses Lake FFA pumpkin patch provides opportunity to socialize, raise funds
MOSES LAKE — Saturday was the last day for the Moses Lake FFA pumpkin sale.
Old Hotel to hold annual auction online
The annual Old Hotel Art Gallery auction is being held with a twist this year - it is being held fully online.
Mattawa City Council approves uses for CARES Act monies
The Mattawa City Council approved several uses for the money they are receiving from the CARES Act during their online meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1.