RACHAL PINKERTON

COVID-19 cases: The week in review

GRANT AND ADAMS COUNTY— In the past week, the number of COVID-19 cases in Grant County passed the 100 mark and kept rising. As of Monday, April 13, Grant County had 122 confirmed cases. That is up by 32 from Monday, April 6.

Desert Aire airport district looks to put levy on November ballot

DESERT AIRE — Residents of Desert Aire will probably see something new on their November ballot — a levy proposed by Grant County Airport District No. 1. The district operates the airfield at Desert Aire and serves the Mattawa community at-large.

Royal City Food Bank seeks donations

Royal City Food Bank seeks donations

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Food Bank has seen a drastic increase in the number of people needing food assistance since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, the food bank seeks donations to help fill the needs presented by the community.

COVID-19 cases: The week in review

While many wish that COVID-19 were already a thing of the past, the total of positive cases coming in is rising.

Juveniles lead officers on chase

MATTAWA — Four juveniles led law enforcement officers on a vehicle chase from Mattawa to Royal City, according to social media posts published by Mattawa Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Beyond the COVID-19 test

Beyond the COVID-19 test

MOSES LAKE — A person with COVID-19-like symptoms gets tested for the virus. Then what? Does he or she go into isolation? How long will it take to get the test results? How is the patient notified of the results? How will the community at-large be notified?

Three new Adams County cases, bringing total to 23

Adams County update 4/6/2020

Three new Adams County cases, bringing total to 23

Adams County update 4/6/2020

COVID-19 cases in Grant, Adams counties

Over the past week, the number of COVID-19 cases in Grant and Adams counties has continued to grow.

Adams County pre-COVID-19 employment looks up

ADAMS COUNTY — The non-farm unemployment numbers for Adams County got off to a good start for 2020, but it is yet to be seen how they will hold during the COVID-19 outbreak.

City of Warden proclaims state of emergency

WARDEN — Warden City Council passed a resolution proclaiming a state of emergency during the March 24 regular meeting because of the COVID-19 crisis. The council also provided workers with additional sick leave time and waived late penalties for utility bills.

Adams County businesses asked to take survey about effects of COVID-19

OTHELLO — The Adams County Development Council is conducting a survey to find out what needs Adams County businesses have during the COVID-19 crisis. Adams County Development Council (ACDC) and Adams County are partnering together for the survey.

COVID-19 testing: What happens after a sample is taken?

MOSES LAKE — A person with symptoms that resemble COVID-19 is tested for the virus. What happens to the test? How long does it take to get results back? How does the patient get notified?

Emergency declarations made by Adams County, Othello, Mattawa

As more COVID-19 cases are found, cities and counties are taking measures to handle the virus.

GTA announces free fare starting April 1

Other COVID-19 plans put into place

Mattawa works on wastewater treatment facility repairs

MATTAWA — Progress is being made toward repairing Mattawa’s wastewater treatment facility after a fire destroyed the blower room on Jan. 9.

Wahluke robotics team qualifies for world competition

MATTAWA — A robotics team from Wahluke High School has qualified for the world robotics competition in Louisville, Kentucky, that was originally set for the end of April. Five students that competed at the state level talked to the Wahluke School Board on Tuesday, March 10, during a regular board meeting.

Sex ed legislation prompts local school districts to write governor

GRANT AND ADAMS COUNTIES — Last week, three local school districts discussed the sexual education legislation that passed the Washington state legislature and is waiting for Gov. Jay Inslee to sign it. Othello, Wahluke and Warden school districts all wrote letters to the governor asking him not to sign Senate Bill 5395.

Quincy woman destroys railroad switch box during police pursuit

QUINCY — The railroad track crossing at Central Avenue in Quincy is closed for repairs after the driver of a stolen vehicle destroyed the switch box at the crossing Monday morning.

Regional remote control car race held in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Cars of all colors zoomed over the hill and flew into the air. Their drivers weren’t the least bit concerned, however. They were high up on a platform overlooking the action. These cars weren’t ordinary cars. They were remote-controlled.

Mattawa rallies together to prepare for COVID-19

MATTAWA — Representatives from around Mattawa met on Friday morning, March 6, to formulate a cohesive plan regarding the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Those present included representatives from the city’s two medical clinics, first responders, city officials and school district personnel.

Washing hands: Slowing the spread of COVID-19

MATTAWA — As toilet paper and bottled water fly off the shelves because of the fervor among some people over the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, many agencies, such as health departments and medical clinics, are trying to alert residents to the things they can do to prevent or slow the spread of the virus.

Local medical facilities, schools prepared for COVID-19

Hospitals Nursing homes Schools

Names released in fatality, injury fire in Mattawa

MATTAWA — A blaze outside Mattawa on the morning of Tuesday, March 3, killed one person and injured another. The blaze occurred at the 23000 block of Road O Southwest.

GTA getting a handle on maintenance

MOSES LAKE — Grant Transit Authority is starting to get a handle on its bus maintenance issues.

I-976 may impact Grant Transit Authority

MOSES LAKE — Grant Transit Authority is starting to build a small reserve of funds. On the flip side, the agency may lose some of its funding from the state.

I-976 may impact Grant Transit Authority

MOSES LAKE — Grant Transit Authority is starting to build a small reserve of funds. On the flip side, the agency may lose some of its funding from the state.

Royal School District visits Ron Clark Academy

ROYAL CITY — Last month, 17 Royal School District staff members went to visit the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, during a rescheduled regular board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Royal School District Superintendent Roger Trail updated the board on the trip.

No headline

Royal City Council approves park plan

Wahluke School Board leases field to Wahluke Enrichment Organization

MATTAWA — The Wahluke School Board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Wahluke Enrichment Organization (WEO), allowing the WEO to lease a 25-acre field from the Wahluke School District. The approval took place during a regular board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Warden spring clean-up days planned

WARDEN — The city of Warden has set the date for its annual spring clean-up, according to a regular city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25. This year, spring clean-up will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4. The city of Warden works with Consolidated Disposal to bring the clean-up event each year.

Date set for grand opening of Othello bee research facility

OTHELLO — Washington State University’s new bee research facility in Othello is finally opening, after months of waiting. The university has scheduled a grand opening for Friday, March 6.

Date set for grand opening of WSU bee research facility

OTHELLO – After months of waiting, Washington State University’s new bee research facility in Othello is finally about to open. Washington State University has scheduled a grand opening for Friday, March 6.

Othello chamber award winners announced

OTHELLO — The annual Othello Chamber of Commerce banquet will be held this Friday, Feb. 28, at 5 p.m. Each year, the Othello chamber honors Othello businesses, citizens and organizations during the banquet. Each honoree is nominated by members of the community. Awards presented are for the Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Educator of the Year for grades kindergarten through six, Educator of the Year for seventh through 12th grades and Civil Servant of the Year.

Royal City looks to raise $1 million for new library

ROYAL CITY — Royal City and the Royal City Friends of the Library have until the middle of May to raise $1 million and turn in a grant application to receive funds to build a new library.

Wahluke School District, nonprofit discuss farming district-owned land

MATTAWA — The Wahluke School Board instructed Wahluke School District Superintendent Robert Eckert on Feb. 11 to work on a memorandum of understanding or lease with the Wahluke Enrichment Organization to allow it to farm a piece of land owned by the district.

Grant County students compete, learn ‘soft skills’

SOUTH GRANT COUNTY — Two Grant County schools put their soft skills to the test last month as Wahluke and Royal middle-schoolers took part in the Amazing Shake, demonstrating things like making eye contact, shaking hands, carrying on a conversation and thinking on their feet.

Wahluke School District looks to lease property to WEO

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District Superintendent Robert Eckert has been instructed by the Wahluke School Board to work on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or lease with the Wahluke Enrichment Organization (WEO) to allow it to farm a piece of farmland owned by the school district. The decision was made during a regular board meeting on Feb. 11.

Othello to test sewer pipe with non-toxic smoke

OTHELLO – Testing for possible leaks in Othello’s sewer mains will start Monday, Feb. 24. Work should be completed by Monday, March 2.

Voters back school levies in Othello, Royal City

Wahluke levy passing, but a close call

Ephrata girl inspires crowd at cancer event

Cancer support in the Basin grows with a little help from friends

Mattawa Police Department to see promised 2020 raises

MATTAWA – The members of the Mattawa Police Department will finally see the raises that they were promised in the 2020 budget.

Burger King possibly coming to Mattawa

MATTAWA — Last week, Mattawa city officials and council members met with the owner of the Burger King franchise who is looking to build a new location in Mattawa.

Proposed Royal City library has opportunity for financial boost

ROYAL CITY — Royal City has learned that it has the opportunity to apply for a grant through the Washington State Department of Commerce Library Capital Improvement Program. The Friends of the Library in Royal City invited Royal City Mayor Kent Andersen and Finance Director Shilo Christensen to meet with representatives from the North Central Regional Library to learn about the grant, according to Christensen, who told the Royal City Council about the meeting during a regular council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Quincy to install new pedestrian street crossing signals

QUINCY — Eight new pedestrian street crossing signals are on order by the city of Quincy to be installed around town.

Royal School District talks about more construction at board meeting

ROYAL CITY — Construction was the overarching topic of discussion during a regular meeting of the Royal School Board on Monday, Jan. 27.

PUD hears public comment on proposed transmission line

ROYAL CITY — Wednesday evening, the Grant County PUD held the second of two public hearings on the proposed transmission line going to the new Red Rock Substation, to be located at the Port of Royal Slope.

Amazing Shake offers amazing results

On Friday, I had the privilege of visiting two different schools that were participating in the Amazing Shake.

Gubernatorial candidate visits Quincy

QUINCY — Gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp made a visit to the American Legion Gun Club of Quincy to give an introduction to himself and to talk about the issues he sees as important to the residents of Washington state.

Country Sweethearts: Cancer Foundation holds annual banquet, auction

MOSES LAKE — Around 500 people attended the annual Country Sweethearts Banquet and Auction on Saturday evening at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The event was put on by the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation to raise money to help those fighting cancer.