R. HANS MILLER
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities.
Recent Stories
Grant Co. Community Court graduates first veteran
EPHRATA – Grant County Community Court celebrated its second graduate, a military veteran who – the first vet in the program – had run into issues with overuse of alcohol and was facing his sixth DUI conviction prior to entering the program.
New Moses Lake nonprofit seeks to preserve student experience, motivation
MOSES LAKE — With financial struggles, the Moses Lake School District cannot afford extracurriculars of all sorts, from football to band to theater, for the 2024-25 school year. However, community members have formed the nonprofit Community Athletics and Activities to make sure children don’t miss out on important experiences. “Just to give some idea of the motivation and the determination of the group (our) board put together, their nonprofit got their tax ID in three weeks when they were told three to six months. That’s a persistent, dedicated group that’s motivated to get things done quickly,” said Brian Skaug, a CAA member.
FIRE REPORT: Wilson Creek fire crisps 180 acres
WILSON CREEK — A wildfire was reported at about 4 p.m. Thursday north of the town of Wilson Creek and west of Road 3 NE which had burned an estimated 180 acres by about 7 p.m. according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
City administrator provides Ephrata water update
EPHRATA – The city of Ephrata is working to upgrade its water systems on multiple fronts with a new water tower, redrilling two wells, regained water rights and upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment facility, according to City Administrator Ray Towery. That includes recently-installed freshwater and gray water infrastructure to take water to the new Grant County Jail and to take reclaimed water to the Port of Ephrata.
Most of WA remains in drought conditions
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology has announced that most of the state remains in a drought despite a wetter-than-average June. A drought was declared for most of the state in April.
Bridging the digital divide
NCW Tech Alliance works to ensure access to digital opportunities
MOSES LAKE – In today’s digital world where farmers use GPS systems to operate combines, artificial intelligence runs machines to sort apples by grade and banking and health care are both accessed online, digital access matters, said Sue Kane, CEO of NCW Tech Alliance. Bridging the gap between tech and people is vital for quality of life and economic growth, she said.
Local styling
Restyle Home Staging & Design owner looks at elevating home visions
MOSES LAKE — DeeDee Clune is looking to make sure locals have their homes set up in a way that works for them and wants homebuyers to see what living in the homes they shop for might look like. That’s the point of being an interior designer, and why she operates Restyle Home Staging & Design.
Columbia Basin Hospital Foundation supports hospital mission
EPHRATA – As a public hospital district operates, it needs community support to keep its mission of serving the community’s health needs. That may be purchasing chairs, organizing volunteers or working to fund upgrades to medical equipment said Susan Scheib, the hospital’s director of communication and development.
Auto theft suspect pleads guilty, sentenced to jail time
EPHRATA – Patrick Hoffman, 32, of Moses Lake was sentenced Tuesday after entering guilty pleas for two felonies and one gross misdemeanor before Grant County Superior Court Judge Tyson Hill.
‘A pre-party before the party’
Purple Party set to fight Alzheimer’s on July 18
MOSES LAKE – Losing your grip on memories is not only frustrating for Alzheimer’s Disease patients and their families, but it’s something that impacts the community in multiple ways. On July 18, the Columbia Basin community will have a chance to come together to support the fight against the condition by participating in the Purple Party, a precursor to the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s set for September 14.