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.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Dateline wherever ...
If you’re reading this, you’ve seen a few datelines in your time. That city name at the beginning of a news article. Do you know what it means and why it’s put there, though?
Grant Co. Fairgrounds evacuated after shooting
MOSES LAKE – The carnival portion of the Grant County Fairgrounds was closed down and evacuated Friday evening after a shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m., according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.
Ephrata school budget approved at about $51 million
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District passed its budget in late July with anticipated expenditures from its general fund totaling slightly more than $51 million for the 2024-25 school year, according to documentation provided by the district.
Ephrata National Guard unit to see command change
EPHRATA -- A change of command for G Company, 181st Brigade Support Battalion will be held Saturday in Ephrata at 10 a.m. with outgoing commander, Cpt. Charles V. Barnett passing command to Cpt. Georgia F. Lamb.
Koeppen wins in Grant GOP court case
EPHRATA – Grant County Superior Court Judge Tyson Hill ruled in favor of Andrew Koeppen in Grant County Superior Court, indicating that Koeppen, not David Hunt, is the rightful chairperson of the Grant County Republican Party. “This situation is an unfortunate one,” Hill wrote in his decision. “The Grant County Republican Central Committee has a long history of electing its own leaders through respectful civil interaction. However, beginning in October of 2023, a power struggle fractured the GCRP into two camps.”
Ephrata schools opt to lock up phones
EPHRATA – Students at the Ephrata High and Ephrata Middle schools will be securing their phones in locked boxes during classes starting this fall. Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray said the move is to help students focus in class.
Port of Ephrata moves forward with jet fuel installation
EPHRATA – The Port of Ephrata has awarded a roughly $1.2 million contract to H&H Construction Solutions out of Ellensburg to install a jet fuel tank, pump and related infrastructure at the Ephrata Municipal Airport, said the port’s Executive Director David Lanman.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Beyond Wonderland drug suspect arraigned
EPHRATA – Chriss U. Wright, 31, of Puyallup was arraigned Tuesday in Grant County Superior Court on four charges associated with his arrest at the Beyond Wonderland EDM festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre on June 20.
Suspect in hospital indecent liberties case arraigned
EPHRATA — A former Samaritan Hospital employee, Mitchell Dee Jones, was arraigned in Grant County Superior Court Tuesday morning facing two charges of indecent liberties with someone who was unable to consent. Jones entered not-guilty pleas for both charges.
Newhouse focused on momentum in reelection bid
MOSES LAKE – Rep. Dan Newhouse, R–Wash., said he’s running for reelection because he feels like he still has work to do and because his time in office has connected him with the resources he needs in Washington D.C. to take action.
Vendor fair fun
EPHRATA – Grant’s Lumber held its first-ever vendor fair Saturday at 1085 A Street SE in Ephrata. Organizers said 28 vendors showed up to show off wares including jewelry, welded sculptures and a variety of services. The family-friendly event also included goats and ponies for children – of all ages – to meet and food to enjoy. Grant’s Lumber staff said the event may be repeated with the amount of interest received.
Smiley addresses priorities in congressional race
MOSES LAKE – Tiffany Smiley decided to run for Congress again, this time for the U.S. House of Representatives 4th Congressional District, after she said residents of the district expressed concerns about incumbent Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and encouraged her to run.
FIRE REPORT: Multiple large fires burning in WA, local incidents quickly controlled
CHELAN – The largest wildfire burning in Washington as of Saturday afternoon was the Pioneer fire which had burned about 4,700 acres on the eastern shore of Lake Chelan, near the Cascade Creek Hike-in Campground.
NCW Tech Alliance ribbon cutting
MOSES LAKE – Sue Kane, CEO of the NCW Tech Alliance, a nonprofit that works to help its members and the communities it serves leverage technology for better quality of life, among other things, cuts the ribbon at the organization’s new location on the Big Bend Community College campus located at 1000 Bolling St. NE in Moses Lake. For more information on the organization, visit ncwtech.org. The ribbon cutting was hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce (moseslake.com).
GCSO, horse owner disagree on horse’s level of care after seizure, euthanization
MOSES LAKE– The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is seeking animal cruelty charges against the owner of a neglected horse that was euthanized this past week. However, the horse’s owner says the horse, Buddy, likely suffered from cancer which had caused a rapid decline in his health.
McConihe area fire caused by welding accident
MOSES LAKE – First responders are asking the public to avoid the area near McConihe Road Northeast in on the north end of Moses Lake due to a roughly 100-acre fire in the area. Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman is on the scene and said the fire is very wind-driven and spreading quickly. At least one structure is burning as of 4 p.m. A Level 3 evacuation order has been issued for the area.
Batcopter creator’s home destroyed
SOAP LAKE – Looking at what is now left of his home after a structure fire Tuesday evening, Gary White of Soap Lake, known for his community involvement with his passion for all things Batman, including his replica Batcopter, admitted that he was still in shock from the events that took his home in the 500 block of Main Avenue East in Soap Lake and two of the family dogs’ lives.
Hospital foundation-farm cooperation helps children learn, play
EPHRATA – Children played under a tree near a swing at Cloudview Farm in Ephrata Wednesday morning after picking radishes that morning and learning about pond ecosystems earlier in the week. They’re participating in Lil’ Sprouts, a camp hosted by the farm and funded this year by grant money through the Columbia Basin Hospital Wellness Foundation.
Ephrata High FBLA to compete nationally
EPHRATA – Several Tigers are headed to Florida. Not the four-legged kind, but the kind that have a fascination with professionalism and wander the halls of Ephrata High School. Ephrata High Future Business Leaders of America club advisor and EHS media teacher Ryan Shannon said he’s very proud of this year’s FBLA team.
Sentenced defendant thankful for arrest
Long-term opiate addiction led to poor choices, woman says
EPHRATA – Melissa Shelby Mattingly, 48, of Moses Lake was sentenced after entering guilty pleas on six felony charges – and thanked the court for compassion and said that her arrest was a blessing. “I think my arrest probably saved my life, and although I am facing an exorbitant amount of time away from my children and my parents, I know that I am lucky to still have my life, and I hope that I can at least use my experiences to let other people know that this is the result of fentanyl,” Mattingly said prior to sentencing.
Family fun set for Neppel Landing this weekend
MOSES LAKE – To further support their members with shops adjacent to Neppel Park and to just simply have the community out for a good time, the Moses Lake Downtown Association is having a family picnic day at the park this Saturday.
Fuhr retires as city manager after resigning from MLSD Board
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake City Manager Kevin Fuhr has decided to retire as of June 30, citing health reasons, according to a press release from the city of Moses Lake. He also recently resigned from his post on the Moses Lake School District Board of Directors for the same reason.
FIRE REPORT: MLFD sees busy weekend, Soap Lake-area fire shuts down Hwy. 28
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Fire Department staff said the weekend was busy on both the fire and medical side over the past few days. Grant County Fire District 7 also responded to a fire that forced Highway 28 to close for a time Sunday.
Sessler discusses priorities if elected to Congress
PROSSER – Jerrod Sessler, a Republican from Prosser, is running for the U.S. Congress against incumbent Dan Newhouse, R–Wash., and Tiffany Smiley, among others. Sessler said he feels he is a unique candidate.
Fuhr resigns from MLSD board, cites health
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District announced that Moses Lake School Board Member Kevin Fuhr has resigned from the board, citing health concerns, as of Friday.
One arrested in sexual assault incident at Samaritan
MOSES LAKE – Mitchell Jones, 37, of Cashmere, Washington was arrested Thursday after witnesses said he had assaulted an unconscious 29-year-old female patient at Samaritan Hospital, according to a Moses Lake Police Department press release.
2 Central Washington day trips for photography, nature lovers
EPHRATA – Since moving back to the Pacific Northwest, my wife and I have rekindled our love of photography and have regularly made it a point to go on various adventures in and around the Columbia Basin to play with our cameras and explore.
Bluebird Boutique now open in Ephrata
EPHRATA – When you walk into The Bluebird Boutique in downtown Ephrata, the variety of products offered is immediately apparent. Shop owner BreAnna Bridges said that’s because it’s a reflection of her own tastes and several vendors she works with and everyone brings something unique into the mix.
MLSD seeks help to provide extracurriculars in ‘24-25 school year
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District hosted a meeting Monday night to get community members’ input on how the district might fund sports and other extracurricular activities given the school district’s financial situation.
Law enforcement prioritizing safety after pursuit restrictions lift
EPHRATA – As of June 6, Initiative 2113 took effect and walked back restrictions on when law enforcement can pursue suspects that were set by legislation passed in Olympia in 2021. The initiative allows broader officer discretion and local and state authorities say they’ve updated policies to reflect the new law.
Phone scammers still prevalent, but can be stopped
EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said his staff received at least six calls on June 5 alone from area residents saying someone had called posing as a deputy and demanding they deposit money into an account to avoid being arrested. Those calls, he said, are scams.
‘Old Ephrata’ spirit
Live music, family fun highlights of Sage-N-Sun 2024
EPHRATA – The annual Sage-N-Sun festival for 2024 featured a lot of music, a lot of food and a lot of people enjoying an outing on the Grant County Courthouse lawn Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “I was just very excited that we had such good music,” Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Board President Jenni Bates said after the event.
Miller to take the reins at Ephrata High
EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District has selected Ashlie Miller to take over as principal of Ephrata High School after Aaron Cummings, her predecessor, was selected to take on the assistant superintendent role for the Ephrata School District. “I just want you to know, we're ecstatic to have (her) join our team. She's going to push us with some innovative thinking, innovative ideas, and Ephrata is better off because Ashlie is joining us and we're just super, super excited to have her,” said Ken Murray, incoming superintendent for Ephrata schools. Miller, who will be the first female principal at EHS, said she was excited to make the move from Dallas, Oregon – just west of Salem – to Ephrata. The move is a solid fit for her, she said, because she enjoys working in smaller school districts and at the high school level so that she can have deeper interactions with students. High schoolers have a different level of academic thought and social experiences, and that appeals to her.
Faith, accomplishment, contributing themes for MLCA graduation
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Christian Academy celebrated its four-person graduating Class of 2024 Saturday with pomp, circumstance and prayer as Dennis Fountain, Caleb Jones, Maria Lynch and Jonah Robertson walked across the stage to collect their diplomas.
Tigers walk with a little something extra
EPHRATA – The Class of 2024 Tigers walked onto the field to graduate with a bit more pizzazz than some other graduating classes. Backflips, leg sweeps, “proposals,” tons of confetti cannons and even some heavy metal devil horns marked the opening of the ceremony that celebrated Ephrata High School’s most recent graduates. “Today marks a monumental moment in our lives as we gather here to celebrate years of hard work, dedication and learning,” said opening speaker Harper Grizzel. “Thank you for being a part of our journey, for standing by us through the highs and lows and for making this day even more special with your presence.”
Eagles encouraged to reach for their dreams
SOAP LAKE – The gymnasium was decked out with school colors and balloons, and filled with excited graduates, their families, and community members as the Soap Lake High School Class of 2024 received their diplomas. Valedictorian Anthony Beregovoy stood tall as he encouraged his classmates to reach for their dreams.
2024 Cougars seek to make a positive impact
WARDEN – On a verdant lawn with families, friends, teachers and hundreds of other community members out to celebrate with them, the Warden Cougars graduating class walked the stage on Friday. Warden High School Principal Katie Phipps started the ceremony on a high note. “You are prepared, you can conquer all of the firsts life will throw at you. Your future is bright. Your future holds endless possibilities. Your future is yours for the taking,” she said.
Lions show pride, faith in MLCA grad ceremony
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Christian Academy Class of 2024 may not have been large – four now-former students walked the stage – but it made a loud roar.
Cougs walk in Warden
WARDEN – The sun was bright and the field was green as the Warden Cougars celebrated this year’s graduates. Dozens of students walked onto the stage at the field beneath Warden High School.
Sheriff urges safe driving as summer fun begins
EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete has something he wants to say to the people of the Columbia Basin – slow down. “I’ve been working collisions for a long time in Grant County and the top factors that we have in our collisions that we investigate are speed, inattention and alcohol,” Kriete said. “And it’s not necessarily in that order, because it does change. And of those things, the only thing that’s really measurable for us is speed, and if we can address the speed issue that we have, then that’s a big win for us.”