R. HANS MILLER

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Covering sensitive situations

MOSES LAKE – In yesterday’s edition of the Columbia Basin Herald we covered two delicate topics that require a great deal of empathy, compassion and thought to handle correctly. Those are the topics of bullying and the death of a student, Jett Johnson, who attended Ephrata High School.

An infectious smile

Ephratans remember Jett Johnson

EPHRATA – The halls of Ephrata High and Middle schools have seemed a bit dimmer for the last week and a half. Jett Johnson, a sophomore at the high school and son of Heidi Johnson, a math teacher at EMS, died in a car accident the night of Monday, Feb. 19.

GCSO looks back and plans forward

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office saw successes and challenges during Sheriff Joe Kriete’s first year in office in 2023. Kriete said he’s overall very proud of his department and has a deep appreciation for the support county residents generally show him and his officers.

Sewer line issues on Division in Ephrata

EPHRATA – City of Ephrata staff believe a sewer line has collapsed on Division Avenue E. between J and K streets near the pickleball courts, according to City Administrator Ray Towry.

Ephrata School District examining new math curricula

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District is considering two possibilities when it comes to math curriculum for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The new education materials will replace EngageNY branded materials. Educators

Letter from the editor: Pets are a community responsibility

As a community, we’re still struggling in the Columbia Basin to take care of the animals in our communities. While some progress has been made as funding becomes available to establish a new shelter for Grant County Animal Outreach, funding to ensure the operations of Adams County Pet Rescue are still a bit up in the air.

Modern furnishing decisions

Finding the right tech level when shopping for home goods

EPHRATA — Matt Moore of Moore Furniture in Ephrata said the styles and models of furniture and appliances have remained similar or the same since the pandemic started as furniture and appliance manufacturers have struggled with supply chain issues and such. Good options are out there, but even with the slowdown in model changes, thinking through a purchase is still important. “You had a whole year where you couldn’t get anything, and it was a windfall for us because we actually warehouse and we had stuff to sell,” Moore said. These days though, models that were in the warehouse and showroom now are similar if not the same because of logistics issues. However, that doesn’t mean that some thought doesn’t need to go into a purchase. Integration of technology into what used to be simple furniture is important, he said. People want USB ports to plug in their electronics such as phones, tablets and handheld game consoles. Hidden conveniences go a long way in an era where digital toys are everywhere.

Ephrata’s ‘new’ mayor pro tem looks at growing as residents choose

EPHRATA – After serving on the Ephrata City Council since 2015, Matt Moore has taken on a new title: mayor pro tem.

Samaritan payroll faces ‘technical issue’

MOSES LAKE – Samaritan Healthcare staff reported not being paid as they’d expected Friday morning, and the hospital’s administration indicated that a technical issue with one of the companies involved in processing the health care provider’s payroll had been the culprit that caused the issue.

Eight locals arrested: Joint investigations with city, federal, state agencies land Moses Lake residents in jail

MOSES LAKE – According to the office of U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref, based in Spokane, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, Moses Lake Police Department, Border Patrol and the Washington Department of Corrections have arrested eight people in the Moses Lake area. Those arrested are facing charges related to narcotics and illegal firearms.

Ephrata appoints officers, talks water rights and billing

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council appointed new officers including a new mayor pro tempore during the board’s regular Jan. 17 meeting. They also received an update on the city’s new water utility billing processes and approved stopping service cancellations while residents and city staff adjust to the new system.

Ephrata School Board accepts grant, reviews finances

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School Board had a busy evening during their regular meeting Monday night with multiple financial topics, security and the acceptance of the resignation of Superintendent Tim Payne.

Rooted in community

Ephrata Grocery Outlet owners enjoy being a part of a small town and connecting with people.

EPHRATA – Steve and Heather Brown bought the Ephrata Grocery Outlet location in late 2022, and now, just over a year later, they appear to be happy with the decision to buy in a smaller community.

Grant PUD satisfaction survey shows positive results overall

EPHRATA – Grant County Public Utility District commissioners heard an overall satisfactory report on customer satisfaction from Alex Dunn, vice president of research with Strategies 360 which conducts the PUD’s annual customer satisfaction survey.

Cold work

EPHRATA - Trucks were stationed at the old track in Ephrata near Walmart on Tuesday as crews were set to begin demolition to prepare the site to become the new Grant County Jail. County officials have stated that a lot of tires had to be removed from the site prior to construction prep beginning.

New City Hall needed, but only being discussed informally thus far

EPHRATA — A new city hall for Ephrata has been talked about for at least 15 years, but isn’t on the immediate horizon, according to Ephrata City Manager Ray Towry. However, that doesn’t mean one will not be needed as city staffing continues to grow to meet the needs of residents. “We’ve certainly outgrown this space, so it’s out there on the horizon at some point,” Towry said.

Ketterer sworn in as MLIRD board member

EPHRATA – The Grant County Commission was joined by guests during their Tuesday meeting as Joe Ketterer was sworn in as a member of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District by Judge John Knodell.

Officers, deceased identified in Quincy officer-involved shooting

QUINCY – The names of those involved in a Monday incident that lead to one Quincy Police Department officer being stabbed twice and the death of a man have been released by investigators with the Central Basin Investigative Team.

Payne to depart Ephrata School District

EPHRATA – Ephrata School District Superintendent Tim Payne has decided to resign from the district, citing personal, family and health issues, according to an ESD press release. His last day with the district will be June 30.

Cloudview Kitchen’s evolving local flavor, community focus

SOAP LAKE — Cloudview Kitchen was founded a little more than a decade ago by Jim Baird and Theresa Sergneri. Since then, the idea for the restaurant-slash-bakery-slash-coffee-house has evolved and matured. “Theresa and Jim started it …,” said co-owner Dusty Bolyard. “Jim wanted to start a nonprofit farm in Ephrata and with that, Theresa wanted to start the kitchen project to go along with it as a cooperative venture. They ran them together collectively – he ran the farm and she ran the kitchen.” The kitchen had closed down about a year before the pandemic started, but after talking with friends and family, the kitchen reopened with Bolyard, Blayne Walsh, Ursula Bolyard, Amanda Higginson and Geraldo Higginson coming together as partners in the business. Each brought their own flair to the shop that makes it unique, not just for Soap Lake and the Columbia Basin, but anywhere you might go.

QPD officer stabbed, civilian killed in food mart incident

QUINCY – One unidentified man is deceased after two Quincy Police Department officers responded to a call for assistance at the Jackpot Food Mart at 308 F Street Southeast in Quincy a little after 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Ephrata Middle School portable burns, no injuries

EPHRATA – A portable at the Ephrata Middle School suffered a fire in its attic Friday morning, according to Ephrata School District Public Information Officer Sarah Morford.

Celebrating FRESH NEWS: MarDon’s Fisher offers support to anglers

OTHELLO – Each week I get an email from Pete Fisher at MarDon Resort with a column letting readers know what fish are biting on, the depth they’re biting at and sharing a success story of someone who tossed a line into the Potholes Reservoir and came back with a fish worthy of a proper fish story.

Endangered Species Act hits 50 as legislators questions success

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Enacted in 1973, the Endangered Species Act turned 50 in 2023 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that the ESA had been effective in wildlife conservation and has saved about 99% of the species under its care, including several in Washington state. However, Congress is looking at whether the legislation goes far enough to protect species and build up those species’ populations enough to remove them from the Endangered Species List.

Fatality accident, GCSO collision shut down SR 17

MOSES LAKE – State Route 17 was closed for nearly four hours Thursday night after two accidents led to the death of one woman and non-fatal injuries for two Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Bill aims to protect WA residents from secondhand exposure to narcotics

OLYMPIA – The fentanyl crisis is on the proverbial docket for the 2024 Washington Legislative Session.

Gorge shooting court dates set

EPHRATA – James M. Kelly, 26, the suspect in the June 18 shooting at the Beyond Wonderland music festival, has multiple court dates coming up.

Ephrata passes $40.6M city budget

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council passed the city’s budget during its December 6 meeting. The budget includes a 3% cost of living increase for city staff and increases in insurance expenditures, while city revenues have also increased in some areas.

Dent talks 2024 legislative session

MOSES LAKE – State Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said his focuses for the 2024 state legislative session are children and fire protection. Some may be easier to establish, but he said he’s committed to working on them.

‘A good spot for us’

TR Reapers at home near Othello

OTHELLO — Titus Bowser of TR Reapers says Adams County has become a home for him, his family and the business they run. “It’s nice,” he said. “When we were looking to move from Ellensburg, (Adams County) was pretty central to a lot of our work. … It seemed like a good spot for us.”

Gift giveaway scheduled for Christmas

EPHRATA – Our Redeemer Presbyterian Church at 172 Ivy Street SE in Ephrata will host His Helping Hands for a Christmas Day lunch and gift giveaway on Christmas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ephrata schools defeasing bonds due to inflation

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District is moving forward with the process to defease a nearly $28 million bond approved by voters in 2019, said Superintendent Tim Payne in a Monday morning interview. “Where we’re at in the process is the board had a hearing,” Payne said. “You have sort of changed the bond away from its intended purpose, (so) you have to go through the same process (as the initial approval) whether you’re defeasing or you’re gonna say, ‘Gosh, we couldn’t build that building now.’”

Nest Property Solutions officially open in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Blake Rollins and Kaylee Rollins cut the ribbon on their co-owned business, Nest Property Solutions at 1000 S. Pioneer Way in Moses Lake on Wednesday. Blake serves as the business’s broker while Kaylee takes care of things on the administrative side. The company provides a variety of property management services to the region and welcome potential clients to contact them at 509-350-4441.

Supporting local: Grant County Tourism Commission works to bring visitors while supporting area businesses

EPHRATA – Grant County has a lot to offer travelers, whether they’re passing through or coming for a show at The Gorge Amphitheatre or maybe spending a weekend at a bed and breakfast by the Columbia River – but it takes work to get the word out about the attractions in the county. That’s what the Grant County Tourism Commission is for though. “Fundamentally, when you break it down, we utilize funding from LTAC, which is the Lodging Tax Advisory (Committee), and we take the revenue generated from tourism – all the people that travel to our county and spend money staying in hotels and campgrounds and RV sites – and we use that to promote the entire county,” said Tourism Commission Chair Amanda Laramore.

Calm before the fun

Cloudview Farm spending the winter to prep for busy 2024

EPHRATA – Growing season may be done at Cloudview Farm but the ag attraction’s Education and Community Coordinator Julie Johnston and Operations Manager Anna Moore are hard at work prepping for another year of events at the Ephrata business.

Support group available for dementia patient caregivers

MOSES LAKE – Taking care of a family member with dementia issues, whether from Alzheimer’s Disease or some other medical issue, can be extraordinarily trying. For those in the area though, there is a support group available with people who know the trials of the situation, said Karisti Cox, community resources director for Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care.

Cantwell cosponsors bipartisan bill to aid Indigenous communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) have introduced bipartisan legislation to improve tribal access to economic development programs available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a joint press release from the legislators.

Tree of news

MOSES LAKE - The Columbia Basin Herald team is excited about the holidays and the Christmas tree is already up in the front office. We hope our readers are all surrounded by loved ones and filled with joy this holiday season.

Celebrating opportunities

Moses Lake city staff, officers gather to honor Fuhr on his retirement from law enforcement

MOSES LAKE — Dozens of people gathered in the Moses Lake City Council chamber Tuesday. Not for a boring meeting, but for a celebration of decades of public service on the part of former Moses Lake Police Chief – now City Manager – Kevin Fuhr, after his formal retirement from law enforcement. “I have worked with the most phenomenal people in my career,” Fuhr said. “I had told them right from the get-go that I was never going to leave, that I was going to retire with the Moses Lake PD. Actually, I think my comment was, ‘I’m going to die in a Moses Lake PD Uniform.’” After 32 years in law enforcement in both Washington and Idaho, Fuhr opted to fill the role of city manager after the city’s quest for a full-time replacement kept falling through as candidates took jobs in other locations.

Port of Ephrata sells PBY aircraft from 'Always'

EPHRATA – The PBY-5A Catalina that has sat for some time at the Port of Ephrata will be finding a new home after it was auctioned off by port officials at the request of the state, according to Port Director David Lanman. The aircraft is best-known for an appearance in the 1985 Steven Spielberg movie “Always.”

Basin Street Barbershop owner looks to become part of the community

EPHRATA – Cheryl Scott heard a lot of people saying they wanted an affordable, convenient haircut – and that’s what she set out to provide when she opened Basin Street Barber Shop this past July 15.

Ephrata Council recognizes Wreaths Across America Day

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution recognizing December 16 as Wreaths Across America Day in the city.

GCSO, MLPD set for Tip-A-Cop in early Dec.

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Moses Lake Police Department are partnering again this year with other local first responders for their Tip-A-Cop and Shop With a Cop events in December, Sheriff Joe Kriete said.

Supporting grass roots: CWU's Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship works to help build local economies

ELLENSBURG – The Central Washington University College of Business launched the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – also known as I4IE – in 2021 using grant funding from the Herbert B. Jones Foundation and a mindset to help communities develop their economies. “Most communities in Washington state can use a partner in bringing resources together and partners together and stakeholders together towards economic development,” said I4IE Director Bill Provaznik.

Letter from the editor: Thoughts on Veterans Day

On May 5, 1996, I got on an airplane for the first time and went to Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Ephrata approves parade, works on budget planning

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council approved a Veterans Day Parade and discussed budgeting during their Nov. 1 meeting, City Administrator Ray Towry said. They also examined property tax rates. “Council has just asked for the typical 1% (overall revenue) increase last night,” Towry said on Nov. 2. “Which is what you’re allotted, not counting new construction.” State law prohibits a higher increase and the rate set by the city will fall in line with those requirements, he said.

Prometheans help Ephrata teachers reach students

EPHRATA – Last year, the Ephrata School District received a grant of about $110,000 to ensure all of their classrooms were equipped with Promethean digital boards – the digital descendent of a chalkboard – and the training for staff to utilize them in the classroom.

Ephrata celebrates Halloween with displays, activities and – of course – candy

EPHRATA — Thousands showed up in downtown Ephrata Tuesday to celebrate Halloween. Ghouls, superheroes, Power Rangers and more showed up in a display we’re sure would have made both Vincent Price and Stan Lee proud.

Water, housing big topics for Moses Lake City Council candidates

MOSES LAKE — Four candidates for the Moses Lake City Council had an opportunity to make their positions clear at a candidate forum Oct. 24.

Moses Lake gets new city manager, police chief

MOSES LAKE – Now-former Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr was appointed during this week’s city council meeting as permanent city manager. Subsequently, Captain David Sands has been tapped to take over as Moses Lake Police Department chief.