SAM FLETCHER
Staff Writer
Recent Stories
Space needed: Grant County census data shows higher growth in population than housing
After an adjusted data release timeline due to COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau recently published its most updated population counts and housing data. For Grant County, the numbers show high growth and limited home options.
Moses Lake Fire Department squashes structure fires
Moses Lake firefighters responded at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday to a structure fires involving two sheds in the 3000 block of Lakeshore Drive.
Quincy Valley Historical Society & Museum to hold free event
The Quincy Valley Historical Society & Museum at 415 F St. SW, along state Route 28, is holding a “Be Ready Expo,” free to the public, 12-4 p.m. May 22.
Saturday fire off state Route 17 likely caused by people
Just after 7 p.m. Saturday, Grant County Fire District 7 responded to a 30-plus acre wildfire near Lake Lenore, off state Route 17.
Police seek help identifying armed robber
Moses Lake police are asking for help identifying the suspect of an armed robbery at a gas station Friday evening.
Creative thinking: Moses Lake launches downtown revitalization
The idea to transition downtown Moses Lake into a Creative District came last year, said Dollie Boyd, Moses Lake Museum & Art Center manager.
Moses Lake parks are up and running for the season
MOSES LAKE — Spring has sprung, and Moses Lake parks have come alive again. Campers and anglers are coming out from hibernation to enjoy the newly placed docks and sunny days.
Sun and shopping: Moses Lake Farmers Market opens strongly
The Moses Lake Farmers Market will be at McCosh Park Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the last Saturday of October.
Moses Lake growth: Olsen Homes moves Barrington Point Phase 4 forward
Othello-based Olsen Homes LLC is in the application process for Phase 4 of Barrington Point, a 50-lot residential development extending Polo Ridge Drive between Paxson and Crestview drives in Moses Lake.
Despite odds, city of Moses Lake’s finances improved through COVID-19
“We should do a little dance, a little nice jig, because when COVID hit, we didn’t know what 2020 would end up looking like,” said Cindy Jensen, Moses Lake’s finance director.
Fresh sheds to be found in Basin
Just like a peacock’s long plumage, a deer’s antlers help establish hierarchies among bucks.
Williams named interim PD chief for Mattawa
MOSES LAKE — In two unanimous votes, the Moses Lake City Council approved on Tuesday Moses Lake Police Captain Mike Williams to serve as Mattawa’s interim chief, as well as allowing the two cities’ shared law firm, KenisonFranz, to represent both Moses Lake and Mattawa for this issue.
Dry times: Drought or no drought, Basin enters wildfire season with record-low precipitation
The Columbia Basin is seeing record-low precipitation.
City to hire contractors for yearly sewer upgrades
Moses Lake is soon to hire contractors for a $685,115, 75-day, annual sewer upgrade to fix broken parts, among other things.
Outside chance: Moses Lake auction funds another year of hunting and fishing opportunities for kids
The Youth Outdoors Unlimited auction crowd was smaller than usual Saturday evening, at around 100, said executive director Cindy Carpenter, but perhaps even more generous.
Fire at Ephrata church deemed accidental
The Ephrata Fire Department determined the cause of the Ephrata United Methodist Church fire at 117 C St. NW Sunday morning as accidental.
Space Burger Fest flies again
More than 3,000 Space Burgers blasted off Saturday to hungry patrons.
New subdivision in Mae Valley begins application review
Sumner-based Mitchell Development LLC is applying for a 57-lot residential development in Moses Lake’s Mae Valley area.
Moses Lake council approves covenant for marijuana facility
May be one of the last of its kind
The Moses Lake City Council recently approved the Sunshine Grow covenant, allowing the marijuana processing facility to move forward with construction, while deferring infrastructure improvements requested by the hearing examiner. However, this may not be an option for future developments.
Rite of angling: Potholes Open takes to the water again
While the Potholes Bass Club holds seven tournaments a year, this is its 41st year doing an open tournament.
Consultants propose new areas for urban growth for Moses Lake
Moses Lake’s urban growth areas, as currently outlined, contain more than enough capacity to meet long term growth needs, said Kevin Gifford, senior associate of Seattle-based BERK Consulting Inc. However, reductions and revisions could create more logical boundaries that are easier to serve.
Workshops scheduled for city council election season
For those interested in running for city council, an informational workshop will be noon April 28 and 5 p.m. April 29 in the Moses Lake City Council Chambers at 401 S. Balsam St.
The legacy returns: Wildlife museum reopens in Ritzville
Launching in 2018, Ritzville's Lasting Legacy Wildlife Museum reopened in March, after being closed throughout the pandemic.
GCFD 5, conservation district start on new facility
Representatives from Grant County Fire District 5 and the Grant County Conservation District broke ground Monday at the fire district training facility at 12801 Road 2 NE for a new state-of-the-art facility uniting the two agencies.
Sleep Center guest's death ruled overdose
The woman found dead last month at the Open Doors Sleep Center died from an overdose of Benadryl, according to a toxicology report from the Grant County Coroner’s Office.
Living space: Consulting firm defines new housing needs for Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, housing production is not keeping pace with the demand, said Kevin Gifford, senior associate of Seattle-based BERK Consulting Inc., at a recent planning commission workshop.
Moses Lake secures funding plan for new recreation center
With a unanimous vote, the Moses Lake City Council on Tuesday approved the bond ordinance to fund the remodeling of the Larson Recreation Center at 610 Yakima Ave.
The show goes on: Ephrata horse club holds qualifying event
The Washington State Horsemen North Central Club had its first qualifying event of the year Saturday in Ephrata, where around 20 riders -- from toddlers to grandmas -- came together to compete and hone their skills.
Cascade Park boat launch closed to public for boat races
Cascade Park’s boat launch, at 8301 Valley Road NE in Moses Lake, will be closed to the public this weekend due to boat races. Signs and barricades will be placed at the docks.
Raising awareness: Moses Lake organization launches dual campaigns
Moses Lake’s New Hope and Kids Hope, organizations focused on adults and children survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes, are keeping busy this month with campaigns for April, Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Grant County sees small decrease in COVID-19
According to the most recent Grant County Health District update, the last two weeks have had a very slight decrease in the COVID-19 incidence rate, with 221 cases per 100,000 people on March 25, down to 184 per 100,000 people on Thursday.
Open market: Local bazaar lets vendors do business again
When the Hale’s Farm and Feed Christmas Bazaar at 1510 Basin St. SW, in Ephrata, was a success, it decided to make the event a regular item.
It takes only one: Potholes sees largest fishing tourney in state history, says director
Northwest Bass held its second tournament on Potholes Reservoir Saturday, with the biggest turnout in state history.
A place for pygmy rabbits: Gift of land near Quincy helps in species recovery
A new gift of land to The Nature Conservancy, 282 acres near Quincy, will help secure a future for the endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit.
To the rescue: Moses Lake firefighters foundation grows in difficult times
When a February fire gutted an entire house and displaced a family of five in Rathdrum, Idaho, Moses Lake firefighter Mike Miner got a call.
Roadside newborn recovered, family set to go home soon
Washington State Patrol Troopers responded to a woman in a car going into labor at 9:48 p.m. March 19 at westbound exit 188 off Interstate 90, near Road U Southeast.
Centralia man booked for alleged multiple assaults on woman
Moses Lake police responded to an assault in a vehicle at about 2 p.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of North Stratford Road.
Construction to delay traffic on three Grant County routes this week
Expect delays on short stretches of Interstate 90 and state routes 28 and 17 in Grant County.
Back on track: Moses Lake BMX sees huge spring kickoff
Seventy-three riders took to the Moses Lake BMX track Saturday, most of whom were from out of town, representing a spectrum of ages and skill levels.
Moses Lake Fire Department continues to monitor brush fire
While the brush fire in the field adjacent to the 800 block of Wheeler Road is contained, Moses Lake Fire Department will remain on site to douse hot spots and monitor flare ups, said Captain Phil Walker.
Grant County named High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
In June 2020, according to the Federal Register, the Office of National Drug Control Policy granted this designation request, making Grant County the first HIDTA in the state in more than 15 years.
Good finds, good rides: Easter Bunny meets Sand Scorpions at Moses Lake dunes
Every region seems to have its unique Easter traditions, and Moses Lake is no exception.
Ready, set, grow: Moses Lake creates new comprehensive plan timeline
Moses Lake is in the process of drafting a new comprehensive plan, as required by the state Growth Management Act. The city council will make their final consideration and adoption of the updated plan in June.
A near-century of remediation: Public works haunted by old Grant County landfill
The old Grant County landfill, a chunk of land directly adjacent to the active one and otherwise indistinguishable from the hillside, has been closed to the public since 1974. Much like the active landfill at 3803 Neva Lake Road NW, in Ephrata, the old site requires daily maintenance.
Helping families: Moses Lake Rhea Lana’s consignment event a success
With more than 10,000 books, toys, school supplies, games, clothing items and more left over Sunday for foster families in need, at least 100 consignors, and nearly 800 families shopping, last week’s Rhea Lana’s of Moses Lake's consignment event was its biggest ever.
No new information provided on shooting
Police were still investigating on Monday the 7 a.m. Saturday shooting at the Conoco gas station at 1725 Kittelson Road.
Something in the air: Moses Lake resident finds peace through breathing
Dr. Shubhada Dantale came to Moses Lake in January, where she started working as a senior researcher for Moses Lake Industries. Now meditating for over a decade, she is a certified yoga and meditation instructor through The Art of Living Foundation, a nonprofit, educational and humanitarian organization teaching these techniques in 156 countries.
FCC to require area code for short-distance phone calls
Area code 509 phone numbers are the last in the state to transition to 10-digit dialing only, as required by the Federal Communications Commission, to make way for the new three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 988, launching July 16, 2022.
Target met: Ephrata shooting range remodels trapshooting bay
Excavators have moved off the Boyd Mordhorst Memorial Range outside of Ephrata, taking with them three acres of land and leaving behind a new backdrop for trapshooters.
High wind sweeps the Basin, causes power outages
The National Weather Service released a high wind warning and blowing dust advisory Sunday through 5 a.m. Monday in the Upper Columbia Basin, including Moses Lake, Ephrata, Othello, Quincy, Ritzville, Grand Coulee, Odessa, Wilbur and Coulee City.