STAFF REPORT
Recent Stories
Two injured in crash near Soap Lake
SOAP LAKE — A two-vehicle collision sent both drivers to the hospital Wednesday near Soap Lake, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol. A little before 4 p.m., Jose F. Machado Ayala, 42, of Soap Lake, was driving a 2008 Nissan Versa westbound on state Route 28 near the intersection with Road A Northwest when he left the roadway to the right, according to the statement. Machado Ayala overcorrected and entered the eastbound lane, where he collided with a 2016 Dodge Dart driven by Ginger L. Calderon-Goodman, 18, also of Soap Lake.
135 Basin students make EWU Dean’s List
CHENEY — Eastern Washington University has released its Dean’s List for fall quarter 2025, with 135 Columbia Basin students receiving honors. To qualify for the Dean’s List, an undergraduate student must earn 12 quality hours and receive a grade point average of 3.5.
Collision closes SR28/Road A NW
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office released a statement announcing that SR28 and Road A NW between Soap Lake and Ephrata has been closed temporarily due to an injury collision.
MLFD tackles structure fire on Rose Ave.
MOSES LAKE — At approximately 2 p.m. Thursday, the Moses Lake Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in the 1000 block of Rose Avenue. Upon arrival, crews observed light smoke coming from a detached garage on the property.
Dent adjusts legislative schedule after family emergency
MOSES LAKE — State Rep. Tom Dent, R‑Moses Lake, is cutting back his in‑person participation in the 2026 legislative session after his wife, Dayna, had a medical emergency.
Othello man sentenced for sexual contact with a minor
OTHELLO — An Othello man was sentenced to about five years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to having sexual contact with a minor.
Moses Lake sisters spend week as legislative pages
OLYMPIA — Twin sisters from Moses Lake served as Washington legislative pages, one in the state Senate and one in the state House of Representatives, for a week in January. Abigail Shearer worked as a page for 13th District Representative Tom Dent, while her sister Elisabeth was a page for 13th District Senator Judy Warnick.
Mattawa man arrested on suspicion of vehicular assault
DESERT AIRE — A Mattawa man was arrested and booked on suspicion of vehicular assault after he allegedly drove his car into a crowd of people outside a house in Desert Aire late Saturday night.
Othello PD arrests DOSA fugitive
OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department announced the arrest of Gregorio Orozco Jr. for an outstanding warrant out of Benton County for violating the conditions of his alternative drug offender sentencing, under the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative program.
Othello man sentenced in child porn case
OTHELLO — An Othello man was sentenced to more than three years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to two counts of dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexual conduct.