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Roadwork throughout region will cause traffic delays
GRAND COULEE — Travelers along SR 155 in the Grand Coulee area should be prepared for nighttime road closures this week.
WSP increases enforcement as Washington State University students return for fall semester
ROYAL CITY — The Washington State Patrol will be enforcing speed limits and looking for distracted drivers along Interstate 90 and SR 26 this weekend as students return to Washington State University for the fall semester. Troopers will be conducting an emphasis patrol in that area from Friday through Sunday
Construction to slow Pioneer Way traffic
MOSES LAKE — Traffic on Pioneer Way will be slowed down for a couple of days next week, according to an announcement from the city of Moses Lake.
Mattawa man drowns in irrigation canal
MATTAWA — A Mattawa man drowned in an irrigation canal northeast of Mattawa early Sunday morning, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Johnny Sanchez Mendoza, 18, was driving a vehicle near the 7900 block of Wahluke Slope Road Southwest when the vehicle became stuck in a concrete canal chute, according to the statement. As Sanchez Mendoza and his passenger tried to push the vehicle free, Sanchez fell into the water and was swept away. His body was recovered about a half mile away. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Sanchez Mendoza’s body is in the care of Coroner Craig Morrison, whose staff will conduct an autopsy, according to the GCSO.
6 named to Eastern Oregon Dean's List
LA GRANDE, Ore. — Six students from Grant and Adams counties were among 639 named to the Dean’s List at Eastern Oregon University for spring quarter 2026, according to an announcement from the university. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must achieve and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while completing a minimum of 12 hours of graded coursework for the term. Moses Lake: Cooper Hancock, Arts, Humanities and Soc Science, History; Joselyn Hernandez, Arts, Humanities and Soc Science, Politics/Policy & Public Admin; Kali Kast, Education, Multidisciplinary Studies; Kaydence Martinez, Business, Business Administration Othello: Maggie Smith, Business, Agriculture Entrepreneurship Royal City: Jose Medina, STM and Health Science, Health and Human Performance
Mattawa ‘summer clean up’ Aug. 14 and 15
MATTAWA — Residents of the Mattawa area can dispose of unwanted household junk during the “Summer Cleanup” sponsored by the city from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14 and 15.
Moses Lake man arrested for molestation
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Friday for child molestation, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department. Jaime Mendez Madrigal, 39, was booked into Grant County Jail on two counts of third-degree child molestation, according to the statement.
GALLERY: July 2026 in review
MOSES LAKE — As we wave goodbye to July, here are a few things that happened last month in the Columbia Basin.
EWU releases spring 2026 Dean’s List
CHENEY — Eastern Washington University has released its Dean’s List for spring quarter 2026, with 103 Grant and Adams County 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. These Basin students were named to the Dean’s List:
4 killed in collision near Royal City
ROYAL CITY — Four people were killed and five injured, one critically, when a passenger car collided with a truck about eight miles north of Royal City Tuesday afternoon. The collision occurred near the intersection of Dodson Road and Frenchman Hills Road Southwest, said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, in a media release.