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Fire Safety Day celebrated at Lind Elementary
LIND — Kindergarten students at Lind Elementary School Friday celebrated Fire Safety Day, a day dedicated to learning essential fire safety practices, according to a release from Lind Elementary School.
Citizen panel recommends Washington lawmakers get 14% pay hike to $71K by 2026
(The Center Square) – The Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials has recommended state lawmakers be given a 14% pay boost over the next two years.
BPA proposes 13 projects, two in WA
PORTLAND, Ore. — A new effort by the Bonneville Power Administration will increase power availability in the region, according to an announcement from the BPA.
News bites for Oct. 15, 2024
News bites for Oct. 15, 2024
WSP welcomes 12 new commercial vehicle enforcement officers
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Patrol has welcomed 12 new Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers who graduated this week, ready to enhance the safety of commercial motor vehicle operations across the state, according to a statement from WSP Director of Communications Chris Loftis. Following 24 weeks of rigorous training –14 weeks at the WSP Academy in Shelton and an additional 10 weeks of field training – these officers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to enforce regulations governing commercial vehicle safety, according to Loftis.
American Legion to host candidates forum
EPHRATA — The American Legion Art Semro Post 28 will be sponsoring a candidate forum Oct. 23, according to an announcement from the post.
MLSD, SLSD out Friday
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake School District and Soap Lake School District will not have school Friday to give teachers a professional learning day.
Two arrested for possession of narcotics
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department Street Crimes Unit obtained a search warrant for a residence on Road H for narcotics trafficking Wednesday after several complaints were received from residents in the area.
Four sworn in at GCSO
EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete delivered oaths of office to four people Monday including Sheriff’s Deputies Justin Rowland and Ryan Borden, Corrections Deputy Matthew Soukup and Administrative Assistant Sheena Ohl.
Moses Lake man missing at O’Sullivan Reservoir
MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Fire District #5 began looking for a 54-year-old Moses Lake man Oct. 6, according to a GCSO release. Richard Smith left to go fishing Oct. 3 at O’Sullivan Reservoir in Grant County. His girlfriend has not heard from him since.
GCHD trained on CPR, AED and Narcan use
MOSES LAKE – Last week, the Grant County Health District staff participated in a CPR, automated external defibrillator and Narcan training.
Columbia Basin Herald staff earn statewide recognition
OLYMPIA – The Columbia Basin Herald received several recognitions for coverage of Grant and Adams Counties Sunday at the Washinton Newspaper Publishers Association’s awards banquet. This was the 137th time the awards were held and the staff at paper earned more than 20 awards for excellence in advertising and journalism.
Grant Health urges COVID-19 vigilance
EPHRATA — As we transition from the summer wave of COVID-19 into the colder months, the Grant County Health District (GCHD) is reminding residents that COVID-19 is not a seasonal disease.
Suspect who fled from Ritzville PD caught in Spokane
RITZVILLE — One man is in custody after a potential domestic violence situation led to his flight from law enforcement over the weekend. Saturday the Ritzville Police Department was dispatched to a domestic dispute where it was reported that a male suspect was hitting a woman near Lewis Street, according to an Adams County Sheriff’s Office statement.
Orchard shooting results in no injuries, one arrest
MATTAWA – Last Wednesday, Grant County Sheriff’s office answered a shooting call in the 15000 block of Road 25-SW.
Organized Retail Crime Resource Hub up and running
MOSES LAKE – The Washington Retail Association in partnership with Challenge Seattle and Washington Organized Retail Crime Association announced an online platform called the Organized Retail Crime Resource Hub, according to a WRA Oct. 7 press release.
STUDIO BASIN: Upcoming SR 17 meeting in Moses Lake and local sports
MOSES LAKE -- On this week’s episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Moses Lake Design Engineer Levi Bisnett joins the show to talk about an upcoming charrette regarding possible changes to the State Route 17 and Stratford Road interchange in Moses Lake. The goal is to bring in members of the community to discuss what improvements could be made to the area.
Prepping for E. Washington winters
MOSES LAKE — The time to get your home ready for winter is before the chilly winds begin to howl through the cracks, according to the experts. There are a lot of little things that can make a big difference when it comes to winterizing a home. According to Washington Water Service, here are some steps to take to prevent winter damage before the cold weather arrives:
Free pizza for working smoke alarms
MOSES LAKE – Next week is National Fire Prevention Week and the Moses Lake Fire Department has partnered with the 402 East Broadway Avenue Dominos in celebration. Monday, Oct. 7, MLFD will be delivering pizzas to Dominos customers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and if permitted the firefighters will check smoke alarms in the customer's house. If the smoke alarms work, the pizza is free. If not, MLFD will replace the batteries in the unit at no cost. The theme for this year is “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You!” The MLFD will be releasing statements for community members in regard to fire safety in homes.
Grant PUD budget hearings set for Tuesday
EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District will hold two public hearings Tuesday to discuss the proposed PUD budget for 2025. Hearings are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., both at the commission hearing room at the Ephrata headquarters, 30 C St. SW. A virtual option is available; information on joining is available on the PUD website, www.grantpud.org.
Man arrested in Othello for distribution of drugs to minors
OTHELLO – The principal of Othello High School contacted the Othello Police Department Sept. 26 saying he had suspicions that there was a man who was potentially giving students drugs near the campus, according to a statement from OPD.
Boeing strike may have already caused more than $1.6B in economic losses
MOSES LAKE — Tuesday marked the 20th day on strike for 33,000 Boeing workers, and there has yet to be an agreement between Boeing and the union, IAM 751, on the employees’ contract.
Ephrata schools storage building progressing
EPHRATA – Work has continued on the new Ephrata School District storage facility near the Ephrata High School Soccer pitch, according to a statement from the district.
Neighbor rescues woman from dog attack near Ephrata
EPHRATA — A 67-year-old woman from rural Ephrata was hospitalized Tuesday morning after being attacked by six dogs, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in the 8000 block of Road 10 Northwest when a neighbor heard the victim's cries for help.
WA tribes receive $800K for wildland fire training
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has initiated a program to enhance access to wildland fire training for tribal members, following the allocation of $800,000 in legislative funding, according to a DNR press release.
Faith & Blue Tailgate Party set for Oct. 11
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department will be out in force at the Mavericks football game on October 11 from 5:30-7 p.m. according to a statement from the department.
Cantwell gains support for anti-fentanyl bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., has obtained support from the Spokane police chief and other Washington leaders for her Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on US Transportation Networks Act of 2024.
Free COVID-19 test kits available
MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Health District released a statement regarding free COVID-19 test kits. For those interested visit COVIDTests.gov to get four free tests. The tests can find the newest variants and are good to use until at least the end of 2024.
Professor to speak on Latina struggles at Moses Lake Library
MOSES LAKE — The Humanities Washington Speaker Series will come in person to Moses Lake in October, according to an announcement from North Central Washington Libraries. Pacific Lutheran University professor Maria Chávez will bring her program “The Firsts: Latina Struggles in the United States” to the Moses Lake Public Library at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18, according to the announcement. Many Latinas face extraordinary challenges in their professions and personal lives, NCW Libraries wrote in the announcement. They are often first-generation college students whose parents may have little experience with higher education. This results in a difficult balancing act: they are trying not to let the process of earning a college education change them in ways that are antithetical to traditional Latino values, yet they are often expected to help with family care and responsibilities that can take priority over their studies and careers.
Grant County Health District update
Two brands of cinnamon recalled for potential lead contamination
MOSES LAKE – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recalled El Servidor Corp and Gutierrez Ground Cinnamon due to possible lead contamination.
Othello man dies in vehicle rollover
WARDEN — An Othello man died Saturday in a one-vehicle collision three miles south of Warden, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office press release. Faustino N. Gonzalez, 52, was driving a 2011 Nissan Frontier pickup north on Road U Southeast when he failed to negotiate a curve, overcorrected, crossed both lanes and left the road to the west, the GCSO release said. The pickup rolled three times. Gonzales was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected; he died at the scene.
Six-vehicle collision closes SR 17 Sunday
WARDEN – Four people sustained injuries in a six-vehicle collision on state Route 17 between Warden and Moses Lake about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Two of the cars were totaled, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol. There was limited visibility due to a dust storm, according to the WSP. No tickets were issued due to the dust storm. According to WSP, five of the six vehicles were traveling northbound on SR 17 when the collisions occurred. The sixth was traveling southbound.
One dies in three-car collision near George on Monday
GEORGE — An unidentified person was killed when the car they were riding in crossed the center line and hit a commercial van in the southbound lane about one mile north of George Monday afternoon, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol. The driver of the vehicle, Thalia Arceo-Padilla, 31, East Wenatchee, was headed north on State Route 281 at about 3:30 p.m. Monday when she rear-ended a vehicle driven by Andrea Massey, 29, Quincy. Arceo-Padilla then crossed the center line and hit a commercial van driven by Angel Guerrero, 24, Zillah, the WSP wrote.
Fire damages homeless encampment near Othello
OTHELLO — On Sunday about 5:19 p.m. Adams County Fire District 5 responded to an RV fire at 2125 W. Cunningham Road, about a mile east of Othello. The fire damaged or destroyed two recreational vehicles, 13 vehicles and several piles of trash and tires. The site is the location of a large homeless encampment on private property. A release from ACFD 5 said the only way to the site is one single narrow 1,900-foot driveway. That caused the firefighters and deputies to struggle to gain access with the vehicles parked in the traffic lane, delaying the response, the release said. “Firefighters found it challenging to shuttle water to the fire using the narrow driveway, forcing the crew to use smaller apparatus for the shuttle,” the release said.
Quincy man arrested for alleged robbery
QUINCY — A Quincy man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery after he allegedly held up a Quincy gas station early Friday morning.
Hit and run causes power outage
MOSES LAKE – Grant Public Utility District crews worked late Friday night after a semi-truck hit a power pole, knocking out power to what the PUD estimated to be more than 700 homes.
Two injured in accident near Desert Aire
DESERT AIRE – Two people were taken to Kadlec Hospital in Richland after a box truck and a personal vehicle accident Friday morning.
Cardiologist joins Samaritan Healthcare
MOSES LAKE — Cardiologist Robert Schatz has joined the staff at Samaritan Healthcare.
Surgeon joins Samaritan orthopedic department
MOSES LAKE — Orthopedic surgeon Billy Thompson has joined the orthopedic department at Samaritan Healthcare. Thompson joined the staff last month.
WDFW issues warning regarding transporting game meat
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued a statement to remind Washington-based hunters of rules associated with bringing game meat into the Evergreen State from other states.
STUDIO BASIN: QVMC, Samaritan Hospital and fall sports
MOSES LAKE — Joe Kunkel, project director for the ongoing construction of Samaritan Hospital and the Quincy Valley Medical Center, is the guest on the Studio Basin podcast this week. In sports, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer break down recent football, girls soccer and volleyball action involving Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, Othello, Quincy and Wahluke.
Royal City man booked after standoff
ROYAL CITY – Nineteen-year-old Antonio Perez Saquic reportedly barricaded himself inside his Royal City home to avoid being arrested for second-degree assault – domestic violence and violation of protection order with assault resulting in a half-an-hour shelter-in-place, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Othello Middle School threat deemed not credible
OTHELLO — An alleged threat against McFarland Middle School and specific students at the campus reported Thursday was not credible, according to an Adams County Sheriffs Office press release.
Ephrata man arrested in child porn case
EPHRATA – Jeremy B. Burge, 52, of Ephrata was arrested Wednesday morning during an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation according to a press release from Grant County Sheriff’s Office. This operation was launched following a tip from a concerned citizen to the Quincy Police Department in August.
Northwest authors to be featured at book show
WENATCHEE — The Write on the River writers group will host its October Bookfest Oct. 5, according to an announcement from Write on the River. More than 20 local and regional authors, including bestsellers and award winners, will attend the book fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the LocalTel Event Center at Pybus Market.
Fishing season extended on three Grant Co. lakes
EPHRATA — The fishing season has been extended for three lakes in Grant County, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
MLSD finishes cost-saving water projects
MOSES LAKE -- The Moses Lake School District announced a new cost savings measure on Thursday. The district has transitioned from the city’s water supply to an independent well-based system at both Frontier Middle School and Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center. This change is projected to save the district about $38,000 annually, according to the MLSD press release.
Target shooting prohibited indefinitely on Sand Dunes Road
MOSES LAKE — After what Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said were multiple incidents, WDFW is emphasizing that the Sand Dunes Road area in the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area is closed to target shooting.
Columbia Ridge staff recognized for life-saving efforts
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District announced last week that it had recognized six staff for their heroic efforts to help a Columbia Ridge Elementary student who had begun choking on campus, according to an Ephrata Schools press release.
Coho salmon season opens above Priest Rapids Dam
MATTAWA — Coho salmon season has opened along the Columbia River for most of the section between Priest Rapids Dam and Chief Joseph Dam. Anglers can fish for coho through Oct. 15.