STAFF REPORT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NCW Libraries to host virtual conversation with author

MOSES LAKE — North Central Washington Libraries will host a virtual conversation with best-selling author Erika L. Sánchez Oct. 10, according to an announcement from NCW Libraries.

STUDY: WA most affordable state for used cars

MOSES LAKE— Washington has been identified as the most affordable state in America for purchasing used cars, according to a new study by vehicle issue platform AutoTechIQ.

Multiple arrests after Othello-area incident leads to pursuits

OTHELLO — Seven people were arrested in Grant and Adams counties on suspicion of felony harassment and attempting to elude law enforcement following a Sunday incident near Othello that led to a pursuit.

Museum to host Day of Play at UMANI Festival on Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center will participate in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play Saturday, according to an announcement from the museum. As a day dedicated to experiencing joyful learning through play, this event focuses on getting kids and their families up, out and playing around.

Columbia Basin events for the week of Sept. 19-26

COLUMBIA BASIN — The summer is past and the holidays are still over the horizon, but there are still some fun things going on in the Basin next week. Here are a few:

Wheelbarrow set recalled for lead

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Health District released a press release on the recall for Stanley Jr. Kids wheelbarrow and seven-piece garden sets, sold at Costco Wholesale stores nationwide. The set includes a wheelbarrow, apron, gloves, rake, how and hand tools. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the painted long hoe and rake of the recalled garden set contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a threat to children and could cause adverse health issues.

BBB names new PNW board member

MERIDIAN, Idaho — Better Business Bureau Great West + Pacific recently named Briana McKown to its board of directors, according to an announcement from BBBGW+P. McKown, a business and design strategy leader at Cisco, joins a group of 18 board members representing BBBGW+P’s eight-state service area, which includes Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, western Wyoming, and central Colorado.

New Washington litter initiative launched

OLYMPIA – Each year, approximately 38 million pounds of litter are discarded on Washington’s highways, roads, and public areas—a statistic reflecting about five pounds of trash for every resident in the state, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Blue-green algae blooms in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Health District released a water quality warning on Saturday. There is a new bloom present in both north and middle Moses Lake. There are also confirmed unsafe toxins in south Moses Lake. Samples are being taken in the north and middle and results will be posted on the Grant County Health District website.

Alleged Franklin Co. shooter arrested in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to assault with deadly weapons at 9090 Sagehill, at around 5:30 p.m. Sept. 15. Suspect Daniel Arcao-Martinez, 28, allegedly shot two people during the reported incident.

Fentanyl awareness event set for Friday

MOSES LAKE — WorkSource Columbia Basin will host an event to educate the public about fentanyl Friday in Moses Lake, according to an announcement from WorkSource.

OPD assistant police chief graduates from FBI academy

OTHELLO – On Thursday morning the Othello Police Department’s Assistant Police Chief Aaron Garza graduated from the FBI National Academy, according to an OPD press release.

Stray bull remains unclaimed

OTHELLO – A bull showed up three weeks ago at the 700 block of South Hillcrest Road in Othello. The owner of the bull has yet to be found according to an Adams County Pet Rescue press release. The bull does not have branding or other means of identifying the owner such as an ear tag. Anyone with information is asked to call the Adams County Sheriff’s Office at 509-659-1122 or Adams County Pet Rescue at 509-488-5514.

‘Simple As That’

Initiative encourages people to do their part for cleaner communities

OLYMPIA — Every year, almost 38 million pounds of litter is dropped on Washington’s highways, roads and public areas, according to an announcement Thursday from the Washington State Department of Ecology. That’s about five pounds of trash for every person in the state. Beyond simply being unsightly, litter can harm water quality and pose safety risks to travelers. To reduce littering, the state Department of Ecology is working with the Department of Transportation, State Patrol and other agencies to launch the “Simple As That” campaign, the DOE announced. The state spends more than $12 million each year picking up litter, and paid crews and volunteers collected a record 11.2 million pounds in 2023, according to the announcement. However, even that record-setting effort still only addresses a fraction of the problem.

‘The View from Here’ opens at Moses Lake Museum

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center will host a reception today for the opening of its new exhibit, “The View from Here,” according to an announcement from the museum.