Moses Lake detectives recover $50,000 buried in field after hotel theft
MOSES LAKE — After days of searching in the summer heat, on Friday, July 31, Moses Lake police detectives recovered approximately $50,000 that had been stolen from a hotel guest and buried in a field near Interstate 90, bringing a successful conclusion to an investigation involving what police described as both forensic evidence and persistent detective work.
Ronald Leroy Jones
December 23, 1938 – March 17, 2026
It is with sadness that the family of Ronald Leroy Jones announces the passing of Ron, 87, on March 17, 2026, at 2 a.m. at the Landmark care facility in Yakima, Washington. Ron was born in Billings, Montana, on Dec. 23, 1938, to LoDeema and Seldon Jones. He was a man of curiosity and intelligence who loved science, technology, music and adventure; an outstanding family man and a local businessman. Ron’s youth was spent in Montana, Idaho and Utah while his father served in the Navy during World War II, before becoming a Western Auto regional manager. The family eventually settled in Grandview, Washington, where Ron graduated with the class of 1958. He attended Washington State University before transferring to the University of Washington in Seattle, where he earned his master’s degree and, in 1963, married the love of his life, Andrea Caren Bolander, “Caren.” They welcomed their first son, Scott, in 1965.
WEATHER: July 31-Aug. 5
Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 90. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.
Auditor candidates address their top goals if elected
EPHRATA — Three Republicans are running for Grant County auditor: appointed incumbent Shannon Falstad and challengers Andrew Koeppen and Darci Homesley. To help voters evaluate the candidates, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond. Homesley did not reply to multiple requests for comment.
Samaritan Hospital posts $2.3 million loss in first half of year as it pays off new building
Visits and admittance increasing with additional patient services
MOSES LAKE — The cost of paying for a new building is having an effect on the bottom line at Samaritan Healthcare, but hospital utilization is starting to increase. Samaritan recorded a loss of about $2.3 million for the first six months of 2026 as the district works on paying off the costs associated with construction. The new hospital opened in March.
Hansen Road demolition about halfway completed
MOSES LAKE — Construction crews working to demolish the Hansen Road overpass are halfway through the job. Crews were out Thursday morning demolishing the north end of the overpass while traffic negotiated Interstate 90. Westbound traffic is using the Hansen Road offramp and onramp as a detour, while eastbound traffic is reduced to one lane on I-90. The eastbound lanes shift as different parts of the bridge are demolished.
FIRE REPORT: Kaiser Canyon Fire containment grows as crews brace for weekend winds
NESPELEM — Firefighters battling the Kaiser Canyon Fire, now the largest wildfire in Washington state, continue to make progress on containment despite persistent hot and dry conditions and the threat of stronger winds this weekend.
Moses Lake City Council votes to place restrictions on kratom sales
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members approved restrictions on the sale of products containing kratom, both from the plant and synthetic derivatives. Sales will be restricted to people 21 years of age and older.
Building permits: Quincy, Warden, Grant County
City of Quincy June 2026 Quincy Spanish Congregation, 700 block of K Street Southwest, HVAC, $35,000 Guillermina Rabadan, 100 block of J Street Southeast, residential plumbing, no valuation given Lidia Antonia Avalos, 200 block of L Street Southwest, residential expansion, $90,000
'It begins with integrity'
Young entrepreneur builds painting business while helping homeowners protect their investments
MOSES LAKE — When Simon Ribellia started painting homes at age 15, he wasn't planning on making it a full-time career, let alone starting his own painting business. Today, at 23, Ribellia owns Marian Painting LLC, a company he founded in August 2023 that has grown from a one-man operation working out of a Prius into a business with about 15 employees, four vans and multiple crews providing home exterior and interior painting. Like many tradespeople, Ribellia learned the craft on the job. After finding summer work with a local painting contractor as a teenager, he spent years learning the industry before launching his own company at age 20.
BASIN EVENTS: July 31-Aug. 31
COLUMBIA BASIN — Those lazy days of summer don’t have to be so lazy you can’t get out and enjoy some fun around the Basin. Here are a few ideas for August.
GALLERY: Summer sports highlights
MOSES LAKE — It’s the last week of July and with the arrival of August, fall sports is set to begin imminently. Though high school athletics has been on pause since the end of May, there has been no shortage of local sports. Let's take a look back at some of the highlights of summer sports this year.
4 Republicans pitch different approaches to growth, spending and agriculture in Grant County Commissioner race
MOSES LAKE — With ballots due Aug. 4, voters in Grant County Commissioner District 3 have four Republican candidates to choose from: Shannon Durfee, Kelly Raap, Seth Weeks and Janice Flynn. The candidates appeared at a recent Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce forum, where each introduced themselves, answered a personalized question and then addressed a common question about managing the county's rapid growth, particularly around Moses Lake.
Field study
Japanese Agricultural Training Program celebrates 60 years at BBCC
MOSES LAKE — Six decades of agricultural collaboration between the Columbia Basin and Japan were celebrated Monday evening at Big Bend Community College. “Over the years, hundreds of participants have come to our region to learn, to work, and share their talents,” Big Bend Community College President Sara Thompson Tweedy said at the commemoration Monday. “And in doing so, you have enriched our college, strengthened our agricultural community, and created lifelong relationships that continue to span the Pacific Ocean.”
Ephrata youth fall sports registration open
EPHRATA — Registration for fall youth sports like soccer and flag football in Ephrata is open. Though it’s still somewhat early in the process, turnout has been strong so far, Recreation Supervisor for Ephrata Parks and Recreation Gunner Blankenship said. “In the spring we had about 250 kids for soccer, and we're projecting about the same amount for fall this year,” Blankenship said. “Last year we had a total of 71 kids turn out (for flag football) between first grade and sixth grade, and there's differentleagues for each of those age groups.”
Later, Gator? Not if you adopt him first
Don’t let his name fool you, this little guy is all wag and no bite! Gator is a small mixed-breed pup with a sleek black coat, a big heart, and enough puppy charm to make a splash in any home. He's neutered, vaccinated, and ready to chomp his way right into your heart. Why wait? Adopt Gator today and snag yourself a loyal companion who’s guaranteed to be the tail of the neighborhood. This sweet pup is ready to seas the day, trade shelter life for couch life, and become your favorite cuddle-gator. Gator is waiting at Grant County Animal Outreach. Come meet him before someone else snaps him up. This spot is sponsored by Hot Springs Spa & Leisure. To sponsor the Pet of the Day, call Jeannie at 509-765-4561.
Joe Harris named new Quincy administrator
QUINCY — Joe Harris has been hired as the new Quincy city administrator, pending approval by the Quincy City Council. City officials announced the selection in a media release Thursday.
Official: 'No evidence' mass numbers of non-citizens are on voter rolls
(The Center Square) - With early voting underway ahead of Washington state’s Aug. 4 primary, officials say they are working to ensure only legal citizens are registered. As of Monday, turnout in King County was just shy of 9%, while the final week typically brings a flood of ballots into county election offices across the state, officials said.
Grant County Jail Roster for July 30, 2026
Grant County Jail Roster for July 30, 2026
