Gas prices see relief this week, still elevated compared to last year
MOSES LAKE — Gas prices remain significantly higher than a year ago but are trending downward heading into mid-June, according to weekly figures from AAA and analysis from GasBuddy. The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Washington state stood at $5.51 on June 15, down 11 cents from the previous week and off 27 cents from a month ago.
Francisco (Frank/Kiko) Martinez Gamez
Nov. 13, 1935 – June 13, 2026
Francisco (Frank/Kiko) Martinez Gamez, 90, was welcomed into eternal glory on Saturday, June 13, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving family on a beautiful sunny day. Viewing will begin at 10 a.m., and the service will begin at 11 a.m. at Restore City Church. Interment will be at Guarding Angels Cemetery. Frank was born Nov. 13, 1935, in Crystal City, Texas, to Reyes Gamez and Eva Martinez-Gamez. In 1959 he met Alicia (Alice) Herrera and they immediately fell in love. Two years after dating they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together and were married on March 24, 1961. They then began their life together and relocated to Moses Lake, Washington, where they worked as migrant farm workers in addition to an adult agency caring for elders.
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Vintage Fire Truck
June 16 – June 21
Sage‑N‑Sun festival draws crowds with parade, music and drone show
EPHRATA — Under a clear June morning sky, the Sage‑N‑Sun festival unfolded in familiar rhythm Saturday, opening with the hum of early footsteps as runners gathered for the 8 a.m. fun run – the 36th in Ephrata’s history. The quiet determination of the course soon gave way to a day defined by movement, color and community.
Job provides Othello city administrator more opportunities to serve his hometown
OTHELLO — Aaron Garza applied for the job of city administrator, because, he said, it gave him more opportunity to help his hometown. “I love Othello, and I thought to myself, ‘f anybody can hold the city administrator position with passion and with dedication, and can continue the city of Othello moving forward, and in the positive trajectory that it has been going for years, and I would want to be a part of that,’” he said. “That was my biggest reason. This city is amazing, it's getting better and better every year, and I wanted to continue to serve in an even greater capacity.”
REC Silicon to be converted from public to private company
MOSES LAKE — The owners of REC Silicon will be acquiring all the outstanding public shares of the company and removing it from the Euronext Oslo Borse. “As the company will apply for a de-listing of its shares from the Euronext Oslo Borse, it is considered appropriate to transform the company from a public limited liability company to a private limited liability company,” according to the minutes of a board meeting held Monday.
Hanging it up
Frontier Middle School science teacher retires after 34 years
MOSES LAKE — After 34 years, Steve Gjefle has hung up his last classroom ceiling tile. “It’s a good time (to retire),” Gjefle said. “At 66, it’s time to go, let somebody else take the reins and start driving the wagon down the road.” Gjefle spent yesterday, his last day of teaching, right where he spent his first: in the eighth-grade science classroom at Frontier Middle School. He had originally thought he’d teach high school, he said, but when he finished his education and started looking around for work, he stumbled on Frontier, and he’s loved it ever since.
BAM hosts Pro-AM Bass tourney at potholes
MOSES LAKE — The Bass Anglers Magazine is returning to the Potholes Reservoir this weekend for the BAM Trail Professional-Amateur Bass Fishing tournament hosted by Mardon Resort. “We try to put on a real solid event,” said Mark Lassagne, BAM CEO and Tournament Director. “Give them really something cool to fish for besides money.” Amateur anglers who signed up by the end of Monday will be paired with a different professional each day of the tournament. The duo will then work together on the pro’s boat to be the top anglers each day.
At last, WA’s iconic North Cascades Highway reopens
The North Cascades Highway reopened on Sunday, restoring an economic lifeline for small communities east of the Cascades.
Legals for June, 16 2026
Joan Patricia Stern
Joan Patricia Stern, 96, passed away June 6, 2026, at Mountain Springs Assisted Living in Spirit Lake, Idaho. Joan was adopted from the Washington Children's Home when she was only a few days old. Her parents, George and Florence Schober, lived in Hoquiam, Wash., and she was their only child. Joan attended school in Hoquiam and graduated from high school there. After high school she was off to College at WSU for a degree in veterinary medicine. It was during that time when colleges were flooded with vets returning from war wanting to go into the same field. So, she changed her mind and enrolled in the University of Washington where she met her future husband, Robert J. Matzke. They married and had three children: Diane, Linda and Richard. When they separated, she returned to Hoquiam and worked at People's National Bank as one of Washington's first female lending officers. In 1962, she was offered a transfer to the Moses Lake branch, and that is where she met Harry H. Stern, her husband of 50-plus years.
Sixers 16U-Lopez split four games at home tourney
MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Sixers 16U-Lopez (6-7) went 2-2 in the High Desert Invitational held at Paul Lauzier Athletic Complex. “It was kind of disappointing not coming out with the championship, playing in our own backyard,” said Head Coach Rey Lopez. “But sometimes that happens. Pretty satisfied with 2-2 record, I think we could have pulled it off, but we fell a little short.” The Sixers started slow on Friday, falling to the Devo Lumberkings 16U 5-3. However, they rallied on Saturday with a 10-4 win over the New Level Diamond Jaxx and a 5-2 win over the Lumberkings on Sunday. Though their newfound momentum would not carry over into their final game against the Spokane Crew 16U, which they lost to 9-1.
Two youths stabbed in altercation Saturday
MOSES LAKE — A fight between juveniles at an event venue Saturday left two hospitalized with knife wounds, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. At about 8 p.m., first responders were called to a location in the area of Road N and 8 Northeast outside Moses Lake, according to the statement. They learned that two juveniles, 15 and 16 years old, had been stabbed in a fight among multiple juveniles during a celebration at the venue. Both youths were transported to Samaritan Healthcare, according to the statement. Because the investigation is ongoing, it was unknown Monday what triggered the fight or how many other people were involved, according to GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. The juveniles’ medical status was also unknown.
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Republican forum highlights priorities, disagreements among GCSO Sheriff
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Republican Party hosted a packed candidate forum Thursday night featuring Sheriff Joey Kriete and challengers Darrick Gregg and Josh Sainsbury, offering voters a detailed look at the candidates’ priorities on leadership, crime, jail capacity and accountability. Moderator Victor Lombardi guided the discussion through a series of structured questions, with candidates responding in turn.
Moses Lake town hall to discuss code enforcement, beautification
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to talk about code enforcement, nuisance regulations, city code compliance and community beautification at a town hall at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St.
Warden juvenile arrested for alleged assault of family members, officer
WARDEN — The Warden Police Department was dispatched to a report of physical domestic violence in the 800 block of South Adams Ave Friday morning. The suspect, a 17-year-old male, allegedly assaulted two family members before fleeing the residence on foot. He returned a short time later, where an office attempted to detain him. He then assaulted the police officer and fled on foot again, according to a statement from WPD.
