It's cold: Officials urge shelterless to seek warming centers
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 11 months AGO
The city of Moses Lake’s sleep center is shown here.
File photo
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | December 28, 2021 1:07 AM
Moses Lake officials are asking those facing shelterlessness to seek warming centers as temperatures this week are expected to remain below freezing, and even below zero in areas with snow cover.
“At least for Moses Lake itself, one thing that could really save them from plunging into subzero temperatures is the lack of snow cover on the ground. Typically, when we have snow on the ground, the temperatures can drop more quickly, but as you go north and west of Moses Lake, there are lots of areas with snow on the ground, so some of those locations, we’re looking at the potential for some below-zero readings,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Jeremy Wolf.
Those without permanent housing can consider the Open Doors Sleep Center operated by HopeSource. The nonprofit can be reached at 509-707-0179. During the sub-freezing temperatures, the warming center will be open at 4 p.m. daily to assist those in need. The sleep center is located near the intersection of East Broadway Avenue and state Route 17.
HopeSource also offers hotel vouchers that may be used locally in certain circumstances, a statement from the city of Moses Lake said. Additional relief from cold temperatures may be found at the local library and other public spaces.
Additional resources may be found via The Salvation Army at 215 S. Alder St. in Moses Lake (509-766-5875). Further information may be found at https://bit.ly/MLSalArmy.
Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington also has offices in the area that may be able to offer heating assistance to those facing financial challenges. The Moses Lake office may be reached at 509-765-9206. Additional information is available at www.yvoic.org.
ARTICLES BY R. HANS MILLER
Awareness helps prevent porch pirates’ success
EPHRATA — At least 58 million packages were stolen in the U.S. last year, with about 25% of Americans being the victims of theft, according to the United States Parcel Service. At the local level, there are thefts occurring regularly as well, but that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck being the victim, authorities say. “The experience of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office is that package theft happens regularly,” said GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. “It is a crime of opportunity. When someone’s out looking to try and make a quick buck, they may drive through a neighborhood looking for unattended packages on the front porch.”
Gorge shooting trial rescheduled to 2026
EPHRATA — The trial in the case of James Kelly, the man charged in the June 2023 shooting that led to the deaths of two women at the Beyond Wonderland music festival held at The Gorge Amphitheatre, has been bumped to early next year, according to court documents.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: In appreciation of educators ...
An experience I recently had with a school district, quite honestly, has left me gob-smacked a bit. I am in awe of the teachers and administrators at school districts throughout the region and what they have to deal with. Let me get back to the beginning, though. Journalists often cover a wide variety of topics and are constantly looking for ideas for stories that will matter to readers. As such, when we hear of events of interest, we sometimes ask to attend so we can either cover it, or, as in this case, learn how to cover a topic better.