Legislators serve up root beer floats for children; answer ‘What’s a Senate?’
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 5 months AGO
From the left, state Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, and Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, dish up ice cream and root beer for kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of The Columbia Basin Thursday.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald
Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, adds the root beer part of a root beer float at the Boys & Girls Clubs of The Columbia Basin Thursday.
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | July 19, 2021 1:05 AM
MOSES LAKE — The kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of The Columbia Basin weren’t exactly sure what the visitors did.
“What’s a Senate?” asked one of the kids.
State Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, explained. It’s one of two parts of the state legislature, the other being the House of Representatives. Warnick and her 13th Legislative District colleagues, Reps. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, and Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, visited the McGraw Clubhouse at 425 Paxson Dr. to talk to the kids and share root beer floats.
The legislators answered questions about their jobs and the kids were kind of disappointed to learn Warnick, Dent and Ybarra didn’t know President Joe Biden. In answer to a question about the legislature’s process, Dent said senators and representatives work with each other, with employees of state agencies and with Gov. Jay Inslee. But they work for Washington citizens, he said.
“You’re the boss,” Dent said.
The kids asked how many kids the legislators had and if they owned animals. After that it was time for ice cream and root beer.
Some kids told Dent it was the first time they’d ever had a root beer float.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Local legislators discuss 2026 session
MOSES LAKE — Washington 13th District legislators previewed what they see as the challenges of the upcoming 2026 session at a meeting with Moses Lake city officials and residents Tuesday. State Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake along with Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, outlined some of their plans and ideas as well as the major business of the 2026 legislative session. Warnick said the state faces some challenges.
Dorow appointed to Othello City Council
OTHELLO — Chris Dorow has been appointed to a vacant position on the Othello City Council. Dorow was appointed by unanimous vote after candidates for the seat were interviewed at the Dec. 8 council meeting. There was no discussion. Dorow replaces Denae Valdez, who resigned from the council in November. “We had seven members of the public apply for this position,” said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan.
Grant PUD seeks rate input
EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District customers have until Dec. 23 to submit their comments on proposed rate hikes that would go into effect in April 2026. Comments can be submitted at Grant PUD: Commission Meetings. Customers commenting at the last PUD commission meeting of 2025 said higher rates are going to be a challenge. Commissioner Terry Pyle said the PUD is facing challenges too.