A few extra steps can prevent a kitchen tragedy

MOSES LAKE — One of the most dangerous things you can do at home is also something most people do every day. “If you look at the statistics, cooking is the leading cause of home fires,” said Travis Svilar, battalion chief with Grant County Fire District 5. The data from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office bears that out. Last year, Washington fire agencies responded to more than 700 structure fires that had started in the kitchen

Folk and Food Festival returns to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Folk and Food Festival will have some changes the second time around. “This year we decided to have it a month earlier because last year on that day it was 100 degrees and higher,” said Ruthann Tobiason of Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee, which sponsors the event. “We know it kept a fair number of people away … We actually had a performer back out at the last minute because it was too hot and dang, I don’t blame her.” Last year’s one-day event drew a respectable turnout for an inaugural effort, enough that it’s been expanded to two days this year, June 20-21. Friday’s festivities will be homegrown, with an open mic at the Soap Lake Community Center and open mic followed by live music from Rebel Hearts at Cloudview Kitchen.

‘Whiskey Rebel’

Novel draws on Moses Coulee for isolated setting

MOSES LAKE — Out in the high desert country of Moses Coulee, it’s easy to imagine that strange things are happening just over the next ridge. There’s something peacefully secretive about the area northwest of Ephrata in the southern part of Douglas County, as though time stopped there and nobody was around to notice.