Samaritan board approves bond issuance
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 6 months AGO
Samaritan commissioners, from left, Katherine Christian, Susan Carbon and Tom Frick discuss the issuance of construction bonds for the new Samaritan Hospital
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
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. | September 13, 2023 7:01 PM
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare commissioners approved the issuance of about $136.5 million in revenue bonds to pay for the construction of the new Samaritan Hospital Wednesday.
“Wow,” said board chair Katherine Christian after the board voted to issue the bonds, and after the meeting she said it had been a long process.
“It’s been a journey,” she said.
Commissioner Susan Carbon said site preparation has started, and she invited hospital district patrons to drive by the site on Yonezawa Boulevard and take a look.
Commissioners approved four separate resolutions, depending on the kind of bond issued. Hospital attorney Brad Berg said each bond issue had a slightly different interest rate, depending on the bond. Commissioners authorized the issuance of a different set of bonds for the project last week, and that set was sold Tuesday.
Sales for the rest of the bonds will close Sept. 28, Berg said. Graham Construction, the project general contractor, will receive notification to proceed with construction when the sale closes.
“We’re waiting to have the money in hand to provide that (notice),” Berg said.
Construction crews are moving dirt to make room for the construction fence, which is projected to start going up next week. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6.
Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at [email protected].
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.