Freight train burns, no injuries or damaged cargo
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 5 months AGO
QUINCY — On Saturday night a freight train lit on fire near Road W Northwest and Baird Springs Road Northwest, eight miles outside of Quincy. The fire started around 8:20 p.m. and was out by 8:40 p.m. Saturday night according to Grant County Fire District 3 Fire Chief, David Durfee.
“I mean the incident took less than half an hour,” Durfee said.
According to Durfee, the locomotive's main engine overheated and ignited, however, the train crew had the fire contained as GCFD3 arrived. The fire district overhauled the incident and ensured the blaze was out. When the maintenance crew arrived, GCFD3 left the scene.
There were no injuries or damage to the cargo, according to Durfee.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Soap Lake council tables tourism committee plan, debates planning services
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Council approved several administrative resolutions Wednesday but postponed decisions on tourism funding and planning services after an hours‑long discussion over staffing, contracts and oversight.
Soap Lake council unanimously votes no-confidence in Mayor Sharp
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed a vote of no-confidence against Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday evening, taking effect immediately after passage. Councilmember Kayleen Bryson read the resolution as the only comment on the matter. Sharp did not comment during the meeting.
Measles reported in Grant County
EPHRATA — Grant County health officials are urging families to check their vaccination records after two unvaccinated children in the same household tested positive for measles, marking the county’s first confirmed infections of 2026. Grant County Health District said it was notified on March 17 that both children, who were recently exposed during international travel, had contracted the virus. One child was briefly hospitalized; both are now recovering at home. Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny said the cases underscore how quickly measles can spread — and how effectively it can be prevented.