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GALLERY: Opening day at Grant County Fair

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
by CHERYL SCHWEIZER & NANCE BESTON
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. | August 13, 2025 3:00 AM

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair began Tuesday with vendors, local artisans, Future Farmers of America students and those who crave the taste of a Space Burger gathering at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

    A young fair attendee takes a photo of Sheriff Joey Kriete at the Grant County Fair Tuesday. Kriete said there has not been any issues at the event as of around 3 p.m. Tuesday.
 
 
    Two steers hangout at the Grant County Fair. The steers were specifically for people to look at with signs asking people not to touch or place arms or legs within the fence.
 
 
    Three young fair attendees work on their fishing skills at the Peppy’s Water Palooza at the Grant County Fair. The station is free and has opportunities for children to play with toys in water and cool down.
 
 
    A line of vendors brave the heat during opening day at the Grant County Fair. There are food, clothing, stickers, toys, and other vendors placed throughout the fairgrounds.
 
 
    A line of hungry fair attendees gather outside of the Lioness booth to get their yearly Space Burger fix. The Space Burger celebrated 60 years last year.
 
 
    Liz Murillo-Busby offers ice pop options to an interested customer at the City of Moses Lake booth at the Grant County Fair Tuesday.
 
 
    Soap Lake weaver Steve Hess demonstrates his craft to interested spectators at the Grant County Fair Tuesday.
 
 


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MATTAWA — A Grant County Fire District 8 officer sustained minor injuries Wednesday when he was hit by a driver subsequently arrested for DUI. Battalion Chief Doug Anderson and GCFD 8 crews were on the scene of a non-injury collision at about 10:30 p.m. when a car drove through the crash scene, according to a media release from the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The driver, Jorge Ramirez Suarez, 33, Mattawa, allegedly drove through the crash scene, hit Anderson in the leg, and kept going without stopping, according to the GCSO. He was subsequently booked into the Grant County Adult Correctional Facility on suspicion of DUI, vehicular assault and hit-and-run. Anderson was treated at the scene. He joined GCFD 8 in 1998 as a volunteer firefighter, said Barb Davis, the district's business manager, and is still a volunteer. He has served as a GCFD 8 captain, assistant chief and interim chief, as well as battalion chief.