Pledge leader
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 4 weeks AGO
Mayor Bruce Reim accepts a hug from Summer Rocheleau, the young Ephrata resident who has been leading the Pledge of Allegiance at council meetings. She was recognized for her service at Wednesday night’s meeting.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
EPHRATA — Summer Rocheleau, an Ephrata resident, has been leading the Pledge of Allegiance at council meetings for over two years. After she finished leading the council in the pledge, Wednesday night, she was recognized by Mayor Bruce Reim, along with the entire council for her public service.
“Do you like doing it?” Reim asked Rocheleau about presenting the pledge during the meeting.
“Yes,” she said.
“We do too,” Reim said. “We think you are a great addition to our council and to our community. So, we want to give you a nifty little presentation and all the council people have signed it. Is that cool or what? You get to keep that because you have done such a great job with us.”
Reim thanked her one more time for her service. This will be the last meeting Reim will lead, with her doing the Pledge of Allegiance. Ephrata doesn’t have any more council meetings this year, and mayor-elect Steve Oliver will begin running the meeting come January.
“This certificate is proudly presented to Summer Rocheleau on this day, Dec. 17, 2025, for providing consistent, dependable, public service at the City of Ephrata City Council Meetings,” reads her certificate.
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.