EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District released a statement indicating how much the district would receive in funds if the Feb. 11 levy passes. According to the district, the state will match $1.14 for every $1 the school district raises locally. This adds up to around $13 million in state funds in the life of the levy. For more information on the Ephrata School District Levy visit TigersVote.org. 

EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata released a statement saying there is a water leak on Third Avenue Southwest. To make repairs, Third Avenue Southwest will be closed from Basin Street Southwest to C Street Southwest starting Monday, Jan. 20. The city is anticipating the road will be reopened by the end of the day Monday. The city will notify anyone directly impacted by the closure. The City of Ephrata appreciates the community's patience and understanding as it works to resolve the issue.  

EPHRATA – Officers from several agencies including the Quincy Police Department, Moses Lake Police Department, Soap Lake Police Department, Ferry County Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office completed RADAR and LiDAR training. The Sheriff’s Motor Traffic Unit trained the officers in the use of each technology. RADAR training stands for radio detection and ranging – which calculates the distance between an object and itself by emitting radio waves and calculating the time it takes to return to the source. LiDAR is a light detection and ranging. It works very similar to RADAR but with a laser instead of radio waves. By using these two tools, officers can detect the speed of moving vehicles.  

MATTAWA — Friday marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of Mattawa Chief of Police Robert Salinas. According to the release from Mattawa PD, Salinas dedicated his life to serving and protecting our community. He embodied compassion and leadership. The department said his legacy continues to inspire those who had the privilege of working with him. As the department reflects on his life and work, it honors his memory and expresses its deepest gratitude for his contributions to Mattawa. MPD said Salinas will never be forgotten — his impact will continue to resonate in the department's hearts and within the Mattawa community.  

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District released its weekly update on the number of hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses in the week of Jan. 5 to Jan. 11. COVID-19 saw an increase in the state of 0.5% and 0.6% in the county. Influenza saw a 6.6% increase in the county and 3.8% in the state. RSV saw a decrease of 0.5% in the county and 0.6% in the state. GCHD strongly recommends people get vaccinated for the listed respiratory illnesses to limit the spread and risk of the diseases. 

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation will be having its monthly support group meeting next week, Jan. 22. The meeting is every third Wednesday of each month from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation Office. To RSVP call Amanda at 509-754-4644 or email her at amanda@columbiabasincancerfoundation.org.  

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Farmers Maker has put out a survey on how the markets are doing. The feedback, according to the release, will shape the events, vendors and activities the market brings each season. The survey only takes a couple of minutes. For those interested in taking the survey visit forms.gle/iwEbi1wzVzT7VAqL8.  

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Larson Recreation Center will be holding tonification classes — exercise sessions using dumbbells and stability aids, every Monday and Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and every Friday at 10:50 a.m. Tonification is a fitness class that uses dumbbells and chairs for stability as needed. There is no floor work in tonification. For those interested in the instructor-led workout visit the Larson Recreation Center and sign up for the class at the front desk. The class is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors 65 or older.  

MOSES LAKE — The Republican GOP of Grant County released a statement reminding residents blood is always needed and to donate if you can. Donating blood can save lives and only takes around 30 minutes, according to the release. “If you're able, roll up your sleeve and donate today,” reads the statement.  

OLYMPIA – According to the Washington Courts, there were nearly 15,000 abusers who violated domestic violence protection and no contact orders in Washington state in 2023. The Hope Card program launched Jan. 1 gives survivors a wallet-sized portable copy of their protection orders. The card is like a driver’s license that they can quickly show to law enforcement, employers, school officials, landlords and more if an abuser is violating an order. Hope Cards are completely free and available to anyone with the following types of protection orders: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, vulnerable adult and anti-harassment protection orders. A press conference and ribbon cutting happened Thursday in regard to the new program. The conference can be found here: bit.ly/WAHopeCards.