EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District has requested the community’s input in a community survey regarding the district’s planned bond package. The survey provides an opportunity for the community to give feedback on the needs of the district. Take the survey before it closes soon at Surveys.critical-data.com/ephrata.  

EPHRATA — The city of Ephrata will be amending the 2025 budget adopted in 2024, according to a statement from the city March 11. The city will be increasing the estimated amount of revenues during the calendar year and authorizing the expenditures of said funds.  

MOSES LAKE — Firefighters from Moses Lake Fire Department completed the Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle on Sunday, according to an announcement from Moses Lake Firefighters Local No. 1258. The event supports the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, where money is raised by departments worldwide to help the fight to find a cure for cancer. The firefighters climbed 69 floors, 1356 steps and increased elevation by 788 feet.  

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Grant County Fire District 5 firefighters answered a call for a car fire Tuesday morning at the park and ride lot at SR 17 and Randolph Road, according to a statement from the GCSO. The driver suffered minor burns to her hands.  

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested Michael Hector, 24, of Moses Lake and Elisha Green, 39, of Soap Lake, when they were caught carrying stolen property to a homeless camp at Hiawatha Lake, according to a statement from the GCSO. A citizen whose nearby property had been burglarized in the past reported Hector and Green after spotting them carrying the suspected stolen property. The property was reportedly taken from a recently burglarized business at the 1800 block of North Frontage Road East in unincorporated Moses Lake.  When confronted by a deputy, Hector and Green ran and hid among the cattails but surrendered when a Moses Lake K-9 came to help, the GCSO wrote. Hector and Green are lodged in the Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary, third-degree theft and obstructing law enforcement. The cooperating agencies included Multi-Agency Communications Center – 911, Moses Lake Police Department and GCSO.  

OTHELLO — An Othello man was arrested March 5 on suspicion of sex offenses against children, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office was alerted by school resource officers from the Othello Police Department about a sex offense that had occurred in Adams County, according to the statement. Following the alert, detectives launched an investigation which included conducting interviews and forensic interviews with children. The sheriff’s office received help from Child Protective Services and New Hope. Through the investigation, detectives established probable cause to arrest Benito Montemayor Garza, 54, of Othello for suspicion of the following charges: first-degree rape of a child, first-degree child molestation and first-degree incest. A search warrant was obtained, and on the evening of March 5, deputies executed the warrant at Garza’s residence, taking him into custody and later booking him into jail. The case is under active investigation. ACSO asks anyone with information regarding this case or previous cases involving Garza to contact the sheriff’s office at 509-659-1152. 

WAHLUKE — The Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center information night is happening today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., according to an announcement from Wahluke High School. CBTECH teachers will be at the school to talk about their programs and the application process. This event is mandatory for any student planning to attend CBTECH next year, according to the announcement. 

    The Moses Lake Fire Department completed the Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle, by climbing 69 floors and raising funds for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.