Soap Lake council addresses creative district, city position and dog park
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 3 weeks AGO
Council member Kayleen Bryson told council that the Soap Lake Creative District will have an informational meeting Oct. 1 and a celebration of the district on Oct. 4 at the Soap Lake Community & Senior Center.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council met Thursday to discuss appointing a mayor pro tempore and to receive updates from city officers and committees.
Creative district
The Soap Lake Creative District will have the Creative District Director Adam Emerson at Soap Lake City Council on Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. to talk about how the creative district works. On Oct. 4 there will be a celebration recognizing the district from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Soap Lake Community & Senior Center.
“Join us for our celebration,” said council member Kayleen Bryson, who’s also part of the creative district.
Mayor pro tempore
Council member Judith Gorman brought forth a resolution to appoint a mayor pro tempore, claiming that the position was limited to six months.
However, Bryson said they typically appoint a new mayor pro tempore at the first council meeting in January or if the standing mayor pro tempore steps down or is appointed to a position such as mayor.
Council member Karen Woodhouse was appointed as the mayor pro tempore after Peter Sharp was appointed mayor in September 2024.
No further action was taken on the matter.
Dog park, planning updates
Sharp said he has been working with Grant County Humane Society for a first installment of $15,000 for upgrading the Soap Lake Dog Park. He said the goal is to fundraise or get grants for around $40,000.
This will be used for new fencing and upgrading the facilities at the park.
Sharp said he is also working with Moses Lake on an interlocal agreement for city building and planning.
“I should have the agreement in the next couple of days,” Sharp said.
Alex Kovach was the former city planner and building inspector, but his contract was terminated by the city, with Aug. 30 being his last day.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
1 arrested after Highway 17 stop; detectives recover fentanyl, firearms
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Street Crimes Unit conducted a traffic stop on Highway 17 near Randolph Road and executed a search warrant Friday morning as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
4th-year drought declaration in WA, subtle effects in the Columbia Basin
EPHRATA — Washington’s fourth straight year of drought is expected to hit some regions hard, but in Grant and Adams counties, the impacts will look different – quieter, less visible and centered underground. Statewide, the Department of Ecology issued an emergency drought declaration after a warm winter left Washington with about half its usual snowpack, raising concerns about low summer streamflows, stressed fish populations and heightened wildfire risk. Seven of the past 10 years have included drought somewhere in the state. “If you look at our mountains, the challenge we are facing is clear,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said during a press conference Wednesday. “We’re taking emergency action to protect fish, farmers and communities across Washington.”
Sleep Diagnostic Center to close after doctor’s sentencing
MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Sleep Diagnostic Center announced it will be closing its doors effective April 30. This includes locations in Moses Lake, Spokane Valley, Brewster and Wenatchee. The announcement follows the March 25 guilty plea from Dr. Eric Edward Haeger, 57, in United States District Court to adulterating and misbranding medical devices with the intent to defraud or mislead, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “The adulterations by Dr Haeger show a dangerous disregard for the safety of his patients,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement. “This is a win for patient safety, for protecting public dollars from fraud, and for ensuring citizens of Washington get necessary healthcare. This case exemplifies the great work our team is doing in collaboration with our federal partners to fight fraud and protect Washingtonians.”