MOSES LAKE — Traffic disruption in Moses Lake, historic numbers for a Quincy Jacks basketball player and a new Dancing with the Stars king are among the big stories of January 2026. 

Hansen Road overpass

The Hansen Road overpass was closed to traffic Jan. 17 after significant damage was discovered during a Jan. 14 inspection. Chris Keifenheim, North Central Region Administrator for the Washington Department of Transportation, said Jan. 27 that DOT officials would prefer to replace it rather than repair it, but the final decision will depend on funding. The bridge will be closed in the meantime, possibly for up to two years.  

“Working with our bridge office, we don’t have any quick or temporary fix to open the bridge to any traffic. We explored options to just open to vehicular traffic or things like that, but based on the inspection and advice of our bridge department, that’s not an option,” Keifenheim told Moses Lake City Council members Jan. 27.  

Department of Transportation officials are expected to announce a plan for reopening it by the end of February. 

Larson area campus

Moses Lake School District administrators announced Jan. 26 that the district’s facility advisory committee has recommended replacing North and Larson Heights elementary schools with one building. Building a new school in Mae Valley had been under discussion for about five years, but facilities committee chair Chuck Sutton said committee members determined the Larson area was more in need of a school right now, and was better for MLSD financially. 

“From a taxpayer’s standpoint, this looks much better to me,” Sutton said. “This option brings in state support and leaves more money for repairs across the district.” 

Quincy senior hits record

Jacks senior Pierce Bierlink hit the 2,000-career-point mark in a winning effort against the Othello Huskies on Jan. 17. 

“He's probably one of my hardest-working players I've ever coached, and he's just a gym rat; he loves getting in there. I think he knew coming into the season that he's capable of scoring big points,” Quincy head coach Scott Bierlink said. 

“An awesome accomplishment for Pierce,” the coach said.  

McGowan dances in victory

Volunteer firefighter Brian McGowan was acclaimed as the dancing king of Moses Lake, winning the Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars on Jan. 10. 

“This has been a life goal. Definitely, since I was a little kid, this has been a dream of mine,” McGowan said after the competition. 

This is the third year for the competition, which is a fundraiser for the Central Basin Community Concert Association. Six local volunteers took to the stage show off their fancy footwork. Competitors for 2026 included James Shank, Joy Howard, Heather Mason, Adam Munro and Emily Duvall. 

‘Grease’ 

January rehearsals at the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center provided challenges, but EHS actors didn’t let that stop them. The school’s production of “Grease” opens Feb. 12, but rehearsals took up all of January. 

“We may not have the perfect space, but we have really talented people working really hard to put on a good show for the community,” said EHS junior Allison Moore. “Come out and see for yourself.” 

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Nance Beston, Joel Martin and Mike Maynard contributed to this story. 

    Chuck Sutton, chair of the Moses Lake School District facilities advisory committee, outlines the reasoning behind the recommendation for a new elementary school in the Larson area.
  

    Quincy senior Pierce Bierlink, right, broke the 2,000 point mark for the Jacks.
  

    Brian McGowan took home the trophy in the Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars competition.
  

    Ephrata High School students prepared to the stage Feb. 12 for a production of "Grease."