2 seats open on Ephrata Parks Commission
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO
The Ephrata Parks Commission is looking for two people to join the board, which meets once a month. Interested applicants should email a letter of interest to Parks and Recreation Director Josh Johnson at [email protected].
COURTESY PHOTO/CITY OF EPHRATA
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Parks Commission is looking for two volunteers to join the board.
“Our parks board advises the council,” City Administrator Ray Towry said. “They're independent of the council, but they advise the council on all things related to parks and recreation, and they're also charged with the downtown esthetics. That's a project that we're actively getting ready to look at, is revamping a little bit of downtown to try and make it a little more pleasant.”
Towry said the board is working on a variety of projects including downtown revitalization, upgrading playground equipment and planning events.
“There is a lot going on, lots to be involved in,” Towry said.
The commission meets on the first Monday of every month at 12 p.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center.
“You get out of it what you put into it,” Towry said. “We have had parks board members who show up and do their one hour a month, but we also have had members who spend significantly more time doing different things. It’s up to the member to decide how much time they want to put into it.”
For those interested in applying for the open seats, send a letter of interest to Ephrata Parks and Recreation Director Josh Johnson at [email protected].
Towry said the letters will be reviewed by the parks board. The board will then make a recommendation to the mayor. The mayor’s recommendation must be approved by the city council.
“It’s a good opportunity to get involved in and dip your toe into local politics,” Towry said. “It could be a springboard for some people. This is just an opportunity to see some of the inner workings.”
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.”