Grant County begins work on comprehensive plan
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 3 weeks AGO
Grant County Commissioner Rob Jones speaks with a resident at the Moses Lake event Thursday night. The county will have two more events for community feedback in Royal City and Mattawa.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
MOSES LAKE — Grant County is working on its 10-year comprehensive plan, which will impact policies in the next 20 years in the county. Last night, the county hosted the first of three meetings in Moses Lake for citizens to ask questions and provide feedback for the update. Future meetings will happen in Royal City and Mattawa; however, dates are not finalized yet.
“People should care because it affects the entire future of their lives,” County Commissioner Rob Jones said. “Housing, industry, commercial building, the planning of all of that.”
More information and surveys for citizen feedback can be found at GrantCountyWaCompPlan.com.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Soap Lake council tables tourism committee plan, debates planning services
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Council approved several administrative resolutions Wednesday but postponed decisions on tourism funding and planning services after an hours‑long discussion over staffing, contracts and oversight.
Soap Lake council unanimously votes no-confidence in Mayor Sharp
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed a vote of no-confidence against Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday evening, taking effect immediately after passage. Councilmember Kayleen Bryson read the resolution as the only comment on the matter. Sharp did not comment during the meeting.
Measles reported in Grant County
EPHRATA — Grant County health officials are urging families to check their vaccination records after two unvaccinated children in the same household tested positive for measles, marking the county’s first confirmed infections of 2026. Grant County Health District said it was notified on March 17 that both children, who were recently exposed during international travel, had contracted the virus. One child was briefly hospitalized; both are now recovering at home. Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny said the cases underscore how quickly measles can spread — and how effectively it can be prevented.