Friday, May 01, 2026
70.0°F

NEWS BITES: March 31

NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | March 31, 2026 4:34 PM

Recycle contaminated oil 

EPHRATA — Routine test results at the Ephrata Landfill Recycling Center, showed there was contamination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, according to the Grant County Public Works Department. The cost to dispose of the contaminated oil and clean the tanks was nearly $20,000, but routine recycling of the materials would have only cost around a couple hundred dollars, according to the department. 

The department is asking residents to not put contaminated oil in public collection containers but instead take the oil to be recycled.  

In Moses Lake residents can recycle at: O’Reilly Auto Parts, located at 826 N Stratford Road; Autozone, located at 632 S. Pioneer Way; Walmart located at 1055 N Stratford Road and CDSI Transfer and Recycling Center, located at 9524 Rd. 7 NE.  

In Ephrata residents can recycle at: Ephrata Landfill, located at 3803 Neva Lake Rd. NW; O’Reilly Auto Part, located at 654 Basin St. SW; Autozone located at 789 Basin St. SW and Walmart located at 1399 Nat Washington Way. 

In Quincy and George residents can recycle at: Autozone located at 404 F St. S and O’Reilly Auto Parts at 117 G St. SE.  

In the Grand Coulee Dam area, residents can recycle at: Delano Regional Transfer Station at 22151 Alcan Rd NE.  

Rural Moses Lake trespassing arrest 

MOSES LAKE — Justin Bashaw, 46, was arrested by Grant County Sheriff’s deputies Saturday morning after a citizen called to say he was trespassing on their property and opening car doors in the 4900 block of Road L.9-Northeast in unincorporated Moses Lake.  

According to a statement from GCSO, Bashaw has a notice against trespass at the property for a previous incident.  

He was booked into Grant County Jail for two counts of second-degree vehicle prowling – attempted, second-degree criminal trespassing, a Grant County Superior Court warrant and a Grant County District Court warrant. As of Monday afternoon, Bashaw is still in Grant County Jail with a bail of $8,650. 

One arrested for allegedly drawing handgun, firing shots 

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Cedrick Small, 48, after a person who knows Small said he drew a handgun and fired at him Saturday in the 3000 block of Valley Road Northeast, in unincorporated Moses Lake.  

According to GCSO, Small left the scene in a white Ford Ranger Pickup. Deputies arrived at his house in the Larson Community and arrested him. According to the Grant County Jail roster, Small is booked for first-degree assault. As of Monday afternoon, no bail has been set.  

Measles update 

EPHRATA — The Grant County Health District released updated measles information for Grant County Friday, with two confirmed cases and two tests pending. The district reported around 236 identified exposures; however, this number could be higher as these are only the cases which have been reported to the health district.  

The health district said it plans to continue releasing updated information weekly until the exposure period has passed and no additional infections have been identified.  

RX Take-Back Day 

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department has partnered with the Moses Lake Community Coalition and the Grant County Health District to take back medications 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Apr. 25. The free community event allows people to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. There will be free locking medication bags available as well.  

Preventive dental care at Soap Lake School District  

SOAP LAKE — On May 20 and May 27 ToothSavers Mobile Dentistry will be visiting Soap Lake schools to provide preventive dental care during the school day. The services include screenings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments and SDF. To sign up for a spot visit: myschooldentist.com/34808_schrsm. 

Warden Community Resource Fair 

WARDEN — The Warden School District will be hosting its resource fair Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Warden High School gym. There will be local resources, connections and support available for families. There will also be free food boxed, while supplies last. 


ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON

‘Show up’
May 1, 2026 2 a.m.

‘Show up’

Local leaders say community voices shape schools, cities and trust

WARDEN — When Warden Mayor Rosaelia Martinez looked out over the audience at the April 28 Warden City Council meeting, she didn’t see empty seats. She saw neighbors. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.” That message – that showing up matters – was echoed by city and school leaders across the Columbia Basin, many of whom say public participation directly shapes decision-making, transparency and long‑term planning.

Warden council bans kratom, considers parking regulations
April 29, 2026 5:46 p.m.

Warden council bans kratom, considers parking regulations

WARDEN — Warden City Council passed a kratom ban and special event permit Tuesday night. It also discussed its comprehensive plan update and an ordinance for parking regulations. Around 17 residents were in attendance, a fairly large showing for a Warden council meeting. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Mayor Rosaelia Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input because it really validates what a lot of people are hoping to achieve in the city. Thank you. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.”

Columbia Basin Hospital nominates Allred for board
April 29, 2026 5:30 p.m.

Columbia Basin Hospital nominates Allred for board

EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Hospital received one application for a vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 3. Dr. Lowell Allred has applied for the role. He was officially nominated for the role at the April 28 board of commissioners meeting. “Public notice of this nomination shall occur between April 29 and May 14, to allow time for registered voters residing in the hospital district to also submit nominees for the vacant position,” said Chief Executive Officer Rosalinda Kibby.