Cheryl Schweizer

EPHRATA — Three-quarters of the way through the year, the city of Ephrata is spending slightly less than projected in its 2026 budget, but Finance Director Kristen McDonnell said that may change.

MOSES LAKE — The process to shift operations of the Larson Recreation Center to an outside organization and implement a new funding model for the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center is underway, but the transitions won't happen for a couple years.

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested and booked on suspicion of selling stolen property and possessing a stolen vehicle after Grant County Sheriff's deputies interrupted the sale of a stolen pickup Friday. Joseph Vela, 39, was also arrested on an outstanding felony warrant, said Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. Who actually stole the truck is still under investigation, Foreman said. Deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, Foreman said. They found a truck, a 2004 Ford F-150, being hauled on a trailer in the 2000 block of Road L Northeast. The truck was confirmed stolen.

MOSES LAKE — The owners of Stoke Space Technologies are planning the first launch of the company's reusable space vehicles in 2027. "As early as we can do it next year," said Stoke Space Chief Executive Officer Andy Lapsa. Lapsa and Chief Operations Officer Jonathan Lund attended the Port of Moses Lake commission meeting Monday to update commissioners on the company's progress, and to thank port officials and commissioners for the support they've received since they arrived in Moses Lake in 2021.

MOSES LAKE — After 20 years of planning a route, obtaining funding and getting rights-of-way, construction on the railway connection between the Port of Moses Lake and the Columbia Basin Railroad should start before the end of the year. "On or about 1 December is when I expect to break ground," said Anne Reese of Rock Project Management, Renton. "The contractor is hoping to mobilize prior to Thanksgiving, but worst case, it'll be right after Thanksgiving."

The owners of Stoke Space Technologies are planning the first launch of the company's reusable space vehicles in 2027, with two different launch vehicles that are currently in development.

OTHELLO — The fence has been installed for a new animal shelter in Othello, but a date for final completion is still to be determined. Othello city officials allocated money for a new shelter in 2024, but city officials are still working on it, said Mayor Ken Johnson. "The project kind of got stalled," Johnson said. "There were a lot of little factors that took place." The city has a contract with Hands 'n Paws Animal Assistance, Othello, to assume ownership of stray animals picked up in Othello, an arrangement that started in October 2024. Hands 'n Paws founder Carmon Derting delivered the group's annual 2025-26 report to the Othello City Council Monday.

OTHELLO — Othello residents may be asked to approve or reject a construction bond for a new Othello Community Pool, but when, and for how much, is still to be determined.

MOSES LAKE - Two Moses Lake men were arrested following a chase Tuesday that included driving through the yard of a residence in an attempt to get away.

“It's been mixed,” said Jessica Pupo, market development specialist for the Washington Grain Commission. “Farmers get paid by the bushel; for example, the average bushel (yield) this year was around 73 bushels per acre when last year it was around 63. We have seen people getting anywhere from 10 to 20% more of a crop, and that's been good when we're talking about bushels coming off the field.”