First case of Omicron variant of COVID-19 debuted in Grant County

MOSES LAKE – The first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has debuted in Grant County. On Friday, the Grant County Health District announced a Grant County resident has tested positive for the mutation, and urged everyone to continue safety measures, including getting vaccinated, masking up, social distancing, and staying home if you test … Read more

Snow drifts on Waterville Plateau causing several road closures

Sustained 38 mph winds on the Waterville Plateau is causing significant snow drifts. The wind-whipped weather is resulting in the closure of several roads in the area due to poor visibility and drifting snow. These roads are unlikely to be open until tomorrow. Many other local access and minor collector roads throughout the area will … Read more

Snoqualmie Pass open to freight traffic

SNOQUALMIE PASS – After being shut down for nearly four days, Snoqualmie Pass was set to open Sunday. WSDOT says the opening is limited to freight traffic. Crews continued to work throughout Sunday to remove snow, trees, debris and ice following last week’s record-breaking storm. Work also continues on both Stevens and White passes. Stevens … Read more

Connell man facing charges in alleged rape of Moses Lake woman

OTHELLO – A Connell man is facing charges after he was arrested for allegedly raping a Moses Lake woman in Othello on Wednesday [Jan. 6]. Adams County deputies say the victim called the Moses Lake Police Department to report the sexual assault, and following an investigation Adams County deputies arrested 27-year-old Edgar Gonzalez-Pineda the very … Read more

Avalanche damages home south of Entiat

ENTIAT – An avalanche hit a home south of Entiat early Thursday morning, causing significant damage to the residence. Chelan County Emergency Management said the avalanche occurred on the hill above Highway 97A, near milepost 210. One person in the home was able to get out safely and no injuries were reported. The Entiat Fire … Read more

Record breaking snowfall blankets Wenatchee

WENATCHEE – The National Weather Service office in Spokane reports that Wenatchee has set an all-time high of snowfall in a single day with 24 inches recorded on Jan 6. The previous record was 17 inches set on Dec. 9, 1971. Mission Ridge outside of Wenatchee reported 19 inches of snow over the last 24 … Read more

Gov. Inslee proposes law to hold elected officials accountable for lying about election results

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday that he wants legislation making it a gross misdemeanor for elected officials to spread lies about election results. The Seattle Times reported that the Democratic governor spoke forcefully against what he called “a continuing coup” by Donald Trump on the one-year anniversary of the deadly … Read more

COVID cases are continuing to climb in Grant County

MOSES LAKE – COVID cases are continuing to climb in Grant County. The latest numbers released by the Grant County Health District on Thursday, show a 123% increase in new cases, with the 14-day case rate doubling between Dec. 28, 2021 and Jan. 5, 2022. To the south, Franklin County saw a 410% increase in … Read more

Winter storm halts travel across Washington’s Cascade mountains

SEATTLE (AP) – The latest winter storm to hit the Pacific Northwest brought a halt to travel across Washington’s Cascade mountains, Thursday. Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass was closed Thursday due to high avalanche danger, heavy snow and low visibility. Transportation officials said Thursday evening that four mountain passes likely would remain closed until Sunday. … Read more

Quincy School District has a new superintendent, well sort of

QUINCY – The Quincy School District has a new superintendent, well sort of. The district decided during a special board meeting Jan. 4. to forgo a formal search to replace outgoing Superintendent John Boyd and instead, Quincy’s Assistant Superintendent, Nik Bergman, has been appointed as Boyd’s permanent replacement. Boyd announced that he plans to leave … Read more