In Other News
REGIONAL ROUNDUP: Tourism appointee sought, Ephrata School bond ‘info’ sessions, homebuyer assistance in Central WA, US 2 reopens over Stevens Pass.
CANDIDATE SOUGHT FOR GC TOURISM COMMITTEE
EPHRATA — Grant County commissioners are accepting applications from interested citizens for appointment to a volunteer position on the county’s tourism advisory committee.
Prospective candidates must reside in the county’s District 2 boundary, which includes the Moses Lake and Warden areas, and preferably have experience in the tourism industry. The appointment carries a three-year term. There is no compensation for serving, but members who live outside the county seat in Ephrata may be eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses
Committee meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the commissioners’ hearing room at the courthouse in Ephrata. A virtual option for attendance is available.
Interested citizens must fill out and submit an application form posted on the county website. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
For more information, call the commissioners’ office at 509-754-2011, ext. 2931, or email commissioners@grantcountywa.gov.
EPHRATA SCHOOL BOND ‘INFO’ OPPORTUNITIES
EPHRATA – Area residents and voters can learn more about the Ephrata School District’s proposed $75 million, 25-year construction bond measure in advance of the Feb. 10 special election.
— The district will host a public town hall session on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Ephrata High School.
— District superintendent Ken Murray will be available to answer questions and chat informally during a “coffee and cocoa” visit at The Bookery bookstore, 1 Basin St. N.W., on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 8-11 a.m.
— Comprehensive information can be viewed online at TigersVote.org.
If approved by voters, the proposition will also qualify the school district for an additional $27 million in state funding.
The monies will finance replacement of the decades-old Grant Elementary and Parkway Intermediate schools with new, modernized buildings and partially renovate and add to Ephrata High School, including construction of a new Performing Arts Center.
Grant County Elections officials will begin mailing ballots to registered voters within the school district on Jan. 21.
CENTRAL WA AWARDED $2.37M T0 AID FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
OLYMPIA – Two programs in central Washington providing assistance to first-time homebuyers have been awarded funding by the state Department of Commerce.
In Grant County, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake will receive $1.265 million for down payment assistance toward nine housing units, part of an overall project of $1.33 million, the Commerce department announced.
In Chelan and Douglas counties, the Columbia Valley Affordable Homeownership program was awarded $1.107 million for down payment assistance toward 14 housing units, the state agency said.
The two programs are among 43 projects sharing in $63 million to create 621 first-time homebuyers across Washington, the department said in a Jan. 5 press release. They were among 77 applications submitted by 48 organizations following announcement of the state funding opportunity last fall.
The allocations are matched with another $199.3 million in additional public and private funds to support construction of affordable new homes, provide help with down payments, and utilize a subsidy to create permanently affordable homes.
Geographically, the department said the monies were disbursed with 42% going to rural areas, 40% to urban areas, 9% specifically to King County, and another 9% on a general statewide basis including two tribal organizations receiving a combined $2.5 million.
Commerce provides homeownership opportunities for income-eligible first-time homebuyers through its Housing Trust Fund Program.
US 2 REOPENS TO REGULAR TRAFFIC OVER STEVENS PASS
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation announced Saturday evening that emergency repairs are completed and US 2 is open to regular traffic with no pilot car or night closures east of Stevens Pass to the Coles Corner intersection.
However, the portion of highway running through Tumwater Canyon remains closed and a detour is still in effect using the Chumstick Highway between Coles Corner and Leavenworth. The detour adds about seven miles in distance and 30 minutes in travel time.
“Chumstick Highway is a county road with lower speeds and bridge restrictions. It’s already starting to show signs of wear and tear, and we’ll be doing repairs on it next week,” the agency said in a Facebook post.
If possible, motorists are asked to avoid using US 2 for east-west, cross-state travel.
“Alternatives like I-90, US 97 Blewett Pass, and (State Route) 28 through Quincy remain better options right now,” the department stated. “While US 2 Stevens Pass is open to normal traffic flow, this is a mountain pass and it’s winter. Conditions can change quickly. Check conditions before you head out, and be prepared.”
The highway, which sustained significant damage in multiple locations last month due to heavy rains and flooding, is a primary travel route from western Washington for skiing and winter recreation at Stevens Pass and tourists visiting the Barvarian-themed community of Leavenworth.
