In Other News

GC FAIR ADVISORY MEMBERS SOUGHT

EPHRATA — Grant County commissioners are accepting applications for appointment to two volunteer positions serving on the county’s Fair Advisory Committee.

Committee members assist commissioners and fair personnel in preparation and operation of the annual county fair held in August at Moses Lake.

The two positions carry three-year terms with a maximum of two terms. There is no compensation for serving on the committee, which holds open public meetings on the second Thursday of the month. More meetings are typically held as fair time approaches. 

Prospective candidates must complete and submit an application found at www.grantcountywa.gov under the “Boards, Commissions & Districts” heading. Applications will be accepted until April 17.

For additional  information, call fairgrounds director Jim McKiernan at 509-237-2672 or commissioners’ clerk Caitlin Manell at the courthouse in Ephrata, (509-754-2011, ext. 2931).

CONGRESSIONAL ART CONTEST FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — High school students in central Washington’s 4^th Congressional District can participate in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition with the winner having their artwork displayed in the nation’s Capitol and receiving two tickets and an invitation to a congressional reception.

Students can only submit one entry, but there is no limit to the number of students from a school who can participate. The deadline for submitting artwork is Thursday, April 23.

All entries must be original in concept and design accompanied by a release form signed by the student, a parent, and art teacher. Media can include paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, photography, and computer-generated art. 

Artwork must be submitted by the deadline date to one of the regional offices for U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, whose district covers central Washington from Oregon to the Canadian border.

More information is available at https://newhouse.house.gov/services/art-competition. 

LEGION AUXILIARY AMERICANISM ESSAY WINNERS

EPHRATA — Over 130 students from area schools participated in the American Legion Auxiliary’s annual Americanism Essay Contest, with five local winners announced last month.

The competition is open to public, private, and home-schooled students in grades 3-12 and can be incorporated into English, civics, or history curriculums. Participating schools this year were Almira/Coulee-Hartline, Quincy, and St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Ephrata.

Divisional winners were: Class I (grades 3-4) — Grayson Watcher (ACH); Class II (grades 5-6) — Paisley Tommer (St. Rose); Class IV (grades 9-10) — Alexis Evans (ACH); Class V (grades 11-12) — Zane Heathman (ACH); Class VI (special needs/open grade) — Andrew Entrup (ACH).

Each winner received a $25 monetary reward and certificate of achievement. Their essays and those from other districts in Washington now advance to the Legion Auxiliary’s Western Division competition, which includes 13 other states. Top entries from the Westen Division then move to the national event for judging.

This year’s essay contest topic asked students to share their views on the service and dedication of America’s military personnel and veterans.

Jane Montaney, district contest chair for the Ephrata American Legion Auxiliary, expressed her gratitude for the area teachers who shared contest information with their students and gave them a chance to participate.

“We sincerely wish Grayson, Paisley, Alexis, Zane, and Andrew good luck in advancing all the way,” said Montaney. “All of us involved in this local contest were both pleased and proud of our local youth as we read these essays.”

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE APRIL 15 AT ERC

EPHRATA — The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Wednesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin St. S.W.

Anyone age 17 or older, weighing 110 pounds or more, and in good general health is a potential donor.

Those who donate are eligible for a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. An appointment can be scheduled by calling 1-800-733-2767 or online at www.redcrossblood.org. A pre-donation “Rapid Pass” questionnaire can also be completed on the website.

Prospective donors should bring personal identification and donor cards, or download the Blood Donor App on their smart phones.

The upcoming drive is being sponsored by the Young Ladies Institute and Knights of Columbus from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

GRANT COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES DUE APRIL 30

 EPHRATA — Grant County taxpayers are reminded that real, mobile home, and personal property taxes for the first half of 2026 are due April 30.

The county treasurer’s office mailed out property tax statements on March 18. Online payments and information regarding parcels are available through the county website under the “Treasurer” tab.

Mailed payments must be postmarked by April 30 to avoid being considered delinquent. To ensure proper crediting when paying by mail, the bottom coupon on taxpayers’ statements should be included. A single check may be written if there is more than one coupon.

A drive-up drop box is also available in the northeast parking lot of the county courthouse, or payments can be made inside the treasurer’s office. For more information, call 509/754-2011, ext. 4201.

AMERICAN LEGION MILITARY BENEFITS BREAKFAST

EPHRATA — The American Legion Art Semro Post will host a free continental breakfast on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. 

Those attending can learn more about how the American Legion supports military families and individuals, both active duty and non-active, including counseling services, youth scholarships, and more.

For information, contact Myra Wentworth, chair for Legion Auxiliary children and youth programs (call 509-398-4765 or email 208@yahoo.com).

The Legion post is located at 276 Eighth Ave. N.W. in Ephrata.