In Other News

Tugboat sinks near Priest Rapids Dam, says PUD

MATTAWA — An unoccupied tugboat leased by a contractor working on a Grant PUD project sank upstream of Priest Rapids Dam overnight Sunday, causing a small diesel spill in the Columbia River, the utility district reported on Tuesday.

No injuries were associated with the incident, which was discovered by crews around 6 a.m. Monday. The cause and amount of fuel spilled were under investigation, PUD officials said.

Absorbent booms were placed in the river at the site of the submerged boat to clean up diesel fuel on the water surface. The tugboat had been moored to a barge in the river. There was no damage to the dam, the district said.

“We are grateful that no one was harmed in this incident and that the diesel was contained to a small area where it is being removed from the river,” Jeff Grizzel, Grant PUD’s senior vice president of power and market operations, said in a press statement.

“We are working with the contractor to facilitate the cleanup and recovery of the vessel, and to better understand how this happened and prevent it from happening again,” said Grizzel.

Volunteer sought for county Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

EPHRATA — Grant County commissioners are seeking a volunteer to serve a one-year term on the county’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, that makes funding recommendations for events and promotions which boost tourism and result in overnight stays by visitors in local hotels, motels, and campgrounds.

LTAC members review applications for funding derived from a state tax on lodging facilities that is returned to counties and municipalities for tourism promotion, dubbed “putting heads in beds.”

There is no compensation for serving on the committee, but volunteers may receive reimbursement for out-of-town travel. Meetings are scheduled as needed, but most are held at the end of the year to review requests for funding in the following year.

Prospective candidates for the appointment must submit a completed application to the county commissioners office by 5 p.m. Friday, July 17. Application forms can be found on the county website.

For more information, contact the commissioners office at the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata (call 509-754-2011, ext. 2931, or email commissioners@grantcountywa.gov).

Independence Day holiday closures

EPHRATA — Federal, state, and local government offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

Grant Transit Authority buses will not be in operation that day.

Citizens celebrating the holiday are reminded to check local regulations governing the use of fireworks, and to take precautions to prevent fires and protect both persons and property.

GCHD: West Nile virus detected in ML-area mosquitoes

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District reported Tuesday that West Nile virus had been detected in mosquitoes collected in the Moses Lake area following routine testing on June 23.

It is possible mosquitoes could be carrying the virus in other areas, too, the district said in a press statement.

“Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance; they can carry diseases like West Nile virus,” said Amber McCoy, the health district’s investigation and response manager. “While most people who are infected will not get sick, WNV can cause severe illness. This mosquito season, take steps to keep mosquitoes away from you, your animals, and your home.”

West Nile virus has also been reported in neighboring counties. Earlier this month, Benton County reported detections in four crows and two mosquito samples while Yakima County detected the virus in seven mosquito samples.

So far in 2026, there have been no reports of people or domestic animals infected with WNV in Washington. The last reported human case in Grant County was in 2015.

The virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. About 1 in 150 people who are infected develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system that results in encephalitis or meningitis. There is no specific medication for WNV disease, but hospital care may be necessary for severe cases.

Soap Lake council meeting cancelled

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, has been cancelled for lack of agenda items.

The council normally meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The next regular meeting is July 15.