Mattawa News

Gary Greene is getting a bit upset over something. Actually, he's on the verge of getting mad.

No one will listen to some news that he thinks is pretty great. In fact, in the education community, it should be one of the top headlines in the state, he thinks.

One hundred percent of the Wahluke High School seniors passed the WASL requirements. All 79 of them.

"Bellevue is thrilled with 91 percent. Mercer Island has 93 percent. I can't get anyone to listen to me that we had 100 percent," said the Wahluke superintendent.

Personnel and equipment from several agencies responded to what could have become a monster fire near Road L SW and State Route 243.

The large wild land fire near Road L and State Route 243 Monday afternoon closed Vernita Bridge, Road L and State Route 24 for about two hours. Before it was extinguished the final size estimate was approximately 2,200 to 2,400 acres. No buildings or equipment was lost and there were no major injuries.

Fire personnel and equipment from Adams, Franklin and Benton counties as well as state and Hanford joined local Grant County District 8 in fighting the blaze. Washington State Patrol, State Department of Transportation and Grant County Sheriffs Office helped with road closures.

A large brush fire burning south of Mattawa has forced additional road closures since the blaze started Monday afternoon, the Washington State Patrol reported.

Stacks of piping used in extracting natural gas lay next to a natural gas rig operated by Delta Petroleum Corporation near Bickleton Wednesday, June 18, 2008.

Have you been to The Wall? The Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall? If not, maybe you should think about going this next week. It is in Moses Lake at the fairgrounds starting today, June 11 and will be there until June 15. It's open from 8 to 8 every day and admission is free.

Several years ago Keith and I drove up to Chewelah to see it and it was worth the drive.

Because we will never forget, is the theme of the exhibit, and it makes you remember. And if you are too young to remember, it makes you realize.

Al and Sue Johnston have a new toy. No, that's not true. They have an old toy. A 1930 Model A Ford Tudor, and they plan to have some fun playing with their toy.

"I'm not much for car shows," said Al. At least not the serious ones. They enjoy the one in Dayton, two hours east of here, and may take their car to that one next year.

"We like to drive it," said Sue.

And why not, their rig will make a good steady 45 miles an hour, fast enough for anybody. Al said it reportedly will go 60, but he thinks it would have to be a steep hill and a good tail wind to do that.

ANDY SAWYER/Yakima Herald-Republic Sunshine and Wine event at State Fair Park in Yakima Saturday, June 23, 2007.

WENATCHEE &#8212 Major fruit companies in Wenatchee expect to be packing their first cherries of the season by Thursday, Friday or this weekend.

The two lawsuits alleged that the "white mayor of Mattawa," Judy Esser, and members of the "all-white Mattawa Police Department" urged a state investigation into day-care providers working in the community of ...

It's not everyday a Vietman veteran attends a high school graduation. But for Bob Sexton it was his time to shine.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office is investigating the homicide of a Mattawa farm worker whose decomposing body was found in a canal this week 12 miles east of town.

In tentative settlements, the state has agreed to pay more than $2 million to settle civil rights lawsuits brought by Latino-owned day-care centers in the Eastern Washington town of Mattawa.

A tentative settlement has been reached in a long-running civil rights lawsuit brought by Latino-owned day-care centers in Mattawa against the state Department of Social and Health Services over unauthorized ...

Lots happened and we'll get you all up to date on the goings-on since we last spoke, including -- Sharon Stone speaks out against China , Obama encourages students into public service , Hillary's overblown RFK ...

EAST WENATCHEE &#8212 Mike Wade is a third-generation co-owner and general manager of Wenatchee's Columbia Fruit Packers Inc.

Nearly everyone in this small farming community in eastern Washington speaks Spanish - except those in city government and the police department, where English is spoken.

The Port of Benton will have an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday for the new Milbrandt Vineyards winery at Prosser's Vintner's Village.

“There's not much they can do with the bees right now. They will have to wait until it gets dark and the bees go back into the hives”

Motorists on Highway 243 north of Mattawa may find themselves driving through a swarm of bees after a truck loaded with beehives overturned on the shoulder of the highway this morning. via Tri-cityherald.com

“People don't realize how hard it is to schedule things like this. It has to be established a year in advance”

Michael Graff and his date are planning a laid-back prom. They decided to go at the last minute and worked this week to make preparations for tonight's dance. via Tri-cityherald.com

Winery complex for multiple tenants Property Type: Winery County: Mattawa Grant County Appellation: Wahluke Slope Acres: 10K sq ft Price: variable lease Description: Washington's Wahluke Slope AVA Wants You! ... via Wine Business Online