Cheryl Schweizer

Very windy conditions are forecast for the Columbia Basin this weekend, which will increase the danger of spreading fires. NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD

EPHRATA — Infrastructure improvement usually starts with a plan – at least when a city is looking for state or federal funding to help pay for it. Ephrata city officials are working on plans to help bring in some of that funding, along with working on projects already planned.

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will be adding a temporary fire station along Patton Boulvard, the interim step to building a permanent facility. Moses Lake City Council members asked for additional research on an option to install temporary housing as well for firefighters at a site at the Port of Moses Lake.

MOSES LAKE — Construction crews working to demolish the Hansen Road overpass are halfway through the job.Crews were out Thursday morning demolishing the north end of the overpass while traffic negotiated Interstate 90. Westbound traffic is using the Hansen Road offramp and onramp as a detour, while eastbound traffic is reduced to one lane on I-90. The eastbound lanes shift as different parts of the bridge are demolished.

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members approved restrictions on the sale of products containing kratom, both from the plant and synthetic derivatives. Sales will be restricted to people 21 years of age and older.

MOSES LAKE — A company experimenting with reusable rockets will be expanding its operations in Moses Lake. Stoke Space Technologies will be adding test facilities on 324 acres across the road from its existing location on Road G Northeast at the Port of Moses Lake.

EPHRATA — Races for local, statewide and federal offices will be winnowed to two candidates in today’s primary election.Not all races attracted more than two candidates, so not all races are on the primary ballot. In Grant County, four people are running for Commission District 3, which opened when longtime commissioner Cindy Carter retired. In the primary, however, only voters who live within the commissioner district are eligible to cast ballots.

MOSES LAKE — The smoky skies and poor air quality are forecast to stick around the Columbia Basin, at least through most of this week.The National Weather Service issued an “extreme fire risk” warning for last weekend, and while no major fires were reported in Grant County, surrounding areas weren’t so lucky.

OTHELLO — The proposed redevelopment of a commercial site in the south section of Othello prompted discussion of what that development, and others, would mean for city streets along SR 24, and for the state highway itself.

OTHELLO — The underground plumbing has been installed and the concrete has been poured at the new splash pad in Othello’s Kiwanis Park. Construction is scheduled to begin Aug. 17 to rebuild and extend the walking paths through the park.