Friday, December 19, 2025
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Cop shop, funnel cakes, barges and baseball in Studio Basin podcast

JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 4 months AGO
by JOEL MARTIN
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | August 18, 2022 10:32 AM

In our most recent episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Columbia Basin Herald Managing Editor Rob Miller chatted with reporters Charles Featherstone and Ian Bivona about possible Moses Lake Police expansion, the Grant County Fair and Charles’s adventures rollin’ on the river.

The MLPD has outgrown its current building, Featherstone said, and is looking for bigger digs. The department currently shares a building with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. MLPD has its eye on five acres on Central Drive, next to the Lauzier ball fields, that could accommodate a 25,000- to 28,000-square-foot building. This would allow MLPD enough room to house a dedicated mental health worker, as well as an agent from the ATF, although some council members weren’t certain about the price tag of a new building versus renovating the current facility.

The Grant County Fair started this week and runs through the weekend. Miller talked about the musical lineup at this year’s fair. The country band Lonestar is the big headliner this year, and there are also a number of classic rock cover bands and country singer Kameron Marlowe.

Finally, Bivona talked about the Seattle Mariners, the Seahawks and – especially of interest locally – the Babe Ruth World Series, hosted in Ephrata by the Columbia Basin Riverdogs. High school sports are about to start up for the fall, Bivona added.

ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN

‘Our favorite time of year’
December 19, 2025 3:30 a.m.

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Shop with a Cop brings smiles to both children and officers

MOSES LAKE — The heavy police presence outside local stores recently wasn’t because of a crime wave. It was police officers engaging in their favorite annual event. “This is one of those times throughout the year that we don't have to go and ask for volunteers to help,” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “The first day we put it out, I think we got 20-some people say ‘Yeah, we’re in.’ That's just under half the department right away.“

BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
December 19, 2025 3 a.m.

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COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and a lot of people will be spending time at home with their families or at the church of their choice. Still, there are a few things happening around the Basin. Here are some ideas:

Chimney maintenance is essential for safety
December 19, 2025 3 a.m.

Chimney maintenance is essential for safety

MOSES LAKE — With Christmas just around the corner, lots of folks are using their fireplaces for warmth, roasting chestnuts or just a pleasant atmosphere. But before Santa pays your chimney a visit, you should make sure it’s in good working order. Chimney fires are responsible for more than three-fourths of residential building heating fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Regular inspections and cleaning are the best way to prevent that, said Michael Harper, known as The Chimney Guy. “If they’re using (the fireplace) aesthetically – date night, Christmas, New Year’s, show-off times, something in the background here and there, (they should) have it inspected once a year for peace of mind,” Harper said. “If they’re using it two to three days a week religiously through the winter months, they need to have it cleaned once a year.”