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Letter from the editor: Fond farewell

R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 11 months AGO
by R. HANS MILLER
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | April 28, 2023 1:25 AM

MOSES LAKE – Rebecca Pettingill, one of the Columbia Basin Herald’s reporters for the last few years is leaving the publication for an opportunity with Big Bend Community College.

As her editor, I want to thank Rebecca for the hard work, strange hours and oddball requests I’ve run by her. Not to mention all the times she put up with mild practical jokes and a more severe dad-joke situation in the newsroom.

Rebecca is a wonderful human being that has become a part of the CBH family on the clock and off and we are excited for the opportunity that’s been presented to her. We ask that the colleagues she’ll have at BBCC treat her well and make sure she has a steady supply of Red Bull.

Thank you, Rebecca, for all of your hard work and know that the CBH family is always here for you and happy for you as you move into your new role. You’re a rockstar, and we know Big Bend is lucky to have you.

ARTICLES BY R. HANS MILLER

Court cases in March 2025 shooting death of Moses Lake teen moving forward
March 19, 2026 3 a.m.

Court cases in March 2025 shooting death of Moses Lake teen moving forward

EPHRATA — Jose D. Beltran Rodriguez, 21, of Moses Lake, and Matthew Gabriel Valdez, 19, also of Moses Lake, remain in custody at the Grant County jail after being arrested in connection with a March 21, 2025, drive-by shooting in Moses Lake.

Sentencing hearing set in 2022 Moses Lake murder case
March 16, 2026 6:10 p.m.

Sentencing hearing set in 2022 Moses Lake murder case

EPHRATA — Juan Gastelum, the suspect in the March 2022 killing of Yanira Cedillos, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on March 3. He is now scheduled for an April 28 sentencing hearing. According to court documentation, Gastelum, 32, of Hermiston, Ore., pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree with Sexual Motivation. The minimum sentence Gastelum may receive under the law is two years in prison, but the maximum is life imprisonment and up to a $50,000 fine. However, the sentencing hearing is under Special Set Sentencing, an option under Washington state law which allows adjustments to sentencing if a suspect pleads guilty.

Court case in Nov. 2025 Moses Lake shooting moving forward
March 14, 2026 3:28 p.m.

Court case in Nov. 2025 Moses Lake shooting moving forward

EPHRATA — The trial into the shooting of a 23 year old Moses Lake man is progressing through Grant County Superior Court. Darwin Nahun Tejada Martinez, 29, of Seattle is on trial facing a single charge of Assault in the First Degree after investigators say he shot the victim in a Nov. 25, 2025, incident.