MOSES LAKE — The Jan. 19 Studio Basin podcast opens on a somber note, reporting the death of Mattawa Police Department Chief Robert Salinas. Salinas passed away unexpectedly Jan. 16; he was remembered as “Chief Bob” by Mattawa residents.

The Multi-Agency Communications Center let the Columbia Basin Herald take a look at some of its new and upgraded technology, which was the subject of a story Wednesday. Not all the pieces are installed yet, but when it’s all complete MACC will have the capability to provide services like almost simultaneous translation and prioritizing calls. 

The MACC 911 administrators are asking people to use the dispatch center’s website to report non-emergency situations. Non-emergency calls also ring into the call center and shifting some of those non-emergency calls will help the staff prioritize emergencies, said MACC Director D.T. Donaldson.

The 2024 session of the Washington Legislature has opened, and the Columbia Basin Herald will be publishing the reports of intern Renee Diaz throughout the session.

In sports, sports reporter Ian Bivona and senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer recap last week's marquee games across the Basin, including the Royal Knights defeating Quincy in boys basketball, MLCA/CCS winning a thriller against Soap Lake and the Moses Lake boys wrestling team winning their fourth straight dual.