BASIN EVENTS: April 3-11, 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 2 weeks AGO
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. | April 3, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s finally spring, and fun things to do are popping up all over the Basin. Here are a few options.
April 3
Summer Wood Yard Sale
Spend a morning browsing, finding treasures, and supporting something meaningful. From handmade items to unique finds, every table has a story behind it. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, 830 NW Sunburst Court, Moses Lake. Info: 509-764-1900.
H.E. Gritman Senior Center Bake Sale
Delicious home-baked items just in time for Easter. Arrive early for the best selection. All proceeds support the Senior Center lunch program and other activities. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or until sold out at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
‘Zootopia 2’
Free showing of animated family-friendly movie. Bring your favorite treats to enjoy during the movie; just remember to tidy up before you leave. 1 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
April 4
Spring Fling
Say goodbye to winter and hello to fresh finds. Local artisans, handcrafted gifts, fresh baked goods and farm-fresh produce. Presented by the Moses Lake Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial Building, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-237-2100.
April 6
Mobile Market
Free drive-thru for fresh and nonperishable items. No appointment or paperwork needed – just come by if you need a hand. Limited to 250 families. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Othello High School, 340 S. Seventh Ave. Info: 2-harvest.org.
April 6-11
Spring Break Theater Camp
Missoula Children’s Theater leads a cast of local children in a musical production of Red Riding Hood.” Auditions 3-7 p.m. Monday, rehearsals 3-7:15 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, performances 3 and 6 p.m. Sponsored by Columbia Basin Allied Arts. Saturday at Big Bend Community College Wallenstien Theater, 6989 College Pkwy NE, Moses Lake. Info: cba-arts.org.
April 7
Marigold Seed Planting Day
Plant marigold seed starts, take them home, care for them and watch them grow, then transplant them outside when it’s warm enough. Great hands-on learning opportunity for little hands. 10 a.m. at Royal City Public Library, 109 Camelia St. NE. Info: 509-346-9281.
April 9
Singo
Singo is a variation on the traditional game of Bingo. Instead of listening for a number, players are listening to their favorite music. Each player receives a free Singo card printed with the titles of popular songs. While Singo randomly plays song clips, players can sing along and mark matching song titles on their cards. The first player to mark five songs in a row and to shout “Singo” wins the round. Admission is free and prizes will be awarded. 6 p.m. at the Moses Lake Taproom, 530 W. Valley Road. Info: 509-707-0052.
Craft & Chill
Relax, craft, and connect for cozy movie nights where you can bring your own handicraft or explore one at the library and share creative energy in a welcoming space that celebrates community and conversation. Whether you’re crocheting, sketching, painting, folding paper airplanes or just unwinding, there’s a place for everyone. 11 a.m. at George Public Library, 403 S. Washington Way. Info: 509-785-7043.
Columbia Basin Chapter Big Game Banquet
Dinner and auction to support Washington Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Doors open 4:30 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Tickets and info: bit.ly/CBElkAuction26.
Columbia Basin K-9 Fundraiser Banquet
Dinner, raffles and a good time supporting the hardworking K-9 patrol teams in Columbia Basin law enforcement. 5 p.m. at 814 North Stratford Road, Moses Lake. Info: [email protected].
Party for the Paws Dinner Auction
Proceeds support Adams County Pet Rescue. 5 p.m. at 1961 W. Bench Road, Othello. Info: 509-488-5514.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Hoppers (PG); Project Hail Mary (PG-13); Reminders of Him (PG) Scream 7 (R); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG); The Drama (R); They Will Kill You (R). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: They Will Kill You (R); Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG); The Drama (R). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Holy Days (PG). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Alleged assault on officer, paramedic lands man in jail
MOSES LAKE — A man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly assaulted a paramedic and a Moses Lake Police Officer, according to a statement from the MLPD. Jared Blake Hunter, 34, was booked into Grant County Jail on charges of third-degree assault – law enforcement officer, according to Grant County Jail records.
Man arrested in Moses Lake for drive-by shooting
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested in a drive-by shooting incident in the Cascade Valley area of Moses Lake Tuesday night, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Austin Bennett, 27, was booked into jail on suspicion of drive-by shooting, according to the Grant County Jail roster. As of Wednesday morning, he did not have a listed bail amount. At about 9:10 p.m. Tuesday, GCSO deputies and Moses Lake Police officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 7900 block of Stanley Road Northeast, according to the statement. Investigators collected evidence at the scene, including a spent .223-caliber cartridge casing.
National Night Out
Police departments prepare to meet the public next month
MOSES LAKE — The Ephrata Police Department will host its first National Night Out this year, joining several other Basin communities. “We’ll have static vehicle displays: one of our patrol cars, the fire truck, (and) Lifeline is hopefully going to be joining us with an ambulance,” EPD Office manager Jennifer Hansen said. “We’ll be serving free hot dogs and everyone is invited for a free swim.” The event will be held Aug. 4 at Splash Zone, the city water park, according to Hansen, who took the lead in planning the event. It’s long been a priority of the department to get to where it could host National Night Out, and although this is the first year, Hansen said, it won’t be the last.