BASIN EVENTS: Feb. 6-14, 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months AGO
Attendees enjoy a glass of wine at the Downtown Moses Lake Association’s Sip & Stroll. The Downtown Moses Lake Association will host its first-ever Ladies Night Out Feb. 12.
FILE PHOTO
Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo star in “Wicked: For Good,” showing free at the Quincy Public Library Friday.
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. | February 6, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — Valentine’s Day is coming up, and whether you celebrate with a sweetie, hang with some friends or just sail solo, there’s something for everybody happening this week.
Feb. 6
Free Family Movie
“Wicked for Good”: The epic finale to the untold story of Oz begins. Elphaba, long misunderstood as the Wicked Witch of the West, fights for truth from the shadows. Glinda, beloved symbol of goodness, shines in Emerald City. But when the people of Oz rise up, these two powerful women must reunite, face the truth about each other and change the fate of Oz for good. Rated PG. Snacks are welcome, just clean up afterward. 1 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 206 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Tacos for Tuition
Help students get a Catholic education by supporting the Fr. Kerr Scholarship Fund. Dinner by Maggie’s Kitchen, plus live entertainment, games and activities. Proceeds enable students with financial need to attend St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. St. Rose is open to students of all faiths and does not turn students away based on ability to pay. Admission and dinner by donation. 6-9 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-4901 or saintroseschool.org.
First Friday Jam
Local musicians of all skill levels are invited to come, participate and learn new skills in this fun group. Anyone with an instrument can come and play; anyone with ears can come and listen. 7-9 p.m. at George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd.Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com.
Feb. 7
Community Appreciation Breakfast
The Quincy-George community is invited to enjoy pancakes and meet their neighbors. No charge. 8-11 a.m. at George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: 509-785-3041.
Feb. 10
Care-A-Van Mobile Health Services
The Washington Department of Health Care-A-Van mobile health team will bringing essential health services directly to our community. This fully operational mobile clinic is dedicated to expanding access to health care and social services – especially for underserved communities. Free services include Naloxone (Narcan) distribution; blood pressure screening and management education; A1C and blood glucose screening; pre-diabetes prevention and diabetes management guidance; and more. No identification or citizenship documentation required. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Feb. 12
WellPoint Washington Apple Health Medicaid Community Outreach
Monthly community outreach to help individuals in the community by offering education, resources and information regarding WellPoint Washington Apple Health and Medicaid. 1:30-3 p.m. at Quincy Public Library, 208 Central Ave. S. Info: 509-787-2359.
Ladies Night Out
Grab your friends and enjoy a night out while supporting the small businesses that make our town unique. Whether you’re stopping in for a snack, browsing local shops or discovering a new favorite spot, Ladies Night Out is designed to celebrate connection, community and local love. Sponsored by the Downtown Moses Lake Association. 5-8 p.m. in downtown Moses Lake. Info: 509-770-1700.
Feb. 13
Community Breakfast
Pancakes and sausage or biscuits, gravy and sausage, coffee and orange juice, plus door prizes. $7 dine in, $8 take-out. Proceeds support H.E. Gritman Senior Center. 7-10 a.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
Feb. 14
Family Speed Puzzling
Bring your crew of up to four people to see if you can complete a 350-piece puzzle first. The winning group will receive a gift card to the store. Cost is $20, and participants keep the puzzle whether they win or not. 1-2 p.m. at Sandbox Bookstore and Games, 102 E. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-761-9630.
Leanna Shannon
Live music for Valentine’s Day. 5-7 p.m. at Moore Brewing Co., 302 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-707-0192.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Clika (R); Dracula (R); Iron Lung (R); Melania (PG); Mercy (PG-13); Send Help (R); Shelter (R); Solo Mio (PG); Strangers: Chapter 3 (R); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Wuthering Heights (R); Send Help (R); Iron Lung (R); Solo Mio (PG); GOAT (PG). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Marty Supreme (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo star in “Wicked: For Good,” showing free at the Quincy Public Library Friday.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Quincy National Night Out scales down
QUINCY — Quincy’s National Night Out was more compact this year, which worked out well, said QPD Sgt. Joe Westby, who’s in charge of event planning for the Quincy Police Department. “National Night Out is a big event, and the fact that we’re able to shrink it up is like a breath of fresh air,” Westby said. “If you're always doing the same thing, it's kind of nice to switch things up and see how it works.” National Night Out took place Thursday on the block of C Street next to the police station, a shift from previous years when it was held at Lauzier Park. The smaller space meant fewer emergency vehicles for children to explore, but it also meant less walking for attendees. Grant County Fire District 5 brought a fire truck, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office had a patrol boat. Renew, the Grant County behavioral health agency, had a booth and so did Quincy Partnership for Youth. Veterans Operation Creation sang the national anthem, and the Quincy Animal Shelter brought kittens that piled over each other making friends with passersby. As before, the QPD served grilled hot dogs.
Quincy Police retirements leave big shoes to fill
QUINCY — There are some big shoes to fill at the Quincy Police Department. “We’re losing 48 years of experience between them,” Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green said at the retirement party for Capt. Jorge Trujillo and Det. Damon Powell Thursday. Trujillo, who grew up in Sunnyside, has been with QPD for 19 years, he said, coming on as a patrol officer fresh out of the military. From there he served as a field training officer, a detective and finally captain. “I consider him my left-hand man,” Green said. “He runs the operations side of the house … He knows the agency very well, and he knows the community.” Trujillo has some projects around the house to tackle now that he’s retired, he said.
Big fun on a small scale
Wheat Land Communities’ Fair opens Thursday
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair isn’t as big or as flashy as some of the county fairs around central Washington, but the folks who keep it going like it just the way it is. “It’s somewhere you can go and get an old-time traditional feeling, and you’re comfortable letting your kids roam the grounds and experience all that it has to offer,” said Board Member Lori Williams. “It’s more of a feeling than (one) specific thing,” The fair starts Thursday in Ritzville and runs through Sunday. Starting Friday, the 56th Ritzville Rodeo will take place alongside the fair at the rodeo grounds. This year the entertainment budget was expanded, Williams said, to be able to offer more fun that’s covered by the cost of admission. For the kids, there’s face painting, balloon art, Lego crafts, races, contests and games. Children can also ride on a little train towed around the fairgrounds behind a tractor.