BASIN EVENTS: Jan. 9-17, 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 1 week 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. | January 9, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — With the holidays safely in our rear-view mirror, the calendar in the Basin isn’t as crowded as it was a few months ago. Still, there are plenty of things to get out and enjoy for those who want to. Here are a few possibilities.
Jan. 9
Gallery Opening: ‘The Four Corners of the Year’
Exhibit by Moses Lake artist Pamela Petry-McKinsey representing the four seasons of the year. Exhibit runs through Feb. 20. Opening reception 4-7 p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam St. Info: 509-764-3830 or moseslakemuseum.com.
Sourdough for Beginners
Are you ready to finally take the plunge into sourdough and all of its benefits? Come learn a skill as old as time and get your hands doughy. Laura, a WSDA-certified commercial sourdough baker and instructor, will teach you all you need to know to bake an artisan sourdough boule from start to finish. Tickets $99, available at https://bit.ly/SourdoughTix26. 5-7:30 p.m. at The Drip, 123 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake. Info: [email protected].
Jan. 10
Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars
Six local stars will partner with dance professionals for a competition judged by the audience. Proceeds support the Central Basin Community Concert Association. Great dancing and great fun in a great cause. 7 p.m. at the Big Bend Community College Wallenstien theater, 6989 College Parkway NE, Moses Lake. Tickets and info: www.CommunityConcertsML.com.
Jan. 11
Winter Handbell Concert
Performance by Heart of the Basin Ringers handbell choir, followed by light refreshments. 3 p.m. at Othello Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 915 E. Rainier St. Info: 509-488-2208.
Jan. 15
Aaron Crawford
Live performance by the pioneer of the Cascade Country sound. 6:30 p.m. at Gård Public House, 112 Evergreen Ave. NW, Royal City. Reservations and info: bit.ly/gardpublichouse or 509-414-1484.
Jan. 17
Salish Sea Salt Master Class and Salt-Making Demo
Learn how to collect, filter and evaporate seawater to make your own sea salt, plus barbecue rubs and seasoning mixes made from the salt. No charge, but donations will be accepted for Covenant Christian School’s greenhouse project. Class taught by Valerie Parrott of Pieces by Parrott. 11 a.m. at Covenant Christian School, 1001 N. Grape Drive, Moses Lake. Info: 509-431-1879.
Comedy Night: Cory Michaelis
After teaching high school for 12 years, Cory Michaelis “retired” to do comedy full-time because he wanted to try out both of the lowest-paying jobs in America. Now he’s bringing his act — which is sharp, irreverent and not suitable for the high schoolers he used to teach — to Moses Lake. Tickets $28.52 and available at https://bit.ly/CoryMichaelisML. 7:30 p.m. at Moore Brewing Company, 302 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-707-0192.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Anaconda (PG-13); Avatar: Fire and Ash (PG-13, 2D and 3D); David (PG): Greenland 2: Migration (PG-13); Marty Supreme (PG); Primate (R); Song Sung Blue (PG-13); Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants (PG); The Housemaid (R); Zootopia 2 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Anaconda (PG-13); 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (R). See showhouse3.wordpress.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: Fackham Hall (R). 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Man arrested in Thursday morning hit-and-run
MOSES LAKE — A suspect was taken into custody Thursday afternoon in the hit-and-run of a county road worker early Thursday morning, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. Trino Mendez, 36, was booked into Grant County Jail on suspicion of hit-and-run attended complicity and vehicular assault, according to the Grant County Jail roster. No bail had been set as of Friday morning. The incident happened around 5:10 a.m. on North Frontage Road about a mile east of Dodson Road, according to the GCSO. Road crews were preparing the road for chip sealing when the worker was struck.
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.
Home sales up as summer moving season begins
MOSES LAKE — More homes hit the market in June as summer home sales gained momentum, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 of Washington’s 39 counties. Active listings increased 16.4 percent statewide in June 2026 compared to June 2025, according to the NWMLS data and 8 percent compared to May 2026. Grant County listings followed a similar pattern, increasing 14.56 percent year-over-year and 9.18 percent over May 2026. Active listings were down 15.87 percent in Adams County from June 2025, but up 3.92 percent from a month earlier.

