Xi Beta Xi raises money for food bank
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 minutes AGO
Xi Beta Xi members present a donation of more than $3,000 to the Othello Food Bank. From left: Fatima Martinez, Othello Food Bank; Guiomar Azevedo, Xi Beta Xi; Linda Brady, Xi Beta Xi; Sheila Simmons, Xi Beta Xi; Jose Garza, Othello Food Bank; Kristine Robertson, Xi Beta Xi; and Debbie Pegram, Xi Beta Xi.
COURTESY PHOTO/XI BETA XI
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. | November 10, 2026 3:00 AM
OTHELLO — The Othello chapter of Xi Beta Xi held a silent auction Oct. 13, according to an announcement from the club, with the proceeds going to the Othello Food Bank.
“These remarkable women leaders consistently step up for our neighbors,” the Othello Food Bank posted on social media Oct. 30. “We are continually impressed by your generosity and honored by your ongoing efforts to address food insecurity.”
The auction, held at the Othello Eagles Lodge, raised $3,278.04, according to the announcement. The money was presented to the food bank Oct. 20.
Xi Beta Xi is an affiliate chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, which on its website is described as a non-collegiate sorority. It was established in 1931, according to the website, to bring women together and let them build support and friendships with other women. Today, the organization boasts about 200,000 members with chapters worldwide.
“Thank you for leading with compassion and helping keep food on local tables,” the food bank wrote. “Our community is stronger because of you!”
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Xi Beta Xi raises money for food bank
OTHELLO — The Othello chapter of Xi Beta Xi held a silent auction Oct. 13, according to an announcement from the club, with the proceeds going to the Othello Food Bank. “These remarkable women leaders consistently step up for our neighbors,” the Othello Food Bank posted on social media Oct. 30. “We are continually impressed by your generosity and honored by your ongoing efforts to address food insecurity.” The auction, held at the Othello Eagles Lodge, raised $3,278.04, according to the announcement. The money was presented to the food bank Oct. 20.
‘Excellent adventure’
Veterans Day show includes time travel, fun and music
QUINCY — Veterans Operation Creation’s Veterans Day show Wednesday will span the decades with silliness and music. “We’re calling it ‘Emma and Mikky’s Excellent USO Adventure,’” said director Cassi Nelson. “They don’t understand (what) a USO show (is), so they’re going back in time and kidnapping acts from previous USO shows to come give a show in Quincy.” If that plot line sounds vaguely familiar, it should. It’s a takeoff on the movie “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” with Emma Galloway and Mikky Greely as the time-traveling duo and VOC founder Daniel Chism as their irascible guide. The pair will travel through the decades gathering stars like Dolly Parton, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley to entertain the audience.
Home prices up in most Basin markets
MOSES LAKE — Home prices increased in most, but not all, markets of the Columbia Basin this year, according to data from the real estate website Redfin. The median home price in Moses Lake in September was $364,821, according to Redfin’s data, up 5.4% from September 2025. Ephrata’s median price wasn’t far off, at $368,824, but that represented a 12.5% increase over the same time period. Quincy’s median price topped the list of local cities at $405,235, a 10.1% year-over-year increase. Othello, in contrast, dropped by 17.1% year-over-year, to $298,226.