WSU bee center in Othello opens

OTHELLO — Eventually at this former Monsanto lab east of Othello, there will be bees — lots of them.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Possible coronavirus case in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District says it is investigating a possible case of the Wuhan coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Grant County.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Othello police honor officers, staff, Explorers

OTHELLO — Othello police honored three of their own and six of the department’s Explorers during a short presentation at Monday’s regular meeting of the Othello City Council.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Othello schools trying to find solution for land problem

OTHELLO — As the Othello City Council is considering changes to the city’s zoning code and comprehensive plan, one proposed change would make it impossible for the Othello School District to develop some property on the north side of town.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Work on Lions Field ballpark to begin soon

OTHELLO — Lions Field is getting a facelift.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Census looking for help to count Adams, Grant counties

MOSES LAKE — The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for temporary census takers to help get a good count of everyone living in Grant and Adams counties.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Othello residents want tougher enforcement of fireworks laws

OTHELLO — Fireworks at all hours of the night are apparently a problem in Othello.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Royal students dominate robotics competition

EAST WENATCHEE — The chant would not have been out of place at a basketball game.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Othello council OKs $25.4 million 2020 city budget

OTHELLO — The Othello City Council talked money at its Monday meeting, passing the city’s $25.4 million 2020 budget while also amending the current year budget and approving the city’s property tax levy for 2020 as well.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Othello Police stage open house

OTHELLO — It’s not every day you smell carne asada grilling in the parking lot of the city hall and police department here.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Mattawa celebrates Community Days

MATTAWA — The point of the contest was to see who could suck on a lollipop the longest.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Building relationships between Moses Lake and Japan, South Korea

MOSES LAKE — It’s been said that Moses Lake punches well above its weight internationally for a small American town.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Raining candy in Othello on the 4th

OTHELLO — “You got any breakfast left?” The inquiry was an honest one.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

New gun law means uncertainty come July 1

MOSES LAKE — As of July 1, it’s going to be a lot tougher to buy most guns legally in the State of Washington.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Boeing to store 737 MAX in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — With the company running out of space elsewhere, aircraft giant Boeing has announced it will store some of its 737 MAX aircraft at the Grant County International Airport.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Shree Saini donates backpacks to George children

GEORGE — It’s not that unusual to find Shree Saini in a library.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Health District beats mumps in Mattawa

EPHRATA — When a suspected case of mumps was reported and later confirmed in a migrant farmworker community near Mattawa in mid-April, employees with the Grant County Health District sprang into action.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Former Warden teacher sentenced to 10 years

SPOKANE — Former Warden City Council member and substitute teacher Michael Leavitt will spend the next ten years in federal prison.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

State auditor finds issues with Wahluke schools accounting

MATTAWA — The Washington State Auditor’s Office has found that the Wahluke School District failed to properly manage several key federal programs or fully account for roughly $115,000 in salaries in the 2017-18 school year.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

New reporter finding passion in sports writing

MOSES LAKE — It’s about time our newest reporter gets a formal introduction.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Othello OKs accessory dwelling units after long meeting

OTHELLO — After a marathon meeting lasting more than three hours, the Othello City Council on Monday approved an ordinance governing the construction of accessory dwelling units in the city.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Othello residents gather to pray for city, nation

OTHELLO — Under a bright, early May sun outside the Othello City Hall, Angel Garza told a small gathering of worshipers that he was reminded of the story of the Good Samaritan.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Legislature OKs funds for Odessa Aquifer Project

OLYMPIA — State legislators have provided $15 million in the state’s recently passed capital budget to help farmers east of Moses Lake convert from well water to Columbia River water for irrigation.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Mumps found in Mattawa

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District (GCHD) said it has discovered four cases of mumps among farmworkers in Mattawa.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Othello council struggles with CBHA, mother-in-law apartments

OTHELLO — It was a busy night for members of the Othello City Council on Monday, even though they did little more than postpone consideration of several important issues to future meetings.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Adams County announces election filing dates

RITZVILLE — If you live in Adams County, and have a hankering to run for office this fall, the time to file to run is fast approaching, according to the Adams County Auditor.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Hopeful but uncertain about the future of school funding

“In enacting this legislation, the legislature intends to continue to review, evaluate, and revise the definition and funding of basic education in order to continue to fulfill the state obligation under Article IX of the state Constitution. The legislature also intends to continue to strengthen and modify the structure of …

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Tough choices ahead for Wahluke, Moses Lake and Wilson Creek

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Rachal Pinkerton joins Sun Tribune as staff writer

MOSES LAKE — Rachal Pinkerton loves to write.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Attorney General Ferguson seeking 911 outage stories

OLYMPIA — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson wants to hear from people affected by last month’s nationwide 911 outage.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Intern to cover state legislature for Sun Tribune

OLYMPIA — Emma Epperly is joining the Sun Tribune as our state capitol intern covering this spring’s legislative session.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Othello to raise sewer rates

OTHELLO — The Othello City Council voted unanimously on Monday to raise sewer rates 12.5 percent per year over the next three years.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Othello seeks site for permanent farmers market

OTHELLO — The city of Othello is looking for a permanent place to host its farmers market.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Othello considering air quality policy

OTHELLO — The Othello City Council is considering putting into place a policy that would allow the city to close the pool when air quality gets as bad as it has in the last few weeks.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Job Corps graduate ready for the business world

MOSES LAKE — It was a Thursday like so many others.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Othello scammer spoofing City Hall

OTHELLO — If you live in Othello, and you get a call from someone claiming that you are behind in your water bill, don’t pay. It’s most certainly a scam.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Administrator Wade Farris leaves Othello, heads to Gig Harbor

OTHELLO — City Administrator Wade Farris is leaving after nearly five years of working for Othello.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Royal SummerFest offering All-American celebration

ROYAL CITY — Grab your golf clubs and your beer stein because it’s time for the Royal City SummerFest.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Grant County property taxes among most complex in the State

MOSES LAKE — It makes sense that King County — home to roughly $2.2 million people and the state’s economic powerhouse — would also have a complex property tax structure.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

American Behavior Health Systems manager discusses prevention, healing after suicide

ROYAL CITY — Suicide can be stopped. It should be talked about. And anyone can prevent it.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Othello raises fee, fines for garage sales Monday

OTHELLO – If you’re going to hold a garage sale in the city of Othello, remember to get a permit. Our it could cost you. A lot.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Othello City Council wrangles with well costs

OTHELLO — Concern over increased costs on the re-drilling work for the city’s No. 3 well led the Othello City Council on Monday to reject a revised contract.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Trees handed out on Arbor Day in Othello Saturday

“How are you guys? You want a tree?”

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Othello Police Dispatch and Parole looks to update their communications systems

The Othello Police cannot afford a proposal by Adams County to jointly upgrade their communications systems, even with the county footing the entire bill for the first year.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Rep. Joe Schmick addresses Othello City Council

The state legislature’s recently concluded sessions was “a hectic 60 days” that ended up resulting in a lot of good work.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

City budget has little wiggle room for added costs

The Othello City Council is facing roughly $175,000 in additional costs related to several major road projects around town, which is a hard hit for the city’s already tight budget.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Othello explorers learn chilly lessons

They each had a canteen, a sleeping bag and a way to start a fire.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

City budget had little wiggle room for added costs

The Othello City Council is facing roughly $175,000 in additional costs related to several major road projects around town, which is a hard hit for the city’s already tight budget.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Council mules over replacing aging emergency communication equipment

The Othello City Council has agreed to consider a plan to jointly replace emergency communications equipment with Adams County, allowing the two entities to more closely coordinate and saving the city of Othello a little money in the process.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Othello seeks federal funds to re-drill well

The Othello City Council spent nearly its entire regular Monday, Jan. 22 meeting talking about water.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Popular Moses Lake eatery goes up in flames

MOSES LAKE — A fire broke out at Chico’s Pizza Parlor Saturday evening closing the restaurant for the indefinite future. No injuries were reported.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Thieme says good-bye to company he founded in the mid-60s

Othello-based Evergreen Implement is being bought by Fargo, North Dakota-based RDO Equipment, the largest independent John Deere retailer in the United States.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

The cost of doing business, recreating in Othello is going up

The Othello City Council on Monday voted unanimously to raise a host of fees ranging from building permits to fees charged to use the city’s pool and parks.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Othello passes budget, declares emergency to speed well replacement

The Othello City Council on Monday approved a $14.9 million budget for 2018 and declared the situation with city Well No. 3 to be an emergency, thus allowing the city to bypass the legally required bidding process to replace the well. “Pump No. 3 failed, and we considered replacing the …

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO

Othello Police Chief says drug detective is a high priority

With little wiggle room in the $5 million budget projected for 2018, the City of Othello has committed to hiring a drug detective with what’s left of the remaining $133,000.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS AGO

Ephrata votes to leave county conservation district

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council voted unanimously Wednesday evening to withdraw from the Grant County Conservation District.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake Gun Show looking to expand

MOSES LAKE — $70. That’s all you needed to be ready to fend off the zombie apocalypse if you’d attended the Moses Lake Gun Show on Saturday or Sunday.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

More West Nile Virus found in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — Health officials with Grant County have found more mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus in and around Moses Lake.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

City Council mulls over recycling program

As eager as some Othello residents — and city council members — are to have a city-wide recycling program, it will be difficult to create a program that will pay for itself.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Farmers Market change not good for some

Rosa Gonzalez would like Othello’s farmers market switched back to Saturday.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Mitsubishi Aircraft gift finally gets off the ground

MOSES LAKE — You’d be surprised how difficult it is to actually donate something to the United States government.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Othello City Council authorizes funds to ease grant application

The Othello City Council approved a match of up to $83,000 from city funds in order to ease the city’s $550,000 grant application to the state’s Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for repairs on Lee Road from Seventh to 14th Street during its last regular meeting Aug.14.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Company seeks to make paper from wheat straw

MOSES LAKE — Wheat farmers looking for another source of income may eventually have one if a new project in Columbia County is able to make a go of it.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Air Force trains for war, disaster in Moses Lake

OCCUPIED MOSES LAKE — In an air-conditioned tent pitched amidst the sagebrush and dust of the Grant County International Airport, U.S. Air Force Major Clark Hall takes a breather.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Air Force jet at Pioneer Park gets makeover

The old Air Force trainer jet on display in Pioneer Park has seen better days. The paint job has faded and peeled in places and there’s rust and holes and dents on the 60-year-old T-33A fighter jet, twin-seat trainer derived from the F-80 Shooting Star, the U.S. Air Force’s first …

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Othello mayor recounts loss of home

In his 34 years selling insurance, Shawn Logan said he’s never had to help a client deal with a major loss — until his own house caught on fire earlier this month.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Central to expand aviation program

ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University (CWU) is planning on expanding its aviation program beginning this fall to meet the rising demand for flight training and aviation education.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Rodeo and fair to offer combo tickets

MOSES LAKE — Mid-summer has arrived and that can only mean one thing; the Grant County Fair and Moses Lake Roundup is just around the corner.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Potato acreage down 25 percent since 2005

MOSES LAKE — A Washington State University study has found a 25 percent decline in potato acreage in a significant portion of land atop the Odessa Aquifer between 2005 and 2015, due primarily to a drop in both water quality and water quantity.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Othello approves developer agreement

OTHELLO — The Othello City Council unanimously approved an agreement with a major housing developer that will extend sewer service to the incoming Columbia Basin Hospital campus and expand development opportunities south and east of the city.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Council gives thumbs up on wastewater treatment plan and EMS levy

The Othello City Council on Monday unanimously approved creation of a comprehensive wastewater treatment plan “to provide future treatment capacity and to improve treatment efficiency, reliability and operation” for the next 20 years.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

12 cases of whooping cough in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District has confirmed the existence of 12 cases of whooping cough — pertussis — in Grant County.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Othello City Council approves Relay For Life site

The Othello City Council unanimously approved an agreement to allow Relay For Life to use Lions Park during its last regularly scheduled meeting June 26, but before it could do that, members had a long conversation on whether they should waive the event fee for the fundraising organization.

COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO