Coronavirus: Two new Othello cases, patient hospitalized
OTHELLO - Two more cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Othello, bringing the total cases in that city and Adams County to five, according to the Adams County Health Department.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Three confirmed cases in Adams County, all in Othello
ADAMS COUNTY - There are now three confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Adams County, with two new cases reported Thursday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
FFA trap shoot draws young teams to Othello
OTHELLO — More than 100 high schoolers associated with the FFA traveled from across the region to Othello, shotguns in tow, for an annual trap shoot on Feb. 22.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake man gets over a year in prison for statutory rape
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man will spend just over a year in prison after pleading guilty to statutory rape of a minor in connection with an incident from 2017.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake man pleads guilty to child porn
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man has pleaded guilty to possessing and trading thousands of pornographic images and videos depicting children.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Desert Aire drive-by shooter sentenced to 4 months
DESERT AIRE — A 22-year-old suspected member of the Norteño gang has been sentenced to four months in jail for shooting at a rival gang member and his girlfriend in an occupied vehicle in Desert Aire last May.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Alien in possession of firearm charges dropped against abuser
QUINCY — A Quincy resident and non-immigrant alien pleaded guilty to fourth-degree domestic violence assault, avoiding a felony charge of alien in possession of a firearm after a plea agreement.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Man killed in officer-involved shooting identified by law enforcement
BASIN CITY — Dante Redmond Jones, 28, of Pasco, has been identified by the Franklin County Coroner as the man killed by a police officer south of Othello during a traffic stop early Monday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Serial carjacker pleads guilty, gets 4 years
MOSES LAKE — An Edmonds man who wrecked a stolen car on private property and then stole the car of the property owner when they came out to see if he was OK has been sentenced to over four years in prison.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS AGO
Land of the rising felonies Moses Lake man allegedly assaults girlfriend with katana
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Saturday after allegedly attacking his girlfriend with a samurai sword.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS AGO
Three months for HIV carrier who spat on victim
EPHRATA — A Hartline man infected with HIV was sentenced to three months in jail after assaulting a woman and spitting in her eye.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS AGO
Woman involved in Sosa murder gets 3-month sentence
EPHRATA — For her role in the Dec. 9, 2016 death of Arturo Sosa, for which two men are expected to be imprisoned for the rest of their lives, Othello resident Paula Rodriguez Cuevas was sentenced to three months in jail.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS AGO
L-I-E-S: Closing arguments drag on to second day in Sosa murder case
EPHRATA — Closing arguments were made Tuesday in the trial of Gustavo Tapia Rodriguez and Fernando Marcos Gutierrez, who stand accused of the Dec. 2016 kidnapping and murder of Othello-resident Arturo Sosa.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS AGO
Wife of surviving victim testifies
EPHRATA — The wife of the sole surviving victim from the 2016 state Route 26 murder testified Tuesday in Grant County Superior Court.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Murder victim's estranged lover says she asked defendants to 'scare him'
EPHRATA — The ex of a man killed on state Route 26 in 2016 testified Tuesday that she had only wanted the men accused of murdering her husband to “scare him,” before things went horribly wrong.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Murmurings of mistrial after soft-spoken witness
EPHRATA — As jurors walked back into the courtroom late Tuesday afternoon after a short break, one of the alternate jurors — who observe the trial in the chance a juror needs to be removed — raised her hand.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Flipped witness implicates Sosa murder defendants
EPHRATA — Yawning frequently, Julio Ceasar Albarran Varona testified in Grant County Superior Court Tuesday that he, along with that case’s two co-defendants, participated in the kidnapping and murder of 28-year-old Arturo Sosa in late 2016.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
'I thought I was already dead' Surviving victim testifies in Sosa murder trial
EPHRATA — The surviving victim of a December 2016 kidnapping and murder testified in open court Monday in front of the two men he said shot him and killed his friend, Arturo Sosa.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Trial begins in Sosa murder
EPHRATA — Smiling, Gustavo Tapia Rodriguez walked unescorted into the courtroom Wednesday afternoon, sat down between his attorney and that of his co-defendant, and put in earphones for a translating headset.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Quincy man convicted of assaulting his own attorney
EPHRATA — A Quincy man was convicted this week for stealing beers from a Quincy convenience store while underage, resisting arrest and assaulting his attorney in the courtroom, court records show.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
You snooze, you lose your stolen cruiser
MOSES LAKE — An alleged car thief was found asleep inside of his ill-gotten ride by officers with the Moses Lake Police Department Monday, according to a statement issued by the agency.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Rooftop caper foiled by Moses Lake police
MOSES LAKE — If it were the first time Moses Lake police had come across a burglar trying to lower themselves down to their prize from a business’ roof, it would be like something out of a movie.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Burglar steals counterfeit money from Moses Lake gas station
MOSES LAKE — Police are looking for a Moses Lake man who allegedly stole a wallet full of counterfeit money from a local gas station Sunday morning.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
'2-legged bloodhound' locates stolen gun used in assault
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake patrol sergeant has been dubbed a “two-legged bloodhound” by police officials after reportedly finding a stolen gun used in an assault that even a K9 unit had failed to locate the day prior.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Case not closed Two bombs in 10 hours Two families still wondering why 11 years later
MOSES LAKE — It was a day like any other on Aug. 1, 2008 when Bill Walker’s extended family came to Moses Lake for a baby shower planned for the next day.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Of 15 defendants in sweeping drug raid case, one remains free
MOSES LAKE — After a mid-July region-wide drug raid conducted by numerous federal, state and local agencies, 15 people were arrested on suspicion of criminal conspiracy to distribute narcotics in connection with street gang Eastside Familia Norteño. Of the 15, only one remains free, according to court records.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Powerline Fire smolders Monday, scorched 7,800 acres
MATTAWA — The scene of the Powerline Fire, which sparked Sunday afternoon near Mattawa and burned 7,800 acres, had largely settled by Monday afternoon, with the majority of the fire's fuel having burned away overnight.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
A busy night with the Moses Lake Fire Department
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
GCSO names first bilingual public information officer
EPHRATA — Ever since the Grant County Sheriff’s Office’s newly-minted Public Information Officer Elizabeth “Liz” Flores was a high schooler, she wanted to be involved in law enforcement.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
ML man arrested for third time while awaiting trial for overdose homicide
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man previously facing charges in connection with the 2018 opioid overdose death of an inmate at the Grant County Jail was arrested Sunday in connection with a string of car prowls in Cascade Park. The arrest was his third since homicide charges were filed …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Camaraderie, adventure and service Volunteers needed to fight fires, save lives
GRANT COUNTY — With fire season upon the Columbia Basin, many fire districts and departments across Grant County are looking for volunteers to help fight fires and staff emergency medical services, offering free training programs and opportunities to serve their local communities.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Man suspected of firing shot by apartment building arrested Tuesday
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man suspected of firing a shot Saturday just outside his apartment building at the Studio City Apartment complex was arrested Tuesday, according to police officials.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Paradiso Lost Drugs, thefts and Infected Mushroom
GORGE AMPITHEATRE - Another Paradiso Festival has come and gone. For the over 25,000 attendees who flooded into Grant County’s iconic Gorge Amphitheatre, it was another weekend of big-name electronic music set against the deep basalt canyon that lines the Columbia River.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Case not closed Joe Reyna's family still looking for answers
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Highway 243 Fire slows Wednesday
ROYAL CITY — Despite rapid growth in the first 24 hours, the Highway 243 Fire has not grown significantly in its second day, according to fire officials. The fire is now considered 25 percent contained.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Surveillance footage released from May courthouse assault
EPHRATA — Surveillance footage from an early May courthouse assault has been released to the Herald, showing how a security guard and a Soap Lake man ended up in a fight that spurred a two-day manhunt.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Highway 243 Fire now estimated at almost 19,000 acres
ROYAL CITY — Hundreds of firefighters from across the state have been deployed to the Highway 243 Fire, hunkering down in a Royal City park as the sun set and the second day of attack began on the largest wildfire in Washington so far this year.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Highway 243 Fire causes first evacuations of the 2019 fire season
ROYAL CITY - Summer hasn’t yet arrived in the Columbia Basin, but fire season has.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Sunday collision puts one in hospital, one in jail
MATTAWA - A 35-year-old Mattawa man was arrested for DUI after a collision which severely injured a Sunnyside man Sunday evening, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
MLPD makes quick arrest
MOSES LAKE — Police made quick work of a stolen property case Wednesday after two suspects believed to be involved in stealing a tractor drove by while officers were collecting a detailed description of the men and their vehicle.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Two drive-by shootings reported Wednesday
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake police responded to two drive-by shootings within an hour and two miles of each other Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, though there were no reported injuries in either event.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
2 arrested after drug deal turns into armed robbery
MOSES LAKE — Two Quincy men were arrested Thursday by Moses Lake police after a drug deal devolved into a robbery, according to police.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Police urge vigilance after Thursday shooting
MOSES LAKE — Police are cautioning Moses Lake residents to have a heightened awareness of potential gang activity as they continue to investigate a shooting Thursday night that wounded one.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Serial thief gets 13 years in prison
QUINCY — A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 145 months, or just under 13 years in state prison, for breaking into a number of cars, stealing valuables and debit cards before racking up hundreds of dollars in fraudulent charges.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Woman sentenced to 17 months for stealing her car from impound
SCHWANA — A 32-year-old Mattawa woman was sentenced to 17 months in prison Monday for stealing her truck from a Schwana impound lot that had been holding the vehicle for a month over unpaid fees.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
2-month sentence for man who waved knife at officers
QUINCY — A 25-year-old man was sentenced to two months in county jail following an incident where he waved a knife at Quincy police officers during a traffic stop.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Thief steals useless, easily traceable devices
MOSES LAKE — A thief who broke into the AT&T retail store on South Pioneer Way in the wee hours of Wednesday morning stole several phones and tablets that usually retail for hundreds of dollars each and had been on display.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Egg-based vandalism across Moses Lake Monday night
MOSES LAKE — Some vandals hatched a plot Monday night to shell houses and cars across Moses Lake with improvised munitions, egging property in a possible April Fools’ yolk gone rotten.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
It'll all come out in the wash: police respond to laundry related incidents
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake police responded to two laundry-related incidents Tuesday, including one incident where a juvenile ingested two laundry detergent pods and another where a suspect with outstanding warrants was found hiding behind a clothes dryer.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Undocumented man facing federal charges after Mattawa drug bust
MATTAWA — An undocumented Mattawa resident was indicted on federal charges Tuesday in connection with a drug bust last Wednesday that recovered around five pounds of meth, culminating a six month investigation and a raid that local law enforcement said put a major dent into the area’s drug trade.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
ML man sentenced to 11 months for rape of juvenile family member
EPHRATA — A Moses Lake man who pleaded guilty to rape of a juvenile family member has received a 53.5 month sentence, reduced to 11 months as part of a Special Sex Offender Sentence Alternative barring any violations of sentencing conditions.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Idaho man sentenced for immoral communication with teen
EPHRATA — An Idaho man who pleaded guilty to viewing child pornography and communicating with a Moses Lake minor for immoral purposes was sentenced to just under two years in prison with the full term suspended as part of a Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative recommended by prosecutors.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Alleged counterfeiter arraigned in federal court
SPOKANE — A Puyallup man arrested a year ago in Moses Lake on suspicion of buying merchandise from six local businesses with counterfeit bills was arraigned Friday on federal charges in U.S. District Court in Spokane.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Police track alleged burglar's footprints in snow to a dozen houses, cars
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Wednesday morning after a brief foot chase, and after officers traced his footprints in the snow they discovered he had traveled through nine backyards and around six vehicles while filling a sack with stolen goods, according to police.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Man cited after driving 90 mph through ML
MOSES LAKE - After a Moses Lake man was cited over the weekend for driving around 90 miles per hour on West Broadway Avenue, reportedly in an attempt to bring a sick infant quickly to the hospital, Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr has a safety tip for the public: …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake man convicted of raping 6-year-old
EPHRATA — A Moses Lake man is facing up to life in prison after pleading guilty to raping the 6-year-old daughter of his then-girlfriend in 2014.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Court upholds conviction of woman who shot husband
SPOKANE — Washington’s Third District Court of Appeals has upheld the 2016 conviction of a Soap Lake woman found guilty of shooting her husband in the stomach in 2014, rejecting all claims that the trial court acted improperly.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake man foils burglar armed with victim's gun
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man managed Wednesday to foil a burglar armed with a pistol that had been stolen from the man’s home just several days prior, according to officials with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake man arrested for attempted rape of a child
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Tuesday in a sting after allegedly attempting to commit sexual acts with a 13-year-old who turned out to be an undercover detective.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Failed fertilizer bomber gets 55 days
EPHRATA — A Moses Lake man accused of stealing materials to create a fertilizer bomb pleaded guilty Wednesday to second degree-burglary and attempted threats to bomb or injure property.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Closing arguments made in Sundberg murder trial
EPHRATA — Attorneys made closing arguments in Grant County Superior Court Wednesday, wrapping up the weeks-long trial of a man suspected of being the gunman in the execution-style killing of Quincy mother of four Jill Sundberg.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Fleeing suspect ends up in Chewy's capable paws
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man suspected of initiating a vehicle chase with police was apprehended early Monday morning night by Grant County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 Chewbacca, according to law enforcement.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake home peppered with birdshot in drive-by
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake police responded just after midnight Sunday to reports that a residence on South Blessing Road had been shot four times by a shotgun loaded with birdshot, pelting the garage door, the front door, the awning above the entrance and the kitchen window.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Woman gets 33 months for role in August shooting
EPHRATA — A Moses Lake woman was sentenced to 33 months in jail and 18 months of community custody in relation to a shooting on the Larson Air Force Base in August 2018.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
'I don't remember': second co-defendant testifies in Sundberg murder trial
EPHRATA — Wrists and ankles bound together by short chains, a faded barbed-wire tattoo wrapping around his right arm, Ambrosio Mendez Villanueva grimaced as he entered the Grant County Superior courtroom Monday. He is the second of two co-defendants to testify in this case, Julio Albarran Verona having testified last …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Appeals court upholds murder conviction
SPOKANE — A state appeals court has upheld convictions and a 39-year prison sentence for a Desert Aire man who was found guilty in 2016 of murdering his ex-girlfriend and hiding her body in Grant County’s Buckshot Wildlife Area.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Co-defendant takes stand in Sundberg murder trial
EPHRATA — After a brief discussion over whether threats against him made it necessary for a friendly face to be in the room to provide emotional support, Julio Cesar Albarran Varona testified in court Tuesday that he had helped as his co-defendant murdered Jill Sundberg in cold blood.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Jonathan Torres to stand trial in father's killing
EPHRATA — A month after Jonathan Torres’ attorney requested he undergo a mental health evaluation to determine whether he was fit to stand trial, Torres was found competent and forced into court Tuesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Trial begins for accused Sundberg killer
EPHRATA — More than two years after Jill Sundberg was found deceased in a frozen parking lot off the Old Vantage Highway, the trial has begun for the Quincy man and illegal immigrant charged with her brutal murder.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Othello resident accused of homicide detained by Border Patrol
OTHELLO — The U.S. Border Patrol has detained an Othello resident and former Mexican police officer arrested a decade ago in his home country on homicide charges, according to immigration enforcement officials.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Man arrested for allegedly breaking into ML Walmart, stealing shotgun
MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Police Department has apprehended a man who is suspected of breaking into the local Walmart and stealing a number of items, including a shotgun.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Chief Moses student brings knife to campus
MOSES LAKE — A 13-year-old student at Chief Moses Middle School was emergency expelled Monday after being spotted on campus with a pocketknife by a school resource officer, according to police reports.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Quincy woman faces vehicular homicide charges in fatal crash
EPHRATA — A Quincy woman is facing charges of vehicular homicide for a severe rollover crash seven months ago which left a passenger dead and that sent sheriff’s deputies scrambling to locate the wreckage of her vehicle.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Jury selection begins for illegal immigrant accused of killing Quincy woman
EPHRATA — Jury selection began Monday in the murder trial of Gustavo Tapia Rodriguez, an illegal immigrant and the suspected shooter in the 2016 murder of 31-year-old Quincy resident Jill Sundberg.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Man blames meth on his 13-year-old daughter
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man blamed his 13-year-old daughter for the meth that law enforcement found on him Sunday evening.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake man under investigation for thousands of files of child pornography
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man suspected of possessing and trading thousands of pornographic images and videos depicting children was arrested on separate charges Tuesday for attempting to solicit videos and images from a girl he knew to be 11 years old and attempting to arrange a sexual encounter …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Scammer allegedly blackmails man in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was told by a scammer Tuesday that they would publicly release unclothed photos of the man if he did not send money to a person in the Ivory Coast, a country in West Africa, according to a police report.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
No injuries in Ephrata drive-by, police investigating
EPHRATA — Multiple shots were fired in Ephrata Sunday night during a drive-by near the 700 block of Second Avenue and F Street Southeast. No one was injured in the altercation and the Ephrata Police Department is investigating.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Court upholds 28-year sentence for rapist
SPOKANE — A three-judge panel of Washington’s Division III Court of Appeals has upheld a 64-year-old Soap Lake man’s 28-year prison sentence for the 2014 rape of a 17-year-old boy.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
State appeals court rejects kidnapper's claims of constitutional violation
SPOKANE — A state appeals court has denied the appeal of a Mattawa man, convicted in 2007 of kidnapping four members of the same family, that contended the state had illegitimately added several years to his imprisonment when it amended an error in his original sentence.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake resident gets ten years for child rape
EPHRATA — Moses Lake resident Isabel Rocha Jr., 58, was sentenced in Grant County Superior Court Wednesday to a minimum of ten years in prison for rape of a child in the first degree and child molestation in the first degree.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Fistfight turns into gunfight near Moses Lake Circle K
MOSES LAKE — At least seven shots were fired from moving vehicles Wednesday evening following a brief fight inside of the Moses Lake Circle K, a gas station and convenience store.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Man charged in sexual predator's death
TACOMA — A 39-year-old man has been charged with murder after an altercation at a state detention center for sexually violent predators ended with the death of a 63-year-old former Grant County resident.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Pack arrested on felony charge
MOSES LAKE — Nathaniel Pack, owner of Pack’s Taxi and Delivery, was arrested Jan. 1 and charged with the unlawful imprisonment of his wife after an alleged domestic dispute over their children, according to court documents. Unlawful imprisonment is a class C felony in Washington.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Alleged burglar thwarted by his own social media profile
MOSES LAKE — A bit of Facebook sleuthing by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest Monday of a Moses Lake man suspected of burglary and robbery.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Man arrested after briefly barricading himself in motor home
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Moses Lake man Tuesday on an outstanding warrant after a brief standoff when the suspect barricaded himself inside of his motor home.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Nationwide outage takes out 911 services, but not for Grant County
GRANT COUNTY — While surrounding counties and states across the country experienced a massive disruption to 911 services following a nationwide outage of CenturyLink cell services, one of the largest disruptions to Grant County dispatch services came from area residents calling 911 to test if the system worked.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Manweller replacement to be chosen Jan. 14
MOSES LAKE — County commissioners from Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln and Yakima counties are tentatively planning to select the replacement for Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum, on Jan. 14, the first day of the legislative session.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Honoring veterans with a bough and a bow
Over a thousand wreaths were laid on the gravestones of fallen veterans over the weekend in cemeteries throughout Grant County by members of the Columbia Basin Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol Ephrata, with support from the National Guard and members of the public. It was the fifth year in a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Teenage suspects fleeing from police brought down by K9
DESERT AIRE — With the help of K9 Edo, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office caught two of three teenagers who took a motor vehicle without permission in Desert Aire and fled from authorities.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Homeless barred from ML parks at night
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake will no longer allow individuals to camp in city parks between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to an ordinance passed by the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday night, in response to public outcry over use of the parks by the city’s homeless population since …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Central professor's relationships raise questions
ELLENSBURG — When does an inappropriate relationship become sexual harassment? An internal Central Washington University investigation sheds light into how the university nearest to the Columbia Basin answers that question, and how it investigates possible sexual misconduct.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Day of Mourning to affect CBH delivery
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump has named Wednesday, Dec. 5 a national day of mourning in honor of the late President George H. W. Bush, who passed away Friday night at the age of 94. As a result, all federal offices will be closed, including post offices, affecting mail delivery …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Wreaths Across America honors deceased veterans
EPHRATA — Almost a thousand deceased veterans interred in the Ephrata, Soap Lake and Quincy cemeteries will be honored with wreaths placed by their gravestones Dec. 15 and 16 by the Columbia Basin Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol Ephrata.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Students transforming their lives honored by Big Bend
MOSES LAKE — It was on an inauspicious day two years ago that Jim Leland, a veteran, husband and father, was abruptly laid off from REC Silicon. He had worked there as a chemical operator for a year and a half, but he was still at the bottom of the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Ponozzo retires from law enforcement after 36 years
EPHRATA — After a storied career of 36 years in law enforcement, Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo will be retiring from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The law enforcement officer, who has accepted a position as emergency manager for the Grant Public Utility District, will be celebrating his final day on the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Painting out of a corner
MOSES LAKE — On Oct. 3, just over a month before he was scheduled to open a showing of his art at the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center, a fire ripped through a number of residences in Elmer City, destroying the home and studio of Ric Gendron.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
An icy reception at the Moses Lake skating rink
MOSES LAKE — Over a hundred children, parents and young adults decked out in winter hats and gloves flocked with skates in tow to the opening weekend of Moses Lake Parks and Recreation’s ice rink, located at the Larson Playfield.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake ice skating rink to open Friday
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department will be opening the ice rink on Friday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m., where the public can skate and play hockey until the last week of February. Public skating is open from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Moses Lake's American Legion Post namesake was one of the most decorated soldiers in history
It was the morning of Feb. 21, 1968, near Hue, Vietnam. An army company known by its members as the Delta Raiders was assaulting a heavily-defended position along a river bank when it was met by withering fire from rockets and machine guns. The North Vietnamese had dug into the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Manweller wins re-election bid
EPHRATA — Embattled Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum, has survived a tumultuous and controversial election season to again win the seat he has held since 2012, beating back a long list of sexual misconduct allegations, an unexpectedly strong opponent and over $100,000 in attack ads. At last count, Manweller was …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Dent wins reelection bid over Hegstrom Oakey for state legislature
EPHRATA — Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, appears to have won his re-election bid by a wide margin and will serve his third term in the Washington legislature, having beaten back Ellensburg Democrat Jesse Hegstrom Oakey Tuesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Hammond sets sights on 13th District seat
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Grant County early voting lags behind neighboring counties
While many counties across the state are seeing record-setting early voting in response to heated Congressional elections both to the east and west, Grant County is so far not seeing the same bump in voter participation.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Dent seeks re-election to 13th district
Personal History
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Anti-Manweller independent expenditures skyrocket
SEATTLE — The political action committee Enough is Enough has raised roughly $120,000 to spend on independent expenditures against Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum, flipping the balance of campaign spending between Manweller and his Democratic opponent Sylvia Hammond.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Group funding PUD candidates may be breaking law
Grant County — Advocacy group Ag Power Users of Grant County, which has contributed around $56,000 in total to candidates for Grant County Public Utility District commissioner elections, may be violating public disclosure laws by withholding information about the group’s donors.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Recordbreaking money coming into Grant PUD race
Money continues to flood into the Grant County Public Utility District elections at a record pace, primarily from advocacy group AG Power Users of Grant County, which has already donated almost $54,000 combined to candidates Nelson Cox and Judy Wilson, according to filings with Washington state’s Public Disclosure Commission. This …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
Candidates vie for seat if Manweller resigns
MOSES LAKE — County Republican parties in Grant, Kittitas, Yakima and Lincoln counties are currently vetting candidates to potentially replace embattled Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum, who has promised to resign if re-elected amid a series of sexual misconduct allegations ranging from unwanted staring to statutory rape. Manweller first has …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Community effort renovates New Hope shelter
MOSES LAKE — The New Hope domestic violence shelter in Moses Lake received a dramatic makeover in September due to a donation of over $21,000 by the Rotary Club of Moses Lake, as well as the support of local businesses that provided services and products at steep discounts.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
'Why pay rent?': Frustration in South Grant County over homeless
Small towns across rural Grant County have been responding with frustration and derision at a recent circuit court decision that restricted the ability of municipalities to criminalize homeless encampments on public land when no other shelter options exist.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Mattawa teenager faces a month in detention for homecoming threats
MATTAWA — Mattawa teenager Deibis Perez, 17, was arrested Sept. 29 after posting threatening statements to Instagram regarding this year’s homecoming celebrations at Wahluke High School, according to the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
'They haven't been there' Living homeless in Moses Lake
On the first afternoon of October, as the skies began to fill with rain clouds, three middle-aged homeless men were situated on the northwest corner of the Alder Street Fill.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
West Side activist takes aim at Manweller
OLYMPIA — Jessica Gavre, who accused Tacoma Democrat Rep. David Sawyer of sexual harassment and then raised money to unseat him in the primaries this August, has turned her attention to another embattled Washington politician: Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Fly-in paints the field red
MOSES LAKE — Aerial pesticide applicators from across the state flocked to a landing strip at Northwest Ag Services in Moses Lake Thursday for an annual “fly-in” inspection of applicator efficiency and efficacy led by the Association of Washington Aerial Applicators (AWEA).
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Hammond calls on Manweller to resign now
Sylvia Hammond, Democratic challenger to embattled Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum, has called on him to resign immediately in the wake of another accusation of sexual impropriety from a former high school student of the lawmaker’s, this time involving claims of statutory rape.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Manweller won't resign unless re-elected
Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum, said Monday that he will continue to serve the remainder of his term but will resign if re-elected this November. Manweller is still urging voters to elect him, as state law would allow the seat to be filled by another Republican.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Manweller won't resign unless re-elected
Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Cle Elum, said Monday that he will continue to serve the remainder of his term but will resign if re-elected this November. Manweller is still urging voters to elect him, as state law would allow the seat to be filled by another Republican.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Evaluating innovation at Augie's Ag Sales
EPHRATA — When Augie Kooistra of Augie Ag Sales sells his customers corn seed, he wants to know that the product he’s selling is reliable. After all, corn that does well in the Midwest doesn’t always do well in the West, despite the best marketing from dozens of different companies …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Evaluating innovation at Augie's Ag Sales
EPHRATA — When Augie Kooistra of Augie Ag Sales sells his customers corn seed, he wants to know that the product he’s selling is reliable. After all, corn that does well in the Midwest doesn’t always do well in the West, despite the best marketing from dozens of different companies …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Wahluke Slope Fire in mop-up stages
A brush fire that started Friday night burned at least 13,000 acres along the Saddle Mountain area north of Wahluke. As of noon on Sunday, the fire was 75 percent contained and mostly tamped out, except for small smoldering hot spots. There has been no additional fire perimeter growth since …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Farmer Consumer Awareness Day draws hundreds
With harvest season well under way and farmers hard at work preparing all of the produce that makes its way onto dinner plates across America, Quincy held its annual Farmer Consumer Awareness Day festivities.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Becoming American Citizenship Day in Moses Lake draws large crowd
Non-citizen residents of Washington state came to Big Bend Community College Saturday to receive free assistance with immigration paperwork at Citizenship Day, sponsored by immigration advocacy group OneAmerica.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
American Legion to host Patriot Day ceremony
The American Legion Family of Art Semro Post and Auxiliary Unit 28 will hold a Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11 at noon in front of the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
GOP women meeting to feature PUD candidates
The September meeting of the Republican Women of Grant County is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11 at 6 p.m. at Papa’s Sports Lounge and Casino.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Money flooding into Grant PUD race
Money is flooding into the 2018 races for Grant County Public Utility District Commissioner positions, and with more than two months left before the election, this year’s campaign contributions are on track to outstrip every race for the utility district in over a decade.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Carjacker allegedly causes collision at Broadway and Alder
A carjacker caused a collision at the intersection of Broadway and Alder Wednesday evening, just as commuters were starting their trips home from work, according to the Moses Lake Police Department.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
A radical makeover at Wahluke Junior High
The project was, in many ways, making the best of a bad situation. The Wahluke School District wasn’t running a bond this year due to concerns that it would fail, which meant that there was no room in the budget to build a school to replace Wahluke Junior High.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Cleaning up after cows Revolutionizing wastewater treatment at Royal Dairy
As the office at Royal Dairy closes for the day and most of the workers go home, there are two distinct groups of workers that stay for the long haul — the thousands of cows that eat, gestate and prepare to be milked, and the millions upon millions of worms …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Construction starts on Red Rock school upgrade
The Royal School District marked the beginning of construction on Monday for the Red Rock Elementary modernization project with a special groundbreaking event. District and school administrators donned bright-yellow safety-jackets and hard hats, lifting sledgehammers, and smashing drywall.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
CWU concludes Manweller engaged in a pattern of inappropriate behavior
Central Washington University’s investigation into Washington state Rep. Matt Manweller concluded that the lawmaker engaged “in a pattern of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior,” with current and former students, according to a final report released Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Challengers overperform in 9th District, but not enough to win
The majority of votes are in from Tuesday’s primary, and challengers are outperforming in the 9th Legislative District, where two Republican incumbents vie to retain their seats in the Washington state House. Challengers still lagged significantly behind incumbents, though, despite a narrowed margin compared to past elections.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Hammond: Manweller should resign because of sexual misconduct allegations
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Washington Cattlemen's Association seeking donations for state's cattlemen affected by recent wildfires
The Washington Cattlemen’s Association is accepting donations of hay, pasture, pasture seed, or funds for cattlemen or cattlewomen affected by recent wildfires in Washington state.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Inland Cellular outages continue Tuesday evening
With voice networks still disabled into Tuesday evening, Inland Cellular is working around the clock on emergency measures to restore voice and text services to customers throughout Eastern Washington.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Cave B Estate Winery, rooted in the Columbia Basin
It takes a certain clarity of vision to get temporarily distracted with a little, incidental side-project – creating the Gorge Amphitheatre – only to retire from managing the hottest music venue in the Northwest to dedicate more time to an older passion: making premiere Washington wine.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Rep. Manweller let go from CWU position
Central Washington University has fired Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, from his position as a tenured political science professor, effective immediately, concluding its months-long investigation into allegations that Manweller sexually harassed students and others. Manweller was placed on leave in December as the investigation was underway.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Washington State Library to digitize historic newspapers
The Washington Office of Secretary of State will be adding 100,000 pages to its nationally-recognized project of digitizing historic newspapers, using a grant announced Tuesday morning for $280,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Statewide and regionally, primary election turnout is in decline
Following a steady statewide trend of declining primary election turnout, Tuesday’s turnout is shaping up to be the lowest in over a decade in many Central Washington counties.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Students coming forward in defense of Manweller
Alumni from Central Washington University are reaching out to Rep. Matt Manweller, who is under investigation by CWU for allegations of sexual harassment, alleging that the lead investigator was manipulative in her interviews.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Challengers overperform in 9th District, but not enough to win
The majority of votes are in from Tuesday’s primary, and challengers are outperforming in the 9th Legislative District, where two Republican incumbents vie to retain their seats in the Washington state House. Challengers still lagged significantly behind incumbents, though, despite a narrowed margin compared to past elections.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Trinity Gardens Lavender Farm, heavy with heady aromas
Stepping onto the Trinity Gardens Lavender Farm on a hot summer day, the smell of hundreds of lavender bushes in full bloom washes over guests like a high-pressure system before a hard rain.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
House adopts Newhouse, Cuellar H-2A reforms
A bipartisan amendment adding reforms to the H-2A guest-worker program to the 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill was approved by the House Committee on Appropriations recently.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Manweller, Dent leading in primary
Two seats were up for grabs in the 13th Legislative District during Tuesday’s primary. Incumbents Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, and Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, both vied to retain their seats in the state House. Though Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, was also up for election, she ran unopposed.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Amid investigation, Manweller back in leadership role
State Rep. Matt Manweller was elected in April to a leadership position, six months after being stripped of another leadership position in the wake of a Central Washington University investigation into sexual harassment allegations against the legislator. That investigation is still ongoing.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Manweller responds to CWU investigation
State Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, released a statement Wednesday criticizing the object and scope of Central Washington University’s investigation into sexual harassment allegations levied against the professor and lawmaker, preempting release of the university’s final report.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Priest Rapids Dam work progressing
Crews have finished drilling around 230 core samples in the Priest Rapids Dam and are installing instruments into the dam’s concrete monoliths to monitor the structure’s stability. Installation is slated to end in early Sept.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Facebook page parodying opponent has Manweller ties
A Facebook page claiming to be that of a Democrat from Ephrata running for Washington state House, which local candidate Sylvia Hammond said is a crude impersonation of her, was created and managed by her opponent, incumbent Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Ephrata Eagles Car Show offers cars, prizes, classic music
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Eagles Lodge is hosting its fourth annual car show Aug. 4, and hopes to showcase all kinds of vehicles built before 2000.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
House adopts Newhouse, Cuellar H-2A reforms
A bipartisan amendment adding reforms to the H-2A guest-worker program to the 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill was approved by the House Committee on Appropriations Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Priest Rapids Dam work progressing
Crews have finished drilling around 230 core samples in the Priest Rapids Dam and are installing instruments into the dam’s concrete monoliths to monitor the structure’s stability. Installation is slated to end in early Sept.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
In Assaasafofum, charity leads to self-sufficiency
Businesses, faith leaders and city government in Othello came together last year to bring a tractor, a tiller and other equipment to an impoverished village in Ghana so small that it does not appear on most maps.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Ex-Moses Lake Port director accused of animal cruelty
Former Port of Moses Lake executive director David Senne and his wife Mary Ellen Senne have been charged with aggravated animal cruelty after 89 animals were seized from their property in Jones County, Miss. recently.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
In Assaasafofum, charity leads to self-sufficiency
Businesses, faith leaders and city government in Othello came together last year to bring a tractor, a tiller and other equipment to an impoverished village in Ghana so small that it does not appear on most maps.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
CWU nears end of Manweller investigation
Central Washington University obtained a final report July 6 on its investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, a university official confirmed Tuesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Othello celebrates America
When joggers wiped off the sweat from their 5k, 10k or 1-mile long Freedom Fun Runs, and yoga in the park finished stretching on, with a late-morning breakfast courtesy of the Othello Rotary club well digested, folks in Othello got down to serious business: parading down Main street.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Summerfest hits Royal City with a bang
ROYAL CITY — Hundreds arrived in Royal City over the weekend for this year's Summerfest, themed “Stars, Stripes, and Royal Knights.” Events galore greeted attendees, from live music to activities for children.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
An uncertain market for Washington wheat
Between the beginning of tariffs and the withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Washington wheat farmers may be facing a difficult year ahead.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Apple Commission hires new communications coordinator
The Washington Apple Commission has hired Toni Lynn Adams as the new communications outreach coordinator.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Without funding, bump stock buyback faces delays
Despite the urgency with which state lawmakers passed a bump-fire stock ban during the last legislative session, a buyback program lauded by legislators as an escape hatch for owners of the stock attachment was never funded.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Warden woman dies in collision
A 31-year-old Warden woman died Monday morning in a collision north of her hometown.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Unemployment uptick in Grant County
Grant County saw a third straight month of rising unemployment last May compared to the same time last year, according to data posted by the Washington State Economic Security Department. The turn in local job markets has experts nervous but cautioning against grim expectations.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake School District hires new principals, director
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District has hired four new administrators to fulfill roles district-wide and at area schools.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Man allegedly pepper-sprayed, cuffed by ex-girlfriend
MOSES LAKE — Perhaps it was, as the unidentified man said, a lover’s quarrel that got him pepper-sprayed, hands cuffed behind his back as he staggered into the Columbia Basin Herald office Friday afternoon, bleary-eyed and red in the face.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Moses Lake throws Freedom Fest this weekend
MOSES LAKE — For those still hungry for fireworks and fried food after Wednesday’s Fourth of July festivities, but who don’t want to wait until New Year’s Eve, Moses Lake’s Freedom Fest is one more chance to get their fill.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
In the wake of suicide, anti-bullying event for Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — After the recent suicide of a local middle-schooler and an attempted suicide by another, Donny Parker, CEO of Vengrid, Jeff Dalrymple, gym manager at Anytime Fitness of Moses Lake, and others have decided to hold anti-bullying event Resolve 2018 in the Moses Lake High School auditorium.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Othello celebrates America
When joggers wiped off the sweat from their 5k, 10k or 1-mile long Freedom Fun Runs, and yoga in the park finished stretching on, with a late-morning breakfast courtesy of the Othello Rotary club well digested, folks in Othello got down to serious business: parading down Main street.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
George Rock and Ride Bike Tour happening May 19
The Quincy Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Rock and Ride Bike Tour May 19, featuring 18-, 35- and 70-mile courses that start and end in George.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Hammond to attend Warden meet-and-greet event
WARDEN — Sylvia Hammond, Democratic challenger for the seat in the state House of Representatives currently held by Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, will be holding a meet-and-greet with voters in Warden Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Avista to build state's largest solar farm in Lind
LIND — Avista Utilities is expanding its solar energy generation with the Solar Select program, powered by a solar array being built in Lind which will provide solar power to large commercial and industrial electric customers.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Grant County International Airport will keep control of radar systems
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County International Airport will be retaining control over its control tower radar systems following a review by the Federal Aviation Administration into whether management of the systems should be consolidated elsewhere.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Chief Moses Middle School students give back to farmworkers
A group of student leaders from Chief Moses Middle School blew away their local competition during the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Program’s annual long-sleeved shirt drive, collecting 180 shirts for farmworkers who regularly work exposed to sun and pesticides.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Ellensburg Democrat to challenge Dent
ELLENSBURG — An Ellensburg Democrat is running for a seat in the state House of Representatives currently held by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, campaigning on a platform of political and economic centrism.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Faithful Five sing the classics to local seniors
MOSES LAKE — Five young women are trying to bring a little joy and nostalgia to senior citizens in the Moses Lake area with a capella renditions of classics from their audience’s era.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Local legislators 'have nothing to hide'
Responding to criticisms that the state legislature tried to exempt itself from public records laws a month ago in order to better keep secrets, Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, handed over his work computer to the Columbia Basin Herald for four days last week.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
More flexibility for fairs under new funding law
A bill from Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, to make funding more flexible for the approximately 64 fairs in Washington was signed into law Tuesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Slew of retirements in Olympia could shake up November elections
More than a dozen retiring state legislators, including top leadership from both parties, are likely to add to an already high-stakes elections this November, when Democrats will attempt to maintain and expand their narrow majority.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Warnick livestock inspection bill signed into law
A bill closing an exemption on veterinary inspections of livestock brought into Washington was signed into law Tuesday, aligning the state with federal laws intended to increase disease traceability.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Gov. Inslee signs Dent's Firewise bill
A piece of priority legislation by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, was signed into law recently, tasking the wildland fire advisory committee with reviewing wildfire prevention, response and suppression and recommending improvements to the state’s fire mobilization.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Washington lawmakers pass budget, McCleary fix
State lawmakers passed a $1.2 billion supplemental operating budget on the last day of the 2018 legislative session after a contentious vote along party lines.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Legislators pass bill on police deadly use of force
Lawmakers in the waning days of the legislative session quickly responded to a citizen’s initiative that would make it easier to prosecute the illegal use of deadly force by an on-duty officer, amending I-940 despite concerns that doing so might violate the state constitution.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
School safety, gun control bill fails
OLYMPIA — A last-minute push for a multifaceted school safety bill containing contentious gun control provisions appears to have hit a political dead-end, bringing down with it several bipartisan measures regarding emergency notification and the availability of school resource officers in schools.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Resolution would name April Fool's Day 'Gov. Inslee Integrity' Day
OLYMPIA — In a parting jab from a retiring Spokane-area lawmaker, a resolution was introduced on the Senate floor Monday to name April Fool’s Day as “Governor Jay Inslee Integrity Day.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
School safety bill contains gun control provisions
OLYMPIA — Filled to the brim with a hodgepodge of provisions and regulations, the legislature’s fast-tracked school safety bill will affect everything from the availability of school resource officers to the ability of anyone under 21 years old to buy a semi-automatic rifle.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Inslee vetoes public records bill
OLYMPIA — Facing “unprecedented” pressure from a surge of Washingtonians who wrote and called with their concerns, Gov. Jay Inslee late Thursday night vetoed a measure pushed by state legislators to exempt themselves from public records laws.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Legislature passes bump stock ban
In a rare victory for advocates of gun control, the Washington legislature sent a bill to Governor Inslee’s desk Tuesday that will ban possession, sale and manufacture of bump fire stocks over the course of the next year and a half.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Voter Rights Act awaits governor's signature
The state House voted Tuesday to implement the Washington Voter Rights Act, which aims to increase the minority representation by breaking up cities and districts into smaller voting blocks.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Dems weaken school mental health care bill
Amidst calls to strengthen school safety in an era of mass shootings, a bill that sought to bring up-to-date lagging school district response plans for students suffering emotional or behavioral health crises was stripped of its core substance earlier this month.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Dems sink proposal to add officers to schools
An amendment to the House supplemental budget proposal that would have invested $30 million for school districts to hire resource officers failed to be adopted after Democratic resistance and a vote along party lines.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
State House passes bump stock ban
OLYMPIA — The state House voted to ban bump stocks, a stock attachment that allows a semi-automatic rifle to fire in rapid succession.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Lawmakers vote themselves out of public records requests
OLYMPIA — With a speed few in the state capitol have ever seen, lawmakers in the Senate and the House voted within minutes of each other to exempt themselves from public records laws — laws that every other governmental agency in the state is subject to.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Lawmakers push through public records exemption
A bill exempting state lawmakers from the Public Records Acts was heard Thursday less than 24 hours after the proposal was made public, bypassing rules and procedures for legislation that would have normally delayed the process until the next legislative session.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
House budget proposal lowers taxes, creates new ones
The 2018 operating budget proposal released by the Democrat-controlled state House Tuesday seeks longer property tax cuts than those called for in the Senate’s recent proposal, paid for with a capital gains tax that would begin in 2019.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Bill would put foster parent training online
A bill that would make some training for potential foster parents more easily available is likely to travel from the legislature to the governor’s desk.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Privacy vs. accountability in public employees birthdate bill
A proposal that would exempt the birthdates of public employees from public records requests recently passed through the state Senate 25-22, which supporters of the bill say will protect against identity theft.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Hundreds tune in for telephone town hall
Hundreds of constituents of the 13th Legislative District tuned in to a telephone town hall Monday evening hosted by their local lawmakers.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
9th District telephone town hall on Thursday
Constituents of the 9th Legislative District will have an opportunity to talk with their elected officials in the state House of Representatives during a telephone town hall on beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Senate votes out death penalty
OLYMPIA — The state Senate voted 26-22 to repeal the death penalty Wednesday night, rejecting several Republican amendments without debate to the consternation of minority leadership.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Bill requiring high school civics passes out of House
OLYMPIA — A bill that would require standalone civics education in Washington high schools passed through the House floor late last week, part of a larger effort to spur the state’s youth to get involved with their political systems.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Telephone town hall is Monday
Constituents of the 13th Legislative District will have an opportunity to talk with their elected officials during an hour-long telephone town hall at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 19.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Dems hit roadblock on statewide individual mandate
OLYMPIA — Some Democratic lawmakers in Washington are looking for a way to replace the Obamacare-era individual mandate for health insurance, which ended as part of Congress’ recent tax reform package. Those efforts appear to have hit a roadblock, despite slim Democratic majorities in both chambers.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Bill would end non-criminal juvenile incarceration
OLYMPIA — Democratic lawmakers are pushing a bill that would end juvenile detention in the state for status offenses like truancy or running away, which are only illegal due to the age of the perpetrator.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Legislative Republicans unimpressed with Democratic majority
Halfway through the 2018 legislative session, state Republican lawmakers are not impressed with the accomplishments of the Democratic majority.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Color and music in Olympia for Latino Legislative Day
Hundreds marched through Olympia Monday for Latino Legislative Day, calling for immigration reform and improvements to workers’ rights.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Washington Farm Bureau honors local lawmaker
OLYMPIA — Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, was named the 2017 Legislator of the Year by the Washington Farm Bureau, alongside her colleague Rep. David Taylor, R-Moxee, for their work supporting agriculture in the state.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Bill would raise age to buy tobacco to 21
OLYMPIA — State lawmakers are considering raising the age to buy tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 in an effort to lower addiction rates and cut back on nicotine in schools.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Lawmakers say teens sexting does not equal child porn
OLYMPIA — Today if a teenager is found with a sexually explicit image of another teenager, they could face child pornography charges.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Bill would help fund low-income housing
OLYMPIA — State lawmakers are considering matching a federal tax credit for owners of low-income housing projects to encourage new development that might not otherwise be economically feasible, spending up to $42 million per year.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
State Senate votes to ban bump stocks
The state Senate voted recently to ban possession, sale or manufacture of bump stocks, a firearm attachment that works with gunfire recoil to bounce the trigger of a semi-automatic rifle against the user’s finger, causing the weapon to fire as rapidly as an automatic rifle.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Lawmakers want easier access to rape kits
OLYMPIA — In most parts of Washington, rape victims may have to drive hours to the nearest hospital, only to find the facility is incapable of performing the exam needed to convict the rapist.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Lawmakers consider Discover Pass changes
The state House Environment Committee held a public hearing Monday on bills that could expand access to the vast majority of public lands in Washington.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Bill would strengthen school response for mental health crises
OLYMPIA — School districts throughout the state have for years failed to complete legally required response plans for students who are in potentially dangerous emotional distress.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Sen. Warnick is satisfied with Hirst compromise
OLYMPIA — State lawmaker’s bipartisan compromise on rural water rights last week was significantly different than the 2017 bill masterminded by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, which repeatedly stalled in a Democrat-controlled House.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Ephrata Democrat to challenge Manweller
State Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, will face a Democratic challenger for his seat in the Washington state House of Representatives.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
House Republicans push for remote testimony
OLYMPIA — Traveling to Olympia to testify before the legislature can be difficult and dangerous for those who live east of the Cascades. The journey can take upwards of six hours one way, all to testify for as little as 60 seconds.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
State lawmakers consider gun control bills
OLYMPIA — About 1,000 gun rights and gun control advocates met at the capital this week to testify on five bills that would affect the right of Washingtonians to keep firearms.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Bill aimed at combating addiction could limit opioid prescriptions
OLYMPIA — Patrick Janicki was 20 when he fell while pole climbing at a county fair, suffering a severe back-injury. After years of managing chronic pain from the injury, Patrick told his mother in 2016 that he was addicted to pain pills.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Bill would pay tuition in rural counties
OLYMPIA — Rural counties struggling to find and retain skilled workers might find some relief in a bill heard Wednesday by the House Committee on Higher Education.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Governor's State Of The State disappoints Republicans
OLYMPIA — Governor Inslee laid out his priorities Tuesday for the upcoming session at the annual State of the State address, including passage of the capital budget and funding public schools, but half of his speech focused on one item: a carbon tax.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Senate hears testimony on possible Hirst fix
OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers held a hearing Monday to discuss SB 6091, a possible fix for the state Supreme Court’s Hirst decision.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Democrats likely to propose new taxes
OLYMPIA — Washington is about a billion dollars short of adequately funding public schools as required by the 2012 McCleary decision. Lawmakers are struggling to agree on where to find that money, even within their own parties.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Hirst fix remains priority for lawmakers
OLYMPIA — Washington legislators are poised to rehash last year’s fight over legislative fixes to the state Supreme Court’s Hirst decision, which has slowed or stopped new well water and building permits from being issued in counties across the state.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
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