Staff Writer
JOEL MARTIN
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.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
‘Our favorite time of year’
MOSES LAKE — The heavy police presence outside local stores recently wasn’t because of a crime wave. It was police officers engaging in their favorite annual event. “This is one of those times throughout the year that we don't have to go and ask for volunteers to help,” said Moses …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and a lot of people will be spending time at home with their families or at the church of their choice. Still, there are a few things happening around the Basin. Here are some ideas:
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Chimney maintenance is essential for safety
MOSES LAKE — With Christmas just around the corner, lots of folks are using their fireplaces for warmth, roasting chestnuts or just a pleasant atmosphere. But before Santa pays your chimney a visit, you should make sure it’s in good working order. Chimney fires are responsible for more than three-fourths …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Xi Beta Xi raises money for Othello Food Bank
OTHELLO — The ladies of Xi Beta Xi showed their support for the Othello Food Bank last week, to the tune of $2,413. “We held a holiday auction,” said Xi Beta Xi Vice President Debbie Pegram. “All of us in the group (brought) silent auction items, and we invited all …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 HOURS, 6 MINUTES AGO
Cops for Tots
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department is focused on supporting local children this year with their revamped annual toy drive. “We had been doing this for a while, through Toys for Tots,” said MLPD Public Records Technician Cristina Valdez. “But last year we decided to change it to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 HOURS, 26 MINUTES AGO
Local bean bag champ eyes pro game
MOSES LAKE — We’ve seen the game at almost every outdoor community gathering: two or more players tossing bean bags at a board tilted up at an angle, aiming for a hole in the board. But that bean bag toss game, also called cornhole, is more than just a casual …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 HOURS, 31 MINUTES AGO
Moses Lake firefighters meet the community with hot cocoa
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake firefighters held their Christmas community event at ground level this year. “The last few years, we’ve done what we call the campus tour,” said MLFD Battalion Chief Schrade Rouse. “We would put our Santa on top of the truck and ride a neighborhood route so …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 3 HOURS AGO
Wahluke Jr. High earns Culture Kick-Off Award again
MATTAWA — Wahluke Junior High School has been honored with the 2025 Culture Kickoff Award for the second year in a row, according to an announcement from the Association of Washington School Leaders and the Association of Washington School Principals.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 12 HOURS AGO
Women combine talents to open businesses in shared space
MOSES LAKE — Three woman-owned businesses held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening at their new location in Moses Lake Thursday. The office at 815 W. Third Ave. holds an accounting firm, a massage service and a waxing room. “We’re a one-stop shop,” Mandy Schuh said. Schuh is the owner and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 3 HOURS AGO
Mattawa Winter Festival includes crafts, cocoa and ugly sweaters
MATTAWA — Mattawa’s annual Winter Festival will take place Wednesday. “The goal is to bring families together to celebrate the holiday and to make crafts as a family,” said Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya. The event is put together by a coalition of community stakeholders including the city of Mattawa, Wahluke …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 3 HOURS AGO
Piano students to support orphans with recital
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake-area music students will perform to raise money for a Ukrainian orphanage, according to an announcement from piano teacher Marina Munter. Students of Moses Lake-Central Basin chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers Association members will perform “Christmas Songs for Ukrainian Orphans” Dec. 20, at Moses …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 3 HOURS AGO
BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 12-20
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas out there, and there are holiday goings-on galore in the Basin. Here are a few things to make your spirits bright:
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 3 HOURS AGO
Ephrata rings in the holidays with Bells on Basin on Saturday
EPHRATA — Bells on Basin will fill downtown Ephrata with holiday spirit Saturday, with games, shopping and a lighted parade. “It's a festive event that a lot of people look forward to, to kick off and bring everybody together for the holidays,” said Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Director Britney MacLeod.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 3 HOURS AGO
Protect your property during peak burglary season
MOSES LAKE — The holidays may be the season for giving, but for some people, it’s also the season for taking, and what they’re taking could belong to you. Washington has one of the highest rates of burglary in the nation, according to FBI data, and property crimes spike dramatically …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 3 HOURS AGO
