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
'Cafe Murder'
MOSES LAKE — The audience plays detective at “Cafe Murder,” taking the stage Friday and Saturday in Moses Lake. “Cafe Murder,” a collaboration between Columbia Basin Allied Arts and Sunshine Performing Arts, is a dinner theater production in which guests enjoy a meal and a mystery play and then solve …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Handbell choir keeps up ringing tradition at Othello church
OTHELLO — It’s difficult enough for a director to keep musicians in line when they’re all playing at the same time. But when members take turns with just one or two notes each, well, then it gets complicated.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 5 HOURS AGO
Locals compete in Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars
MOSES LAKE — Volunteer firefighter Brian McGowan took home the coveted mirrored ball trophy at Saturday night’s Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars. “This has been a life goal,” McGowan said. “Definitely, since I was a little kid, this has been a dream of mine.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 5 HOURS AGO
Chicken-themed show opens at Up Town Art Gallery
MOSES LAKE — A whole flock of artists contributed to The Chicken Show at Up Town Gallery in Moses Lake Friday. “We have over 40 entries, from as far away as Colfax,” said Up Town Gallery co-owner Judy Kalin.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Stalking Awareness Month highlights a dangerous form of abuse
MOSES LAKE — January is Stalking Awareness Month and those who work with victims want people to know that it is a serious issue and there is help available. “Stalking is usually a factor in a domestic violence victim’s experience,” said Abraham Tapia, a legal and community advocate with New …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Soap Lake Library, Creative District hold crowdsourced art show
SOAP LAKE — Artists who like to think small are invited to show their stuff at the Six by Six Community Art Show. The show, a collaboration between the Soap Lake Creative District, will feature handmade wall art no more than six inches by six inches, submitted by local artists …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
‘Four Corners of the Year’
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center’s first exhibit of 2026 encompasses the entire calendar. “The title of the show is ‘The Four Corners of the Year,’” said Gallery Coordinator Veronica Talbot. “It goes through all four seasons. We wanted to start with winter, since that’s where …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
BASIN EVENTS: Jan. 9-17, 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — With the holidays safely in our rear-view mirror, the calendar in the Basin isn’t as crowded as it was a few months ago. Still, there are plenty of things to get out and enjoy for those who want to. Here are a few possibilities.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Home prices up locally, down statewide
KIRKLAND — The real estate market in December continued the pattern set in October and November, according to data released this week by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 of Washington’s 39 counties. Active listings were up across Washington compared to December 2024, while …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO
Brookdale Hearthstone Christmas Parade delights seniors, children
MOSES LAKE — The spirit of Christmas paid a visit to Brookdale Hearthstone Dec. 23, with a parade, a visit from Santa and lots and lots of candy for children.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 6 DAYS AGO
Dementia challenges: Handling difficult behaviors with calm and care
MOSES LAKE — Once dementia has set in, it’s time to adjust to a new reality which can include behavioral challenges as the family member experiences frustrations associated with their symptoms.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 6 DAYS AGO
A look at positive vibes in the Basin in 2025
COLUMBIA BASIN — Too often, people pick up the newspaper and see bad news staring them in the face. It’s true that 2025 had its negative moments, but a lot of good things happened in the Columbia Basin last year as well.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS AGO
SENIOR EVENTS: January 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — After the hoopla of the holidays, it’s time to wind down a little and start getting into a routine. Here are a few things to keep your time occupied.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS AGO
Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars returns Jan. 10
MOSES LAKE — Six homegrown hoofers will take the stage again Jan. 10 at Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars. “It’s part comedy (and) part dancing – of course,” said Carla McKean, a board member of the Central Basin Community Concert Association, which puts on the show as its annual …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO
