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
Miyo Koba loved her garden to the end
MOSES LAKE — Miyo Koba’s yard and garden were her pride and joy.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Lawmakers hear testimony on Truth in Mental Health Coverage Act
OLYMPIA — A bill to streamline access to mental health has been introduced in this year’s session of the Washington Legislature.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 HOUR, 30 MINUTES AGO
14 Basin firefighters complete fire academy training
QUINCY — Fourteen firefighters from Quincy, Mattawa, Soap Lake, Ephrata and Royal Slope completed the Columbia River Fire Academy last week, according to an announcement from Grant County Fire District 3, which hosted the training at the George Fire Station.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 12 HOURS, 57 MINUTES AGO
No injuries in Moses Lake car fire Monday
MOSES LAKE — A vehicle fire slowed, but didn’t stop, the line of parents dropping off students at Columbia Middle School Monday morning. Nobody was hurt in the incident, according to City of Moses Lake Communications and Marketing Specialist Lynne Lynch. At about 8:20 a.m., a car on Nelson Road …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 23 HOURS, 5 MINUTES AGO
Country Sweethearts raises money for cancer fighters
MOSES LAKE — It’s a rare person who hasn’t been touched by cancer one way or another, said Jay Ballinger, who delivered the blessing before the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation’s Country Sweethearts banquet and auction Saturday. He asked each person in the room to call to mind someone affected by …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 12 HOURS AGO
McFadden Family Motors cuts the ribbon on new lot
MOSES LAKE — The little lot on Broadway in Moses Lake is again full of cars. Owner RJ McFadden officially cut the ribbon on McFadden Family Motors Wednesday afternoon.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 12 HOURS AGO
Nonprofit tackles starter home costs
SEATTLE — A new partnership between the private and public sectors could make owning their first home attainable for more Washington families.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 8 HOURS AGO
'$28K in 28 Days'
EPHRATA — For $28, you can buy a couple days’ worth of groceries, two or three fast food lunches or maybe a respectable bottle of wine. But if 1,000 people chip in $28, His Helping Hands can have its own kitchen.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 11 HOURS AGO
BASIN EVENTS: Feb. 6-14, 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — Valentine’s Day is coming up, and whether you celebrate with a sweetie, hang with some friends or just sail solo, there’s something for everybody happening this week.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Shakespeare goes bonkers
SOAP LAKE — Thirty-seven plays. That’s how many William Shakespeare wrote in his career. And every one of those will be on the Masquers stage next week. “We take all of Shakespeare’s plays – tragedies, comedies, histories – and mash them all into a little under two hours,” said Adam …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Home values fluctuate year-over-year across Basin
MOSES LAKE — Home prices were up in three Basin communities in December from a year earlier, according to real estate website Redfin. Moses Lake’s median home price was just over $366,000 in December 2025, an increase of 8.7% from December 2024, according to Redfin. Ephrata’s median home price was …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 1 HOUR AGO
Soap Lake Food Bank volunteering a rewarding experience
SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Food Bank is only open for five and a half hours, one day a week, but it stays pretty busy during that time. “We average about 230, 240 (families) month in, month out,” said volunteer Fred Wright. “(There were) 350 for Thanksgiving, 300 for …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 2 HOURS AGO
Washington students work for state cactus
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Legislature started the session with a prickly subject. “Sometimes folks think Olympia is all about the thorny issues but today was about celebrating some pretty sharp kids,” Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, wrote in a Jan. 28 announcement about the passing of Senate Bill 5325, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Numerica scholarships open for applications
MOSES LAKE — Numerica Credit Union is accepting applications for its 2026 scholarships. “On Feb. 2, we opened up what is called our ‘$tarting Off Right Scholarships,’” said Financial Engagement Manager Jon Maroni. “We’re offering 16 scholarships (for) $1,250 apiece.” The scholarships are open to high school seniors who will …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
