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
As drought persists, Washington seeks new water strategies
With one year after another of high temperatures and low reservoir levels, growers and experts are looking for ways to adjust. “We’re in the fourth year of drought, and a lot of folks are asking questions about how agriculture can use water more efficiently,” said Jon DeVaney, director of the …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Putting on a show: There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes of a trade expo
When the harvest is over and winter sets in, that’s the season for agricultural trade shows. From crop-specific events to the enormous Spokane Ag Show, tens of thousands of people pour into expos, conventions and shows in Washington. Those don’t just spring up out of nowhere. “There are so many …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Confluence Health names new Chief Medical Officer
WENATCHEE — Confluence Health has selected a new chief medical officer, according to an announcement from Confluence July 23 July 23. Dr. Katie Peterson replaces former CMO Dr. James Murray, who was appointed to Confluence Health’s new chief physician executive position in March, according to an April 29 announcement from …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
CBCCA unveils 2026-27 concert season
MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association has released its concert schedule for 2026-27. The season will begin with a CBCCA favorite, the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra, on Oct. 11. “The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra has a long tradition as one of the finest student/community orchestras in the region and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Podium cuts ribbon on new, expanded physical therapy and training clinic
MOSES LAKE — In physical therapy, it’s good to have plenty of room to work in. Now, Podium Physical Therapy and Performance Training has that space. Owner Dr. Ryan Carpenter cut the ribbon on his new, larger practice Thursday afternoon. “My idea with therapy and training was always to have …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Looking good
MOSES LAKE — It takes a lot of training to make people look their best. “(A license to do) nails is 600 hours (of instruction),” said Institute of Beauty Professionals owner and instructor Nicholas Harle. “Cosmetology is 1,640 hours, barbering is 1,000, hair design is 1,440 and aesthetics is 750.” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 15 HOURS AGO
Growing fast
ROYAL CITY — It’s one thing to grow and sell flowers. Owning a complete nursery is something else altogether, especially when you have only months to build it. “The learning curve has been really steep,” said Kylie Gray-Eilers. “I just always tell myself that every day is a new day.” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 15 HOURS AGO
BASIN EVENTS: July 24-Aug. 1
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s hot and smoky outside? This is the Columbia Basin. We’re used to this. Here are some chances to get out and have some fun no matter what the sky looks like. July 25 Christmas in July at the Market Who says you have to wait until …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 15 HOURS AGO
Library activities for August 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — Summer winds down in August, and so do summer reading programs. Here’s what’s happening at libraries in the Basin. All activities are at the library unless otherwise indicated.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 15 HOURS AGO
Basin vets honored with quilts
MOSES LAKE — Some Basin veterans were honored Monday, not with medals or a parade, but with quilts. “Many people see beautiful quilts and admire the colors and patterns and stitching, but it is much more than fabric and thread,” said Jenn Tincher, who leads Soap Lake Freedom Quilts of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 15 HOURS AGO
Warden library hosts Mexican dance show
WARDEN — The dancers of Warden’s Ballet Folklórico Viva México performed at the Warden Library Thursday afternoon, entertaining one of the largest crowds a library event has drawn, said Librarian Jean Boersma. “We were pushing 100,” Boersma said. “They just kept coming.” About 15 dancers of wide-ranging ages and sizes …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 15 HOURS AGO
‘A Gathering of Ologists’
COULEE CITY — Just about anything anyone could want to know about the Columbia Basin will be on display Saturday at the Ice Age Floodfest at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park. “Floodfest is a gathering of ‘ologists,’” said Washington State Parks Interpretive Specialist David McWalter. “We’ve got archaeologists, geologists, geomorphologists, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 15 HOURS AGO
Man arrested in Thursday morning hit-and-run
MOSES LAKE — A suspect was taken into custody Thursday afternoon in the hit-and-run of a county road worker early Thursday morning, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. Trino Mendez, 36, was booked into Grant County Jail on suspicion of hit-and-run attended complicity and vehicular …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Free bowling, pizza and movies for Ritzville’s National Night Out
RITZVILLE— Ritzville’s National Night Out will look a little different this year, said Ritzville Police Chief Mike Suniga. “This year, we’re going to rent out the local bowling alley, and we’ll have bowling and free pizza,” Suniga said. “And we’re finalizing a movie at the Ritz Theater next door.” The …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
