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
Fest food
MOSES LAKE — You don’t need a map to find where Spring Fest is set up in McCosh Park. The aromas wafting on the breeze call out to you from a block away. “It’s a dangerous place to be,” said Karlee Marion-Swan, who was getting teriyaki ready ahead of the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Innovation rewarded at Flywheel Investment Conference
WENATCHEE — Seattle startup Optimly swept the top awards at the 2026 Flywheel Investment Conference in Wenatchee, according to an announcement from NCW Tech Alliance, which organizes the conference every year. Optimly won the $150,000 investment award from the Flywheel Angel Network, the $50,000 relocation offer from NCW Tech Alliance, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Library activities for June 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — There’s a lot going on at your local library. Find yours and check it out. Coulee City 218 W Main St. – 509-632-8751 June 5, 12 and 26 (Fridays): Preschool storytime | 11 a.m. Half an hour of stories, songs, rhymes, and fun. This program is designed …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Making a better apple – Okanagan Specialty Fruits celebrates 30 years
MOSES LAKE — Fruit that stays fresh longer is a dream of orchardists and processors, and Thursday Okanagan Specialty Fruits celebrated 30 years of making that a reality.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Memorial Day ceremonies to remember those who gave their lives Monday
MOSES LAKE — Memorial Day weekend is here, and along with all the fun and festivities that accompany a three-day weekend, some Basin residents will be gathering on Monday for a more solemn occasion. “Memorial Day (is) not about war, it’s about people,” Jane Montaney, of the Art Semro American …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 6 HOURS AGO
Keep your lawn in shape this summer
MOSES LAKE — It’s getting warmer, and that means it’s time to take a good look at the lawn and get it ready to enjoy. A major consideration in the Basin will be watering. With the limited water supply, a homeowner needs to get the most out of what water …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 7 HOURS AGO
BASIN EVENTS: May 22-29
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s Memorial Day weekend and there will be celebrations and solemn remembrances all over the Basin. There’s also live music, art and community gatherings to enjoy. Here are a few ways to start the summer. May 22 Historic Marker Dedication A sign detailing the life of Nathaniel …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 7 HOURS AGO
Knowledge on display at Nova Creativity Fair
MOSES LAKE — Some of Moses Lake‘s highly capable students showed what they’re highly capable of at the Nova Creativity Fair at Knolls Vista Elementary School Monday. “For this end-of-the-year project, the kids all get to decide who they want to work with and what topic they want to research,” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 6 HOURS AGO
Lunch, prizes and fun coming at Senior Picnic
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Senior Picnic will be bigger this year, said Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. “We’re expecting 900 seniors,” Doran-Martinez said. “We’ll have the (Grant County Fairgrounds) 4-H Building full of vendors … and we’ll have some vendors outside the front door as …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 7 HOURS AGO
A wish come true
ROYAL CITY — What’s better for a little boy than meeting one of his heroes? Meeting all of them at once at Disneyland. “We went to Disneyland to meet Dude Perfect,” said Shaina Davies, whose 6-year-old son Parker was treated to the trip by the Make-a-Wish Foundation. “(Parker) met MrBeast, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 6 HOURS AGO
Working together
ROYAL CITY — Community leaders and substance use prevention professionals gathered May 14 in Royal City for the Grant County Key Leader Event to collaborate on ways to keep youth off drugs and alcohol.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 7 HOURS AGO
Carp Classic removes more than 3/4 ton of invasive fish from Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — The weather wasn’t great on Saturday, but the Moses Lake Carp Classic brought out 55 bow fishers in 23 boats, organizer Ty Swartout wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. Fishers shot 147 carp totaling 1,587 pounds, Swartout wrote.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 7 HOURS AGO
WSU choir visits Ephrata, other high schools to encourage students to sing
EPHRATA — The members of Ephrata High School’s chamber choir had a glimpse of what could be their future Thursday morning, when the Washington State University chamber singers and concert choir joined them.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 7 HOURS AGO
