Friday, November 15, 2024

Fighting hunger

EPHRATA — The students at New Life Christian School in Ephrata are feeding a need. Quite a lot of needs, in fact.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO

Socktober drive brings in 1,300 pairs of socks

MOSES LAKE — Some feet will be warmer this winter in Moses Lake. A whole lot of feet, in fact. Greenpoint Technologies and Red Door Cafe’s joint project, Socktober, brought in 1,300 pairs of socks last month, according to an email from organizer Amy Ward. This is the first year …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 53 MINUTES AGO

‘Wonderful people’

EPHRATA — The Fabric Patch’s breast cancer auction was not your typical fundraiser. There was no expensive venue, no banquet, no volunteers pouring wine or selling raffle tickets. Just a camera, a few dedicated women, and thousands of bidders.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 22 HOURS, 58 MINUTES AGO

Vets honored at Ephrata parade

EPHRATA — It wasn’t a huge crowd that turned out for the Veterans Day parade in Ephrata, but it was a reverent one.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 22 HOURS AGO

Serving the unseen

EPHRATA — Cold weather and a tough economy can be a nasty combination, and sometimes people fall unseen through the cracks.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 22 HOURS AGO

Local talent takes over at Moses Lake Museum

MOSES LAKE — The members take over the museum this month, as the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center’s Members Exhibition showcases local talent on tap. “The show features a wide variety of art in different styles,” Museum Communications Coordinator Natalia Zuyeva wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO

A family of service

MOSES LAKE — Dietrich and Emma Thiesfeld’s 14 children could just about constitute an army in themselves. “Seven of them are or were veterans, and the other seven married veterans,” said Leland “Lee” Thiesfeld, 84 and the 10th of those children, who served in the Marine Corps in the early …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS AGO

‘Moments of sheer terror’

SOAP LAKE — War is hell, it’s often said, and soldiers who get hurt or killed in action are rightly honored for their courage and sacrifice. But recently the U.S. Congress honored another group whose courage sometimes goes unnoticed. Operation Dustoff, the collective name for the medical teams who evacuated …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS AGO

‘A beautiful setup’

MOSES LAKE — Youth Dynamics got a makeover recently, and it was unveiled Tuesday. “We redid the kitchen last year,” said YD Area Director Sean Sallis. “It was a full remodel … so we’re able to feed more kids. It’s a very beautiful setup in here.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO

‘A place of peace’

MOSES LAKE — Palos Verdes at Lakemont became official Tuesday, with a ribbon-cutting hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. “We're excited to work together,” said Palos Verdes CEO Angel Garza. “I think it's going to be something that is going to be great for the city of Moses …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO

Lighting up the town

MOSES LAKE — The holiday tree in downtown Moses Lake will blaze up bigger and brighter this year.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO

Three honored by Moses Lake Ag Hall of Fame

MOSES LAKE — Three local farmers were inducted, one posthumously, into the Moses Lake Agriculture Hall of Fame earlier this month. The Hall of Fame, a function of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, was started in 2010 to recognize and honor distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO

‘It’ll come back’

EPHRATA — The students at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Ephrata were the winners Saturday evening, as the school’s annual fundraiser banquet and auction brought in more than expected. “The great thing about this dinner is that you are going to lose weight,” Bishop Joseph Tyson, who proudly …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO

Seniors save on fishing in Washington

COLUMBIA BASIN — A day on the water with a pole and peace and quiet may just be what the doctor ordered, even if you have to wear some mittens as temps decline.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO

Halloween in Ephrata

EPHRATA — Forty businesses and organizations teamed up Thursday to give young – and some not-so-young – costumed visitors a trick-or-treating experience in downtown Ephrata.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 3 DAYS AGO

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Hartline firefighter and EMT covers a lot of ground

HARTLINE — Grant County Fire District 6 covers 232 square miles of Northeastern Grant County with a population of a little over 2,200. That means resources can get stretched a little thin, said Charles Erickson, a fifth-generation farmer in the Hartline area. “For the most part, we’re all farmers out …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 4 DAYS AGO

Murder in the house

OTHELLO — Othello High School’s fall play has it all: blackmail, murder, fake identities, jump scares and more unexpected twists than a logging road at midnight. “There's a lot of screams,” said Sophia Terayama, who plays Mrs. White in OHS’ performance of “Clue,” which opens Nov. 7 and runs through …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 6 DAYS AGO

Keep ahead of water damage

MOSES LAKE — With fall turning into winter, there’s always a risk of water damage to the home from a sudden thaw or heavy rain or snowfall. “(Water damage) is one of the most common and expensive claims that homeowners need to file,” said Jennifer Hawton, a spokesperson for Pemco …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 6 DAYS AGO

The dead live on in memory at the Moravida Festival

MOSES LAKE — This world and the next came together Saturday at the Moravida Festival at the Grant County Fairgrounds.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS AGO

Pet rescue to hold fundraiser at Moore Brewing

MOSES LAKE — Moore Brewing Company of Moses Lake will host a benefit fundraiser for Lost and Found Pets of Grant County, Washington, according to an announcement from the organization.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO

Sister story

QUINCY — One of the most beloved families in American literature will take the stage at Quincy High School. “Little Women,” a stage adaptation of the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, will be performed at the QHS Performing Arts Center Friday and Saturday, and again Nov. 7-9. The script …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO

Homeschoolers host science fair

EPHRATA — Eighteen children showed what they had learned about the world around them Saturday at the Little House Science Fair in Ephrata. “Every year we have a theme, and this year’s theme is “Hands On,” said Hannah Gustafson, who organized the show for the Little House in the Desert …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 1 DAY AGO

A dance of murder

MOSES LAKE — It’s not often that the words “ballet,” “interactive” and “murder mystery” appear together. “You actually have never seen it before,” said Shawn Cardwell, executive director of Columbia Basin Allied Arts, which will present Ballet Fantastique’s “Murder at the Ballet” Friday at the Wallenstien Theater. “This is a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 3 DAYS AGO

‘Mystery Masquerade’ the theme of St. Rose auction Saturday

EPHRATA — “Mystery Masquerade” will be the theme of the 41st annual St. Rose of Lima Catholic School auction Saturday. “It’ll be really fun to see what everybody comes as,” said St. Rose Principal Amy Krautscheid. Costumes aren’t required, she added.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 3 DAYS AGO

A cycle of abuse

MOSES LAKE — On a single day in October, the Moses Lake Police Department received 62 calls for service, according to its records. More than one in eight of those was a domestic incident.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 6 DAYS AGO

New builder in town

MOSES LAKE — The neighborhood is there. Now all it needs is some neighbors. “Being a new builder and a new name to town, it does take a little bit to get name recognition up and running,” said Realtor Amy Leicht at the ribbon-cutting Tuesday for The Refuge at Mae …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 6 DAYS AGO

Localizing the park

MOSES LAKE — Lower Peninsula Park is moving beyond the usual grassy fields, with some help from the Columbia Basin Conservation District and the city of Moses Lake. Staff from both the city and CBCD were out Wednesday morning preparing a demonstration garden that will show how native, low-water plants …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 6 DAYS AGO

Hayden Homes named among best places to work

REDMOND, Ore. — Hayden Homes recently received two of the nation’s top honors for construction and mid-sized workplaces from Fortune magazine and the website Great Place To Work, according to an announcement from Hayden Homes.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 WEEKS, 6 DAYS AGO

Teaching America

QUINCY — Folks who would like to prepare to become U.S. citizens can get some help through the Quincy Public Library, according to an announcement from NCW Libraries. There is no charge for the classes. The space for the classes is supplied by NCW Libraries, and Hand in Hand Immigration …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 WEEKS AGO

Small stores hold on, hold together tiny communities

MOSES LAKE — The small communities of eastern Washington have steadily gotten smaller in the last century as cars and trucks replaced railroads and people began ranging farther and farther away for their shopping needs. A small town that once boasted clothing stores, car dealerships and barber shops might now …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 6 DAYS AGO

Meeting in the middle

MOSES LAKE — A new housing development in progress on the south side of Moses Lake could expand the housing options in town. “You guys need entry-level housing,” said Troy Schmeil, owner of Bellevue-based Sapphire Homes Northwest, which is developing a tract of land off South Division Street. “On both …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 6 DAYS AGO

‘They’re amazing’

MOSES LAKE — Incoming Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Kim Pope had some things to say about the town’s growth Tuesday night. “Moses Lake is growing,” said Pope, the executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin. “We have more businesses coming to town …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 WEEKS, 6 DAYS AGO

Making the rounds

EPHRATA — The Wine Walk will take over downtown Ephrata Saturday, and it’s a good idea to get tickets online.
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Faith, fun and food

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department and local churches joined forces Friday for Faith & Blue at Lions Field in Moses Lake.
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‘Worth fighting for’

MOSES LAKE — Steventhen Holland had a question Saturday as the featured speaker at a fundraiser banquet benefiting Crossroads Resource Center, which provides care, counseling and supplies to people facing unplanned pregnancies as an alternative to abortion. “I want you to think about how you answer this,” he said. “Is …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

‘Under the Sea’

OTHELLO — Art lovers – and others – are invited to take a dive Saturday. “Under the Sea” is the theme of the Old Hotel Art Gallery’s annual benefit auction and although it’s not required, attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly. “We’ll be having a costume contest,” said gallery director …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

Down on the farm

MOSES LAKE — More than 500 children got a close-up look at agriculture Wednesday at First Grade Farm Day on Moses Lake. “It really comes back to ag advocacy,” said Moses Lake High School ag teacher Tony Kern. “Even though we’re in an agricultural community, there’s fewer and fewer people …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

Boeing announces coming job cuts, third-quarter loss

MOSES LAKE — Boeing plans to cut its workforce by about 10%, according to an announcement Friday from CEO Kelly Ortberg. Ortberg did not give a timeline for the job cuts, saying only that they would be instituted “over the coming months.” “Our business is in a difficult position, and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

‘Cowboy up for Youth’

MOSES LAKE — “Cowboy Up for Youth” will be the theme of Youth Dynamics’ annual dinner and auction Oct. 19. The auctions in the past haven’t really had themes, said YD Director Sean Sallis, just allusions to the organization’s outdoor youth adventures.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

Home efficiency aid

MOSES LAKE — When the wind turns chilly in a few weeks, Basin residents can get a little extra help with their heating, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

‘All the accolades’

MOSES LAKE — Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin Director Kim Pope got just a little embarrassed at Saturday’s fundraiser banquet. “In this community, we know how amazing Kim Pope is,” Boys & Girls Clubs Board Member Kelly Price told the crowd. “However, this is even bigger: She …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

CBH’s Bivona named WA Sportswriter of the year

MOSES LAKE — Columbia Basin Herald sports reporter Ian Bivona was caught completely flat-footed when he found out he’d won the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s Sportswriter of the Year Award last weekend. “I was pretty shocked,” he said. “I had no idea … that I was nominated at all.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

‘Leapin’ lizards!’

SOAP LAKE — It’s the hard knock life at the Masquers Theater starting Oct. 18, as “Annie” takes the stage. The beloved musical set in Depression-era New York follows 11-year-old Annie, played by Carlee Howard, from an orphanage to a mansion, stopping at a shantytown and the White House along …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

‘They deserve for us not to give up'

MOSES LAKE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin raised about $250,000 Saturday night at its annual banquet and auction, and the money will go straight to the kids who need it, said club Director Kim Pope. “When they come to our club, what do we do?” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH AGO

Royal Middle School celebrates Hispanic Heritage Day

ROYAL CITY — Royal Middle School students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Day Thursday with music, food and presentations about Hispanic cultures. “One (teacher) was teaching the importance of football and what that means for the Hispanic community,” said Principal Jerred Copenhaver. “One teacher was teaching them how to make tortillas, so …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO

MLPD, churches to host Faith & Blue tailgate Friday

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department will join with local churches Friday at Lions Field to mark National Faith & Blue Weekend, according to an announcement from the MLPD. “We’re tailgating at the football game to provide an opportunity for community outreach and engaging with people,” said MLPD …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO

Molly in the Mineshaft to perform at Wallenstien

MOSES LAKE — It’s called “newgrass.” That’s how the members of Molly in the Mineshaft describe the mixture of folk, bluegrass, blues, jazz, Celtic and rock they’ll be bringing to the Wallenstien Theater Oct. 17. The show is the second in the Central Basin Community Concert Association’s 2024-25 season.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO

Dude, Where’s My Cart tournament highlights frustrations of Alzheimer’s

WARDEN — Some people take their golf very seriously. Fortunately, those people were not at Sage Hills Golf Course Saturday, because the challenges of the Dude, Where’s My Cart?! Alzheimer’s fundraiser tournament would have driven them bonkers. “Each challenge we had – we had nine of them – is dementia-based,” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO

‘That’s power’

MOSES LAKE — Lots of gifts were shared at the annual Buddy Walk Saturday in Moses Lake, inspired by an artist who visited Moses Lake in the spring. “Beth Anna Margolis has Down syndrome,” Kerry Aronsohn told the assembled crowd. “She’s a painter and a poet, and has been creating …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 1 WEEK AGO

‘Today was a great day’

ALMIRA — The town of Almira covers slightly more than half a square mile, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but Saturday all the fun was concentrated in one block. “They’ve changed the parade route this year, trying to focus everything more on the park,” said Almira Mayor Jason Evers, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Blanket statement

COLUMBIA BASIN — Blankets are small things, but for a child who’s been through a hard time, a blanket can be a real comfort, and the folks with Project Linus aim to make sure there are always plenty of blankets on hand. Project Linus, named for the blanket-toting boy in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

‘Always Olivia’

MOSES LAKE — “Always Olivia,” the opening show of the Columbia Basin Allied Arts Premiere Series, will have a little something extra Friday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

‘A joyful work’

RITZVILLE — The Menno Mennonite Country Auction is one of the smallest auctions the Mennonite churches hold, but it’s also among the mightiest.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Lowriders, lucha and local fun make UMANI Festival a success

MOSES LAKE — Third Avenue in Moses Lake was a colorful place to be Saturday, with brightly-clad dancers, lowrider cars gleaming in the September sun and wrestlers in gaudy masks body-slamming each other in a ring. “It was amazing,” said Columbia Basin Allied Arts Director Shawn Cardwell, one of the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Flannel Fest to bring the ’90s to life

MOSES LAKE — The days of dial-up internet, Doc Martens and the Macarena may be three decades behind us, but they’ll make a comeback this weekend at the Grant County Fairgrounds. This is the third year the fairgrounds has hosted the 1990s music festival Flannel Fest, which this year is …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center to hold banquet Oct. 12

MOSES LAKE — Crossroads Resource Center will hold its fundraiser banquet Oct. 12. The event will feature a prime rib dinner catered by Top Gun Concessions and Catering of Moses Lake, as well as an update on the clinic’s services from Executive Director Carol Knopp and an address by speaker …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake Ag Hall of Fame honors pillars of the farming community

MOSES LAKE — Nearly every pursuit has its hall of fame. Baseball players, model railroaders, accountants and jugglers all have a way of being immortalized as masters of their craft, sport or whatever. But here in eastern Washington, some of the greatest superstars are the folks with dirt under their …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Nominations open for grants to local nonprofits

EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Foundation is looking for a few good nonprofits.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Almira Country Fair coming Saturday

ALMIRA — The Almira Country Fair will be an all-outdoor event this year, according to JoAnn Eagle, one of the organizers, to keep activities from being spread out too far.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Winter prep...

MOSES LAKE — With the weather cooling off, lots of people will be turning on their heat in the coming weeks for the first time in months. That can bring a risk of fire, according to state and local officials.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Projectile pumpkins?

OTHELLO — There will be giant bubbles, hayrides and a miniature train Friday and Saturday, as Country Cousins kicks off the season with its Fall Festival. Oh, and projectile pumpkins.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Pacific Rehabilitation cuts ribbon

MOSES LAKE — Pacific Rehabilitation Center cut the ribbon on its Moses Lake facility Tuesday, at a small ceremony and lunch attended by staff both local and from the west side of the Cascades as well as members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Ready to ride

MOSES LAKE — Young riders will have a chance to show their cycling chops, get their bikes repaired and maybe even go home with a bike at the annual BARGAS event Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 2 WEEKS AGO

Barbie-themed Boys & Girls Clubs auction coming Oct. 5

MOSES LAKE — There will be pink at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin benefit auction Oct. 5. This year’s theme is Barbie, the iconic American teen doll that’s been letting children play dress-up for 65 years and starred in her own $1.44 billion blockbuster movie last …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS AGO

Buddy Walk set for Saturday

MOSES LAKE — This year’s Buddy Walk will be a little different, according to Down Syndrome Society of Grant County member Kerry Aronsohn, one of the event’s organizers. This year’s event will be held this Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Centennial Amphitheater at McCosh Park.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS AGO

Hidden treasure

HARTLINE — Just off Highway 2 about 13 miles northeast of Coulee City is the biggest little shop you may never have heard of. “I started out with (one) room, and somehow, someway, this thing just morphed into this,” said Cindy Cauble. “The whole entire school is a second-hand (store).” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS AGO

‘A hug for your feet’

MOSES LAKE — There will be some warmer, drier feet on the streets of Moses Lake this year, thanks to an event organizers are calling Socktober. “We want to help the community that is less fortunate, in transition, maybe homeless, by providing warm, comforting socks for them,“ said Amy Ward, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS AGO

Shiitake Sizzle brings fresh, exotic mushrooms to the table

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake has a pretty good variety of places to eat, but this is something new: a restaurant centered around mushrooms.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS AGO

UNIQUE PROPERTY: Former store for sale as residence in Hartline

HARTLINE — One home for sale in Hartline wasn’t always a home. “It's an interesting property,” said Heidi Van Diest of Moses Lake Realty Group, who has the home listed for $100,000. “It used to be a grocery store, and they turned it into a home. It's got two bedrooms, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS AGO

Sand Scorpions to play dirty at the Dunes Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The Sand Scorpions Off-Road Vehicle Group will hold its bounty hole and freestyle competition this Saturday at the Moses Lake Sand Dunes. The event is properly called the Half-Sun Travel Plaza $5,000 Bounty Hole and $5,000 Freestyle Competition by Sand Scorpions, said Sand Scorpions board member Brandon …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS AGO

Big fun in a small town

HARTLINE — With a population of 180 at the last census, Hartline is the second-smallest town in Grant County and the eleventh smallest in Washington state, but its residents do love their annual celebration, Hartline Community Days.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 3 WEEKS AGO

Rascal Rodeo Roundup

OTHELLO — The Othello Rodeo grounds were filled Friday morning with people riding horses, tin cattle for rocking and riding, cardboard cows for milking, tin roping bulls and toy dump trucks to move sand around the arena. There were 106 participants and over 50 volunteers at the Rascal Rodeo, an …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 4 WEEKS AGO

Harvest and culture

QUINCY — Quincy will once again showcase the cultures that combine to make the area a great place to live, as it hosts the Celebration of Harvest and Culture Sept. 28.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 MONTH, 4 WEEKS AGO

Pretty business

MOSES LAKE – Mari Guerrero cuts the ribbon Friday on her new shop Gorgeous Bae Boutique, joined by her children, from left, Adalina, 7; PJ, 8; Serena, 1, held by her grandmother Monica Guerrero; and Trino, 11 as well as members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Gorgeous Bae …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

Coats 4 Kids

MOSES LAKE — It’s not winter yet by a long shot, but the first hint of cool air is beginning to remind Basin residents that it won’t be too much longer. The Rotary Club of Moses Lake, this year with the help of 4-H, is beginning to collect coats to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

Wahluke grad honored for overcoming obstacles

MATTAWA — A Wahluke High School graduate was recently honored for his determination and community engagement by Community Health Plan of Washington. Haziel Sandoval-Gatica received CHPW’s Power of Community Perseverance Award, a $1,000 scholarship. Sandoval-Gatica, a 2024 graduate of Wahluke, overcame significant obstacles including poverty, family displacement and a language …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

Othello girl takes grand prize in reading challenge

OTHELLO — An Othello girl walked away with the grand prize in Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge. Brooklyn Gilbert, 10, won a Nintendo Switch. “(The Summer Reading Challenge) starts in mid-June and ends in mid-August,” said Othello Library Customer Service Specialist Jenny Noyola. “The kids have to read for 15 …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

Interest rates down, active listings up in Basin

MOSES LAKE — With lower mortgage rates, listings are up from a year ago in the Basin, as well as statewide, but closed sales are still staying put, according to data released Sept. 6 by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 26 of Washington’s 39 …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

Crestview Christian School makes up in heart what it lacks in numbers

restview Christian School may be the best school in Moses Lake you’ve never heard of. “It’s a great little school,” said Debbie Freeman, who teaches and also serves as principal at Crestview. “There's two teachers here. I teach K-2, and (Jenna Woodcook) teaches 3-8.” There are no fourth- or seventh …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

Sizzling newcomer

MOSES LAKE - Shiitake Sizzle co-owners Dahlia O/Neil, Koey Pan and Iris Ou, flanked by (from left) staff members Dennis Schonberg with son Kaspen, Rachel Korth (behind O’Neil), Amanda Reynolds (behind Ou), Xiao Badgley and Megan Eickbush and members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon at …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Ruby Fire still uncontained in North Cascades

TWISP — Crews continued to battle the Ruby Fire about 49 miles northwest of Twisp Thursday afternoon, according to the National Park Service. The fire, which started Aug. 9, was uncontained Thursday at 1,300 acres. Helicopters dropped water Tuesday from Diablo Lake on the blaze but had to discontinue activity …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

Residents, first responders observe Patriot Day

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake first responders – and future first responders – paid tribute Wednesday to their predecessors who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

‘Biggest littlest parade’

HARTLINE — One of Grant County’s smallest communities will turn out Saturday for Hartline Community Days. This is the 43rd year Hartline has had the celebration, said Ron Thomas, one of the event’s organizers. “It started out being a harvest celebration years ago,” Thomas said, “and then we moved it …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

QHS joins UW Huskies at Band Day

QUINCY — Fifty members of the Quincy High School band had a chance to show their stuff Saturday at a University of Washington football game. The occasion was Husky Band Day, when UW traditionally invites high school bands around the state to join the Husky band in playing the halftime …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

Celebrating heritage

MOSES LAKE — The UMANI Festival will fill the streets of Moses Lake with music and color Sept. 28.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

‘The friendliest fair’

OTHELLO — The Othello Fair kicks off Wednesday at the Adams County Fairgrounds, and there’s a lot that’s new. That’s by design, said Fair Board President Becky Flint. “Every year we try to do all new (entertainment),” Flint said. “We try not to have a stale fair.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Residential fire quenched in George Monday

GEORGE — A residential fire broke out Monday morning in the 100 block of Montmorency Boulevard in George, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. It was under control by 8 a.m., according to the statement.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

CBCCA concert lineup changes

MOSES LAKE — Hannah Rose Reyes is set to replace Kate Voss and the Hot Sauce for the Central Basin Community Concert Association’s first show of the season on Sept. 26.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS AGO

2024 Hay King named at Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE — Stevens Hay Growers, operated by Kye and Brynna Stevens, is the 2024 Hay King. The honor was bestowed by the Mid-Columbia Hay Growers Association at the Grant County Fair in Moses Lake Aug. 13. It’s a way of bringing attention to central Washington’s part in producing cattle …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

MLCA/CSS girls bring experience, build teamwork

MOSES LAKE — Keeping players in motion is an important goal for the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School volleyball team.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Moses Lake icon turns 100

MOSES LAKE — Miyo Koba, owner of Frank’s Market for more than 70 years, turns 100 today. “I think it’s (due to) hard work,” Koba said last week. “I think it’s just being busy and taking care of myself. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink. Just working hard.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

First-time buyer affordability at lowest point in four years

MOSES LAKE — That starter home may be out of reach a while longer, according to real estate market reports.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

A caring affair

MOSES LAKE — There are a lot of ways to do good in Moses Lake, and a lot of folks who would like to help others. The two will come together next weekend at the annual Care Fair, hosted by Care Moses Lake.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Knights to face stiff competition on the pitch

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights are facing some tough opponents on the soccer field this fall, but Head Coach Jens Jensen isn’t too worried about it.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

OneD produces first batch of enhanced battery graphite

MOSES LAKE — The OneD plant in Moses Lake is up and running. There’s still some construction going on and the facility is still a ways away from full production, but it did put about a kilogram of SINANODE into a batch of graphite on July 22, according to OneD …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Pirate Regatta brings out people’s inner marauders

MOSES LAKE — The shores and docks at Camas Cove were awash in buccaneers, swashbucklers, hearties and scurvy dogs Sunday for the eighth annual Camas Cove Pirate Regatta.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Pain relief

MOSES LAKE — Getting hurt on the job is no fun. Besides the injury itself, you might have to take days, weeks, even months off work, while collecting a fraction of your regular paycheck. There are doctor visits, bureaucratic hassles, and what seems like enough paperwork to use up a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

‘Sea of purple’

MOSES LAKE — The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s is making some big strides. “We are in the neighborhood of 37 teams,” said Karisti Cox, the marketing director for Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care in Moses Lake and one of the organizers of the walk. “Last year at this time …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Sip & Stroll returns Sept. 14

MOSES LAKE — Glasses will clink, music will waft through the street and downtown Moses Lake will celebrate at Sip & Stroll Sept. 14. The annual event, sponsored by the Downtown Moses Lake Association, pairs downtown businesses with regional wineries (plus a few cideries and a distiller) in a big …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Art on 3rd brings artists of all kinds to downtown Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Downtown Moses Lake will be the scene of a local art show Sept. 14, as artists from around the area gather for Art on 3rd to showcase their own work, and also share some projects with attendees. “There will be artist vendors, and then we're also bringing …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Wahluke opens season with young but eager squad

MATTAWA — The Wahluke Warriors are going to have to overcome a lot of inexperience this year. “We’re pretty sophomore-heavy,” Head Coach Anfernee Cortez said. “And then we’ve got a lot of seniors who are joining us for the first year.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Quincy housing market evening out but still tough on first-time buyers

QUINCY — The real estate market is evening out in Quincy, according to real estate agent Tom Parrish, but it’s still an uphill battle to get into a first home.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

CAA pulls weeds, cleans up at North Elementary

MOSES LAKE — The campus of North Elementary School in Moses Lake looks a little nicer through the efforts of a group of students and community volunteers.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

GCHD to hold Community Resource Fair Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Drug addictions – and drug overdoses – affect almost everybody at some point, whether through their own experiences or those of someone they love. The Grant County Health District will highlight Saturday at its Community Resource Fair in McCosh Park.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

First RitzFest overcomes hitches to showcase local talent

RITZVILLE — The first annual RitzFest – a new festival showcasing local musical talent – went off well, all things considered.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

House of hope

MOSES LAKE — The house on Ashley Way looks like most other houses in the neighborhood. It’s got an upstairs and a downstairs, bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and a deck. But it’s an Oxford House, which means it also holds hope.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Deutschesfest 2024 coming

ODESSA — It’s time to break out the lederhosen and fill the steins, as the 53rd annual Deutschesfest takes over Odessa Sept. 19-22. “Last year we had probably 7,500, 10,000 (attendees), somewhere in there,” said Odessa Chamber of Commerce President Matt Roberson. “It gets busy for three days.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Warden Community Days this weekend

WARDEN — The town of Warden will gather this weekend at Volunteer Park for its annual Warden Community Days celebration. The event used to be held on Labor Day itself, but the last few years it’s been a three-day event, said Renay Jorgensen, one of seven or eight volunteers who …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Community backpack giveaway set for Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin and its community partners will be giving away backpacks in the Larson community Tuesday. The event is a group effort, said Boys & Girls Clubs director Kim Pope, among the club, Big Bend Community College, the Moses Lake …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Hayden Homes shows off model home at Polo Ridge

MOSES LAKE — The homes at Polo Ridge are going up and selling fast.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Musician’s granddaughter honors his memory with display

MOSES LAKE — That old mandolin has been a lot of places, from Depression-racked Arkansas to the Grand Ole Opry. And now it has a home. “My grandfather inherited this when he was 4 years old, (in) 1928,” said Nickey Groff of Moses Lake, as she hung the mandolin up …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Wheat Land Communities’ Fair set to start September with fun

RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair begins next week, running from Aug. 28 through Sept. 1. This year’s theme is “Moooving Forward Together,” in keeping with the fair’s agricultural focus and small hometown scale.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Masquers plan pirate-themed Saturday membership gala

SOAP LAKE — The Masquers Theater will hold its annual membership gala Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake seed breeder honored

SEATTLE — Jerry Benson of Moses Lake was recently honored by the Washington Native Plant Society, according to an announcement from the society.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

RitzFest

RITZVILLE — Music will return to Ritzville, as RitzFest makes its debut Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

The Side Project to round out summer concert season

MOSES LAKE — The Side Project will finish out Moses Lake’s Summer Concert Series with a free show Friday, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. The Side Project consists of the wife-and-husband team Suzie and Ben Bradford. The duo, originally from Spokane, have recorded …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Pirate regatta returns to Camas Cove Sept. 1

MOSES LAKE — Raiding and pillaging will be the order of the day Sept. 1 at the Camas Cove Pirate Regatta, according to organizer and Camas Cove Cellars co-owner Kathleen Parr. “And massive squirt gun battles,” Parr added.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Serious silliness

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes you just know early on that you want to spend your life doing card tricks. “I saw a show when I was 5, and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world,” magician Louie Foxx said. “I decided that was going to be my …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Dragon show

MOSES LAKE — It’s not every day a dragon visits the fair. “That’s exactly what they’re called, a black dragon,” said Don “the Reptile King” Riggs, Thursday. “One of only 250 in the world. We’re trying to increase those numbers; there were only four 11 years ago when we started …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Roaring good time

MOSES LAKE — There’s something very American about a demolition derby: only a country as obsessed with cars as ours would make a sport out of destroying them. It’s a game of high-speed bumper cars played with tons of metal, roaring engines and flying dirt making the air – and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Desert Artists featured at the Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE — At the Grant County Fair, there’s a Commercial Building where fairgoers can find things for sale, and there’s an Arts and Crafts building where people can find paintings, drawings and other visual art. Up at the north end of Yarbro Avenue there’s also a building that’s kind …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Trying their hand

MOSES LAKE – From left: Henry DeBeaumont and Silas DeBeaumont, both 8, and Rylee DeBeaumont, 6, try their hand at milking a cow at the milking simulator in the Agriculture Building at the Grant County Fair Tuesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

TASTINESS: WE ARE GO FOR LAUNCH!

MOSES LAKE – The line for Space Burgers at the Grant Count Fair reached pretty continuously around the back of the booth Wednesday. Space Burgers have been a popular tradition at the fair since the Moses Lake Lioness Club acquired the machine to make them following the 1962 Seattle World’s …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Creative artists show their talents at Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE — At the Grant County Fair, almost anything can be art.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Listings are up, interest rates may come down

COLUMBIA BASIN — More homes are on the market this month than a year ago, according to data recently released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 26 of Washington’s 39 counties. Active listings increased 37.7 percent in July 2024 compared to July 2023, according …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Master Gardener plant clinic gives home gardeners a little inside knowledge

MOSES LAKE — The WSU Grant-Adams County Master Gardeners have been at the Grant County Fair this week, answering questions from the public and offering tips for more eco-friendly gardening. They weren’t quite as busy this year as last, said Mary Love, who was staffing the booth with Bobbie Bodenman, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

2024 Royalty

MOSES LAKE - The 2024 Grant County Hay King is Stevens Hay Growers, the Mid-Columbia Basin Hay Growers announced Tuesday. Owners Kye and Brynna Stevens, shown here with their boys Hudson, 1, and Callahan, eight months, are second-generation growers who farm near Soap Lake.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Home Ec building at the fair a reminder of a bygone age

MOSES LAKE — A traveler from a century ago would recognize the craftsmanship of the displays in the Home Economics Building at the Grant County Fair, possibly more readily than a modern observer.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Fun night out

MATTAWA — All across America, communities turned out for National Night Out the first week of August, when police, firefighters and other community agencies throw a party and invite the whole town to see what they do. But in Mattawa, they took it a little further and combined National Night …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

‘Everybody can paint’

OTHELLO — Nellie Hoot, the Old Hotel Art Gallery’s Artist of the Month, has been several kinds of artist in her time. “It’s been years of painting and going through different stages in my life,” she said. “For a while I was doing pet portraits, because it makes me feel …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

MLSD benefits from Gesa Credit Union donation

RICHLAND — The Moses Lake School District received a $24,747 donation Friday from Gesa Credit Union, according to an announcement from Gesa. The donation was part of $380,000 raised through Gesa’s Affinity Debit Card program, according to the announcement, and 26 school districts besides Moses Lake were also beneficiaries. The …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Angie’s Apparel opens in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — There’s a new source for clothing in town. Angie’s Apparel opened three months ago, according to owner Angie Delgado, and had its Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting Thursday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake Roundup begins Thursday

MOSES LAKE — The 81st Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo begins Thursday and there’s no shortage of riders. “We had a record number of contestant entries this year, 583, which is probably close to 60, 70 more than we had last year,” said Tyler Brown, treasurer of the Moses Lake Roundup …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Good weather, great fun at Grant County Fair this week

MOSES LAKE — This year’s Grant County Fair isn’t looking so hot. And that’s a good thing. “This is my sixth year, fifth fair because we didn't have (one in) 2020, and it's the best weather forecast we've had since I've been here,” said Fairgrounds Manager Jim McKiernan. “(The heat) …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Agri-Service Demo Derby begins Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — The engines will roar, the dirt will fly and a whole lot of metal will go crunch Tuesday and Wednesday at the Agri-Service Demo Derby, held at the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo grounds at the Grant County Fairgrounds.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Cowgirl up!

Five-year-old Harper Cary rides an inflatable bull in the Pee Wee Stampede at the Cowboy Breakfast Friday morning. Harper was later named Little Miss Moses Lake Roundup by the judges.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

Sister city students ready for fair week

Students with the Moses Lake- Yonezawa Sister City Exchange shared a taste of America at the Cowboy Breakfast Friday morning at Sinkiuse Square. From left: Emmanuel Lopez-Zepeda, Shiori Ishizawa, Sayo Hiraga, Keziah Roman-Panlaqui, Yonezawa chaperon Treat Schubert, Moses Lake chaperon Amador Castro, Noa Goto and Ethan Ramsey.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS AGO

National Night Out comes to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The bells, lights, sirens and hoses were all on display Tuesday at Moses Lake’s National Night Out at McCosh Park, and about 2,500 people were there to see them, according to Moses Lake Police Sgt. Jeff Sursely.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Crystal clear

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes, a business starts just because a hobbyist has too much of a good thing.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

A quiet space

MOSES LAKE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin cut the ribbon Tuesday on the new Mental Health Quiet Room at the McGraw Clubhouse, and it’s much needed, said Executive Director Kim Pope.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

‘We’re human too’

QUINCY — The kids who came to Lauzier Park Monday evening for National Night Out knew what they wanted. “Mostly candy. They come up, they take the shots and run over for stuff,” said Tom Richardson, who was manning the Quincy Valley Medical Center booth. QVMC had set up a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Missoula Children’s Theater to stage ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Friday and Saturday

OTHELLO — Missoula Children’s Theatre will present “The Wizard of Oz” Friday and Saturday at Bailie Memorial Youth Ranch, starring 64 local children from Adams and Franklin counties.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

BRAND new thing

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Roundup Committee Member Buck Naff, left, burns a brand into a barrel of the rodeo’s new signature whiskey, Spurstride Wheated Bourbon, at the Loading Chute at the rodeo grounds Tuesday, accompanied by fellow Committee member Joe Ketterer and state Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake. Spurstride, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Miniature therapy horse visits Brookdale Hearthstone

MOSES LAKE — Of all the things residents at Brookdale Hearthstone Moses Lake expected to find in the halls of the assisted living facility, a horse wasn’t one of them.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Bulls, broncs and biscuits

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair is a big deal in Grant County, and it’s only fitting that it should have a proper introduction. That happens the Friday before the fair, which this year is Aug. 9. The breakfast, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake, will be …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Spirit of the rodeo

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo and Moses Lake Distillery will debut Spurstride, the rodeo’s official signature whiskey, tomorrow at Business After Hours at the Grant County Fairgrounds.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

OMSI Science Festival coming to Othello

OTHELLO — The Othello Public Library will get a visit from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Aug. 19.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

‘Extremely blessed’

OTHELLO — Thirteen months ago, Kip and Ilene Burns cut the ribbon on a trailer containing their two home improvement businesses, Blinds for Any Budget and B&B Overhead Door Specialists. Today, they’re all over the map.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Making connections

COLUMBIA BASIN — For some people, the only time they interact with the local police is when they’re asked for their license and registration. Several law enforcement agencies are out to change that next week at National Night Out, when law enforcement and other first responders take the opportunity to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Wildfire Safety Day at Moses Lake Museum Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center will host Wildfire Safety Day Saturday as part of its ongoing Free Family Saturday series. The event is in conjunction with Washington State University’s Wildfire Perspectives Team.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Battle buddies

EPHRATA — Sometimes, when Johnny comes marching home again, the war marches along with him. Thousands of American veterans commit suicide every year, according to the Veterans Administration, and countless more go on living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. American Legion Post 28 in Ephrata wants to decrease that count one …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Powell Brothers to perform in Moses Lake Aug. 9

MOSES LAKE — The Powell Brothers will take the stage at the Centennial Amphitheater at McCosh Park Aug. 9. as part of Moses Lake’s Summer Concert Series. The brothers, Taylor Powell and his younger brother Blake, are usually classified as a country act, but exactly what that means can vary …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Seed prices rise with research costs

MOSES LAKE — Farmers are seeing an increased cost when it comes to seed and seed development is becoming more complex over time. As agriculture integrates technology and sees trends in breeding change, costs are going up to keep things rolling forward. “One of the things that producers used to …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

OneD site manager took a roundabout path

MOSES LAKE — Nick Kamerath didn’t set out to run a high-tech chemical plant, but here he is. “If you were a high-performing academic student … (you were expected to be) either a doctor or lawyer and I didn't really necessarily want to be either,” he said. “I got out …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

'Venue' cuts the ribbon

MOSES LAKE – Venue Magazine owner Shawn Cardwell cuts the ceremonial ribbon on the first edition of the revived magazine Thursday. Cardwell recently purchased Venue, which had been on hiatus for five years, from founder Melea Johnson.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Jehovah’s Witnesses to gather in Tri-Cities

KENNEWICK — The 2024 convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be held at Toyota Center in Kennewick the weekends of Aug. 23-25 and Aug. 30-Sept. 1, according to an announcement from Jehovah’s Witnesses.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Make beautiful art at the Old Hotel this month

OTHELLO — There are lots of chances coming up to try your hand at art at the Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello. “Our art classes are something that the Old Hotel has done for a very long time,” said gallery Director Samantha Copas. “I took classes here when I …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Home inventory up more than a third in the Evergreen State

MOSES LAKE — There are a lot more homes available in Washington state than there were a year ago, according to data released in July by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Futsal courts coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Harrison K. Dano Park next to the Boys & Girls Club McGraw Clubhouse in Moses Lake is getting an addition, thanks to the city, the Seattle Sounders and a former Moses Lake resident.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

CBCCA announces a varied concert season

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association is urging people who love music to get their season tickets early, according to an announcement from the association. “The best way to see all the shows is by purchasing a season membership,” the CBCCA wrote in the announcement. “We’ve announced …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Nothing like a good book

OTHELLO — Adams County Pet Rescue’s first Kitty Litterature event July 13 worked out well all around, said ACPR Board Member Tammy Foley.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Masquers holding auditions for ‘Annie'

SOAP LAKE — The Masquers Theater in Soap Lake is holding auditions for the musical “Annie” this Sunday and Monday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Pilot program

EPHRATA — This week, that plane buzzing overhead could be piloted by a teenager. The Civil Air Patrol in Ephrata is holding its Desert Eagle National Flight Academy, for CAP cadets between the ages of 16 and 19. They’ll get intensive flight instruction for 10 days, both in powered planes …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

‘We are here to fight’

MOSES LAKE — Alzheimer’s disease is a terrifying thing for many people: the fear that one day they will watch helplessly as they cease to remember their families and even who they are. The 150-200 people who came to the Purple Party at the Porterhouse Steakhouse in Moses Lake Thursday …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Basin Summer Showdown coming Saturday

EPHRATA — The Basin Summer Showdown car show will take to the streets in Ephrata again Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

‘I’ve always loved the ocean’

MOSES LAKE — There’s a definite theme to Hannah Fountain’s artwork. “I always loved the ocean,” she said. “I love the water, and painting it has always been my favorite subject.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Mae Valley housing going up

MOSES LAKE — The Mae Valley area is getting some more homes. Pro Made Homes, based in Kennewick, is building 52 homes at The Refuge at Mae Valley between Montana Street and the Moses Lake Golf & Country Club on the west end of Moses Lake.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Basin Summer Showdown coming next Saturday

EPHRATA — The Basin Summer Showdown car show will take to the streets in Ephrata again Saturday, July 27.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Wilson Creek fire crisps 180 acres

WILSON CREEK — A wildfire was reported at about 4 p.m. Thursday north of the town of Wilson Creek and west of Road 3 NE which had burned an estimated 180 acres by about 7 p.m. according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Ephrata going chrome

EPHRATA — The cars – and trucks, and motorcycles, and whatever else – will gleam in the sun again Saturday at the Anything with Wheels Show and Shine car show.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Sunbanks Fire mostly extinguished

ELECTRIC CITY — The Sunbanks Fire that flared up Tuesday afternoon in Electric City was mostly out Wednesday, according to a statement from the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department. No flames were visible, but small flare-ups continued to appear. The fire burned 100 acres before it was extinguished, but no …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

Downtown businesses make the best of small spaces

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot happening in the middle of Moses Lake, and it’s happening in smaller and smaller spaces. “Even with all the business closures that are happening around town, businesses that are still open are doing more initiatives to attract more people to their stores,” said Mallory …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

Twin artists on exhibit at Old Hotel

OTHELLO — The July Artist of the Month at the Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello is actually two artists: twin brothers Aldemar and Valdemar Saavedra-Guerrero.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

Royal City Summerfest delivers

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Summerfest went off well over the weekend, said Jill Larsen, a member of the festival committee. “The heat was a little much, but it's always hot,” Larsen said. “So always we try to keep it in mind; that's why we tried to put all …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Evacuation notices issued for Electric City

ELECTRIC CITY — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation warnings Tuesday afternoon in Electric City due to a wildfire that broke out near Sunbanks Resort. Level 2 warnings – be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice – were in place Tuesday afternoon for the area from Sunny Drive …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

Planting seeds of knowledge

MOSES LAKE — Some people take playing in the dirt very seriously. “(The WSU Master Gardener program) is for gardeners who want to help other people garden,” said Barbara Guilland, “You have a real interest in gardening. It's not just a place to learn it, it's a place to learn …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Wetland fire burns 60 acres in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A 60-acre fire broke out in the wee hours of Monday morning in an undeveloped wetland in Moses Lake, according to a statement released Monday afternoon by the Moses Lake Fire Department.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

Masquers camp hits the high – and hilarious – seas

SOAP LAKE — Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of soda pop! The Soap Lake Masquers Summer Youth Theater Camp will put on “Captain Bree and her Lady Pirates” next week.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

‘No sad tears today’

MOSES LAKE — “It’s happy tears,” Boys & Girls Club Director Kim Pope told a little girl who asked why she was crying. “No sad tears today.” Pope had to fight back tears several times at North Elementary School Wednesday morning, as she accepted a donation from Group14 and other …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

PREVIEW: A look at Soap Lake's Folk and Food Festival

SOAP LAKE – Soap Lake’s inaugural Folk and Food Festival had a decent showing despite the triple-digit temperatures on Saturday. While performers did their thing on stage, the audience found a shady spot and enjoyed cold drinks to fight the heat. Full coverage of the event will be in Wednesday’s …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

UW president to step down

SEATTLE — Ana Mari Cauce, who has served as president of the University of Washington for a decade, announced Wednesday that she’ll be stepping down at the end of her second five-year term in June 2025. She plans to return to her faculty position. “While I never imagined that my …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: GCFD 7 knocks down fireworks fire

SOAP LAKE — Fireworks sparked a wildfire late Wednesday night, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 7. At about 11:10 p.m., firefighters were called to a vegetation fire at Road 19 and Division Road, according to the statement. There they found a fire spreading at a moderate …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

Disappearing America

MOSES LAKE — Artist Deon Matzen will make an appearance at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center Friday to open her new exhibit. “My theme for this show … is “Vanishing Rural America,” Matzen said from her home on Whidbey Island. “I work on old barns that are falling …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: More than 100 human-caused fires in the Northwest so far this summer

PORTLAND, Ore. — Since June, there have been 100 human-caused wildfires on national forests and grasslands in Oregon and Washington, according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service. While firefighters have been largely successful in putting out these preventable fires, the extremely hot and dry conditions are significantly ramping …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS AGO

Folk festival to debut in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake will spread its cultural wings this weekend with the first-ever Soap Lake Food and Folk Festival. The festival, which goes all day Saturday at Smokiam Park, will feature musicians from a variety of traditions, as well as food and craft vendors and periodic raffle drawings …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Red Cross offers movie tickets to blood donors

OTHELLO — The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Othello on July 23, where donors can have a chance to save a life and get a free movie ticket to boot. According to Red Cross spokesperson Betsy Robertson, anyone who donates blood or platelets to the Red …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

FIRE REPORT: Moses Lake sends crews to Lake Chelan fire

MOSES LAKE — The Pioneer Fire burning along the eastern shore of Lake Chelan is still growing, and was at 12,265 acres Wednesday, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Containment remained at 14%. The fire, which has been burning since June 8, is being fought by 818 …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

FIRE REPORT: Pioneer Fire still growing in North Cascades

MOSES LAKE — The Pioneer Fire burning along the eastern shore of Lake Chelan continued to grow Tuesday, reaching 10,677 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Containment remained at 14%. Eleven crews, 13 helicopters, five engines, 14 water tenders and 13 heavy equipment units were devoted to fighting …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Historic celebration

GEORGE — The flag raised at George’s Patriotic Observance on Independence Day has only 48 stars. “The flag we’re flying is a World War I vet’s casket flag,” said Mark Owens, who is the quartermaster for Grant County’s Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

FIRE REPORT: Wildfire near Coulee City closes highway

COULEE CITY — A fire near Coulee City closed down state Route 17 briefly Sunday. The Haynes Canyon Fire was reported about 6 p.m. alongside SR 17, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office initially estimated the fire at 6 acres, but it ended up …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Soap Lake celebrates summer at Suds ‘N Sun

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake’s Suds ‘N Sun festival began at 9 a.m. Saturday and already it was around 80 degrees. But that didn’t stop locals from finding shady spots to sit, talk and enjoy the goings-on downtown. Main Avenue East was blocked off at the highway for the Soap …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Firefighters enjoy calm Fourth

COLUMBIA BASIN — This year, the Fourth of July wasn’t too bad for local firefighters. “We had a couple of brush fires, but in comparison with years past, not bad,” said Moses Lake Fire Chief Brett Bastian.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Moses Lake celebrates America with music, fireworks

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake’s Red, White and Boom! Celebration Wednesday drew out a respectable crowd, said Moses Lake Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Doug Coutts.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Royal City celebrates Summerfest this weekend

ROYAL CITY — Royal City’s annual celebration will take place this week. Summerfest, traditionally held the second weekend in July, will take place this Friday and Saturday, and it promises to be fun.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Derby turns Soap Lake street into a raceway

SOAP LAKE — Most of the time, the police take a dim view of young people racing cars through the middle of town. But in Soap Lake Saturday, the cops were helping them do it. “We've had really great turnout, supporters and kids doing it every year,” said Soap Lake …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

FIRE REPORT: Fires spring up in Wenatchee, Mansfield areas

MANSFIELD — The Road 11 Fire burning about 12 miles southwest of Mansfield was 50% contained Saturday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The brush fire, which was ignited Thursday afternoon and grew to 800 acres, was one of the sources of smoke noticeable in the air earlier in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

3-on-3 tournament highlights the hazards of vaping

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Suds ‘N Sun festival Saturday had a new element this year: a 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by the Soap Lake Prevention Coalition.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

FIRE REPORT: Ephrata area fire shuts down SR 17

EPHRATA — The Marksman Road fire, which blazed up quickly east of Ephrata Tuesday and closed SR 17 for a time, was contained quickly thanks to a lot of interagency cooperation, according to Grant County Fire District 13 Chief Jim Stucky.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

FIRE REPORT: Wildfire closes SR 17 near Ephrata

EPHRATA — A fire broke out Tuesday in the northern portion of the Y formed by State Route 17 and SR 282, according to first responder alerts. The fire, a few minutes southeast of Ephrata was reported a little before 6 p.m. and had burned an estimated 500 acres. The …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Royal Intermediate welcomes new principal

ROYAL CITY — For Royal Intermediate School’s new principal, it’s sort of a homecoming. “I grew up around Royal, my whole life,” said Karl Edie, who officially became the principal at RHS at the beginning of July. “My mother worked for the Royal Review (newspaper), a long time ago. So …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Exchange students to head to Yonezawa, Japan

MOSES LAKE — The exchange is on again. The Moses Lake-Yonezawa Sister City Student Exchange, which has been on hiatus since 2020, will resume this month as three Moses Lake students visit Yonezawa, Japan. Ambassadors Keziah Roman Panlaqui, Emmanuel Zepeda Lopez and Ethan Ramsey will leave on July 25, accompanied …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Cherry harvest prospects looking up

COLUMBIA BASIN — Things are looking up this year for Washington cherry growers. The forecast is that the Northwest cherry crop – including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah – will come in between 17 million and 18 million boxes, according to Jon DeVaney, executive director of the Washington Tree …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

STRENGTH: Tony Leibelt

QUINCY – After 36 years as a firefighter, Tony Leibelt has seen it all. He’s stood on the front lines of wildfires, he’s rescued rock climbers on the cliffs above the Columbia River and once he even delivered a baby on a bathroom floor. Some of the calls are routine, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

STRENGTH: Don Nutt

COULEE CITY – Don Nutt has been an artist all his life. “Every 5-year-old likes to draw and color,” he said. “I just never really stopped. Family members gave me how-to-draw books, (which was) the 1960s YouTube.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake Airshow showcases all things airborne

MOSES LAKE — The weather on Saturday, the first day of the Moses Lake Airshow, gave a whole new meaning to the word “barnstorming.” “We almost didn't get the planes off the ground because it was a side wind,” said the show’s organizer, Terry Quick. “On the big runway, it …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Ephrata volunteers put out brush fire

EPHRATA — Wednesday afternoon a brush fire, possibly sparked by a passing train, broke out in the area of Road F Northwest and Road 11.7 southwest of Ephrata, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 13, which is based in Ephrata. With the help of Grant County Fire …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

‘My journey has come full circle’

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College graduated a wide spectrum of students at Lions Field in Moses Lake Friday, President Sara Thompson Tweedy said.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Local firefighters train for the busy season

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 volunteers and staff have been training for wildland-urban interface structure defense in preparation for wildfire season, according to an announcement from GCFD 7. Training Monday night was available remotely, but next week will include hands-on training in evaluating structures and determining escape …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Yakima Valley fire threatens town, Pioneer Fire swells again

MOSES LAKE — Evacuation notices for the Yakima Valley town of Zillah were downgraded Monday to level 1 as crews fight the Beam Road Fire, which flared up Saturday afternoon.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

MLSD board continues close examination of funding

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board heard about some measures being taken to cut costs at its meeting Thursday, scrutinizing some items that were brought to it for approval and discussing with Acting Superintendent Carol Lewis some ways of making up the roughly $13 million shortfall.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

Viking celebration

MOSES LAKE -- New Big Bend Community College graduate Digna Rodriguez, takes a celebratory photo with family friends Bobbie Lee Hubbard, left, and Amanda Carson, right, and Rodriguez’s daughters Kira McEachern, 9; Mila McEachern, 7; and Jada McEachern, 5. Rodriguez was one of 20 members of BBCC’s first Bachelor of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Pioneer fire continues to grow near Lake Chelan

MOSES LAKE — The Pioneer Fire on the shore of Lake Chelan about 30 miles northwest of Wenatchee grew to 1,998 acres Friday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Aviation resources flew missions Thursday to deliver 31 passengers into the fire zone and dropped 105,000 gallons of water to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Pioneer, Cold Creek fires increase

MOSES LAKE — The Pioneer Fire on the shore of Lake Chelan about 30 miles northwest of Wenatchee had almost tripled in size Thursday, swelling from 600 acres to 1,756 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The cause of the fire was still undetermined. The estimated cost of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

Boys & Girls Club begins serving summer meals

MOSES LAKE — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin will begin offering breakfast and lunch to local children today through the Summer Meal Program.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

Fire report: New blaze flares up on Hanford Reservation

MOSES LAKE — A wildfire kindled suddenly Wednesday morning on the Hanford Reservation, and was estimated at 150 acres at a little after 2 p.m., according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

MLSD deficit more than $13 million after cuts

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board held a study session Tuesday to discuss the district’s reduced education program for the next school year.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

UW president to step down next year

SEATTLE — Ana Mari Cauce, who has served as president of the University of Washington for a decade, announced Wednesday that she’ll be stepping down at the end of her second five-year term in June 2025. She plans to return to her faculty position. “Throughout her tenure, President Cauce has …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Spokane neighborhood evacuated

SPOKANE — A fast-spreading wildfire triggered level 3 (leave now) evacuation orders to a 2.5-square mile area southwest of Spokane Tuesday afternoon, according to Spokane County Fire District 3.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

Parks and places

MOSES LAKE — School is letting out for the summer, which means families have a chance to spend a little more time together. Most communities have pools and summer programs, but sometimes it’s nice to go a little farther afield. One option is to pile the kids into the car …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Lake Chelan fire strands hikers

MOSES LAKE — A wildfire along the shore of Lake Chelan necessitated the evacuation of some hikers Saturday, according to a statement from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

FIRE REPORT: Wind whips up wildfire at Sun Lakes

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 tackled a wildfire June 1 at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, according to a statement from the fire district.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Single-vehicle crash in Moses Lake claims life

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man is dead and another is in jail after a single-vehicle collision in the wee hours of Friday morning, according to a statement from Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

‘A step back in time’

BICKLETON — Out in the wheat country of eastern Klickitat County, time sort of stands still. The little town of Bickleton, population 92 at the last census, is home to a couple of Washington’s most time-honored institutions. The Bluebird Inn, established in 1887, has a good claim to be Washington’s …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Pesticides a necessary but increasing expense in ag

MOSES LAKE — Where there’s a crop, there are critters trying to eat that crop and it’s up to the grower to ensure that doesn’t happen before it gets to market. That means using a variety of tools, including pesticides, to protect crops and keep them profitable.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

‘A step back in time’: Washington’s oldest rodeo is June 7-9

BICKLETON — Out in the wheat country of eastern Klickitat County, time sort of stands still. The little town of Bickleton, population 92 at the last census, is home to a couple of Washington’s most time-honored institutions. The Bluebird Inn, established in 1887, has a good claim to be Washington’s …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Tiny grain could be headed for big things

COLUMBIA BASIN — Teff may only be grown on a few farms in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s a grain a lot of people aren’t aware of yet, though it is beginning to find a market and is expected to rise in popularity as a crop and product. “It’s still …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Cruise Night Out

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Classic Car Club will take to the streets to celebrate its 50th birthday with a Cruise Night Out.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Fire report: Wildfires slow down with cooler weather

COLUMBIA BASIN — Perhaps due to the cool, wet weather, wildfires were nowhere to be found Wednesday in the Columbia Basin. In Kittitas County, the Pumphouse Fire, which had been discovered Monday near Ryegrass Summit on Interstate 90, was controlled at 3 acres. A few prescribed fires continued to burn …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Fire report: Burn barrel triggers wildfire near Ephrata

EPHRATA — A 10-acre wildfire started Monday evening after an unsupervised burn barrel spread to nearby vegetation in the area of Naylor Junction, southwest of Ephrata, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 13. A quick response had the wind-driven fire contained within 20 minutes of the call, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Fire report

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Fire District 5 got in some training on an acquired structure on Road 10 Northeast Saturday, according to an announcement from the fire district
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

FIRE REPORT: State mobilizes for Tidyman Road, other fires burn around WA

KLICKITAT COUNTY — State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Tidyman Road Fire located in Klickitat County across the Columbia River from The Dalles, according to a statement from the state fire marshal’s …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

‘Paintings of My Life’

MOSES LAKE — Beth Anna Margolis sees a potential painting in everything. “You’ve got to get out there, out in the daylight, and see nature,” she said. “You have to see, and see, and see more.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Royal Slope Fire District puts out fire with limited water

ROYAL CITY — A small fire broke out at an orchard around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 12000 block of Road A Southeast near Royal Camp, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Because the fuel involved polyurethane netting and other combustibles, Royal Slope firefighters allowed the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

A dash of caffeine

MOSES LAKE – Desert Coffee owners Shannon Paine, left, in pink, and Kimberly Berry cut the ribbon on their new location at 5219 Patton Blvd. in Moses Lake Tuesday, surrounded by Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members. Paine and Berry have been selling coffee drinks from a mobile trailer, they …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

Garden Party highlights new things coming for CBAA

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Allied Arts Garden Party brought folks together from all over the Basin to further the local arts scene Saturday. The amount of money raised was not available before press time. “We don't have to leave our area for amazing arts and culture,” Cardwell told …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake superintendent placed on admin leave

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board voted in a special meeting Tuesday to place Superintendent Monty Sabin on administrative leave. Assistant Superintendent Carol Lewis was named acting superintendent at the same meeting.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

Four arrested in burglary case

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s deputies arrested four people Monday suspected of a Friday robbery near Moses Lake, according to a statement from the GCSO.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

Small fire scorches land near Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — A small fire broke out Monday near Soap Lake, but was quickly extinguished, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 7, which serves the Soap Lake and Coulee City area.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: 2 fires hit Grant Co. Monday

COLUMBIA BASIN — The warm weather has arrived and with it the fire season, as Grant County faced two wildfires Monday. At about 1 p.m. a report came in of a blaze about a mile south of Wanapum Village in southwestern Grant County, according to a statement from the Grant …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

MLSD to cut about 100 teachers; further cuts coming

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will start the next school year with about 100 fewer teachers, according to an MLSD press release. Non-renewal notices are expected to be issued to about 100 provisional teachers, according to the release. A provisional teacher is one who is either in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS AGO

Home sales up despite higher interest rates

KIRKLAND — Activity in the housing market increased in April in spite of rising interest rates, according to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which compiles statistics from 26 of Washington’s 39 counties. Interest rates have increased by 0.38 percentage points over the past month to 7.17%, continuing to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Reading riders: Moses Lake school bus driver collects books for kids

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake school bus driver has found a way to encourage students to love the written word. Tony Lavalle, known to his young passengers as Mr. Tony, has begun distributing books to the students who ride his bus to and from Groff Elementary School. “This year, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Budget, CBTECH director hot topics at MLSD board meeting

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board conference room was filled to capacity Thursday evening as community members came to hear about the district’s financial prospects and to speak about alleged disciplinary action taken against a school administrator.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Two arrested in pistol-whipping incident in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Two men were arrested Tuesday morning in a domestic incident at an apartment in downtown Moses Lake, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Stamp Out Hunger coming Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Mail carriers will be picking up more than the mail this Saturday, as part of the U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Royal Intermediate School welcomes new principal

ROYAL CITY — Royal Intermediate School will have a new principal next year, according to an announcement from the Royal School District. Karl Edie will take over the reins at RIS in the fall, the RSD wrote.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Faith and perseverance at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

MOSES LAKE — “God’s not done with you yet.” That was the theme of this year’s Moses Lake Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Tuesday morning at Pillar Rock Grill in Moses Lake.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Carp Classic coming May 18

MOSES LAKE — Bowfishers in the Basin will get a chance to show their skills and help clean up the lake at the Moses Lake Carp Classic Saturday morning. This is the fifth year the tournament has been held at Moses Lake, organizer Ty Swartout said. The purpose is both …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Prayer space: Moses Lake’s first mosque moves into renovated church building

MOSES LAKE — The former church building at Third Avenue and Elm Street is once again a house of worship, as the Moses Lake Islamic Center. “In central Washington state there (were) only three mosques, in Yakima, Tri-Cities and Spokane,” said Abdelnasir Elmalik, one of the regular congregants at the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Local Boeing firefighters continue to picket during lockout

MOSES LAKE — Staffing, safety and pay scales are at the root of a contract impasse that’s had Boeing firefighters locked out of the company’s Moses Lake facility since Saturday. “Currently, there is no fire protection here at Grant County other than one manager that's been here since Friday,” said …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

STCU coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Spokane Teachers Credit Union’s Moses Lake branch should be open by fall, according to Dan Hansen, a spokesman for the credit union.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Ready to pour: Moore Brewing Company opens Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — Moore Brewing Company is ready to open its doors – and its deck, and its beer taps – to the public. “Our first thing was at Brews & Tunes (in 2022. It was super fun,” said Lorie Moore, who owns the business with her husband Chris and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Royal students headed to National History Day contest

ROYAL CITY — Six students will represent Royal schools at the National History Day competition in Washington D.C. next month. The six were among 33 students who participated in the state competition held in Kirkland April 27, said Royal Middle School social studies teacher Emily Ovenell, who coordinated the students’ …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Pike named Columbia Middle School principal

MOSES LAKE — Ryan Pike will take the reins at Columbia Middle School next year, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake School District.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Filling a need: New homes coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Last year, looking for a new home in Moses Lake was like a bad dream. The home construction industry was in a slump, and people who needed a place to live were out of luck. Add to that a spate of manufacturers setting up operations in town, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

The Cost of farming: Irrigation expenses follow a unique set of rules

MOSES LAKE — When it comes to the cost of farming, irrigation – especially in the Columbia Basin – is a cost that has to be factored in and planned for with each acre having a place in the water-cost equation.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Experts give Moses Lake parents a heads-up about gangs

MOSES LAKE — Be alert – that was the message from educators and police at a parent night meeting held at the Moses Lake School District Tuesday to discuss youth gangs. “Do you know where your kid’s at?” said Shelby Jensen, school safety coordinator for Educational Service District 125, based …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Ephrata Senior Center gets new wheels

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Senior Center will ride a little better now, thanks to a grant from the Paul Lauzier Foundation that bought the center a new van. The van replaces a 14-passenger bus, said center Manager Kathy Anderson.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Metal by the lake: Springfest offers hard rock and R&B lineup and family fun in the park

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Spring Festival just keeps getting bigger and bigger. “A representative from the county called us (after last year’s Springfest) and said, ‘Hey, just so you guys know, your fest is no joke.’” said Spring Festival Committee Member Lori Valdez. “They counted 57,000 attendees from …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Little girl, big fight

MOSES LAKE — The parking lot at Third Avenue and Alder Street took on a life of its own Saturday, as businesses and volunteers turned out in support of a very sick little girl. Eleanor Marcum, who is almost 4, was diagnosed on Feb. 28 with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma, said …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Sharing the wealth

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Garden Club held its annual plant swap Monday evening. “We bring all kinds of plants … and we gift our plants to each other,” said club President Valerie Parrott, who hosted the event at her business, Pieces by Parrott. “We have a bunch of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

‘Ireland’s Greatest Showman’

MOSES LAKE — The Wallenstien Theater will ring this weekend with the voice of Irish tenor David Shannon. The concert will start at 7 p.m. Sunday evening. Sometimes billed as “Ireland’s Greatest Showman,” Shannon has a long and varied list of credits under his belt. He’s performed leading roles in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Powering affordability

MOSES LAKE — More affordable electric vehicles are on the way. That was the takeaway from a tour that OneD Battery Sciences offered to a small contingent of Moses Lake community members Thursday afternoon at the company’s SINANODE plant on Road N Northeast.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake’s Well 20 to begin producing water

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake’s water difficulties came a little closer to being alleviated this week, according to an announcement from the city.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

MLSD levy voted down for second time

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District educational programs and operations levy was voted down a second time in Tuesday’s special election. District voters rejected the levy by a vote of 3,947 against to 3,094, or 56.06% to 43.94%, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office. That margin was …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Play ball!

MOSES LAKE — Forget the flowers, the showers and the red, red robin. The true sign of spring in Moses Lake is when the youth baseball and softball season kicks into gear with the annual Moses Lake Youth Parade.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Gas leak shuts down stores, streets in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — A gas leak closed streets and caused some businesses to be evacuated Tuesday morning in Moses Lake. At just before 8 a.m., a construction crew was excavating at Penn Plaza, at North Stratford and Mart roads, when workers struck a natural gas line, according to Moses Lake …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Photographer to speak on shooting the stars

MOSES LAKE — Shooting photos of outer space will be the topic of a presentation in Moses Lake Thursday. Astrophotographer Mike Brady will discuss the techniques of capturing the night sky, the equipment needed and the processing that’s needed to make the photos clear at the Moses Lake Civic Center …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Candidate Filing Week 2024 begins May 6

OLYMPIA — Citizens who want to run for public office in Washington will have their chance in early May, according to an announcement from the Washington Secretary of State’s office. The opportunity to declare candidacy formally for the 2024 elections opens May 6 at 8 a.m. online and at elections …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Spring cleanups planned for Moses Lake Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The Downtown Moses Lake Association is looking for volunteers to help with its annual spring cleanup Saturday, according to Executive Director Mallory Miller.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Care Moses Lake honored

OLYMPIA — Serve Washington has selected Care Moses Lake as the recipient of a 2024 Washington State Volunteer Service Award for the state’s north central region, according to an announcement from Serve Washington.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

OneD to hold thank-you event Thursday

MOSES LAKE — OneD Battery Sciences will show off its Moses Lake facility in a pilot manufacturing event Thursday, according to an announcement from the company.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

A look at teff

MOSES LAKE — Teff may only be grown on a few farms in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s a grain a lot of people aren’t aware of yet, though it is beginning to find a market and is expected to rise in popularity as a crop and product.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Code changes add to housing costs, industry spokesman says

MOSES LAKE — There have been some changes to the Washington State Building Code that stand to add to the cost of building homes, a spokesman for the Building Industry Association of Washington said.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS AGO

BBCC clean energy conference highlights workforce needs

MOSES LAKE — Preparing a workforce for today’s clean energy industries was the focus of the Building the Future Energy Workforce Conference held at Big Bend Community College April 11.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS AGO

BBCC to host job fair Thursday

MOSES LAKE — Job seekers will find a lot to choose from at the 31st annual Big Bend Community College Job and Career Fair Thursday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS AGO

Japanese consul-general visits Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The ties between Moses Lake and Japan were highlighted Monday as Japan’s consul-general for the region paid a visit to Moses Lake.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS AGO

A place of her own

ROYAL CITY — Tara Zamarron has found her home. “We grew up, my husband and I both, in Michigan, born and raised,” Zamarron said. “We had some friends who moved out here in 2005, or 2006, and they asked us to come visit them. And we're like, ‘Sure, we’ll come …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS AGO

Star-crossed

MOSES LAKE — “Bright Star” is not your grandparents’ musical.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Job Corps opens advanced firefighting center in Grant Co.

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Job Corps Center officially cut the ribbon on its Advance Training Wildland Fire Fighting facility at 8331 Forbes Street in Moses Lake Wednesday. “I’ve always talked about Columbia Basin (Job Corps Center) being the hidden gem,” said Center Director Mike Rios. “As we know, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Gesa, Red Cross join forces against home fires

MOSES LAKE — There are few things more frightening than a house fire. One of them is having a house fire and not knowing it. “Oftentimes home fires happen because it's an older building or an older neighborhood where they just never installed smoke alarms, so they don't even know …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

A little boost: Mid-Columbia Economic Development District nurtures businesses in the Columbia Gorge

THE DALLES, Ore. — The Columbia Gorge may be one of the most beautiful regions of the Pacific Northwest, but as rural people know, scenery doesn’t always translate into prosperity. Forty years ago, logging and aluminum plants were major drivers of the economy in Klickitat and Skamania counties in Washington …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Blue Heron sign to be highlighted with kiosk

MOSES LAKE — A sign at Blue Heron Park will become a little more visible soon. The Moses Lake Trails Planning Team has purchased lumber for a kiosk to go over a sign showing the native plants on the Joseph K. Gavinski Trail that runs between Blue Heron Park and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Moses Lake library to offer English classes for beginners

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Library will offer a free beginning English for Speakers of Other Languages class starting this month. “We're going to be starting with the alphabet and with simple conversations,” said Brandee Miller, who’s teaching the class. “I will be also providing materials for them to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Port of Moses Lake names new director

MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake has selected Dan Roach as its new executive director, port commissioners said at their meeting Monday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Officials: Eastern Washington could be clean energy hub

MOSES LAKE — Eastern Washington could be ground zero for clean energy, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, said Feb. 22. “I think there’s going to be a corridor, from Moses Lake all the way over to Coeur d’Alene,” Cantwell said. “That’s what I think is gonna happen. And this corridor is …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Lake Bowl chops the ribbon

Bruce Russell, one of the owners of Lake Bowl, cuts the ceremonial ribbon at Lake Bowl’s mini-golf course Wednesday, surrounded by staff and members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. From left: Sherry Russell (in green coat), Cale Russell (behind Sherry), Bob Russell, Horacio Vela (in back), Bruce Russell, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Agencies team up to head off fire season

OLYMPIA — A collection of state and federal agencies will join forces this year to combat wildfires, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Ecology.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Flooring experts

MOSES LAKE — Basin Select Surfaces is brand-new, but they’re moving quickly to offer flooring options to area homeowners. “We got the keys to the actual building in November,” said Ruvim Nakonechny, who owns the business in partnership with his brother-in-law Dennis Andriychuk. “Then we started doing a bunch of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Inconvenient accommodation

MOSES LAKE — The prevalence of short-term or vacation rentals has upset some people in Moses Lake. “(There’s been) increased activity, a lot of vehicles and trailers,” said Moses Lake resident Rebecca Hutsell, who said her neighborhood has at least four homes available for short-term rental that she knows of. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Senior exercise programs pay long-term dividends in health

COLUMBIA BASIN — Classics require a little more maintenance. That applies to cars, houses and bodies, according to the National Council on Aging. “Regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems that come with age,” the NCOA wrote on its website.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

On the flip side

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes working really, really hard at something pays off. As the athletes at AIM Gymnastics are finding out. The club, which has about 70 gymnasts ranging in age from 11 to almost 18, has four going to regional competitions this year. One competition will be held in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Mammoth exhibit comes to Moses Lake museum

MOSES LAKE — Mammoths are kind of hard to find these days, but local folks will get to see the next best thing Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

WA addresses AI in public schools

OLYMPIA — The widespread use of artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the classroom experience for students and teachers across Washington state. As educators find themselves at the forefront of this technological revolution, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has released guidance and resources intended to adopt responsible use …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Sleep Center sheds to be replaced with Pallet shelters

MOSES LAKE — The Open Doors Sleep Center will get an upgrade soon. The Moses Lake City Council gave final approval March 26 for the purchase of 40 Pallet Shelter structures to replace the sheds currently in use. The move has been in the works for some time, City Manager …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Two Basin residents sworn in as WSP troopers

OLYMPIA — Colton Conner of Ephrata and Kay Lester of Othello were among the 47 newly commissioned troopers added to the ranks of the Washington State Patrol Wednesday at the 118th Trooper Basic Training graduation ceremony held at the state Capitol Rotunda, according to an announcement from the WSP. The …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

City to revise parking time limits

MOSES LAKE — The parking situation in downtown Moses Lake may get a little easier, under new regulations the city is considering. Some downtown businesses have complained to the city that there’s no place for their employees to park, and others have complained that downtown employees are taking up spaces …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake man arrested in child porn investigation

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Tuesday on child pornography charges, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

PALS forever

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School PALS Prom Friday night brought glamor, joy and some impressive dance moves to the school commons. “This was probably one of the best proms yet for attendance and community support,” said Jodi Truman, the PALS Club advisor.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Royal City library starting to take shape

ROYAL CITY — The new Royal City Public Library marked another milestone this month, as the concrete was poured March 14.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Small scale: Rural port districts turn to niche business

EASTERN WASHINGTON — Washington has 75 port districts scattered around the state, 21 of them in the eastern part of the state. Some of those, like the ports of Kennewick, Pasco or Moses Lake, have fairly extensive facilities and serve a wide variety of functions, including operating airports, shipping terminals …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Easter egg hunts scheduled throughout the Basin this weekend

COLUMBIA BASIN — The Easter Bunny will be working overtime this weekend, with Easter egg hunts across the Basin Friday and Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

A little kindness

ROYAL CITY — One of the scariest words in the English language is cancer. Brain cancer is doubly frightening and having it settle in during childhood is a triple whammy. That’s what Jackson Noftle, a paraprofessional at Red Rock Elementary School, has been dealing with for 24 years.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

A pot of yum

MOSES LAKE — “What doesn’t kill you can turn your kidneys into a cinder brick.” That’s how Gary Neu, principal engineer at Greenpoint Technologies, summed up the tasty, yet sometimes powerful, dish known as chili.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

GCAO egg hunt fills Blue Heron Park

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach got a jump – or a hop – on the holiday by holding its Easter egg hunt last weekend. “We knew a lot of our staff and the people that were going to be helping us were going to be gone this weekend …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

WSU offers help removing diseased cherry trees

PULLMAN — Orcharders with infected fruit trees may qualify for help with the cost of removing them, according to an announcement from the Washington State University Extension.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Polo Ridge

MOSES LAKE — Hayden Homes kicked off its newest development in Moses Lake, Polo Ridge, with a meet-and-greet event March 14. “We have about 60 home sites,” said Gina Donangelo Barnecut, senior marketing manager at Hayden Homes. “We've got eight different home plans ranging from 1,100 square feet to just …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Suds in the sunshine

MOSES LAKE — The sun was shining and the taps were busy for Moses Lake’s annual Brews and Tunes event downtown Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

‘We are on a mission’

MOSES LAKE — You know it’s a successful auction when a carrot cake sells for $10,000.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

It’s a jungle out there

MOSES LAKE — The 2024 Business Safari Expo was, well, a roaring success, according to organizers.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Time is money: Farmers, workers worry about overtime costs

MOSES LAKE — It’s all about the people. That’s the consensus among growers and farm advocates: that labor is one of the largest costs of farming, particularly for fruit growers, and one of the most susceptible to drastic change. Historically, farm workers have been exempt from overtime pay, because of …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 8 MONTHS AGO

Educators connect students with careers

MOSES LAKE — The North Central Educational Service District has stepped up its outreach efforts recently in Grant County, finding ways to bring businesses and schools together to build a skilled workforce in the community.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS AGO

Big machines, happy children

MOSES LAKE — Little kids love big machinery. The two go together like peanut butter and jelly. And they’ll come together again on April 27 at Touch a Truck behind Moses Lake Presbyterian Church. “We will have face painting, a balloon man, a little photo prop area,” said Brittney Ketterer, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS AGO

Pivotal moments

ROYAL CITY — There’s an old adage that says “For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost,” meaning that big changes in history often hinge on single events. Royal School District students identified some of those pivotal moments at the Central Washington Regional History Day competition Saturday at Davis …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Young but talented Mavs hit the course

MOSES LAKE — It’s a young group of Mavericks on the links this year. “We have one senior is all,” said Terry Melbye, the Moses Lake High School boys golf coach. “We have one senior; all the rest of them are freshmen, juniors and a couple of sophomores.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Royal golf team has challenges, opportunities

ROYAL CITY — The Royal High School golf team has an uphill climb ahead of it this year, said Coach Pete Christensen. “We had high hopes until a couple of our boys went back to playing soccer,” Christensen said. “They played soccer their freshman year and came to golf last …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Fuel tanks raise financial issues for Royal City

ROYAL CITY — A pair of underground tanks are causing some financial headaches for the city of Royal City, the council heard at its March 5 meeting. “When the city purchased the Grant County property that’s adjacent to (City Hall), it came with underground storage tanks for gas and diesel, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Royal City Council votes to support GCHD

ROYAL CITY — Royal City will kick in to fund the Grant County Health District this year, the Royal City City Council affirmed March 5. “Every fall I send a letter out to all the cities with an agreement asking for $3 per resident for public health services in your …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Knights looks toward another great tennis season

ROYAL CITY — You wouldn’t necessarily expect Royal High School, in a town of fewer than 2,000 people, to be a tennis powerhouse. And if you didn’t, you’d be wrong.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

MLCA/CCS Lions baseball still finding its paws

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions are still getting their paws under them, but they’re making progress on the diamond.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Knights softball sees big turnout after 2023 state performance

ROYAL CITY — The Royal High School softball team is fielding its biggest roster in a long time this year.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Cellarbration! inbound!

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Foundation will cellarbrate a little earlier this year. The Cellarbration! benefit dinner and auction, usually held in May, will take place March 16.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake considers food truck, court requirements

MOSES LAKE — Food trucks and food courts were the topic of a special study session prior to the Feb. 27 Moses Lake City Council meeting.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Museum to show free movies for Women’s History Month

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center will offer a series of free movie screenings this month, in honor of Women’s History Month, according to an announcement from Museum Communications Coordinator Tamara Valdez.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Farming on display: Spokane Ag Show brings in businesses of all kinds

SPOKANE — The Inland Northwest agricultural community showed off at the Spokane Ag Show, held at the Spokane Convention Center Feb. 6-8. The 120,000-square-foot exhibition hall hosted 208 exhibitors. High-powered farm equipment stood cheek-by-jowl with seed, pesticide and fertilizer vendors, insurance agents, banks, high-tech innovators and growers’ associations. WA Meat-Up, …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Miner Services ready to serve

MOSES LAKE -- The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new member Monday as Seth Miner, owner of Miner Services, cut the ceremonial ribbon in front of his service vehicles outside the chamber office, surrounded by family, employees and chamber members.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Local communities to get urban forestry grants

OLYMPIA — Three Basin communities will benefit from state and federal grants to revitalize their greenery, as part of the Washington State Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program. Othello, Ritzville and Coulee Dam were among the 45 recipients of the grant, according to an announcement from Washington …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Basin home market more stable than statewide, despite home sales decline

COLUMBIA BASIN — Home sales in Washington in 2023 were down from the previous couple of years, but the change in Grant and Adams counties was much less severe, according to data released recently by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake hopes to reduce overwatering with rate adjustments

MOSES LAKE — Some residents in Moses Lake will see a change in their water bills this month. Beginning March 9, irrigation and residential customers who use more than 10,000 cubic feet of water per month will be billed at a new Tier 4 rate.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Edge Physical Therapy cuts ribbon

MOSES LAKE - Erica Crafts, DPT, founder of Edge Physical Therapy in downtown Moses Lake, cuts the ribbon at the clinic’s new digs at 213 Beech St. Surrounding Crafts, from left, are Sarah Villasenor, communications administrator; Ashley Roessler, PTA, CPT; Chad Crafts, DPT, MS, CSCS; and Chrystal Flerchinger, administrative assistant.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake Council hears downtown parking frustrations

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council got an earful at its regular meeting Tuesday night, as owners and employees of downtown businesses expressed their feelings about the two-hour parking limit in the city’s center.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

MLFD firefighter sworn in at council meeting

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Fire Department welcomed its newest firefighter, Gary Lebacken, Tuesday with a swearing-in at the Moses Lake City Council meeting. The ceremony, which was originally scheduled for the end of the meeting, but the time was taken up with an unusually long period of citizen …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Newhouse visits Moses Lake egg facility, discusses fed budget

MOSES LAKE — Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., was in town Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting at Willamette Egg Farms’ expanding Moses Lake facility and to chat with community members about what’s happening in Congress. “I so hate to put a pall on a happy day, but I’ve got to be in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Officials stress importance of independent green energy during Moses Lake visit

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake has what it takes to be the hub of the Northwest’s clean energy technology, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, said at a press conference Thursday. “I think there's going to be a corridor, from Moses Lake all the way over to Coeur d’Alene,” Cantwell said. “That's …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

‘Center of the universe’

MOSES LAKE — Grant County is the tip of the spear when it comes to clean energy, US. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said at a Moses Lake round table Thursday. “Moses Lake, you guys are like the center of the universe,” Granholm said. “What is happening here? It is amazing.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Shadow dancing in the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Shadows will come to life next week at the Wallenstien Theater, as The Silhouettes bring their unique dance show March 1.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Youth Outdoors Unlimited to hold auction, award trophies

MOSES LAKE — Youth Outdoors Unlimited will hold its annual banquet and auction March 2 at the Best Western Plus Lake Front Hotel, 3000 W. Marina Drive in Moses Lake. Besides the dinner and live auction, attendees will have an opportunity to hear from the hunters and anglers who benefited …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Royal City considers dog park sign, water project

ROYAL CITY — Public works projects were the primary topic of discussion at the Royal City City Council meeting Tuesday. Public Works Director John Lasen first raised the question of putting up a sign at the Royal City Dog Park, setting out rules for the park’s use.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Rent cap passes state House

OLYMPIA — The Washington State House of Representatives passed a rent increase cap bill by a vote of 54 to 43 Tuesday. A companion bill, SB 5961, failed to pass out of committee in January. House Bill 2114, sponsored by Rep. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, prohibits landlords from raising rent more …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake, Wahluke props failing, most others passing

MOSES LAKE — All but two school levies that were on the ballot for Tuesday’s special election are passing, according to the Grant and Adams county auditor’s offices. In unofficial results, Wahluke’s capital projects levy is being voted down 245-136, while Moses Lake’s is failing 3,420-3,142.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake finances better than projected

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake finished up 2023 in pretty good financial shape, according to a report submitted by City Manager Kevin Fuhr to the Moses Lake City Council at Tuesday’s meeting.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS AGO

Lovely market: Valentine’s Market brings people out as winter fades

MOSES LAKE — Love was in the air, and so were the aroma of food and the sound of shopping, at the Moses Lake Farmers Market’s annual Valentine’s Market Saturday. The market, which was held in the Commercial and 4-H buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds, attracted a sizable crowd.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS AGO

Student advisor bill passes WA House

OLYMPIA — A bill aimed at increasing the number of students earning postsecondary credentials passed the Washington State House this week, according to an announcement from the bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Julia Reed, D-Seattle.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS AGO

Antique appraisals, flea market coming to Moses Lake Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Local residents will have a chance to learn the truth about their family heirlooms and mantel dust-catchers, and maybe pick up a few treasures, Saturday at the Frosty Finds Flea Market and Appraisal Fair.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS AGO

Farming on display

SPOKANE — The agricultural community pulled out all the stops last week at the Spokane Ag Show, held at the Spokane Convention Center Tuesday through Thursday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Flying in

Kamryn Schroeder, 4, from Wilbur, Washington attempts to land a crop duster in a video game style simulator at the Spokane AgShow Wednesday. Full coverage of the agriculture conference will be out in an upcoming edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Fighting sadness

COLUMBIA BASIN — A new program to identify and cope with depression in seniors is expanding to the Columbia Basin. It’s called “Do More Feel Better,” and it will be offered free in both English and Spanish.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

'Such a fabulous night'

MOSES LAKE — Saturday night’s Country Sweethearts banquet and auction was the biggest it’s ever been, seating 540 people and raising just over $318,000 for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, according to CBCF Director Angel Ledesma. “It was such a fabulous night,” Ledesma said.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

30 buzzing years

MOSES LAKE — The Hive was … well, buzzing Friday afternoon as Moses Lake’s first tattoo parlor turned 30.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Gesa extends scholarship deadline

RICHLAND — Gesa Credit Union has extended its deadline for scholarship applications, according to an announcement from Gesa.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

The Hive to mark 30 years of ink Friday

MOSES LAKE — The Hive will celebrate its 30th birthday from noon to 7 p.m. Friday with a throwback to its origins.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

MLPD responding proactively to violent crime, chief says

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake has its share of issues with violent crime, but it’s dealing with those issues surprisingly well, Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Sands told the Moses Lake City Council last week in a special study session before the council’s regular meeting.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Agriculture bills filed for WA legislative session

OLYMPIA — Another new year, another legislative session in Olympia. The session began Jan. 8, and state lawmakers are hard at work. Some bills pass through fairly smoothly, said Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and some take years of a modification here and a concession there before they become law …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Local Cougs recognized for academic achievement

PULLMAN — Washington State University has named 101 Basin students to the President’s List for fall quarter 2023, according to an announcement from the university.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

GCFD 7 sees improvements in equipment, volunteerism

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 responded to more incidents in less time in 2023 compared to the year before, according to the district’s annual report. GCFD 7 also made strides in equipment and volunteer staffing, according to the district’s annual report, released this month. GCFD 7 covers …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Stars on stage

MOSES LAKE — The light fantastic was well and truly tripped Friday night at the Wallenstien Theater, as local residents showed their best dance moves at Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Open for therapy

MOSES LAKE - Physical Therapist Steve Roylance cuts the ribbon at Columbia Physical Therapy’s new location, surrounded by staff and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members. Staff, from left: Lead Aide Emily Pruneda, Office Assistant Yaslyn Gonzales (partially obscured behind Pruneda), Office Manager Lindsey Anderson, Physical Therapist Assistant Christena Reed, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Sanctus Real to perform at Moses Lake church

MOSES LAKE — The Christian rock band Sanctus Real will perform at Moses Lake Presbyterian Basin Community Church Feb. 8. Sanctus Real was a staple of the Christian music scene in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Moses Lake Presbyterian Church Worship Pastor Jon White said.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Overcoming barriers

MOSES LAKE — Overregulation is standing in the way of building more housing nationwide, a speaker told local housing professionals last week, but it’s not necessarily coming from state governments.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS AGO

News bites for Jan. 19

OTHELLO — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a burglary suspect, according to a statement from the ACSO.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS AGO

‘A joyful noise’

MOSES LAKE — When the psalmist wrote “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” he may not have been referring to a school band. But he would probably approve of the sounds coming from the Moses Lake Christian Academy band. Beginning, but joyful. “We've had choir before, but this is …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS AGO

State paying out $40M-plus to families after price-fixing lawsuit

OLYMPIA — Thousands of Washington households will receive a little extra money, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced in a Dec. 6 press conference. The payouts are the result of price-fixing lawsuits by the state against major producers of chicken and tuna. “My legal team took on two large corporate …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 10 MONTHS AGO

Trump ballot challenge goes to WA court

OLYMPIA — A Washington court will hear arguments today regarding whether former President Donald Trump will be on the primary ballot, according to an announcement from the Washington Secretary of State.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS AGO

Ferguson sues to block grocery merger

SEATTLE — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a lawsuit to block the merger of the two largest supermarket corporations in the state, according to an announcement from Ferguson’s office.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake considers large development near Lowe’s after swearing-in ceremony

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council swore in one new member and two returning ones at its meeting Tuesday and passed the mayoral baton. Once that formality was taken care of, they addressed multiple issues regarding development.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Leading ladies: Moses Lake Museum exhibit celebrates the Washington women who led the way

MOSES LAKE — Washington, and the women who blazed its trails, will go on display Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Royal City considering police dog

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Police Department could increase its officer ranks by one, and the number of feet on the ground by four.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Sweetheart deal

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation’s Country Sweethearts dinner and auction has leveled up this year. In years past the benefit was held in the Commercial Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, but this year it will occupy both that building and the 4-H Building next door, said …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

State sues company for deceptive poster sales

SEATTLE — A Michigan business has been sued for hundreds of thousands of Consumer Protection Act violations, according to a statement from Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Sila breaks ground on Washington facility

MOSES LAKE — Sila Nanotechnologies officially opened its Moses Lake plant Nov. 29. “This moment has been 12 years in the making,” said Gene Berdichevsky, co-founder and CEO of Sila. “And the journey to this point can be summed up, really, in two words: passion and persistence. Many startups have …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 10 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Ephrata swears in council members, looks at wastewater costs

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council swore in three members, two of them new, at its regular meeting Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Royal City City Council swears in members, discusses water line replacement

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council swore in three council members at its meeting Tuesday evening, all returning after the November elections. Hector Rodriguez, who holds Position 3, Perla Garcia, who was reelected to Position 2, and Ryan Piercy, who retained the Position 4 seat in the November …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Higher interest rates free up housing, make financing difficult

MOSES LAKE — The good news is, the housing shortage that made finding a home so difficult a couple of years ago appears to have passed. The bad news is, it’s getting harder to buy the homes that are on the market.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS AGO

RIS bazaar showcases crafts from students and others

ROYAL CITY — Earrings, slime, T-shirts and tamales were just a few of the things on offer at the holiday bazaar at Royal Intermediate School Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

Royal music students strike holiday note

ROYAL CITY — Holiday music both traditional and contemporary was in the air as the Royal Middle School and Royal High School bands and choir performed Wednesday evening in the Royal High School gym.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

WA home prices up over all, lower in Adams, steady in Grant

MOSES LAKE — Home prices are up slightly and inventory is down across the state compared to a year ago, but numbers in the Basin tell a slightly different story, according to data released Wednesday by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Washington had 10,177 active listings in November 2023 compared …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AGO

State paying out $40 million plus to families after price-fixing lawsuit

OLYMPIA — Thousands of Washington households will receive a little extra money this month, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday morning. The payouts are the result of price-fixing lawsuits by the state against major producers of chicken and tuna. “My legal team took on two large corporate price-fixing conspiracies …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Open for wellness

MOSES LAKE - From left: Shyanna Stanford, Toni Stanford, Kris Kehler and Taylor Willard, surrounded by Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members, prepare to cut the ribbon at The Well, located at 414 S Beech St. in Moses Lake, on Tuesday. The Well offers various kinds of preventive, supportive and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Firefighters for Kids gets boost from Boeing

MOSES LAKE — Some families in the Columbia Basin will have a merrier Christmas, courtesy of The Association of Washington Business, Boeing and local firefighters. Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce directors dropped by Moses Lake Fire Station 1 on Thursday to present Moses Lake Firefighter Mike Miner, president and founder …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Ag appreciation: Annual parade lights up snow-covered Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – There was snow on the ground, but spirits were high at the annual Ag Appreciation Parade and Street Party in downtown Moses Lake Friday. The party started at 5 p.m., with the parade at 7 p.m. The weather was chilly, at about 24 degrees, but downright balmy …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

Moses Lake chamber talks water, education with governor

MOSES LAKE — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee had an opportunity to hear about the challenges facing Moses Lake at a round table discussion at the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Wednesday. Besides Chamber President Debbie Doran-Martinez and Marketing Director Lori Robins, the governor met with Moses Lake Mayor Don Myers, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS AGO

'12 years in the making' — Sila officially constructing Moses Lake battery plant

MOSES LAKE — Sila Nanotechnologies officially opened its Moses Lake plant Wednesday with a crowd that included employees, community members, state Reps. Tom Dent and Alex Ybarra and Gov. Jay Inslee. An aide to Sen. Patty Murray read a message from the senator, and Sen. Maria Cantwell congratulated Sila by …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Governor seeks input from local Habitat for Humanity chapter

MOSES LAKE — Construction costs and energy efficiency were among the topics of a round table discussion between Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and representatives of Habitat for Humanity in Moses Lake Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Sonny’s is back: Landmark Washtucna tavern back in action

WASHTUCNA — Sonny’s Tavern and Grill is back. The long-established gathering place in Washtucna, which has struggled to keep going in recent years, reopened Oct. 26. “It's been closed more than it's been open in the last about six years,” said Bridget Coon, who owns and operates Sonny’s with her …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Royal levy to appear on February ballot

ROYAL CITY — The Royal School Board voted to put a $1.825 million Educational Programs & Operations levy on the ballot in February 2024 at its meeting Monday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Farming technology: Vegetable Association trade show has high-tech feel

KENNEWICK — Veggies have gotten very high-tech, if the exhibitors at the 2023 Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association conference and trade show are anything to judge by. The conference, held Nov. 15-16 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, offered seminars on techniques and developments in farming by experts drawn …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Grant County Fairgrounds sees increasing equestrian events

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot going on at the Grant County Fairgrounds. There’s the annual fair, of course, and assorted festivals, trade shows, fundraisers and private parties, just like any fairgrounds hosts. But in recent years the fairgrounds in Moses Lake have stood out front and center as the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AGO

Gesa Credit Union collects gift donations

MOSES LAKE — Gesa Credit Union will partner with local organizations to collect and distribute Christmas gifts through its annual Stock-the-Sock Holiday Drive, according to an announcement from Gesa.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Small Business Saturday keeps shopping local

MOSES LAKE — With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror, Christmas shopping is looming large. Everybody knows about Black Friday, when big retailers are deluged with early shoppers looking for deals. But the day after is Small Business Saturday, and that’s a time for supporting local entrepreneurs.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Ephrata to light Christmas tree Friday

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce will kindle a new tradition Friday, with the first official Downtown Tree Lighting. “We decided we wanted to get the town lit up ahead of time and Thanksgiving weekend is an awesome weekend to do it,” said Chamber Executive Director Rita Witte.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Holiday cheer around the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down just about every main drag in the Columbia Basin. Many local communities will hold holiday celebrations over the next couple of weekends. Here are some places to load up on Christmas joy:
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Proposed bill would expand gun ban in domestic abuse cases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill introduced in Congress is intended to protect domestic abuse victims from gun violence, according to an announcement by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS AGO

Veggie tech: Kennewick conference highlights advances in agriculture

KENNEWICK — Veggies have gotten very high-tech, based on presentations by the exhibitors at the 2023 Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association conference and trade show.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 12 MONTHS AGO

Crime, drugs take center stage at Moses Lake council meeting

MOSES LAKE — Crime and drugs were a hot topic at Tuesday evening’s Moses Lake City Council meeting, as two citizens made emotional appeals to the council to take action. However, city officials said the issue is as much with Olympia as Moses Lake. “We are not sitting here on …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 12 MONTHS AGO

State grant to fund Stratford overpass safety study

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council voted Tuesday to accept a Washington State Department of Transportation grant to study ways to make the overpass at Stratford Road and SR 17 safer to cros on foot.. The grant, a little over $685,000, will go to design a solution to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Fuhr, Sands sworn in at Moses Lake council meeting

MOSES LAKE — A couple of torches were passed Tuesday, as Moses Lake swore in a new city manager and police chief. Former Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr took the oath of office as the new city manager and former Moses Lake Police Department Capt. Dave Sands was sworn …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Cold incoming: Prepping homes for the Columbia Basin’s cold winters

MOSES LAKE — In case anyone hasn’t noticed, it’s getting chilly out there. Even though the National Weather Service is predicting a fairly mild winter for the Columbia Basin, it’s still a good time to get homes ready for the colder weather. The first place to look is the pipes. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Ephrata turns out to honor veterans

EPHRATA — There was a pretty good turnout Saturday for the annual Veterans Day Parade in Ephrata, organizers said. “We probably had about 100 people in the parade,” said Mike Montaney, who added he’s been the parade chairman for 25 years. “We only had about half a dozen veterans actually …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

'Holy grail': Enhancement process could make EVs more efficient, practical

MOSES LAKE — Americans like to drive. What Americans don’t like is the cost of filling their gas tank. In recent years, electric vehicles, powered with a rechargeable battery, have been presented as a possible solution. It would seem a match made in heaven for the Inland Northwest; Washington has …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Tree lighting kicks off holiday season in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The holiday season began Friday in Moses Lake, with the annual Downtown Moses Lake Tree Lighting ceremony at Sinkiuse Square.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Students go for Baroque at music festival

MOSES LAKE — Forty-two local piano students from Moses Lake, Ephrata, Soap Lake and Lind performed in the eighth annual Moses Lake-Central Basin Chapter of Washington State Music Teachers Association Music Festival, according to an announcement from Chapter President Marina Munter.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Keeping it small

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes, when you need a plumber, you really need a plumber. When that happens, you want one who’s reliable and who won’t break the bank. Steve West considers himself one of those. “I do what I say,” West said. “I'm super honest. So if I tell you …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Getting Elite in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – Realtors Jeff Smart, left, and Dave Shinabarger cut the ribbon on the new Home Smart Elite Brokers Moses Lake office, located at 1845 W. Broadway Ave., on Wednesday. For more stories on the real estate business, home decorating and more, see our Homes section in today’s paper …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Realtors cut ribbon on new Moses Lake office

Realtors Jeff Smart, left, and Dave Shinabarger cut the ribbon on the new Home Smart Elite Brokers Moses Lake office, located at 1845 W. Broadway Ave., on Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Fresher fruit: Moses Lake plant turning out browning-resistant apples

MOSES LAKE — Apple production techniques turned a corner recently when Okanagan Specialty Fruits opened its new facility in Moses Lake. The new Okanagan Specialty Fruits facility had its official ribbon-cutting Sept. 27. “Today is a special day for our entire group, the entire management team and Okanagan Specialty Fruits, …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Drive-by victim dies; homicide charges planned

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man wounded in a drive-by shooting Sunday has died, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The GCSO announced the death of Dominick D. Hernandez, 18, Tuesday in a 6:30 a.m. statement. Hernandez was driving north on SR 17 Sunday afternoon with his passenger …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Moses Lake fire claims one

MOSES LAKE – One person died in a fire in Moses Lake Sunday, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Fire Department.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Drive-by leaves two in hospital, one in jail

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man is in Grant County Jail and two others are in the hospital following a shooting and high-speed chase Sunday afternoon.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Samaritan culture, staffing, public perception discussed at candidate forum

MOSES LAKE — Four candidates for Grant County Hospital District 1, which oversees Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake, addressed voters at a candidate forum Oct. 24.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Feds announce changes to reverse mortgage program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Housing Administration released new proposed policy updates to its Home Equity Conversion Program, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Moses Lake Presbyterian marks 115 years Sunday

MOSES LAKE — The roots of Moses Lake Presbyterian Church run deep, a fact that the church will celebrate Sunday with a special service on its 115th birthday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Vanguard gets creative for kids’ Halloween event

MOSES LAKE — Spiders, cows, ghosts and the occasional giant chicken took over Vanguard Academy Tuesday for the school’s Halloween trick-or-treat event...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

‘Praise and cheers’

EPHRATA — St. Rose of Lima Catholic School will celebrate “Praise and Cheers to 40 years” at its annual fundraiser auction and dinner Nov. 11.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Water, housing big topics for Moses Lake City Council candidates

MOSES LAKE — Four candidates for the Moses Lake City Council had an opportunity to make their positions clear at a candidate forum Oct. 24.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

MLSD candidates swap perspectives at forum

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake voters had the opportunity to hear from 14 candidates for local offices Oct. 24. The forum, hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, The Columbia Basin Herald and KWIQ, allowed hopefuls for the Moses Lake City Council, the Moses Lake School Board and Grant …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Immanuel Lutheran Church bell to be rededicated

MOSES LAKE — Immanuel Lutheran Church’s bell will ring out again Sunday. The bell has been out of commission for several years, said Pastor Walter Klockers. After extensive repairs, it’s ready to peal again. Immanuel Lutheran is unusual in having an actual physical bell, Klockers said; most churches these days …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Top Plumbers

MOSES LAKE – Steve West, left, and Leessa West, owners of Top Plumbing, surrounded by Moses Lake Chambber of Commerce ambassadors, prepare to cut the ribbon outside the chamber office Tuesday afternoon. The Wests moved their business to Moses Lake four months ago from Whidbey Island, Steve said, drawn by …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Royal schools celebrate end of construction

ROYAL CITY — A small but enthusiastic crowd came to the Royal School District’s newly remodeled transportation center to celebrate the completion of construction at the district’s four schools. Seventeen people attended the event, which included a slide presentation by Superintendent Roger Trail, as well as homemade cookies. The traditional …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Recognizing service

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce honored two of its members at its 82nd annual meeting and banquet Oct. 17. Terri Riley Brown of Assured Home and Hospice was named the Ambassador of the Year, and Kevin Burgess of Windermere Real Estate received the Chairman’s Award...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

‘Compassion leads the way’

MOSES LAKE — Crossroads Resource Center’s work is all about compassion, attendees at the center’s fundraising banquet heard Saturday night.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Moses Lake Chamber to hold candidate forum Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — Candidates for Moses Lake elected offices will have a chance to be heard Wednesday at a forum sponsored by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, KWIQ and the Columbia Basin Herald. The forum will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Gourd standard

MOSES LAKE — They’re everywhere this time of year, those round orange gourds. As soon as October rolls around, commercial pumpkin patches start doing a business as brisk as the weather. But home gardeners can grow the decorative – and often tasty – gourds as well...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Pumpkin patch kids

MOSES LAKE - Alice Westergard, 1 ½, left, and 6-month-old Heath Westergard explore pumpkin leaves at Rue & Sage in Moses Lake Wednesday morning. See Friday’s Homes section for pumpkin growing tips.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Gård Public House keeps it local, serves regionally

ROYAL CITY — Everybody loves a “best-kept secret,” a place they can introduce their friends to that hasn’t been discovered yet by the public at large. And Royal City boasts just such a gem: Gård Public House. “We had people say ‘We love Gård; we don't want to tell anybody …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Crossroads fundraiser banquet coming Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Crossroads Pregnancy Center will hold its annual fundraiser banquet Saturday, according to an announcement from the center. The event will be held in the Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial Building, according to the announcement. Fellowship and seating will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will begin at 6 …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR AGO

Multiple fires over the weekend in Grant County

EPHRATA — Firefighters from Grant County Fire District 13 responded to several wildfires over the last week, according to a statement from the fire district...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

The sky’s the limit: Cle Elum drone pilot says improved battery tech key to opening up drones for ag use

YAKIMA — Bill Kuper didn’t originally set out to spray crops. “I flew my first drone over 10 years ago now for video and photo, because my background is actually technical, but in video and media,” he said. “And that’s when I first started flying.” It was a hot August …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

One D charging up in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – Dirt flies at the groundbreaking Monday for One D Battery Sciences’ silane offloading station, part of the company’s new Moses Lake facility...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Wizards, witches and house elves

MOSES LAKE — The ATEC Building at Big Bend Community College was awash with magic Saturday, as witches, wizards and the occasional house elf turned out for “A Night at Hogwarts,” to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin. “It was great, wasn't it?” said …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Caffeinated music: George CoffeeHouse concert series begins Oct. 21

GEORGE — The George CoffeeHouse Concert Series begins this month at the George Community Hall, according to an announcement from the series’ organizers...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Royal City to see new housing development

ROYAL CITY — Royal City will have some new housing opportunities soon. “There's going to be single- to two-family, four-family and multifamily components of this project, and then (also) some public dedication for continuing an existing pathway,” said Sara Prather, the land development manager for CAD Homes, which is developing …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Christensen appointed Royal City mayor

ROYAL CITY — The torch was passed at the Royal city City Council meeting Tuesday, as Council Member Michael Christensen was sworn in as the city’s new mayor. Christensen replaced Mayor P. Kent Anderson, who announced his resignation last month...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Wildfire season winds down

MOSES LAKE — Most of the wildfires that flared up in Washington this summer are out, according to information from the National Interagency Fire Center...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

The other tree fruit: Pear harvest looking good this year

CASHMERE — The pear harvest is looking good this year in Washington, according to Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. “(Pears are like) the younger sibling.” DeVaney said. “They get a little overshadowed in the Northwest by apples. But pears have a really important place in …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Bee colonies down from last year in US

MOSES LAKE — Honey bee populations are down nationwide, but that’s not necessarily a reason to worry, agriculture statisticians say. “Honey bees and other pollinators are critically important to securing the nation’s food supply and providing ecosystem services that insure plant diversity, soil stability, and species richness,” the U.S. Department …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

The ride stuff

MOSES LAKE — It was wheels, wheels everywhere at the Larson Recreation Center Saturday as kids turned out in droves for the annual bike rodeo, officially called the Bicycle Activities, Repairs, Giveaway and Skills event. The rec center, which opened in December, gave organizers some elbow room to add some …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Darling dahlias

MOSES LAKE — Everything you always wanted to know about growing dahlias will be on display Monday. Valerie Parrott, owner of Pieces by Parrott in Moses Lake, held a dahlia tour on Sept. 25, and has another coming up on Monday. Parrott’s nursery supplies several local florists as well as …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Okanagan Specialty Fruits opens Moses Lake packing facility

MOSES LAKE — The new Okanagan Specialty Fruits facility had its official ribbon-cutting Wednesday before a crowd of OSF team members, Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members and local dignitaries. Along with the ceremony, the company offered a catered lunch along with tours of the plant and of an apple …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Groundbreaking held for new Royal City Library

ROYAL CITY — The golden shovels did their job Wednesday in Royal City as the Royal City Friends of the Library broke ground for the new library building downtown, tangible evidence of a dream a long time in the making...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

UMANI Festival returns Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The second annual UMANI festival takes place Saturday in Moses Lake, and it looks to be even bigger than the first.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

FIRE REPORT: Rain stops Cowlitz Complex fire growth

MOSES LAKE — About an inch of rain fell on the Cowlitz Complex fires in the Cascades Tuesday, with more expected Wednesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The 30-fire complex, which has been burning since Aug. 25 in the Cascades between Mount Rainier and the Columbia River, has been …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Throwing starfish

MOSES LAKE — The annual Columbia Basin Buddy Walk drew a bigger crowd than expected Saturday. “We don’t have a number yet, but more than last year,” said Denise Ketola, one of the event’s organizers. One estimate had between 350 and 400 people, she added...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

FIRE REPORT: Fire danger remains high, air quality good in the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Due to rainy weather, the Blue Lake fire that has burned in the Cascades since July 29 was showing minimal fire activity Tuesday, according to an update from the U.S. Forest Service. The fire, located about 53 miles west of Omak, is 80% contained at 1,074 acres, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Subaru, potato truck collision leads to injuries

MOSES LAKE – Three people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after their car caught fire in a collision Monday afternoon. Simon Simons, 48, of Wilbur and his passenger Erika Simons, also 48, of Wilbur were driving south in a 2021 Subaru Outback on Road W Northeast just …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

News Bites for Sept. 26, 2023

News updates from first responder agencies from around the Columbia Basin.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

FIRE REPORT: Annual burn ban ends Sept. 30 as fires continue across state

MOSES LAKE — The burn ban in Grant and Adams counties ends Saturday, according to Grant County Fire District 3’s website. Once the ban is lifted, the normal regulations will apply to residential and agricultural burning, the website said...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

FIRE REPORT: Fire season not over yet

OLYMPIA — The weather is cooling, but fire danger is still high, according to a statement from Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. Citing elevated temperatures and dry fuel conditions, Franz highlighted the need to protect both residents and firefighters from avoidable wildfire danger...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Past perfect

MOSES LAKE — You could say A.L. Sowards is living in the past.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

FIRE REPORT: Olympic blazes still growing, Dorian fire 30% contained

KENNEWICK — The Dorian fire outside of Wallula between Kennewick and Walla Walla, was 30% contained at 200 acres Wednesday according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. It was human-caused, according to the DNR, but the specific cause was under investigation.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Walking buddies

MOSES LAKE — People with Down Syndrome, along with their friends and families, will gather Saturday at McCosh Park for the 11th annual Buddy Walk, hosted by the Down Syndrome Society of Grant County. The walk will be the same as in past years, but the festivities beforehand will have …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Playing through

MOSES LAKE — The new Ten Pin miniature golf course is a family dream come true. “(It’s) something we've always kind of talked about doing,” said Cale Russell, the CEO of Ten Pin Territory, which includes Lake Bowl, Ten Pin Brewing, Papa’s Casino and Ten Pin Inn & Suites, all …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

FIRE REPORT: Firefighters knock down blaze in Soap Lake, fires season continues statewide

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7, with a little help from its friends, extinguished a 2-acre wildfire Monday night in Soap Lake, according to a statement from the fire district. At about 10:45, GCFD 7 responded to a report of a structure fire at Division Street and SR …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

FIRE REPORT: Blazes grow in WA over the weekend as red flag warnings go out

MOSES LAKE — The wildfires in Olympic National Park grew over the weekend, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, while red flag warnings due to low humidity and relatively high winds held over much of the state...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 1 MONTH AGO

Othello parade brings out folks of all ages

OTHELLO — People young and old, local and visiting, lined Othello’s Main Street Saturday morning for the Othello Parade. The weather was beautifully cooperative, warm but not scorching, and not a cloud to be seen...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Fire Science program starts, fire season continues across the state

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Fire Department had a chance to welcome students from the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center’s new Fire Science program recently, according to an announcement from the MLFD. Students in the program spend three class periods a day preparing for the career options of firefighting, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Righting a wrong

MOSES LAKE — It’s well known that racial disparities have historically existed in housing. Official racial discrimination – rules about which races can live where – hasn’t been legal in the U.S. for more than half a century, but its effects are still seen today...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Weather shift could make fire season worse

PORTLAND, Ore. — Despite the recent cooler and rainy conditions that moderated fire activity in the Northwest, fire season continues with a change in the weather pattern underway, according to the U.S. Fire Service. Light east winds are forecast for later this week with significant warming and drying expected to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Small fire near Vantage extinguished, Yakima River Canyon blazes grow quickly

YAKIMA — Two wildfires are burning in the Yakima River canyon between Yakima and Ellensburg, according to the Bureau of Land Management...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Pending home sales up for second month in a row

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pending home sales increased 0.9% in July, rising for the second consecutive month, according to an announcement from to the National Association of Realtors. The Northeast and Midwest posted monthly losses, while sales in the South and West grew. All four U.S. regions saw year-over-year declines in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Royal City mayor moving on

ROYAL CITY — Royal City Mayor Kent Andersen is stepping down after about a decade of service to the city...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

George Bluegrass Festival turns 16

GEORGE — The annual George Bluegrass Festival is now in its 16th year, according to organizer Debby Kooy. It started Monday, with people coming in from all over to camp and set up, and continues through Sunday morning...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Fire closes one side of I-82, Cowlitz Complex expected to slow down

MOSES LAKE — The 182-acre Tendollar fire that sprang up Sunday on I-82 between Yakima and Ellensburg was 40% contained Monday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Costs were estimated at $150,000. The fire briefly closed the eastbound lanes of the freeway, according to the Washington Department of Transportation...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Local firefighters mobilized for large wildfires

MOSES LAKE — It’s been a long, hot, smoky summer throughout the state. It seemed like every other day there was a new wildfire starting somewhere and air quality got pretty nasty sometimes. But for some local firefighters, it’s been even hotter and smokier...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Acreage estimates down on Cowlitz Complex fires

MOSES LAKE — Of the 30 fires that make up the Cowlitz Complex in Gifford Pinchot National Forest between Mount Rainier and the Columbia River, half are now out, according to the U.S. Forest Service, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The complex showed 12% containment Saturday and improved …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Sourdough fire slowing down, Cowlitz Complex costs rise

MOSES LAKE — With cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and light rains over several days, the Sourdough Fire has had minimal growth and low areas of heat, according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service. The fire was at 6,234 acres with 30% containment Thursday. The Cowlitz Complex of fires …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

ICAP Launch program builds rural business through collaboration

SEATTLE — Everything works better when people work together. That’s the premise behind the Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program, the Washington State Department of Commerce program aimed at boosting Washington businesses through collaboration. “The Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program is helping our key industry sectors in Washington state grow through collaboration,” said …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

One for the books

ROYAL CITY — Progress toward a new Royal City library took a big step forward Tuesday at the Royal City City Council meeting. The council chamber was filled to standing room only as proponents of the library turned out in support of the lease agreement between the city and the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Burn bans lifted on some public lands

MOSES LAKE — Public use fire and shooting restrictions on some public lands were lifted today, according to an announcement from the Bureau of Land Management. The relaxation of the rules applies to lands administered by BLM and the Bureau of Reclamation in Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Oregon Road fire under control, Cowlitz Complex holding steady

ELK, Wash. — The Oregon Road fire about 31 miles north of Spokane was 90% contained at 10,817 acres Tuesday, according to a statement from the Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team. The fire, which started Aug. 18, has destroyed 126 residences and 258 outbuildings and occupies 18 fire engines, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Quincy building burns, various fires trouble Washington

QUINCY — An empty building burned in the wee hours of Sunday morning in Quincy, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 3. At a little after midnight, GCFD 3 and Protection One EMS received multiple reports of flames visible at the rear of the former Westside Pizza …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Brand-new Almira School rises from the ashes

ALMIRA — It was an emotional moment Thursday as the new Almira School was unveiled to the community. The school gym was packed, with a crowd of about 350 people almost shoulder to shoulder. Almira School District Superintendent Dan Read led the crowd in the first flag salute in the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Brand-new Almira School rises from the ashes

ALMIRA — It was an emotional moment Thursday as the new Almira School was unveiled to the community. The school gym was packed, with a crowd of about 350 people almost shoulder to shoulder. Almira School District Superintendent Dan Read led the crowd in the first flag salute in the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Cowlitz Complex grows to more than 40 fires

MOSES LAKE — The Cowlitz Complex that cropped up last weekend in Gifford Pinchot National Forest between Mount Rainier and the Columbia River has now grown to more than 40 small fires totaling about 400 acres, according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service. The fires were ignited Aug. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Well stocked

MOSES LAKE — Some students in the Basin will be a little better equipped this year thanks to local real estate professionals. “I got a wild idea in May to do a Grant County-wide school supply drive,” Anna Lucero, an agent with CENTURY 21 Alsted Real Estate in Moses Lake. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

‘Bushels of Fun’

RITZVILLE — In late summer and early fall, when county fairs are at their peak, the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair can easily slip under the radar. There’s no carnival, no big-name musical acts on the stage or clowns wandering the grounds. This year’s theme is “Bushels of Fun,” and that’s …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

'Starting fresh'

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Christian Academy and Covenant Christian School are breaking new ground on the football field.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: Small fires hit locally, regional fires burn on

EPHRATA — A small grass fire near Road J and Road 16 Northwest flared up Tuesday, which was quickly put out by Grant County Fire District 13. Lightning struck a fence post, according to a statement from GCFD 13, then appeared to arc multiple times down the fence starting small …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

On the front line

MOSES LAKE — Wildfire season is frustrating. There’s smoke in the air, closed-off roads and evacuation alerts galore, but other than being careful with barbecues and praying for the firefighters’ safety, most area residents don’t see the fire line except in the newspaper or on TV. At the Columbia Basin …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: MLFD helping with Oregon Road fire; new blaze appears in Seep Lakes

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Fire Department is taking part in firefighting efforts for the Oregon Road fire, about 31 miles north of Spokane, according to a statement from the MLFD. Firefighter Paramedic Rick Kelly and Probationary Firefighter Paramedic Gary Lebacken have been assisting the Mid-Columbia Strike Team with …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

‘Hometown rodeo’

RITZVILLE — It’s not a very big rodeo, but it’s an enthusiastic one. “We have all events,” said Ritzville Rodeo board member Julie Hartz. “Bareback, saddle bronc, ranch bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, breakaway roping, calf roping, team roping head and heel and some junior events like goat tying.” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

GCFD 7 gets firefighting grant; small fires dot SW WA Cascades

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7, based in Soap Lake, announced Friday it had been awarded a $590,400 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grant, which will be paid out over a four-year period, is designed to help fire departments recruit and retain volunteer firefighters, according …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Gray and Oregon Road fires exceed 10K acres, continue burning

SPOKANE — The Gray fire, which started Aug. 18 about 17 miles west of Spokane, was 58% contained at 10,016 acres Thursday, according to a statement from the state Department of Natural Resources. The blaze prompted the evacuation of the entire city of Medical Lake, as well as the communities …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Water masters

MOSES LAKE — It’s a little ironic that the World-Famous Siphon-Setting Contest may be the best-kept secret at the Grant County Fair.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

GoFundMe hub set up for fire victims

MOSES LAKE, Wash. — A centralized hub has been established at GoFundMe for anyone who would like to help people affected by wildfires in eastern Washington, according to an announcement from the fundraising site. The hub will direct people to organizations that GoFundMe has verified as legitimate, to keep scam …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

His father’s son

MOSES LAKE — Some children of legendary performers struggle to get out from under their famous parent’s shadow when they make a name for themselves. Ned LeDoux is not one of those. “He's Dad to me,” LeDoux said of his father, singer-songwriter Chris LeDoux, who passed away from cancer in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Going to market

MOSES LAKE — It’s kind of a high point, the moment when hard work is rewarded in hard cash. Livestock sales are an integral part of a county fair, when a 4-H or Future Farmers of America student sees the benefit from all the effort they put in through the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Spokane-area fires claim two lives, trigger evacuations

SPOKANE — Fires in the Spokane area, including two over 10,000 acres, claimed at least two lives as well as causing evacuations and traffic hassles over the weekend. A body was found in the area burned by the Oregon Road fire north of Spokane on Sunday afternoon, according to an …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

Three local fires spring up, and one killed in fire near Medical Lake

MOSES LAKE — If going out the front door Saturday morning felt – and smelled – like walking into a giant ashtray, there’s a reason for that. The Air Quality Index in most of central Washington, including the Columbia Basin, was rated unhealthy by the Environmental Protection Agency, using data …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AGO

‘Professional Zaniac’

MOSES LAKE — If ever there was a man who perhaps should consider switching to decaf, it’s Alex Zerbe. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” Zerbe boomed over the speaker from backstage as he began his set Thursday afternoon at the Grant County Fair. “It is my pleasure to introduce a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Smokey skies prompt health warning

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for all areas of the county. Wildfires in Washington and British Columbia are affecting air conditions in Grant County, according to the advisory, and air quality is expected to be in the moderate to unhealthy …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

FIRE REPORT: High temps increase fire risks

PORTLAND, Ore.— Almost 85% of all fires in the Northwest this year have been caused by human action, according to data from the Northwest Interagency Fire Center, which tracks wildfires in Washington and Oregon...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

One killed in Moses Lake shooting

MOSES LAKE — A shooting claimed one life and injured two other people in the Knolls Vista neighborhood of Moses Lake early Sunday morning...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Couple convicted in carjacking on reservation

YAKIMA — A White Swan couple was convicted Friday of serious felonies on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Washington...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Fire update for Aug. 14, 2023

LAHAINA, Hawaii — The wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii had claimed at least 80 lives as of Saturday, according to the Associated Press. The city of just under 13,000 on the island of Maui was left in ashes by a fire that began Tuesday, according to the AP. A combination of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Fair week

MOSES LAKE — Everything slows down a little bit in Grant County during the third week of August. It could be because it’s the hottest part of the summer, or it could be that a lot of people are out of town on vacation. But it could also be because …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

80th ride: Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo has full slate for its oak anniversary

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo turns 80 this year, and it’s doing it in a big way. “It's going to be huge,” said Tyler Brown, treasurer of the rodeo committee. “We've got 430 entries for all the events, which is a pretty big number. Probably up 10-15% …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Crusading against domestic violence

MOSES LAKE — If you see folks wearing purple at the Moses Lake Roundup this year, it’s not just a fashion statement. They’re manning up. For the last several years, the Moses Lake Roundup has partnered with New Hope Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services in Moses Lake in the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Regional fire report for Aug. 10

WHATCOM COUNTY — The Sourdough fire, in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area about 60 miles east of Bellingham, was up to 1,710 acres Wednesday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The fire, which was discovered July 29, is still 0% contained and has cost about $16 million so …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake Alumni select scholarship winners

MOSES LAKE — Fourteen Moses Lake High School seniors will have a little help with college thanks to a scholarship from the Moses Lake Alumni Association. This is the 17th year the association has offered the scholarships, according to association Secretary (and historian) Susan Blackwell...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

3-vehicle collision claims 1 on I-90

MOSES LAKE — A three-vehicle accident on I-90 claimed at least one life and injured nine people Wednesday afternoon...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Annexation more complicated than it seems, Royal council told

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council learned some things about the process of annexation at its Aug. 1 meeting. The discussion was occasioned by an application by Gerald Brown, owner of Golden West Farms, LLC, for the city to annex two parcels of Golden West land, one 70 …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Fire continues to burn near Grand Coulee Dam, blazes continue statewide

GRAND COULEE — Of the five fires that broke out Sunday in the Grand Coulee Dam area, only one, the Pendall Road fire, is listed as burning by the National Interagency Fire Center. The fire was previously reported at 500 acres, but that figure has been reduced to 170 acres, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Bingo-ing out cancer

MOSES LAKE — The cage spun, the little balls went clack-clack-clack, and a hand reached in to pull one out. “B-9,” Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete shouted over the sea of voices, and a room full of people looked up from their beverages and marked their cards...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Vehicles destroyed in Soap Lake area fire, other fires continue statewide

SOAP LAKE — A fire east of Soap Lake burned about 9.5 acres, according to statements from Grant County fire districts 7 and 13. The fire, in the 3800 block of SR 28, destroyed about 20 vehicles, five recreational vehicles and nearly 100 appliances. Volunteers fought the fire until about …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Water supply tightening in Washington despite wet winter

OLYMPIA — Water, water everywhere… or maybe not. The irrigation situation in Eastern Washington has made a rather sudden turnaround. “We are not in a drought, officially,” said Emily Tasaka, communications manager with the Washington State Department of Ecology. “We’ve issued a statewide drought advisory. That’s not the same thing …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

MLFD responds to multiple fires, statewide fire season continues

MOSES LAKE — One building was seriously damaged when a series of four fires sprang up along I-90 Wednesday evening, according to Moses Lake Fire Department Battalion Chief Dave Hollie. The fires were reported a little before 7 p.m., according to the wildfire alert website Watch Duty. All of the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Sewage spill at Sun Lakes stop short of water

COULEE CITY — A power failure at a lift station caused a small sewage spill at Sun Lakes State Park Tuesday, according to Dennis Felton, area manager for Coulee Area State Parks, but the lake water wasn’t affected...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

‘The future is happening in our town’

MOSES LAKE — A group of about 60 people – including a number of state legislators and Lt. Gov. Denny Heck – got a first-hand look at the future Wednesday, on a tour that included stops at Big Bend Community College, Boeing and other businesses at the Port of Moses …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

West Hallett fire gets costlier, other fires burning across Washington

SPOKANE — The acreage of the West Hallett fire, located along Spokane-Cheney Road just southwest of Spokane, had been re-estimated at 155 acres Wednesday after remapping showed it to be smaller than the 200 acres previously reported. The estimated cost, however, had grown to $300,000 so far, according to the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Soap Lake pet rescue gets big help with vet bills

SOAP LAKE — The Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry in Soap Lake got a sizable boost recently from the Moses Lake-Grant County Humane Society. It wasn’t the first time the MLGCHS had helped out the fledgling animal rescue, said Shawna Kluge, who started and runs Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Spokane, Okanogan fires continue to threaten homes

SPOKANE — The West Hallett fire, located along Spokane-Cheney Road just southwest of Spokane, remained at 200 acres Tuesday. The fire, which sprang up suddenly Monday afternoon, was 0% contained and costs were estimated at $150,000 so far, according to the National Interagency Fire Center...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake man killed in Monday accident

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was killed Monday in a collision, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake temple tour

MOSES LAKE — “Holiness to the Lord,” reads the sign over the door. “The House of the Lord.” Those words are engraved above the front entrance of every temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the world, said Elder Shayne Bowen...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Multiple E. Washington towns threatened by fires

SPOKANE — The Red Cross has set up a shelter for those evacuated from the West Hallett fire, according to an announcement from the organization. The fire, located on a hill above Spokane-Cheney Road a few iles southwest of Spokane, was discovered about 2 p.m. Monday and by 4:30 was …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Hot, dry spring dries up Eastern Washington

OLYMPIA — Water, water everywhere… or maybe not. The irrigation situation in Eastern Washington has made a turnaround compared to recent years. “We are not in a drought, officially,” said Emily Tasaka, communications manager with the Washington State Department of Ecology. “We've issued a statewide drought advisory. That's not the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Growing out

MOSES LAKE — The development at Maple Grove, just north of SR 17 at Grape Drive, is almost complete, and the subsequent development is underway. Homes at Maple Landing went on sale July 21. The development itself is still in the excavation stage, but two homes are already available for …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

OIC moves into new home

MOSES LAKE — The giant scissors snipped, the ribbon fell and everyone present applauded as OIC of Washington officially moved into its new digs at the WorkSource Center at 309 E. Fifth Ave. in Moses Lake Thursday. The new location was inaugurated with a meet-and-greet with the Moses Lake Chamber …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Ephrata-area home burns, wildfires continue statewide

EPHRATA — A fire destroyed a home in the 12000 block of Road A.5 east of Ephrata Wednesday evening...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Regional fire report for July 27

PULLMAN — The Wawawai fire, about five miles west of Pullman, had burned 526 acres Wednesday, according to a statement from the Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team. The fire, which was discovered Monday evening, is located about two miles from Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River and about …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Washington fire update for July 26

VANTAGE — I-90 was open both directions Tuesday morning following a fire that closed the freeway between the Ryegrass summit and the Vantage Bridge Monday. A semi had caught fire and ignited the dry brush alongside the road, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Jeremy Weber. The fire had grown …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

News Bites for July 26, 2023

A selection of news bits from first responder agencies around the Basin.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Royal schools passes ‘23-24 budget

ROYAL CITY — The Royal School Board approved the district’s 2023-24 budget at its monthly meeting Monday. “We typically start a budget process in February, when we start talking about enrollment,” said RSD Business Manager Greg Pike. “And then here we are in late July, where we're adopting a budget, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

I-90 closes for vehicle fire

VANTAGE — A vehicle fire closed down I-90 just west of Vantage Monday, according to the Washington State Patrol. A semi traveling westbound near the Ryegrass summit caught fire a little after 1 p.m., according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The cause of the fire may have been electrical, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Science and myth

MOSES LAKE — They’re all real. That’s the premise of a series of novels by Moses Lake writer Tony Dean Yetter, whose works serve a dual purpose: to tell a good story and to promote discussion of Sasquatch. “I listened to 400 hours of testimonies from police officers to game …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Fire updates for July 21, 2023

MARYSVILLE — The Mountain Loop fire in Snohomish County was up to 14 acres Thursday, but it’s completely lined and fire crews are taking advantage of lower temperatures and higher humidity to keep the blaze from growing, according to a statement from Snohomish County Fire District 22. These wildfires were …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Othello fire deemed arson, other fires continue statewide

OTHELLO — A fire in Othello was deliberately set Tuesday, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Ephrata car show winners announced

EPHRATA — Dennis Crossley has been awarded Best in Show at the 2023 Anything with Wheels Car Show and Shine, according to an announcement from the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce. Crossley won with his 2021 Corvette, sponsored by Pro Auto Repair. Crossley’s ’Vette also win the Kids Choice Award, sponsored …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 3 MONTHS AGO

Fire update for July 19

FISHTRAP — The Snider Road fire, on Interstate 90 about 10 miles northeast of Sprague, was discovered about 2 p.m. Monday and had burned 520 acres by 4:30, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Level 3 evacuation notices were issued about 4 p.m., but had dropped to level 1 …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Regional fire report for July 18

SHELTON — The McEwan fire northwest of Shelton, in Mason County, is in the mopping-up phase, according to a statement from Central Mason Fire and EMS. The fire, which has been burning since July 4, consumed 250 acres and has cost an estimated $1.8 million or more so far, according …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Hayden Homes donating new park to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake will gain another park this week. Maple Grove Park, in the new Maple Grove housing subdivision on Grape Drive north of SR 17, will be donated to the city of Moses Lake Thursday at 11:30 a.m., according to an announcement from Hayden Homes, the developer …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Baird Springs fire costs $1.5m, new fires in Pierce, Klickitat counties

QUINCY — The Baird Springs fire is estimated to have cost $1.5 million to extinguish, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The blaze, which sprang up quickly the afternoon of July 10, triggered evacuations in the Crescent Bar and Trinidad communities. There were no injuries and no reported structure …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Ephrata company offers free roof for a veteran

EPHRATA — Heavenly Roofing in Ephrata is accepting nominations for a veteran who could use a new roof. It’s a way for the business to give back to the community, Marketing Specialist Oscar Romero said...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Baird Springs fire in mop up, other fires continue to cause problems in WA

QUINCY — The Baird Springs fire is nearly out, according to the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office. Several additional fires were burning across Washington as of early Thursday afternoon.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Health District outlines new plan for blue-green algae

MOSES LAKE — A new system for monitoring blue-green algae in Moses Lake will be rolled out this year, according to a press release from the Grant County Health District...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

'Fingers are flying'

MOSES LAKE — There’s a different sound coming out of the classrooms at Moses Lake Christian Academy this week, where the Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association is holding its annual fiddle camp. “So we have (classes for) all the way from beginner, like you've never picked up a fiddle, a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Baird Springs fire calming, others burn statewide

CRESCENT BAR — Evacuation warnings were downgraded Wednesday morning to Level 1 for the Crescent Bar and Trinidad communities just north of Quincy, according to a statement from Southeast Washington Incident Management Team 1, which is in charge of firefighting efforts...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Summerfest success

ROYAL CITY — Between 1,500 and 2,000 people braved the hot weather in Royal City Friday and Saturday for Summerfest 2023, according to Summerfest Committee Chairman Jonathan Cox. “There was a good amount of people there throughout the whole event,” Coix said. “I think there was a little bit for …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

FIRE UPDATE: Baird Springs fire near Crescent Bar prompts evacuation

QUINCY — The Baird Springs fire north of Crescent Bar continues to blaze away, but it’s not spreading, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kyle Foreman. He said a proactive evacuation was implemented in the area to protect residents. “We were erring on the side of safety,” he said. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Royal Council awards scholarship, approves parade

ROYAL CITY — A Royal City student received a boost to her education at the July 5 Royal City City Council meeting. Rayne Sheriff, a 2023 graduate of Royal High School, was the winner of a $1,000 scholarship from the engineering firm Anderson Perry. Anderson Perry, based in La Grande, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Fire report for July 11, 2023

MOSES LAKE — Basin fire crews were kept busy over the weekend, with a couple of sizable brush fires that fortunately involved no injuries or structure damage, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kyle Foreman.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Key honor

MOSES LAKE — Longtime Moses Lake music teacher Harriet West was caught by surprise when she was inducted into the Washington State Music Teachers Association Hall of Fame, she said. “All of this was done behind my back,” she said. “I had no clue that this was going on.” The …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Brookdale Hearthstone builds 20-foot sundae

MOSES LAKE — The residents and staff at Brookdale Hearthstone got to take part in a sweet, if somewhat obscure, tradition Friday, celebrating National Strawberry Sundae Day on a big scale. “We decided what better way to celebrate than to have a 20-foot strawberry sundae,” said Kar Vanerstrom, sales manager …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Fire report for July 10, 2023

MOSES LAKE — The Tunnel 5 fire burning in the Columbia Gorge about four miles west of White Salmon has grown to 556 acres and is 20% contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday morning that the evacuation notice for the area …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Settling out

COLUMBIA BASIN — The great furniture crunch is mostly over, according to experts. “It was pretty bogged down there,” said Matt Moore, owner of Moore Furniture in Ephrata. “It took a long time for the industry, in general, to get back up to normal production.” COVID-19 affected the production and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Celebrating Independence from Hunger

Moses Lake Grocery Outlet owners Kris Emerson, second from left, and Paul Emerson, second from right, and members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and Care Moses Lake look on as Michaelle Boetger cuts the ribbon on the Independence from Hunger campaign. Independence from Hunger is a joint venture …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Soap Lake fire causes evacuation notice

SOAP LAKE — A level 3 evacuation notice was issued for the 3000-4000 block of Road 20 Northeast near Soap Lake Wednesday evening, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 13. A level 3 evacuation means “Leave now,” the statement added...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Royal party

ROYAL CITY — Royal City will turn out at Lions Park this weekend for the city’s annual Summerfest, with a few changes from past years. “There's going to be vendors in the park Friday night and Saturday,” said Jonathan Cox, chairman of the Summerfest committee. “In addition, Friday night we're …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Washington fire update for July 6

OTHELLO — An Othello-area home was completely destroyed by fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to a statement from Adams County Fire District 5. Two vehicles were also destroyed, but all occupants got out of the house safely. The investigation determined that the cause of the fire …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

‘Red, white and sparkle’

GEORGE — Perhaps no town does up the Fourth of July with more vigor than George. “I love it when we all get dressed up in our country's colors,” said state Sen. Judy Warnick. “There's one little girl that had ‘Red, White and Sparkle’ on her shirt. And I think …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Farm machines thrash it out at Lind Combine Derby

LIND — Lind held its annual Combine Derby June 10.The event has been a Lind tradition since 1988, and this year’s derby brought a crowd of about 4,500 people to a town of 531. Fifteen of the harvesting machines, sporting names like “Cornfed Cadillac” and “The Extinguisher,” lumbered onto the …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Fire report for July 3, 2023

EPHRATA — A fire northwest of Ephrata required three fire departments to put out Thursday night, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 13...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

2023 cherry harvest looking optimistic

WENATCHEE — The cherry harvest is coming in full this year, according to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. The weather conditions that have played havoc with some other Washington crops, like hay, have been a real boon for cherry growers, according to Tim Kovis, WSTFA’s director of communications. “We …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Lunch crowd

MOSES LAKE — The Commercial Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds has a maximum capacity of 770 people, and the crowd at the Senior Picnic Wednesday came mighty close to meeting that. “We had 612 meals served to seniors,” said Debbie Doran-Martinez, executive director of the Moses Lake Chamber of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Weather hurts hay quality, price

COLUMBIA BASIN — The first cutting is in for alfalfa hay in the Basin, and it’s not all it should be, according to Mark Anderson of Anderson Hay & Grain. “We were hoping to get a lot more high-test supreme and premium alfalfa for dairies,” Anderson said. “We struggled a …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Cherry harvest looking good for 2023

WENATCHEE — The cherry harvest is coming in full this year, according to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. The weather conditions that have played havoc with some other Washington crops, like hay, have been a real boon for cherry growers, according to Tim Kovis, WSTFA's director of communications...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Fire season outlook grim

OLYMPIA — This year’s fire season is upon us, according to Washington State Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz. “Fire activity has increased considerably from earlier spring months,” Franz said in a press conference Friday. “We've seen about 600 fires burn roughly 17,000 acres statewide so far. On lands under Department …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Wildfire update for June 30, 2023

MOSES LAKE — The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties, according to an announcement from the NWS. The warning is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Dual purpose

OTHELLO — What do garage doors and blinds have in common? They both open, they both close, and Kip and Ilene Burns can sell you both. The Burnses and their partner John Overton own both B and B Doors and Blinds For Any Budget. The two businesses are mobile, operating …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Water rules tightening in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake city Council voted to make some changes to the city’s water conservation ordinance at its Tuesday meeting...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

B and B door cuts the ribbon

MOSES LAKE – Kip and Ilene Burns, flanked by their partner John Overton, left, and their granddaughter Saylor Blodgett, cut the ribbon in front of the B and B Doors trailer and the Blinds for any Budget van at the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce office Wednesday. The Burnses and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Fire report for June 28, 2023

WENATCHEE — State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Methow Fire just outside Wenatchee, according to a statement from the State Fire Marshal’s Office...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Celebrating safely

COLUMBIA BASIN — Independence Day is next Tuesday and residents can expect a lot of booms, bangs and whistles, but in a dry climate like this, fireworks get out of hand easily and set off wildfires, said Grant County Fire District 7 Chief Chris Baker. “We have warmer, drier conditions …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

News bites for June 27, 2023

EPHRATA — Nicole Shenefelt, 25, is being held at the Grant County Jail after reportedly setting a fire in Ephrata, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. OTHELLO — An investigation is underway into an officer-involved shooting near Othello Sunday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Lower Crab Creek fire out, others still burning

BEVERLY — A wildfire that blazed up east of Beverly over the weekend is out, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kyle Foreman. The fire consumed about 65 acres, according to Neil Vargas, assistant chief for Grant County Fire District 10, which responded to the blaze. There were no …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Judge lets weapon ban stand

OLYMPIA — Washington state’s ban on certain types of gun will stay in place, a Thurston County Superior Court ruled Friday. “It’s another setback, but we’re gonna keep pushing forward,” said Guardian Arms owner Bruce Davis. “That’s all we can do.” ...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

George council OKs chickens, tables park district

GEORGE — Pavement, parks and poultry were among the topics of discussion at the George City Council meeting Tuesday. The first order of business was bids for street improvements to North Washington Way and East Montmorency Boulevard. The low bidder was Wheeler Excavation, which City Attorney Chuck Zimmerman pointed out …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Spend a day at the museum

COLUMBIA BASIN — We often think of museums as something you find in big cities, but there are lots of them just a short drive away here in the Basin. Here are some places to enjoy art or learn about the area. Note: Many museums are staffed by volunteers and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Grace named George clerk-treasurer

GEORGE — There’s a new clerk-treasurer in George, and she has a new assistant. Former Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Amy Grace, who has holding down the fort since the last clerk-treasurer left in March, was officially appointed to the position at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. SA temporary worker the city contracted …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Weather impacts hay quality

COLUMBIA BASIN — The first cutting is in for alfalfa hay in the Basin, and it’s not all it should be, according to Mark Anderson of Anderson Hay & Grain. “We were hoping to get a lot more high-test supreme and premium alfalfa for dairies,” Anderson said. “We struggled a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Prowler caught following assault

MOSES LAKE — A suspected vehicle prowler who allegedly punched his victim and fled was caught in Moses Lake Wednesday...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS AGO

Forest Service waives fees for Juneteenth

PORTLAND, Ore. — The USDA Forest Service is waiving recreation fees for day-use sites in Washington and Oregon on Monday, June 19, in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday, according to an announcement from the Forest Service...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Little Big Show '23

WILSON CREEK — The little town of Wilson Creek more than doubled in numbers Saturday. The town, which had a population of 207 at the last census, welcomed more than 300 visitors to its annual Little Big Show, according to organizer Nicholas Odorizzi. “Good turnout this year,” Odorizzi said. “We …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Barnyard brawl

LIND — In the heart of Adams County, wheat is king. And once a year, its knights meet in the Lind Lions Club Arena for a tournament to rival the most enthusiastic joust, armored in blue jeans and ball caps and mounted on steeds familiar to anyone who lives in …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Exploring macro worlds

MOSES LAKE — It all started with some boozy bugs. “I went out in the front yard, and I went up to a tree in which there were always tens of butterflies, and I couldn't figure out why,” said Walter Klockers, whose macro photography is currently on exhibit at the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Royal parents learn to identify drug risk factors

ROYAL CITY — Between 20 and 30 people gathered at Royal Intermediate School June 8 for Healthy Youth, Healthy Families. The bilingual event, sponsored by Educational Service District 105, among other organizations, was designed to help families identify signs of substance abuse in youth. “My demographic right now is particularly …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Do hard things’

ROYAL CITY — One hundred eleven Knights sallied forth from the Royal High School football field Friday, June 2, ready to take on any dragons that might come their way. “Many things make you an exceptional graduating class,” said RHS Principal Courtney McCoy in her welcoming remarks. “You are driven. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Exude compassion’

RITZVILLE — “Exude compassion.” That was the advice given to Lind-Ritzville High School seniors at their graduation ceremony Saturday by LRHS history teacher and guest speaker Bryce Court. “When I say to do that, I mean it should be the defining attribute of your character, the thing you are and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Royal City gains new council members, approves water main upgrade

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council swore in two new members during its meeting Monday evening. Rick Kannely and Ryan Piercy were selected to fill vacancies left when other members moved out of town. “I'm here as a volunteer to support the community, to serve the community that …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Lending a paw

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach recently got some much-needed upgrades. Moses Lake developer CAD Homes teamed up with several other businesses this spring to build new kennels at the county animal shelter, along with some other much-needed improvements.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

CBAA sponsors music at farmers market, demo derby

MOSES LAKE — It’s not all that difficult, actually, to find local musicians who want to play live music, according to Shawn Cardwell, executive director of Columbia Basin Allied Arts. It’s why Allied Arts has been able to sponsor performers at the Moses Lake Farmers Market nearly every other weekend …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Added options

GEORGE — The new housing in George is almost finished. “We had a 27-lot subdivision,” said Drew Scott, owner of CAD Homes LLC, which is building the houses. “We started last year and it's all sold out now. It went quick.” ...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

2023 Chief for a Day

EPHRATA — There were some very excited kids in uniform Thursday afternoon outside the Grant County Courthouse. “This is Chief Jesus Flores from the Royal City Police Department,” said Rey Rodriguez, who serves as Royal City’s police chief on all the other days. “He’s a second grader, attends Red Rock …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Bill to protect gas stoves introduced in Congress

OLYMPIA — A bill introduced Monday would protect gas stoves from proposed federal limitations, according to an announcement from Rep. Dan Newhouse, R – Washington. In February, the U.S. Department of Energy proposed an “energy efficiency standard” for gas cooking products. This would be the first energy performance standard imposed …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Desert Sun’

MOSES LAKE — Here in the Basin, we know we have a lot of sunshine, and we generally like it that way. But sometimes it takes a relative newcomer to give us a fresh appreciation. “I've lived here three years now, and I love all the sunny days,” said artist …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Fish & Wildlife encourages hunter education before fall busy season

OLYMPIA — The fall hunting season may seem a long way off, but it’s still time to think about mandatory hunter education classes before it begins, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Encore!

MOSES LAKE — The tunes that made Broadway great will fill the air, as Basin Community Theatre presents “Encore! A Broadway Musical Review” this month. “We've taken favorite musicals from our cast and from our director, and put a show together,” said producer Marion Wyman. “So it's going to be …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Sage ‘n Sun to light up Ephrata

EPHRATA — Ephrata will take to the streets this weekend with the 111th annual Sage ‘n Sun Festival. “Last year we we had started out brand new, kind of redeveloped it And we're in the process to continue to make it grow and to build it into something a little …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Preventing invasion

OLYMPIA — State agencies are asking people to clean up their gear, pets and clothing to prevent invasive plants from establishing here, according to a statement from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. State law requires landowners to control noxious weeds when they are present on their properties, the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Fees waived for Get Outdoors Day

PORTLAND, Ore. — Day-use sites in Washington and Oregon will be free on June 10 in celebration of National Get Outdoors Day, the USDA Forest Service announced Monday, as a way of encouraging people to explore the outdoors...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Salmonella outbreak hits Washington state

OLYMPIA — An outbreak of salmonella has sickened 13 people in Washington state, one of them in Grant County, according to a statement from the Washington State Department of Health. This is part of a nationwide outbreak that has sickened 104 people in 31 states, the statement said. In Washington, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Home greenery

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin has always been a place for people who love the great outdoors. Sometimes, though, that’s just not enough and you want to bring a little nature indoors. Houseplants add a touch of green to a room, and breathe life – literally – into a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘The final reveille’

MOSES LAKE — The Memorial Day ceremony at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake Monday wasn’t long, not more than about 20 minutes, but it was heartfelt. The ceremony was led by American Legion Service Officer Fil Rivera, a retired Green Beret master sergeant who served in Vietnam and the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Basin Business Journal looking for 40 standouts under 40

COLUMBIA BASIN — The squeaky wheel may get the grease, but sometimes the other wheels are working just as hard without making noise. That’s true in the business world, too: sometimes the people making the most difference are the quiet ones, flying under the radar. The Basin Business Journal would …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Safe storage

MOSES LAKE — It seems like guns and gun owners are in the news a lot these days. Plenty of people in the Basin keep firearms, both for personal protection and for recreational shooting. But when you have guns in the home, where you can access them, there’s always the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Big Bend Changed that for me’

MOSES LAKE — The community once again showed its commitment to education Saturday with a full turnout at Big Bend Community College Foundation’s 22nd annual Cellarbration! For Education banquet and auction. The event, which brought in about 225 people, raised $167,000 to put toward scholarships for Big Bend Community College …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 5 MONTHS AGO

Keeping the Basin eventful

So you have an event planned. Maybe it’s a business seminar, maybe it’s a crafting class, maybe it’s a black tie fundraiser. No matter what it is, it’s only going to be successful if people know it’s happening. You need to get the word out somehow...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Built to spec

MOSES LAKE — One of the peculiarities of the Columbia Basin is that, even in a housing crunch, we’ve got tons of land waiting to be built on. There’s space for housing, just not the homes themselves. One solution to that is for would-be homeowners to look into a home …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Spring Fest approaches

MOSES LAKE — It’s an annual tradition in Moses Lake, the town’s biggest festival of the year, and it’s coming up again. The Moses Lake Spring Festival happens every Memorial Day weekend, which this year is May 25-28. Last year’s festival, as life returned to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Eclectic bargains abound at Rusty Mammoth Sale

MOSES LAKE — Jewelry, art, household items and old books and magazines – the pickings at the Moses Lake Museum’s Rusty Mammoth Sale Saturday were pretty diverse. “(We sold) some furniture items and a really lovely jewelry box,” said Museum Director Dollie Boyd. “There was a lady lined up at …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Health Department: Flu deaths up tenfold last year

OLYMPIA — 2022-23 was the deadliest flu season in five years, the Washington State Department of Health said in a statement Friday...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Building bust

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s no secret that housing is pretty tight right now. Our population is increasing, and new homes aren’t being built. The law of supply and demand is rearing its economic head. “if you look at a 30-year window, our population in Washington state has increased around 60%, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Royal City talks insurance at council meeting

ROYAL CITY — Insurance was a significant topic at the Royal City City Council meeting May 2. The first order of business involved the city’s co-sponsorship agreement with Summerfest. The draft agreement called for Summerfest to indemnify the city in case someone gets hurt at the town’s community celebration, which …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Copenhaver prepares to take over at RMS

ROYAL CITY — Royal Middle School is getting a new principal. Jerrod Copenhaver, who has been teaching fifth grade at Royal Intermediate School since 2014, has been tapped to take over from the retiring David Jaderlund starting July 1. “I'm very excited,” Copenhaver said. “It's a great opportunity to keep …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Ribbon Cutting

Dr. Brandon Penix, owner of Northwest Medical Services, with office manager Sidney Kriete to his left and surrounded by Moses Lake Chamber of commerce members, cuts the ribbon at his clinic at 821 E. Broadway. The clinic has been open since November, Kriete said. Northwest Medical Services specializes in occupational …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

A full deck

MOSES LAKE — It’s had a few names in its time, that old building at 302 W. Broadway Ave. It’s been Barney Google’s, Ginny’s, the Mighty Quinn, the LakeFront Bar & Grill and most recently, the Broadway Bar & Grill. Now it’s going to get a whole new lease on …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Wrapped up to go

The staff at Chipotle in Moses Lake scrambles to keep up with the crowd of customers on Saturday, the restaurant’s first day open to the public. Chipotle, which specializes in burritos, quesadillas and tacos, is located at 2345 S. Maiers Road.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake piano student honored for original composition

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake High School senior was honored recently for an original piano composition. Dariya Karnafel, 17, took second place in the Washington State Music Teachers Association Young Composers Project with her original composition “Sea of Memories.” “We do it every year and this is my second …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Invasive species cropping up again in Washington

SPOKANE — The boating season is officially underway in Washington state. To keep lakes, rivers, and other water bodies clean and beautiful, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking the public to take a few simple steps when launching boats or other vessels this season, according to a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Local gun shop files suit over weapon ban

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake gun shop owner has filed a lawsuit in response to the assault weapon ban enacted last week. Guardian Arms LLC, located at 208 S. Division St., filed the suit in Grant County Superior Court April 25, the same day Gov. Jay Inslee signed the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

‘New life’

MOSES LAKE — The Fab Four never sounded like this. The Seattle Rock Orchestra, consisting of 17 instrumentalists, three vocalists and one highly-animated conductor, took the stage at the Wallenstien Theater Friday night, playing selections from the Beatles’ last two albums, “Abbey Road” and “Let It Be.” It was the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

‘Full of knowledge’

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center was a hive of activity Saturday, hosting the sixth annual Columbia Basin Eco-Gardening Symposium. “The list of the exhibitors didn't look that long,” said Dinah Rouleau, project manager with the Columbia Basin Conservation District. “But when you went there was filled …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

You’re all doers’

MOSES LAKE — It was a small ceremony as commencements go, but the emotions were huge at the Columbia Basin Job Corps Center graduation. “This is home,” said Susan Mann, the center’s liaison officer. “Most of the students are here for about a year, 24-seven. They become very, very well-bonded. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Home coverage

MOSES LAKE — For a lot of people, their home is the most valuable thing they’ll ever own. And when you have something valuable, naturally, you want to protect it. But how much homeowners insurance do you need? There’s a common misconception that homeowners insurance is based on the market …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Royal City gets bookish

ROYAL CITY – Future library patrons cheer as the sign marking the location of the planned Royal City Library was unveiled April 11. The new library, when complete, will be more than three times as large as the existing facility, which stands across the street from the new site.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

George City Council considers security agreement

GEORGE — The George City Council discussed, but did not decide on, a novel offer from the Port of Quincy at its monthly meeting Tuesday evening. The proposal is an interlocal agreement between the city and the Port, said Mayor Gerene Nelson in a separate interview Thursday. Under the agreement, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS AGO

Youth art sought for national competition

COLUMBIA BASIN — Young artists are invited to try for a chance to be shown at the Capitol, according to a statement from U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-WA...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Dryland gardening

MOSES LAKE — A whole new dimension of gardening will be on display in Moses Lake next week. “We’re looking at the gardening effects of climate change, for the public to learn about how climate change is going to affect gardening,” said Mark Amara, with the Washington State University Extension …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Regal save: New committee steps up to save Royal City Summerfest

ROYAL CITY — Yes, there will be a Summerfest. Back in December, the Royal City Summerfest committee put out a request on social media for new committee members because all of the existing members, who had shouldered the burden for years, were stepping down for a variety of reasons. By …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Summerfest, library discussed at Royal meeting

ROYAL CITY — Summerfest, the library and a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan were among the topics of Tuesday’s Royal City City Council meeting. Grant County Commissioner Cindy Carter addressed the council regarding arrangements for the car show that’s a traditional part of Summerfest. In the past cars have parked …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Hoppy hunting

GEORGE — The official count was 133 children at the George Easter egg hunt Saturday morning, but it looked like twice that many, possibly because they were so excited they couldn’t stay in one place. The weather had been nasty the day before, but Saturday the sun was shining and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Ephrata Chamber to host first business expo

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce will host its first annual Business Expo Wednesday. The new event has received unexpected, but welcome support, chamber officials said. “Our goal was 25 businesses,” said Chamber Director Rita Witte. “We actually got 47.” ...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

The hunt is on

COLUMBIA BASIN — Small plastic eggs will be stashed – and snatched up by little hands at an astounding rate – all over the Basin this weekend. Nearly every community in the area has its own Easter egg hunt either Friday or Saturday, as is traditional the weekend before Easter. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Checking it out

MOSES LAKE — Buying a home can be a risky proposition. There are many things that could go wrong with the home or the land, so many things that prospective buyers could miss that could cost them a lot of money down the road. That’s where a professional home inspector …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Seeing the sights

QUINCY — The Quincy Valley Historical Society is going on tour. “We’ve wanted to do this for a number of years,” said Harriet Weber, director of operations for the organization. “It stemmed from way back in the Quincy Centennial in 2007. I was on that committee and we did bus …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Tax help available at senior centers

MOSES LAKE — Taxes can be confusing at the best of times. The Moses Lake and Ephrata senior centers are teaming up with AARP to take some of the confusion out of them at no charge. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is supplying volunteers to assist seniors with filling out …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

A call answered

MOSES LAKE — There’s been a lot of change in American churches in the last 50 years. The Sexual Revolution, the Jesus Movement, megachurches, the end of the Cold War, the Internet, the pandemic – all these things have left their mark. And through it all, Pastor Floyd Wilks has …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Royal schools adopt new math curriculum

ROYAL CITY — Royal schools will be seeing some changes in math after the Royal School Board voted unanimously at its meeting Monday to adopt new K-3 and 4-6 math curricula. The curriculum for elementary students is called Eureka Math2 and makes extensive use of hands-on and digital aids. Second-grade …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Royal City robotics team has chance to compete in California

ROYAL CITY — If they can raise the money, nine budding Royal City engineers will be headed to California next month. The Royal Middle School robotics team, dubbed the Power Rangers, excelled both at the regional competition in Richland and the state competition in Spokane, bringing home the Champion Finalist …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Reading room

ROYAL CITY — Royal City’s library is about to have some breathing room. “We are hurting for space,” said librarian Jess Rosez. “Sometimes we have our programs indoors and they get a little bit tight. So we're really excited for the expansion.” The current library, located at 136 Camelia St., …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Record hunt

MOSES LAKE — The room was brimming with both people and emotion at the Youth Outdoors Unlimited fundraiser banquet the evening of March 4. “We made a little over $129,000, which is an all-time record,” said YOU founder and director Cindy Carpenter. “We are so blessed to have such generous …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Exploring the Seep Lakes can pay off for anglers

MARDON RESORT — Between Moses Lake and Othello, there’s a great big reservoir that boasts excellent bass, walleye and other fishing. Potholes Reservoir is kind of a well-known mecca for anglers. Head a little south and the landscape is dotted with myriad little spots of blue, somewhere around 70 of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 7 MONTHS AGO

Perfect fit

MOSES LAKE — Sometimes, the profession and the person just match up neatly. LeRae Redal has a story like that. The owner of Moses Lake Real Estate Group, who received the Achievement Award at the Moses Lake-Othello Realtors Association in January, sort of fell into real estate 25 years ago …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 8 MONTHS AGO

Early days

MOSES LAKE — Spring is finally here, or so we all hope, although last week’s weather may have shattered many people’s faith in the season. And spring means the garden is calling. But don’t be too eager to answer that call, experts say. “Things are still really dormant, you know, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 8 MONTHS AGO

Full house

MOSES LAKE — It was only about an hour into the first day of the Columbia Basin Home and Garden Show Friday morning, and already the place was packed. “I’m very happy with the way it’s started,” said Joe Eaton, behind tables laden with hot sauces and jerky. “You know, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 8 MONTHS AGO

Growing excitement

ROYAL CITY — It takes a little work to get to Seed Cupboard Nursery, a mile or so west of Royal City. Every year though, lots of people think it’s worth the drive. We draw from around the entire community,” said Seed Cupboard owner Lisa Villegas. “From down in Desert …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 8 MONTHS AGO

Central Washington on display

MOSES LAKE — Central Washington, in all its beauty, is on display at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. The exhibition titled simply “Life in Central Washington” features the work of Yakima Valley Arts Association members. The show opened on Feb. 3 and runs until March 17. “All the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 8 MONTHS AGO

Versatile sound

GEORGE — Almost anything can be turned into bluegrass, as the Badger Mountain Dry Band demonstrated at the George Community Hall on Saturday. “We play lots of different kinds and styles of music,” said Jim Honeyman, lead vocalist and mandolin player for BMDB. “Basically whatever we want, adapted into bluegrass …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 8 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake woman jailed following damage to courthouse

EPHRATA — A Moses Lake woman is in jail after inflicting damage on the Grant County Courthouse in the wee hours of Friday morning.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Thinking small

OLYMPIA — Everybody knows there’s a housing shortage, especially for very low-income people and solutions are hard to come by. State Sen. Jeff Wilson, D-Longview, thinks he may have the start of one, however. “A hundred years ago, people bought houses from the Sears catalog – they came in a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Basin athletes head west

Police and fire vehicles with lights and sirens escorted the Moses Lake High School wrestling and swim and dive teams on the beginning of their journey to state competition Thursday morning. Send-offs such as this happened around the Columbia Basin as teams from around the area got on busses destined …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Arting early

MOSES LAKE — More than 250 budding artists got to see their work on display and show it off to the community Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. “Oh, everyone has been so excited,” said Colleen Seto, the preschool instructor at the museum. “The preschool teachers showed …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Field tech: New machinery makes farming more efficient and less labor-intensive

MOSES LAKE — The word to watch for in farm equipment these days is “efficiency.” “One of the biggest situations is labor,” said Tim Prickett, co-owner of Rashco Farm Supply in Moses Lake, Washington. “(The response to) the increases in cost of labor is to mechanize, improve their processes. So …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Summerfest at risk

ROYAL CITY — Last July, the streets of Royal City were filled with fun as the town’s annual Summerfest brought out parades, concerts, games and food. This year, it may not happen. “Nobody wants to volunteer anymore,” said Carly Smith, the chair of the Summerfest committee. “It can’t be run …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Royal City considers security cameras

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council considered the purchase of surveillance cameras at Tuesday’s meeting. Royal City Police Chief Rey Rodriguez presented council members with three options for PODS, or portable observation devices from Security Lines US, a California-based supplier of electronic surveillance equipment. “This first set I …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Refuge at Mae Valley

MOSES LAKE — There was a time not so long ago when Mae Valley west of Moses Lake was fairly wide open, with not much more than a golf course and Blue Heron Park, then called the Moses Lake State Park and a few streets of small houses. The west …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Thinking ahead

EPHRATA — Chess isn’t something most people think of as a spectator sport, but in Ephrata on Saturday, it was the center of attention as about 100 children, encouraged by parents and teachers, gathered at Parkway Elementary School to show their checkmate chops. “Chess is a real thinker's game,” said …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Vanguard Now

MOSES LAKE - From left, Peter Martin, Gauge Brown and Warren Skaug present the story of their online school news program “Vanguard Now” at Vanguard Academy’s Passion Project presentation event. About 900 parents, friends and family members came to the school to see students show off projects including baked goods, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Drive to succeed

MOSES LAKE — The signs in Tara Zerbo’s office say it all: “I’m not bossy, I’m motivational” and “Wake up, kick (backside), repeat.” Zerbo, 37, was named Realtor of the Year by the Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors on Jan. 21. She also stepped down at that time as the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Ruff times

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach has run out of room. “The facility was built in World War II,” said Kar Vanerstrom, GCAO’s vice president. “And there haven't been any updates on it, so it's kind of in dire straits.” ...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Facing the past

MOSES LAKE — When you buy a home, there are often neighborhood covenants that come with the property. Sometimes you have to have your house set a certain distance back from the street, or you can’t put up a shed as a second residence, or you can’t run certain kinds …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Home sales drop, but show signs of bouncing back

MOSES LAKE — Home sales dropped pretty hard last month. According to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, home sales in Washington dropped from 8,017 in December 2021 to 4,524 in December 2022, a 43.57% decrease. Grant County followed the trend with a drop of 44.57% from 2021. For …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Farm efficiency

MOSES LAKE – As technology advances for fancy cars, trucks and devices in our pockets, so do advances in equipment used to grow our food. With employees stretched thin, advances in agricultural tech can help keep ag pros going. “One of the biggest situations is labor,” said Tim Prickett, co-owner …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

The dream lives on

MOSES LAKE — Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream is still alive. That was the point that more than one speaker made at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration last Monday in Moses Lake. The event began with a march down Third Avenue to the Moses Lake Civic Center, and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 9 MONTHS AGO

Odd jobs

MOSES LAKE — James Anderson likes odd jobs. And sometimes they get pretty odd. Anderson is the owner of Home Electrical Services, based in Moses Lake. The name may sound pretty ordinary, but HES’ repertoire is anything but. Anderson prides himself on taking on jobs other places don’t want to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

Something off?

COLUMBIA BASIN — In a perfect world, every real estate transaction would be completely above board, and all parties would walk away happy. Unfortunately, it’s not a perfect world. Serious disputes between real estate professionals and clients aren’t common, but they do happen. So what is a person who feels …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

Back in the game

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Cooperative Preschool is back. The preschool, which had operated on the Big Bend Community College campus since the 1960s, was forced to shut down like so many other things in the summer of 2020. Now it’s found a new home at Immanuel Lutheran Church …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

Local talent

MOSES LAKE — Oil portraits. Photos. Welded sculptures. Intricately painted feathers. Virtually anything a local artist can create is on display at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. “I keep telling everyone, there's something for everyone in this show, literally,” said Museum Director Dollie Boyd. “Because there's so many …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

Soap Lake standoff ends without incident

SOAP LAKE — A felony suspect is in custody after a standoff with police in Soap Lake Friday afternoon. The suspect, who had a felony warrant, fled on foot from a Soap Lake Police officer and ran into a residence in the 300 block of Road 20 Northwest, said Kyle …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

Sitting pretty

COLUMBIA BASIN — Lots of homeowners are in good shape this year. A recent study by analysis firm ATTOM Data Solutions indicates that nearly half of mortgaged residential properties in the U.S. were considered equity-rich, meaning that the amount owed on them was no more than half the estimated value, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

Royal City approves golf course funding

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Golf Course could be getting a boost this year. The Royal City City Council voted Tuesday to approve an amendment to the usual annual agreement between the city and the Royal Golf Association regarding funding for the Royal City Golf Course. The amendment would …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

Booking history

RITZVILLE - It’s a long way from Dunfermline, Scotland to Ritzville, Washington. Four thousand, three hundred eighty miles as the crow flies, in fact. (A very, very determined and untiring crow.) So why is the name of a child laborer from Dunfermline engraved proudly above a building in Ritzville? Because …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

Highway oasis

WASHTUCNA – For a lot of SR 26, there’s not a lot to see. One wheat field follows another as the interminable miles blur together. Then you dip into a small coulee and there before you, at the edge of Washtucna, is Java Bloom. “We wanted to do something at …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 10 MONTHS AGO

‘This is such a wonderful season’

MOSES LAKE — The Wallenstien Theater took on a Celtic glow Tuesday evening, as the Gothard Sisters, Greta, Willow and Solana, brought their Christmas concert to Moses Lake. “This is such a wonderful season. I always love December when it comes around,” said Solana, the youngest of the trio...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 11 MONTHS AGO

Screen test

ROYAL CITY — Royal High School students can’t say they don’t know what’s going on in their school. “Hello, and welcome to this … edition of Royal High School News,” says a young anchorperson, holding a printed script and flanked by a classmate and a coffee mug that says “RHS …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 11 MONTHS AGO

Home prices up, sales down for November

MOSES LAKE — Home sales were down across Washington compared to November 2021, according to a statement from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, with rural East Side counties showing some of the heaviest declines. At the same time, median prices rose slightly, also with the exception of some rural counties. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 11 MONTHS AGO

Area libraries to be redesigned

WENATCHEE — Libraries in the region will be getting a facelift, according to a statement from North Central Washington Libraries. The NCW Libraries Reimagining Spaces Project represents a $10 million, multi-year redesign of all the libraries in the NCWL system, NCWL spokesperson Amanda Brack told the Herald. Twenty-seven of those …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 11 MONTHS AGO

Celebrating agriculture

MOSES LAKE — It was chillier than a penguin’s toes Friday evening, but that didn’t deter the crowds at the annual Ag Appreciation Parade in Moses Lake. “I have never been so cold,” said Denise Kinder, president of the Downtown Moses Lake Association, as she organized parade floats in the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 11 MONTHS AGO

‘Pretty drastic’

COLUMBIA BASIN — With the year winding down and the holidays looming, more and more people are counting on local food banks to make ends meet, especially in a struggling economy. “We had a 19% increase from Thanksgiving week last year,” said Peny Archer, executive director of Community Services of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 11 MONTHS AGO

Merry and bright

MOSES LAKE — Now that the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays are over, it’s time to prepare for the big one. For a lot of us, Christmas decorating means setting up the tree, dusting off the Nativity scene and maybe hanging some twinkling lights around the front window. But some folks …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 11 MONTHS AGO

Keeping Warm

COLUMBIA BASIN — As perceptive observers may have noticed, the weather has recently changed. Here in the Basin, we’ve had our brief annual visit from fall and winter is now pounding at our door like a battering ram. Which means it’s time to seal up, wrap up and warm up …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 12 MONTHS AGO

‘Enriching lives’

MOSES LAKE — Entrust Community Services’ slogan is “Enriching lives thorough opportunity,” and that’s what they’ve been doing, without a lot of fanfare or publicity. “We do four things,” said Entrust CEO Tom Gaulke. “We work with high school students with disabilities to try to help them get jobs before …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 12 MONTHS AGO

Royal City considers 2023 budget

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council tentatively approved the city’s budget for 2023 at its meeting Tuesday evening. The first part of the meeting was the last public hearing on the budget, city Finance Director Shilo Christensen said, although no members of the public turned up to comment …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 12 MONTHS AGO

‘It was the kiddos’

Julie Carvo said she didn’t plan from the outset to become a teacher. It just sort of crept up on her. Carvo, who’s been teaching fourth grade at Moses Lake Christian Academy for 10 years, started out home-schooling her own kids. While she was doing that, her husband suggested she …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 12 MONTHS AGO

‘This is what I love to do’

Middle school is a tough time for most kids. Some thrive in those years, some just survive, but they all change one way or another. Jesus Santiago came out of it knowing what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. “When I was in junior high, I …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 YEAR, 12 MONTHS AGO

OSPI looks at additional educational supports

OLYMPIA — Washington’s youngest learners need an extra boost, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said Thursday in a press conference. “Roughly 20 to 25% of Washington students enter kindergarten needing additional supports in literacy. That's a big number. We obviously get 70%, 80% of those students to important …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

Royal City soldier takes recruiting to the screen

ROYAL CITY — Royal City native Pedro Popoca is helping to recruit the next generation of soldiers. Popoca, a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard now living in Seattle, appeared recently in videos for the Army’s “Decide to Lead” promotion campaign to increase officer training participation. “It was actually …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

Acing it

When it comes to business, small towns often face kind of a vicious cycle. Many chains won’t locate in a community below a certain population, which means people have to drive to a larger city to shop. And the more shopping they do out of town, the fewer things they …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

Native voices

WENATCHEE — The North Central Washington Libraries will mark Native American Heritage Month with a virtual reading challenge focusing on books at all age levels by Native American authors. “As part of our online reading app Beanstack, we do different reading challenges each month,” said Teen Services Director Jessica Lynch. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

New Americans

WENATCHEE — It was an emotional, ebullient moment when 25 immigrants to the United States took their oaths of citizenship Tuesday in Wenatchee. “Citizenship is a unique bond that unites people around the civic ideals and a belief in the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution,” said Patrick …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

MLCA auction supports Christian education

MOSES LAKE — The event center at Moses Lake Christian Academy was packed to the gills with 200 attendees plus volunteers Saturday night, as the school held its annual fundraiser banquet and auction. “We actually sold exactly 200 seats, said Janeil Koethke, the auction committee chairman. “That's as many as …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

‘It’s a people business’

MOSES LAKE — For Ben Sellen, it’s not primarily about the houses or the land. “It's a people business,” he said. “It's not about selling somebody a house, it's helping your client with the problem that they have. They need to sell it? Okay, what are we looking at? What …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

Royal City drug takeback removes unneeded drugs from circulation

ROYAL CITY — The prescription drug take-back program in Royal City brought in 46 pounds of unused prescription medicines this month, even if the take-back events themselves aren’t overwhelming, the Royal City City Council heard at its meeting Tuesday. “At our first event, we collected about 20 pounds (of prescription …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

Ancient ways

PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — Inside the Wanapum Heritage Center at Priest Rapids Dam, there’s a sign that says, “We are Wanapum, we are here, we never signed a treaty, we never gave away our land, we never left, we are going to be here tomorrow.” That timelessness was out for …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

Top brass

MOSES LAKE — When the words “brass music” are mentioned, most people picture a marching band, rows on rows of uniformed players belting out marches and school fight songs. Not five women on a stage pushing the boundaries of classical music. Yet that’s just what was happening at the Wallenstein …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

Royal dog park fundraising complete

ROYAL CITY - Kristi Jenks, 10, of Royal City, accepts a check for $3,000 toward the Royal City dog park project from Northwest Farm Credit Services at a special assembly at Royal Intermediate School on Sept. 26. The donation brought the total Kristi had raised to $7,900, Heather said. On …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS AGO

State of the spuds: Potato harvest looking up

COLUMBIA BASIN — The state of the taters is, well, pretty darn good this year. “The potato harvest is definitely a lighter crop than what we’re historically used to,” said Dale Lathim, executive director of Potato Growers of Washington. “It’s actually a little bit better than last year in terms …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Scaling down

MOSES LAKE — It’s a time families dread. Mom, or Dad, or Grandma, is slowing down a little, becoming forgetful, maybe having some health problems, and it’s getting to be more than they and their family can keep up with alone. As hard as it is to think about, it’s …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Meet the Herald Part 2:

Back in September, we began introducing the members of our team to our readers, starting with the administrative team. Today, we continue with the editorial department. Lots of people read the news every day. But who are the people who write it? Here’s a look at the names and faces …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Potato harvest looking up

COLUMBIA BASIN — The state of the taters is, well, pretty darn good this year. “The potato harvest is definitely a lighter crop than what we’re historically used to,” said Dale Lathim, executive director of Potato Growers of Washington. “It’s actually a little bit better than last year in terms …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Market change

MOSES LAKE — Things are beginning to shift in the world of real estate, but it’s hard to know how much of that shift will come to the Basin. Home prices have dropped 0.8% in Washington since June, according to a study by QuoteWizard, a Seattle-based online insurance comparison platform. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

‘Wicked Spokane’

EASTERN WASHINGTON — Around the turn of the 20th century, most of the Columbia Basin was little more than miles and miles of sagebrush, coulees and coyotes. There were a few little hamlets dotting the landscape, but nothing you could really call a city. Spokane, on the other hand, was …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Lumber prices dropping, but still higher than normal

GRANT COUNTY — It’s the stuff that homes are made of. But lumber, like so many other things, has gotten harder to lay hands on the last few years, and costlier when you can. Unlike other commodities, however, the price of lumber has actually dipped a little in recent months. …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Slices Brick Oven House owners cut ribbon

Ashton, left, and Alivia Boyer cut the ribbon on Slices Brick Oven House, 2707 W. Broadway Ave. in Moses Lake, accompanied by family and members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Their parents, John and Becky Boyer, assumed ownership of the restaurant in April, Becky Boyer said. Ashton and …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Rockin’ the yard

MOSES LAKE — There’s more than one way to cover a yard. “I'm not a grass person,” said Teresa Fields of Moses Lake. “I mean, I love grass for the dogs, but, yeah, low maintenance and water conservation is my number one thing. So neighbors have rocks, I take them …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

A decade of heroes

MOSES LAKE — The Centennial Amphitheater at McCosh Park was brimming with joy Saturday as the Down Syndrome Society of Grant County held its 10th annual Buddy Walk. “Watching the kids, it’s just so exciting and fun to see them out here enjoying themselves,” said Denise Ketola, one of the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Boys & Girls Club auction to sport a Hollywood theme Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The red carpet will be unrolled, the lights will be bright and the stars will be out in all their glittery glory Saturday night. The local stars, that is. The 27th annual Boys and Girls Club dinner and auction will start at 5:30 at the Big Bend …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Two hurt in Dodson Road crash

ROYAL CITY — Two people suffered serious injuries in a collision near Royal City early Monday afternoon. According to Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, a tire service truck was westbound on Road 12 SW when its driver failed to stop at the intersection with …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Grant Co. candidates face off in Mattawa

MATTAWA — The democratic process was on display Thursday evening, as candidates for countywide office faced off at Wahluke High School Thursday evening. The candidates forum, sponsored by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Wahluke School District and the Wahluke Community Coalition and moderated by Columbia Basin Herald Managing …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Material change

GRANT COUNTY — It’s the stuff that homes are made of. But lumber, like so many other things, has gotten harder to lay hands on the last few years, and costlier when you can. Unlike other commodities, however, the price of lumber has actually dipped a little in recent months. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Cleaning up history

HARTLINE — On a lonely gravel road somewhere between Hartline and Almira, there’s a small graveyard that is the only tangible evidence of a once-thriving community. “The whole Welsh settlement was about a 15-mile strip north of Hartline, Wilbur, Govan and Almira, just kind of a strip right through there,” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

High note

GEORGE — The air around George will be filled with a different sound this week, emanating from fiddles, banjos, mandolins and dobros. It will be high, it will be lonesome, and it will be played from the heart. “It's simple in a lot of respects, and in some respects bluegrass …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Staying put

MOSES LAKE — It’s the nagging fear every homeowner has when economic times become hard: What if I can’t keep my home? That’s something quite a lot of people are worried about, said Nik VinZant, an analyst with QuoteWizard in Seattle. According to a survey done by QuoteWizard, 17% of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

RCPD gains officer, opts to buy patrol car

ROYAL CITY — Royal City got a new police officer Tuesday evening and will be getting another patrol vehicle as well. Officer Hanna Soelter was sworn in at the Royal City City Council meeting Tuesday by Mayor Kent Anderson. Soelter spent three weeks starting in late July in training with …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

‘Two Goofy Dogs’

EPHRATA — Denver Morford is just wild about Harry. And Charlie. Morford, the former owner of Barry Chevrolet in Ephrata, recently published “Two Goofy Dogs,” a children’s book about his experiences with two pooches named Charlie and Harry. Morford had always liked golden retrievers and found them to be well-behaved …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Bulking offense

ROYAL CITY — The Royal High School girls soccer team isn’t a bunch of beginners. “We actually have a decent group of seniors,” said Head Coach Jens Jensen. “There's eight, I believe, we may have added a ninth, but we’ve got a decent group of seniors.” Most of his girls …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

GCSO candidates speak at Realtors association

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff candidates Joey Kriete and Joe Harris addressed a meeting of the Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors on Thursday, covering a range of topics including drugs and theft, as well as administrative and structural ideas for improving the function of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Going fast in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot happening in a little area by Highway 17 and Grape Drive, just a little north of the new roundabout. Houses are going up fast, and being snapped up even faster.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

‘Where I live’

MOSES LAKE — Jan Cook Mack covers a lot of ground with her art. “She has such a wide range of talent,” said Angela Hunt, a staffer at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. “She can paint people, landscapes, through rocks, anything and make it look good.” Mack’s current …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

CBHA Run for a Cause promotes child health awareness

OTHELLO — The streets of Othello – and some of their occupants – were dappled with color on Saturday morning for the fifth annual Run for a Cause. “It’s a great thing,” said volunteer Jeraldine Estrada, who was helping out for the first time. “It gets the whole community together.” …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Cactuses thrive in the Basin’s dry summers

MOSES LAKE — At first glance, a cactus doesn’t seem like the sort of plant most people want to grow. It’s spiky and bare-looking and it stabs you if you touch it. On the other (un-perforated) hand, cactuses are durable as all-get-out and they’re lovely when they flower.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Dogged pursuit

ROYAL CITY — Never try to tell Kristi Jenks that something can’t be done. Jenks, 10, began the effort to create a dog park in Royal City last year, and she’s still pushing steadily. “I was watching TV, maybe two years ago,” she said. “And it was where these people …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Royal City looks at street improvements

ROYAL CITY — Some streets in Royal City could be getting a makeover, according to information presented at the Royal City Council meeting Tuesday. City Finance Director Shilo Christensen told council members the city is applying to the state Transportation Improvement Board for funds under the Small City Preservation Program …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Soap Lake gets reader sign, supports students and swears in new council member

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Police Department will communicate a little better with drivers, Chief Ryan Cox said at Wednesday’s city council meeting. SLPD has acquired a reader sign that officers can log into remotely, Cox said, to warn drivers of problems on the road. “Say a collision up …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Cop shop, funnel cakes, barges and baseball in Studio Basin podcast

In our most recent episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Columbia Basin Herald Managing Editor Rob Miller chatted with reporters Charles Featherstone and Ian Bivona about possible Moses Lake Police expansion, the Grant County Fair and Charles’s adventures rollin’ on the river. The MLPD has outgrown its current building, Featherstone …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Bronco Inn named Travelers’ Choice hotel

RITZVILLE — The Bronco Inn, a Best Western hotel in Ritzville, was recently selected for a Travelers’ Choice Award by the online travel company Tripadvisor. The Travelers’ Choice Certificate of Excellence is given annually to hotels, restaurants and other travel-related businesses that rank in the top 10% in consistently good …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Making ends meet

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Food Bank operates like a well-oiled machine.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Small town feel: Warden sees an influx of new homes

WARDEN — Development is coming to Warden that may put the small town of just under 2,500 on homebuyers’ radar in the days to come.
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

A splash of color

MOSES LAKE — Tamara Wallace likes bold colors, and she surrounds her home with them. “I don't fit in with the rest of the neighborhood,” she said, gesturing at the more conservatively-landscaped lawns around her. “We're just kind of this little gem at the end of the road. Everything's bright …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Royal City OKs funds for police car, park survey

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City City Council Tuesday evening considered buying a patrol car from the Soap Lake Police Department to fill a need identified by Royal City Police Chief Rey Rodriguez but decided against it, instead budgeting available money for a vehicle already on order. Another vehicle is …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Hot sun, hot wheels

OTHELLO — Hot rods, tricked-out pickups, rare classics – if it had wheels, it was at the All City Classics car show in Othello this weekend.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

There is a balm in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — It’s never been a secret that there’s something, well, healing about the water in Soap Lake.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Q&A with Grant County Superior Court judge candidates

GRANT COUNTY - Melissa Chlarson and Anna Gigliotti are in the running for the position of Grant County Superior Court judge. Each candidate was presented with a set of questions to highlight their experience and goals for the position. The candidates’ responses are provided below and have been lightly edited …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Q&A with State Sen. Warnick

Incumbent State Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, is running unopposed for reelection. The Columbia Basin Herald posed three questions to her related to her goals for her next term and what challenges she feels the state is facing. Her answers are presented below and have been lightly edited for grammar …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

A natural alternative

MOSES LAKE — Settlers Natural Market may be the Basin’s best-kept secret.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Royal raises the roof

ROYAL CITY — Once again, Summerfest brought out huge crowds in Royal City Friday and Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Tiffany Workinger: Royal City resident finds fulfillment in volunteering

In a small town, one of the most vital resources is volunteers, dedicated people who make good things happen for the whole community. Tiffany Workinger is one of those people.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Protecting yourself

MOSES LAKE — Someday you’d like to own a house, but for the time being, you’re renting a place. It’s not permanent, but it’s home.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Seniors without a center

ROYAL CITY — The senior scene in Royal City isn’t what it used to be.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

The little things

MOSES LAKE — It’s not a very big job you’ve got in front of you. A fence with a few holes, a door to replace, something like that.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Story Corps comes to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Basin residents have a chance this month to tell their stories for posterity.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Then and now

MOSES LAKE — Alan Heroux has seen Moses Lake’s real estate changes at first hand.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Little Big Show fills Wilson Creek with classics

WILSON CREEK — The streets of Wilson Creek were full on Saturday as locals and visitors alike turned out for the 10th annual Little Big Show.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Books by the box

WARDEN — The Warden Friends of the Library held its first book sale since the pandemic Thursday and raised about $300 in the process. “We were able to move a lot of books so we're thankful,” said Warden Friends of the Library President Toshi Nitta. She wasn’t sure how many …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

First kindergarten class graduates at Groff Elementary

MOSES LAKE — The Vicki Groff Elementary School gym was brimming with adorability as 65 kindergartners held a graduation program Friday, joined by an audience of about 150 family members. “We are so proud of all the work our students did this year,” said Counselor Jannette Serrano-Vasquez in her introductory …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Awesome journey’

MATTAWA — It was a rainy, drippy day outside, but that failed to dampen the spirits of 152 Wahluke High School seniors as they prepared to face the adult world Friday evening. “I know we can all say that these past four years definitely passed by in the blink of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Small town feel’

WARDEN — Development is coming to Warden that may put the small town of just under 2,500 on homebuyers’ radar in the days to come.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Last song of the year

The Chief Moses Middle School eighth-grade choir performs under the direction of choir teacher Nelson Green Wednesday in the school gym. The concert was the last of the school year and included awards for three outstanding students in each grade.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

45 years and counting

MOSES LAKE — In Moses Lake on June 1, 1977, Columbia Basin Machine defeated Zip Trucking in Little League, Japan Airlines held a model airplane contest for kids and new potatoes were 10 cents a pound at Thriftway. While “Star Wars” was breaking box office records across the country, Lake …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Into the arena’

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy Class of 2022 was sent forth into the world Saturday afternoon, with a lot of prayer and thanks to God. “If MLCA has taught us anything, it is that God is constantly there with us as you prepare for a new chapter …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Months of inventory

MOSES LAKE — There’s been a lot of talk about the housing market lately: pricing and scarcity, outgrowths of the reliable old Law of Supply and Demand. With real estate, that figure can be measured in months of inventory. “Months of inventory is an indicator of housing supply,” said Cara …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Pure imagination’

MOSES LAKE — Dancers will tap, swoop and spin their way across the Moses Lake High School stage as the Moses Lake Ballet Academy presents its “Willy Wonka” Thursday. The performance will draw on both the 1970 movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” with Gene Wilder in the title …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Packed park: Moses Lake Spring Festival draws record crowds

MOSES LAKE — There were spots of rain, but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm – or the crowds.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake locals honor Memorial Day

Raymond Roeder, right, and Kim Roeder neaten up the graves of Raymond’s parents Byron and Florence Roeder at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake. Byron Roeder, who passed away in 2000 at the age of 75, served as a mechanic in Germany in World War II. He moved to Moses …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

A place to call home

OTHELLO — It’s no secret that homes are in high demand right now. The median home price in Othello has risen almost 14% in the last year, according to real estate website Zillow.com. People are trying to move in, and they need some place to move in to.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Ready to walk

WILSON CREEK — Even in the smallest of schools, graduation is a big deal. In fact, it may be that the smaller the school, the more important the graduation ceremony is.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

‘Busy, busy, busy’

MOSES LAKE — Springfest is back.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Cellarbration!

MOSES LAKE — It was an especially celebratory evening Saturday at Big Bend Community College, as Cellarbration! For Education returned in person after two years as a virtual event. This is the 21st year for the annual fundraiser banquet and auction, which raises money for scholarships given by the Big …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Sage words

SOAP LAKE — Lyn D. Nielsen loves the Grand Coulee, and that love shines through in her work. Nielsen, who grew up on Vashon Island, is the author of three novels set in the Coulee City area, the “Place of Sage” trilogy...
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

‘The Sound of Music’ takes the stage in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The hills – and the Moses Lake High School theater – are alive with “The Sound of Music.” “It's not the movie version, it is the actual play,” said Marion Wyman, the show’s producer. “So it varies a little bit. There's a couple of musical numbers people …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Homes on wheels

MOSES LAKE — Some people travel in them. Some people keep them parked. Either way, a home on wheels is still a home, and needs to be kept up.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

MLPD officers prevent carjacking, rescue children

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Police officers foiled an attempted carjacking Tuesday, saving two children who were in the vehicle according to an MLPD statement. Around noon, an off-duty police officer spotted Salvador Harguideguy, whom he knew to have felony warrants, near Ivy Avenue in Moses Lake. The officer contacted …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

‘A Matter of Perspective’

MOSES LAKE — The focus will be on female artists at the new exhibit coming to the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center next week. “A Matter of Perspective” will feature 12 members of the Eastern Washington division of Women Painters of Washington, according to museum director Dollie Boyd. The …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Getting involved pays off

MOSES LAKE — No matter how you look at it, real estate is serious business. When you’re dealing with land, one of the most basic things a person can own, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars it costs, you have to place a lot of trust in the person …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Mattress Matters

COLUMBIA BASIN — The trick to buying a mattress is simple, according to local furniture dealers: Know what you want. “Everybody's body's different,” said Wendy Cox, general manager at Home Center in Moses Lake. “Everybody's sleep habits are different … So we have to try and figure out what works …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Easter egg hunt at McCosh Park

Hundreds of kids gathered at McCosh Park in Moses Lake Saturday for the annual Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Lions Club.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Starting a garden from scratch

MOSES LAKE — So you have some lawn just sitting there in the sun. Maybe the kids are too old to play in the backyard, or maybe you knocked down a shed or sold the car that had been sitting there forever. Whatever the reason, you’d like to put it …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Bell Event Studio

MOSES LAKE — Some people really love to plan parties. And some people, well, really don’t. The ladies at Bell Event Studio aim to take the stress off the latter group. “We want to be a one-stop-shop,” said Christine Villareal-Ontiveros, co-owner of the business, located at 108 W. Third Ave. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Time to start planting early veggies

QUINCY — Spring has finally arrived in earnest, and that means it’s time to start getting some vegetables in the ground, but choosing the right ones and planting them according to their respective needs is important.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Coulee City hosts April Fools Art Walk

COULEE CITY — About 400 people visited Coulee City on April 1 to wander through downtown businesses and look over art. That’s pretty impressive for a town of fewer than 600.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Two decades of deals

MOSES LAKE — There’s no shortage of grocery shopping options in Moses Lake. Several large, well-known chains have big stores in town. And then, tucked away near the Stratford Road exit from SR-17, is the much smaller Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, which opened in 1994 and this month marked two …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

An updated option: Manufactured homes may be an option in tight market

MOSES LAKE — “It’s not Grandma’s trailer house anymore.”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Columbia Basin housing market still tight

COLUMBIA BASIN — Real estate professionals seem to be pretty well agreed on what home buyers are looking for in today’s market.
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Fishing potential promising for local anglers in 2022

COLUMBIA BASIN — The fishing this spring at Potholes is, in a word, excellent.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Police in standoff outside home near Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Police are negotiating with a man who has barricaded himself in his rural Moses Lake home and is refusing to come out.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Housing market remains tight in Columbia Basin

COLUMBIA BASIN — Real estate professionals seem to be pretty well agreed on what home buyers are looking for in today’s market. “Really, they’re looking for a lot of everything, honestly,” said Tara Zerbo, an agent with Gary Mann Realty in Moses Lake. “There’s kind of a desperation,” said Brian …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Visions in white: Enchanting Bridal Show prepares for post-COVID wedding season

MOSES LAKE — The snow wasn’t quite melted outside, but in the Commercial Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds Saturday, it was a bright spring day, perfect for a wedding.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Chiefs return to mat with one loss, three victories

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School Chiefs boys wrestling team returned to the mat last week for the first time in nearly a month, a hiatus head coach Jaime Garza attributed to COVID-19-related cancellations and delays.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Prep roundup: ACH holds early lead over Odessa

The Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School Warriors took an early lead over the Odessa High School Tigers Friday, finishing the first quarter 15-2, and stayed ahead the rest of the game.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Prep roundup: Tigers defeat Knights in OT

The Ephrata High School Tigers narrowly beat the Royal High School Knights in overtime Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Prep sports roundup: Chiefs wrestling defeats Wenatchee, 39-25

The Moses Lake Chiefs defeated Wenatchee High School Tuesday on the mat.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Weekend prep roundup: Quincy sinks Chelan, 80-68

QUINCY — The Quincy High School Jacks defeated Chelan High School Friday. TreyVaughn Bierlink led with 40 points, while Jalen Spence made 16 and Aidan Heikes made 10.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Weekend prep roundup: Ephrata tramples North Central

EPHRATA — The Ephrata High School Tigers dominated the gridiron in their final game, bringing down Spokane’s North Central High School.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS AGO

Weekend prep roundup: Royal shuts out Connell, 56-0

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights won their last district game handily Friday, trouncing Connell High School 54-0.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS AGO

Weekend prep roundup: ACH shuts out Columbia

The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors gave Columbia High School a thorough spanking Friday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS AGO

Prep roundup: Knights shut out Leopards, 42-0

ZILLAH — The Royal High School Knights needed only half a game to defeat the Zillah Leopards Friday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS AGO

Prep roundup: MLHS softball splits with Chiawana

The Moses Lake High School Lady Chiefs split a doubleheader Tuesday against Chiawana High School.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

‘Worth fighting for’: Crossroads banquet raises funds and emphasizes life

MOSES LAKE — About 300 people gathered Saturday at the 4-H building at the Grant County Fairgrounds to support an institution dear to their hearts: Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Weekend prep roundup: Ephrata downs Cashmere 28-12

The Ephrata High School Tigers took and held onto an early lead Friday, with Beau Dechenne scoring two touchdowns off passes from Cole Hertz in the first quarter.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Prep roundup: Ephrata edges out East Valley, 7-6

The Ephrata Tigers may have played a full game against East Valley Friday, but the third quarter was what really counted.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Heroes and buddies: Down syndrome walk lights up downtown Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Centennial Amphitheater at McCosh Park was wall-to-wall smiles Saturday afternoon as the Down Syndrome Society of Grant County gathered for its annual Buddy Walk in downtown Moses Lake.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Museum sale raises funds

Crystal Norman, front, and Pat Fitzgerald, both of Moses Lake, browse through the offerings at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center’s Rusty Mammoth sale Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Weekend prep roundup: Royal shuts out La Salle, 73-0

Royal High School continued its undefeated streak with a whopping victory over La Salle.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Coats for Kids offers protection against the Basin's winter

Winters in the Basin are no laughing matter. The wind, the freezing temperatures and the occasional snow make a good coat invaluable for keeping out the chill. Good coats are not always in every child’s closet, and some kids every year are left facing the elements unprotected.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS AGO

Parts of Stratford Road to close Monday

Parts of Stratford Road in Moses Lake will be closed for repaving for the next couple of days.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS AGO

Rusty Mammoth sale a success — outdoors

It was a windy day, but that didn’t deter the folks who came out to the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center’s Rusty Mammoth sale on Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

'Massive' smoke cloud headed for Washington

OLYMPIA - A "massive" cloud of smoke generated by wildfires in Oregon and California is headed toward Washington and due to arrive on Friday, according to information from the Washington Military Department's Emergency Management Division.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO

Swapping cars for tables brings people downtown

MOSES LAKE — The temperature reached triple digits at times, but that didn’t stop folks from coming to downtown Moses Lake on Friday and Saturday to take advantage of the opening of a block of Third Avenue to people, tables and seating instead of traffic.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Test story Joel

Does the cheese stand alone?
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Pageant moves forward despite COVID-19

MOSES LAKE — The coronavirus pandemic can be blamed for disrupting a lot of things: businesses, schools, sports, churches, festivals and personal lives. Now we can add one more thing to the list: pageants.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Pared down but enthusiastic: George’s Fourth of July still draws hundreds

GEORGE — The patriotic observance in George on the Fourth of July drew a crowd of about 300 people. Not bad for a town with a population around 500, but still not the level of turnout that George is used to on Independence Day.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Moses Lake store holds food drive

MOSES LAKE — Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Moses Lake last week launched its 10th annual Independence from Hunger Food Drive, according to a press release from the store’s owners.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Local fathers ponder what makes a good dad

MOSES LAKE — It’s been said that 90 percent of success is just showing up. That may well be true of fatherhood. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than one child in four in America lives in a home with no father. Statistics aren’t everything, of course, and not …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Odessa senior named U.S. Presidential Scholar

ODESSA — There are 3.6 million high school seniors expected to graduate this year in the United States, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Education. Of those, more than 5,300 met the qualifications to be U.S. Presidential Scholars, based on college board exams and nominations by …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

American Legion to hold flag retirement ceremony

EPHRATA — American Legion Post 28 in Ephrata will hold a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, according to the post.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Pet pantry helps critters during crisis

SOAP LAKE — Times have been hard lately for a lot of people, what with the state closing businesses due to the coronavirus and some consumer goods unavailable. Food banks and farmers have stepped up to fill some gaps. But there’s another population that’s struggling too, and it doesn’t walk …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Impromptu concert rocks Sinkiuse Square

MOSES LAKE — A sunny day, a holiday weekend and a group of musicians heartily tired of being cooped up combined Saturday evening to create an impromptu concert in Sinkiuse Square.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Pioneer Memorial Gardens carries on ceremony on Memorial Day

MOSES LAKE — The Memorial Day ceremony at Pioneer Memorial Gardens cemetery brought out a scattered crowd of people Monday morning to visit graves and pay their respects to fallen heroes.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Enthusiastic opening for Moses Lake Farmers Market

MOSES LAKE — The sun was out, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the crowd at the Moses Lake Farmers Market had the faint air of people emerging from a dungeon into the sunlight. After weeks of limited activity in accordance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s “stay home, stay healthy” measures, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Flowers cover cross to add color for Easter

MOSES LAKE — It was eerily quiet in Moses Lake on Sunday morning. On the most important festival day of the western Christian calendar, churches across the Basin were closed, following Gov. Jay Inslee’s order to avoid gatherings because of the COVID-19 outbreak. But at Immanuel Lutheran Church, a few …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Queen Mykiah takes her place

OTHELLO — When rodeo queens congregate, what should they be called? That question came up at the Othello Eagles Lodge on Saturday night.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Brews and Tunes takes over downtown Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Twelve businesses. Nine bands. And a community tired of staying indoors through the winter. It all added up to a great time Saturday afternoon as downtown Moses Lake came alive for the annual Brews and Tunes festival.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Dances with Daddy: Fathers and daughters have a special night in Ephrata

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Recreation Center was awash with cuteness as princesses and their escorts took to the dance floor Saturday night for the town’s annual Daddy-Daughter Dance.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Getting in the holiday shopping spirit

‘Martin... Joel Martin...”
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Christmas on 3rd Avenue

MOSES LAKE — Friday was a chilly evening for the Moses Lake Ag Appreciation Parade and Street Party, but the atmosphere was warm and bright.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Festival of Trees lights up the holiday season

MOSES LAKE — The overhead lights were dimmed, but the 4-H Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds was alive with twinkling, inviting lights for the 24th annual Festival of Trees, the fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Costumes, goodies and prizes at 'Trunk or Treat'

MOSES LAKE — A crowd of 300 to 400 kids in costume turned out Saturday afternoon for Sportsman’s Warehouse’s first annual Trunk or Treat event, according to Sportsman’s Warehouse office manager Kimberly Bonick.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Peninsula's first pet adoption event a success

MOSES LAKE — Children and critters got acquainted at Peninsula Elementary Saturday afternoon, as Grant County Animal Outreach teamed up with Peninsula’s student council to hold a combination supply drive and adoption event.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO

Quincy celebrates a tapestry of cultures

QUINCY — The weather may have been windier than a truckload of campaign promises, but the first annual Celebration of Cultures in Quincy still drew a good-sized crowd to Heritage Park Saturday. Around 500 people came out for food, art, music and dancing from around the world, organizer Harriet Weber …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

'God provided the way' Crossroads banquet raises money for pregnancy assistance

MOSES LAKE — The ATEC building at Big Bend Community College was well filled for Crossroads Pregnancy Center’s annual fundraiser banquet Saturday night. Roughly 320 people attended, according to Crossroads executive director Marilyn Hallberg.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Former Herald publisher remembered

MOSES LAKE — Oreos, milk, and Christmas.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

State of Cornfusion: Popcorn seller fills farmers market with flavor

MOSES LAKE — This is not, as the saying goes, your father’s popcorn. Unless your father was into flavors like Dill Pickle, Sweet Lime Habanero and Strawberry Lemonade.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Ephrata Eagles Car Show small but star-studded

EPHRATA — It wasn’t the biggest car show of the season, not by a long shot. But there was no shortage of enthusiasm at the 13th annual Ephrata Eagles car show Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Freedom rings at ML Freedom Fest

MOSES LAKE — It’s almost a capsule description of America: a whole bunch of very different people, all doing their own thing, coming together to make something great. On a much smaller scale, that’s exactly what happened over the weekend in Moses Lake as a collection of clubs and organizations …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Annual rubber duck derby feathers Boys and Girls Club's nests

MOSES LAKE — Rubber ducky was certainly the one on Saturday, as the annual Duck Derby filled Cascade Park with kids, noise and fun.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Hot rods and stolen hearts

MOSES LAKE — You could easily fall in love a dozen times walking up Third Avenue in Moses Lake Saturday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

'The little Relay that could' Moses Lake Relay for Life marks 30 years with small but enthusiastic turnout

MOSES LAKE — The rumors of the Moses Lake Relay for Life’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Quincy Valley Historical Society raises a ruckus – and a barn

QUINCY — Webster defines “ruckus” as a row or disturbance, which doesn’t capture the level of fun generated at the Quincy Valley Historical Society’s “Raise a Ruckus” fundraiser Saturday night. The event raised about $3,700 toward the society’s Heritage Barn, which broke ground last August and is now nearing completion.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Play ball! Parade and ceremonies kick off youth sports

MOSES LAKE — The wind was blowing fast and furious, but the sun was bright and so were the spirits of the players, coaches and families who took part in the Moses Lake Youth Baseball Parade and Opening Day Ceremonies Saturday morning. The event is a 15-year-old tradition, said Moses …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Soap Lake Chamber dinner sells out Saturday

SOAP LAKE — A little town got to show off big time, as local folks turned out for the annual Soap Lake Chamber Dinner and Auction Saturday night.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

'Pete the Cat' rocks the Wallenstien

MOSES LAKE — The Wallenstien Theater at Big Bend Community College erupted Saturday night into high-octane silliness with the presentation of “Pete the Cat,” a musical adaptation of the popular children’s books by Kimberly and James Dean. The show is produced by New York-based TheaterWorks and sponsored by Columbia Basin …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Brews & Tunes draws crowds

Old Man Winter may have held Moses Lake in his icy grip recently, but he unclenched long enough Saturday for folks to enjoy music, beer and sunshine at the Brews & Tunes event downtown.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Daddies, daughters and a dance floor

MOSES LAKE — The fathers were handsome, the princesses were resplendent and the superheroes were, well, heroic Saturday night at Moses Lake High School’s annual Daddy-Daughter Dance. The event raises funds for the choir students to take a trip to Hawaii next year, said Choir Boosters treasurer Travis Steffler.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Scouts match cars at Pinewood Derby

MOSES LAKE — The roar of the engines may have been replaced by the rattle of plastic wheels and the whoosh of carved wood propelled by gravity, but the racers at Cub Scout Pack 67’s Pinewood Derby in Moses Lake Saturday had enough enthusiasm for any NASCAR crowd. Each boy …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Country Sweethearts Banquet raises funds for cancer patients

MOSES LAKE — The 4-H Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds was alive with activity Saturday night as 350 people came to enjoy the annual Country Sweethearts banquet and auction. The event raised over $124,000 for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, according to the foundation’s executive director, Angel Kneedler.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Christmas miracle

EPHRATA — “But thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel...” (Micah 5:2)
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO

Auction raises money for Christian Academy

MOSES LAKE — Nearly 300 people turned out for Moses Lake Christian Academy’s annual fundraiser banquet and auction recently. Not only did the event sell out, but enough additional people showed up that an extra table had to be set up to accommodate them, according to auction coordinator Jeni Chandler.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO

Lindpocalypse

LIND — The turnout wasn't huge for the Lind Zombie Walk Saturday and Sunday, but the folks who were there had a wild and gory time taking over Lind Town Park and shambling through the streets in search of edible gray matter. The Zombie Walk began with a parade Saturday …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO

Shootout at the museum

EPHRATA — It was a fairly peaceful Saturday afternoon in the old West town. The dusty gravel street had a few people meandering about between the print shop, the general store and the doctor’s office. Others stood idly on the wooden sidewalks. Suddenly off near the saloon, a couple of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Art & Wine Walk coming Oct. 7

MOSES LAKE — Once again, local artists, vintners, brewers and more will converge in Moses Lake Oct. 7 for the annual Art & Wine Walk. The event sprawls across downtown and runs from 1 to 5 p.m.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO

Spud Run showcases classic vehicles

Othello’s Kiwanis Park became hot rod heaven over the weekend, as the Spud Run car show put wheeled beauty on display. The sun did its part by reflecting dazzlingly off the various paint schemes on the vehicles, but the downside was that every available spot of shade was occupied. Some …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Special Star Pageant a place to shine

MOSES LAKE - Beauty pageants are known for being glittery, glamorous extravaganzas. But if there’s ever been one more out-and-out joyful than the Special Star Pageant, it’s hard to imagine what it would be.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

Mail carriers team up to stamp out hunger

MOSES LAKE — Mail carriers deliver packages, letters and (alas) bills to residents all over town. But this week they’ve been carrying something extra the other direction: food.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO

It's all geek at Wenatchee pop culture convention

WENATCHEE — Costumes. Gaming tournaments. Time machines. It’s all coming to the Wenatchee next Saturday at the first annual WEN-CON, held at the Town Toyota Center.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO

Y.O.U. brings the outdoors to kids

The Best Western in Moses Lake was a chaotic and enthusiastic scene Saturday evening, as the 7th annual Youth Outdoors Unlimited banquet and auction brought some outdoor dreams within reach.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

Here come the brides: Women's Expo features all things wedding

MOSES LAKE — The atmosphere was fun, friendly and feminine on Saturday as the Washington Women’s Expo filled the ATEC Center at Big Bend Community College. Although a wide range of services and products geared toward women was featured, the expo’s origins as a bridal show still shone through. About …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Ephrata veterans mark the day the guns fell silent

EPHRATA — A crowd of about 500 people lined the streets of Ephrata Friday for the 20th annual Veterans Day Parade put on by the American Legion. Veterans of a wide range of ages and all branches of the service marched down First Street and back up Basin to honor …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS AGO

Ephrata turns out big for Sage-n-Sun

There are some things Ephrata is sort of short on: high crime, traffic, crowds. But two things the Grant County seat has in abundance are sunshine and sagebrush. So it’s only fitting that the biggest community celebration of the year is named for those elements.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Vacation Bible School presents timeless truths in a fresh way

MOSES LAKE — It’s not your father’s Vacation Bible School.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO

Distinguished Young Women show their stuff

MOSES LAKE — The fire department places a maximum on the number of people who can fit into the Moses Lake High School auditorium, a maximum that was nearly met Saturday night. Fortunately, there is no cap on the amount of beauty, talent and achievement that can be packed into …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Othello chamber honors local luminaries

Othello — About 270 members of the Othello community turned out for the Othello Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet recently. Besides dinner, the evening featured a silent auction and awards for Othello’s teachers, business, civil servant(s) and citizen of the year.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO

The Pack is back

MOSES LAKE — They were four guys: two Italian, one Jewish, one black. They sang, danced, acted and kept America entertained on stage, screen and the front pages of newspapers. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Sammy Davis Jr. called themselves “The Clan” or “The Summit,” but the rest …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO

Missoula Children's Theater brings classic to impromptu stage

MOSES LAKE — A crowd of about 60 kids danced and sang their way through two performances of “Sleeping Beauty” on Saturday. The shows were the culmination of a week of rehearsals with two actor/directors from Missoula Children’s Theater.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO

Downtown trick-or-treat

Photo only
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 YEARS AGO

Curt Carpenter resigns from MLIRD

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District general manager Curt Carpenter resigned this week from his position.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO