Staff Writer
Staff Writer
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Ephrata School District proposes Grant Elem. replacement
EPHRATA — Grant Elementary – an overcrowded, nearly 70‑year‑old school where more than 40% of students learn in portables – has become a driver behind the Ephrata School District’s $75 million Feb. 2026 bond proposal to replace the aging campus, according to Ephrata School District officials.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 6 HOURS AGO
Ephrata Schools bond: Parkway Intermediate
EPHRATA — Parkway Intermediate School is one of the campuses the Ephrata School District is looking to replace with a proposed $75 million, 25-year school construction bond. The bond measure is set to appear on the Feb. 10, 2026, ballot, and will fund not only a replacement of Parkway but …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 6 HOURS AGO
On ‘Wicked’ in print
MOSES LAKE — “Wicked” and the sequel “Wicked: For Good” have taken over my household. After the first watch at Fairchild Cinemas, I was hooked on the extension of the Oz universe. But, when I went back to the source — Gregory Maguire’s novel — I discovered a world far …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 8 HOURS AGO
MLSD saw challenges, achievements in 2025
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District experienced a challenging year in 2025, marked by financial struggles, labor disputes and notable academic accomplishments. The district's resilience was on full display as it navigated a series of challenges while also fostering pockets of success throughout the academic year, Superintendent Carol …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 6 HOURS AGO
Washington average fuel cost under $4 for 4 weeks
MOSES LAKE — Gas prices decreased nationally, in Washington state and Grant County. However, Adams County saw a slight increase of one cent this week.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 15 HOURS AGO
Protesters express frustrations regarding ICE, Venezuela Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Area residents gathered on Stratford Road in Moses Lake to protest the recent deaths of Renee Nicole Good, 37, of Minneapolis and Kieth Porter, 43, of Los Angeles. Both incidents involved Immigration Customs Enforcement agents. They also expressed frustration regarding the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 17 HOURS AGO
Oliver’s first council meeting, several resolutions passed
EPHRATA — Mayor Steve Oliver led his first Ephrata City Council meeting Wednesday night, with council passing several resolutions regarding tourism funding, vactor truck enclosure project and amending the grant application for A Street.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Soap Lake to establish a tourism committee
SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council unanimously approved the creation of a Tourism Development Committee to handle city tourism funds at Wednesday's council meeting.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
GCAO had a transformative 2025
MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach achieved several goals in 2025, including groundbreaking on a new facility, nearly 300 adoptions and successes in community outreach. Challenges presented themselves in the form of the agency’s current outdated facility and animal hoarding.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
Soap Lake Events Committee to meet
SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Community and Senior Center will host its second meeting for the newly formed Events Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 5 p.m. This initiative aims to revitalize community engagement through family-friendly events. “We really want to focus on family-friendly and all ages events for …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
Grant County Health District mandates overdose reporting
MOSES LAKE — In a move to enhance community health and safety, the Grant County Health District has implemented a policy requiring healthcare providers to report all opioid overdoses starting in Jan. 2026. This change, which centers on real-time data collection, comes as a response to the growing opioid crisis …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
Ephrata Fire Department reflects on 2025
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Fire Department experienced a busy year in 2025, responding to a total of 513 calls for service. Fire Chief Jeremy Burns provided an overview of these calls, revealing that approximately 65% were related to Emergency Medical Services, while only 10% were actual fire calls. The remaining …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
One arrested for suspected Grant PUD wire theft
MOSES LAKE — On Jan. 3, Grant County Public Utility District filed a complaint with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office after noticing a hole cut in the chain link fence at the Wenatchee Drive substation. On Tuesday night, GCSO arrested Jeffrey Hughes, 50, of Moses Lake, for suspicion of stealing …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
GCFD 7 expands EMS, training programs
SOAP LAKE — As part of a concerted effort to improve emergency medical services, Grant County Fire District 7 has announced significant expansions to its coverage and operational capabilities. Under the leadership of Chief Erick Brittain, the district is now providing Intermediate Life Support in addition to its existing services, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 3 DAYS AGO
