Staff Writer
Staff Writer
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Soap Lake City Council considering elimination of lake water use
SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council met for its first meeting of the year Wednesday. The meeting began with an executive session in regard to the performance of a public employee with no action following. Lake water usage, officer recognition and other items were addressed afterward.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 20 HOURS, 42 MINUTES AGO
Law enforcement software changes present challenges, opportunities
MOSES LAKE— The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments in Grant County switched from Spillman to 365 Labs for its law enforcement software at the beginning of 2025. Since the upgrade, departments have been learning the new software and certain functions are still being discovered, workshopped and taught …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 21 HOURS, 12 MINUTES AGO
Ephrata Fire’s 2024 year in review
EPHRATA — As the Ephrata Fire Department begins a new year, 2024 proved to be a transformative period, according to Chief Jeremy Burns. The department saw significant achievements in operational efficiency, community engagement and volunteer involvement. Burns talked about the department's accomplishments over the past year and outlined goals for …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 12 HOURS AGO
Ephrata School District super reflects on challenges of 2024
EPHRATA — As 2025 begins, the Ephrata School District is assessing the changes and challenges it faced last year. Superintendent Ken Murray discussed several crucial accomplishments and objectives for the future and the district's continued commitment to its students and community in an interview with the Columbia Basin Herald.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 20 HOURS AGO
Warden passes water system plan and parks and recreation developments
WARDEN — The Warden City Council convened on Jan. 14 to discuss significant developments concerning the city’s water system and its Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan. The meeting featured staff reports detailing ongoing projects and strategic planning for community enhancement, alongside formal resolutions for the future direction of local …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 21 HOURS AGO
‘To Washington, I bid you fair winds and following seas’
OLYMPIA — In his final State of the State address delivered before a joint session of the Washington Legislature on Jan. 12, Governor Jay Inslee reflected on his 12 years in office and emphasized the achievements and challenges that lie ahead for Washington state.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 20 HOURS AGO
Dent outlines his priorities for WA’s 2025 session
OLYMPIA – As Washington State begins its 2025 legislative session today, Rep. Tom Dent, the 13th District's legislative representative, prepares to tackle a myriad of pressing issues while navigating the complexities of a newly transitioned administration.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO
Sen. Warnick outlines legislative priorities for 2025 session
OLYMPIA — In anticipation of the upcoming 2025 legislative session, starting today, Washington State Senator Judy Warnick discussed her key priorities and strategies aimed at improving policies that impact her constituents. As she prepares for the session, Warnick said she is keenly aware of the challenges posed by a shifting …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO
Grant Co. upgrades law enforcement software
MOSES LAKE – Grant County, with the assistance of the Multi-Agency Communications Center – 911, switched its law enforcement reporting software at the beginning of 2025. The new software is a cloud-based platform with more assets and less crashes than the previous program which the county has been using since …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Moses Lake School District EP&O levy on February ballot
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District will submit an educational programs and operations levy to district voters on the Feb. 11 ballot. The levy, using local taxes, provides funding for programs and services beyond the state’s basic education requirements.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
GCAO animal adoptions double in 2024
MOSES LAKE – Grant County Animal Outreach reported a significant increase in adoptions for the year 2024. The shelter successfully placed 582 cats and dogs into new homes, nearly doubling the figure from the previous year. The rise in adoptions marks an important milestone for the organization, which has actively …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Lind-Ritzville schools discussing four-day school week
RITZVILLE — Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools is considering switching to a four-day school week instead of its current five-day week. LRCS will host a coffee with Superintendent Don Vanderholm on Jan. 10 from 8 to 9 a.m. at the WSU extension office in Ritzville. The meeting will have opportunities to discuss …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
Environmental group highlights goals for upcoming legislative session
OLYMPIA — The 2025 Washington legislative session will begin Monday and the Washington Conservation Action’s Environmental Priorities Coalition has four goals for the upcoming session: advanced clean trucks and climate progress, climate action, sewage spill right-to-know and the recycling reform act. The EPC met for a press conference on Tuesday …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
Three juveniles booked for alleged vehicle theft and eluding police
MATTAWA — Three juveniles were arrested Saturday for stealing a car in Mattawa at around 6:30 a.m. followed by a short police pursuit near Ephrata.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 3 DAYS AGO
