Staff Writer
Staff Writer
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Soap Lake council tables tourism committee plan, debates planning services
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Council approved several administrative resolutions Wednesday but postponed decisions on tourism funding and planning services after an hours‑long discussion over staffing, contracts and oversight.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 HOURS, 49 MINUTES AGO
Soap Lake council unanimously votes no-confidence in Mayor Sharp
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed a vote of no-confidence against Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday evening, taking effect immediately after passage. Councilmember Kayleen Bryson read the resolution as the only comment on the matter. Sharp did not comment during the meeting.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 14 HOURS AGO
Measles reported in Grant County
EPHRATA — Grant County health officials are urging families to check their vaccination records after two unvaccinated children in the same household tested positive for measles, marking the county’s first confirmed infections of 2026. Grant County Health District said it was notified on March 17 that both children, who were …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 17 HOURS AGO
MLSD to publicly review financial audit Thursday
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will have a special session before its regularly scheduled board meeting March 19 to publicly receive the results of the accountability audit conducted by the Washington State Auditor’s Office, who will present the findings.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 16 HOURS AGO
‘Bridging the gap’
EPHRATA — When City Clerk Katie Kapalo arrived at Ephrata City Hall in June 2024, she didn’t just step into a job she’d never heard of before applying – she stepped into a role that would soon reshape how the city communicates, connects and prepares for the future.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 8 HOURS AGO
Musical Journey: Ephrata Choir finds harmony – and awe – on Puget Sound Tour
SEATTLE — The moment the first notes lifted into the vaulted air of St. James Cathedral, something shifted for the Ephrata High School Choir. The students had spent two days singing, learning, laughing and ferry‑hopping their way across the Puget Sound region – but this was the moment that stayed …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 20 HOURS AGO
Fire officials urge families to do annual safety checks
EPHRATA — The first warm days of March tend to nudge people toward open windows, fresh air and long‑delayed chores. As closets are emptied and garages are sorted, local fire officials say spring cleaning is also the perfect moment to tackle a few safety tasks that often get overlooked – …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Moses Lake awards money to 7 community organizations
MOSES LAKE — Seven charitable organizations received funding from the city of Moses Lake through a grant program established last year to funnel charitable donation requests to one place.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Warden council approves sewer loan, adopts body-cam redaction fees
WARDEN — The Warden City Council approved two resolutions Tuesday, held a required public hearing on body‑camera redaction fees and tabled a proposed drug‑paraphernalia ordinance for further revisions.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Warden Softball rebuilds with experience, high expectations for 2026
WARDEN — After a young Warden softball team battled its way to the state tournament last spring, head coach Randy Wright believes this year’s group is poised to take another step forward — and possibly much more. “We were young last year,” Wright said. “This year we’re a lot more …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Soap Lake Tennis opens season with record turnout, senior leadership
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake High School tennis coach Lee Leavell begins the 2026 season with the largest roster he has seen in his six years leading the program – around 24 athletes, a turnout he calls both exciting and bittersweet. “It’s very senior heavy,” Leavell said. “I’m really excited …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
‘A love letter to teachers’
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School Theater is gearing up to open “Up the Down Staircase,” and if the cast and crew have anything to say about it, this is the week to show up, fill the seats and cheer loudly.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
Ephrata seeks grant to design new rail overpass, north–south arterial
EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is moving forward with a major freight infrastructure proposal, asking the City Council to authorize a Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board grant application that would fund preliminary engineering for a new railroad overpass and north–south arterial connecting SR‑28 to the Port of Ephrata.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
‘A pathway to success’
EPHRATA — Grant and Adams counties continue to see students living without stable housing, reflecting statewide trends and placing increased pressure on school districts to provide transportation, basic needs and academic stability.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
