Ephrata Council expedites approval of kratom ban, raises concerns from local retailer
EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council voted 6-1 Wednesday night to ban the sale, distribution and advertising of kratom and kratom-derived products within city limits, making Ephrata the fourth city in Grant County to adopt such restrictions and the first in the county to do so while businesses are actively selling the substance. The ordinance takes effect 60 days after passage.
Gusty winds, dry conditions raise fire concerns ahead of Fourth of July in Columbia Basin
MOSES LAKE — Dry conditions, gusty winds and rising temperatures are expected to increase wildfire danger across Grant and Adams counties over the Fourth of July weekend, prompting warnings from forecasters and local officials for residents to use extreme caution with fireworks and other potential ignition sources.
Moses Lake Scout builds garden at fairgrounds for Eagle project
MOSES LAKE — Seventeen-year-old Carson Overfield is taking the final step to reach the pinnacle of a Boy Scout’s career, becoming an Eagle Scout, and he proved it with sweat Tuesday morning. “He started (Scouting) when he was in second grade and went all the way through,” said Carson’s mom, Bonnie Overfield. Only about four percent of Boy Scouts ever reach Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in scouting, according to the Scouting America Heart of America Council website. The process is a rigorous one; Scouts spend years earning merit badges, passing tests and demonstrating leadership. Part of the process is the Eagle Scout Project, in which the Scout must plan something that will benefit any religious institution, any school or the community, according to the Eagle Project Workbook. All of the work must be completed before the Scout turns 18.
Moses Lake program to encourage residents to volunteer their talents
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Administrator Rob Karlinsey said it’s starting small, but city officials are looking to recruit volunteers to help improve the town. Karlinsey said city officials will be asking people to help clean streets and other public spaces. There will be more volunteer opportunities to follow.
After Fourth of July break, work resumes on regional road construction Monday
MOSES LAKE — While road construction is on hold for the July 4 weekend, there’s still the potential for traffic slowdowns. “Heavy traffic everywhere,” according to a media release from the Washington Department of Transportation.
Tigers first wrestling camp deemed a success
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers Wrestling camp was held June 29 through July 1 where young wrestlers came together to practice and learn more about the sport. Tigers Boys Wrestling Head Coach Joe Knox said he was pleased with how the camp turned out. “We had mostly younger boys and then some middle school girls, so we had a good mix of kids, and I thought it went really well,” said Knox. “The kids were really energetic, we had a lot of fun, and we learned a little wrestling along the way.” The main goal for Knox at the camp was to teach the young group of kids the fundamentals and focus on the basic skills of wrestling.
Correia reflects on making All-State team
COULEE CITY — Multiple basin athletes qualified to play in the All-State Baseball Series from June 27-28 in Yakima, with Almira/Coulee-Hartline graduate, Caden Correia being one of them. Correia said he was initially selected for a feeder game ahead of his state qualification. “I was at practice one day, and my head coach (Hunter Lee) came up to me and he’s like, ‘Hey, you got selected for an All State feeder game,’” said Correia. “I actually got invited to two, the Central Washington one and the Spokane one.” Correia said he decided to go with the Spokane feeder game since it was taking place at Avista Stadium and he had a desire to compete at that venue. Once he played there, Correia was informed that he was also selected to play for Team Baker in the All State games, an opportunity that he couldn’t pass up.
Basin home prices steady; closing costs drop in WA
MOSES LAKE — Basin home prices have stayed fairly steady in the larger communities this year, varying by 5-9 percent, according to data from the real estate site Redfin. Moses Lake’s home prices averaged $369,769 from March to the end of May 2026, an increase of 8.8 percent over the same period in 2025, according to Redfin’s data. Ephrata’s median was $340,796, a decrease of 8.6 percent from last year, and Quincy averaged $384,770, down 5 percent from a year ago. Othello’s median was $339,747, a drop of 5.6 percent. Warden prices were up 25.3 percent to $395,000. Mattawa homes sold for an average of $355,000, a drop of 14.5 percent, and Royal City’s median was up 18.3 percent to $358,000.
BASIN EVENTS: July 3-11
COLUMBIA BASIN – This weekend will be loaded with Fourth of July observances in most of our communities, and then there’s plenty more happening afterward. Here are some things to check out.
Building permits for July 3, 2026
Cities of Othello and Warden
World Cup Round of 16 begins this weekend
MOSES LAKE — The World Cup heads into the round of 16 starting early July 4 with a number of highly anticipated matchups coming throughout the weekend. See below five of the matchups slated to be played this weekend.
Ready to make this Fourth of July a little more paw-triotic?
Pet Adoption
WEATHER July 3-9, 2026
WEATHER July 3-9, 2026
Weather July 3-9, 26
WEATHER July 3-9, 2026
Legals for July, 3 2026
U.S. beats Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to round of 16 and keep its World Cup dreams alive
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Malik Tillman stepped up for a free kick with a bloody sock and a new right boot after being stepped on by an opponent as the United States scrambled to protect a one-goal lead, down a man in a World Cup knockout round. Tillman delivered the goal of his life, and one of the biggest ever by a U.S. man at the World Cup, sending this American soccer fairytale into the round of 16. “I’ve been dreaming about this game," Tillman said after scoring the final goal in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night. “I’ve been dreaming about maybe taking a free kick and scoring a free kick. I’ve practiced this in training and I think today I showed what I can do.”
Busy fire season continues in Moses Lake, Quincy
MOSES LAKE — An early-morning fire destroyed an outbuilding at the Gorge Amphitheatre near Quincy Wednesday, one of the latest in what’s been a busy fire season. Moses Lake Fire Department crews extinguished two fires in almost the same place on two different days this week.
Court orders company owned by Soap Lake Mayor to repay couple for unfinished project
After emergency responders assisted, the couple dropped man's vehicle off at hospital
MOSES LAKE — A Grant County District Court judge on Wednesday ordered Sharp Development LLC to repay a Soap Lake couple $6,806 after finding the company breached a fence-construction contract by failing to perform the work after receiving payment.
Ephrata couple helps distressed man on highway in Wyoming
After emergency responders assisted, they dropped man's vehicle off at the hospital
EPHRATA — When Kathy and Wes Ballard stopped at a truck pullout along Interstate 80 in Wyoming during a trip home from visiting family, they expected nothing more than a short break for their dogs. Instead, they found themselves helping a stranger in distress.
Treat Your Pets
Moses Lake couple offers freeze-dried premium pet treats
MOSES LAKE – Gale and Danny Wilson, owners of Treat Your Pet LLC, based in Moses Lake, went on a journey three years ago making freeze-dried human grade pet treats for dogs and cats. Their products include a wide variety of treats, and they offer them at the Moses Lake Farmers Market and expanded to the Richland Farmers Market this year. Despite high costs and fluctuating prices for the products, their business is growing, with plans to add another freeze dryer to the three they currently own to meet demand. They spoke to the Columbia Basin Herald at the Moses Lake Farmers Market on Saturday. The business idea, said Danny, sprouted after they bought freeze dryers to make fruit for their children and then began freeze-drying treats for their six dogs. When they decided to create a business, the first challenges presented themselves, most importantly licensing and Washington State Department of Agriculture approval, which took up to six months. Once that was completed, they were ready to launch their business.
