In the beginning
Columbia Basin Herald, July 31, 1941
The first Moses Lake newspaper was the Moses Lake Herald, first published on July 31, 1941. Note the Volume 1, on the left side, and the Number 1, on the right side of this first front page.
The Neppel Record was published when Neppel was the name of the community, but this was the first Moses Lake newspaper.
The Bits & Pieces column is a combination of new and old news. Readers can expect information about what was happening all through our history, sometimes including the Neppel Record, the Moses Lake Herald and the Columbia Basin Herald. They will read about history unfolding throughout the settling of the Columbia Basin.
When the Moses Lake Herald was first published, Grand Coulee Dam was being build and Basin communities were adapting to the expected influx of farmers and those who would support farmers.
Plus, in July of 1941, no one was thinking about the beginning of World War II. Read on and enjoy.
E-mail from Cheryl
Facts from the past gleaned from the Moses Lake Herald, Columbia Basin Herald and The Neppel Record by Cheryl (Driggs) Elkins:
From the Moses Lake Herald on July 31, 1941:
USBR building model dam
A toy dam model, 72 feet long and nearly 10 feet high and 8 feet wide at the base, the largest ever constructed by the USBR is being planned permanently at the east end of the Grand Coulee Dam.
Excavation has been started for the model which is to be used to test the proposed caisson for the inspection of the underwater spillway bucket.
The scale is to be one sixtieth the actual size of the dam and will be built on solid concrete complete in every detail.
Creamery helpful to this area
A comparatively new business enterprise in Moses Lake is the Morning Sun Dairy, owned and operated by E.D. Wilmot and sons, former residents of Anacortes. The dairy manufacturers butter, buttermilk and pasteurized mild. Upon arriving here several weeks ago, they built their own building on Broadway.
This is the only dairy in this section and as a result of its establishment here, the dairy industry in this area has been greatly stimulated and many more head of dairy cattle are being milked.
Oiling completed
Frank Lees, county road supervisor, reports that the county road crew has just completed oiling four miles from the state highway to the Mae Post office.
From the CBH on Nov. 11, 1975:
Guard schedules visit by recruiter
Dale Harrell, Coast Guard Recruiter from Yakima will be at the Sage & Sands Motel in Moses Lake Thursday.
Thursday he will also be at Quincy, Ephrata and Soap Lake high schools. On Friday, he will be at Moses Lake and Othello high schools.
Permit sale opens
Officials of the Wenatchee National Forest today reminded potential Christmas tree cutters that a limited number of $1 individual permits are being issued by Forest Ranger districts.
Permits, which must be obtained in advance of cutting, entitle the holder to cut one tree on designated National Forest areas.
Individuals who wish to cut trees on private land must, under state law, obtain permission from the landowner and must have a bill of sale with them when transporting such trees.
Christmas tree cutters are reminded that many forest areas are already wet or snowy. Vehicles should have good treaded tires and carry chains, a shovel and a good jack just in case they are needed. Clothing should be suitable to ward off cold and wet weather.
Coin show announced
The Tri-City Coin Club will sponsor its 15 the Atomic Coin Pow Wow at the Red Lion Motor Inn, 2525 N. Chase, in Pasco on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16.
There will be exhibits of coins, currency and metals. Dealers from the northwest will operate tables for buying and selling.
Admission is free. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.