Happy holidays from the Columbia Basin Herald

Cecilia Johnson - who is constantly making sure ads are ready to roll and that the rest of us are organized - smiles at the camera the week before Christmas. Cecilia participated in our ... interesting ... sweater week. She wishes all of the Basin a wonderful holiday season and a successful 2023.

Senior Reporter Charles Featherstone leans back for a moment to indulge his editor in a photo op. Featherstone covers business issues, but in his spare time herds cats and enjoys brewing beer and playing music for his wife, Jennifer.

Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer pauses in typing up a story - probably about health care - for a quick picture. Cheryl is a Pacific Northwest native and has come to love working in the Columbia Basin. She is also a fan of the boss's chocolate dish.

Heather Boen is the young professional folks speak to when they're getting their subscriptions taken care of. She also helps us keep distribution organized and keeps everything running smoothly.

Janis Rountree is our advertising manager and has her finger on the pulse of the community, often providing tips about different events coming up around the Basin to the editorial team. She's happy to help businesses grow and hopes she can help them succeed in 2023.

Jeannie Austin is the receptionist here at the Columbia Basin Herald. Additionally, she helps families during their toughest times as they're placing obituaries with us. She hopes we can help spread good news with birth and wedding announcements in the new year and is looking forward to spending time with her children over the holidays.

Laurie Herbert, left, Velma Dunkin, center, and Joel Martin share a quick hug Thursday morning. Herbert processes legal ads and a variety of other items for our clients. Dunkin works with advertisers in a wide array of industries and Martin does - well, a little bit of everything, including reporting, page design, wrangling editors and making loads of dad jokes.

Ad sales rep Velma Dunkin and her two grandchildren attend a play. Dunkin is involved in loads of things around the Basin and loves spending time with her family.

Ad sales representative Mallory Tidball with her fiance Avery Miller, a lineman for the utility district. Tidball came to the CBH in 2022 and is working with clients to help them grow during the challenges presented by the current economy. We wish her and Avery the best on their upcoming wedding.

Mallory Tidball smiles for the camera Thursday morning. Tidball is available to help with advertising in the CBH or the Basin Business Journal.

Rebecca Pettingill takes a break from her Red Bull to ham it up for a moment and indulge her editor. Pettingill covers education as well as the cities of Soap Lake and Ephrata, among other duties. She's psyched to start 2023 in a new ride to take her on adventures.

Managing Editor Rob Miller and his wife Brandee Miller on a day trip through the Cascades earlier this year. Originally from Western Montana, Miller returned to the Northwest after spending about two decades in Texas. He is grateful for the welcome he's received from the community and for the chance to be close to his family again.

Distribution Manager Chris Richardson, left, and his father, and CBH General Manager Bob Richardson at a recent Seahawks game. Many of the staff at the paper are natives and appreciate the lifestyle offered by the Columbia Basin where folks treat people like family whether they're blood related or not.

Receptionist Jeannie Austin's three children decorate cookies in preparation for the Christmas holiday.