Ellington

Mary Bernard

Mary Bernard, who grew up, graduated from high school and spent much of her life in Moses Lake, died earlier this month in Spokane. She was 80 and had been in good health before her death of natural causes.

STUDIO BASIN: Ephrata Superintendent Ken Murray and Royal's championship

On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray stops by to talk about his first semester in the superintendent's seat and the upcoming Ephrata School District operations levy replacement.

Moses Lake to reopen city manager application process

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members have decided to reopen the application process for city manager candidates. Council members interviewed two candidates Dec. 12 but decided against hiring either of them. The candidates, Blaine Oborn and Aaron Palmquist, met with community members as well as the council Dec. 11 and 12. Mayor Dustin Swartz said council members decided in the end to reopen the application process. “We will continue to look,” Swartz said.

Mavs wrestlers take down Eastmont

MOSES LAKE – After traveling to tournaments over the weekend, both Moses Lake’s boys and girls wrestling teams opened their league schedules with road duals against Eastmont on Wednesday. Moses Lake’s girls team won Wednesday’s dual 60-24, while the boys team won 57-30 over the Wildcats.

Basin events for Dec. 13-20

COLUMBIA BASIN — The Christmas holiday is getting closer, and there are still plenty of chances to make merry in the Basin. Here are a few ideas:

Housing market dips, but less than last year

MOSES LAKE — ’Tis the season for a sluggish housing market, according to data released last week by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 26 of Washington’s 39 counties.

City council approves 2025 Moses Lake budget

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake is projected to spend about $117.2 million in 2025, which will require using about $6.7 million from the city’s reserves. Moses Lake City Council members approved the 2025 budget at their regular meeting Tuesday. That’s a decrease from the preliminary budget, which was about $119.62 million. Council members held a workshop after the preliminary budget was presented in November and made some changes.

Care Moses Lake unveils new van

MOSES LAKE — Care Moses Lake will hit the road this year in a new van, with help from the Rotary Club of Moses Lake and the Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake. “Kiwanis came up with the idea after a conversation with Care Moses Lake,” said Rotarian Dave Campbell at the van’s unveiling Monday. “It was a project for consideration of our golf tournament … and that ended up materializing into what we have today.”

Law Enforcement logs for Dec. 13, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff's office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Law enforcement looking for risky driving statewide Saturday

OLYMPIA – This year's Night of 1,000 Stars will be this Saturday state-wide, where officers from local agencies and the Washington State Patrol will be looking for people driving under the influence, speeding, aggressive behavior and other traffic violations.

Fruit Loop looking for a fun home

Fruit Loop was found in an unpopulated area of Eastern Washington, around five miles away from anything in all directions. People were out checking gas lines in the middle of nowhere east of Othello when they came across the sweet girl. Adams County Pet Rescue said it was heartbreaking how thirsty she was when they got her into the shelter. She has a small wound on the top of one paw but outside of that she is doing okay, especially considering she was found in a remote area without food or water. She is hoping to find a paw-some home that will treat her with love. For those interested in Fruit Loop, contact Adams County Pet Rescue at 509-488-5514 or visit their website at AdamsCountyPetRescue.com.

Data breaches in WA at all-time high

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Bob Ferguson released his annual data breach report Nov. 26 which was at an all-time high at 11.6 million data breach notices being to Washingtonians this year compared to 4.8 million last year. This year is the first time that individual notices sent exceeded the state’s population.

Candidates interviewed for Moses Lake city manager

MOSES LAKE — Two candidates for Moses Lake city manager answered questions from city residents and municipal staff in an informal session Wednesday. That was followed by a day of interviews with Moses Lake City Council members and residents Thursday.

Scam alert: GCHD impersonators

EPHRATA – The Grant County Health District released a statement about an unknown suspect impersonating the health district. The release says this person is contacting local businesses and is trying to investigate complaints.

SLPD chief on administrative leave

SOAP LAKE – Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox is on paid administrative leave as an ongoing investigation occurs, according to acting SLPD chief Robert Geates.

Letters headed to some WA homeowners following $2M settlement

OLYMPIA — More than 1,500 Washingtonians will receive letters in the mail to claim their share of more than $2 million, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the office of Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Department of Financial Institution.

Opera star to perform with Moses Lake students

MOSES LAKE — An acclaimed opera singer will perform with Moses Lake music teacher Marina Munter’s students Saturday in Moses Lake, according to an announcement from Munter.

Basin hoops roundup: Local squads compete in non-league action

MOSES LAKE — With winter sports now in full swing, boys and girls basketball teams across the Columbia Basin have tipped off their 2024-25 seasons. Read along for a look at how local teams have fared through the early weeks of the regular season.

Regional college sports schedule for Dec. 13-19

MOSES LAKE – Check out this week’s college sports schedule, complete with basketball and track and field events for Big Bend, Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga and Washington State.

Legals for December, 13 2024

GALLERY: A look at Christmases past

COLUMBIA BASIN – Grant and Adams counties often show their best off when the holidays roll around each year. Local law enforcement agencies collect money for children to go shopping with officers. Churches hold large gatherings and offer a variety of small and large celebrations and city streets are lit up with twinkling lights and smiling locals out shopping for loved ones.

Ephrata pushing forward with infrastructure upgrades

EPHRATA – The city of Ephrata is currently undertaking several initiatives designed to enhance the quality of life for residents and address infrastructure needs across the community. These include water supply, parks, road maintenance and wastewater treatment projects.

Lions open season at 2-1 mark

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions earned their second win of the season on Monday night, going on the road to take down Cascade (Leavenworth) 58-40 in the team’s second non-league matchup of the season. MLCA/CCS has opened the year with a 2-1 record.

Help Handsome find a home

Cutting to the chase – Handsome is looking for his fur-ever home where he can, as an 83-pound dog, be someone's lap dog. He showed up to Adams County Pet Rescue in October at around 5 years old and has been adopted two times; however, he has a particular fascination with cats and harassing them, so he was returned. Handsome needs a home without cats but he does well with other dogs. He is house trained; leash trained and enjoys a good game of fetch. The German shepherd mix is looking for many pets, long walks and someone to love him – if interested contact ACPR at 509-488-5514 or visit AdamsCountyPetRescue to put in an application.

One dead, one injured after three-vehicle collision

QUINCY – A 58-year-old Quincy man died, and one other person was injured during a three-vehicle collision that occurred at about 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Ephrata High students raise money for foster children

EPHRATA – Ephrata High School students worked together to raise $8,700 to support local teenagers in foster care and shopping for “Toys for Teens”. The funds will be going towards buying those teenagers' gifts and necessities and any extra funding will go back to the Ephrata Food Bank.

Adams Co. Commission workshop addresses Othello homeless camp

OTHELLO — Adams County officials didn’t come to any conclusions about ways to address the challenges presented by a homeless encampment west of Othello in a discussion Wednesday afternoon. But Adams County Commissioner Jay Weise said the meeting was a start toward finding answers, not the end.

61-year-old hospitalized after firearms incident

GEORGE – A 61-year-old George man was hospitalized Tuesday night after accidentally shooting himself during an assumed mental health crisis earlier Tuesday morning, according to a statement from Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Legals for December, 12 2024

Ephrata School Board looking for applicants

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District is still looking for applicants for the open school board position. Director Anita Waller stepped down from her position Nov. 25.

Catarina/Cathy Longoria

1941 - 2024

Catarina (Cathy/Cata/Caty) Longoria, 83, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away peacefully in her home with her family present on December 2, 2024, in Moses Lake.

Celtic Extravaganza to fill Wallenstien Theater with holiday music

MOSES LAKE – Christmas in Washington will hold a Celtic Extravaganza at the Wallenstien Theater this Friday with traditional Celtic music from violinist Geoffrey Castle and the Seattle Irish Dance Company’s Celtic Dancers.

Newhouse provides ‘toolkit’ for people fighting fentanyl

YAKIMA — U.S. Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-Fourth District) has published a list for people looking for resources to help them deal with fentanyl use. “The fentanyl crisis touches every corner of our communities, and we must work together to prevent opioid overdose,” Newhouse wrote in a release announcing what he called the “fentanyl resource toolkit.”

Judges say no to Kroger-Albertsons $24.6B merger

SEATTLE – King County Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson ruled Tuesday that a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons would eliminate sufficient competition and violate Washington antitrust laws. A ruling on a federal case against the merger was also made.

GALLERY: Moses Lake heritage commemorated at 2024 Ag Parade

MOSES LAKE — Tractors, horses, cars, trucks, work trucks and people took to the streets of Moses Lake Dec. 6 decked out in lights and costumes for the annual Ag Parade.

BASIN WRESTLING REPORT: Local teams open 2024-25 season

MOSES LAKE – The 2024-25 wrestling season kicked off last week, with several local teams traveling across the region to different tournaments.

ACSO announces award winners for 2024

RITZVILLE – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office released a statement about the annual staff award winners. The 2024 honorees were Magaret Kuen for dispatcher of the year, Commander Kelly Watkins for corrections officer of the year, Sergeant Darryl Barnes for supervisor of the year, Deputy Jesus Montes for deputy of the year and Corporal Cale Yount for an honorable mention.

Mattawa PD reports gang-related shooting

MATTAWA – The Mattawa Police Department released a report regarding a shooting that occurred Saturday night in the 100 block of second street. Officers from MPD and Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the scene and recovered evidence.

Better year in 2024 for apples, cherries — not so much for pears

YAKIMA — After two years of bumpy weather and bumpy harvests, the 2024 apple and cherry harvests were closer to average. Pear growers were not so lucky.

Christmas lights, music, fireworks at Othello celebration

OTHELLO — Othello celebrated the coming of the Christmas season with a day of games, food, fireworks and a parade full of twinkling lights, costumes and candy Dec. 7.

AFA offers scholarships for those affected by Alzheimer’s

NEW YORK – The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering scholarships of up to $5,000 for college-bound high school seniors who are affected by Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related illnesses.

Collie mix looking for home to spend his golden years

Helio, 12, was found abandoned on a cold night in Moses Lake; however, he remained resilient and continues to have a gentle spirit and wagging tail. If you’re thinking “Howl could I live without this sweet boy?” You are truly in luck because Helio is looking for his furr-ever home. He enjoys quiet moments and relaxing walks, making him the perfect calm and affectionate friend. Helio gets along with all (pets and people alike) and is neutered. Contact Grant County Animal Outreach to set up time to meet the cuddly pup by calling 509-762-9616 or emailing theGCAO@gmail.com.

GALLERY: 2024 Basin football season

MOSES LAKE – The 2024 football season came to an end across the state last weekend, with six teams earning state championships at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Read along for a look at how teams finished this season, and who won titles in each classification.

Basin sports schedule Dec. 11-17

MOSES LAKE – Check out this week’s sports schedule for high school athletics across the Columbia Basin, including bowling, competitive cheerleading, basketball, swim and dive and wrestling events.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin celebrate rewarding year

MOSES LAKE – The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin has received several awards this year, recognizing exceptional leadership, advocacy and service to youth across the region. These accolades reflect the organization's commitment to transforming the lives of young people and building a stronger community through partnerships, advocacy and high-impact programs.

Legals for December, 11 2024

Ready to shop

Moses Lake Shop with a Cop raises funds for gifts for families in need

MOSES LAKE — The Shop with a Cop program got a boost Wednesday and another Thursday. Wednesday evening the Columbia Basin Eagles Auxiliary presented the Grant County Sheriff’s Office with a check for $500.

Trails, pedestrian access fruits of first 20 years of multimodal system

MOSES LAKE — Almost two decades after Moses Lake residents started building a walking trail system, some work is done, some is still left to do, and some projects have been abandoned. Participants in planning the “multimodal” system conducted a review of the project and will present their report to the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday.

Huskies win first dual, take second at Deer Park tourney

OTHELLO – Between a season-opening dual against Ellensburg on Thursday and traveling to their first tournament over the weekend, the Othello boys wrestling team stayed busy through the end of last week. The Huskies first defeated the Bulldogs 51-24 in the Thursday dual before taking second at the Deer Park Invitational on Saturday.

MLPD Cops for Tots event deemed a success

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department expressed appreciation for the Moses Lake Walmart and community members for a successful Cops for Tots event Sunday afternoon.

Cougars’ Gutierrez scores 1,000th point in season opener

WARDEN – With a 1,000th point scored during the game, and despite a late comeback effort, Warden was unable to overcome a nearly 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s season-opening basketball game against Naches Valley, falling 74-62 to the Rangers.

Better training recommended for Moses Lake accounting staff in audit finding

MOSES LAKE — Auditors with the Washington Auditor’s Office recommended that Moses Lake city officials provide more training for staff after finding some money was allocated to the wrong funds in a review of the city’s financial statements for 2021.

Ferguson opts to retain agency leaders

OLYMPIA – Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced Friday that he will retain Commissioner Cami Feek to continue running the Employment Security Department, as well as Derek Sandison as head of the Department of Agriculture and Major General Gent Welsh as Adjutant General of the Washington Military Department.

Washington natural gas initiative backer files suit to force state to comply

(The Center Square) – The Building Industry Association of Washington on Friday filed a lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court to declare that the Washington State Building Code Council must comply with Initiative 2066, protecting access to natural gas for homes and businesses in the state.

Bonded pair needs a home

Clarion, also known as “Mr. Happy,” and his brother Dr. Freeze are looking for the purr-fect home. The two are a bonded pair and must be adopted together. Clarion is known for immediately bonding and befriending other cats, according to Adams County Pet Rescue. He is also a “love-biter” so he may not be the best fit for homes with young children. Both are house-trained and neutered. For those interested in taking home the pair visit www.whiskersinneed.org or contact cats@whickersinneed.org to learn more.

WA Congressional news roundup

MOSES LAKE - Congressional delegates serving Eastern Washington have been busy in the lead up to the holidays with one preparing to leave office and others continuing the legislative grind. Here are just a few things happening at the federal level.

GCSO seeks burglary suspect

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Eric J. Fuentes, 31, of Moses Lake in connection with a burglary along Road K.5 Southeast Sunday evening at about 8 p.m.

Legals for December, 10 2024

Doris Carol Ryan

1938 – 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Doris Carol Ryan, a beloved mother, grandmother and friend. Doris peacefully passed away on November 26, 2024, surrounded by her family, at the age of 85.

WA GOP chair files bill to restore felony status for fentanyl-related offenses

(The Center Square) – After failing to launch last session, the Washington State Republican Party is attempting to raise the stakes around dealing, trafficking and possessing fentanyl with legislation that, if approved, would lead to harsher sentences.

Five in a row

Knights surge in second half, defeat Seton Catholic 61-28 for state title

SEATTLE – Tied at 21 through the first 24 minutes, the top-seeded Royal Knights outscored No. 2 Seton Catholic 40-7 in the second half of Friday’s 1A State Football Tournament championship game, defeating the Cougars 61-28 to claim their fifth consecutive championship.

BBCC to add second bachelor’s program

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College will offer a new bachelor’s degree program next year, according to an announcement from the college.

Quincy aquatic center, indoor sports arena design coming in 2025

QUINCY — Quincy Parks and Recreation District residents will get a chance to see the designs for the new Quincy Aquatic Center and the indoor sports facility, called the Q-Plex, in 2025. Quincy City Administrator Pat Haley said the two projects are at different stages of design.

Eagles down UND behind stellar three-point shooting

CHENEY — Eastern Washington battled their way to a win over North Dakota, 87-81 with a stellar second-half performance. Eastern won the shooting battle going 50% from the field and 55% from the arc.

Levy Q&A center stage at MLSD forum

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election Feb. 11. If it’s approved, the maximum collectible amount would be $11.21 million in the first year, $12.56 million in the second year, $13.37 million in the third year and $14.24 million in the fourth year.

Teen pregnancy dropping in Grant, Adams counties

MOSES LAKE – According to a study conducted by BadCredit.org, an organization that studies issues impacting credit ratings, teen pregnancies in Grant and Adams Counties are down significantly over the past five years with Adams County seeing an 18% reduction in the number of teens getting pregnant and Grant declining 12% over that same period.

Prince looking fur a comfy castle

Prince is looking for a loving family for the holidays. The chocolate Rottweiler mix is 8 years old and neutered. He has an adoption fee of $250 and is in the care of Grant County Animal Shelter in Moses Lake. For those interested in taking home the royal boy visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.com or call 509-762-9616.

Keeping pets safe, happy and included during the holidays

The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration, but for pet owners, it also comes with unique challenges. Creating a safe, festive environment for pets while involving them in the holiday fun requires a bit of planning and care.

Legislative leaders differ on causes of and solutions to WA budget hole

(The Center Square) – With the 2025 session just around the corner, legislative leaders from the four caucuses have expressed their varying views on the causes of Washington state’s projected $10 billion to $12 billion operating budget deficit, including how to address the gap.

Ag Parade glitter

An Ag Parade participant enjoys the ride down West Third Avenue in Moses Lake Friday night. The parade drew farm equipment, trucks, work trucks, cars, horses and people, walking and riding the route and mostly decked out in Christmas lights. Full coverage of the parade will be in the Columbia Basin Herald next week.

Cougars fall to Naches Valley in season opener

WARDEN – Thursday night’s season-opening basketball game between Warden and Naches Valley saw the Rangers take advantage of Cougar miscues down the stretch of the fourth quarter, dropping Warden to 0-1 with a 74-62 loss.

Weather for the week of Dec. 9, 2024

Weather for the week of Dec. 9, 2024

Ephrata Schools moving forward with replacement levy election

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School Board unanimously approved placing an Educational Programs and Operations levy on the February 2025 ballot for taxpayers to decide on. The estimated levy rate is $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed value. The EP&O levy helps pay for things like athletics, theater and other extracurriculars in addition to instruction.

COLUMN: Columbia River Treaty - Only paying for the actual benefits

You may have likely heard that Grant, Chelan and Douglas PUDs jointly filed a lawsuit in June against the federal government over our collective contribution of hydroelectric energy and capacity we must send to Canada per the Columbia River Treaty.

Legals for December, 9 2024

Quest for the crown

Knights to face Seton Catholic for 1A championship

ROYAL CITY – Players on teams across the state dream of hoisting a state championship trophy at the end of a long season; for the two teams remaining in the 1A State Football Tournament – the No. 1 seed Royal Knights and No. 2 Seton Catholic – those dreams are still alive.

Home at last

Habitat for Humanity’s latest house was a long time coming

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake family will move into its first home in the coming weeks, thanks to Habitat for Humanity. “This family is a family of four,” said Rebecca Mabius, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake. “They were able to select the flooring. They're able to select the color of their house, all the cabinets. They came in and they did the tile work themselves which, God bless them, that's a feat in itself.”

Ancient Lakes students collect hats, gloves

QUINCY — Three students at Ancient Lakes Elementary School in Quincy have made winter a little warmer for some folks. “(They collected) 97 pairs of gloves, 93 hats and eight scarves,” said teacher Kayla Hoffer.

Questions, answers, discussion at MLSD community forum

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis answered questions about school operations in the wake of severe budget cuts, technology, teachers responding to challenges in the classroom and billing during a wide-ranging question and answer forum Thursday.

Moses Lake city manager candidates to meet with residents Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to meet the three finalists for the position of city manager from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam St.

Adopted: Lunch Break found his furr-ever home!

Lunch Break, the dog on the left, recently found his forever home with Cathy and her husband, according to a release from Adams County Pet Rescue. Cathy and her husband drove three hours to meet the pup and instantly fell in love with him. Their older dog was fine with his new sibling as well. The two drove back in the dark after signing Lunch Break’s paperwork and becoming his official parents. Although Lunch Break is no longer available, ACPR has plenty of cute friends who need homes, visit their website at AdamsCountyPetRescue.com to find a new friend in time for the holidays. Lunch Break, the dog on the left, recently found his forever home with Cathy and her husband, according to a release from Adams County Pet Rescue. Cathy and her husband drove three hours to meet the pup and instantly fell in love with him. Their older dog was fine with his new sibling as well. The two drove back in the dark after signing Lunch Break’s paperwork and becoming his official parents. Although Lunch Break is no longer available, ACPR has plenty of cute friends who need homes, visit their website at AdamsCountyPetRescue.com to find a new friend in time for the holidays.

CB Foundation donates to Viking Food Pantry

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College was recently awarded a $1,000 grant to support its Viking Food Pantry, courtesy of the Columbia Basin Foundation, according to an announcement from the college.

Law Enforcement logs for Dec. 6, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff's office or police department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Basin events calendar for Dec. 6-13, 2024

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s a festive time of year, and there are all kinds of community celebrations and gift shopping opportunities coming up this week. If you have an event you’d like included in this calendar, email it to jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com. Here are a few for the upcoming week:

Building permits for Dec. 6, 2024

Building permits for Dec. 6, 2024

Legals for December, 6 2024

MLFD investigating residential fire

MOSES LAKE – Tuesday at around 4 p.m. the City of Moses Lake Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on West Texas Street, according to a release from MLFD.

Grant Co. 2025 budget approved

EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners unanimously passed the county’s 2025 budget with modifications to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office fund and cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, to be addressed in the upcoming week when they consider a resolution to adjust GCSO’s budget.

Bite2Go program combating child hunger in Quincy Schools

QUINCY – The reality of chronic hunger and food insecurity faces countless children across Washington, impacting their ability to learn and thrive. In response, Second Harvest has expanded its Bite2Go program to Quincy, providing vital meals to students in need.

Eagle boys, girls fall to Republic in opener

SOAP LAKE -- Both the Soap Lake boys and girls basketball teams fell to Republic in their season openers on Tuesday night, with the girls losing 40-27 before the boys team suffered a 53-37 setback.

Vocab VIPs

MLCA students give impressive showing in international vocabulary competition

MOSES LAKE — Next time you advise a Moses Lake Christian Academy student to use their words, be careful. They might use some you don’t know. MLCA emerged from the fall Vocabulary Bowl with some impressive honors: first place in Washington, second place in the U.S. and Canada in the under-500-students division and fourth place in North America overall.

Seeking a pawsome pal

Meet Railroad, a newly graduated shepherd mix pup from Coyote Ridge Correctional Center in Connell, Washington. He learned a lot from the school — like sit, stay, kennel, leave it, recall, heal and some fun tricks like shake, spin and roll over. Railroad, after working so diligently, is looking for his forever home for the holidays. He has a $350 adoption fee. For those interested visit AdamsCountyPetRescue.com and fill out an application to take this little graduate home!

Soap Lake Winterfest set for Saturday

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake will usher in the holiday season with Winterfest Dec. 7, according to the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Columbia Basin Foundation raffles trees for foster children

EPHRATA — The Grant County Guardian Ad Litem program, which advocates for children in foster care, will be the beneficiary of this year’s Columbia Basin Foundation Festival of Trees, according to CBF Executive Director Corinne Isaak.

West Canal maintenance funding announced

WASHINGTON D.C. – The office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., announced $57.85 million in federal funding for aging water infrastructure, fishing facilities and canal operations around Washington state. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

One arrested in connection with van theft

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office recovered a van stolen from the El Oro Cattle Company Dec. 2 and arrested 34-year-old Tomas Diaz Layna on Dec. 3.

Quincy preliminary budget projected at $113M

QUINCY — The city of Quincy is projected to spend about $113.49 million in 2025, according to its preliminary budget. Being a preliminary budget it’s still subject to changes, and Finance Director Carrie Lnenicka said some changes are in the works.

Grant County certified election results

MOSES LAKE – According to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office, nearly three-quarters of registered voters in Grant County participated in the Nov. 5 General Election with 36,600 of the county’s 50,488 casting ballots – or 72.55%.

COLUMN: Students are tuned out at school. Here's how we change that.

Across the country, teachers and administrators are working to address two major challenges: learning loss and student engagement.

Ephrata passed 2025 budget

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council passed its 2025 budget unanimously at the Dec. 4 regular council meeting. The council also discussed an ordinance to make adjustments to the budget which was moved to a second reading and may be considered by vote at the next meeting on Dec. 18.

Masquers to open Christmas play this weekend

SOAP LAKE — “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” will open tomorrow at the Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, according to an announcement from Publicity Chair Darryl Pheasant.

Grant PUD projected to finish 2024 in the black

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District was in the black at the end of the third quarter of 2024. The third quarter results were presented to the PUD commissioners at their Nov. 26 meeting.

Legals for December, 5 2024

Anne Fredrickson Chlarson

1935 — 2024

Anne Fredrickson Chlarson

Two booked for controlled substance homicide

WARDEN – Monday morning the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team served a warrant to a residence outside of Warden in the 4600 block of Road U Southeast, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department.

Fall 2024 all-league lists announced

MOSES LAKE – Nearly 200 student-athletes were named to their respective all-league lists this fall sports season in cross country, football, girls soccer, girls swimming and diving, slowpitch softball and volleyball.

Hometown shopping

Small Business Saturday brings rush of holiday sales to local shops

MOSES LAKE — Black Friday is big business, drawing huge crowds to huge stores with heavily advertised specials. But the next day, Small Business Saturday, hits a little closer to home.

Senior events calendar for December 2024

COLUMBIA BASIN — December is brimming with things for seniors to do, whether it’s gift shopping for the grandchildren or taking a break from the holiday spirit with a little music. Here are a few things coming up:

Two Othello roundabouts scheduled for 2025 construction

OTHELLO — While the timelines haven’t been determined yet, two new roundabouts are planned for spring and summer 2025 around Othello. One on State Route 17 will impact travelers who may ordinarily bypass the city.

Wanted: The purr-fect home!

Grant County Animal Outreach is taking applications for Marble. Marble is a little over 11 months old, spayed and considered a medium sized kitty. There is a $150 fee to adopt a cat over seven months of age which includes: neutering, vaccinations, deworming, microchip and a 30-day emergency pet insurance. For those interested in giving Marble or other cute pets a home -- visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and put in an application.

Othello residents invited to weigh in on parking regs

OTHELLO — Othello residents are being asked for their suggestions for some off-street parking regulations. Othello Planning Commission members are reviewing regulations for RVs and other vehicles, providing adequate sight distance at intersections, and some regulations governing alley parking. Their recommendations will go to the Othello City Council for consideration.

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week provides food for thought

MOSES LAKE — Older Driver Safety Awareness Week is Dec. 2-6, so if you are an older driver or a caregiver, it may be time to talk about driving safety, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2022, there were 7,870 traffic collisions nationwide involving a driver 65 and older resulting in 8,572 deaths, the highest figure since at least 1975.

Home repair help available for qualifying seniors

MOSES LAKE — Seniors whose homes need a little upkeep may be eligible for some help. The government offers grants and low-interest loans for home repairs, and some nonprofits are available to help out as well.

State auditor suggests Mattawa tighten accounting controls

MATTAWA — City officials lacked sufficient oversight to ensure its 2022-23 budgets were accurate, leading to a request to revise city procedures from the Washington State Auditor’s Office.

Basin sports schedule Dec. 4-10

MOSES LAKE – Check out this week’s sports schedule for high school athletics across the Columbia Basin, including bowling, competitive cheerleading, football, basketball, swim and dive and wrestling events.

Gesa scholarship applications open

RICHLAND — Gesa Credit Union, which operates multiple branches in Eastern Washington, including one in Moses Lake, is accepting applications for college scholarships, the credit union announced Tuesday. Students who are entering college for the first time, continuing to pursue higher education, or managing student loans are encouraged to apply.

Legals for December, 4 2024

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: ‘Be the calm’

Quincy PD sergeant builds ties with the community

QUINCY — For Quincy Police Sergeant Joe Westby, it’s all about the people. “It's just been really cool adapting to the community,” he said. “I hold value in the community like they hold in me. I try and make sure when the need arises, I do the best work I possibly can.”

Grant PUD reduces budgeted spending, increases income

EPHRATA — An unexpected contract to sell a portion of its dam-generated power and the need to clarify details on capital projects resulted in adjustments to the Grant County Public Utility District’s budget by about $55.6 million.

ACH falls to Liberty Christian in 1B semifinals

Warriors finish season with overall 10-3 record for 2024

RICHLAND – After holding a six-point advantage at halftime, the No. 4 seed Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors were outscored 22-8 by No. 1 Liberty Christian in the 1B State Football Tournament semifinals on Saturday, falling 36-28 to the Patriots.

Washington state’s spending spree drives massive deficit

(The Center Square) – Over the past decade, many state lawmakers have advocated fiscal restraint during years of enormous revenue growth, arguing that Washington could face a budgetary crisis if an economic downturn were to occur.

Local, federal authorities warn of holiday scams

MOSES LAKE – Scam text messages, phone calls and emails increase in frequency during the holiday season as criminals attempt to take advantage of people’s holiday spirit with a higher volume of fraud attempts during the Christmas season.

Sixkiller appointed WA director of Ecology

OLYMPIA – Governor-elect Bob Ferguson has appointed Casey Sixkiller as the 14th Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology, effective Jan. 15, 2025, according to an announcement from the governor-elect’s office.

News Bites for Dec. 3, 2024

News bites for Dec. 3, 2024

Wanted: A furrever home for the holidays

The Adams County Pet Rescue has Beetle Juice, a middle-aged pup up for adoption. She is around 10.6 pounds, six years old and located in Othello, WA. For people interested in Miss Beetle Juice or other cute furry friends call ACPR at 509-488-5514 or visit AdamsCountyPetRescue.com.

Grant PUD gets clean audit report

EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District employees adequately monitored PUD operations to protect public money, according to a report from the Washington Auditor’s Office.

A 'heartwarming' affair

SOAP LAKE - Soap Lake sixth grade students and families came together for a large potluck for the holiday season before the students had the following days off. A statement from the Soap Lake School District said it was “heartwarming” to see everyone enjoying themselves and sampling the foods of different cultures.

Legals for December, 3 2024

‘More than we ask or imagine’

Othello Nazarene Church celebrates 70 years of faith

OTHELLO — “The days of our years are threescore years and ten,” the Biblical poet wrote in Psalm 90, but the Othello Church of the Nazarene, which celebrated that milestone this year, shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. The church celebrated its 70th birthday with displays of photos and oral history in the gathering area outside the sanctuary.

'It never gets old'

Knights reach 1A title game with win over Cashmere

MOSES LAKE – The Royal Knights are back in the 1A state championship game, having defeated No. 4 seed Cashmere 44-7 at Lions Field in Moses Lake on Saturday night. Saturday’s game was a rematch of an Oct. 4 league game between the Bulldogs and Knights, which Royal won 55-14 in Cashmere.

REC Silicon reports lower third-quarter earnings

MOSES LAKE — A delay in shipping polysilicon materials led to a delay in production, which led to a drop in earnings for REC Silicon in the third quarter of the year. The company announced a few days after releasing its third quarter earnings report that some of the obstacles delaying delivery were cleared. The company cut back some operations at its Moses Lake facility as a result of the decreased earnings, according to its quarterly earnings report.

HopeSource officer says homelessness a community issue

MOSES LAKE — HopeSource Chief Operating Officer John Raymond said the work his organization does helps people find stable housing. But ultimately, he said, the homelessness problem is about more than money. Raymond gave an overview of HopeSource’s programs in Grant County to the Moses Lake City Council Nov. 26. During that discussion Mayor Dustin Swartz asked Raymond about the future.

Basin events calendar for December 2024

COLUMBIA BASIN — The festive season is in full swing this month, with Christmas parades, bazaars and festivals all over the Basin. Here are a few opportunities to dive into the holiday spirit:

Moses Lake firefighters distribute coats through Operation Warm

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Firefighters Local 1258 provided coats to students within the Moses Lake School District, ensuring they are prepared for the colder months ahead, through the union’s Operation Warm initiative according to information sent to the Columbia Basin Herald by MLFD Lt. Jason Koziol.

MLFD responds to electrical fire Tuesday

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Fire Department was dispatched Tuesday night around 7:30 p.m. to 7761 Randolph Road Northeast, by the Port of Moses Lake, according to a release by the City of Moses Lake.

MLPD asks for community aid in drive-by investigation

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department is investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 on Basin Street. There were no injuries. Witnesses saw two subjects get into a white or grey sedan with loud exhaust following the incident. MLPD is asking for residents in the area to check for any surveillance footage surrounding the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Edmond Guerrero at 509-764-3887 and reference case number 24ML17518.

GCFD7 asking for junk vehicles for training

SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 purchased a brand-new set of extrication tools — which will help the firefighters to remove people from damaged cars and perform life saving rescues.

WDFW looking for new Game Management council members

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently accepting applications for new members to its Game Management Advisory Council.  WDFW Director Kelly Susewind will appoint eight members to the 18-member council, with terms commencing in 2025.

Weather for the week of Dec. 2, 2024

Weather for the week of Dec. 2, 2024

12-year-old booked for driving stolen vehicle from King Co.

MOSES LAKE – A 12-year-old was arrested after Grant County Sheriff’s Officers stopped him in a stolen vehicle by using the Precision Immobilization Technique.

MLPD arrests illegal minibike driver

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department released a statement regarding a 19-year-old man who took an illegal joyride through town on Nov. 10 and was eventually booked into Grant County Jail.

Caring for animals, and the cost, discussed at Moses Lake council meeting

MOSES LAKE — A request from Grant County Animal Outreach for additional funding from the city of Moses Lake led to a discussion of animal welfare and its cost at the regular Moses Lake City Council meeting Nov. 26. Sara Thompson Tweedy, president of GCAO’s board of directors, requested that the city increase its funding to $181,000 in 2025. Mayor Dustin Swartz said that might be difficult. “We have challenges of our own,” Swartz said.

CWU to host lecture on plantation imagery in Cuba

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington University Department of Art + Design will host a lecture by art historian Dr. Asiel Sepúlveda on Thursday, according to an announcement from the university. Titled “The Plantation’s Smokescreens: Art and Vision in Nineteenth-Century Cuba,” the talk will explore how lithographic artists crafted new ways of seeing the Cuban landscape during the 19th century.

Legals for December, 2 2024