Ellington

Othello PD arrests DOSA fugitive

OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department announced the arrest of Gregorio Orozco Jr. for an outstanding warrant out of Benton County for violating the conditions of his alternative drug offender sentencing, under the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative program.

Lady Jacks push past Prosser

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks defeated the Prosser Mustangs 58-24 Thursday at home as they try to finish the season strong. Head Coach Mark Kondo said his wrestlers did a good job in their win as they get ready for the postseason.

MLCA/CCS comes out with road victory over Devils

WILSON CREEK — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions (11-7) earned a 66-40 road victory over the Wilson Creek Devils (13-4) Thursday evening. It was a hard-fought matchup that tested the skills of both teams throughout.

Jacks boys overcome early deficit to win at home

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks overcame a slow start against the Prosser Mustangs to earn a 40-29 league win at home. Head Coach Breck Webley was happy to his wrestlers come out victorious against a tough opponent.

Seahawks sale rumors swirl ahead of Super Bowl, Paul Allen's estate denies report

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks will go up for sale after the team's appearance in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8, ESPN reported Friday night. Citing unnamed sources, ESPN said talks between Seahawks ownership and the NFL have been going on over the past week. The estate of late Seahawks owner Paul Allen, however, is denying the report, according to a statement released to The Associated Press and other outlets.

Lions claim victory on the Devils' home court

WILSON CREEK — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Christian Covenant School Lions (11-7) took to the road and earned a 54-26 victory over the Wilson Creek Devils (12-4) Thursday evening. The game was a close matchup in the first half, but the Lions found their rhythm to secure the victory.

Warden man arrested for alleged burglary

WARDEN — A Warden man was arrested on suspicion of burglary after Warden Police Department officers allegedly found him inside an empty residence.

GALLERY: Columbia Middle School Cheer celebrates victory

MOSES LAKE — The Frontier Columbia Middle School Cheer squads competed at the Battle at the Lake cheer competition at Moses Lake High School Saturday where both teams found success.

A bit of 'cattitude'

MOSES LAKE — Pumpkin is a three‑year‑old, large, orange‑and‑black beauty who’s ready to pounce her way into your heart. She’s spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, not declawed and currently cozied up at Grant County Animal Outreach,

Shrewd moves in free agency and NFL draft helped GM John Schneider build Seahawks' Super Bowl roster

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — John Schneider was hired a little over 16 years ago as general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, a job he has held since. Schneider added the title of president of football operations in 2024. But when asked Thursday if he could have imagined being in charge of the Seahawks' personnel for that long, the 54-year-old had a simple answer: “No.”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Be brave enough to speak openly and thoughtfully...

Recently, the Columbia Basin Herald covered a protest organized and held by Moses Lake High School and Vanguard Academy students, as well as a protest by Ephrata High School students.

Mendez III and Coach Lopez discuss Huskies wrestling

MOSES LAKE — On this episode of the Basin Box Score podcast, host Mike Maynard sits down with Othello Huskies Head Coach of boys wrestling Reuben Lopez and Camilo Mendez III. The two discuss how the season has gone thus far as Lopez is in his first year as the head coach. Mendez also reached his 100th win in his career as a Huskie. Learn more about his time as a wrestler and other interests.

Ultimutt good boy

MOSES LAKE — Meet Tucker, this 3‑year‑old German Shepherd mix is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and fully prepared to fetch himself a forever family. In his photo, he’s giving the camera his best “I’m ready to play” look – complete with a bright red ball he can’t wait to ball‑ieve you’ll throw for him.

Two arrested on narcotics charges after search of Moses Lake residence

MOSES LAKE — Two Moses Lake men were arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of distributing narcotics following the search of a residence on Kathy Drive in Moses Lake Thursday.

BASIN EVENTS: February 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — We’re swinging into February with lots to do in the Basin. Here’s a little of what’s happening this month.

WA-OR Potato conference draws record crowd

KENNEWICK — Potatoes took center stage last week in the Tri-Cities “I want to welcome you to the largest potato conference in North America,” Washington Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt told attendees at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Wednesday. “Last year we had over 3,000 attendees. This morning, I checked and we have about 260 more to break our record.”

Memorial recognizing 30 years after Frontier tragedy to be held Sunday

MOSES LAKE — Thirty years after the tragedy at Frontier Middle School, the Moses Lake School District will hold “We Remember,” a community gathering centered on healing, unity and continued support, according to organizers. The event takes place Sunday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Frontier Middle School cafeteria.

Ephrata SD to host guided bond tour

EPHRATA — Community members will have the chance to see firsthand how the Ephrata School District’s proposed 2026 bond would impact local schools during a guided building tour at 5 p.m. on Feb. 4.

‘Showing their Tiger stripes’

Ephrata’s Ridge Robotics shines at state

EPHRATA — Columbia Ridge Elementary School’s Lego Robotics team, Ridge Robotics, earned the Engineering Excellence award at this year’s state competition, held in Spokane.

Multi-family properties sell a little differently from single-family homes

MOSES LAKE — Buying and selling one home is complicated enough. But when the property comprises five or 10 or 20 homes, that’s a little different “It takes the right buyer and the right timing,” said Blake Rollins, owner of Nest Realty, who had several multi-family properties listed at Realtor.com on Wednesday.

Road projects scheduled for Grant, Adams counties in 2026

GEORGE — While the Washington Department of Transportation doesn’t have a lot of roadwork projects scheduled for the Columbia Basin in 2026, a multi-year project will be starting up for the season in about a month. Construction on the Vantage Bridge will be in its third year. “Construction resumes in March,” said Summer Derrey, assistant communications manager for the South Central region of the Washington Department of Transportation.

Association of Realtors hosts annual installation and awards banquet

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors hosted their annual installation and awards banquet Jan. 24. This event recognized the installation of new officers and bring those in the industry together for a meal.

WEATHER: Jan. 30 – Feb. 5, 2026

Friday: A 30% chance of rain, mainly after 10 a.m. Patchy fog after 5 p.m. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. High near 44. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Patchy evening fog between 10 .p.m and 1 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Legals for January, 30 2026

WA lawmakers look to prohibit time caps on anesthesia reimbursement

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers are reintroducing a bill that would protect insurance coverage on anesthesia services. House Bill 1812, sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule, D-Blaine, would prohibit health carriers from denying coverage or capping reimbursement based on the duration of anesthesia used during a procedure. The bill applies to health carriers offering health plans to public employees, including Medicaid and plans administered by the Washington Health Care Authority.

Moses Lake Police Department logs for Jan. 21-24, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Moses Lake Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

2 MLFD officers promoted

MOSES LAKE — Two Moses Lake Fire Department officers were recognized for recent promotions with a longstanding fire service tradition at the Moses Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. Newly promoted Captain Lynn Dodd and Lieutenant Mike Miner each received the badges for their new offices from members of their families.

Vikings men fall short to WVCC

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (9-13) came up just short of a home victory against the Wenatchee Valley Knights Wednesday. The game remained close throughout, but the Vikings were unable to gain the lead and fell 60-63.

Confluence opens new facility for pre-surgical patients

WENATCHEE — A new clinic designed to make it easier for patients to get all the tests they need prior to surgery at Central Washington Hospital was celebrated with a ribbon cutting Tuesday.

NFL's turf guru has meticulous journey to prepare Levi's Stadium field for Super Bowl

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Nick Pappas' process for preparing the Super Bowl field got underway long before the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots started getting ready for the 2025 season. The NFL's turf guru picked the sod farm that began growing the field for the game about 16 months ago and spent time since then monitoring the progress. The job went into overdrive in January when Pappas and his crew started a monthlong installation and preparation process to make sure that the story of the game is about the teams and not the grass.

Huskies win tight game against Tigers

EPHRATA — The Othello Huskies boys basketball team earned a 71-68 victory over the Ephrata Tigers Tuesday evening. This victory helped the Huskies secure a spot in the postseason as they aim toward a top five spot on the district tournament bracket.

Kast, Wardenaar lead Royal to win over Wahluke

MATTAWA — The Royal Knights (14-3) defeated the Wahluke Warriors (1-16) 70-22 Tuesday to take another win in the South Central Athletic Conference. Knights Coach Farrah Wardenaar is happy about the momentum her players are building.

Moses Lake Tribe qualifies for AAU state competition

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Tribe’s 6th grade Amateur Athletic Union basketball team has qualified for the state competition. Head Coach Tom Howard is happy with the experience his players are getting this season. “There’re five on five tournaments, and there's so many tournaments nowadays, a lot of them are state qualifiers, and if you get first or second in your grade division, you qualify for state. We've gotten second twice this year, which is awesome for our girls... and it just gives you confidence,” Howard said.

Vikings women defend home court against Wenatchee Valley

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings (20-2) claimed a 54-43 victory at home against the Wenatchee Valley Knights (11-7) Wednesday. The game was a tight match throughout, but the Vikings pulled through with the win.

COLUMN: The Lady Vikings are making noise this season

I reluctantly want to call attention to some of the sentiments I heard about Big Bend Community College athletics when I first arrived in the Basin in the summer. I was told not to expect much out of them, and winning does not tend to be a thing for the Vikings.

Ephrata High tackles ‘Grease’ in aging PAC

EPHRATA — As students at Ephrata High School prepare to debut the musical “Grease,” they’re also grappling with the limits of a Performing Arts Center which they say is increasingly difficult to work in. While excitement builds around the school’s first musical in years, the production is in a facility students say is plagued by flickering lights, sound failures, creaking floorboards and a cramped backstage.

Huskies clinch postseason in victory over Tigers

EPHRATA — The Othello Huskies (4-14) earned a convincing 40-24 victory over the Ephrata Tigers (0-18) to clinch a spot in the postseason. The Huskies aim to finish out the season strong after coming out on top against a league rival.

Frontier, Columbia cheer teams conclude seasons with first place

MOSES LAKE — The Frontier Middle School Spartans and Columbia Middle School Red Hawks competed in the Battle at the Lake cheer competition Saturday, where both teams earned first-place finishes in the middle school categories.

Your future fluffy sidekick?

MOSES LAKE — Meet Piper, the sweetest 5‑year‑old Mini Australian Shepherd mix you'll ever meet. She’s spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and ready to start her next chapter with someone who’ll love her as much as she’ll love them. Piper is smart, loyal, and full of that classic Aussie charm, without full-size Aussie energy. She’d thrive in a calm home without small kids, where she can enjoy being your adventure buddy, snuggle partner and all‑around best friend. Piper is waiting at Grant County Animal Outreach, hoping her forever family walks through the door today. Visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and fill out her application today. If you can’t adopt but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

WEATHER: Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2026

Thursday: Rain likely, mainly between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. A 30% chance of rain after 10 p.m. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 37. North wind 3 to 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Legals for January, 29 2026

Knights defeat Wahluke, extend win streak to four

MATTAWA — The Royal Knights (14-2) defeated the Wahluke Warriors (8-9) 76-43 Tuesday as they took another step toward top seeding in the South Central Athletic Conference. Head Coach Tim Ravet was happy with how his team passed the ball.

Ephrata High students protest ICE

EPHRATA — Around 25 students from Ephrata High School protested Immigration Customs Enforcement Wednesday morning by skipping their second period. The students began the protest at EHS, walking down Basin Street and looping in front of the courthouse back to the school.

Mavericks unified seniors celebrated in final home game

MOSES LAKE — Three seniors from the Moses Lake Unified basketball squad were celebrated at their final home game on Jan. 21. DJ Parker, Noah Jones and Miles Acres competed in their final home game as Mavericks and will graduate in the spring.

Soap Lake council approves interim agreement for finance director

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Council held a special meeting Tuesday to review and approve an interim agreement for a finance director. They also continued discussion around the job posting for a combined city administrator and finance treasurer.

Repair, replacement under consideration for Hansen bridge

MOSES LAKE — The Hansen Road overpass could be closed for a maximum of about 24 months. Chris Keifenheim, North Central Region administrator for the Washington Department of Transportation, said Tuesday that DOT officials are considering repairing it or replacing it, but would prefer to replace it. Either solution, he said, will keep the bridge closed for a while.

Janet (Briggs Riley) Stone

1949 - 2025

Born on March 13, 1949, in Ephrata, Wash., Janet Marie (Briggs Riley) Stone was raised in Moses Lake. She was the only daughter of Albert and Marian Briggs and the sister of Curt Briggs.

Delores Elaine Wheat

1935 - 2026

Dolores Elaine Wheat, 90, danced into heaven on January 20, 2026, in Moses Lake, Wash., with her daughters, Cindy Gender and Susie Courtright, and son-in-law John Courtright by her side.

William Roderick Thomas, Sr.

June 24, 1952 - Jan. 25, 2026

William Roderick Thomas, Sr. passed away on January 25, 2026, at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy defined by kindness, generosity, sacrifice and heartfelt connection with others.

Joe Kurkowski

1951 - 2026

Joe Kurkowski, Jr., 74, of Warden, Wash., passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, January 20. Born in Moses Lake, Wash., in 1951 to Joe and Betty Kurkowski.

Big-hearted beauty

OTHELLO — Looking for a loyal companion with tons of love to give? Look no further, Ina is a gorgeous, large, mixed-breed girl with striking black and white markings and an even bigger personality. She’s spayed, vaccinated, microchipped

Ferguson: A silent leader on field and court

MOSES LAKE — During last Tuesday’s basketball matchups for Moses Lake Christian Academy/Christian Covenant School Lions at the Den, senior Johnny Ferguson was honored for making the 2025 All-State 1B First Team as an All-Purpose athlete for football. Johnny said he has been a lifelong athlete and strives to push himself even further as he finishes his senior season.

Dent working to secure aviation assets for local fire districts

OLYMPIA — Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, is working on a bipartisan bill that would make funding for aviation wildfire suppression permanent. The Aviation Assurance Funding Program, enacted in 2023, requires the Washington Department of Natural Resources to assist local fire departments with aviation resources for early wildfire attacks. If passed, House Bill 2104 would continue the program, ensuring local fire departments have immediate consistent access to aviation support.

Decubber signs to Walla Walla CC

MOSES LAKE — Caitlin Decubber was all-smiles Tuesday as she signed her letter of intent to officially become the newest member of the Walla Walla Community College Warriors. She is continuing her career as a dual-sport athlete as she will play for the volleyball and softball teams.

New facility to support military coming to Port of Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake has been awarded a $1.2 million loan from the state Community Aviation Revitalization Board to help pay for upgrades to the area used for military exercises. Kim DeTrolio, the port’s director of finance and administration, said the upgrades will include a building for use by military units on site.

Robo champions

Royal Middle School team takes championship, advance to world competition

ROYAL CITY — Students from Royal School District brought home some honors from the First Lego League state robotics competition Saturday in Spokane. Royal Intermediate School’s Mayan Memers earned a trophy for designing an archaeological research station, and the Tomb Raiders, Royal Middle School’s team, excelled in both robotics and innovation, garnering the championship for eastern Washington. The theme for this year is archaeology, and 25 teams from across the brown side of the state competed.

MLSD outlines proposal for new elementary

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District’s Facility Advisory Committee is recommending the district replace North Elementary and Larson Heights Elementary with a single new elementary school in north Moses Lake. This decision, committee members say, is driven by aging infrastructure, long‑term cost savings and the opportunity to leverage millions in state construction funds.

Adams County Auditor will not seek reelection in 2026

RITZVILLE — Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt announced Tuesday she would not be running for fourth term. “It’s just a good time to step aside,” Hunt said.

Othello to ask for extension of ACFD 5 contract

OTHELLO — Othello city officials plan to restart conversations with Adams County Fire District 5 on a possible contract to provide fire service for the city. Mayor Ken Johnson said he and Othello City Council members met with ACFD 5 commissioners earlier this month.

McDonnell sits in on first BBCC Board of Trustees meeting

MOSES LAKE — Sarah McDonnell, the newest member on the Board of Trustees at Big Bend Community College, sat in on her first board meeting Thursday afternoon after being appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson last week. McDonnell said she realized she still has a lot to learn about the position, but she is excited to take on the challenge.

LOCAL FACTS: The North American Badger

The North American Badger is a local animal that can be found in throughout the region and is known for its signature white, black and gray coloration. Here are a few facts from National Geographic about this local animal.

Mayan Memers earn honors

ROYAL CITY — The Mayan Memers, made up of fourth- through sixth graders, won second place for core values – sportsmanship, teamwork and things like that – at the regional competition, then won at state for their innovation project. The students designed a self-sufficient modular research station equipped with LIDAR drones so local indigenous people in the Mexican and Guatemalan jungle can lead the research into their own history

WEATHER: Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2026

Museum works to preserve the history of the rails that built the state

REARDAN — The Inland Northwest Rail Museum is a longstanding place that serves to preserve the history of trains and railroads from across the nation. Now celebrating its tenth anniversary at its new location in Reardan, the museum seeks to expand its offerings as staff work to share this piece of history.

Legals for January, 28 2026

Hansen overpass timeline still undetermined

MOSES LAKE — The timeline and cost for repair – or replacement of the Hansen Road overpass west of Moses Lake will depend, in part, on whether the Washington State Department of Transportation decides to repair or replace it. Either way, said Chris Kiefenheim, administrator for WSDOT’s North Central Region, the overpass will be closed for a while.

STUDIO BASIN: Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz

MOSES LAKE — On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer sits down with Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz to discuss ongoing city projects,

Moses Lake students stage walkout to protest ICE

MOSES LAKE — About 80 students walked out of Moses Lake High School and Vanguard Academy Tuesday afternoon to protest actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The students took up signs and demonstrated at the intersection of East Nelson Road and South Pioneer Way.

Coyotes 14U go undefeated in Spokane tourney

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Coyotes 14U hockey team swept the competition 5-0 over the weekend to win the Frozen Face Off in Spokane. Despite a delayed start to their season, Head Coach Dan Niehenke was proud of how hard his team played.

WA COLLEGE SPORTS SCHEDULE: Jan. 28 – Feb. 4

MOSES LAKE — College athletes head deeper into their seasons as competition heats up in the cold winter months. See where your favorite team will be heading this week.

MLPD logs for Jan. 19 & 20, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Moses Lake Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sam Darnold is one win away from a Super Bowl victory that's eluded fellow QBs in the 2018 draft

AP — Sam Darnold will be starting in the Super Bowl before Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and the rest of the NFL’s Class of 2018 quarterbacks. It took Darnold five teams and eight seasons to get here. Darnold led the Seattle Seahawks to a 14-3 record, a division title, the No. 1 seed and was at his best in the NFC championship game.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has a star turn as he helps carry the Seahawks to the Super Bowl

SEATTLE (AP) — Jaxon Smith-Njigba made plenty of spectacular plays during the best season by a wide receiver in Seattle Seahawks history, so it wasn't a shock that he added another highlight during the NFC championship game. Nonetheless, the one-handed catch Smith-Njigba made late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams was among his most incredible this season. Sam Darnold scrambled to his left and made a throw toward the sideline, and Smith-Njigba hauled in the pass with his right hand before tiptoeing both feet inbounds.

Ephrata CAP instructor honored for more than half a century of safety

EPHRATA — Roger Patry has logged more than 23,000 hours of flight time since 1970. That’s more than two and a half years of his life spent in the sky. “Look at … all the things he got to see and experience, from implementation of the Jet Age, space travel, navigation technology advances from radio navigation to satellite,” Federal Aviation Agency safety program manager Robert Tickner said.

A look at the 2026 Northwest Hay Expo: Industry leaders gather amidst challenges

KENNEWICK — The Northwest Hay Expo, an annual event for stakeholders in the hay industry, attracted a diverse group of attendees this week, despite challenging market conditions. President of the Washington Hay Growers Andrew Eddie said they had expected lower numbers this year because of the difficult hay season.

Sharp utility account receives additional scrutiny

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake Mayor Peter Sharp has paid his city utility balance in full after previously owing nearly $3,600, according to city staff. Of that amount, roughly $3,200 had been more than 90 days past due, based on public records.

WEATHER: Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2026

Legals for January, 27 2026

Othello man sentenced in child porn case

OTHELLO — An Othello man was sentenced to more than three years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to two counts of dealing in depictions of a minor engaged in sexual conduct.

Basin boys basketball roundup, Jan. 19 – 24

MOSES LAKE — The competition across the Basin is heating up as boys basketball can see the end of the regular season on the horizon. See below where your favorite teams stand and their current record.

Basin girls basketball roundup, Jan. 19 – 24

MOSES LAKE — As teams enter the final stretch of the regular season, not only are teams taking time to recognize their seniors, but many are battling for top seeding in their conferences. See below where your favorite teams stand and their current record.

Fuel prices rise in WA, nationally

MOSES LAKE — For the second week in a row, both national and Washington fuel prices increased, and Grant County’s 14‑week streak of falling gas prices came to an end with a four‑cent climb. Adams County did not follow the national trend and instead saw a slight two‑cent decrease.

Subject arrested for trespassing, threats with knife

WARDEN — On Friday, the Warden Police Department arrested Jean Alverez, 21, Warden after receiving a disturbance call in the 300 block of West Fifth Street. According to a statement from Warden PD, reporting parties said a male subject, later identified as Alvarez, came into the residence and made verbal threats while displaying a knife. He also made threats with the knife, according to Warden PD.

Wilson Creek School District seeks replacement EP&O levy

WILSON CREEK — Voters in the Wilson Creek School District will decide in February on a two‑year replacement Educational Programs and Operations levy which would continue funding for classroom support, student programs, technology and basic district operations. The measure would replace the district’s existing levy, which expires at the end of 2026.

Watershed music festival canceled for 2026

GEORGE — The three-day Watershed country music festival, one of the major events at the Gorge Amphitheater near George, has been canceled for 2026. The venue is owned by Live Nation, and its owners said during a November presentation on company earnings that at least for now, amphitheaters aren’t as popular as some other venues.

Lady Vikings defend home court, sit atop East region

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (19-2) defeated the Blue Mountain Community College Timberwolves 81-29 Saturday. Head Coach Preston Wilks said his players maintained their standard of play.

Vehicle burns near Moses Lake on Friday

MOSES LAKE — Friday afternoon, Grant County Fire District 5 received a call for a vehicle fire in the 4900 block of Stratford Road. A small old truck had ignited, according to Fire Chief Dan Smith. The fire resulted in a large cloud of smoke, but no injuries or property was damaged. Smith said GCFD 5 contained the fire quickly.

Ferguson and Brown prepare for 'worst-case' ICE crackdown

OLYMPIA — Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown held a press conference Monday morning condemning the recent immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota, including the death of 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse Alex Pretti who was fatally shot by a Border Patrol officer over the weekend.

Adams, Grant jail rosters for Jan. 26, 2026

Adams, Grant jail rosters for Jan. 26, 2026

Adopt this tiny treasure

OTHELLO — Looking for a pup who’s small in size but mighty in love? Meet Min‑Ni, the fun‑sized chihuahua who’s ready to “snuggle her way” into your heart.

Spring water forecast uneven, drought continues

SPOKANE — Warmer than normal temperatures in December and January may have consequences next spring with lower than normal runoff. Joey Clevenger, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said there’s been plenty of precipitation in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s not been falling as snow. Water levels in the snowpack are measured as a “snow water equivalent,” and in a lot of Central and Eastern Washington, that’s low.

MLSD board votes to support WIAA amendment, two state initiatives

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School board voted on a resolution to support Washington Interscholastic Activities and Athletics Amendment No. 21, Washington State Initiative IL 26-638 and Washington State Initiative IL 26-001, on Thursday night.

Sponsoring dreams

Columbia Basin Foundation scholarships help locals support students

EPHRATA — June seems like a long time away now, but before we know it, students will be graduating and heading off to further their education. For those who will need a little extra financial boost, now is the time to start filling out those scholarship applications.

LETTER: A poor example

Dear editor, I enjoyed your recent article in the Columbia Basin Herald supporting the First Amendment. However, I am shocked to see that the Administration is invading a reporter's home, grabbing her notes, phone and computer.

LETTER: Something wonderful

Hey, Moses Lake, something wonderful is about to happen. Our new hospital is about to open a new era in caring for our community. I had an opportunity to visit the facility, and it is impressive. As expected, when Moses Lake community plans on doing something, it does it well. This success is more than bricks and mortar – it reflects our shared values. We have demonstrated that when faced with a challenge, Moses Lake comes together to build solutions that benefit all. The new hospital will stand as a symbol of progress, compassion and resilience that will serve the community for another 75 years.

WEATHER: Jan. 26-31, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 26-31, 2026

Legals for January, 26 2026

Seahawks advance to Super Bowl with thrilling 31-27 win over Rams in NFC title game

SEATTLE (AP) — Sam Darnold was cast aside by the New York Jets, who drafted him No. 3 overall in 2018. The Minnesota Vikings didn't bring him back after he led them to a 14-3 season but flopped in the playoffs. Now, in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks, he's Super Bowl-bound.

Moses Lake man jailed after long high-speed pursuit

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man is in custody after a high-speed chase Friday morning, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Washington lawmakers push to expand collective bargaining for ag workers

OLYMPIA — The Washington Senate Labor and Commerce committee held a public hearing Tuesday, Jan. 20 for a bill that would allow agriculture workers to collectively bargain under the Public Employment Relations Commission.

Church volunteers keep Warden Food Bank going

WARDEN — Keeping the Warden Food Bank running is a group effort. Three groups, in fact. The food bank is the joint project of three local churches: Warden Community Church, Queen of All Saints Catholic Church and Life 3:16, formerly the Warden Assembly of God. The congregations rotate each month, supplying volunteers.

Quincy boys defeat Ephrata, 72-39

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks (5-13) kept their postseason hopes alive after defeating the Ephrata Tigers (3-13) 72-39 Friday. Quincy Head Coach Scott Bierlink was proud of how his players came out energetic.

Jacks’ strong first half leads to victory over Tigers

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks (4-13) defended home court after they defeated the Ephrata Tigers (2-14) 59-32 Friday. Head Coach Johan Farias was jovial to see his players earn a win over their rivals. “I feel excited, it's always great to go out there against your rivals and win like that, especially with the packed house. This was awesome for the girls,” Farias said.

Ybarra proposes bill to help rural county economies grow

OLYMPIA — Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, is sponsoring a bill that would grant certain rural counties in Washington state more time to designate industrial land banks for large-scale development, aiming to expand job opportunities and local economies.

Armendariz celebrates 100th win on senior night

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks girls wrestling squad defeated the Davis Pirates 54-22 Thursday while also taking the opportunity to celebrate Elyssa Armendariz for surpassing 100 match wins at Moses Lake.

Grant County begins work on comprehensive plan

MOSES LAKE — Grant County is working on its 10-year comprehensive plan, which will impact policies in the next twenty years in the county. Last night, the county hosted the first meeting of three in Moses Lake for citizens to ask questions and provide feedback for the update. Future meetings will happen in Royal City and Mattawa; however, dates are not finalized yet.

Nat Washington House placed on Washington State Historical Registry

EPHRATA — The Jonas Babcock Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution working with the Spokane Chapter #1 Sons of the American Revolution and Mike Scellick, owner and curator of the Nat Washington House, is proud to announce that due to about a year of diligent work has been successful in obtaining placement on the Washington Register of Historic Places.

Former MLHS coach named in inappropriate relationships case

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District officials verified the identify of former coach and substitute teacher Juan David Peralez as the individual whose employment was terminated Thursday after an investigation indicated he had inappropriate relationships with students.

Energetic start leads Mavs to victory on senior night

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks defeated the Davis Pirates 47-24 Thursday in their final home meet of the season. Head Coach Jose Tanguma was happy to see his seniors recognized before the dual began.

Moses Lake PD logs: Jan. 17 & 18, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Moses Lake Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Moses Lake man arrested for discharging firearm, resisting arrest

MOSES LAKE — On Thursday at around midnight, Moses Lake Police Department responded to a reported gunshot on Grape Drive and Highway 17. When officers arrived, they learned suspect Travis Hanson, 42, of Moses Lake had fired a gun into the air while arguing with his neighbor. There were no reported injuries.

Roderick F. Davis

Roderick F. Davis, 78, of Moses Lake passed away January 21, 2026. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.

The Magnesium Shoppe offers mineral-rich relief for pain and stress

MOSES LAKE — Most people don’t think a whole lot about magnesium, even though it’s a mineral our bodies need to function. But a new shop in downtown Moses Lake aims to remedy that. “It’s the most important mineral in our lives,” said Amy Winter, owner of The Magnesium Shoppe. Winter formerly sold magnesium products as part of her business, Seeds ‘n Stone, which closed last spring. She reopened last week in a new location focusing specifically on magnesium. The website and social media pages are still under Seeds ‘n Stone, because of difficulty changing them over, she said.

Fixing problems

Habitat for Humanity’s Brush with Kindness helps with needed home repairs

MOSES LAKE — Habitat for Humanity is known for building new homes, but last year the Moses Lake chapter focused instead on repairing existing ones. It was so successful they’re doing it again this year. “We’re still on the fence on whether or not we’re going to build,” said Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake Executive Director Rebecca Mabius. “We want to build, because building homes is one of our main missions. But the home repair program allows for individuals to stay in their home. We’re able to help more families than just a single family.”

BASIN EVENTS: Jan. 23-31, 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather might be chilly and gray, but there are still things to do to break up the winter doldrums. Here are a few ideas for this week.

Installation of new Road L NE roundabout set for spring

MOSES LAKE — The final phase of traffic upgrades and revisions along East Wheeler Road is scheduled for February or early March. The installation of a new roundabout at Road L Northeast will require some detours, said Levi Bisnett, project supervisor for Moses Lake Public Works.

Winter enrollment up at BBCC

MOSES LAKE — During the President’s Report at the Big Bend Community College trustee meeting Thursday afternoon, the final stats for fall enrollment and stats for Winter enrollment were shared. The winter quarter had increases in enrollment across the board while fall slowed down.

Building permits for Jan. 26, 2026

City of Moses Lake

Adopt a gentle giant

MOSES LAKE — Waylon, a 1‑year‑old mixed‑breed charmer at Grant County Animal Outreach, is ready to “paws” his search for a home – if it’s yours. This large, lovable dog comes fully equipped for adventure: he’s neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, making him the total pup‑grade package. With a heart as big as his size,

WEATHER: Jan. 23-29, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 23-29, 2026

Legals for January, 23 2026

MLHS employee terminated for inappropriate relations with students

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District released a statement Thursday evening indicating that a coach who also served as a substitute teacher had been found to have had inappropriate relationships with three students.

Coulee City man arrested on stalking, harassment charges

COULEE CITY — A Coulee City man was booked into the Grant County Jail Jan. 21 on suspicion of stalking and harassment after he allegedly threatened two people and displayed a rifle. Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence on Road 36 Northeast, according to a GCSO release.

Soap Lake mayor addresses utility debt

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake Mayor Peter Sharp said he's established a repayment plan with the city to pay an outstanding balances on his city utility accounts. Public records show Sharp owes about $3,600, with roughly $3,200 more than 90 days past due.

Motorists urged to follow detours at Hansen Road

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Patrol and Washington State Department of Transportation is warning drivers not to utilize emergency vehicle turnarounds to avoid the Hansen Road detour, according to a WSP press release.

Wildcats baseball fourth in preseason poll

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats baseball squad was ranked fourth in the Greater Northwest Conference preseason poll Thursday, according to statement by GNAC.

Knights control the mat against Connell and Chiawana

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights earned strong team victories over Connell 54-18 and Chiawana 52-30 Wednesday evening. These matches helped prepare the Knights for the tough road ahead as they prepare for the postseason. “We wrestled good teams tonight, and they both got some (great wrestlers) on their team that you have to wrestle tough,” said Knights Head Coach Seth Weeks. “But I felt like the girls wrestled good, it was a lot of fun.”

Broncos defeated in final home duel

RITZVILLE — The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos fell to the Colfax Bulldogs 53-24 Wednesday. Despite the loss, Head Coach Jason Hilzer felt his wrestlers still competed hard.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Get out the vote...

Whether you’re planning on voting yes, no or choosing a candidate that works for you, your vote matters. Despite the important matters on the various ballots last year, Grant and Adams counties both suffered from horrendous voter turnout in last year’s primary and general elections. Only 24.85% (3,580 of 14,405 voters) in Grant County and 994 of 2,602 (38.2%) in Adams County’s registered voters filled in and submitted their ballots in the last primary elections we had. In the general election in November 2025, that number wasn’t much better. Grant increased to 30.54% and Adams to 39.24%.

Emil Roman

Emil Roman passed away Jan. 19, 2026, in Moses Lake, Wash. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Kayser's Chapel of Memories at 1 p.m. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.Emil Roman passed away Jan. 19, 2026, in Moses Lake, Wash. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Kayser's Chapel of Memories at 1 p.m. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.

Wayne McAlexander

1932 – 2026

Walter Wayne McAlexander, 93, passed peacefully into his heavenly home on January 15th, 2026. He was born in Tonganoxie, Kansas, on September 17, 1932, to Thelma Louise and Walter Harold McAlexander.

Right-hander Bryce Miller and Mariners agree at $2,452,500 and avoid salary arbitration

SEATTLE (AP) — Right-hander Bryce Miller and the Seattle Mariners avoided salary arbitration, agreeing Tuesday to a one-year contract that includes a club option and guarantees $2,452,500. Miller gets a $2,437,500 salary this year — the midpoint between the $2,625,000 he had asked for and the $2.25 million that Mariners had offered when the sides swapped proposed arbitration salaries on Jan. 8.

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold feeling 'really good' after playing with oblique injury in divisional round

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — After playing with an oblique injury in the Seattle Seahawks’ 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round, quarterback Sam Darnold said he has felt “really good” in the days since the victory. “Just attacking rehab these last couple days,” Darnold said Wednesday. “Obviously will be throughout the week. Like I said, just got to continue to prepare and get my body right for Sunday.”

Kraken snap four-game skid with 4-1 win over Islanders

SEATTLE AP — Vince Dunn and Jared McCann had a goal and an assist each and the Seattle Kraken snapped a four-game skid with a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night. Matty Beniers and Kaapo Kakko also scored goals for Seattle, while Philipp Grubauer had 24 saves and the secondary assist on McCann's empty-net goal late in the third period.

COLUMN: Is Kenneth Walker ready to step up?

This Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks face their toughest test in the playoffs when they host the Los Angeles Rams. One of the major storylines heading into this matchup is running back Zach Charbonnet being ruled out, leaving Kenneth Walker to carry the load. Which raises the question, is he capable? In the modern world of the NFL, a lot of coaches preach the imperativeness of the run game. When effective, it can open up other strategies on offense, like play action. Passing lanes open up as defenses have to show respect to the threat in the backfield.

North, Larson Heights elementaries focus of community meeting Monday

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District patrons are being invited to a meeting Monday discuss a recommendation to rebuild North Elementary School. The district’s Facilities Advisory Committee also recommended closing Larson Elementary and moving its students to the rebuilt North Elementary. “The committee recommendation for our next elementary school is to build on the north end of town,” said Ryan Shannon, MLSD director of public relations. “We’re going to go over the items that led to that recommendation, which includes the information from the demographer (who) provided detailed information on all of our schools and the areas around those schools, and people looking at growth patterns and looking at where the need is based off of a number of different factors, including age of (district) buildings.” Shannon said MLSD will be eligible for state funding for North and Larson Heights due to their age. North Elementary dates from 1951, and Larson Heights originally was built in 1956. District patrons approved a local construction bond in 2017, with some of the money allocated to elementary construction. Since the bond approval there has been discussion about building a new elementary school, with Mae Valley being the most frequently mentioned location. Shannon said circumstances have changed, especially with the availability of state financing.

Ballots mailed for February levy elections

EPHRATA — Voters in seven Columbia Basin school districts will decide the fate of educational programs and operations levies in a special election Feb. 10. Both Grant and Adams counties have ballot dropoff boxes at numerous locations, which will be open until 8 p.m. on Election Day. People who are mailing a ballot should think about mailing it back well before Feb. 10 to ensure that it’s counted. Elections officials at the Grant County Auditor’s Office said the US Postal Service has suggested voters allow at least seven days. “If you are filling out your ballot day of (the election), the safest thing to do is to drop it off in a ballot box or bring it to the elections office,” said Elections Deputy Rebecca Pettingill of the Grant County Auditor’s Office. “That way there’s no question it will be on time.”

Huskies defeat Jacks in dual meet

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies boys and girls wrestling were victorious over the Quincy Jacks Tuesday. The boys won 43-31 while the girls won 52-21 as they push into the latter half of the regular season. “We're getting better on our feet,” Othello Girls Head Coach Sammy Rocha said. “One of the problems that we've had the last couple of weeks is (that) we're not attacking on our feet. We're playing too much defense. We're scoring okay on defense, but we're trying to get to the postseason when we're the first ones to score.” Both teams took to the mats simultaneously for a dual meet Tuesday. Both Huskie teams jumped out to a lead early and did not let up throughout the night. The boys were first to secure the team win.

St. Rose to include middle school next year

EPHRATA — St. Rose of Lima Catholic School is expanding to include middle school. The program, called St. Rose Preparatory, will hold its first classes this fall. It’s been a long time coming, said St. Rose Principal Amy Krautscheid. “We tried to do this about 15 years ago,” Krautscheid said, “We didn’t have the interest and the numbers, and everything kept shutting down, and we just figured it wasn’t God’s will. So we tabled it.” Krautscheid retired for a few years and returned four years ago, she said, and found things had changed.

Moses Lake YMCA project takes step forward

MOSES LAKE — The dream of a YMCA in Moses Lake is a little closer to reality. “The YMCA ... report has been funded,” said Teresa Fields, who’s been spearheading the effort to bring a Y to town. “Now we wait 90 days and see from there whether an actual YMCA building is sustainable.” The push for a YMCA began last spring, when Fields and some other community members met with Dorry Foster, CEO of Wenatchee Valley YMCA, to explore the possibility of a branch location in the Moses Lake area. The first step was to fund a study by an outside company to determine whether the community could support a YMCA. That study was going to cost about $20,000, Fields said. But another company could do the same study for about $10,000, she said. As of last week, that money had been collected and the study commissioned.

Ephrata School District voters to decide fate of $75 million construction bond

EPHRATA — Ephrata School District patrons will be asked to accept or reject a $75 million construction bond proposal in the Feb. 10 special election. The district would use the money to pay for upgrades at Ephrata High School and replace Parkway Intermediate and Grant Elementary schools. Ephrata does qualify for state school construction money for all three projects. Because it’s a construction bond, the proposal will require yes votes from 60% of the voters to pass. Ephrata Superintendent Ken Murray said in an earlier interview the three buildings are inadequate to house the existing student population. “We have a large portion of our students in portable are alternative spaces that traditionally are not used as classroom spaces,” Murray said.

Dent says early session marked by cooperation, tight budgets and measured expectations

OLYMPIA — As the Washington Legislature moves through the early days of its 60‑day session, Rep. Tom Dent, R‑Moses Lake, says the tone at the Capitol has been calmer than last year, with lawmakers still sorting through priorities and positioning their bills for consideration. “It’s early. There have been a lot of bills dropped, and we’re hearing bills in committees,” Dent said. “But there hasn’t been anything really controversial show up in my world at the moment.” Dent said that while controversial bills do exist, they have not appeared in the committees he serves on. Instead, he sees a cooperative mood taking shape.

Telebupe hotline open for same-day addiction care

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Department of Health has partnered with the University of Washington to expand the Washington Telesbuprenorphine Hotline to be available statewide. Also known as the Telebupe hotline allows residents to access same-day addiction care and prescription of buprenorphine, a medication that assists with opioid withdrawal, via phone or video by calling 206-289-0287. “The Grant County Health District fully supports this service,” GCHD Public Information Officer Lexi Smith said. “We believe it’s a free, low-barrier access to treatment for people who may face challenges like long wait times, transportation barriers, lack of insurance and other things that come with living in a rural community.” The hotline began in 2024 as a pilot program in Seattle and King County. According to WDOH, over 1,400 people have already used the service. The expansion allows people in every county to access the service.

LETTER: What kind of America do we want our children to inherit?

In 2026, a quiet truth is emerging across the United States—one that rarely makes headlines but echoes in classrooms, living rooms, and the small, fragile spaces where children try to make sense of the world. It is the truth that many children in America are afraid. Not of the dark, or of imaginary monsters, but of losing the people they love to forces they cannot understand and cannot control. When a child wakes up wondering whether a parent will still be there at the end of the day, something fundamental has shifted in the soul of a nation. Children are emotional barometers. They absorb the climate adults create. And right now, too many are absorbing fear instead of stability, uncertainty instead of trust. This is not a marginal issue. It is not a niche concern. A child’s emotional well‑being is a national issue because children are the nation’s future—its next generation of workers, thinkers, caregivers, and citizens. When fear becomes part of childhood, it becomes part of the country’s future.

Legals for January, 22 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 22-28, 2026

Thursday: Cloudy with a high near 33 and light and variable winds. Gradually clearing overnight, becoming mostly clear with a low about 23. North wind about 6 miles per hour.

Dashing young kitten seeks new home

Grant County Sheriff’s Office reports Jan. 12-14, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Lions claim close game over La Salle

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions returned to form Tuesday as they earned an 80-68 win over La Salle. The Lions remain at the top of the Central Washington B league as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. “We just pulled together as a team,” said Lions senior Dennis Gulenko. “When somebody’s down, you come together even stronger.” The game started close in the first quarter as the two teams traded the lead multiple times before La Salle took the lead 13-17. The Lions turned up the heat in the second quarter to post 22 points to claim the lead at 35-33 at the end of the half.

Lions dominate on their home court after rough patch

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions earned a strong 72-12 win over La Salle Tuesday evening following a three-game drought. The Lions are third in the Central Washington B league standings as the regular season nears its end in the coming weeks. “I think that it was a good game after going through a couple (rough) days to come back,” said Lions junior Amelia Shopbell. The Lions fired on all cylinders coming into the matchup, putting up 18 points in the first quarter and holding the opposition to six. MLCA/CCA extended the lead in the second quarter with an additional 23 points on the scoreboard and holding La Salle to three.

James Paul Bishop

June 7, 1968 – Jan. 18, 2026

James Paul Bishop, 57, passed Jan. 18, 2026, in Union Gap, Wash. He was born June 6, 1968, in Greensburg, Ky. Brookside Funeral Home, 500 W. Prospect Road, Moxee, Wash., is caring for the family. A viewing will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. at Brookside Funeral Home.

Debra Hembroff

July 18, 1953 – Nov. 19, 2025

Deb was born on July 18, 1953, in Portland, Oregon, to Melvin A. and Gladys Engel. Debra was in the middle of seven children. They lived in many places as they were always on the move in the Air Force, but Moses Lake, Washington, was where she called home for many years. Debra attended MLHS with the class of ’71, but life had a different picture. Deb and Larry were married in July 1982 and lived in Moses Lake until they downsized and relocated to the Wenatchee Valley in October of 2015, sadly leaving her dream house in Moses Lake. A smaller property and having Annette, Scott and the grandkids closer to help was worth the sacrifice. She was so proud of her grandkids, all their accomplishments and bright futures: Cadin ’22 - US Navy, Devon ’25 -CWU, Silas ’26 with honors!

Soap Lake Chamber adds new event in 2026

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce released their event schedule for 2026, including a new event this year: the Lantern Festival. Chamber President Karen Woodhouse said this addition gives the community something to do year-round. “I’ve been wanting to do something in the winter for the last three years, and this year I finally talked to the (Soap Lake Natural Spa & Resort) and got them on board,” said Woodhouse. The Lantern Festival will be held the evening of Feb. 21 and is loosely inspired by Chinese New Year celebrations. She said the event will feature decorated paper lanterns with LED lights and a dragon prop that will be taken on a small parade through the area.

'Cafe Murder'

Dinner theater comedy draws audience into mystery

MOSES LAKE — The audience plays detective at “Cafe Murder,” taking the stage Friday and Saturday in Moses Lake. “Cafe Murder,” a collaboration between Columbia Basin Allied Arts and Sunshine Performing Arts, is a dinner theater production in which guests enjoy a meal and a mystery play and then solve the mystery themselves over dessert. “Dinner theater is basically the great American pastime for the arts,” CBAA Executive Director Shawn Cardwell wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. “It’s being offered in towns all around us, but not here in Grant County, so we thought, ‘Let’s do it!’”

Bierlink hits 2K points, as Jacks overcome Huskies

QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks (4-13) defeated the Othello Huskies (6-10) 77-52 Saturday as Pierce Bierlink hit 2,000 career points. “He's probably one of my hardest working players I've ever coached, and he's just a gym rat, he loves getting in there. I think he knew coming into the season that he's capable of scoring big points,” Head Coach Scott Bierlink said.

MLK celebrations bring community together

MOSES LAKE — The life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. was celebrated in Moses Lake Monday evening with people throughout the community gathering for a march and a celebration of life and legacy at the Civic Center. One of the attendees, Kathy Gardner, said the day brought back memories of King and what he fought for in his life. “He fought for people coming together to love and to be in peace and harmony with one another,” said Gardner. “He was all about unity and so I came to celebrate, to honor and just to share with friends, loved ones and the community about the dream.”

WEATHER: Jan. 21-26, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 21-26, 2026

Legals for January, 21 2026

Aaron Garza selected as Othello Police Chief

OTHELLO — New Othello Police Chief Aaron Garza said he likes serving his community.

Quincy Police Department Logs as of Jan. 20, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Jan. 12 26QU0100: Location not listed. 8:12 a.m. A reporting party requested to report a subject missing. 26QU0101: Location not listed. 8:24 a.m. A damage incident was reported. 26QU0102: Central Ave. 8:27 p.m. An officer conducted a traffic stop; the location was updated from Central Ave N and D St NW.

Othello School District to offer four-year EP&O levy

OTHELLO — Othello School District voters will decide the fate of a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election Feb. 10. Ballots are being mailed this week. Typically, Othello has submitted a three-year levy to voters, but Othello Superintendent Pete Perez said there are no guarantees when it comes to state funding. “I think it's certainly the unease around finances in the state of Washington for schools,” Perez said. “We were trying to look for a little more predictability and stability, and so the community group felt like four years was the appropriate amount of time for us to consider.”

Warden School District proposes two replacement levies

WARDEN — The Warden School District has proposed two levies to the community for the Feb. 10 election. The Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Capital Levy for safety, security and instructional technology improvements are both designed to support the district's ongoing operational needs and infrastructure improvements. Superintendent Marc Brouillet said both levies are important in maintaining educational standards and student safety. "Without this funding, we would be unable to maintain the quality of education that our students deserve," Brouillet said. "We rely heavily on these local funds to supplement what the state provides." The two levies are estimated to cost taxpayers a total of $2.82 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Both levies are set for a two-year term and are replacements of previous levies passed by voters.

Adopt a gentle giant

MOSES LAKE — Waylon, a 1‑year‑old mixed‑breed charmer at Grant County Animal Outreach, is ready to “paws” his search for a home – if it’s yours

Mavs focus sights as districts approach

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks swim team competed in Yakima against West Valley and Sunnyside last Thursday where the team found success against its Big 9 rivals. Mavs Head Coach Tony Preston said this meet gave the boys experience as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. “Traveling to Yakima is always fun. We host a lot of meetings here, so going to other pools is great,” said Preston. The Mavs dominated in the 200-yard medley relay, taking the top three slots in the competition. This continued into the 200-yard freestyle with Lennox Leeder in first with 1:57.22, Sam Molitor in second with 2:07.71 and Ty Voss in third with 2:08.11.

Men’s college basketball recap

MOSES LAKE — With each passing day, March hoops draws nearer. As Washington men's basketball teams start to make their push toward the postseason, see below how they have fared and where they stand. Gonzaga (19-1) The Zags are on a roll, winning their 12th straight game Saturday against Seattle University. Mario Saint-Supéry finished with 20 points, Jalen Warley scored 14 and Davis Fogle put up 13. The Bulldogs out-rebounded Seattle 44-24 as they sealed a 71-50 win. The Bulldogs are currently ranked as the eighth-best team in the nation, according to the Associated Press rankings. On average, the Zags’ best scorers have been Graham Ike with 18 per game and Braden Huff with 17 per game. Ike also averages eight rebounds per game, which leads the team this season.

Jamaican man arrested for allegedly scamming 87-year-old man

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Crime Reduction Team arrested a man from Jamaica accused of scamming an older Grant County man of over $100,000. The suspect, Damion O. McDonald, 36, was booked into Grant County Jail Sunday, after a stakeout.

Brett Kulak’s 1st goal of the season helps the Penguins beat the Kraken 6-3

SEATTLE (AP) — Brett Kulak broke a second-period tie with his first goal of the season, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Seattle Kraken 6-3 on Monday. Kulak, acquired from Edmonton in December as part of the trade for goalie Tristan Jarry, scored for the first time since last year's Western Conference final. The defenseman ripped a one-timer to give the Penguins a 3-2 lead with 5:15 left in the second.

Kenneth Walker III will need to carry the load for the Seahawks with Zach Charbonnet out

SEATTLE (AP) — After he rushed for his third touchdown in the Seattle Seahawks’ 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoffs, Kenneth Walker III chucked the ball into the crowd. Walker, who tied Shaun Alexander's record for TD runs in a playoff game, was grateful for his opportunity to make franchise history. “It means a lot,” Walker said after Saturday night's victory. “We worked at it all season. I just got to give the credit to the O-line. They had the holes there, and all I had to do was hit it.”

Pomelia ‘Sadie’ Lalonde

Nov. 8, 1953 – Jan. 12, 2026

Pomelia “Sadie” Lalonde, born Nov. 8, 1953, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 12, 2026, at her home in Ephrata. She is survived by her husband Ralph, sons Shawn and Joshua and sisters Rose and Margie. She was preceded in death by her parents Frances Megonnigil and Fred Lalonde. A celebration of life will be held at a later date; details to be announced.

New location, new look for Othello Library

OTHELLO — The Othello Library is attracting a lot of attention in its new space. “Everybody comments on how beautiful it is, and how fresh it is, and that it looks great, and that they’re really happy,” Othello Head Librarian Georgia Reitmire said. “One of our customers came in this morning, and she said, ‘Everybody in town is talking about the new library.’ And I thought, ‘That is amazing.’” The library moved to its new location, 125 E. Hemlock St., in December. While the new and old libraries are about the same size, the new library adds meeting rooms and updated spaces students can reserve to study. “We’re way busier than we used to be. Way busier,” said Jenny Nayala, library customer service specialist.

Richardson named to Grant County Superior Court

OLYMPIA — On Friday, Governor Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Washington Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Richardson to the Grant County Superior Court. Richardson’s appointment has already taken effect, beginning Jan. 9. “I am honored by this appointment and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Grant County,” Richardson said in a statement. “I am committed to careful, fair decision-making and to treating every person who comes before the court with dignity and respect.”

Vanguard students host passion project showcase

MOSES LAKE — Vanguard Academy students hosted a showcase Thursday evening, highlighting passion projects that they’ve been working on this school year. Vanguard Principal Matt Stevens said these exhibition nights are great for the students to demonstrate their learning and their personal interests.

WEATHER: Jan. 20-26, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 20-26, 2026

Legals for January, 20 2026

Army Corps to look at $1.5B underwater Columbia River power line project, asks for public comment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week it will hold two online public meetings later this month to get feedback on a $1.5 billion project to run a 100-mile-long high-voltage power line under the Columbia River. The announcement closely followed a notice from the federal agency earlier this month that it will do its most thorough type of environmental assessment into the project, which would connect power generation infrastructure east of the Cascade Mountains to where electricity is consumed along the Interstate 5 corridor. The meetings about the Cascade Renewable Transmission project will focus on problems the project may cause and identify alternatives to the project.

Basin girls basketball roundup, Jan. 13 – 19

MOSES LAKE — Girls hoops has wrapped another week of competition as we surpass the halfway mark of the regular season. See below where your favorite teams stand and there current records.

Mavs unified hoops take the court

MOSES LAKE — Unified basketball is underway for the Mavericks as they faced the Othello Huskies Jan. 14, where Othello won 62-40. While in most sports winning is the key goal, for the Mavs and Huskies, it’s about having fun, Moses Lake High School Head Coach Sara White said.

Basin boys basketball roundup, Jan. 13 – 19

MOSES LAKE — High school hoops are well underway as local teams hit the hardwood last week. Several were tested on the road as they push further into league competition. Check below to see where your favorite teams stand and their current records.

Subject arrested for vehicle theft, outstanding warrant

WARDEN — On Saturday night, the Warden Police Department was able to recover a stolen vehicle with one subject arrested, according to a WPD statement. At around 1 p.m., the department was called to a residence in the 900 block of South Washington Street, for an unrelated incident.

Adams Co. and Grant Co. jail rosters for Jan. 19, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Washington lawmakers resurrect bill to lower legal alcohol limit for drivers

OLYMPIA — Stacy Gammons-Ankerfelt just completed her first year as a fifth-grade teacher at Scenic Hills Elementary School in Kent when she was struck and killed by a drunk driver. Now, more than 13 years later, her family is still fighting to ensure no one else loses a loved one to drunk driving. Ashley Bonus, Terri Gammons, and Kayson Bonus – sister, mother and nephew of Gammons-Ankerfelt – testified Thursday in support of a bill that would reduce the legal alcohol limit for impaired driving offenses. “Impaired driving is not an accident,” Gammons said in a public hearing. “It is the choice that is 100% preventable. No family should ever have to stand where I am standing today.”

Gas prices increase nationally, WA; relief in Grant and Adams Co.

MOSES LAKE — After seventeen straight weeks of falling fuel prices in Washington, the trend came to a halt this week, with statewide averages ticking up by nearly a cent. Nationally, a similar seven‑week streak of declining prices also ended. But despite the upward pressure elsewhere, both Adams and Grant counties continued to see slight relief at the pump.

Meet Georgine – your future fur-ever Valentine

MOSES LAKE — This sweet 5‑year‑old German Shepherd mix is medium‑sized, spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped, and she’s ready to fall head‑over‑paws in love with her perfect family. Georgine has a heart as big as her paws and is looking for someone special to share snuggles, treats and unconditional puppy love. She promises to be loyal, devoted and paws‑itively smitten with you every single day. If you’re ready to add a little puppy love to your life, Georgine is waiting at Grant County Animal Outreach to become your Valen‑tail. Visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org today and fill out her application. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.” This spot is sponsored by Hot Springs Spa & Leisure, to sponsor the Pet of the Day call Jeannie at 509-765-4561.

Woman suffers burns after collision, vehicle fire

SOAP LAKE — On Sunday evening, a vehicle collision and fire near Soap Lake injured an unidentified woman. First responders answered a call reporting a car fire and person trapped at around 7 p.m. near the 1000 block of Thomas Drive Northeast, in unincorporated Soap Lake, according to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office statement. The vehicle had collided with a utility pole and then caught fire. The victim suffered burn injuries and was transported by air ambulance to a regional hospital. Additional information may be added as it becomes available. The cooperating agencies included the Multi-Agency Communications Center – 911, Grant County Fire District 7, Lifeline Ambulance, Soap Lake Police Department, Grant County Public Utility District and GCSO.

Track and field athletes begin season at UW Preview

SEATTLE — The University of Washington Huskies hosted the Washington State University Cougars and Central Washington University Wildcats in the UW Preview. This event marked the first Track and Field event of the year for these teams. CWU The Wildcats had a strong performance for their first meet of the new year, placing top 10 in around 20 events. “We had bright spots across the board as we got back into action,” said Wildcats Head Coach Jonathan Hill. “Starting out Friday, our distance men rewrote the record books in the 3k with a bunch of new names.”

Eagles defense earns statement win on the road

POCATELLO, IDAHO — The Eastern Washington Eagles (4-14, 2-3) defeated the Idaho State Bengals 84-66 on the road Saturday. Associate Head Coach Ryan Lundgren was proud of how the Eagles played from tip-off. “The key to this one was we came out very aggressive,” Lundgren said. “We knew they were a very aggressive team, and I thought we hit them with the first punch. They didn’t react very well there in the first half.” Isaiah Moses had a game-high 22 points. Alton Hamilton IV followed with 15 points and a team-best nine rebounds, while Kiree Huie and Johnny Radford each added 12. JoJo Anderson rounded out the scoring in double figures with 11 points, and Huie anchored the defense with three blocks.

No. 9 Gonzaga overcomes absence of top 2 scorers to beat Seattle U. 71-50

SEATTLE (AP) — Mario Saint-Supery came off the bench to score a career-high 20 points and No. 9 Gonzaga overcame the absence of its top two scorers to beat Seattle University 71-50 on Saturday night for its 12th straight victory. Jalen Warley added 14 points, and David Fogle had 13 for the Bulldogs (19-1, 7-0 West Coast Conference). Saint-Supery was 7 of 10 from the field, hitting 4 of 6 3-pointers.

Seahawks dominate 49ers from opening kick, advance to NFC title game with 41-6 win

SEATTLE (AP) — Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Doug Baldwin hyped up the famed “12th Man” crowd in Seattle, providing a throwback to the Seahawks' fearsome “Legion of Boom” teams from the 2010s. Then, in their first playoff game in front of home fans in nearly a decade, the Seahawks found a new level of dominance.

Ephrata man killed in SR 283 collision

GEORGE — An Ephrata man was killed, and a Quincy man was charged with vehicular homicide following a two-car collision about seven miles northeast of George Sunday afternoon.

The benefits of being a 'brat'

Richard Black looks back on a life growing up alongside and serving in the Army.

MOSES LAKE — Richard Black, a 71-year-old veteran and resident of Moses Lake, was born the second oldest of five siblings to his parents Hilda and Herbert Black. Growing up the son Herbert, a decorated war vet who fought in three separate conflicts, Richard said brought a lot of opportunity to his life.

Ephrata Schools bond – Ephrata High School

EPHRATA — As the Ephrata School District prepares to bring a $75 million bond proposal to voters in Feb. 2026, one of the components is a plan to renovate Ephrata High School. The proposal aims to address aging infrastructure, scattered campus layout and growing instructional needs.

Royal schools EP&O levy on Feb. 10 ballot

ROYAL CITY — Royal School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a two-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election Feb. 10. If it’s approved, the levy would replace an existing levy approved by voters in 2024.

GCSO, Wenatchee PD activity spark ICE rumors in Quincy

QUINCY — Rumors that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were in Quincy on Thursday are unfounded, said Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green. However, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office did arrest a Quincy man during a traffic stop at the Jackpot Food Mart Thursday.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Using First Amendment rights responsibly...

I’m generally a fan of the First Amendment. I like people speaking out whether I agree with them or not. I especially like when someone has a solid enough argument for their viewpoint that it shifts my own a bit. I’m a fan of free speech and using it responsibly to contribute to the conversations about issues the community, state, nation and world are having about respective issues.

WEATHER: Jan. 19-23, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 19-23, 2026

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: Jan. 19-26, 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — Winter sports for our local athletes continue strong as they push through their tight January schedules. Check out where the high school teams will be headed this week.

Legals for January, 19 2026

Knights lose on buzzer beater at home

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (11-2) were defeated 88-84 by the Zillah Leopards after a buzzer beater three that also drew a foul. Despite the loss, Head Coach Tim Ravet said it was important his players experience a competitive game like this. “It was a good fight,” Ravet said. “It's games (like that) you got to play in that if you want to do something special at the end of the season, you got to have games like that. Obviously, we probably learned more from a loss than a win.”

Knights fall short at home

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (11-3) were defeated 60-42 by the Zillah Leopards in Royal City Friday. Despite the loss, Head Coach Farrah Wardenaar said they know they can compete with them. “They're a good team; the thing we need to focus on is that we can play with them. We need to change a few things, do a few things better, keep people out of foul trouble and we can hang with that team,” Wardenaar said.

Tigers rally from deficit to defeat Selah

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers defeated the Selah Vikings 51-30 on the road Thursday. Head Coach Raul Tejeda said the Vikings brought a tougher challenge to the Tigers this year. “First few matches (we) were kind of like, ‘This is going to be a tough duel.’ And it was, but we're pretty stacked on the middle weight to the heavyweight (classes). So that was kind of a sudden relief, but yeah, they're getting better and it was a good duel,” Tejeda said.

Governor appoints McDonnell to BBCC board

MOSES LAKE — Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has confirmed that Sarah McDonnell has been appointed to the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees. She replaces former Trustee Anna Franz who served on the board since 2012.

Hansen overpass closed as of Saturday morning

MOSES LAKE — The Washington Department of Transportation announced Friday that the Interstate 90 overpass at Hansen Road, near the Love’s Travel Stop in Moses Lake – Exit 174 – will be closing at 6 a.m. Saturday.

Thomas (Tom) Madewell

Thomas (Tom) Madewell passed Jan. 11, 2026, at home. Services will be held Jan. 31, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Grace Harvest Church located at 313 Fig Street in Moses Lake.

Meet Pride – ready to unleash her love

MOSES LAKE — This small but mighty 3‑year‑old mixed‑breed good girl is rocking her heterochromia, and she’s fully neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped—aka ready to roll over into his forever home. Pride is here at Grant County Animal Outreach, patiently waiting for someone to say, “I need you in my life.” She’s got a big heart in a small package and is guaranteed to make your days fur‑tastic. If she sounds like the perfect pup for you, visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and click “adopt.” If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter visit the website and click “donate.”

Seahawks superfan Bob Richardson talks upcoming playoff game

MOSES LAKE — On this episode of the Basin Box Score podcast, hosts Caleb Perez and Mike Maynard sit down with Columbia Basin Herald's General Manager and Seahawks superfan Bob Richardson. We go over the upcoming playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, keys to victory and venture into other current sport topics.

Community dinner, silent auction, march planned for MLK weekend

MOSES LAKE — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Jan. 19, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee is hosting their annual freedom march that day at 4:30 p.m. This year the committee is expanding the celebration with a community dinner and silent auction taking place Saturday at 5 p.m.

Quincy voters to consider school EP&O levy Feb. 10

QUINCY — Ballots are scheduled to be mailed next week for a special election that will decide the fate of a four-year educational programs and operations levy proposal from the Quincy School District. If ballots are mailed, they must be postmarked by Feb. 10.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: On vetting causes ...

Recently, I received an email from a reader suggesting I write a column regarding how to vet nonprofits to donate to, candidates to vote for and similar things that involve a weighty decision.

Ephrata School District proposes Grant Elem. replacement

EPHRATA — Grant Elementary – an overcrowded, nearly 70‑year‑old school where more than 40% of students learn in portables – has become a driver behind the Ephrata School District’s $75 million Feb. 2026 bond proposal to replace the aging campus, according to Ephrata School District officials.

Remembering a father’s valor that saved a future star

MOSES LAKE — Time passes and with that comes the loss of people, but this does not mean that the stories those people tell should be lost with them. Richard Black, a resident of Moses Lake and veteran, has one such story involving renowned musician Tony Bennett and Richard’s father Herbert “Blackie” Black, who both fought in a battle in World War II that would change their lives forever.

Lady Vikings sit atop region after win over Spokane

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Vikings (17-1) extended their win streak to eight after defeating the Spokane Sasquatch 74-43 Wednesday in Moses Lake. Despite a lull in the third quarter, Head Coach Preston Wilks said the team performed really well. “We ended the game on a real positive note, which is always good, because that can carry over to the next game, and our next game is super important,” Wilks said.

Douglass sticks to local roots

Windermere broker looks to give back to community

MOSES LAKE — Real Estate Broker Brandon Douglass with Windermere Realty has been a longtime partner in the community. Douglass said it is his goal to serve the community in whatever ways possible and he is working to do that by helping homebuyers.

WEATHER: Jan. 16-22, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 16-22, 2026

Legals for January, 16 2026

WA GOP, journalist file injunction to stop state from deleting public records

(The Center Square) — The Washington State Republican Party and journalist Jonathan Choe have jointly filed an injunction in Thurston County Superior Court barring the state from scrubbing or removing public access to records related to child care centers in the state that receive public funds.

Eagles women's tennis eighth in preseason poll

CHENEY — The Big Sky Conference has released the 2026 womens tennis preseason coaches poll, with the Eastern Washington Eagles ranked eighth. According to a statement by EWU Athletics, they earned 19 points in voting.

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold injures oblique in practice but is confident he'll play vs. 49ers

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold injured his left oblique during Thursday’s practice and was listed as questionable for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, but he said he's confident he'll play.

BBCC mens basketball falls at home to Spokane

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (8-10) were defeated 80-72 by the Spokane Sasquatches Wednesday. Despite another late rally, it came down to execution, Head Coach Jason Hopkins said. “It's the second game where our willingness to do the right thing consistently throughout the bulk of the game was really tested, and we failed that test,” Hopkins said. “We made some plays and we were able to make it a game, but a huge reason that we had to do that was because we weren't ready to execute in the way that we needed to, defensively early and offensively at stretches in the second half. We’ve got to do better.”

Washington scrambles to regulate license-plate cameras that could aid stalkers

To Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels, the installation of automatic license plate reader cameras has been revolutionary.

A dark stranger to snuggle ...

MOSES LAKE — Given a Scottish name meaning “dark stranger,” Dougal is a cuddly little guy who is fully-grown and is roughly five-and-a-half years old with lighter coloring than his name implies.

Raid on Washington Post reporter’s home raises urgent questions for free press

“We need a free press. We must have it. It's vital. … if you want to preserve democracy as we know it, you have to have a free and many times adversarial press. And without it, I am afraid that we would lose so much of our individual liberties over time. That's how dictators get started. They get started by suppressing free press.” — John McCain, former U.S. Senator

Seahawks’ defense adds to the legacy of the team's stellar units of the past

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have fielded their fair share of stout defenses over their history, including the dominant “Legion of Boom” from the 2010s. The team had the top scoring defense in the NFL from 2012 to 2015 and the unit helped lead the team to five straight seasons with at least 10 wins, a stretch that included three division titles, two NFC championships and a Super Bowl victory over the Denver Broncos in 2014.

Washington coach Jedd Fisch downplays fallout over QB Demond Williams Jr.'s return to Huskies

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington coach Jedd Fisch defended Demond Williams Jr. on Wednesday and downplayed concerns about any fallout from the quarterback's decision to return to the school. Williams originally announced last week that he was entering the transfer portal, then changed his mind two days later and said he would be back with the Huskies.

No. 4 Michigan rebounds from 1st loss with 82-72 win at Washington

SEATTLE (AP) — Aday Mara scored a season-high 20 points and No. 4 Michigan bounced back from its first loss of the season with an 82-72 victory over Washington on Wednesday night. The 7-foot-3 Mara finished 10 of 11 from the field and added three blocks, two rebounds and two assists. Morez Johnson Jr. had 16 points and a career-best 16 rebounds for the Wolverines (15-1, 5-1 Big Ten) in their first trip to Hec Edmundson Pavilion since 1994.

Suspect sought in Ephrata-area shooting

EPHRATA — No suspect was located after law enforcement officers searched a residence and outbuildings near Ephrata following a shooting.

Swartz chosen for second term as Moses Lake mayor

MOSES LAKE — Dustin Swartz will be serving as Moses Lake mayor for the next two years. Swartz was reelected by Moses Lake City Council members on a 5-1 vote Tuesday. Council member Victor Lombardi voted no, after nominating Mark Fancher for the mayor’s job. Fancher, however, declined.

Ephrata Schools bond: Parkway Intermediate

EPHRATA — Parkway Intermediate School is one of the campuses the Ephrata School District is looking to replace with a proposed $75 million, 25-year school construction bond. The bond measure is set to appear on the Feb. 10, 2026, ballot, and will fund not only a replacement of Parkway but also Grant Elementary’s replacement and improvements at Ephrata High School.

Tigers cheer qualifies for state competition

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers competitive cheer team has qualified for the state competition for the second consecutive season. Head Coach Heather Wood was elated to see her team qualify for second time in the three years they’ve had a competitive team.

Frontier Cheer takes first at Battle in the Desert

MOSES LAKE — The Frontier Middle School Spartans cheer team took first at the Battle in the Desert competition in Hanford Saturday. Spartans Head Coach Kelsy Kelley said it was a long day of competition, but it was a good experience for the team as they head into the final weeks of the season. “It was the first time ever competing on a stage in front of a lot of people,” said Kelley. “I think a lot of them were nervous, but we’ve been working on this for months now, and it’s just getting through those nerves. I think overall they did an amazing job.” The Battle in the Desert consisted of multiple cheer teams in the middle and high school levels with each team competing against similar age groups. The coach said it was highly competitive at the middle school level, but the Spartans managed to win over the judges out of around 40 other performances.

Kriete, Sainsbury to run for Grant County Sheriff

EPHRATA — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete will face a challenge from a GCSO officer in the race for sheriff this year. Kriete announced his intention to run for a second term as sheriff Monday; Josh Sainsbury announced he was running for sheriff Tuesday.

On ‘Wicked’ in print

Why Gregory Maguire’s Oz isn’t for kids — but is for grown‑up wonder

MOSES LAKE — “Wicked” and the sequel “Wicked: For Good” have taken over my household. After the first watch at Fairchild Cinemas, I was hooked on the extension of the Oz universe. But, when I went back to the source — Gregory Maguire’s novel — I discovered a world far darker, stranger and more adult than the glittering emerald we see on stage and screen.

WEATHER: Jan. 15-21, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 15-21, 2026

Legals for January, 15 2026

WA Legislature considering face mask bans for law enforcement

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers have introduced a bill that aims to ban local and federal law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public.

Huskies defeat the Mavericks 45-30 on the mat

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies defeated the Moses Lake Mavericks 45-30 Tuesday, after a competitive meet that went back and forth all night. Huskies Head Coach Reuben Lopez told his team the first to 36 points wins.

COLUMN: Demond Williams, Jr. situation highlights transfer portal issues

On Jan. 2 the transfer portal opened in college football, and players from across the country flooded the pool to gauge interest from other schools. One situation that stands out so far surrounds University of Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr.

Othello man killed in Frenchman Hills crash

GEORGE — An Othello man was killed Monday when the car he was driving ran off the road about 11 miles south of George. A passenger in the car was injured.

Pittie-perfect pup

OTHELLO — Panela is ready to pit her heart into your home. This house-trained, spayed, vaccinated and microchipped diva is the ultimate ‘pawsitive’ addition to your life. She’s large and in charge, loves other dogs, and promises to keep your spirits bull-istically high. Cats and kids? Still a mystery—she’s keeping that on the down-low like a true secret agent of snuggles. Adopt Panela today and let her turn your life into a pittie party. Visit AdamsCountyPetRescue.org and fill out her application today. If you can’t adopt right now but you would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

LETTER: We're better for Mike’s presence...

Sunday, December 28,,2025, our community lost an incredible icon. Mike Hamilton’s impact on our community and those who reside here is immeasurable. As a very young man, Mike started his restaurant career buying the old A&W and from there it blossomed into Michael’s on the Lake, Rock Top and Michael’s Bistro. All three of these restaurants are institutions in the development and attraction of Moses Lake.

Othello city administrator search will start in town

OTHELLO — Spencer Williams was appointed as interim Othello city administrator Monday, but not before a discussion on who the city administrator should be. Council member Marc Spohr said he thought it should be new mayor Ken Johnson.

Ybarra introduces bill to roll back special fuels tax

OLYMPIA — A bill to repeal a “special fuels tax” imposed in 2025 on diesel and other fuels was introduced for the 2026 Washington legislative session by 13th District representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, Tuesday.

Handbell choir keeps up ringing tradition at Othello church

OTHELLO — It’s difficult enough for a director to keep musicians in line when they’re all playing at the same time. But when members take turns with just one or two notes each, well, then it gets complicated.

Locals compete in Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars

MOSES LAKE — Volunteer firefighter Brian McGowan took home the coveted mirrored ball trophy at Saturday night’s Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars. “This has been a life goal,” McGowan said. “Definitely, since I was a little kid, this has been a dream of mine.”

Mavs junior varsity off to undefeated start

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks junior varsity squad (12-0) is off to an undefeated start this season. Head Coach Ryan Carlstrom said team chemistry has played a role in their success this year. “We have two additional juniors on the JV team who were part of the program last year, but for the most part, it's almost the exact same freshman team as last year,” Carlstrom said. “They've had to blend in with this group of players who (have) been playing together for a long time, but they've done nothing but add to this group of players who are a pretty skilled group of kids and hard workers, and they've made my job very easy for the last couple of years.”

Color it up - Jan. 14, 2026

It's International Snowmobile Safety Week - yeah, we didn't know that was a thing either - and it's time to have a little fun. We invite the children in the community to color the photo above and submit it to us by email at [email protected] and we'll consider printing your masterpieces in the Columbia Basin Herald's print edition as well as in an online gallery. Make sure to put "Coloring Fun" in the subject line of the email.

WEATHER: Jan. 14-20, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 14-20, 2026

Legals for January, 14 2026

Suspect arrested in Controlled Substance Homicide case

RITZVILLE — Brittney Marie Jones, 35, of Ritzville was arrested and is being held by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office on charges associated with a November death in Ritzville, according to an ACSO statement.

Quincy PD Logs as for Jan. 9-12

The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Adams Co. and Grant Co. jail rosters

The reports below were provided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Othello museum to extend season

OTHELLO — Operators of the Othello Community Museum want to take advantage of upgrades to its heating-cooling system by opening earlier in the year and staying open later. “Our season will be longer, hopefully April to October. But we’ll still be open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays,” said project Manager Rebecca Mohs.

WA Legislature kicks off session

Budget deficit, ‘millionaires tax’ and affordability crisis at center stage.

OLYMPIA — Washington legislators convened in Olympia last week for the 2026 Legislation Preview, highlighting priorities ahead of the short 60-day session that began Monday.

Kriete, Wagner express opposition to bills on sheriff eligibility

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner have both expressed concerns regarding Senate Bill 5974, companion bill to House Bill 1399, presented to the Washington Legislature this session. The legislation addresses eligibility requirements for leaders, including elected leaders, in law enforcement agencies.

Basin girls basketball roundup, Jan. 6-12, 2026

MOSES LAKE — Girls high school basketball in the Basin continues this week as we head further into league competition. With another week down, see where your favorite teams stand and their current records.

Eagles rally to overcome Grizz

MISSOULA — Eastern Washington (8-8, 1-2) defeated the University of Montana, 65-58, rallying in the second half to get the road victory, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. “We are so proud of how the team bounced back to beat the Griz today after the heart-breaking OT loss on Thursday,” Head Coach Joddie Gleason said. “Road wins are extremely tough in the Big Sky (Conference) and our execution of the game plan today was tremendous.”

Janice E. Sandberg

1935 - 2026

Janice E. Sandberg, of Moses Lake, Wash., was born Feb. 5, 1935, and passed away Jan. 4, 2026, at the age of 90.

Richard (Rich) Longwill

1948 – 2025

Richard (Rich) Longwill passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the age of 77. He had been fighting a long battle of COPD.

Whisker away your worries with Wiley

MOSES LAKE — Meet Wiley – the purr-fect gentleman with a whisker of wisdom. At 8 years young, this domestic longhair mix is neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and ready to paws-itively change your life. He’s got the fluff, the charm, and the cattitude to make your home his fur-ever kingdom. Don’t let this opportunity claw away—adopt Wiley today from Grant County Animal Outreach and make your heart his favorite scratching post. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.com and click “donate.”

Seahawks begin preparing for 49ers after both coordinators interview for head coaching jobs

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Ahead of the Seattle Seahawks' first home playoff game in five years, and their first in front of fans since 2017, their top two coordinators each spent the end of last week interviewing for jobs elsewhere.

Catton scores tiebreaking goal in 3rd period as Kraken rally from 2 goals down and beat Rangers 4-2

NEW YORK (AP) — Berkly Catton scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period, and the Seattle Kraken rallied from two goals down and beat the New York Rangers 4-2 on Monday night. Eeli Tolvanen, Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann also scored for the Kraken, and Philipp Grubauer had 19 saves. Seattle won for the ninth time in 12 games (9-1-2).

Chicken-themed show opens at Up Town Art Gallery

MOSES LAKE — A whole flock of artists contributed to The Chicken Show at Up Town Gallery in Moses Lake Friday. “We have over 40 entries, from as far away as Colfax,” said Up Town Gallery co-owner Judy Kalin.

Knights win third straight home game

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (9-1) won their third straight game Saturday, defeating the Kiona-Benton Bears 90-42. Head Coach Tim Ravet said his players did a good job executing the defensive game plan. “When we don't reach and just stay sound on defense, keep things in front of us and get deflections. We're pretty solid on defense. It's when we get out over our skis and reach and lunge when we get beat, but we're trying to do a better job of that, so hopefully that'll start to carry over into big games,” Ravet said.

MLSD saw challenges, achievements in 2025

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District experienced a challenging year in 2025, marked by financial struggles, labor disputes and notable academic accomplishments. The district's resilience was on full display as it navigated a series of challenges while also fostering pockets of success throughout the academic year, Superintendent Carol Lewis said.

Basin health care 2025 review

New facilities, expanded services, election challenges seen over the course of last year

MOSES LAKE — A new hospital opened in Quincy; construction was mostly completed on the new Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake. Columbia Basin Hospital voters rejected a request for a construction bond. Columbia Basin health care organizations experienced ups and downs in 2025.

WEATHER: Jan. 13-19, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 13-19, 2026

Legals for January, 13 2026

Grant County Sheriff’s Office logs Jan. 5-9

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Washington average fuel cost under $4 for 4 weeks

MOSES LAKE — Gas prices decreased nationally, in Washington state and Grant County. However, Adams County saw a slight increase of one cent this week.

Contract awarded for Othello fiber project

OTHELLO — Delays slowed the project down, but a section of Adams County south of Othello will be getting access to fiber this summer. Adams County Engineer Scott Yaeger said the work could start as early as next month.

Wildcats take down the Vikings

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats (14-1) defeated the Western Washington Vikings (12-5) 75-58 Saturday to remain undefeated in the Greater Northwest Conference, according to a statement by CWU Athletics. The ‘Cats haven’t had a loss in conference play with their only setback this season being a nonconference game against California State Polytechnic University. Head Coach Randi Richardson said it was a well-rounded performance by her players, who secured their sixth straight win.

Maria E. Jalomo

1939 – 2026

Maria E. Jalomo was born on November 29, 1939, in Crystal City, Texas. She passed away peacefully at home on January 5, 2026.

Zoom Diallo, Hannes Steinbach lead Washington to 81-74 victory over Ohio State

SEATTLE (AP) — Zoom Diallo had 22 points and Hannes Steinbach scored 21 to lead Washington to an 81-74 victory over Ohio State on Sunday. Diallo sank 7 of 14 shots with two 3-pointers and made all six of his free throws for Washington (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten Conference). Steinbach added nine rebounds and his three-point play ignited a 14-0 second-half run that gave the Huskies the lead for good.

Ready to howl ‘hurrah’ in her new home

OTHELLO — Meet Banzai – the husky mix who’s ready to shout ‘Hurrah!’ for her forever home. This spunky gal is vaccinated, spayed, and working on her house-training skills. At roughly 3–8 years old, she’s paw-sitively perfect for an active family. She’s great with other dogs,

Vikings extend win streak after overtime win

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (16-1) pulled off a competitive 66-62 win in overtime against the Treasure Valley Chukars Saturday. After a win like that, Head Coach Preston Wilks said he was filled with elation. “That was such a wonderful outcome. We knew it was going to be a dog fight. They're a talented team, and I'm just so proud of the way we played,” Wilks said.

Stalking Awareness Month highlights a dangerous form of abuse

MOSES LAKE — January is Stalking Awareness Month and those who work with victims want people to know that it is a serious issue and there is help available. “Stalking is usually a factor in a domestic violence victim’s experience,” said Abraham Tapia, a legal and community advocate with New Hope, which provides domestic violence support in Grant and Adams counties. “Following them around town, trying to access their social media.” The month is meant to draw attention to an especially dangerous form of abuse. One out of three women in the U.S. will experience stalking at some point in their lives, according to statistics from the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center, and one in six men. More than a third of stalking cases involve a current or former intimate partner.

Fire agencies encourage smoke detectors after recent deaths

MOSES LAKE — Firefighting agencies are encouraging the public to make sure they have smoke alarms installed in their homes after two locals were killed in a Jan. 7 home fire. Grant County Fire District 3 Chief Dave Durfee said sometimes people misunderstand fire risks and fail to take appropriate precautions.

Soap Lake Library, Creative District hold crowdsourced art show

SOAP LAKE — Artists who like to think small are invited to show their stuff at the Six by Six Community Art Show. The show, a collaboration between the Soap Lake Creative District, will feature handmade wall art no more than six inches by six inches, submitted by local artists and displayed at the Soap Lake Public Library. “We have a very limited space in the library, because we’ll be bringing in extra hardware to display these items,” said Branch Librarian Evynn Olson. “It’s kind of a creative challenge.”

Quincy annexes M Street NE property

QUINCY — New housing, sidewalks and curbs will be coming to a piece of undeveloped property on M Street Northeast as part of an annexation agreement approved Jan. 6 by the Quincy City Council.

WEATHER: Jan. 12-16, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 12-16, 2026 – Ellington

Legals for January, 12 2026

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: Jan 12-19, 2026

MOSES LAKE — Local teams are in full swing of the second halves of their seasons. As they move forward, the competition across their respective leagues get tougher. See below where your favorite team is heading next.

Lions defeat Eagles 60-21 at home

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions (12-0) earned a strong 60-21home victory over the Soap Lake Eagles (1-7) to continue their undefeated season. “I feel like the team is doing really good,” said Lions senior Antonio Serrato. “We play really good together and know how to move the ball really well and get down the court really fast.”

Vikings fall short despite second half rally

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (8-9) fell short at home to the Treasure Valley Chukars 77-88. Head Coach Jason Hopkins was humble in defeat.

Cougars grab late comeback to earn home win

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars (3-10) defeated the Granger Spartans 41-39 Friday after pulling off a second half comeback. For Head Coach Emily Cox, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. “Fun and not fun all the same time,” Cox said. “We kind of got ourselves in a hole in the first half, and at halftime, we just told them to keep battling and keep working hard and try and dig ourselves out of it, and the girls did. They came out and they battled.”

Cougars defend home court, beat Spartans 61-50

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars (6-5) snapped a three-game rut by defeating the Granger Spartans 61-50 Friday. Head Coach Brent Erdmann said his players fought hard to get back in the win column. “They've been battling all year. Any win is a good win for us right now. We had a pretty rough run for a little bit, to actually come back and get a (win) for these guys, we'll take it,” Erdmann said.

Knights boys grab three wins in Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Royal Knights (7-1) traveled to Tempe, Arizona in December to compete in a multi-day tournament. The Knights went 3-0 against the competition. They defeated Maryvale 83-6, Sacred Heart Prep 64-61 and Bear Creek 56-48.

Lions win league matchup at home against Eagles

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions (8-2) basketball team defeated the Soap Lake Eagles (4-2) where the Lions 40-26 Thursday.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office logs Dec. 30-Jan. 4

Grant County Sheriff’s Office logs Dec. 30-Jan. 4

Protesters express frustrations regarding ICE, Venezuela Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Area residents gathered on Stratford Road in Moses Lake to protest the recent deaths of Renee Nicole Good, 37, of Minneapolis and Kieth Porter, 43, of Los Angeles. Both incidents involved Immigration Customs Enforcement agents. They also expressed frustration regarding the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Big Sky Now: Bobcats crowned FCS National Champions and a recap of the Big Sky season

On this episode of Big Sky Now the panel breaks down an unforgettable overtime victory over Illinois State in Nashville — the Bobcats’ first national title in 41 years.

Kennewick boy injured in Othello area crash

OTHELLO — A 17-year-old Kennewick boy was airlifted to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland early Saturday morning after he was injured in a rollover crash about seven miles southeast of Othello.

Wildcats volleyball name new head coach

ELLENSBURG — Longtime head coach Mario Andaya, who just completed his 30th season at the helm, has accepted a new position as the Deputy Director of Athletics and is turning over the reins to Lauren Hersesth, who joined the program in 2020 and served as associate head coach for the past three seasons. Andaya is proud of everything CWU Volleyball has accomplished during his tenure, including four conference championships and 13 consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II tournament.

Drama looking for her standing ovation

MOSES LAKE — Drama is ready to steal the spotlight. This spunky American Pocket Bully mix is paws-itively the star of the show at Grant County Animal Outreach. She’s spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped—no plot twists here, just a happy ending waiting to happen. If you’re looking for a leading lady with a big heart and bully-tiful charm, visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and adopt Drama today and make her the main character in your life. If you can’t adopt right now, visit the website and click “donate.”

‘Four Corners of the Year’

Moses Lake Museum exhibit shows the turning of the seasons

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center’s first exhibit of 2026 encompasses the entire calendar. “The title of the show is ‘The Four Corners of the Year,’” said Gallery Coordinator Veronica Talbot. “It goes through all four seasons. We wanted to start with winter, since that’s where we’re currently at, and then move our way down the year.” Pamela Petry-McKinsey’s exhibit, which opens Friday, is almost entirely done in acrylics. Her work harks back to the Impressionism of the 19th century, which emphasized feelings and spontaneity over realism, Museum Superintendent Dollie Boyd said. “I personally love the color in this show,” she said. “It’s really wonderful to have such exuberant color up on the walls in the middle of winter. … The love of nature really shines through her work.”

BASIN EVENTS: Jan. 9-17, 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — With the holidays safely in our rear-view mirror, the calendar in the Basin isn’t as crowded as it was a few months ago. Still, there are plenty of things to get out and enjoy for those who want to. Here are a few possibilities.

Mavs' Morris earns 100th career win in team victory

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks girls wrestling team earned a 44-36 victory over Eisenhower Wednesday evening in a conference matchup. During the meeting, Moses Lake senior Hayden Morris earned her 100th career win. “It feels really good,” said Morris. “It’s been a long journey and I’m just really glad that all this hard work has paid off and it’s finally working.” Morris earned this milestone in the 125-lb matchup against Eisenhower’s Ceci Rosas. The Mavs wrestler was dominant throughout the contest to come out on top with a 9-0 victory. Following her match, there was a short break taken to recognize Morris for achieving her 100th win.

Home prices up locally, down statewide

KIRKLAND — The real estate market in December continued the pattern set in October and November, according to data released this week by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 of Washington’s 39 counties. Active listings were up across Washington compared to December 2024, while prices declined slightly.

Building permits for Jan. 9, 2026

Grant County, Quincy

Legals for January, 9 2026

Victims identified in fatal Moses Lake house fire

MOSES LAKE — The victims in an early-morning house fire in Moses Lake Wednesday have been identified. Tim Catlin, death investigator with the Grant County Coroner’s Office, said the victims were Nikki Leggett, 30, and Zaccari Miller, 29. “The cause of death for both is going to be asphyxia due to inhalation of smoke,” Catlin said.

WEATHER: Jan. 9-16, 2026

Excavation and construction fences in the Safeway parking lot in Ephrata are signs of the installation of new fuel tanks.

Oliver’s first council meeting, several resolutions passed

EPHRATA — Mayor Steve Oliver led his first Ephrata City Council meeting Wednesday night, with council passing several resolutions regarding tourism funding, vactor truck enclosure project and amending the grant application for A Street.

Soap Lake to establish a tourism committee

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council unanimously approved the creation of a Tourism Development Committee to handle city tourism funds at Wednesday's council meeting.

Moses Lake Police Department logs for Jan. 8, 2026

MLPD records

Funding delays push Sackman Road bridge project to 2026

OTHELLO — It’s taken a while and been delayed a couple of times, but the construction contract for replacement of the first of six bridges over the East Low Canal is scheduled to go out for bid later this year. Adams County Commission chair Dan Blankenship said that’s the plan right now, but commissioners want to be sure the twice-delayed project will meet all the criteria before they take action.

Williams named interim city administrator in Othello

OTHELLO — Finance Director Spencer Williams will be appointed as interim city administrator while Othello city officials look for a permanent replacement. Mayor Ken Johnson said the search is just getting started.

Men's college basketball recap

MOSES LAKE — Men's basketball is well underway in Washington as several teams are battling it out in their respective leagues. See below where your favorite programs stand. Gonzaga (16-1) vs Loyola Marymount The Zags are currently on a nine-game win streak after defeating Loyola Marymount 82-47 Sunday.

Mavs fall in close meet against Eisenhower

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks boys wrestling team took a loss at home Wednesday against Eisenhower. The competition was close, but Moses Lake came just short with the final team score being 42-32. “I knew this match was going to be very tough for us, Eisenhower’s a tough team and I’ve been watching them throughout the beginning of the season,” said Mavs Head Coach Jose Tanguma. “I knew that today was going to be for the league title.”

Diana Spofford

August 18, 1952 – December 27, 2025

Diana Lynne Spofford went home to serve our Lord in the early morning of Dec. 27. She was born Diana Lynne Stone on Aug. 18, 1952, in Charleston, West Virginia to Ronald and Oreeda (McGraw) Stone. Diana passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2025, at home in Soap Lake, Washington, surrounded by her family. In the early ’50s Diana’s family moved from West Virginia to the Leavenworth, Washington area. She was the oldest of six siblings growing up in Leavenworth, Washington where she spent many years working in agriculture, particularly in the apple orchards. This orchard experience benefited Diana in later life where she managed various orchards and owned an orchard in the Quincy and Mattawa areas.

Quincy Police Department logs Dec. 26-Jan. 5

Quincy Police Department logs Dec. 26-Jan. 5

Seahawks confident in Sam Darnold after he flopped in his playoff debut last season

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Sam Darnold has all of one game of playoff experience, and the Seattle Seahawks would benefit if his second shot at the postseason went a little better than his first. Darnold guided the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 season and made the Pro Bowl in 2024, just as he did with Seattle this year. But Darnold struggled mightily in the playoffs last season, taking nine sacks as the Vikings lost 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams. His Seahawks teammates say they're not concerned with that one bad outing.

GCAO had a transformative 2025

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Animal Outreach achieved several goals in 2025, including groundbreaking on a new facility, nearly 300 adoptions and successes in community outreach. Challenges presented themselves in the form of the agency’s current outdated facility and animal hoarding.

Seven Basin school districts to run EP&O levies in February

EPHRATA — Voters in seven Columbia Basin school districts will be asked to accept or reject educational programs and operations levy proposals in a special election Feb. 10. Ephrata voters will decide on a construction bond in the Ephrata School District, and Warden district patrons will consider a proposal for technology improvements. Votes must be postmarked by Feb. 10, and mailing them at the post office on Election Day doesn’t guarantee that, said Ben Rodwell, elections deputy with the Grant County Auditor’s Office. “I would say (mail the ballot) at least a week early,” Rodwell said. “I wouldn’t recommend mailing it the day of the election.”

Metalwork exhibit opens Jan. 15 at CWU

ELLENSBURG — Beginning next week, the Sarah Spurgeon Gallery at Central Washington University will host Ferrous, a group exhibition of 15 innovative contemporary artists who transform iron into evocative works of art. The opening events will be held Jan. 15, beginning with a curator's talk by Renee Adams from 4-5 p.m. in Randall Hall, room 117. Adams is an alum of the CWU Department of Art + Design (MFA, 1999), as well as a local sculptor and blacksmith. A reception will be held in the gallery (Randall Hall, room 141) directly following the talk, from 5-7 p.m.

As barbs fly and Trump wades in, a central WA congressional race heats up

Two years ago, Amanda McKinney, a Republican Yakima County commissioner, made a commercial endorsing Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse for re-election and assailing his GOP opponent who had the backing of then former President Donald Trump. “I trust Dan,” she says in the 30-second television spot, adding that he has the “experience and clout to keep delivering for central Washington.” Two weeks ago, McKinney, who is running to succeed the outgoing Newhouse, offered a different story at AmericaFest, an annual event hosted by Turning Point USA, the conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.

Legals for January, 8 2026

Huskies take close victory on the mat against Tigers

EPHRATA — The Othello Huskies and Ephrata Tigers had a close matchup Tuesday evening with the Huskies taking a 42-39 victory over their Central Washington Athletic Conference rival.

Soap Lake Events Committee to meet

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Community and Senior Center will host its second meeting for the newly formed Events Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 5 p.m. This initiative aims to revitalize community engagement through family-friendly events. “We really want to focus on family-friendly and all ages events for our community,” volunteer Genevieve Gray said. The committee was created in response to community members expressing their desire to restart events that had previously been successful in bringing people together. Gray said it’s important for community involvement in the committee.

WEATHER: Jan. 8-14, 2026

Students from the Fire Science class at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center in Moses Lake put on their turnouts, picked up some of their gear and went for a walk on a sunny but cold Tuesday morning. Cold and windy conditions are forecast to continue throughout the week.

Bad debt, charity care expenses rising at local medical facilities

MOSES LAKE — For everyone in healthcare, from patients to hospitals to medical professionals, the challenge is who pays the bill. Sometimes the answer is that some or all of the bill doesn’t get paid, and the hospital or clinic has to absorb the costs. Janette Townsend, chief financial officer at Confluence Health, and Alex Town, chief administrative officer at Samaritan Healthcare, said it’s becoming a bigger problem. “Both bad debt and charity care have gone up in the last few years,” Townsend wrote in response to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald. “Bad debt has increased 214% and charity care has increased 63% from 2023 to 2025.”

Two dead in early morning Moses Lake house fire

MOSES LAKE — Identification is pending for two people killed in an early-morning fire Wednesday in Moses Lake. Moses Lake Fire Department Chief Art Perillo said the fire was reported about 1:50 a.m. near the intersection of Miller Drive Northeast and Highland Drive Northeast. The report said people were still inside the residence, he said. Crews from MLFD and Grant County Fire District 5 responded. “Upon arrival, crews found the residence heavily involved in fire and immediately initiated fire suppression and search operations,” Perillo wrote in a press release. “While crews were able to bring the fire under control quickly, two occupants were found deceased inside the home. Two additional occupants were able to escape the residence.”

Grant County Jail logs as of Jan. 7, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Grant County Health District mandates overdose reporting

MOSES LAKE — In a move to enhance community health and safety, the Grant County Health District has implemented a policy requiring healthcare providers to report all opioid overdoses starting in Jan. 2026. This change, which centers on real-time data collection, comes as a response to the growing opioid crisis affecting the region, marked by rising overdose deaths and emergency medical service responses. The decision to classify overdoses as a reportable condition received unanimous support from the Grant County Board of Health, which approved it through Ordinance 2025-04. The GCHD has noted that while certain diseases are already mandated to be reported to local health authorities, overdoses have not been subject to similar requirements at the state level. The new reporting protocol is hoped to bridge the data gap. Dr. Alexander Brzezny, the Grant County Health Officer, said this matter was urgent.

Ephrata Fire Department reflects on 2025

Increase in calls, new equipment and future EMS funding challenges

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Fire Department experienced a busy year in 2025, responding to a total of 513 calls for service. Fire Chief Jeremy Burns provided an overview of these calls, revealing that approximately 65% were related to Emergency Medical Services, while only 10% were actual fire calls. The remaining 25% fell into various categories such as fire alarms, elevator rescues and hazardous conditions. “The bulk of our responses still falls right in that close to 70% category of EMS calls, which is where we’ve been training for years,” Burns said. In comparison to previous years, Burns indicated that call volume saw a slight increase. The department previously contracted with American Medical Response ambulance services, during which their call load averaged around 550 calls. After switching to Lifeline ambulance services in July 2023, Ephrata witnessed a reduction of almost 100 calls for service, primarily due to differences in the types of calls each service handled.

Purr-fect slice of sunshine

OTHELLO — Meet Taran, an orange cutie, who is pawsitively ready to brighten your life. He’s neutered, vaccinated, and gets along with other cats; he’s quite the social ‘purr-sonality’. We’re not sure how he feels about dogs or tiny humans yet, but we know he’s ready to be the zest in your nest. Don’t let this opportunity slip through your paws – adopt Taran today at Adams County Pet Rescue and make your home a little more a-meow-zing. Visit AdamsCountyPetRescue.com and fill out his application. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

WA COLLEGE SPORTS SCHEDULE: Jan. 8-15, 2026

MOSES LAKE — College sports are back in full swing following the holidays as teams prepare to find a spot in the postseason. Check out where your favorite teams are playing this week.

COLUMN: The perfect path to the Super Bowl for the Seahawks

One of the best time periods of the sports calendar is here – playoff football. As the college football playoff semifinals conclude, fans from across the country can remain comfortable on the couch as wild card weekend kicks off for the NFL. 12 teams will battle it out on their respective ends of the bracket to earn a chance to play at least one more game. Most importantly, to inch closer to claiming football immortality by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara, California, the host of Super Bowl 60. As the top seed, the Seattle Seahawks will play the lowest remaining seed in the NFC after this weekend.

Huskies topple Tigers on the road

EPHRATA — The Othello Huskies travelled to face the Ephrata Tigers Tuesday evening where the Huskies earned a 42-28 team victory over their Central Washington Athletic Conference rival. “I thought it went pretty well. It was a fun and entertaining duel,” said Huskies Head Coach Reuben Lopez. “It was a close match for a while; a couple guys pulled through at the end and we got ourselves a win.” The Huskies and Tigers wrestlers traded matches back and forth in the lower weight classes at the start of the meet. As the matches got into the middle weight classes, Othello went on a winning streak to gain the lead. Ephrata earned a few more wins, but the Huskies stayed ahead to take the team victory.

One arrested for suspected Grant PUD wire theft

MOSES LAKE — On Jan. 3, Grant County Public Utility District filed a complaint with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office after noticing a hole cut in the chain link fence at the Wenatchee Drive substation. On Tuesday night, GCSO arrested Jeffrey Hughes, 50, of Moses Lake, for suspicion of stealing copper wire from Grant PUD, according to GCSO.

Wardenaar sinks 41 points as Knights earn blowout win

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (7-1) stormed the hardwood to defeat the Naches Valley Rangers 75-29 Tuesday. Head Coach Tim Ravet said the win was good to get the team back in a rhythm after suffering a loss earlier this week. “To come out and at least play inspired and hard was a good step in the right direction to get our wheels back underneath us, and hopefully continue to build (momentum), and to get ready for when we play them again,” Ravet said. After a steady start in the first quarter that saw the Knights take a 13-6 lead, they turned up the heat in the second quarter to take a commanding 29-9 lead over the Rangers. Strong paint presence by Grant Wardenaar and facilitating by Fischer Livingston helped Royal dominate on the court. In the second half, they continued to build that momentum by outscoring Naches Valley 46-20 to secure the win.

Defense powers Knights to statement win

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (9-2) defeated the Naches Valley Rangers 45-22 to bounce back into the win column Tuesday. After a strong performance in the paint, Graycie Kast was all smiles after earning her first home win as a Knight. “It feels good, (the community) brings the energy,” Kast said. The Knights capitalized on turnovers by the Rangers to build a strong lead in the first half. Kast drove the charge on offense by finding scores inside or drawing fouls to get to the free throw line. By halftime, Royal led 23-9. In the second half, they continued to impose their will on defense and widen the gap on the score board. Even when the Rangers found some momentum in the fourth quarter, the Knights defense was too much and they ultimately secured the win.

Double the trouble

OTHELLO — Kefir, front and Whey, back, are both up for adoption at Adams County Pet Rescue. Adoptable together or separately, these sweet pups want comfy homes. Whey is a large female mixed breed who is spayed. Kefir is a large male mixed breed who is neutered. Both are vaccinated and microchipped. If either of these furry friends caught your attention, visit AdamsCountyPetRescue.com and fill out an application, or two. If you can’t adopt right now but you would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Karlene Grace Utter

1946 – 2025

Kay, a loving and generous-hearted soul, lifted off Dec. 27. She was born Karlene Rutherford to Grace (Reinbold) of Davenport, Washington and L.W. Rutherford of Britannia Beach, British Columbia. In Yakima, Kay grew up in an apple orchard with her brother Ron and graduated from West Valley High. Kay furthered her education with a BS from Pacific Lutheran University, followed by medical technology studies at Tacoma General Hospital where she met husband Gary Utter. Married in 1968, Kay and Gary went on to have many adventures moving and traveling across the United States, building three homes, and renovating eight in four states.

Janet Ingrid (Olesen) Huff

Jan. 18, 1934 — Dec. 26, 2025

Janet Ingrid (Olesen) Huff, 91, was born Jan. 18, 1934, in Sunnyside, Washington, on the Porter Ranch, where her parents were tenant farmers. Janet was the youngest of three sisters born to Danish immigrant parents Morris and Ingrid Olesen. In 1938, the family moved to their own small farm in Sunnyside where Janet lived until college. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and earned scholarships to attend the University of Washington (UW). She graduated Cum Laude from UW with a teaching degree, earning the College of Education’s Top Senior award. Janet met George Robinson Huff in 1954 while both were attending UW. They were married on Dec. 17, 1955, in Seattle, and moved to Othello, Washington in March 1957 where she began her teaching career and George began his law practice. Janet taught kindergarten for 18 years followed by 10 more years instructing second-graders.

Mindy Lanette (Jones) Collins

Feb. 15, 1984 — Dec. 22, 2025

Mindy Lanette (Jones) Collins, 41, of Crestview, Florida, passed peacefully at home on Dec. 22, 2025. Mindy was born on Feb. 15, 1984, in Moses Lake, Washington, and lived in Washington, Oklahoma, Idaho, England and Florida. Wherever she lived, she brought warmth, laughter, and connection. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Thomas and Maxine Sear and Tren and Margaret Jones, her uncle Michael Sear and her beloved son Miles Collins.

John Donovan

John, 88, was born on Nov. 7, 1937, in Lowell, Massachusetts. His parents were William Lawrence Donovan and Valleria “Vera” Caroline Nowak. John’s grandparents were John Nowak and Catherine “Katie” Nostek. John attended Boston University and the Hartford Institute of Accounting. In June 1956, John enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for a total of 36 years. He obtained an AS in management from the Community College of the Air Force, and continued his education, receiving an MBA from Eastern Washington University in 1978.

Two dead in early morning Moses Lake house fire

MOSES LAKE — Identification is pending for two people killed in an early-morning fire Wednesday in Moses Lake.

New Mattawa port commissioner interested in diversification

MATTAWA — Port of Mattawa Commissioner Kevin Anderson said the port is looking for new customers and ways to diversify the economy of the Mattawa area. It’s a lesson he learned during a 40-year career in maritime businesses, he said. He cited the barge company he managed as an example.

Lions seize win, remain undefeated

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions (9-0) basketball team added another win onto their undefeated record Monday after earning a home victory against Waitsburg 75-33. The win officially marks the halfway point in the Lions’ season as they head deeper into league play. “Honestly, it feels great, especially after our win last week against DeSales. I’m actually feeling nice,” said Lions junior Max Gulenko. “Our ball movement is feeling good, and our defense has been really nice.” The Lions were dominant right from tipoff, gaining a 49-14 lead over the opposition in the first half. The MLCA/CCS front scored another 18 in the second half and maintained its significant lead to earn the victory.

GCFD 7 expands EMS, training programs

SOAP LAKE — As part of a concerted effort to improve emergency medical services, Grant County Fire District 7 has announced significant expansions to its coverage and operational capabilities. Under the leadership of Chief Erick Brittain, the district is now providing Intermediate Life Support in addition to its existing services, a move that is expected to greatly benefit the community it serves, said Brittain.

Brookdale Hearthstone Christmas Parade delights seniors, children

MOSES LAKE — The spirit of Christmas paid a visit to Brookdale Hearthstone Dec. 23, with a parade, a visit from Santa and lots and lots of candy for children.

Ballots coming Jan. 21 for Wahluke EP&O levy election

MATTAWA — Ballots will be mailed to Wahluke School District voters Jan. 21 for a special election to decide the fate of a four-year educational programs and operations levy. If it’s approved, the levy would replace the four-year levy approved by voters in 2022. The levy rate would remain unchanged.

Dementia challenges: Handling difficult behaviors with calm and care

MOSES LAKE — Once dementia has set in, it’s time to adjust to a new reality which can include behavioral challenges as the family member experiences frustrations associated with their symptoms.

Upcoming community meeting for Ephrata schools

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District is hosting two upcoming meetings to allow the community to ask questions and engage with district officials on the schools and the proposed $75 million bond. “Our schools are the heart of Ephrata,” Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray wrote in a statement. “This bond will secure the next 40 years of our community’s K-8 schools and set up Ephrata High School for the next phase of improvements. It would allow us to replace outdated buildings, strengthen safety and create learning environments that support students now and for decades to come.”

WEATHER: Jan. 7-13, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 7-13, 2026

Legals for January, 7 2026

I-90 closed on Snoqualmie, no scheduled time for reopening

MOSES LAKE — As of 4:45 p.m. Tuesday Eastbound Insterstate-90 is closed starting at milepost 48, according to the Washington Department of Transportation. The roadway had multiple spinouts and collisions near the Snoqualmie Pass summit. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, there is no estimated time for the roadway to be reopened.

Basin girls basketball roundup, Dec. 30 – Jan. 5

MOSES LAKE — The halfway point of the season for girls basketball is upon us. As league play kicks off, every team is looking to make a run. See below where your favorite teams stand and their current records.

Basin boys basketball roundup, Dec. 30 – Jan. 5

MOSES LAKE — As teams come out of the holiday break, many are looking to turn it up a notch. Some have jumped out strong in their leagues; others are hoping to turn their seasons around. See below where your favorite teams stand and their current records.

Cougs earn statement win in Spokane

SPOKANE — The Washington State Cougars (8-9) defeated Oregon State 81-67 to win their second straight game Sunday. Head Coach David Riley said the win was a nice momentum booster for what they have been working on as of late. “We got to continue to trust the offense,” Riley said in a press conference. “All game today the ball was zipping around and then defensively just a little bit more talk and more urgency. Talk builds trust and that’s something we did a better job of today.”

Adams Co. Jail roster as of Jan. 6, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This is the active list of inmates for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office listed in order of the date of arrest. The Adams County Jail is closed, so inmates are housed in other jurisdictions.

Post-holiday sweetness

OTHELLO — Although Christmas is over, your chance to adopt Candy Cane is not. This sweet mixed breed puppy has a curious and adventurous soul, always looking to explore new sights and smells. She would be thrilled with a family that can teach her all the tricks and show her the world. Candy Cane, according to Adams County Pet Rescue staff, has a gentle demeanor; which they say makes her the perfect snuggle buddy. She is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped, as all animals are at ACPR. If interested in adopting Candy Cane, visit AdamsCountyPetRescue.com and fill out her application. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Red-hot Grubauer backstops streaking Kraken to 5-1 win over Flames

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Shane Wright scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and Philipp Grubauer made 41 saves to lead the streaking Seattle Kraken past the Calgary Flames 5-1 on Monday night. Jacob Melanson, Vince Dunn, Frederick Gaudreau and Matty Beniers also scored for the Kraken (19-14-7), who are 7-0-1 in their last eight games and have reeled off five consecutive wins on the road.

Big Sky Now: How the Bobcats outlasted the Redbirds in an overtime thriller for the FCS National Championship

Host Luke Schmit is joined by Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen to immediately break down Montana State’s FCS National Championship victory over Illinois State in Nashville on Monday night.

Grant Co. legislators pre-file legislation

OLYMPIA — Grant County Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake and Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, have pre-filed bills for the upcoming 2026 legislative session. Rep. Alex Ybarra has not filed any bills, but has said in prior coverage that energy is a priority for the session that begins Jan. 12 and ends March 12.

A look at positive vibes in the Basin in 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Too often, people pick up the newspaper and see bad news staring them in the face. It’s true that 2025 had its negative moments, but a lot of good things happened in the Columbia Basin last year as well.

Port of Quincy security services face challenges

QUINCY — Port of Quincy commissioners will be looking at options for insurance coverage for the port’s security service after its contract through the original carrier was canceled. Commissioners have canceled a contract with the Port of Mattawa that provided security services for Desert Aire.

WEATHER: Jan. 6-12, 2026

WEATHER: Jan. 6-12, 2026

Legals for January, 6 2026

Gas prices drop again, but remain high in WA

MOSES LAKE — Lower fuel prices continued this week, with Grant and Adams counties, Washington and national average fuel prices dropping from last week’s prices.

Quincy 2026 budget includes streets, QPlex projects

QUINCY — The city of Quincy will operate on a budget of about $148.3 million for 2026. That includes money for street projects along 13th Avenue Southwest and M Street Northeast, the design and construction of a fieldhouse and other improvements in Lauzier Park and funding through sales tax for affordable housing assistance.

Jacks basketball teams have shaky weekend

QUINCY — The Quincy Jackrabbits basketball teams each played games against Ellensburg and East Valley Friday and Saturday. See how the teams did below and how they plan to push forward in the Central Washington Athletic Conference.

Banks Lake Brawl tourney highlights local wrestlers

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors hosted the Banks Lake Brawl wrestling tournament Saturday, which saw 15 schools attend including the Ephrata Tigers and Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos. Warriors Head Coach Brandon Walsh said this was the 13th year they’ve held the tournament.

Wildcats go 2-0 in Alaska

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington University Wildcats (12-1) found success on the road in Alaska as they earned wins over the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks and Alaska Anchorage Seawolves 77-65. “Very happy to come out of this road trip with two wins,” said Wildcats Head Coach Randi Richardson. “I’m really proud of our team’s resilience to keep their composure and find some consistent stops and scores to pull that out.”

Seahawks claim top seed after road win

SAN FRANCISCO — The Seattle Seahawks (14-3) defeated the San Francisco 49ers (12-5) 13-3 Saturday to clinch the number-one seed in the NFC conference for the upcoming NFL playoffs. Head Coach Mike Macdonald was all smiles after the win. “Incredibly proud of our team. All the things that we've been working at since we walked in the door, especially this year, is coming to life,” he said.

SENIOR EVENTS: January 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — After the hoopla of the holidays, it’s time to wind down a little and start getting into a routine. Here are a few things to keep your time occupied.

Miyo Koba

Miyo Koba passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, at Samaritan Hospital, with family at her side. Miyo lived most of her 101 years in Moses Lake, Wash. She was born in Toppenish, Wash., where her parents, Frank and Tomi, were farmers.

Doris Mae Miller

Dec. 27, 1957 – Dec. 24, 2025

Our beloved Doris Mae Miller, age 67, passed away on December 24, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

ACSO seeking controlled substance homicide suspect

RITZVILLE — Adams County Sheriff’s Office is asking for assistance locating subject Brittney Marie Jones, 35.

New year! New pup?

MOSES LAKE — Welcoming everyone to 2026 is little Maddie Kendall, a small mixed breed pup. Maddie said she is excited for this year, as it will be her first full year alive, with her only being three months right now. She, like all the dogs at Grant County Animal Outreach is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. Now, she just needs the perfect person to take her in. If you want to be that person, visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and fill out her application. If you can’t adopt right now but you would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Big Sky Now: FCS championship coverage from Nashville

Montana State is one win away from an FCS national championship, and Big Sky Now is on the ground in Nashville.

ACSO seeking assistance for wanted subject out of Othello

OTHELLO — On Sunday, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a sex offense in the 800 block of South Steele Road in Othello, according to a statement from ACSO. Through investigation, deputies established probable cause to arrest Ismael Milan-Basurto, 20, on suspicion of second-degree rape, first-degree incest, second-degree rape of a child and second-degree child molestation. Milan-Basurto fled the area before deputies could make contact with him, according to the statement. ACSO is asking the public for assistance in finding the subject. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Milan-Basurto is asked to contact ACSO at 509-659-1122. ACSO said callers may remain anonymous.

Starting 2026 with a plan is key to fiscal management

MOSES LAKE — January being the season to take stock and resolve to do better, one of the places where people usually resolve to do better is their finances. People resolve to save more, spend more wisely, all the things. How to do it is the question, and it starts, said James Shank, Moses Lake, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, with an analysis.

Energy critical in 2026 WA Legislative Session, Ybarra says

QUINCY — While there will be a lot going on during the 2026 Washington Legislative session, 13th District Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, said energy is going to be one of the biggest topics. It’s going to be a tough subject because there are tough decisions ahead, he said.

Legals for January, 5 2026

Spiritual leaders answer the call

MOSES LAKE, Feb. 5, 1996 — All weekend ministers offered solace and support. They tried to make sense of things – tried to mend the shredded fabric of the community.

Weather for the week of Jan. 5, 2026

Weather for the week of Jan. 5, 2026

Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars returns Jan. 10

MOSES LAKE — Six homegrown hoofers will take the stage again Jan. 10 at Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars. “It’s part comedy (and) part dancing – of course,” said Carla McKean, a board member of the Central Basin Community Concert Association, which puts on the show as its annual fundraiser. “So many people have their favorite dancer coming in. They know the people, so they’re rooting for them.”

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: Jan. 5-12, 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — Student athletes all around the basin return to regular competition following a bit of rest over winter break. See where the local teams will be heading this week.

Huskies girls earn league win over Tigers

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies (2-6) defeated the Ephrata Tigers (1-8) 57-40 to earn their second win of the season. Head Coach Caleb Tovar said this game was great for building confidence in his players.

Hot Wheels, collectibles stolen from storage units

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Crime Reduction Team is asking for help with two recent burglaries. One is regarding a large quantity of Hot Wheels, the other is 60 to 80 boxes of Warhammer miniatures.

Royal hosts Carlos Villa Memorial Tournament

ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Knights hosted a tournament in honor of Royal’s Head Coach Carlos Villa who passed away last year. The tournament had 22 teams in attendance, including the Ephrata Tigers, Moses Lake Mavericks and Wahluke Warriors.

Huskies hold off late comeback by Tigers

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies (3-6) overcame the Ephrata Tigers (2-7) 61-57 after a late comeback attempt by the Tigers. Huskies Head Coach Juan Garcia was pleased with the composure his players showed Friday.

The Latest: US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife

WASHINGTON D.C. — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington. President Donald Trump insisted the U.S. government would run the country at least temporarily and was already doing so.

GALLERY: Ribbon cuttings 2025

MOSES LAKE — The Basin’s business community grew in 2025, and many businesses, especially Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members, celebrated that growth by cutting a ribbon at new or upgraded locations. Here’s a look back at some of those events.

Moses Lake Police Department logs for Dec. 26, 2025 - Jan. 1, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Moses Lake Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

BASIN BOX SCORE: Basin sports recap, Seahawks and the current headlines in sports

MOSES LAKE — On this episode of the Basin Box Score podcast, hosts Caleb Perez and Mike Maynard discuss recent results of local Basin sports. From wrestling meets, Wahluke's girls basketball earning a big win and local players setting new records. We also cover the current status of the Seattle Seahawks as they prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers for optimal playoff standing.

Seahawks and 49ers face off for NFC's top seed in high-stakes showdown

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The playoffs start a week early for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. The top two teams in the NFC West will square off Saturday night in a rare regular-season game with such high stakes as the winner will earn the top seed in the NFC playoffs with a first-round bye and home-field advantage before the Super Bowl. “I think in football, out of all sports, home-field advantage is the biggest advantage because I think crowd noise truly affects the game in terms of pass rush and things like that,” 49ers coach Kyle Shahanan said. "But, the main thing is just it’s one less game. I’d love to be home. That’s our goal. If that doesn’t work out, we’re excited to go on the road, too.”

Beniers scores twice in Kraken's 4-1 win over Predators

SEATTLE (AP) — Matty Beniers scored twice during the Seattle Kraken's three-goal first period and Philipp Grubauer stopped 24 shots in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. The win gave the Kraken five victories in their past six games, coming on the heels of a stretch where they lost 10 of 11.

Marie Lucille Trembley

1923 – 2025

Marie Lucille Trembley, age 102, a Moses Lake, Washington resident for 76 years, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025.

Daniel Tyler

1944 – 2025

Daniel “Dan” Tyler, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Moses Lake, Wash. on December 28, 2025. A man known for his warmth and natural ability to put a smile on anyone’s face, Dan was a constant source of joy for those who knew him.

One jailed, one hospitalized from knife wounds on New Year’s Eve

MATTAWA — On Thursday night, two subjects had a disagreement resulting in both parties injuring one another with knives. Mario Cortez Perez, 34, was arrested and booked into Grant County Jail while his roommate was transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

Decades of consistency

Reim’s leadership left a lasting mark, city staff, community members say.

EPHRATA — On a cold winter morning, the executive team gathers as they always do, Tuesday at City Hall. And as they always did, Mayor Bruce Reim listens first — head tilted, eyes narrowed, taking in the latest on crews, contracts, permitting and plans. Only this time, there’s a coda.

Lorelai’s Toy Drive collects more than 1,500 toys

MOSES LAKE — Most children eagerly await their toys on Christmas. But 17-year-old Lorelai Draper has more fun giving them away. “When she was 12, a light bulb went off,” said Draper’s mom, Heidi Rogers. “She finally understood that some kids don’t get presents for Christmas, and she wanted to do something about it.”

Multiple BBCC students earn scholarships in 2025

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College students earned a number of scholarships during 2025, which assisted them as they continued through their careers at Big Bend and as they transferred on to four-year universities.

GALLERY: 2025 at the Masquers

SOAP LAKE — The Masquers Theater brought laughter, drama and joy to the stage in 2025. Here’s a look back at the troupe’s productions for the year. The theater continues to be a big draw for visitors to Soap Lake and puts on a variety of productions throughout the year, including dramas, musicals and comedies.

City of Moses Lake building permits November 2025

November 2025

Weather for Jan. 2-5, 2026

Weather for Jan. 2-5, 2026

Legals for January, 2 2026

Big Sky Now: FCS Championship preview Bobcats v. Redbirds

The FCS National Championship is finally here, and the Big Sky Now panel breaks down everything surrounding Montana State vs Illinois State in Nashville on Monday, January 5th, 2026.

Howl bout you adopt Howie

MOSES LAKE — Meet Howie Han, a small golden boy looking for a permanent home. He is around three months old and ready to make friends, chase his tail and eat tasty treats. He is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped; now, all he needs is one person to adopt him. If you want to be that lucky person, visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and fill out his application. If you can’t adopt right now but you would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Oliver sworn in as new Ephrata mayor

EPHRATA — Steve Oliver was formally sworn in as the new Mayor of Ephrata during a city council workshop Monday, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the community. Oliver’s election victory in the Nov. 2025 General Election, where he received 937 votes against incumbent Bruce Reim's 819 votes.

COLUMBIA BASIN EVENTS: January 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — With the holidays behind us, things are slowing down a little in the Basin, but there’s still plenty to do coming up in January. Here are a few possibilities:

Grant County Jail roster as of Dec. 31, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Jail inmates detained before Jan. 1, 2025 are not listed.