Ellington

Jacks 5th grade basketball team earns third in state

QUINCY — The Quincy Jackrabbits fifth-grade team finished third in the state tournament in Spokane to conclude their basketball season. The young team worked hard since October, and those efforts were rewarded as they finished as one of the top three teams in the state.

Patriotism and luck showcased at Moses Lake Business Expo

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo drew between 1,100 and 1,200 people Tuesday, Chamber Director Debbie Doran-Martinez estimated.

Grant County detective honored by Girl Scouts

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Detective Katrina Ball was recognized March 7 as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. It was an unexpected honor, she said.

Hansen overpass rebuild estimated to cost $15-17 million

MOSES LAKE — While a final cost hasn’t been determined, the new overpass at Hansen Road west of Moses Lake will cost an estimated $15 to $17 million. Chris Keifenheim, director for the Washington Department of Transportation, North Central Region, said Wednesday that demolition should start in June or early July.

‘I’d take 100 of him’

Mason Bradford signs letter of intent to Whitworth golf

MOSES LAKE — Mason Bradford of the Moses Lake Mavericks golf team signed his letter of intent to Whitworth University to continue playing golf at the next level Thursday afternoon. “The last four years (I've been) looking forward to going somewhere and continuing with golf and just blessed to be able to play at the next level and play the game I love,” Bradford said.

Kit home bill would pave the way for small DIY housing

OLYMPIA — A bill passed in the Washington Legislature and signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson this year could mean some new options for housing in the state in the future, said the bill’s primary sponsor, state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. “When you’ve got a $600,000 beat-up starter home someplace around Seattle, what about a simplified but modernized version of a kit home from the old days?” Wilson said. “We need all choices on the menu for housing options, except living in a blue tarp on the street.”

BASIN EVENTS CALENDAR: March 20-27, 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — There’s plenty to do this week in the Columbia Basin. Here are some possibilities.

BBCC awards tenure to 4 faculty

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College awarded tenure to four faculty members during the March 19 board meeting. Cade Levine, Melissa Heaps, Mitchell Valdivia and Justin Henley were all on their third probationary year and, after consideration from the board, were given tenure.

Soap Lake council tables tourism committee plan, debates planning services

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Council approved several administrative resolutions Wednesday but postponed decisions on tourism funding and planning services after an hours‑long discussion over staffing, contracts and oversight.

More inventory, lower interest make buying more appealing in Washington

MOSES LAKE — Housing inventory is up in Washington state and interest rates are down, making buying a home easier than it was a year ago, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 of Washington’s 39 counties.

February building permits: Ephrata, Quincy, Mattawa

February building permits: Ephrata, Quincy, Mattawa

WEATHER: March 20-26, 2026

Friday: A 2% chance of rain after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Breezy, with a SW wind 10-20 mph. Mostly cloudy evening, with a low around 41. West wind 13-16 mph.

Legals for March, 20 2026

Cougs fall in midweek game at Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — The Washington State Cougars (7-12) fell short to Utah 8-5 Tuesday after an unsuccessful late push by WSU.

Huskies reach 13-game win streak after wins over Maryland and North Dakota

SEATTLE — The University of Washington Huskies softball team (23-6) had a strong showing over the last week of competition as they extended themselves to a 13-game winning streak. The Huskies faced Maryland last weekend in a set of three games and North Dakota Wednesday evening. In Friday’s game, Maryland was the first on the board after Anna McGowan hit an RBI double in the opening inning. The Huskies responded in the bottom of the second, with a two-RBI single from Alexis DeBoer that scored Melody Acevedo and Sophi Mazzola. Giselle Alvarez slammed a home run to put the Huskies up 4-1.

Adams Co. and Grant Co. jail rosters for Mar. 18, 2026

This list shows current inmates from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, ordered by arrest date. Grant County inmates are housed at the Grant County Jail. All individuals listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

City seeking funding for study of second Moses Lake crossing

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will be seeking federal funding to conduct an environmental study of a possible second crossing over Moses Lake. City Manager Rob Karlinsey said Wednesday the environmental study would be the first step in building a second crossing.

GCSO logs for March 10-11

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. NL in an entry indicates no location listed for the incident.

Ephrata Police Department Logs for March 16-18, 2026

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

Court cases in March 2025 shooting death of Moses Lake teen moving forward

EPHRATA — Jose D. Beltran Rodriguez, 21, of Moses Lake, and Matthew Gabriel Valdez, 19, also of Moses Lake, remain in custody at the Grant County jail after being arrested in connection with a March 21, 2025, drive-by shooting in Moses Lake.

Brews & Tunes draws crowds despite chill

MOSES LAKE — The weather wasn’t altogether friendly, but that didn’t stop people from enjoying a drink and a shopping trip at Brews & Tunes in downtown Moses Lake Saturday.

‘Divas of Soul’ features strong voices, beloved songs

MOSES LAKE — The last half-century has seen – and heard – some strong female singers, and those voices will be at the Wallenstien Theater March 28 in the Columbia Basin Allied Arts presentation of “Divas of Soul.”

WEATHER: March 19-25, 2026

Thursday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Breezy, with SW wind 9-14 mph increasing to 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy evening. Low around 50. SW wind 8-14 mph.

Legals for March, 19 2026

Soap Lake council unanimously votes no-confidence in Mayor Sharp

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed a vote of no-confidence against Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday evening, taking effect immediately after passage. Councilmember Kayleen Bryson read the resolution as the only comment on the matter. Sharp did not comment during the meeting.

Central Washington falls in sweet-16

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats (25-7) were defeated 57-51 Monday by California State Polytechnic University Broncos, Pomona in the sweet-16 of the NCAA Division two tournament. Head Coach Randi Richardson reflected positively on the season and her team, according to a statement by CWU Athletics.

Smoke detector provides early warning of Moses Lake fire

MOSES LAKE — A smoke detector alerted the residents of a Moses Lake home and allowed them to escape an early-morning fire Wednesday. The fire, in the 2600 block of West Texas Street, occurred about 1 a.m., according to a statement from the Moses Lake Fire Department. “Upon arrival, crews found light smoke coming from the home. Firefighters determined the fire had started and was contained to a plugged-in appliance,” the statement said. “The fire was extinguished before it could spread, limiting damage primarily to smoke within the residence.”

Housing discussion continuing in Quincy

QUINCY — Rules for building “co-living housing” in Quincy were sent back for further review by Quincy City Council members following a discussion of the process Tuesday.

Knights fend off the Warriors at home

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (3-0-2) defeated the Wahluke Warriors (3-1-1) 2-0 Tuesday. Royal Assistant Coach Adan Martinez said their previous games leading up to Tuesday prepared them for this game.

Measles reported in Grant County

EPHRATA — Grant County health officials are urging families to check their vaccination records after two unvaccinated children in the same household tested positive for measles, marking the county’s first confirmed infections of 2026. Grant County Health District said it was notified on March 17 that both children, who were recently exposed during international travel, had contracted the virus. One child was briefly hospitalized; both are now recovering at home. Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny said the cases underscore how quickly measles can spread — and how effectively it can be prevented.

Basin teams begin track and field season at Ephrata Ice Breaker

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers hosted 12 teams, including the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions, Othello Huskies, Soap Lake Eagles and Wahluke Warriors for the Ephrata Ice Breaker. The first track and field meet of the season worked to set the tone for the season as newer athletes got a taste of competition, and the returners had an opportunity to make a strong start to their season.

Tigers remain confident after tough start to the season

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers (0-3) hosted Wenatchee Tuesday afternoon, where they fell 0-16 on the pitch. Tigers Head Coach Lesa Trevino said after facing 4A teams for their first three games of the season, the team is better prepared for when they begin playing in league.

COLUMN: Soaring fuel, fertilizer prices hammer farms already struggling

Jason Vander Kooy, family dairy farmer and Save Family Farming Vice President, issued the following statement regarding spikes in fuel and fertilizer prices for Washington farmers resulting from conflict in Iran.

Henry 'Hank' Severin, Sr.

1944 - 2026

Henry A. Severin, 81, was born March 29, 1944, in Wilbur, Wash. to the late Paul and Donnalee Severin.

Charles 'Chuck' Sedlacek Jr.

Charles "Chuck" Sedlacek Jr., 77, died June 1, 2025, in Aberdeen, Wash. No formal services will be held.

Licensing locations

COLUMBIA BASIN — There are three ways to buy a fishing license in Washington. Anglers can visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and order online, or they can call 360-902-2464 to order one. Online and phone orders may take seven to 10 days before you receive your license, according to the WDFW website, so the fastest way is to visit a licensed dealer. Here are the dealers in Grant and Adams counties:

Trout Derby adds a little something extra to lake fishing

MOSES LAKE — Anglers, cast your lines! The 2026 Trout Derby begins April 25. “We stock lakes all over the state,” said Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Communications Specialist Nicole Jordan. “Some of the fish are tagged, and people can catch a tagged fish and win a bunch of donated prizes.”

Looking for sheds provides the fun of the hunt

PLAIN — For people who like to spend as much time outdoors than they do indoors – if not more time outdoors – the woods provide a plethora of things to do and see. Some, like camping, have a broad appeal, while others are known to a own special set of enthusiasts. Not everybody is a shed hunter, after all. “What are you going in the woods for? Everybody has a reason why they go – hiking, enjoy the scenery, maybe see a deer or elk,” said DJ Sweet, Moses Lake. “Now add a twist to it.”

Hiking Trails in the Columbia Basin

COLUMBIA BASIN — Eastern Washington boasts a variety of different hiking trails to enjoy as the weather begins to warm up. Below are five hiking trails in the Basin to try out this year. Remember while out hiking to stick to the hiking trails, clean up after your pets and yourself to keep the areas beautiful.

Rotary Club of Moses Lake celebrates 75 years

MOSES LAKE — The Rotary Club of Moses Lake gathered at Pillar Rock Grill Saturday to celebrate 75 years of service to the community. “Every person in this room has chosen to spend some of their time serving others,” said Rotary Club President Tori Douglass. “When I look around this room, I don’t see money; I see value. In fact, I believe this may be the richest room in our city because it’s filled with people who are willing to give their time to make someone else’s life better.”

Examining how agriculture could switch to renewable energy

MOSES LAKE — The topic of energy production is something that has become something of increasing interest in recent years as new technology is developed. David Funk, President and Founder of Zero Emissions Northwest, said his goal is to inform people about green energy sources that can save long-term money.

Jail staffing focus of Adams Co. Commission discussion

RITZVILLE — The remodeled Adams County Jail is tentatively scheduled to open in spring 2027, which means training new and current jail staff. And that, said Adams County Commissioner Dan Blankenship, means some monetary decisions must be made.

Ready to party?

OTHELLO — Meet Gala, the cutest jubilee in Eastern Washington. A terrier mix, spayed, vaccinated and microchipped, she is ready to put on her dress and take over your house. She needs a little bit of help with house-training but said she is more than happy to learn. If this sweet girl seems like a perfect fit,

WEATHER: March 18-24, 2026

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. SW wind 8-14 mph. Mostly cloudy evening, with a low around 49. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

'A Taste of Ireland' set to showcase Irish music, dance and fun

MOSES LAKE — Three Eastern Washington venues will get their Taste of Ireland this spring when “A Taste of Ireland – The Irish Music & Dance Sensation” comes to Yakima, Spokane and Wenatchee.

Colorful pups

Last week, we asked the children of the Columbia Basin to try coloring Akira, our pet of the day last Wednesday. Ashlynn, 11, Odette, 9, and Teagan, 7, submitted these wonderful pictures with a bit of artistic flare. We really appreciate them sharing their artwork with us.

Legals for March, 18 2026

Gettin' down to business

MOSES LAKE — Attendees stroll down the aisles at the Moses Lake Business Expo Tuesday afternoon at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce puts on the annual event to support businesses and provide a bit of fun for the community. Further coverage of the event will be in an upcoming edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.

MLSD to publicly review financial audit Thursday

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will have a special session before its regularly scheduled board meeting March 19 to publicly receive the results of the accountability audit conducted by the Washington State Auditor’s Office, who will present the findings.

STUDIO BASIN: Ephrata's Ridge Robotics to go to national Lego Competition

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Ephrata Ridge Elementary School's Ridge Robotics team members Mille Scheelke and Lindsay Leenhouts sit down with reporter Nance Beston to discuss their season, robot and their upcoming FIRST LEGO League.

Royal City development expanding

ROYAL CITY — Additional apartments will be coming to Royal City as part of the next phase at a development on Ahlers Avenue North. Alex Kovach, the city’s planner, said the new apartments in the Pratt Hills development will give Royal City residents options they don’t have now. “It diversifies the city’s portfolio of housing,” he said.

The WA 2026 legislative session ends, but not without a fight

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers adjourned Thursday, March 12, concluding the 2026 legislative session, defined by another multibillion-dollar budget deficit and Democratic-backed efforts to restructure the state’s tax code and safeguard Washingtonians from actions by the federal government.

Knights tennis bests Naches Valley

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights battled against Naches Valley on the court Monday afternoon with the Knights boys earning a 5-0 victory while the girls battled to go 3-2 on the court. With another early season meet concluded, the Knights prepare for a busy regular season ahead.

Moses Lake Firefighters quickly contain Ivy Avenue House Fire

MOSES LAKE — At approximately 1 p.m. Monday afternoon, firefighters from Moses Lake Fire Department Stations 1 and 2 responded to a reported structure fire in the 1000 block of Ivy Avenue.

Ephrata Police Department logs: March 13-15, 2026

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

NBA owners will work on expansion again next week with Vegas and Seattle the targets, AP sources say

ASSOCIATED PRESS — The NBA may move a step closer to adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas next week when expansion — which has been a topic for some time — will again be discussed by the league's board of governors, two people with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on Monday. A vote is planned on whether to go forward with those two cities as the sole expansion targets at this point, the people said. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because those details were not released publicly.

Dodson bridge to remain open while nearby overpasses face issues

ROYAL CITY — The Hansen Road bridge over Interstate 90 may be scheduled for demolition; the Adams Road bridge might be closed and in need of repairs, the Hiawatha Road bridge might need monitoring. But the Dodson Road overpass is open and in relatively good repair.

W20 project in early planning stages

Port of Moses Lake looking to bring irrigation water to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake officials are working on lining up partners and funding for a project that would tap an irrigation canal for additional water to the port and local municipalities. Port Director Dan Roach said the first task will be starting the planning, scheduled for 2026.

WEATHER: March 17-23, 2026

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Southwest wind 7-14 mph. Mostly cloudy evening, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 8-11 mph.

FUEL REPORT: March 17, 2026

FUEL REPORT: March 17, 2026

Legals for March, 17 2026

Mavs suffer loss in doubleheader

Coach Lindgren remains confident in bounce back as season progresses

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (0-2) fell to the Kennewick Lions Monday in a doubleheader with final scores of 6-1 and 9-1. Despite the losses, Head Coach Donnie Lindgren is confident his players will respond the right way.

Tigers, Jacks and Cougars kick off baseball season after snow delay

EPHRATA — The Quincy Jackrabbits and Warden Cougars joined the Ephrata Tigers at home for a baseball tournament to start the season over the weekend. The three teams had the competition delayed after a snowstorm Friday and got back on track Saturday morning, playing in five-inning games.

C-17 makes precautionary landing at Grant County International Airport

MOSES LAKE — Emergency agencies were called to the Grant County International Airport Monday afternoon when a C-17 needed to make a precautionary landing. “When the crew has reason to believe there is something wrong with one of the aircraft’s systems, sometimes they choose to land here to check it out, and sometimes they fly back home and look at it,” wrote Airport Director Rich Mueller in response to a question from the Columbia Basin Herald. “In this scenario the crew chose to land here.” The plane landed without incident and no one was injured, Mueller said.

Sentencing hearing set in 2022 Moses Lake murder case

EPHRATA — Juan Gastelum, the suspect in the March 2022 killing of Yanira Cedillos, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on March 3. He is now scheduled for an April 28 sentencing hearing. According to court documentation, Gastelum, 32, of Hermiston, Ore., pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree with Sexual Motivation. The minimum sentence Gastelum may receive under the law is two years in prison, but the maximum is life imprisonment and up to a $50,000 fine. However, the sentencing hearing is under Special Set Sentencing, an option under Washington state law which allows adjustments to sentencing if a suspect pleads guilty.

Quincy Police Department logs for March 10-14

The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Locations are not listed for incidents in QPD records.

Washington teams ready for March Madness

MOSES LAKE — One of the most anticipated times of the year for sports has finally arrived as March Madness is set to begin this week. In this year’s bracket, several Washington teams are set to go dancing, one of which already has reached the Sweet 16. See below which Washington college basketball programs are competing in the tournament this season.

Billy Ollice

1934 – 2026

Billy Ollice, 92, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026. Billy was born on February 9, 1934, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Dessie and Harold Ollice.

Mind Matters

Workshop set to bring together mental health professionals, community

MOSES LAKE — The Mind Matters Mental Health and Behavioral Health Workshop will explore a wide range of related topics March 26 at Big Bend Community College.

‘Bridging the gap’

Ephrata City Clerk Kapalo leaving behind modernized, more connected city

EPHRATA — When City Clerk Katie Kapalo arrived at Ephrata City Hall in June 2024, she didn’t just step into a job she’d never heard of before applying – she stepped into a role that would soon reshape how the city communicates, connects and prepares for the future.

Local artists invited to share work at Easter shows

MOSES LAKE — Artists, and people who enjoy art, are invited to participate in Easter art shows in Moses Lake and Ephrata this month, hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The theme for the shows will be “A Walk with Christ,” said Becky Earl, a member of the Moses Lake Stake’s communications committee.

Love isn’t just for February

MOSES LAKE — Meet Valentine, the tiny sweetheart who proves love isn’t just for February. This three‑month‑old white‑and‑brown mixed‑breed cutie is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and 100% ready to steal your heart and your couch spot. He may be small, but he’s got a whole lot of love to “paws” out, and he’s hoping someone special will “fetch” him soon. If you’re searching for a pup who will love you every single day — not just on Valentine’s Day — this lovable boy is ready to be your fur‑ever Valentine. Fill out Valentine’s application at GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org. If you can’t adopt right now but still want 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.

Spring incoming: high temperatures 15 degrees above normal this week

MOSES LAKE — Snow, high temperatures in the low 40s, windy, cold, clouds and more clouds – what, is spring stuck on the pass or something? Actually, temperatures are expected to rise and approach 75 degrees by Thursday.

Elks Lodge makes $6K donation to veterans nonprofit

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Elks Lodge donated $3,000 in cash and another $3,000 in fuel cards to local nonprofit FOB Columbia Veteran Resources, an organization that supports veterans in need. A variety of food was also delivered to make sure veterans don’t go hungry. “One of the biggest things that we run into, especially when veterans get back on their feet and get back into the community, is that they don't have fuel to get to and from those work interviews,” said Tori Douglass, executive director of FOB Columbia.

Alvena Johnson (Currit)

1932 – 2026

Alvena Frances Johnson of Moses Lake, Washington passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the age of 94. With her family present, she passed peacefully in her sleep at 12:20 a.m.

WEATHER: March 16-20, 2026

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Light and variable wind becoming south 5-8 mph in the morning. Mostly cloudy evening, with a low around 41. SW wind 8-10 mph.

Legals for March, 16 2026

Wildcats advance to round of 32 in DII tournament

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats (24-6) have advanced to the round of 32 of the NCAA Division two tournament after defeating the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets 63-36 Friday.

WA Dems push through $2B spending increase in final hours of legislative session

(The Center Square) – In the final hours of the legislative session, state lawmakers passed budgets on Thursday to fill a multi-billion-dollar hole with new taxes, reserves, one-time transfers and some cuts.

Court case in Nov. 2025 Moses Lake shooting moving forward

EPHRATA — The trial into the shooting of a 23 year old Moses Lake man is progressing through Grant County Superior Court. Darwin Nahun Tejada Martinez, 29, of Seattle is on trial facing a single charge of Assault in the First Degree after investigators say he shot the victim in a Nov. 25, 2025, incident.

Tigers best Eagles in home opener

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers and Soap Lake Eagles started their soccer seasons off on a windy Thursday evening in Ephrata where the Tigers earned a 9-2 victory. Both teams are coming into the season with high expectations for themselves as they look ahead to the coming months of competition. “It was a good first game, we came out trying to control possession and control the tempo of the game. We knew that would get us goals,” said Tigers Head Coach Ivan Garay. “It took us a little bit to get there, but once we got the first one, we were able to keep them going.”

Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller has setback in oblique injury recovery

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller ended his first bullpen session in three weeks early after feeling some discomfort in his left oblique. Miller threw a handful of warmup pitches, took a break and then elected not to throw any full-effort pitches after ramping up his session, according to reports.

Seahawks agree to a 2-year contract with fullback and special teams captain Brady Russell

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms Thursday with fullback and special teams captain Brady Russell on a two-year contract. Russell appeared in all 17 games for Seattle last season, and was a captain for the Seahawks in their 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. The three-year veteran was signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado.

Kadri scores 1st goal since rejoining Avs, MacKinnon adds his NHL-best 44th in 5-1 win over Kraken

SEATTLE (AP) — Nazem Kadri scored his first goal since rejoining Colorado and Nathan MacKinnon added his NHL-leading 44th score of the season as the Avalanche beat the Seattle Kraken 5-1 on Thursday night. Kadri, acquired from the Calgary Flames on March 6, gave Colorado a 4-1 lead when he tipped a shot by Sam Malinski past Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer, who replaced Joey Daccord to start the second period. Kadri spent three seasons with the Avalanche, and won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022.

Mavericks open season with home victory on the pitch

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (1-0) returned to the pitch Thursday and took care of business against the Ellensburg Bulldogs with a 3-0 win. Head Coach Miguel Segura was thrilled to see his seniors lead the team to victory.

Ephrata installs new equipment at Lions Park

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Parks and Recreation Department cut the ribbon on new playground equipment at Lions Park, located at 598 Parkway Blvd. in Ephrata, under Beezley Hill.

MLPD logs for March 10 & 11, 2026

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

Musical Journey: Ephrata Choir finds harmony – and awe – on Puget Sound Tour

SEATTLE — The moment the first notes lifted into the vaulted air of St. James Cathedral, something shifted for the Ephrata High School Choir. The students had spent two days singing, learning, laughing and ferry‑hopping their way across the Puget Sound region – but this was the moment that stayed with them.

Weather forces delays in Basin sports

MOSES LAKE — Several sporting events across the Basin have been postponed this weekend due to rain and snow causing conditions on the field to be unsuitable for play. Ephrata Tigers baseball Head Coach David Tempel was out shoveling snow Friday morning to keep the field in the best condition possible to resume a planned tournament Saturday. “This morning I got up and saw all the snow and got on the phone with my AD. We made the decision fairly quickly that games would be canceled today. We've alerted all the teams involved. We're going to shoot to try and get them all in tomorrow,” Tempel said.

Fire officials urge families to do annual safety checks

EPHRATA — The first warm days of March tend to nudge people toward open windows, fresh air and long‑delayed chores. As closets are emptied and garages are sorted, local fire officials say spring cleaning is also the perfect moment to tackle a few safety tasks that often get overlooked – ones that can prevent emergencies and even save lives.

BASIN EVENTS CALENDAR: March 13-21

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s been a little bit breezy, but nothing the Basin isn’t used to, and it’s certainly no excuse not to get out and do something fun this week. Here are some options.

Moses Lake awards money to 7 community organizations

MOSES LAKE — Seven charitable organizations received funding from the city of Moses Lake through a grant program established last year to funnel charitable donation requests to one place.

Warden council approves sewer loan, adopts body-cam redaction fees

WARDEN — The Warden City Council approved two resolutions Tuesday, held a required public hearing on body‑camera redaction fees and tabled a proposed drug‑paraphernalia ordinance for further revisions.

‘Stars, Stripes and Shamrocks’

Moses Lake Business Expo combines themes, expands into third building

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Business Expo has a dual theme for 2026, Executive Director Debbie Doran-Martinez said.

EWU earns rare NSA accreditation

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University has been named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, according to an announcement from the university.

ACH anticipates growth after successful basketball season

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (19-6) girls basketball team found success on the court this season as they made a late push into the postseason. The Warriors drove all the way to the Round of 12 before falling to Lummi Nation.

Home prices down, houses moving faster in much of the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Home prices dropped in January in Moses Lake, Ephrata and Othello compared to January 2025, according to the real estate website Redfin, but showed a substantial increase in Quincy.

Light moves: Custom exterior lighting marks holidays, shows team spirit

MOSES LAKE — Lighting up the outside of a house for the holidays looks pretty, but it can be a whole lot of work to set up. That’s what Moses Lake brothers Zach and Nate Thomas aim to change.

Brews & Tunes set for this weekend in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Tickets are still available for Brews & Tunes Saturday, the Downtown Moses Lake Association annual blend of music, beverages and fun, according to DMLA Executive Director Mallory Miller.

Legals for March, 13 2026

WEATHER: March 13-19, 2026

Friday: Rain and snow likely before 2 p.m., then a slight chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 6-9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. A 40% chance of rain and snow before 8pm, then a chance of rain between 8pm & 11 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow after 11 p.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 30. West wind 7-9 mph.

Grant Co. jail roster for Mar. 12, 2026

The list below shows arrest date and inmate information from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, ordered by arrest date. Grant County inmates are housed at the Grant County Jail. All individuals listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Rock Bottom Rocker sustains windstorm damage

SOAP LAKE — The Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry sustained serious damage from the windstorm that occurred Wednesday night, with multiple enclosures damaged or destroyed. Despite the damage sustained, Shawna Kluge, president of Rock Bottom Rocker, said all the animals are safe.

Eagles season concludes in OT heartbreaker

BOISE — The Eastern Washington Eagles (15-18) season came to an end after a competitive 77-79 loss to the Montana State Bobcats in overtime Tuesday, according to a statement by EWU Athletics.

Looking for a home to call his own

OTHELLO — This petite Chihuahua mix may be small in size, but he’s big on charm.

Raymond Patrick Kelby

1955 – 2026

Raymond Patrick Kelby, 70, passed away on March 9, 2026, in Wilson Creek, Washington. He was born on July 14, 1955, in Bethesda, Maryland. Raymond was courageous, hardworking, kind, loving and had a ministry of support for those in isolation.

Tigers prepping for another solid year on the links

LAKEVIEW — Despite cold temperatures and a bit of wind on the course, the Ephrata Tigers golf team is gearing up for the season and prepping for its first meet Friday against the Moses Lake Mavericks, Ephrata Golf Coach Dan Molitor said Tuesday. “We had our first day of qualifying (Monday) and today’s the second day,” he said during the Tuesday interview. “So, we’ll place our top eight to play against Moses Lake on Friday, and then out of the top I’m taking two teams down to an invite on Monday, so I’m going to be taking the top five.” The focus right now is knocking the rust off of skills the 10 returning players have and getting fundamentals down for the six other players who are either new or have less experience, Molitor said. With a squad of 16, the roster is deep enough to make sure Ephrata is represented well throughout the season.

Wahluke track team focuses on personal, team improvement

MATTAWA — Track is both an individual and a team sport, and Wahluke’s head track coach Josh Dugan said the Warriors work on both parts of that equation. “It doesn't matter if you went to state last year or you're running a 20-second 100 meter. We emphasize PRs – personal records. So again, if somebody starts out at 20 seconds (in the 100 meters), but if you end the year at 17, that's our focus. The first time you write an essay it might be terrible, but then you start getting better and better,” he said. “So, we're focused on just pure self-improvement, because I always tell the kids that if you beat your own record enough, you start to beat everybody else as well.” It's a team sport at the same time, however, and Dugan said the track team also is asked to think of that.

Wahluke soccer coach expects to be competitive in tough league

MATTAWA — Wahluke boys soccer coach Cele Lopez said the 2026 season is shaping up to be competitive and Wahluke is going to be in the middle of it. “I think we're going to do just fine this year. We lost a few key players, but there are some freshmen coming up, and there's some other guys that have been stepping it up – they've been grinding over the offseason,” Lopez said. “I think we'll we're going to be just fine, at least at the point where we can be competitive.” With only a week of practice behind the team, Lopez said it’s too early to pick varsity lineup.

ACH looks to build off last season’s momentum

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (15-7) are coming into this season motivated to build off last year’s successes, Head Coach Faye Butler said. After just missing out on placing in the state tournament, the team hung around for the championship games, which seemingly lit a fire in them. “They got really excited, and they were like, ‘We want to be here next year.’ And I said, ‘We can be; it just takes a lot of work,’” Butler said. “They're just really pumped for softball season. I really hope they can carry that drive into this season... I really believe they will.” The Warriors will be set up well with key leaders Grace Okamoto and Josie Bayless returning this season. Butler is eager to see them elevate their level of play while also taking another step into those leadership roles with the team, something she is confident they can do.

Knights focused on consistent improvement in new season

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights are hitting the diamond this season after a 16-10 season last year that saw them make a first-round appearance in the 1A state baseball tournament. New Head Coach Tony Jenks is eager to begin his tenure with a program he believes has made significant improvement in the last couple of years. “The boys work hard here. They expect to win now when they play sports,” Jenks said. “We've kind of turned the corner, I think, in the last couple of years. We've got a lot of boys that work on baseball all year round, and travel to The Six (athletic facility) and work out with him quite a bit.” According to Jenks, the players aren’t the only ones who have been working on their game in the offseason. As he prepares to begin his tenure as head coach, he has also refining his coaching skills, he said.

Royal embraces ‘We Are One’ motto as new season begins

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (21-6) are returning to the diamond this year excited to build on the success of the last few seasons, Head Coach Lisa Lawrence said. “We've had a really successful program these last several years. We've had some really great athletes and a lot of talent, and we're excited for what's to come this year,” she said. The Knights have strung together multiple winning seasons over the last few years, including a state championship run in 2024. As they enter this season, Lawrence anticipates some newer challenges since a few of her core players have graduated.

Warden Softball rebuilds with experience, high expectations for 2026

WARDEN — After a young Warden softball team battled its way to the state tournament last spring, head coach Randy Wright believes this year’s group is poised to take another step forward — and possibly much more. “We were young last year,” Wright said. “This year we’re a lot more experienced, and that makes a big difference.” Warden returns the core of its roster from a team that gained valuable postseason experience in 2025. Wright said the athletes have come into the new season with a clearer sense of what it takes to compete deep into May.

Wilson Creek partners with Odessa for spring sports

WILSON CREEK — The Wilson Creek Devils have partnered with the Odessa Tigers for spring sports this year. Despite wearing different school colors, the Devils will be competing in baseball, golf and track as they continue their athletics through the end of the sports season. “We’ve had combined sports for the last few years,” said Devils Athletic Director Loni Koziol. “Before going to Odessa we were combined with Soap Lake, it’s a pretty common practice in our small 1B schools just for numbers, and Odessa was the school that was the closest and had the availability to take our kids.” Koziol said the ability to combine athletics with other schools in the area allows the students in smaller schools to have the opportunity to play in more sports since they don’t always have the numbers to make a full team. Besides that, Wilson Creek doesn’t have a baseball field, a track or a golf course that the students would be able to utilize to participate in these sports from home.

Huskies build up new tennis players and strengthen returners

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies have returned to the tennis courts as they prepare to play in another successful season following the boys’ top-three finish and the girls finishing as the Central Washington Athletic Conference league champs. Coaches Caleb and Priscilla Tovar said they are ready to bring up a new group of dedicated players for the 2026 season. “They definitely competed,” said Caleb. “We lost quite a few seniors on both sides. It’s a matter of rebuilding now, but traditionally around here, we get kind of lucky and a lot of kids enjoy playing and you get younger siblings that have played at least a little bit before.” This season was the biggest start to the season yet, as the coaches said 108 players signed up to join the team.

Huskies aim for a return to state in 2026

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies are gearing up for the start of the 2026 baseball season after concluding the last season with a third-place finish in state. This year, Head Coach Sonny Garza said the Huskies are preparing to get into the state tournament once again. “Great group of kids last year,” Garza said. “They began playing for the team and for the person next to them, which was really good, and I think that’s really what helped us have a successful season.” The Huskies were a dominant force in the Central Washington Athletic Conference last season, finishing with a 23-6 record. The Huskies entered the 2A District 5 tournament as the second seed where they earned victories over East Valley and Ellensburg before falling to Selah in the district finals to take second in District 5.

Returning athletes look to make strides for Lions track season

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions are preparing to get their track and field season underway. After the successes from last season, Head Coach Dan Bishop said there is a group of returning athletes who are ready to make a name for themselves. “We’ve got several state veterans that were really good athletes (last season) and several that are just starting out and trying to find their way and decide which events are going to work out for them,” said Bishop. “We have a good mix of veterans and beginners.” Last year, he said the Lions sent seven of their athletes to the state tournament. Returning junior Amelia Shopbell made it onto the podium by earning sixth in javelin with a throw of 101 feet, 4 inches (30.89 meters).

Lions add softball to the schedule for spring athletics

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions are starting their first softball season at the high school level this year. Under the leadership of Head Coach Todd Gregory and Assistant Coach Ty Whitaker, the team hopes to grow this season to build the program into the future. “They look promising and I’m hoping that we can put in a good season and prove (ourselves) by the end of the year to where we can have a winning season and make some noise in the postseason,” said Gregory. The building of the program began last year at the middle school level after getting a group of girls together for a short season, said the coach. With their success in making that team, the Lions transitioned to getting the numbers to play in a high school season.

Soap Lake Tennis opens season with record turnout, senior leadership

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake High School tennis coach Lee Leavell begins the 2026 season with the largest roster he has seen in his six years leading the program – around 24 athletes, a turnout he calls both exciting and bittersweet. “It’s very senior heavy,” Leavell said. “I’m really excited for it, because it’s my last run with this group of kids that I’ve had for a long time. I’m just trying to enjoy it and telling the kids they need to enjoy the season.” With so many upperclassmen, Leavell said the team’s goals center on savoring the experience as much as competing.

Broncos strong turnout brings high hopes

RITZVILLE — With the track and field season starting, the Lind-Ritzville Broncos are turning out in big numbers, according to Head Coach Caitlin Teske. “I've been coaching 11 years, and the biggest team I've ever been a part of was 44 kids. So to have 40 kids, that's pretty exciting,” Teske said. “It'll be exciting to see how these kids grow, and what the new talent comes in that we don't know (about yet), that's maybe been hiding. Super excited for it.” The Broncos finished last season strong, sending multiple athletes to the state track meet in 2025. Zach Klein, Brody Boness, Damon Schilling, Leland Bowman, Brix Curtis and Jerod Harder competed on the big stage. This year, they return several of those competitors while also welcoming a younger class of athletes into the Broncos program.

Broncos aim high as they return to the green

RITZVILLE — As the spring sports season kicks off, the Lind-Ritzville Broncos golf squads are eager to hit the green in the pursuit of a state appearance. After sending two golfers last season, Head Coach Bryce Court is hopeful to see more competitors repping the Broncos in this postseason. “I have high hopes that we can sneak in four or five (golfers), and that's a tall order, but I feel like we got to aim high and try to get that accomplished,” Court said. After Hayes Hennings and Jase Bowman appeared in the state tournament last season, Court and the Broncos are optimistic they can send more golfers this year after the team gained a lot of invaluable experiences last year.

MLHS softball has the numbers and the drive to win

MOSES LAKE — The field outside Moses Lake High School was teeming with softball players March 3. “Our numbers are huge,” said Head Coach Mike Hofheins. “We’ve got a ton of girls out, like 55 girls. We have a huge senior class, (so) we have a lot of veterans. Our expectations are high.” The Mavericks graduated some standout pitchers last year, which means the next crop of pitchers is rushing to build up their skills.

‘A love letter to teachers’

MLHS theater invites community to step into the 1960s with “Up the Down Staircase”

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School Theater is gearing up to open “Up the Down Staircase,” and if the cast and crew have anything to say about it, this is the week to show up, fill the seats and cheer loudly.

Maverick boys work on basics, teamwork

MOSES LAKE — How’s Moses Lake High School’s baseball team looking this year? “Young. Really young,” said Head Coach Donnie Lindgren. “Inexperienced, but ready to work.” The baseball team graduated nine seniors last year, Lindgren said. The incoming team has boys who have played before in youth baseball and for a club team at The Six, Lindgren said, but not as a unit. Some of the newcomers have played for Moses Lake in football and basketball as well, he said.

Quincy tennis focusing on the mental game

QUINCY — New Quincy girls tennis coach Joahan Fregoso said the team is set up to challenge his players, which helps them over the course of the season. "I feel like a big strength is (that) our girls really compete with the boys (in practice), which keeps them on their toes, which is really good for them,” he said. There are things the team needs to work on, however.

ACH gets back to the diamond with hopes to return to state

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors baseball team is ready to get back onto the baseball field this spring after finishing their basketball season in the final round of the state tournament. For baseball, the Warriors have set their sights on returning to state after finishing third last season. “We’re excited,” said Warriors Head Coach Hunter Lee. “Obviously it’s tough to make the transition when you’re a (small) school like us. When you’re playing on the final weekend, it’s a very quick transition to go from all in on basketball on Saturday, then Monday, you’re in a completely different sport. It’s hard to make that transition, but it’s what you get for being good.” The Warriors had a very successful 2025 season, ending with a 19-4 record and advancing through districts to enter the state tournament as the number three seed.

Adams Road bridge, other projects in planning or underway

Quincy soccer sets high expectations

QUINCY — The Quincy boys soccer team has a lot of returning experience and as a result the players are expecting a successful season. “We have really high expectations this year for them – as well as they do. They really set that bar pretty high,” said head coach Hector Vaca. The Jacks shared the Central Washington Athletic Conference title in 2025 in their second year in the league. They lost in the opening round of the state playoffs to North Kitsap, the eventual second-place finisher.

Ephrata tennis squads ready to realize potential

EPHRATA — Despite crisp winds, the Ephrata Tigers boys and girls tennis squads were focused Monday on preparing for the upcoming season on the court. Both teams have a mix of returning players and newcomers giving them seasoned and raw talent to pull from, the coaches said. Both squads had a decent turnout this year, Girls Tennis Coach Michael Bosnar and Boys Coach Greg Becker said. Both had high hopes for the season with a mix of skill levels coming onto their respective teams, with a load of potential in the younger players coming on board. Girls squad

Ephrata seeks grant to design new rail overpass, north–south arterial

EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is moving forward with a major freight infrastructure proposal, asking the City Council to authorize a Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board grant application that would fund preliminary engineering for a new railroad overpass and north–south arterial connecting SR‑28 to the Port of Ephrata.

‘A pathway to success’

McKinney‑Vento program supports students without stable housing

EPHRATA — Grant and Adams counties continue to see students living without stable housing, reflecting statewide trends and placing increased pressure on school districts to provide transportation, basic needs and academic stability.

WEATHER: March 12-18, 2026

Thursday: A 20% chance of snow before 10 a.m., then a slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Windy, with a west wind 20-30 mph. Gusts as high as 46 mph. 30% chance of snow, mainly after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a west wind 8-18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Legals for March, 12 2026

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Concerns about the SAVE Act

There’s a lot of talk right now about the SAVE Act, a proposal in the other Washington with the fancy buildings and national museums to ensure only qualified Americans can vote. Honestly, that’s a good thing. We don’t want or need non-citizens voting in our elections. They should be, and are, secure. Data from secretaries of state throughout the nation show that our elections are secure with very little voter fraud.

WA House approves 'millionaires tax’

OLYMPIA — After a grueling 25 hours of debate, a bill taxing households earning more than $1 million a year advanced the Washington House on Tuesday, March 10, inching closer to shedding the state’s no-income tax status.

Hansen Road bridge construction to begin late June, early July

MOSES LAKE — Demolition of the Hansen Road overpass will begin in late June or early July. Chris Keifenheim, North Central Region administrator for the Washington State Department of Transportation, said DOT officials will be monitoring the Hiawatha Road overpass to ensure it stays open during construction.

Veterans groups to host virtual career fair

ERLANGER, Ky. — Disabled American Veterans and RecruitMilitary® will co-host the National Virtual Veterans Career Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Pacific time March 17, according to an announcement from DAV. The online event is free to veterans, their spouses, active-duty military personnel and members of the National Guard and Reserve.

Earl Thorp

1923 – 2026

Longtime Moses Lake resident and dentist, Earl Thorp, died Friday, February 20, 2026, at the age of 103, in College Place, Washington.

Quincy Police Department logs for March 4-10

The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Locations are not listed for incidents in QPD records.

State Senator Judy Warnick announces retirement

MOSES LAKE — State Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, has announced her retirement from the Washington Legislature at the end of her term in January 2027. Warnick represents the 13th District and has been in the Senate since 2015. “Serving the people of the 13th Legislative District has been the greatest honor of my professional life,” Warnick wrote in a press release issued Wednesday. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together to protect our water rights, support our small businesses and empower the next generation of leaders.”

First of many

Dr. Carlina Menjivar delivered the first baby at the new Samaritan Hospital on Clover Drive Saturday at 2:14 p.m. The baby boy was born at 6 pounds, 14 ounces and was 19 inches long. The Columbia Basin Herald joins the community in welcoming one of its newest members and we congratulate the new parents.

Huskies soccer ready to defend league title

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies (14-7-1) are set to return to the pitch this week as the 2026 season kicks off. Head Coach Bernie Garza said the Huskies expectations for success remain high despite only returning three starters from last season.

Asking questions, curiosity, knowledge focus of Wahluke FFA project

MATTAWA — The fifth graders from Morris Schott Elementary had seen bugs and gross worms and skulls and some gross compost during their lesson on decomposition from Wahluke High School Future Farmers of America students. Their last stop, said ag teacher and FFA advisor Jonathan Betts, was out in the greenhouse.

Children donate stuffed animals, make up packages for children in foster care

MOSES LAKE — Children from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints East Moses Lake Stake brought in stuffed toys Saturday to add to packages for children in foster care.

High winds forecast for Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — Rachel Fewkes, meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said that while the Columbia Basin is not forecast to get the heavy snow anticipated for the Cascades, it’s forecast to be tree-blowing-down windy.

Corral Creek kicks off spring season at George CoffeeHouse

GEORGE — The George CoffeeHouse concert season gets underway March 21 with a performance by Corral Creek at the George Community Hall.

A pup who’s paws-itively ready for adventure

MOSES LAKE — Akira is a tiny two‑month‑old mixed‑breed cutie with black‑and‑cream fur and a heart full of fur-endship. This small but mighty pupper is already spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped – talk about being pre-pawed for her new home. Akira is hoping someone from the community will fall in love with her. Visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and fill out her application, if she seems like your type of girl. If you can’t adopt right now but would like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.”

Basin Sports Schedule: March 11-21, 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring sports are beginning this week for high school teams around the basin. See where the local athletes will be getting their season started.

WEATHER: March 11-17, 2026

Wednesday: A slight chance of rain and snow between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain. Patchy blowing dust after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a SW wind 10-18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. A 50% chance of evening rain. Patchy blowing dust. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Breezy, with a southwest wind 18-24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Legals for March, 11 2026

Moses Lake man sentenced to 16 years for strangling roommate

MOSES LAKE — Kyler Mathew Wortham, 35, of Moses Lake who admitted to strangling his roommate in 2025 has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to second‑degree murder – domestic violence.

Registration open for hunter safety classes

OTHELLO — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, is sponsoring one-day classes for people needing field training to complete their hunter safety courses. Classes are scheduled for March 21 and April 18, with the potential for more classes later in the year.

Grant Co. jail roster as of March 10

This list shows current inmates from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, ordered by arrest date. All individuals listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

George man arrested after standoff

GEORGE — A George man was arrested Wednesday morning after he allegedly assaulted a woman during a domestic dispute then refused to come out of his house.

UW prepares for Big Ten Tourney run

MOSES LAKE — The University of Washington Huskies (15-16) are heading for the Big Ten tournament in Chicago where they will compete against the University of Southern California in the second round. The Huskies are coming off a close loss last weekend against the Oregon Ducks in the regular season finale.

LETTER: Thank you for building community

I would like to thank you for the coverage of YMCA in the Columbia Basin Herald.

Gentlemen’s Quartet set to make sophistication fun March 24

MOSES LAKE — The Gentlemen’s Quartet – plus a lady – will take the stage March 24 at the Wallenstien Theater. The concert is sponsored by the Central Basin Community Concert Association.

Basin churches come together for Lent, fellowship

MOSES LAKE — For some local churches, Lent is more than a time for giving things up; it’s also a season of fellowship and community.

Port of Moses Lake rail project moving to construction

MOSES LAKE — With two decades of work already in the project, the Port of Moses Lake is looking for someone to oversee construction of its new and refurbished rail line. Milton Miller, port facilities director, said hiring a construction manager is the first step.

Grant County remains measles‑free but trend concerning

EPHRATA — With measles cases climbing across Washington and the nation, state and local health officials are urging families to review vaccination records and make sure children are protected. No cases have been reported in Grant County so far but officials urge caution.

Ellensburg trooper named WSP Trooper of the year

ELLENSBURG — Trooper Thomas Megargle of Ellensburg has been recognized as the Washington State Patrol District 6 Trooper of the Year. “Ever since I've known Thomas … there's no one who's going to outwork him, that's for sure,” said Sgt. John Bryant, Megargle’s sergeant. “He has the drive, the internal drive to get things done.”

Lady Vikings finish season in conference tourney

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (27-4) concluded their season after being eliminated in the second round of the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament.

COLUMN: The 2026 Winter Paralympics are on, it’s time for credit where it’s due

The Winter Paralympics don’t ease you in. They don’t warm up. They don’t politely ask for your attention. They explode onto the ice at full speed, led by athletes doing things that challenge physics, redefine technical mastery and prove that toughness has no single form.

WEATHER: March 10-16, 2026

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 8-16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. A 20% chance of nighttime rain and snow before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind 10-15 mph.

Fuel Report for March 10

Fuel Report for March 10

Legals for March, 10 2026

Law enforcement face coverings ban moves forward in Olympia

OLYMPIA — Washington’s state House advanced a bill Tuesday, March 3, that prohibits law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from covering their faces while interacting with the public.

WA Lawmakers pass bill allowing removal of decertified sheriffs

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers passed a controversial bill last week, strengthening eligibility requirements for sheriffs and other law enforcement leaders, while outlining a process for the state to remove decertified elected sheriffs from office.

Moses Lake resident assaulted Sunday

MOSES LAKE — Four Moses Lake Police Department officers were dispatched to Samaritan Hospital Sunday afternoon for an obvious assault of a 30-year-old Moses Lake resident, according to MLPD Chief Dave Sands.

Grant Co. jail roster for Mar. 7-9, 2026

This list shows current inmates from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, ordered by arrest date. All individuals listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Ephrata Police Department logs: March 4-8

The reports below were provided by the Ephrata Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. NL in an entry indicates no location listed for the incident.

Knights optimistic for future after third place finish at state

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights (23-5) wrapped their season with a historic run to the 1A state semifinals and third-place finish, the first time they’ve appeared in the tournament since 2001. “I'm thrilled with this season,” Head Coach Farrah Wardenaar said. “We set some goals, and one of them was to get to the SunDome. To do it and then get third place, it was almost unattainable, but (we’re) so happy that we stayed focused. When we went to Tacoma and beat Annie Wright, I think it was like a light switch for our girls, like we can compete with these guys, and the momentum kept going from there.”

Foundations of belief powers Knights to third in state tourney

ROYAL CITY — After a successful first year under Head Coach Tim Ravet, the Royal Knights (24-5) finished the season in third at the 1A state basketball tournament. “I think we were playing pretty good basketball; having a shot to play until the last day is always the goal,” Ravet said. “Believing that you could win is always fun; you can tell the kids believed we could win. That's what you want more than anything: that belief, buy-in and work ethic.”

GALLERY: WIAA State Basketball tournament gallery

MOSES LAKE — Multiple basin teams battled among the best players in the state during the state basketball tournament over the weekend.

Wildcats earn top seed in NCAA West to host regionals

BELLINGHAM — The Central Washington University Wildcats (23-6) concluded their run in the GNAC Tournament Friday during the semifinal round when they fell 74-79 to the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (19-14). Despite the loss, CWU earned the top seed in the 2026 NCAA Division II West Region Tournament. “Our team showed a lot of fight and played hard,” said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson. “I’m so proud of our fight and effort, but we didn’t have enough execution in finishing possessions with rebounds, making paint shots and limiting our fouls. Credit to MSUB, they played a great game and never let us pull ahead.”

New Samaritan Hospital opens its doors

MOSES LAKE — The tarp covering the “Emergency” sign at the new Samaritan Hospital could be removed a few minutes early, but it wasn’t officially open until the sign’s lighting was turned on. The timing had to be precise. “I’ve got to wait until 6:59 (a.m.),” said Jason Wilbur of Graham Construction.

Lions finish strong to earn fourth in state

SPOKANE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions concluded their basketball season Saturday morning after earning fourth place in the 1B state tournament after a 51-49 victory over Liberty Christian. The matchup was tight from start to finish as both teams gave their all to finish out the season.

‘I thank God for you’

Community Court graduate ready to start new life

EPHRATA — Shannon Robinson never expected to be where he was Wednesday: hugging a judge and walking away a free man. “I’ve been in and out of prison most of my life, with drug addiction being a big part of it,” Robinson said. “I really didn’t know anything other than that. So, every time I got out of prison, I kept going back to the drugs. And there was never any program that I could take advantage of that would show me anything different until this drug court came along. I thought, ‘Well, I’ve tried everything. I might as well try this.’”

With fewer applicants, Grant PUD trying to fill what’s left

EPHRATA — A steep increase in application fees for Grant County PUD customers has reduced the number of pending applications dramatically. Andy Wendell, vice-president of customer experience, said that was one of the goals, but there were others. “There were a number of things that we wanted to do. We wanted to become contemporary. What I mean by that is that we (want to) have application processes that are providing certainty in our queue,” Wendell said. “(We wanted to ensure) that when we dedicate engineering and planning staff to reviewing applications, we want to increase the probability that we're working on applications that are going to come to fruition as much as possible. So yes, we did achieve results that we had hoped for, which is to have applicants in the queue that are more certain (to) come to fruition.”

WEATHER: March 9-14, 2026

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 13-17 mp. Gusts as high as 25 mph. Mostly clear evening, with a low around 27. West wind 10-14 mph.

Legals for March, 9 2026

Coolidge Rd. extension to improve access to Moses Lake Community Health

MOSES LAKE — Construction is scheduled to be completed in late April on a project to extend South Coolidge Street to connect it with East Wheeler Road. The goal, said Moses Lake Community Health Center Sheila Berschauer, is to improve access MLCHC.

Lady Vikings fall in 2nd conference round

PASCO — The Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings (27-4) were defeated by the Clackamas Cougars 74-55 in the elite eight round of the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament Saturday.

ACH finishes fifth in 1B state tourney

SPOKANE — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors boys basketball team concluded their season in fifth place at the 1B state tournament. Though the Warriors took losses in the semifinals and finals, the team held their heads up as the hard work from their season was rewarded with a trophy to add to the school’s case.

Moses Lake man arrested after pursuit

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested March 5 after leading officers on a short pursuit and breaking into a house.

Warden collision leads to minor injuries

WARDEN — Warden city officials are reminding residents that motorcycle use is restricted within city limits after a 10-year-old sustained minor injuries in a crash Saturday morning.

Royal girls grab third at state after semifinal loss

YAKIMA — The Royal Knights (22-5) fell short 42-27 in the semifinals of the 1A state basketball tournament to the King’s Knights. Loss aside, Head Coach Farrah Wardenaar and the Royal girls are holding their heads high.

Knights boys earn third place at state with grit and effort

YAKIMA — The Royal Knights (24-5) finish in third place in the 1A state basketball tournament after a deep run saw them make the semifinals before falling short 74-64 to the Zillah Leopards. From there, they bounced back with a redeeming 64-49 win over King’s Knights to earn third in the bracket. Despite the semifinal loss, Head Coach Tim Ravet expressed pride in his players and the belief they showed throughout their game against the Leopards.

Lions best Columbia Adventist in semis

SPOKANE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions move on from the state semifinals after a stunning 57-43 comeback victory over the Columbia Adventist Kodiaks. Following their victory, the Lions prepare for the fourth-place game Saturday morning against Liberty Christian.

Karen Lynn Layton

1947 - 2026

Karen Lynn Layton, 79, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away peacefully March 2, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She died of complications of an aggressive Lymphoma Cancer.

Linda Diane Brumet

1951 – 2026

Linda Diane (Spray) Brumet, 74, passed peacefully Feb. 18, 2026, at Brookdale Hearthstone, from a terminal brain aneurysm, with hope and promise beyond this life.

Man arrested for arson, assault in Ephrata on Thursday

EPHRATA — A transient was arrested Thursday morning after allegedly setting fire to an apartment building in Ephrata, according to a statement from the Ephrata Police Department.

Quincy PD releases annual report

QUINCY — Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green said full staffing and proactive policing are important factors in combating crime and that some of the results show up in the QPD’s 2025 annual report.

Oak and Lily Day Spa gets a little bigger

MOSES LAKE — The Oak and Lily Day Spa has been tucked into a little corner next to the downtown end of the Alder Street Fill for several years, but now it’s expanded into a larger space. “We’re going into our fifth year, (and) we just expanded into the other side of the building,” said owner Stephanie Perez. “We added new services and redid some of our services that we started with.” Perez celebrated expansion Tuesday with a ribbon cutting, attended by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. The space she expanded into used to be a law office, Perez said. The building is an older one, built in 1961, according to county records, and Perez has had to make very efficient use of the space. There’s a small room right behind the front counter where she started out doing manicures and pedicures. In the expanded space, there’s a room with a zero-gravity massage chair that reclines all the way back and wraps around to massage your entire body, right down to your feet, Perez said.

Grant Co. Jail remains on-time, on-budget

EPHRATA — Grant County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy of Corrections Phil Coats said Thursday afternoon that the new county jail is coming close to completion and remains on-time and on-budget. The last few days have even brought about a significant step. “One big milestone that we were able to meet earlier this week is we got our temporary certificate of occupancy,” Coats said.

BASIN EVENTS: March 6-14

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s spring at last, and the Basin is filled with ways to get out and about. Whether you’re itching to get outside or you still want to huddle inside a warm building, there’s something for everybody. Here are some possibilities.

Covenant Christian School students grow plants for fundraiser

MOSES LAKE — Many gardeners in the Basin have already started nursing their seedlings in preparation for the day they can put them in the ground. Others can place their orders this month for ready-to-go plants from Covenant Christian School’s first plant sale. Orders will open in mid-March, and be delivered in April and May. “We have herbs, we have vegetables, we have flowers,” CCS seventh- and eighth-grade teacher Valerie Parrott said Wednesday. “We’re growing mainly heirloom, non-GMO plants.” The horticulture class is the beginning of the ag program Covenant Christian School started this year, using a greenhouse donated by school volunteer Ed Macdonald, known around the school as Papa Ed. The greenhouse was still very much a work in progress Wednesday; the frame was mostly put together but the plastic sheeting hadn’t been installed to cover it.

Building permits: Grant County, Quincy, Othello

Grant County, Quincy, Othello

2025 sees slight real estate market improvement

KIRKLAND — The real estate market in Washington improved in 2025 compared to the year before, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 Washington counties. The data is compiled from the work of more than 31,000 real estate brokers in more than 2,400 member offices, according to the NWMLS. Closed sales statewide increased slightly, by 0.21%, in 2025 over 2024, according to the NWMLS data. In Grant County, closed sales increased by 10.8%, and in Adams County by 17.82%.

Huskies win regular season finale over Ducks

EUGENE, Ore. — The University of Washington Huskies (20-9) capped off regular season play with a 70-69 road victory over the University of Oregon Ducks (20-11). With this victory under their belts, the Huskies march into postseason play. UW earned an early lead due in part from the efforts of Sayvia Sellers from the Huskies who came out of the first half shooting 6-for-6 from the floor and knocking down four three-pointers. The Ducks on the other hand started slow, shooting 28.6% and turning the ball over four times in the first quarter. Things started to swing in Oregon’s favor by the second quarter as they shot 7-of-14, but Washington responded accordingly to every push to maintain their lead. By the end of the half, the Huskies led 36-27.

Moses Lake residents to weigh in on city fiscal plans

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to discuss city finances and programs and how to make them work together at a public workshop from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 16 at the Moses Lake Civic Center. It’s part of the city’s plan to get the opinion of residents on how they want the city to spend its general fund money – and where there might need to be some cuts.

Ephrata High roof to be replaced

EPHRATA — Ephrata High School will be getting a new roof in the coming months after several years of patchwork fixes for ongoing leak issues. The roof had been repaired and gotten a new overlay a bit more than eight years ago, but problems have persisted, prompting the repair. Ephrata School District Assistant Superintendent Aaron Cummings said Thursday that the replacement was a long time coming and will cost somewhere between $2 and $3 million, paid for out of the district’s General Fund.

New coach, same standards

Trevino leads Tigers into new season

EPHRATA — After a strong 2025 season that saw the Ephrata Tigers make a state appearance, they are back under new Head Coach Lesa Trevino. Despite the changes, their goals remain the same. “The last few years with the program, they have been phenomenal,” Trevino said. “With a lot of these underclassmen coming in, we’ve got to develop those fundamentals first and make sure that we're going in with that team first mentality. Making sure that we're taking those small steps of fundamentals first, the rest is going to fall into place as soon as we get those fundamentals going.”

WEATHER: March 6-12, 2026

Friday: 20% chance of rain before 10 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56. South wind 6-9 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy at night, low around 42. SW wind 8-10 mph.

Legals for March, 6 2026

UPDATED: Former Moses Lake doctor arrested after shootout with U.S. Marshals in Florida

STUART, Fla. — Former Moses Lake surgeon Thomas Earl Steffens, 72, has been arrested in Florida after an altercation with U.S. Marshals who were serving a sexual assault warrant during a traffic stop March 2.

Basin athletes push through state tourney

MOSES LAKE — The WIAA State Basketball Tournament is going on strong with local basin athletes continuing their fight toward a state title. See the results for Almira/Coulee Hartline, Royal and Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School below.

MLPD logs for Feb. 28 – March 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.

Blues beat Kraken 3-2 to halt Seattle's 5-game home winning streak

SEATTLE (AP) — Dylan Holloway scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, Brayden Schenn had three assists and the St. Louis Blues beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Wednesday night. Robert Thomas added a goal and an assist, and defenseman Logan Mailloux also scored as the last-place Blues improved to 9-17-3 on the road with their second consecutive victory away from home against a playoff contender.

Seahawks agree to new 2-year deal with LB Drake Thomas, AP source says

SEATTLE (AP) — The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Drake Thomas have agreed to a two-year contract, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Cutest crunch-ball

MOSES LAKE — Meet Pork Rind, a 4‑month‑old reddish mixed‑breed pup. He is medium-sized, sweet as can be, and already neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. He’s a friendly, wiggly boy who’s ready

5th grade Jacks headed to state basketball

QUINCY — The fifth-grade Quincy Jacks girls’ basketball team qualified for the state tournament at the Podium in Spokane running from March 13-15. As the girls prepare for the tourney Head Coach Summer Keller said the girls are feeling proud to represent their small town.

Roadwork season gets rolling

MOSES LAKE — Washington Department of Transportation crews will be sealing cracks along State Route 17 between Moses Lake and Ephrata starting Monday. Drivers should plan for flagger-controlled traffic and delays in the work zone.

Pages of Redemption

Initiative gathers books to donate to jails

MOSES LAKE — A single book can make a big difference for those who are incarcerated. “Books have the power to change lives,” said Bryson Fico, who collects and donates books to jails through his Pages of Redemption initiative. “If we can educate (inmates) or change their perspective on things, if they can see that somebody on the outside really cares about what’s going on inside these jails, they might be more inclined upon their release to give back.” Fico has collected and donated more than 3,000 books to jails around the Northwest, he said. Those books serve both to educate inmates and to give their minds something to do during the long, dull period of incarceration.

Ephrata Schools receive $30K OSPI safety grant

EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District announced that it has been awarded a $30,000 School Safety Center - Violence Prevention and Intervention grant from the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It is expected to aid in proactive prevention, according to Ephrata SD Communications Director Sarah Morford.

Field trip set to explore ice age geology near Tri-Cities

RICHLAND — The past is right beneath our feet, and a field trip planned for the Tri-Cities area aims to bring that home, according to an announcement from the Ice Age Floods Institute.

Ephrata Fire gets new apparatus

EPHRATA — It took about 33 months to build and get right, but the Ephrata Fire Department received its newest fire apparatus – fire truck to the layman - March 1, according to an announcement by the department. “The new fire truck cost $789,725.22 and was fully funded by ARPA funds. ARPA funds are federal funding that was authorized by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act following COVID-19,” said Ephrata City Clerk and Public Information Officer Katie Kapalo. ARPA funding was granted as one-time funding for public health, infrastructure and similar purposes during the pandemic.

Four ‘Cats garner GNAC honors

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced on Tuesday that four Wildcats were represented on the All-Conference Teams, with senior guard Asher Cai earning Player of the Year honors, marking the fourth Wildcat to earn the Player of the Year distinction in the past five seasons.

LETTER: Remembering a civil rights leader

Dear editor: I was deeply saddened about the passing of The Reverend Jesse Jackson. I was a member of his Rainbow Coalition.

Data center regulation stalls amid tech industry pushback

OLYMPIA — Democratic lawmakers' effort to regulate data centers failed to advance this short legislative session. House Bill 2515, spearheaded by Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia, would have established new energy requirements on data centers, including increased transparency on energy and water usage and the creation of new agreements to ensure facilities cover the cost of higher demands instead of passing them on to regular ratepayers.

WA COLLEGE SPORTS SCHEDULE: March 5-12, 2026

MOSES LAKE — As the seasons shift from winter to spring, so do the college sports as basketball heads into postseason and baseball gets deeper into early season competition. Check out where your favorite teams are headed this week.

WEATHER: March 5-11, 2026

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 13-17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Mostly cloudy evening, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 7-11 mph.

Legals for March, 5 2026

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Don’t dismiss the views of youth...

Children never cease to surprise us. Whether they have an interesting insight at the age of four or their opinion on a topic doesn’t line up with what we expected given where they were raised and who raised them.

Basin teams compete in round of 12 at state

MOSES LAKE — Five teams from the Columbia Basin are competing in the state tournament this week, with three of those teams competing in the Round of 12 across the 1A and 1B tournaments in Yakima and Spokane. See the results of Royal and Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School’s boys teams below.

GCSO logs for March 1-2, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Any suspects named are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Incidents with “NL” indicate that no location was associated with the report provided by GCSO.

I-90 Adams Road overpass closed until further notice

GEORGE — The Adams Road overpass on Interstate 90 east of George has been closed to traffic while Washington Department of Transportation inspectors assess its condition.

Mary Talcott

1942 – 2026

Mary Cecelia (Eberts) Talcott, 83, of Moses Lake, Wash., passed away Feb. 18, 2026, surrounded by family and dear friends. Mary was born Nov. 22, 1942, in Dickinson, N. Dak., to Magdalena and Peter Eberts.

WA passes law outlining vaccine coverage

OLYMPIA — A move to shift vaccine recommendation authority away from the federal government to the state was successful this legislative session.

GCSO logs for Feb. 25 – 28, 2026

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Any suspects named are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Incidents with “NL” indicate that no location was associated with the report provided by GCSO.

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights awaits governor’s signature

OLYMPIA — Domestic workers across Washington received a major win last week as House Bill 2355, known as the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, advanced through the Senate, overcoming its final hurdle before reaching the governor’s desk for signature.

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: March 4-7, 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — The high school basketball season is wrapping up this week as the final teams from the basin go on a run for a state championship. Check out how the bracket is churning out in the next few rounds of the state tournament.

Othello School Board considers new meeting schedule

OTHELLO — The Othello School Board will consider moving one of its two monthly board meetings to a different time. Board members will be discussing their options March 9.

Quincy Food Bank auction brings new storage building closer to reality

QUINCY — It was still a couple of weeks shy of St. Patrick’s Day, but the green was being worn at the Quincy Food Bank’s Golden Giving auction Saturday. About 50 people came out to enjoy corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, and dancers from An Daire Academy of Irish Dance showed their fancy footwork, all to raise funds to expand the food bank.

Pug-mix princess

OTHELLO — Meet Iroko, the small-but-mighty pup who’s ready to color your world with joy. This adorable pug‑mix princess from Othello, Washington is fully spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped, and she’s looking for a forever family at Adams County Pet Rescue. Iroko may not be house‑trained yet, but she’s eager to learn — she just needs someone patient who won’t mind a few “oopsie doodles” along the way. With her bright spirit and heartwarming charm, she’s ready to add a splash of paw‑some personality to your life. Think of her as your new “best fur‑end” who can’t wait to shade your days with love, scribble away stress, and fill your home with tail‑wagging happiness. Visit AdamsCountyPetRescue.com to 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.”

Valentine’s Day cards flood Brookdale Hearthstone with love

MOSES LAKE — Residents at Brookdale Hearthstone Assisted Living in Moses Lake got Valentine’s Day greetings from across the country last month. “I believe that the only states we have not received (cards from) yet are Vermont and Maine,” Lifestyle Director Imelda Broyles said Feb. 24. “We keep receiving new cards every single day. They have not stopped. My residents are in awe with every single one of the cards that we’ve been receiving.” The Hearts Across America project started as a way for children in school classrooms to exchange Valentine’s Day cards with classes in other states or even countries, but the idea has expanded to senior living facilities, according to the project’s social media.

SENIOR EVENTS: March 2026

COLUMBIA BASIN — Plays, art shows, auctions and more await seniors in the Columbia Basin this month. Here are some opportunities to get out and about in March.

Space Burger booth open March 13-15

MOSES LAKE — Those who can’t wait for the Grant County Fair can get their Space Burger fix next weekend, according to an announcement from the Lioness Club of Moses Lake. The iconic Grant County sandwiches will be available at the Grant County Fairgrounds March 13-15, according to the announcement. There is no admission fee to get into the fairgrounds that weekend.

WEATHER: March 4-10, 2026

Wednesday: 60% chance of rain, mainly before 7 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Southwest wind 6-13 mph. Mostly clear evening, with a low around 36. West wind 10-13 mph.

Legals for March, 4 2026

Stoke to conduct test firing Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — Stoke Space has announced through the Grant County Sheriff’s Office that the company will be test firing rockets between 2 and 9 p.m. Wednesday. During the test firing, Road G NE will be closed between State Route 17 and Road 10 NE. Travelers are advised to find alternate routes.

Victim of 2011 Grant County homicide identified

POTHOLES RESERVOIR — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help from the public in determining what happened to a man whose body was found near the Potholes Reservoir in 2011 and recently identified.

Royal High School to add new classes

ROYAL CITY — Royal High School will be expanding its class offerings for students in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. Kaiden Garcia, RHS counselor, said the subjects were chosen after a survey to determine which classes students want to take and teachers want to teach.

Eagles suffer loss ahead of conference tourney

CHENEY — The Eastern Washington Eagles (13-18) were white hot coming into their game against the Vandals on an eight-game win streak. However, their momentum ran out at home as Idaho outscored the Eagles 85-81 Monday. “They just had an edge to them tonight,” Associate Head Coach Ryan Lundgren said. “They were the tougher team tonight, bottom line. I mean, they just wanted that game more than us."

Eagles fall after fourth quarter rally by Idaho

CHENEY — After a competitive first half, the Vandals were able to run away with the game 75-64, as they stunted any momentum Eastern Washington (14-17) built. Despite the loss, Head Coach Joddie Gleason felt her team played hard, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. “These were two good teams that battled tonight, and the conference champs took control in the fourth to secure the win,” Gleason said. “Ella Gallatin was absolutely amazing tonight and helped propel us into the lead at halftime. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep them off the glass to start the game and then again in the pivotal moments in the fourth. We didn't match their physicality, or we had the chance to steal the game in Moscow.”

Adams and Grant jail rosters for Mar. 3, 2026

This list shows current inmates from the Adams County and Grant County Sheriff’s Offices, ordered by arrest date. The Adams County Jail is closed and its inmates are held in other facilities, while Grant County inmates are housed at the Grant County Jail.

Skjonsby’s late heroics lift Cougs to road win over Long Beach State

LONG BEACH, Cali. — After a late rally led by Ryan Skjonsby, the Washington State Cougars (5-6) defeated the Long Beach State Dirtbags 9-7 Sunday. In a postgame interview with WSU Athletics, Skjonsby credited his team for finding a way to win.

Cougars wrap up season in state tourney

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars boys basketball team concluded their season Feb. 27 in the opening round of the 2B state tournament after falling to Adna in Tumwater. Despite the loss at state, Head Coach Brent Erdmann said the team had a very successful season. “Very proud because these boys worked so hard, and we’re not your typical group of basketball players,” said Erdmann. “We haven’t been a basketball town in Warden, and I think just getting into state, we might have some kids that are hungry and we can do something next year.”

Seahawks don’t place tag on RB Kenneth Walker III

SEATTLE — As expected, the Seahawks did not place a franchise or transition tag on running back Kenneth Walker III by Tuesday’s 1 p.m. deadline. The deadline came and went a few hours after there were multiple reports from national NFL writers reiterating that it was expected Walker would not get tagged. Not being tagged means Walker, who won Super Bowl MVP honors when the Seahawks beat the Patriots, 29-13, on Feb. 8, will likely become an unrestricted free agent next week, able to begin negotiating with other teams on Monday morning and to sign with another team on Wednesday afternoon.

Dorothy (Dee) Danz

Our beloved mother, Dorothy (Dee) Danz, passed away on February 5, 2026, at the age of 77 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Adopt a house panther

MOSES LAKE — Meet Zia, the purr‑fect little mystery in a sleek black coat. At four years old, this medium‑sized, golden‑eyed beauty is already spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped –all she needs now is a forever home to call her own.

Daccord backstops Kraken to 2-1 win, ending 12-game point streak for Hurricanes

SEATTLE (AP) — Ben Meyers scored his career-high sixth goal and the Seattle Kraken ended Carolina's point streak at 12 games by beating the Hurricanes 2-1 on Monday night. Kaapo Kakko also scored for the Kraken, and Joey Daccord was superb in net with 35 saves. Seattle defenseman Adam Larsson had two assists.

District to slow down, regroup after Ephrata bond failure

EPHRATA — Ephrata School District leaders say they will slow down and regroup after voters rejected the district’s $75 million, 25-year construction bond in the February special election, leaving facility needs unresolved while officials reassess community priorities.

Childhood tooth decay surges in Grant, Adams counties

MOSES LAKE — A new statewide report shows children in Grant and Adams counties are experiencing some of Washington’s highest rates of tooth decay, underscoring concerns from public‑health leaders as National Children’s Dental Health Month came to a close in February.

Warden Elementary improves attendance using regional program

WARDEN — Warden Elementary School is beginning to see early gains in student attendance after launching a 10‑day attendance challenge supported by a regional network focused on reducing chronic absenteeism.

Moses Lake fiscal sustainability discussion kicks off

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council and city officials are starting a process to determine what services the city should be providing – and paying for – and which could be reduced if necessary. It’s part of city officials’ attempt to eliminate a budget deficit in the city’s general fund, a deficit that’s projected to increase over time without changes to the way the city is spending its money.

Lions reflect on successful season following state berth

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions girls basketball team (16-9) ended their season in round one of the state tournament, falling 30-55 to Valley Christian. Lions Head Coach Josh Kast said it finished a great season of growth that has him excited for the future. “It (was) slow, steady growth all season long,” said Kast. “We started out pretty hot, but we had to play some tougher teams in the second half of the year and we were competitive against those teams.” The Lions found success in the regular season as they went 8-2 in the Central Washington B League and entered districts as the third seed. Going into district play, they won their first matchup against Entiat but fell against the number two seed Pateros in the semifinals of the winner’s bracket.

More dead bills pile up in Olympia

OLYMPIA — Numerous bills did not pass the opposite chamber policy committee cutoff earlier this week, marking the death of some high-profile legislation, including increasing protections for children in the child welfare system and lowering the legal blood-alcohol level.

WEATHER: March 3-9, 2026

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Cloudy that night, with a low around 41. Southwest wind around 6 mph.

Legals for March, 3 2026

Adams Co. and Grant Co. jail rosters for Feb. 27, 2026

This list shows current inmates from the Adams County and Grant County Sheriff’s Offices, ordered by arrest date. The Adams County Jail is closed and its inmates are held in other facilities, while Grant County inmates are housed at the Grant County Jail.

March 2 Fuel Report

March 2 Fuel Report

Wildcats refocus after narrow loss in season finale

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats womens basketball team (23-5) fell short 58-56 to Northwest Nazarene University in a competitive battle to conclude their regular season. Despite the loss, Head Coach Randi Richardson is confident her team will bounce back, according to a statement from CWU Athletics. “We built all year to have a moment like this, and it was a great game. Credit to NNU for making some big plays down the stretch and things didn't fall for us. This moment doesn't define this team, and there is more season to be played. I love our seniors and I'm proud of who they have been in their time as Wildcats. Next week we will respond,” she said.

ACH continues state run with win over Muckleshoot Tribal

WENATCHEE — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors kept their bid in the state tournament alive after earning a 53-41 victory over Muckleshoot Tribal in the second round of the 1B state tournament. The Warriors prepare for the Round of 12 in Spokane as they work their way towards a state title. “Oh, we’re pumped,” said Warriors junior Crace Okamoto. “We’re excited to play in the arena and we’re going to give it all we’ve got.”

Lions look ahead to Spokane, despite opening loss

RICHLAND — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions (18-3) suffered a loss to the DeSales Irish 80-69 Saturday in the opening round of the 1B state basketball tournament. Despite the loss, Head Coach Emerson Ferguson was proud of how his players battled. “We did what we normally do, which is the battle,” Ferguson said.

Ryan Washburn Larson

1977 – 2026

Ryan Washburn Larson, 49, of Moses Lake, WA, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026.

ACH earns strong victory over Neah Bay

WENATCHEE — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors claimed a 64-51 victory over Neah Bay in the opening round of the 1B state tournament. With this victory, the Warriors move on to the quarterfinals as they push toward a state championship.

Take Flight STEM Night educates hundreds

‘STEM is part of their world and they can be part of it too’

MOSES LAKE — Hundreds of young students and their families packed the halls of Longview Elementary Thursday night for “Take Flight STEM Night,” a growing regional series aimed at sparking early interest in science, technology, engineering and math across Grant and Adams counties.

Focused on family and community

A look at the life of Othello's Frank Ochoa Jr.

OTHELLO — Frank Ochoa Jr. did a lot of things in his life, from coaching children in boxing and baseball to helping build Lions Park in Othello to helping raise eight children – and being good at all of that, his family said. And while he had other careers, he really was a farmer.

Gonzaga, UW program designed to improve region's health care

MOSES LAKE — Geoff Jones, a physician and assistant clinical dean at the University of Washington Medical School, said giving medical students a wide variety of experience benefits both the students and their future patients.

Knights suffer close loss in opening round of state

YAKIMA — The Royal Knights (20-4) suffered a 48-47 loss to the King’s Knights after nearly pulling off the comeback in the opening round of the 1A state boys basketball tournament.

Legals for March, 2 2026

WEATHER: March 2-6, 2026

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Partly cloudy evening, with a low around 35.

1 subject arrested for alleged arson, threats to kill

OTHELLO — Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 2100 block of West Moon Road Thursday afternoon after a report of a disorderly subject. Upon arrival, according to ACSO, deputies encountered an unruly subject later identified as 44-year-old Javier Corona-Sanchez. Deputies deployed tasers to assist with compliance. Javier was booked into jail for threats to kill and second-degree arson.