Legals for January, 6 2025

Medicare out-of-pocket cap on prescriptions takes effect

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 70,000 seniors in Washington state will save hundreds or thousands of dollars each year thanks to the new annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for folks on Medicare Part D, according to an announcement from the office of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. The new cap is part of the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress in 2022, and it means seniors will pay significantly less for their prescription drugs this year, lowering costs for families and giving them more breathing room, according to the announcement. “Starting Jan. 1, anyone with a Medicare prescription drug plan – also known as Medicare Part D – now has their out-of-pocket drug costs capped at two thousand dollars each year,” Murray wrote in the announcement. “ … As everyone knows, high drug prices come with other painful costs – like stress over how to make ends meet, or what bills to skip in order to fill a prescription, or whether to take the risk of rationing medication. These are impossible choices that no one should ever have to make. But they’re the reality for so many people, and so many seniors especially.”

Legals for January, 10 2025

Budget deficit may mean protecting, not expanding, substance abuse treatment programs

(The Center Square) – A prominent state senator indicated that fiscal reality could mean prioritizing and protecting substance abuse recovery programs that are already working over any plans to expand them. Washington state is facing a projected operating budget deficit of between $10 billion and $16 billion over the next four years. “I want to be realistic, but I am also optimistic and have faith in my fellow legislators and for me, success really means that we are protecting the programs that are already in play,” Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, said at a Monday morning virtual meeting of the Substance Use Recovery Services Advisory Committee, or SURSAC, that included legislative priorities for the upcoming session. “I’m not optimistic enough to talk about expansion.”

Grant Co. upgrades law enforcement software

MOSES LAKE – Grant County, with the assistance of the Multi-Agency Communications Center – 911, switched its law enforcement reporting software at the beginning of 2025. The new software is a cloud-based platform with more assets and less crashes than the previous program which the county has been using since 1996, according to Moses Lake Police Department Captain Jeff Sursely.

Environmental group highlights goals for upcoming legislative session

OLYMPIA — The 2025 Washington legislative session will begin Monday and the Washington Conservation Action’s Environmental Priorities Coalition has four goals for the upcoming session: advanced clean trucks and climate progress, climate action, sewage spill right-to-know and the recycling reform act. The EPC met for a press conference on Tuesday to discuss its legislative initiatives.

Robert Drake Johnson

April 5, 1956 — Dec. 29, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Drake Johnson, 68, affectionately known as Bob, Bobbo or The Dude. Bob passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on Dec. 29, 2024, with his beloved wife Julie by his side. Bob lived a life full of passion, laughter and love. Born on April 5, 1956, in Pasadena, California, to Joseph and Cynthia Johnson, Bob grew up with a child-like curiosity and zest for life. His career at Boeing brought him to Moses Lake in the late 1980s where fate led him to Julie, his hairdresser who became his soulmate and wife. They married on Oct. 3, 1992, beginning their life journey which was a beautiful mix of joy, endless stories, heartfelt laughter, and boundless affection.

Wahluke district patrons to vote on capital levy Feb. 11

MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a three-year capital projects levy in a special election Feb. 11. District officials are asking for $2.58 million over three years.

Fifteen WA bills enacted in the new year

Impacts to be seen in health care, workers rights and more

OLYMPIA – At the beginning of 2025, a suite of fifteen Washington bills became law, transforming key areas from health care to workers’ rights, to cosmetics.

Moses Lake School District EP&O levy on February ballot

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District will submit an educational programs and operations levy to district voters on the Feb. 11 ballot. The levy, using local taxes, provides funding for programs and services beyond the state’s basic education requirements.

STUDIO BASIN: Holiday recaps, ACPR and Basin wrestling

MOSES LAKE – On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller and staff discuss the new year and how their holidays went. The conversation then flows into how Adams County Pet Rescue had a successful year with more than 700 pet adoptions and how local cities have finalized their budgets.

Republican rep offers bill to amend Washington's 'mature minor doctrine'

(The Center Square) – In March 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed Initiative 2081, the parents’ bill of rights, which took effect on June 6 of that same year. Under I-2081, parents have the right to examine textbooks, curriculum, and any supplemental materials used in their children's classrooms. They also have the right to inspect their child's public school records and receive a copy within 10 business days of submitting a written request. According to Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, I-2081 did not go far enough in protecting parents' rights to be involved in healthcare decisions for their minor children.

Law enforcement funding, recruitment, retention challenging

OLYMPIA — A proposal to allocate money to help hire additional law enforcement officers would address one part of a complex challenge – but recruiting isn’t necessarily the biggest challenge for Columbia Basin law enforcement agencies. That was the reaction of local law enforcement agencies to the proposed legislation.

Legals for January, 8 2025

Legals for January, 9 2025

Lind-Ritzville schools discussing four-day school week

RITZVILLE — Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools is considering switching to a four-day school week instead of its current five-day week. LRCS will host a coffee with Superintendent Don Vanderholm on Jan. 10 from 8 to 9 a.m. at the WSU extension office in Ritzville. The meeting will have opportunities to discuss the potential four-day school week along with other matters of the school district.

Charlie Clark re-tapped to head DFI

OLYMPIA – Charlie Clark has been reappointed director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, according to a Monday announcement from Governor-elect Bob Ferguson. Clark’s reappointment was announced with that of another agency head.

Some papers delayed by National Day of Mourning

Because the post office is closed Thursday, Jan. 9, to observe a National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, all Columbia Basin Herald subscribers who receive their paper through the mail will have their Thursday paper delivered along with the Friday, Jan. 10 paper. Subscribers who receive their papers through home delivery will still receive a paper on schedule.

Alberto B. Morales

1947 – 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of our beloved brother Alberto (Bert) B. Morales. He died of natural causes on Nov. 2, 2024, in Moses Lake. Bert was born Nov. 19, 1947, in Lerdo, Durango, Mexico to Elvira Lopez and was raised in Edinburg, Texas. He entered the United States with his mother and sister Rosa in 1955. He enjoyed learning and receiving an education. He earned his diploma in 1967 from Agua Fria Union High School in Avondale, Arizona. He continued his studies in an automotive mechanic program in Yakima County. Bert volunteered to serve our country in 1969 in the Army. He was deployed to the Vietnam War as a medical laboratory specialist. He then served in the National Guard. He attended the University of Washington and studied science and Spanish. Bert worked at Lamb Weston, Connell, Washington for many years and retired as a machine operator. His undiagnosed PTSD started to surface which contributed to his poor health and early death.

Ephrata SD running replacement levy

'This levy is not about expanding what Ephrata does; it is about maintaining what we currently have'

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District will have an Education Programs and Operations Levy on the ballot on Feb. 11. The proposed levy would collect approximately $11.5 million over a four-year period, with a requested tax rate of $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The district is hosting two upcoming events: a formal presentation at the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center on the evening of Jan. 15 and an informal meet-and-greet at the Bookery on Jan. 22 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.