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

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

Moses Lake Police Department logs for Jan. 8, 2026

MLPD records

Lions seize win, remain undefeated

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

Kennewick boy injured in Othello area crash

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

Huskies topple Tigers on the road

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

Oliver’s first council meeting, several resolutions passed

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

BASIN EVENTS: Jan. 9-17, 2026

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

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: Jan 12-19, 2026

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

Janet Ingrid (Olesen) Huff

Jan. 18, 1934 — Dec. 26, 2025

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

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

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

Legals for January, 13 2026

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

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

Cougars defend home court, beat Spartans 61-50

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

Washington average fuel cost under $4 for 4 weeks

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

Eagles rally to overcome Grizz

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

Legals for January, 12 2026

Wildcats take down the Vikings

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

Cougars grab late comeback to earn home win

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

Grant County Jail logs as of Jan. 7, 2026

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

Lions defeat Eagles 60-21 at home

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