Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry seeks forever homes for 16 animals

SOAP LAKE – In an era where pet adoptions have dropped due to economic challenges, Shawna Kluge, president of the Rock Bottom Rocker Pet Pantry, is on a mission to find loving homes for the many animals within her care. With 16 puppies and dogs currently available for adoption or fostering, Kluge is calling on the community to extend their support, whether through adoption, volunteering or donations. All Rock Bottom Rocker dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

RMS Oceanic Outlaws take award at national robotics tournament

ROYAL CITY — The Oceanic Outlaws think fast. The robotics team from Royal Middle School, representing Washington state, took first place at the national First Lego League Western Edge national competition May 30-June 1 in a special “On the Spot” challenge.

STUDIO BASIN: Fires, homeless concerns, upcoming events and state tourneys

MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Reporter Nance Beston discussed the recent fires in the Columbia Basin, along with the Grant County Burn Ban. Cheryl Schweizer discussed the recent city meeting to talk about homelessness in Grant County, including the closure of the Open Doors Sleep Center. The two also talked about graduation. Senior Reporter Joel Martin popped in for a preview of some upcoming events this weekend - including the little big show in Wilson Creek and Sage-N-Sun in Ephrata. For the sports segment, Mike Maynard, sports reporter for the Columbia Basin Herald, discussed state tournament teams including Othello, Ephrata and Almira/Coulee-Hartline.

Port of Moses Lake eyeing industrial development district

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake officials will have a public hearing at 10 a.m. June 23 to get public reaction to a proposal to form an industrial development district. The port’s attorney, Frank Chmelik, said an industrial development district would give port officials more flexibility. “You pick up a few more powers for industrial development, is essentially what happens,” Chmelik said.

Legals for June, 10 2025

Gas prices drop slightly in Grant, Adams counties, WA and nationally

MOSES LAKE – Gas prices across the nation saw a slight decrease, including in both Grant and Adams counties and Washington, according to AAA.

I-90 fatality likely suicide

MOSES LAKE – The Washington State Patrol is still investigating a fatality that occurred Sunday afternoon at exit 176 on Interstate 90 in Moses Lake. WSP has since determined that the death was a suicide, said Trooper Ryan Michael, a public information officer for the WSP’s sixth district which includes Moses Lake.

GALLERY: Celebrating the Basin graduates of 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — High schools all over the Basin have sent the Class of 2025 out into the world in the last couple of weeks. Look for full coverage of local High School graduation ceremonies in Thursday’s edition of the Columbia Basin Herald. We’ve decided to publish all of the grad coverage for the schools we cover in one edition so our local students can have a keepsake edition with their friends from throughout the Basin.

Pedestrian killed on I-90 in Moses Lake area

MOSES LAKE – The Washington State Patrol is still investigating a fatality that occurred Sunday afternoon at exit 176 on Interstate 90 in Moses Lake. WSP has since determined that the death was a suicide, said Trooper Ryan Michael, a public information officer for the WSP’s sixth district which includes Moses Lake. “He did jump off the overpass and landed on I-90 before he was struck,” said Michael. According to a press release issued by WSP, a Subaru Forrester was driving along the interstate when it struck the unidentified individual at milepost 176. Neither the driver nor passenger, both from Everett, Washington, were injured in the accident, though there was damage reported to the vehicle.

Wanapum fire, near Beverly, burns about 370 acres

BEVERLY — A wildland fire closed a portion of state Route 243 north of Beverly Burke Road for about four and a half hours Saturday near Wanapum Dam and the Wanapum Village.

Perry, a gentleman with a smile

MOSES LAKE – Perry's my name and being suave is my game. I’d like to think so anyhow. I’m a mix of a little bit of everything and weigh in at around 44 pounds. I’m still fairly young at just under two and a half years old.

Tractor trailer fire on SR 17 causes delays

MOSES LAKE – A tractor trailer carrying cardboard on state Route 17 ignited Monday morning at around 9:30 a.m. just north of Rocky Ford Creek, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.

Mavericks soccer season wrap-up

MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks boys soccer team has concluded another season, and signs of growth were felt throughout the year, according to head coach Miguel Segura.

Superintendent Lewis provides update on MLSD finances

MOSES LAKE – During the regular Moses Lake School District board meeting held Thursday night, Superintendent Carol Lewis delivered a report weaving together elements of the district’s financial status and academic strategies, leaning into a prior cross-country race analogy for the next four years.

Shining skill

CBTECH students headed to national competitions

MOSES LAKE — This isn’t exactly the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center’s first trip to the nationals. “For 11 years straight we have placed at state competition, and eight of those years we’ve qualified for nationals,” said Terri Pixlee, who teaches video game programming at CBTECH. “We’ve been all over the country. We’ve been to Chicago, Utah, Georgia twice, Florida (and) Maryland and this will be our second time in California.” Pixlee’s students Alex Meyer, Hailey Harper and Ethan Huntley competed in April at the Future Business Leaders of America game programming competition in Bellevue, she said. One team of three students took second place and will go on to nationals in Anaheim, California. Another team of two, Neri Hernandez and Jaden Salazar, placed seventh, not high enough to be assured of a berth but enough to be alternates in case some other Washington team doesn’t show. So far, that doesn’t seem likely, Pixlee said.

Family Picnic Day to offer free family fun

MOSES LAKE — Now in its third year, the Downtown Moses Lake Association’s Family Picnic Day is hitting its stride. “The food and booth vendors are all going to provide an activity of some sort for kids to do,” said DMLA Director Mallory Miller. One exhibitor will show children how to make a battery out of a penny, Miller said, and another is planning on helping them make hats and T-shirts. The DMLA itself will organize something from picnics of yore: potato races. “I got some potato sacks donated from Simplot,” Miller said. “I’m really excited to see how those go.”

Legals for June, 9 2025

Pedestrian killed on I-90 in Moses Lake area

MOSES LAKE – The Washington State Patrol is investigating a fatality that occurred Sunday afternoon which was a one car vs pedestrian collision on 1-90 near exit 175 heading east bound, said Trooper Ryan Michael, a public information officer for the Washington State Patrol’s sixth district which includes Moses Lake. “Traffic is being diverted to the exit and slowly moving,” said Michael. Michael said the WSP will provide a press release providing more information as soon as it is available.

MLFD chief search presenting a challenge

MOSES LAKE — Applications will be accepted through June 22 for a new Moses Lake Fire Chief. It’s the second attempt to find a replacement for longtime Chief Brett Bastian, and Fire Administrator Mike Ganz said the process will be different the second time around.

Feasibility study to look at options for MLFD

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials will advertise for a consultant to conduct a feasibility study to determine what changes, if any, would be beneficial for the Moses Lake Fire Department. City officials have been looking at ways to reduce expenses, including a restructuring of the fire department, and Fire Administrator Mike Ganz told Moses Lake City Council members May 23 that his analysis determined the city had three options.