Soap Lake mayor under investigation for inappropriate conduct

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake Mayor Michelle Agliano has taken a leave of absence from city administration after city staff made claims against her indicating that she had acted inappropriately and possibly illegally. “These things are all being investigated, I am on leave until after the election at which time I will comply with whatever the City Attorney (Julie Norton) has recommended to the (Soap Lake City) Council,” Agliano said in a written statement to the Columbia Basin Herald...

Cyle Robert Delgado

Sept. 11, 1986- Aug. 11, 2023

Cyle Robert Delgado, 37, went to be with our Lord on August 11, 2023...

Graffiti causes challenges for Othello landowners

OTHELLO — Othello Police Chief Dave Rehaume said the gang-related graffiti on an outbuilding facing an alley is an illustration of the problems it causes for property owners...

Gang activity on the decline in Othello

OTHELLO — While there have been high-profile incidents and arrests within the last year, gang activity in Othello seems to be decreasing. “I don’t want to say our gang problem has gone away, but we’ve seen a decrease recently,” said Othello Police Department Detective Steven Perez. “We used to meet once a month with the (Othello) School District, however, the last six months or so I think we had about two (meetings).”

BASIN SPORTS RECAP: Playoffs on the horizon

COLUMBIA BASIN — District playoffs are right around the corner, as local teams head down the stretch of their respective regular seasons. Check out this week’s local sports recap, with scores and records for local football, girls soccer, slowpitch softball, swim and dive and volleyball squads. All scores, records and standings are according to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Lighthouse Café growing outreach arm in Othello

OTHELLO – Since hiring Program Director Angela Kudsk earlier in the year, Lighthouse Café has developed a slew of after-school activities, job growth and education programs and community programs, which Kudsk presented during her first quarterly report at the Othello City Council meeting Oct. 9...

News Bites for Oct. 16, 2023

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Coroner’s Office are looking into the death of a man found early Saturday in the middle of Sheep Canyon Road near Road E-NE north of Ephrata, according to a GCSO statement...

Legals for October, 16 2023

Quincy continues to be a draw for data centers

QUINCY — Quincy is and has been a busy farm town, a center of production for tree fruit, potatoes and other crops. Now it’s also home to a host of data centers...

WSU's CAHNRs lands top 15 ranking for best U.S. agricultural sciences college

PULLMAN - College ranking and review website Niche named Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences as one of the 15 best U.S. agricultural sciences colleges for 2024...

Prize coverage

Columbia Basin Herald team brings home more than a dozen awards

KENNEWICK – This past weekend I had the privilege of going to the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s annual conference. While I was there, I found myself beaming a bit with pride as the team I am fortunate to work with was recognized for their hard work via WNPA’s Better Newspaper competition...

Purple Sage Meadows cleared to move forward with development

SOAP LAKE – The formation of the Purple Sage Meadows development district is officially reflected in the Soap Lake city ordinances after final approval by the city council during the Oct. 4 regular meeting...

Legals for October, 13 2023

Othello council approves Public Works lead, hears suggested water rates

OTHELLO – The Othello City Council meeting Monday featured both a presentation by consultants FCS Group on Othello’s water rates and the approval of a memorandum of understanding between the city and the International Union of Operating Engineers on a new lead position at Othello Public Works...

Q&A: Othello City Council Candidates

OTHELLO – Darryl Barnes is running against Eugene Bain for Othello City Council Position 4...

Adams County Auditor presents county finances to commissioners

RITZVILLE — Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt presented to the Adams County Board of Commissioners Tuesday during the commissioner’s regular meeting on the County’s current financial position compared to previous years. “I just think it's really good for us to look at where we are now, and where we've been,” Hunt said. “Because if we are rolling backward, you want to be careful. You want to watch: what direction are we going, at what percentage, and how quickly is it falling?” Hunt presented reports on previous years’ balances and expenditures.

Moses Lake considering development impact fees

MOSES LAKE – The city of Moses Lake is asking the public to participate in the upcoming Oct. 24 Moses Lake City Council Meeting to provide input regarding impact fees that might fund fire protection infrastructure,” according to a press release from the city...

Public Works director retires

EPHRATA - Ephrata Mayor Bruce Bruce Reim presents a plaque to retiring Public Works Director Bill Sangster during the Ephrata City Council's Oct. 4 meeting. Sangster is retiring from the city after more than two decades of service to the people of Ephrata.

Ephrata addresses annexation, approves Homecoming festivities

EPHRATA – City Administrator Ray Towry said the city is moving forward with a variety of measures after last week’s city council meeting, including a request from property owners to annex a small piece of land at the request of a property owner with land that overflows the city’s border...

Royal City ag company honored

ROYAL CITY – NASBITE International recognized Royal City agricultural producer Cascade Milling as an Outstanding Exporter at the Seventh Annual National Small Business Exporter Summit Oct. 3, according to an announcement from Cascade Milling...