LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Support local causes this holiday season ...

If you’re looking to enjoy the holidays, you’re not alone. Across the Columbia Basin, people will be baking turkeys, holiday shopping, decorating their homes, and reminding children to behave or they’ll get coal in a stocking.

Classical sound

Concert Association show will highlight cello and piano, plus a little holiday fun

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association will present “Classical Sounds of the Season” Dec. 4. The concert replaced the one originally planned by pianist and Moses Lake native Collin Hansen, who was unexpectedly unable to come from Finland to perform. “Classical Sounds of the Season” will feature Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra cellist Kevin Hekmatpanah and pianist Yoon-Wha Roh.

Legals for November, 13 2025

Awareness helps protect people from increasingly sophisticated scammers

MOSES LAKE — A check of the records all the way back to Sumerian clay tablets shows that scammers are always looking for new ways to separate people from their money. Kyle Foreman, public information officer with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said scamming is a volume business.

Applications open for apple industry training program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Applications are open for a program designed to provide training and networking opportunities for young professionals in the apple industry. Recipients of the 2026 NextGen Apple Fellowship will be announced in February. The program is sponsored by USApple, the industry’s national trade organization.

Ephrata schools bolster local food bank efforts

EPHRATA — In a demonstration of community spirit, the Ephrata School District successfully gathered nearly 750 pounds of food for the Ephrata Food Bank during their recent food drive, coinciding with conference week. The initiative, which engaged students, staff, and families alike, is part of the district's ongoing commitment to support local charitable efforts.

Othello pool construction bond failing

OTHELLO — The fate of the Othello Community Pool, whether it will reopen and if so, how soon, will be in the hands of new Mayor Ken Johnson and a new Othello City Council. Johnson and the new council members will take office in January.

Grant County Jail roster as of Nov. 12, 2025

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.

Donor support helps finance Othello museum upgrades

OTHELLO — The Othello Community Museum will be expanding its schedule with the help of donations and an Othello business. Steve’s Refrigeration & Heating started work Monday on repairs and upgrades to the museum’s heating and cooling systems.

Educators share plans to ‘Educate Tomorrow’ at LEAD Summit

MOSES LAKE — During the first day of the LEAD Summit, local school district superintendents Carol Lewis from Moses Lake, Andy Harlow from Wahluke, Nik Bergman from Quincy and Ken Murray from Ephrata came together to discuss the challenges that schools are facing and their plans to adapt education into the future.

COLUMN: It’s time to get serious about solving our state’s energy challenges

For residents of the Pacific Northwest, January 2024 might be memorable because of the winter storm that brought ice and severe cold to the region, leading to major power outages. It might be memorable, but there’s also a good chance you have moved on with little or no recollection of that particular storm amid a jumble of winter memories. But for anyone who works for an electric or gas utility, the dates Jan. 12-16, 2024, really do stand out. That’s the week in which the region came dangerously close to not having enough energy to keep our homes warm and lights on. The memory of that storm, and the wakeup call that it provided about the urgent need to produce more energy, came up for discussion at the Energy Solutions Summit on Oct. 30 in SeaTac. The gathering was the first in a series of solutions summits stemming from Washington in the Making 2040, a long-term economic vision for Washington launched in June by the AWB Institute and Washington Roundtable.

Legals for November, 12 2025

Court ruling releases SNAP benefits for Washingtonians

OLYMPIA – Following a federal court ruling requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, hundreds of thousands of Washington residents are receiving their overdue food assistance benefits for November. This development comes after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to cease withholding food benefits for low-income Americans.

Applicants sought for Othello City Council position

OTHELLO — Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. Dec. 5 for an open position on the Othello City Council. The new council member will replace Danae Valdez, who announced her resignation Oct. 27.

Quincy PD logs for Nov. 11, 2025

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

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: A proper thanks...

Like Rob Bates said in his column that sits next to this one in the print edition for Veterans Day, the “Thank you for your service” messages he gets each year on this holiday to honor living veterans can come across as uninformed, though well-intentioned and appreciated, nonetheless.

COLUMN: What does service mean to you?

Veterans Day for me means I will be the recipient of ritualistic platitudes such as “Thank you for your service,” from people who have no concept of the rewards or costs of service. I don't think those who repeat this mantra have ill intent, and I know that repeating such phrases is actually done with extreme gratitude. It is simply done without understanding the sacrifices that were made.

A heartfelt thank you from the CBH team

MOSES LAKE — The only reason the team at the Columbia Basin Herald can do our jobs is because of the dedication of veterans who have protected our Constitutional freedoms for well over 200 years. Freedoms like the First Amendment which guarantees a free press. We thank all of our local veterans for their contributions to preserving our freedoms and their hard work after their service to ensure the Columbia Basin is a wonderful place to live.

Soap Lake Salutes Fun Run celebrates veteran contributions

SOAP LAKE — On Saturday, a 2K and 5K fun run was held at Smokiam Park in Soap Lake. The fundraiser event was aimed at raising more awareness around Veterans Day, said event organizer Britton Baker.

American Legion offers veterans support

EPHRATA — Jane Montaney said the door is always open for military veterans at the American Legion. “The American Legion family is always there to welcome other veterans,” Montaney said.