Local Job Corps students keep wildfire crews functioning

MOSES LAKE — Firefighters are battling fires across Washington – 20 of them Tuesday morning – but they’re not doing it alone. Back at the fire camp, at a safe distance from the fire, Job Corps students are working to ensure the firefighters have everything they need.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Community matters...

As I write this, I just finished speaking at the Ephrata Rotary Club’s weekly meeting at Country Deli in Ephrata. The banquet room in the back of the restaurant was filled with more than a dozen folks who were there not just to grab a meal, but to share some positivity and talk about the work they can do to make the community an even better place to live.

Hayden Homes honored with awards for company culture

REDMOND, Ore. — Hayden Homes, which has built housing developments in Moses Lake and Othello, was honored by Great Place To Work® and Fortune Magazine with two prestigious awards representing its positive culture, employee experience, leadership and community-driven work, according to an announcement from the company.

Moses Lake council weighing water concerns

MOSES LAKE — Water use, guaranteeing water supply and making sure there’s enough water as Moses Lake grows was the subject of an extensive discussion during a daylong planning session of the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday. City Engineer Richard Law said staff members are studying water rates and working on an overall plan for the water system to help make some of those decisions easier. “They’re coming together,” Law said.

Ephrata School District considering spring 2026 bond

EPHRATA — After more than a year and a half of work, the Ephrata School District’s District Facility Study Group has decided to recommend putting a $75 million bond package on the February 2026 ballot. The goal of the workgroup, said Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray, was to ensure all of Ephrata’s students had quality learning spaces. “Primarily, people had an opportunity to see what we were able to accomplish with our 2019 bond and the facilities that are in place at one of our elementaries, and then, obviously, at Ephrata Middle School,” Murray said. “And one of the real goals, initially, was they saw how safe those facilities are. They saw how (those facilities incorporate) current trends in terms of the types of spaces that you could create for students.” Murray said the bond package, if approved, would have a tax bill impact but allow the district to remodel and expand Ephrata High School, replace Grant Elementary and Parkway Intermediate schools and provide a better Performing Arts Center for students. Some of the work had initially been approved by voters in 2019 along with funding, but inflation caused by the pandemic and other factors caused their cancelation and the funding was zeroed out through a process called defeasement.

Grant PUD commitment: Our lowest possible rates for core customers

Grant Public Utility District commissioners and leadership are committed to ensuring that our “core customers” – residential, ag, irrigation and small/medium-sized business – continue to receive the most favorable rates this utility can offer.

Warrior Journeys returns with help of Wahluke Alumni Association

MATTAWA — Graduates of Wahluke High School are working to form an alumni association, and one of their first projects is the revival of a favorite high school program. Veronica Quintero, who’s one of the people working on the alumni association, said the group is looking for WHS graduates who want to participate in Warrior Journeys. Wahluke High School principal Cody Marlow said Warrior Journeys was started by former WHS counselor Jan Phillips. “(Phillips) had the idea of bringing Wahluke alumni to speak to current students,” Marlow wrote in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “We had everything from college students to entrepreneurs to CEOs. After Mrs. Phillips retired Warrior Journeys stopped happening.”

Legals for September, 17 2025

Basin Volleyball roundup 2025 – Week 2

MOSES LAKE — The Basin volleyball season is well underway. Teams have faced their fair share of challenging competition right out of the gate. See below how your favorite teams are doing so far.

LETTER: Setting the record straight about fire rates

Othello is in the middle of elections, and its contract with Adams County Fire District No. 5 has become an issue. Unfortunately, some of the campaign responses being shared have caused confusion. Here are the facts: the contract requires the city to pay the same rate as fire district property owners. This was an increase compared to past rates, and the city decided to cancel the contract. The fire district must maintain this rate for public safety. Costs for service have risen significantly due to inflation, and call volumes in the city have increased by 43.5% over the past four years. It would not be fair for district property taxpayers to subsidize emergency services for the city.

Basin football round up week two 2025

MOSES LAKE – Week two of Basin high school football is in the books. Some teams secured key rivalry wins, while others look to find ways to improve. See below how your favorite teams did over the weekend.

South Grant Co. forum examines challenges, opportunities

MATTAWA — Improvements to state Route 243, more options for solid waste disposal, increased housing in southern Grant County, and more apprenticeship and job opportunities for young people. Those were among the recommendations that emerged from a forum sponsored by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce Sept. 10.

Moses Lake’s downtown sees busy Saturday

MOSES LAKE — There was a lot going on Saturday in downtown Moses Lake, with a fundraiser walk, an art festival, a wine-and-music tour and a nonprofit expo all happening more or less at once. The day started at McCosh Park, where the Walk to End Alzheimer’s drew more than 200 people to raise money for dementia research.

Weather for the week of Sept. 15, 2025

Weather for the week of Sept. 15, 2025

Mariners grab wins in first two games against Angels

SEATTLE (AP) - The Mariners worked hard to solidify their ranking in the AL West Thursday and Friday with two wins against the Los Angeles Angels.

Columbia Bank celebrates rebranding

MOSES LAKE — With a snip of the scissors and a burst of confetti, Columbia Bank presented its new face to the community Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting and open house. “I've been trying to reintroduce our bank to the community, building it back up, giving it a new vibe, making sure that it's one that's positive and helpful and all of those things,” Branch Manager Kristine Bailey said.

BASIN EVENTS: Sept. 12-20

COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s the last official week of summer and the Basin is brimming with fun things to do. Here are a few:

Flowers, pumpkins and a fall market at Rue & Sage

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot growing at Rue & Sage this fall. The floral business offers a U-pick pumpkin patch and hosts a fall pop-up market, and now they’ve expanded into U-pick flowers as well. Home decorations and furniture will be available at the event.

‘We’ll take it from here’

First responders, students honor the fallen heroes of 9/11

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake remembered the fallen heroes of 9/11 in ceremonies downtown and at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center Thursday morning.

ROAD REPORT: Chip-sealing coming to downtown Moses Lake next week

MOSES LAKE — Chip-sealing is scheduled to begin in the downtown area of Moses Lake sometime during the week of Sept. 15. East Hill Avenue and sections of East Wheeler Road are being chip-sealed this week. Drivers should be prepared for temporary detours and traffic control while chip-sealing is underway.