Frank Thompson

1936 – 2025

Franklin Dean Thompson, 88, of Wenatchee, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 6, 2025, at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake.

Legals for March, 6 2025

Senior Events for March 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather is getting nicer and there’s no shortage of things for seniors to do in the Basin. Here are a few ideas:

Columbia Basin Herald intern has a passion for politics

MOSES LAKE — Elizah Lourdes Rendorio didn’t really know what to expect from the Columbia Basin. “I was a little bit scared, I'm not gonna lie,” she said. “I just knew that my audience is very different from the people that I usually write to, or the people that I surround myself with or grew up with. So. I was definitely hesitant at first. I was scared that I was going to (upset) the wrong people, but I haven't. People have been very receptive, and I don't think there was any reason for me to be scared.”

Columbia Basin Events for March 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring is finally almost here, and high school plays, crafts, live music and Grant County’s iconic Space Burgers await. Here’s what’s happening in March:

Aloha, Moses Lake! Trade the Winter Chill for a Hawaiian Adventure

As the cold winds sweep across Moses Lake and frosty mornings have been the norm, you might find yourself longing for sunshine, ocean breezes, and swaying palm trees. This winter, why not escape to the Big Island of Hawai‘i, where adventure, relaxation, and culture come together in paradise?

Grant Co. road construction season starts March 10

EPHRATA — A section of Westshore Drive is scheduled for a complete rebuild in 2025, and upgrades are planned for a section of Stratford Road. Westshore Drive construction begins March 10. A pedestrian trail and traffic circles will be added in Desert Aire, and a third section of Drumheller Road will be graded. Those are among the road improvement projects scheduled for Grant County in 2025.

On the air

Ham radio operators celebrate George Washington’s birthday with global event

GEORGE — The first president of the United States was wished a happy birthday around the world over the weekend. “We contacted over 500 people all over the place,” said Brian Nielson, one of the organizers of the Columbia Basin DX Club’s ham radio event at the George Community Hall. Saturday would have been Washington’s 293rd birthday, and the club has held the event in George to mark the date for 20 years. Woody Jacobson was working the microphone Friday, chatting with ham radio enthusiasts up and down the West Coast. Beside him, Mike Wren looked up the call signs of the people who responded in an online database, so Jacobson could have a name and location to attach to the voice coming out of the speaker. Every so often Jacobson would push a button and play a recorded message into the microphone.

Port adopts updated strategic plan

MOSES LAKE — Within five years Port of Moses Lake officials have set the goal of completing a rail line to the port and will be working to provide additional electricity to its tenants – or will already be providing it. The port will be operating its own water system and will have additional businesses in the property on its western edge. Those are among the goals in the five-year strategic plan, approved by port commissioners Monday. Commissioner Kent Jones said it’s a work in progress, building off the previous plan. And since it’s a plan, it’s subject to change. “Our thought process is that this is a plan of what we expect to do over the next five years,” Jones said. “It doesn’t tell us who’s going to do it or how it’s going to get done – and some of these are aspirational goals anyway.” Kim Detrolio, the port’s director of finance and administration, said port officials already are working on some of the projects, but more are planned. “it’s an expa

Legals for February, 25 2025

Moses Lake student sings national anthem at Mat Classic

TACOMA — Nearly 300 schools were at the first day of the Mat Classic wrestling tournament at the Tacoma Dome Thursday, with thousands of wrestlers, parents, coaches and fans. But one voice cut through the air at the opening ceremonies, and that voice belonged to a Moses Lake Maverick.

Homegrown support

Mattawa auction exceeds all expectations, raises more than $10,000

MATTAWA — In a world where Murphy’s Law always seems to lurk around the corner, it’s nice when things go better than planned. Like the first annual Sven Legacy Foundation fundraiser auction in Mattawa Saturday. “(It went) a lot better than anticipated,” said Lars Leland, one of the organizers of the event. “I was a bit panicked, since it was our first event … I was expecting 30, 40 people (and) we had over 110 people show up.”

Columbia Basin Events for Feb. 21-March 1

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring may not be here, but you can almost see it coming. Here are a few things to check out while you watch the ground thaw: Feb . 21 LJ Polmateer Live performance by local musician LJ Polmateer of One Soulution. 5:30 p.m. at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4177. Open Mic Night

Building permits for Feb. 21, 2025

Unincorporated Grant County Jan. 25-31 Jourdon Collis, 12900 block of Road A.5 NW, manufactured home, no valuation given. Lopez Design LLC, 400 block of Southwest River Drive, Quincy, new residence, $700,786.56. Bruce Preston Construction Inc., 13000 block of North Frontage Road East, Moses Lake, shop, $1,098,103.45. DGR Homes LLC, 700 block of Southwest Bryce Place, Mattawa, manufactured home, no valuation given. Victor and Julia A. Sinchuk., 200 block of Southeast Pelican Drive, Moses Lake, new residence, $561,037.32. Matthew Adams, 4000 block of Northeast Orchard Drive, Moses Lake, new residence, $1,051,392.58.

Legals for February, 21 2025

Fairy tales meet marathons

Ephrata High School drama puts on double feature with a month to prepare

EPHRATA —This weekend, Ephrata audiences will step into a whimsical world where fairy tales meet marathons and laughter dances in the air like confetti. Ephrata High School’s drama department invites the community to join them for a double feature: “Race Day” and “Snow White and the Seven Endings” are taking the stage for closing weekend this Friday and Saturday. The opening weekend kicked off with enthusiastic crowds and some unexpected twists for the cast and crew. “It’s been an incredible journey,” said director Marla Allsopp. “We had to pivot from our original plan of performing ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ due to some casting challenges, but the students showed immense resilience and commitment. They wanted to keep moving forward, and we ended up choosing two new, hilarious shows that would allow them to shine.”

Legals for February, 20 2025

E Hele Mai i Kaua‘i: Leave the Moses Lake Winter Behind and Find Aloha on the Garden Isle

Aloha mai kākou! If you’re waking up to frost-covered windshields and dreaming of warm sands between your toes, let me introduce you to the perfect winter escape—Kaua‘i.

Treasure troves

Appraisal fair lets folks find out what their heirlooms really are

MOSES LAKE — It’s sometimes said that one person’s trash is another’s treasure, but sometimes people have treasures stashed away that they haven’t thought about in years. The Moses Lake Creative District will give those folks a chance to find out from a professional what they really have in that attic.

Legals for February, 18 2025