Distracted driving emphasis patrols continuing through April 8

OLYMPIA — Law enforcement agencies across the state will be conducting emphasis patrols focusing on distracted driving through April 8, according to a press release from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Applicants sought for Solid Waste Advisory Commission

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commission is looking for a volunteer to fill an open position on the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The position is open to applicants from southern Grant County, District 3, which includes Mattawa.

DIAMOND RECAP: League play begins

COLUMBIA BASIN – Many Basin baseball and softball squads have been wrapping up non-league games and have begun to face competition in their respective leagues. Read along for a look at how teams have fared in their games over the past week.

‘78 years of prayers’

Memorial Christian Church to sing last hymn, but considers a seed of Hope

EPHRATA – After more than 70 years, Ephrata’s Memorial Christian Church will soon shut down after decades of service to the community, Pastor Don Dunn and church elders said in an interview with the Columbia Basin Herald last week. “It’s an aging thing…,” Dunn said. “One of the people in another church in town says that they’re aging out, and I think we’ve kind of aged out and the ministry has changed.”

ACH baseball sweeps Wellpinit in doubleheader

COULEE CITY – The Almira/Coulee-Hartline baseball team continued its strong start to the season with a doubleheader sweep of Wellpinit on Tuesday, winning by scores of 17-1 and 16-1.

ACH softball picks up wins over Wellpinit

COULEE CITY – The Almira/Coulee-Hartline softball team carried on its streak of run-ruling teams in Tuesday’s doubleheader against Wellpinit, winning 16-0 and 19-2. “We were feeling pretty confident,” ACH Head Coach Faye Butler said. “When the girls warmed up they were looking pretty good.”

Vikings wrap up non-league slate

MOSES LAKE – Big Bend baseball concluded its non-league schedule with doubleheaders against Pierce Community College and Tacoma Community College last weekend, going 1-3 in the four-game stretch.

Othello student wins $1,000 for Hiawatha art supplies

OTHELLO – Othello resident and fifth-grader at Hiawatha Elementary School Logan Hampton was selected as one of 40 national winners for his popsicle stick art as part of the Popsicle brand’s Stick with Art! contest, providing $1,000 to the winners’ school to purchase art supplies.

Port of Othello approves extension on future $3 million land sale to developer

OTHELLO — Port of Othello Commissioners approved a 90-day extension to their contract with developer Meritage Companies LLC Tuesday. The contract holds two parcels of land for Meritage’s eventual purchase and prevents the port from selling the land to another buyer for the duration of the contract.

Vikings stretch win streak to five games

After splitting their last two series, the Vikings hoped to continue to take steps in the right direction as they hosted Grays Harbor Community College for a four-game series.

Governor signs bills supporting firefighters

OLYMPIA- Gov. Jay Inslee signs two bills that aid in honoring deceased firefighters and assist in firefighter training. The two bills, House Bill 2091, and House Bill 2003 were created by request of the Department of Natural Resources, and the Washington State Patrol.

Othello Municipal Court achieves first anniversary

OTHELLO – It’s been a bit more than a year since the city of Othello ended its interlocal agreement with Adams County for court services in favor of establishing its own Othello Municipal Court. Municipal Judge Carolyn J. Benzel said the court has since grown into a well-functioning system.

Judge redraws WA’s legislative map after lawsuit over Latino voters

YAKIMA —Washington's political map is set to change in response to allegations of discrimination against Latino voters, and a result could be Democrats winning more seats in the Legislature. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik approved new boundaries for several state legislative districts in a written order Friday, after ruling last year that the current map impaired the ability of Latino voters in the Yakima Valley and Pasco areas to elect their preferred candidates.

Budget, intended uses important when planning a deck

MOSES LAKE — The process of building a deck - one that will last, anyway, and one that will be what the homeowner wants it to be - starts long before construction. “It’s just like building a home,” said Omar Jones of Handyman Starz Unique, Moses Lake.

Legals for March, 14 2024

Legals for March, 14 2024

Mattawa passes dangerous dog rules

MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve new codes regarding the city’s animal control operations and the designation of potentially dangerous dogs, as well as restrictions for problem dog owners. City Attorney Katherine Kenison introduced the changes to the code. “This ordinance is in response partially to your current animal control ordinance, which doesn't really address the potentially dangerous dog component of dangerous dogs under the state statute, and it didn't define a process for how you're handling potentially dangerous dogs,” she said. “You've had, as you've heard, some more activity with your dogs at large, which has resulted in a few incidents where there has been some human contact with the dogs.”

Warden golf coach discusses young team, season aspirations

WARDEN – Warden Boys Golf Head Coach Tim Carlberg outlined what the team is expecting as the spring golf season begins and what the team’s focuses are this year. “Our turnout numbers have been really good,” Carlberg said. “The size of our team is doubled this year, so I've got quite a few kids turning out. Some of our core players are very young, and they have a little bit of experience playing golf, so we're building our program, and the kids that have a little bit of experience under their belt are competitive with the kids from other schools.”

Quincy boys golfers looking to learn, improve

QUINCY — Coach Chris Trevino said the Quincy boys golf team will be a work in progress in 2024. “We’ve got a couple of guys that I think are going to be pretty good for us, and we’re just trying to build out the next two guys to post a team score,” he said. Six players make up a high school varsity team, with the top four individual scores counting for the team score. Quincy has nine players out for golf, but Trevino said 2024 fits into a pattern that’s been going on in Quincy for a while.

Officers soon will be allowed to work part-time

OLYMPIA – Washington remains 51st in the nation for police officers per capita, and one answer to that problem might be allowing officers to work part-time. Senate Bill 5424, sponsored by Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, would do just that. It awaits the governor's signature.