Pheasant Fruit Stand open near Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE - Pheasant Fruit Stand is open for the season with several types of apples to enjoy.

Ephrata to interview city administrator finalists

EPHRATA - The City of Ephrata issued a press release Monday stating they will interview four candidates eligible to become the next city administrator.

Walking path completed, city to consider no-parking signs

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal for no-parking signs on a walking path on East Nelson Road on the route to Groff Elementary. The path was a joint project of the Moses Lake School District and the city of Moses Lake...

Grant Co. candidates face off in Mattawa

MATTAWA — The democratic process was on display Thursday evening, as candidates for countywide office faced off at Wahluke High School Thursday evening. The candidates forum, sponsored by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Wahluke School District and the Wahluke Community Coalition and moderated by Columbia Basin Herald Managing Editor Rob Miller, included candidates for the office of Grant County clerk, sheriff and commissioner, as well as for Grant County Superior Court judge. Candidates were given a few minutes to introduce themselves, and then asked a set of pre-selected questions. Joe Harris and Joey Kriete, candidates for Grant County Sheriff, both discussed their long careers in law enforcement. Kriete has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 30 years, he said, both on patrol and running the Corrections Division. Harris has been in law enforcement for 20 years, he said, at the city, county and state levels, including serving as Mattawa chief of police. Both candidates agreed that response times needed to be improved. The trouble is, they said, Grant County is a very large area to patrol and respond to...

What you need to know about protecting your dog from parvo

Pet owners know that their beloved furry companions are susceptible to various health problems, ranging from heart murmurs to parasites to contagious diseases. But for dogs and puppies, in particular, there is one diagnosis that is the last thing any pet parent wants to hear—that of parvovirus. According to Dr. Michael Hung, a second-year internal medicine resident at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, canine parvovirus, also known as parvo, is one of the most fatal viruses a dog can contract...

Hispanic Heritage Month recognized with library programs

OTHELLO — Poet – and Othello native – Robert Ruiz will read selections of his works in a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Othello Public Library, 101 E. Main St. The poetry reading is sponsored by the Mid-Columbia Libraries and is part of the library system’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Ruiz will read selections of his works in English and Spanish. Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia will talk about her works in an appearance at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Gjerde Center at Columbia Basin College, 2600 N. 20th St., Pasco. Moreno-Garcia is the author of the 2020 novel “Mexican Gothic,” which appeared on multiple bestseller lists, as well as two short story collections.

Pedestrian killed near Royal City

ROYAL CITY — A Spokane man was struck and killed by a motorist while he was out running early Friday morning, according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol. According to the release, Sean Whisenhunt, 26, was running westbound in the eastbound lane of SR-26 near the intersection with Dodson Road east of Royal City at around 6 a.m. when he was hit by a 2017 Honda driven by Jorge Guevara Reyes, 43, of Othello. Whisenhunt was pronounced dead at the scene, the WSP report said, while Reyes was transported to Othello Community Hospital with minor injuries. His vehicle was towed from the scene. The WSP said no charges have currently been filed against Reyes.

WSP seeks aid in fatal Othello hit and run investigation

OTHELLO — Washington State Patrol detectives are seeking the public’s help in finding the driver of a car that struck and killed a man Sept. 18 in Othello. The victim’s body was discovered by an Othello Police Department officer at about 12:30 a.m. Sept. 18, according to a WSP press release. “Around the male were various vehicle parts indicating the male had been struck by an unknown vehicle,” the press release said. “Surveillance video from a neighboring business shows a dark-colored SUV striking the male at approximately 11:35 p.m. and continuing westbound on State Route 24.” Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact WSP Detective Ben Borgman, [email protected].

State patrol looking for public’s help in fatal Othello hit and run

OTHELLO — Washington State Patrol detectives are seeking the public’s help in finding the driver of a car that struck and killed a man Sept. 18 in Othello. The victim’s body was discovered by an Othello Police Department officer at about 12:30 a.m. Sept. 18, according to a WSP press release. “Around the male were various vehicle parts indicating the male had been struck by an unknown vehicle,” the press release said. “Surveillance video from a neighboring business shows a dark colored SUV striking the male at approximately 11:35 p.m. and continuing westbound on State Route 24.” Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact WSP Detective Ben Borgman, [email protected].

UPDATE: U.S. Marshals arrest Moses Lake man wanted in connection with wife's death

DAVENPORT — A Moses Lake man wanted in connection with the death of his wife was arrested without incident by U.S. marshals in Pennsylvania, according to a Facebook post by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. According to the LCSO, Charles Bergman, 54, was been charged with first degree murder in the death of his wife Theresa, 53, whose body was found Thursday at a remote location in Lincoln County. Bergam was arrested without incident late Friday in New Stanton, Pennsylvania, and is awaiting extradition to Washington state, the LCSO posting said. His arrest was the result of a joint effort by the LCSO, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service to track Bergman down, the post added. “While our hearts are heavy and remain with the family, we are pleased that he was taken into custody quickly and that nobody else was hurt in the process,” the LCSO posting said. In a previous posting on Friday, the LCSO said a farmer found a body late identified as Theresa Bergma in tall grass alongside Stolp Road off Kintschi Road northwest of Sprague around 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Both Bergmans were last seen very early Sunday at Spokane International Airport, and were reported missing by family members the following Monday after failing to arrive home. The body is now in the custody of the Spokane County Coroner, the posting added, and an autopsy to determine the cause of death is scheduled. Cell phone data obtained by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office said at one point the Bergmans were at a remote location in Lincoln County, according to previous reports. On Thursday, the GCSO posted a “recent” photo of Charles taken by an ATM camera. Anyone with information on Charles Bergman’s whereabouts is asked to call the LCSO at 509-725-3501, or GCSO Sgt. G. Mansford at 509-750-8805, Grant County MACC Dispatch at 509-762-1160, or email [email protected], reference case 22GS11284.

Healthcare facilities mask mandate to stay in place in Washington

OLYMPIA — While most emergency orders issued by Gov. Jay Inslee in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic will end Oct. 31, the order requiring masks in healthcare facilities, and in jails and prisons in some situations, will not. Washington Secretary of Health Umair Shah said in a briefing Thursday that conditions still don’t support ending that mandate. “We may simply not be there yet,” Shah said. Masks will still be mandatory in all healthcare facilities, and in jails when there’s a moderate to high risk of spreading coronavirus. Shah said the masking order for hospitals and jails came from the Secretary of Health, and as a result isn’t subject to the end of the governor’s orders. Connie Agenbroad, chief executive officer at Othello Community Hospital, said the hospital’s guidelines are being evaluated.

GCSO continues search for missing ML couple

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday issued a statement featuring a recent picture of Charles Bergman, who along with his wife Theresa was reported missing on Monday. The photo reportedly shows Bergman at an ATM machine, though the GCSO did not say when or where the photo was taken, noting only that it is recent. The photo was being shared so that people would know what Charles Bergman looks like now, the post added. “For investigative reasons, where and when the photo was captured are not currently being disclosed,” the post said.

Cougars fall in three at 18th-ranked Washington

SEATTLE — In the midst of a nine-match road stretch, Washington State volleyball (8-4) fell 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-22) on the road at 18th-ranked Washington (9-2) Wednesday night in its Pac-12 conference opener on Wednesday night at Alaska Airlines Arena. Washington State had five aces from the service line but Washington hit .412 as a team as the Cougars saw a streak of three-straight wins in conference openers snapped. Katy Ryan led the Cougars with seven kills while setter Argentina Ung was forced to hit more than usual and finished with six kills (6-0-16, .375) to go along with 14 assists and one block assist. Magda Jehlarova finished with a team-leading three block assists and had five kills on 12 swings (5-1-12, .333) but the Cougars hit just .146 as a team Wednesday night.

Gonzaga women’s XC reaches highest-ever USTFCCCA ranking at No. 21

SPOKANE — Gonzaga women's cross country earned its highest ranking in program history in this week's U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) Coaches' Poll, coming at No. 21 ahead of the Bulldogs' biggest race of the season so far on Friday at the Battle in Beantown in Boston, Massachusetts. The Zag women were inactive over the last week, but are coming off a dual meet win against Eastern Washington in which the Bulldogs' top six runners all broke the 4K program record, led by a 12:50.7 finish from Kristen Garcia that earned her West Coast Conference Runner of the Week honors.

Grant Co. seeks Mosquito Board members

EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners are seeking two volunteers to sit on the board overseeing Grant County Mosquito Control District 2, which covers the northern tip of the county.

Grant Co. seeks Mosquito Board members

EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners are seeking two volunteers to sit on the board overseeing Grant County Mosquito Control District 2, which covers the northern tip of the county.

Law enforcement records for Sept. 22

The information below was provided by the corresponding law enforcement agency. Suspects named are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Grant County Jail Sept. 11 Veronica Gomez Sandoval, 34, Royal City, booked on DUI, as well as a Grant County District Court warrant relating to counterfeiting. Ashlee Kae Schweiger, 27, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Johnny A., Leal, 42, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence...

State of the lake

Improving Moses Lake water quality will be a community effort

MOSES LAKE — Preventing future blooms of dangerous blue-green algae in the waters of Moses Lake is going to take a lot of slow and deliberate effort on the part of everyone who lives, works and plays on and around the lake, according to members of the Moses Lake Watershed Council during a “State of Our Lake” meeting Tuesday night. “We will deal with this on the lake forever, but it can be managed and monitored,” Harold Crose, a resource conservationist with the Columbia Basin Conservation District and the chair of the watershed council. Crose said during the public meeting that phosphorus levels in the lake are the main contributor to the problem of blue-green algae blooms in the lake, but the agencies responsible for the lake like the council, the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District, and even lakeshore residents, can help keep phosphorus levels manageable. Doing so can help people keep boating and fishing on the lake...

Quincy council approves second school officer

QUINCY — The Quincy School District and Quincy Police Department will add a second school resource officer position, beginning with the 2023-24 school year. Quincy superintendent Nic Bergman told Quincy City Council members during the regular meeting Tuesday that QSD officials think it’s time for a second SRO. “Our district has grown such that we have about 740 students in the middle school,” Bergman said. “Our high school, we’re at about 860, and next year we’ll be over 900. So with the population that we have, especially at our secondary school, it really is essential to have two SROs, so that we can have a dedicated law enforcement presence at our high school and at our middle school.” The council approved the request on a 7-0 vote...

I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass to be diverted for repaving

HYAK – The Washington State Department of Transportation issued a release stating that a section of Interstate 90, 10 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass will be diverted for repaving on Sept. 27. The release states DOT maintenance crews need to repave the asphalt directly under the Cabin Creek interchange on Interstate 90 at exit 63. For the safety of crews, because the section is so narrow, both lanes of westbound I-90 at exit 63 will be diverted over the off- and on-ramps. The diversion will start at 3 a.m. on Sept. 27 and work is scheduled to be complete before 1 p.m. Travelers will need to plan for added travel time but cross-bridge traffic will be prohibited to improve traffic flow from I-90. Loads over 12 feet will also be prohibited. The speed limit will be reduced and enforced by Washington State Patrol who will be onsite during the work.