Winterfest brings joy to Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — The annual Winterfest event in Soap Lake was a resounding success this year, organizers said, bringing together families and community members for an evening filled with holiday spirit, gifts and festive fun. The event, organized by the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce, featured a return of cherished traditions, including the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, and raised funds for the senior class of Soap Lake High School.

Moses Lake Police Department logs for Dec. 11, 2025

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

Ephrata prepares for winter weather

EPHRATA — As colder temperatures and the promise of snow settle over Ephrata, city officials urge residents to familiarize themselves with local snow removal policies and the critical role they play in ensuring safe roadways. Ray Towry, the City Administrator, emphasized the city’s commitment to effective snow management, developed collaboratively with input from community stakeholders including the Chamber of Commerce, City Council, local businesses and the Ephrata School District. Once snowfall reaches at least two inches, the city’s four-person Street Department will initiate plowing operations. Crews typically begin work before 4:00 AM, often enduring shifts lasting 16 to 18 hours during significant weather events. “We strive to balance safety with the efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” Towry said. “Plowing happens mostly overnight, and it’s crucial we handle this as effectively as possible.”

Paw-sitively ho-ho-hoping for a forever home

MOSES LAKE — Meet Bella, a howl-iday-loving Siberian husky mix at Grant County Animal Outreach. This jolly good pup is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to sled right into your heart this Christmas season. Will you be her Santa Paws? If so, visit GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org and fill out her application. If you can’t adopt right now but you would still like to help a local shelter, visit the website and click “donate.” The rescue also needs dog toys, treats, blankets, towels, and cleaning supplies, which can be dropped off at 6725 Randolph Road NE in Moses Lake.

Small-town miracle

Othello’s Christmas celebration features parade, tree lighting and fireworks

OTHELLO — Othello showed its small-town holiday spirit Saturday at the town’s annual Miracle on Main Street. “When I first had the dream to start this event, I just said, ‘Imagine Othello like a Hallmark movie,’” said Tania Morelos, head of the event committee and originator of the festival. “That was the goal and it looks like (people) are feeling it.”

Ephrata accepts almost $600,000 chip sealing grant

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council unanimously accepted a nearly $600,000 Transportation Improvement Board grant to fund chip sealing on around 3.5 miles of arterial and collector roadways in 2026. “What this grant is for is to go in and chip seal like we did this last spring, to chip seal the roads that you see there, that are in the red,” Project Engineer and Grant Writer Dave Bren said.

Moses Lake Ag Parade fills downtown with lights and cheer

MOSES LAKE — It was foggy and chilly in downtown Moses Lake Friday, but the community spirit was warm for the Downtown Ag Appreciation Parade and Street Party. “I just talked to some people and they were, like, ‘This is our first year and this is awesome,’” said Downtown Moses Lake Association Executive Director Mallory Miller. The event, held the first Friday of December every year, has been a Moses Lake tradition since the 1990s, according to Columbia Basin Herald archives. Several blocks of downtown Moses Lake were closed off in the afternoon as parade floats lined up in the Surf ‘n Slide parking lot and partygoers in Sinkiuse Square enjoyed free french fries from Simplot, free hot cocoa sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Viking Eatery, and free s’mores sponsored by Steve Crapson of Allstate Insurance and James Shank of Edward Jones. Other food and craft vendors did a thriving business in the streets.

Christmas lights, pictures with Santa signal arrival of holiday season in Quincy

QUINCY — Cold foggy weather did not keep children from making their Christmas wishes known to Santa after the biennial Christmas Lights parade Dec. 5. Santa set up shop at the Port of Quincy events center, and Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Catalina Blancas said everyone had a good time. “Everyone had a great time,” she said. The Christmas parade and visit with Santa are sponsored by the chamber every other year, alternating with its annual banquet. The Christmas Lights parade featured fire trucks, cars and farm equipment all decked out with lights, ending at the events center. Santa and Mrs. Santa got some help from Kent and Kim Bacon, who have been standing in for the jolly old elf and his missus for about 25 years. Children sat on Santa’s lap or clustered around him while parents snapped pictures.

Legals for December, 10 2025

Gifts sought for MLSD bus drivers’ Tree of Sharing

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake’s school bus drivers still have a few gifts to buy, and they could use a little help.

Legals for December, 9 2025

Rep. Tom Dent outlines his legislative priorities for upcoming session

OLYMPIA — As the 2025 legislative session approaches, Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, has articulated a clear agenda centered on addressing critical aviation taxation issues, supporting wildfire management efforts and improving agricultural labor conditions – issues he believes are vital for the economy of Washington State.

Legals for December, 8 2025

Bills begin streaming in ahead of WA’s 2026 legislative session

Washington lawmakers are warming up for a sprint.

Washington state faces two-front challenge to meet future energy demand

(The Center Square) – As Washington state invests in the electrification of its public transportation fleet while preparing for a ban on privately owned new gasoline-powered vehicles in 2035, regional energy stakeholders are addressing the practical issues of having the transmission lines necessary to meet demand.

BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 5-13

COLUMBIA BASIN — The holiday season is in full swing with community festivals, bazaars, performances and more. Ignore your inner Grinch, get out and celebrate with your neighbors. Here are some of the festivities happening in your community:

COLUMN: A moment of gratitude during conflict

At the time of writing, the Moses Lake Education Association is on its third day of striking as they work toward an agreement with the Moses Lake School District. It’s no secret these strikes have led to a ripple effect of outcomes, the most notable that school has not been in session this week as negotiations continue and teachers strike.

Moses Lake Police logs as of Dec. 3, 2025

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

Operation Human Freight leads to multiple arrests in Fife

FIFE — In an action aimed at combating human trafficking and prostitution, the Washington State Patrol has arrested nearly a dozen individuals in an overnight operation dubbed “Operation Human Freight.” The operation, which took place on November 25, 2025, was orchestrated by the WSP’s Commercial Vehicle Division in response to reported suspicious activities near truck stops in Pierce, King and Snohomish Counties.

Senior events for December 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather outside may be frightful, but the holiday events this month make the chill in the air a little more bearable. Here are some opportunities to get out and about in December: