Othello candidate forum lets voters explore options

OTHELLO — Fire services in the Othello area, the pros and cons of annexation, accessibility, the challenges facing the Othello, the Othello School District and Othello Community Hospital were among the topics discussed in a wide-ranging candidate forum in Othello Tuesday.

Basin cross country teams compete in Battle for the 509

MOSES LAKE – High school cross country teams from around the state met at the Spokane Polo Grounds on Saturday to compete in the eighth annual Battle for the 509. Basin teams that were part of the competition included Ephrata, Lind-Ritzville, Moses Lake, Othello, Quincy and Warden.

Young Tigers squad shines in 3-set victory over Jacks

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers (1-8) defeated the Quincy Jacks (0-9) 3-0 on Tuesday. The Tigers were hitting all cylinders, holding the Jacks to 11 points in all three sets. Head Coach Britney MacLeod said it was good to see her team get a league win Tuesday night.

Torilynne Hinshaw

April 17, 2007 — Sept. 7, 2025

Torilynne Marie Hinshaw was called home to Heaven on Sept. 7 at the young age of 18. She suddenly and peacefully passed away at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. Torilynne was born April 17, 2007, to her parents Carey and Heather Hinshaw. She was born in Spokane, but lived her short precious life in Moses Lake. Torilynne also leaves behind her two big brothers Zach and Logan. Both fiercely loved and protected her. In addition, she also leaves behind her Nana and Grandpa and aunts, uncles and cousins. Torilynne was a beautiful girl who stood out everywhere she went, with her long brown hair and big brown eyes.

Meet the Ephrata mayoral candidates today

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce will host a mayoral candidate meet-and-greet Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Pita Pit. Both incumbent Bruce Reim and candidate Steve Oliver will be present and answering questions the chamber has put together.

Shining bright

Boys & Girls Club auction raises money for local children

MOSES LAKE — The theme for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin was “Shine Bright for the Kids,” and the community did exactly that, to an estimated tune of about $260,000.

MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL 1: Martinez vs. Davis

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council incumbent Deanna Martinez is being challenged by Jeremy Davis for her position on the council. Both candidates were given identical questions, with a deadline. Martinez submitted her answers, which came in after the deadline, but the delay was due to miscommunication. Davis’s answers were printed Monday, and Martinez’s answers are below.

College football recap – week 6

MOSES LAKE — After a successful weekend for Washington college football where all three scheduled teams were victorious, we are now in full swing of October football. Across three games, fans were treated to a full spectrum of competitive rivalry wins, offensive domination and late comeback wins.

Broncos serve up a shutout victory at home

RITZVILLE — The Lind-Ritzville Broncos (11-1) swept the Odessa Tigers Monday in the first three sets to win 3-0. Head Coach Cari Galbreath said her team executed well. “I think it was a nice, clean win for us. We just took care of the ball and didn't try to do anything too special,” Galbreath said.

Dorene Claassen

1948 — 2025

Dorene Sue (Flaming) Claassen, 77, passed away on October 5, 2025, in Moses Lake, Wash. She was born June 20, 1948, in Goessel, Kansas, the oldest child of Theodore B. and Frieda (Schmidt) Flaming.

Rebeca Lucio De Leon

Jan. 12, 1950 — Sept. 25, 2025

Rebeca Lucio De Leon, 75, passed away peacefully in her home on September 25, 2025. She was born in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to José Lucio and Eustolia Zúñiga, the second of ten children.

Vernon Mullings

1948 — 2025

Vernon Oscar Mullings left his earthly body behind and went home to be with his Savior, Jesus, and experience the glory and presence of God firsthand, on October 4th, 2025. He was 77.

Long-term GCAO residents still hope for homes

MOSES LAKE – For many furry friends, a forever home can often feel like a distant dream. At the Grant County Animal Outreach, three dogs have taken up residence longer than others, waiting patiently for their chance to find loving families.

The Eagles fend off Portland State

CHENEY – On Saturday, the Eastern Washington Eagles defeated the Portland State Vikings 35-27 to bring home the Dam Cup and cap off a successful homecoming game. After a couple years without it, Head Coach Aaron Best said it’s good to have it back in their hands. “It's been out of our hands for over 1,000 days, and now it's back in Cheney and after a hard fought back and forth affair late in that game, and just proud of our players and our coaches for finding a way,” Best said.

ACH Warriors dominant at home

COULEE CITY — On Friday, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (3-1) were victorious 58-20 over the visiting Curlew Cougars. The Warriors dominated with their run game. Head Coach Brandon Walsh said his players were sharp in all phases of the game. “We're happy with how we played,” Walsh said. “It was fun to see the kids starting to take on some of the little things that matter for good teams. We're getting better at some of that stuff, and it's starting to show in the results."

Mark Murray Wilson

Feb. 8, 1961 – Aug. 18, 2025

Mark Murray Wilson, beloved father, grandfather, brother, son, husband, and friend, passed away on Aug. 18, 2025, at the age of 64. He was born Feb. 8, 1961, to Geraldine (Murray) and Jerry Wilson. Raised in Moses Lake, Mark was known for his adventurous spirit and his love for life. As a young man, he was a bit of a wild child who loved baseball and loved his friends, always exploring and making memories that would last a lifetime. He married his junior high sweetheart, Lisa Gibson, in 1982 and together they raised four daughters Tiffany, Nichol, Courtney and Brittney. Throughout his life, family was at the heart of everything he did. He worked hard to provide for his family and was a proud and dedicated father.

September in review

COLUMBIA BASIN – September in the Columbia Basin was filled with events, new businesses and athletes excelling in their sports.

Josephine Hoff

Nov. 22, 1924 – July 4, 2025

Jo Hoff, 100, passed away peacefully in her home in Ephrata on July 4, 2025. She was born to Ralph and Mary Walker in Burke, South Dakota, on Nov. 22, 1924. She met the love of her life, Jacob Hoff, and married him on Sept. 27, 1942. After the war, they adopted Mary Jo and Michael. They raised them in South Dakota and Soap Lake. They moved to Grant County, Washington, in 1968. Jo was a lover of animals. She is survived by her son Michael Hoff of Ephrata and grandson Tyson, grandchildren Michele Deems (Aaron) of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, great-grandchildren Jacob Riddle of Del Rio, Texas and Jared Broyhill of Ruther Glen, Virginia, Brandon Mccann of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and Jacob Deems of Carmichael, Pennsylvania, Jody Forrest and great-granddaughter Lily of Ephrata, Beth Ries (Jonathan) and great-grandchildren Isaac, Jacob, Josephine and Cecilia of East Helena, Montana, and grandsons Robert Wilkinson of Bakersfield, California, and Justin Adreniran of Selah, Washington. She is also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and relatives around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jacob Hoff; siblings Ann Marie Hullinger, John Walker, and Lilian Peters; daughter Mary Jo Wilkinson; grandsons Michael Yount and Derek Adreniran; and several relatives.

Jorge Polanco’s 2 home runs help Mariners take Game 2 of ALDS, even series against Tigers

SEATTLE (AP) — Shortly after Jorge Polanco’s second home run of the game off reigning AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal, a chant broke out from a smattering of Mariners fans at T-Mobile Park. It was resemblant of the familiar soccer chant, “Olé, Olé, Olé″, except the Seattle supporters were repeating Polanco’s first name after he put the Mariners up 2-0 en route to a 3-2 win against the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of their AL Division Series on Sunday to even the series.

David's pick sets up winning FG as Bucs beat Seahawks 38-35 in duel between Mayfield and Darnold

SEATTLE (AP) — Lavonte David slid toward the middle of the field in anticipation as Buccaneers teammate Antoine Winfield Jr. pressured Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. After a deflection off defensive end Logan Hall’s helmet, David found himself in the right spot to intercept Darnold with 58 seconds left. His pick set up Chase McLaughlin's 39-yard field goal as time expired, and Tampa Bay escaped with a thrilling 38-35 win over Seattle on Sunday.