2022 Basin Easter events guide

With Easter weekend now upon us, there is a lot to do in the Columbia Basin, between the churches holding special worship services and the community Easter egg hunts. The noncomprehensive list of events below are just a portion of what the Columbia Basin will be doing in honor of the holiday. Please note that events are subject to change at the discretion of the event organizers.

A letter from the editor

Working in a newsroom isn’t always a fun adventure like my generation watched on “Murphy Brown.” The people we write about are real and what we write impacts those real people in real ways. Last Friday, we published a story regarding Moses Lake School District’s new and former superintendents. In that story, we covered the hiring of Superintendent Monty Sabin...

Police records for April 14, 2022

EPD, jail

Quincy opens up kindergarten registration

QUINCY — Registration is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 14 and 19 for children entering kindergarten in the Quincy School District in the 2022-23 school year. Parents or guardians are required to furnish documents confirming the child’s age and residency, immunization records and proof of address, according to information from QSD...

Ephrata man injured in one-vehicle rollover

RITZVILLE — An Ephrata man was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane after he rolled his car near Ritzville Tuesday night and was ejected. Ricky Bensch, 59, was driving west on Interstate 90 about five miles west of Ritzville at about 8:15 p.m. when he drifted into the median, according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol. Bensch overcorrected and rolled into the north embankment, the memo said. Bensch was transported to East Adams Rural Healthcare in Ritzville, then to Sacred Heart. Greg Riddell, WSP public information officer, said Wednesday afternoon that Bensch was reported to be in stable condition. The cause of the collision is still under investigation, Riddell said.

Wahluke SD screening for highly capable program

MATTAWA — Screening for students to determine if they qualify for the Wahluke School District’s highly-capable program will begin April 18. The screening process will be open through May 22, according to a district press release...

Aerospace Alliance names new Ops director

REDMOND — The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance has named Lisa Childs as the organization’s new director of operations. Childs previously worked as the PNAA’s events manager, and joined the association 13 years ago, according to an association press release.

Forest Service steps up efforts to manage firesheds in western states

LYONS, Colo. — The U.S. Forest Services announced on Monday it will spend $131 million as part of a 10-year plan to reduce wildfire risk on 208,000 across eight western states. In a press release Monday...

Grant Co. non-farm employment picture improving

Improvements ‘across the board’ for Moses Lake in particular

GRANT COUNTY — Non-farm employment in Grant County in February rose nearly 8% when compared with 2021 as manufacturing employment expanded and the hospitality sector continued to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from the Washington State Employment Security Department. The Monthly Employment Report, compiled by ESD Regional Labor Economist Don Meseck and released in early April, said non-farm employment in Grant County rose 7.7% to 31,720 in February 2022 versus 29,440 in February 2021...

Police records for April 12, 2022

EPD, MLPD, jail

Low temperatures this week may cause harvest issues

MOSES LAKE — The calendar says it’s almost mid-April, but a cold low-pressure system passing through the Pacific Northwest has left it feeling more like it’s early March. . .

Wash. AG, FCC solidify stance against robocall scammers

OLYMPIA — Washington is battening down on robocall scammers with a new partnership between the Attorney General’s office and the Federal Communications Commission. Robocalls come in many forms, some legal and others illegal. Many people are familiar with automated calls from the local school district or appointment reminders for a medical...

This doctor makes house calls

Mobile vet works to provide convenient care

MOSES LAKE — It’s the rare doctor these days that makes house calls. But Jesyka Morrison is one of them. She won’t see you, though, or treat you for what ails you — aches, pains, or give you a shot — but she will see your pet. So if you see her big white van...

New Mattawa police chief focused on community

Transparency, solutions for all are top priorities

MATTAWA — Robert Salinas said transparency and making connections are a big part of successful law enforcement. “If I see somebody in a convenience store, (if) I’m pumping gas, I’m talking to them. I’m asking them what their perception is of the police department, what their experience is. Because I’m trying to find out what concerns they have,” he said. Salinas is the new chief of the Mattawa Police Department. Prior to coming to Mattawa he was a sergeant with the Granger Police Department. He was selected for the role by the Mattawa City Council...

Planning ahead to feed problem newborn calves

While we all hope that every dam will claim her calf and provide it with what it needs to thrive, the reality is that some will not. Hopefully orphaned or problem calves are not a common or regular occurrence...

Water a precious commodity this spring according to NOAA report

It’s likely going to be another dry year across the western United States, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s climate outlook for spring 2022. In its U.S. Spring Outlook, NOAA researchers say...

Beer run turns into armed robbery

MOSES LAKE — Police are looking for two alleged armed robbers who stole beer from a local convenience store Wednesday night, according to the Moses Lake Police Department.

MLSD has new superintendent after long path

MOSES LAKE — It’s official: Monty Sabin is now the new superintendent of the Moses Lake School District. At the end of a regular meeting of the Moses Lake School Board on Thursday, March 24, Sabin — accompanied by his wife Sonia — signed a three-year contract to serve as the district’s next superintendent...

Seven tips for managing caregiver stress during national stress awareness month this April

NEW YORK — Stress can damage your health if you do not manage it properly — especially if you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness.

Basin communities receive grants

SPOKANE — Organizations in Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties will receive over $40,000 in grants through the Innovia Foundation, according to a press release from the foundation.