Cougars win in close home matchup

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars volleyball team (2-8) had a tough game against Granger Tuesday evening but rallied to come up with a 3-2 victory. “We just played as a team,” said Cougar Hannah Roylance. “We have our ups and downs, every team does, but in the end, we pulled together, we had energy, we were competing well, and I feel like that's what gains the win.”

Heartache to hope

Baseball tournament supports students in memory of a life cut short

QUINCY — Some Quincy students are getting a boost with their educations because of a young man who never got to finish his own. “My son got leukemia when he was 18 years old, a senior in high school,” said Linda Guzman, president of the Mario J. Guzman Foundation. “For five years he went back and forth. He relapsed a couple of times, (had) a bone marrow transplant, but it didn't take and he lost his life Sept. 6, 2012.”

Living comic book 'Frankenstein' coming to Wallenstien Theater

MOSES LAKE — A classic story of love, pride and horror will take the stage as a living comic book at the Wallenstien Theater Oct. 18. Columbia Basin Allied Arts will present “Frankenstein: A Living Comic Book,” an adaptation of the 1818 novel “Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus” by Mary Shelley.

Ephrata PD blotter for Oct. 9, 2025

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

Legals for October, 9 2025

Cougars make a comeback in OT

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars soccer team (3-7) gained a 2-1 home victory over Columbia after pushing the game into overtime. “I think we really played as a team, and we just talked and it all came through in the end,” said Cougars player Allie Jensen.

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.

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.

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.

Soap Lake celebrates official designation of Creative District

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake community gathered Saturday to mark a significant milestone: the establishment of the Soap Lake Creative District. After years of dedication and collaboration, local leaders, artists, and residents celebrated the district’s official certification, which promises to enrich the city’s cultural landscape and promote its creative economy. The celebration included speeches, displays of artwork, history and community engagement aimed at raising awareness about the district, which is intended to be a hub for creativity and collaboration among local artists and businesses. “We want people to understand that our aim is not just to host events,” Ruthann Tobiason, one of the organizers of the creative district effort, said. “This is about building longer-term plans that will enrich our community and strengthen our creative economy.”

BASIN VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP – Sept. 30-Oct. 6

MOSES LAKE — Another week of Basin volleyball is complete. Teams continue to carve their path to the postseason. See below where your favorite teams stand and their current records.

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: Oct. 8-15, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Student athletes now head into the second half of their season for fall sports as they prepare for the coming district and state tournaments. See where the local high school teams will be headed this week.

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.

Basin students benefit from Innovia Foundation scholarships

SPOKANE — The Innovia Foundation recently awarded $436,089 in scholarships to students throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho for the 2025-2026 school year, including seven Adams County students, according to an announcement from Innovia. Innovia manages over 30 scholarship programs on behalf of donors who have established funds to help students achieve their career and post-high school education goals.

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.

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.

Quincy Renew office closed for remodeling beginning next week

QUINCY — The Quincy office of Renew, Grant County’s mental health provider, will be closed for most of October and all of November while the space is remodeled. “The Quincy building closure is temporary and part of a planned renovation to improve client experience and service delivery,” wrote Dayana Ruiz, Renew community relations manager, in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “The Quincy office has served the community for many years, and these updates will create a more welcoming, accessible, and efficient space for both clients and staff.” The Quincy facility is owned by Grant County, she said, and as a result Renew officials want to keep it in good condition.

FIRE REPORT: Oct. 7, 2025

Fire season coming to an end

MOSES LAKE — The fire season is starting to come to an end in Washington, according to Department of Natural Resources Communications Manager Ryan Rodruck. “We’re certainly winding down the season,” Rodruck said. “I would say that for western Washington, we have seen that season-ending precipitation at this point. I would not expect any large, costly fires to materialize in western Washington at this point.” However, eastern and central Washington are still waiting for season-ending precipitation, which will likely not happen this week, Rodruck said.

September in review

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