Soap Lake approves water, sewer rate study

SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake City Council unanimously approved a water and sewer rate study during their April 6 regular meeting. The city’s last study was completed in 2017. The new contract...

Cougars win 8 events at Hayward Premiere track meet

EUGENE, Ore.— The Washington State men's and women's track and field team recorded eight event wins and posted 16 top-three finishes as multiple Cougs turned in record-setting performances at the Hayward Premiere in Eugene, Oregon this past Friday and Saturday.

Stumpjumpers race results released

ODESSA — Results of the 50th annual Stumpjumpers Desert 100 have been announced.

USDA seeks pollinator experts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday announced that it is looking for people to serve on a new committee intended to direct future pollinator research.

Cougs compete in Silverado Showdown

NAPA, Calif. - Washington State Cougar senior Darcy Habgood and junior Jiye Ham each finished inside the top-35 on the player leaderboard to highlight the week at the 2022 Silverado Showdown for the Washington State women's golf team...

Police records for April 7, 2022

EPD, OPD, MLPD, jail

Prep roundup: Tigers defeat Colville, 9-3

Staff Report/MaxPreps/WIAA

The Ephrata High School Tigers beat the Colville High School Crimson Hawks 9-3 in a non-conference game Monday. Garet Hagy and Cody Black made three hits apiece. Seth Chamberlain led the Tigers in runs batted in with three.

Semi driver dies in rollover accident

DOUGLAS COUNTY — A truck driver died in a rollover accident in northern Douglas County Monday, according to a press release from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. At about 11:36 a.m. deputies responded to a report that a semi was lying on its top on McNeil Canyon Road and that the semi’s brakes were on fire. According to DCSO, Daniel E. Heberer, 57, of Spokane, had been driving...

‘Nailed it’

Othello Dance and Drill team wins state title

OTHELLO — Othello Dance and Drill team leader Bridget Maldonado said she wasn’t ready for the announcement when it came ...

Washington Nitro National returns in May

Multiple competitions set for event

SUNNYSIDE – The Washington Nitro Nationals, formerly Northwest Nitro Nationals, is returning to the Rattlesnake Ridge ORV Park, about 18 miles north of Sunnyside, May 6-8 after a two-year hiatus, according to a press release from event organizers.. “This is hillclimbing at its best,” spokesman John Nyboer said. “Come watch...

Hearings set on hunting seasons and net use policy

OLYMPIA — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking public comment in a series of public hearings at the end of this week to discuss the 2022-23 hunting season, a land deal and the use of commercial pound nets on the Columbia River. According to a press release, the commission will meet online from April 7-9, ...

Utility officials push for safe digging

COLUMBIA BASIN — April is National Safe Digging Month, and a recent national survey revealed that 49% of homeowners who plan to dig this year will put themselves and their communities at risk by digging without calling 811 beforehand to learn the approximate location of underground utilities, according to a press release from Cascade Natural Gas. Additionally, 58% of homeowners reported experiencing a utility service interruption in the last 12 months, a direct result of damaging an underground utility line...

USDA Says National, Regional Grain Stocks Down

OLYMPIA — Grain stocks in the Pacific Northwest are half of what they were last year, while a lack of soil moisture in portions of Adams County does not bode well for this year’s winter wheat crop, according to a pair of reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistic Service.

Columbia Basin sports schedule April 6-13

High school sports schedule for the week of April 6-13

High winds raise dust, cause prep

COLUMBIA BASIN — The powerful gusts tearing across the Columbia Basin this week are the result of a cold front moving through Washington State, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Miranda Cote. “There’s a strong system pushing into the area and a cold front pushing through,” Cote said. Cote said Monday saw wind gusts of...

Birth announcements for March in the Columbia Basin

Samaritan Hospital March 11 Brenda Botello and Eduardo Garcia-Gonzalez, Moses Lake, daughter Petra Guadalupe Garcia-Gonzalez, 7 pounds 5 ounces. Karen Gibbins Castro and Wesley Gibbins, Moses Lake, daughter Leticia Isabella Gibbins, 7 pounds 6 ounces. March 12 Dania and Levi Bisnett Cyrus...

Grant Co. looks to fill spots on planning commission

EPHRATA – The Grant County Board of Commissioners is looking for two county residents to serve on the county’s planning commission, according to a press release from the commissioners Friday. The Planning Commission makes recommendations to the board of commissioners for changes and updates in the comprehensive plan and the zoning code, as well as rezoning actions, the release said...

Flu activity rising in Grant Co.

GRANT COUNTY — Grant County Health District officials have issued an advisory recommending people take precautions against influenza following reports of increasing influenza activity in the county. “(The health district) currently is monitoring an influenza outbreak among residents in an assisted living facility,” read a statement from the GCHD. “Communicable disease investigators are reporting an increased number of influenza cases among school-aged children, as well as children under the age of 5.” Cases of the flu and influenza-like illnesses are on the rise...

Accessible security

Calzadillas uses diverse skillset to keep Mattawa students safe

MATTAWA — JJ Calzadillas said school security is a team effort, one that takes diligence, some practice and building relationships with students and the community. Calzadillas is the safety and security coordinator for the Wahluke School District. He gave credit to the student body for being an asset in keeping the schools safe. “We have kids that are willing to...

Bomb hoax closes ACH

COULEE CITY — Students at Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School got an early start on their spring break Friday when the school was closed due to a bomb threat that turned out to be a hoax.