Providence settles lawsuit over low-income patient billings

SEATTLE — Providence Healthcare, which operates Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, among others, must forgive more than $137 million in medical debt and refund more than $20 million to low-income patients, according to an announcement from Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

Letter from the editor: Pets are a community responsibility

As a community, we’re still struggling in the Columbia Basin to take care of the animals in our communities. While some progress has been made as funding becomes available to establish a new shelter for Grant County Animal Outreach, funding to ensure the operations of Adams County Pet Rescue are still a bit up in the air.

COLUMN: Hydropower is the cornerstone of a reliable, clean energy future

Affordable, plentiful energy is the root of a society that enables economic growth. It’s easy to forget our community’s biggest asset even though it affects everything we do. Now more than ever, our customers need to understand hydropower’s role in the rapidly changing energy landscape, and how we’re preparing for the future.

Police logs for Feb. 2, 2024

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Kadlec outreach program assisting Othello community

OTHELLO — Kadlec Regional Medical Center, based in Richland, has entered the fifth month of providing a pilot outreach program to Othello community members in need, called “One Day at a Time.” The program was created by Kadlec Community Health Worker Maria Perez, who runs a similar program in Tri-Cities called Homegrown Connect. Both programs focus on providing food, supplies, assistance and company to individuals in their respective communities. Perez outlined the basics of the Tri-Cities program, and the Othello program’s influence.

Warnick bill promoting WDFW, nonprofit cooperation advances

OLYMPIA — Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, received unanimous approval from the Senate to enable the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish cooperative agreements with nonprofits and volunteer programs contributing to the maintenance of lands managed by the department.

Othello low-income development gets $1.5M grant

OTHELLO — The Othello Housing Authority and Adams County Building and Planning were awarded $1.5 million toward the Othello Rocky Point Development low-income housing project, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Washington Department of Commerce.

Grant Co. extends marijuana production moratorium

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commissioners have extended the moratorium on establishing new marijuana production or processing operations in unincorporated areas of the county for another six months.

Basin alumnae earn NWAC title

PASCO — Two Basin high school alumnae were a part of Columbia Basin College’s 2023 Northwest Athletic Conference Soccer Championship-winning team last November, with Othello aluma Janelly Verduzco and Moses Lake alumna Joelee Green-Cerrillo both winning NWAC titles. Verduzco, a sophomore midfielder with the Hawks, led CBC with 11 goals during the 2023 season, also assisting on a team-high six passes while starting 18 of CBC’s 20 games. Green-Cerrillo, a freshman midfielder, saw action in 13 games, scoring two goals and recording two assists. The Hawks stood unbeaten at 11-0-2 through their first 13 games last season, with the two ties coming on the road against Spokane and North Idaho. CBC’s first and only loss of the year was at home against Spokane, a 4-1 loss on Oct. 14.

BASIN HOOPS REPORT: Local squads begin postseason play

COLUMBIA BASIN — District playoffs across the state begin this weekend, with many Basin squads closing out their regular seasons in the coming days. See below for a look at where teams stand ahead of district playoffs. All scores and standings are according to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Ephrata’s ‘new’ mayor pro tem looks at growing as residents choose

EPHRATA – After serving on the Ephrata City Council since 2015, Matt Moore has taken on a new title: mayor pro tem.

The Hive to mark 30 years of ink Friday

MOSES LAKE — The Hive will celebrate its 30th birthday from noon to 7 p.m. Friday with a throwback to its origins.

Moses Lake Roundup looks forward to the next 80 years

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Rodeo Association gathered with volunteers and sponsoring partners on Saturday at the Grant County Fairgrounds for its annual banquet. This year’s event introduced a new award, Demo Derby Man of the Year. This honor went to one of the new 2023 directors of the board, Aaron Schrodt. Schrodt’s initiative to build and raffle off an opportunity to drive the Moses Lake Roundup’s Demo Derby car, paired with his work with new Vice President Alex Alvarado, earned him the inaugural recognition. A bittersweet transition was recognized for the longtime efforts of Edie Longfellow, a veteran of the Roundup since starting as secretary in August 1969. Known as the “den mother of the Columbia River Circuit,” she was lauded for her support of previous rodeo presidents, queens, and contestants.

Legals for February, 1 2024

Washington eyes changes to jaywalking regulations

OLYMPIA – There's a push to lighten up on jaywalking fines — a move that hits the headlines for its impact on both the homeless community and Black pedestrians.

Soap Lake girls, boys defeat Wolverines on senior night

Stoyan scores 1,500th career point

SOAP LAKE — Both the Soap Lake boys and girls basketball teams picked up wins on their senior nights on Tuesday, with the girls winning 62-22 and the boys winning 81-30 over the visiting Cascade Christian Wolverines. Soap Lake Girls After opening the game with a 16-5 lead through the first quarter, the Eagles slowed down on the offensive end, putting up just six points in the second quarter with baskets by sophomores Brooke Dana and Liana Sushik, as well as free throws by sophomore Tanya Zubritskiy and Sushik. Soap Lake led 22-11 at the break.

Curtain to rise on Masquers production of ‘Harvey’ next week

SOAP LAKE — The tale of a nice but eccentric fellow, his boon companion – a six-foot, three-inch invisible pink rabbit – and his scheming relatives comes to Masquers Theater this February with the troupe’s production of “Harvey.” Director Pat Rosman said the 2023-24 season is one of classic plays, and “Harvey,” which premiered in 1944 and ran more than four years on Broadway, is a theater staple. Elwood P. Dowd (Dave Stearns in the Masquers production) is a very nice fellow who likes a drink or two – or more. And then there’s his friend Harvey, the invisible one, the tall pink rabbit. They go everywhere together.

NEWS BITES: Jan. 31, 2024

News Bites for January 31, 2024.

Huskies win second straight CWAC title

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies clinched their second straight Central Washington Athletic Conference title with last week’s win over Ephrata, defeating the Tigers 70-6 in the final dual meet of the season.

Legals for January, 31 2024