March 2024 Basin Events

COLUMBIA BASIN – As always, the Columbia Basin has a lot going on next month. As spring moves a bit closer to being official, here are several opportunities to get out of the house, have some fun, and maybe support a good cause. This listing is noncomprehensive and event details may change or events may be canceled at the organizers’ discretion. Readers are encouraged to call ahead or verify the information below online prior to the event.

ACH falls to Crosspoint in 1B girls regionals

TACOMA – Facing off against a tough defensive team in No. 4 seed Crosspoint, the No. 5 Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors fell 53-29 in Saturday’s 1B Girls State Basketball Tournament regional round.

Cougar comeback bid falls short

Warden falls to Brewster in 68-63 loss in Richland

RICHLAND – Despite coming back from a 17-point second-half deficit, the No. 2 seed Warden Cougars were unable to take over the No. 7 Brewster lead in Friday’s 2B Girls State Basketball Tournament regional matchup, falling to the Bears 68-63. “I thought we had a good week of practice, thought we had a good plan,” Warden Head Coach Josh Madsen said. “Ultimately, we didn’t execute it at times as well as I thought we could have. (Brewster) hit some big shots, and we just didn’t respond.”

Wash. may help tribal authorities enforce warrants under proposed bill

OLYMPIA- A new bill preventing individuals from escaping justice for crimes committed on tribal lands by fleeing into Washington state jurisdiction has passed the Senate with a vote of 45-4.

STUDIO BASIN: Clean energy, levies and Lions b-ball with Emerson Ferguson

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake and its burgeoning battery manufacturing sector were cited as the future of energy in a visit by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Gov. Jay Inslee in a visit to town Thursday. A discussion of their visit is part of the Studio Basin podcast.

D&M Chem joining The McGregor Company operation

COLFAX – The McGregor Company is bringing D&M Chem into their family-owned ag retail business, according to a Wednesday announcement from McGregor.

Murray visits WA to discuss lack of childcare

SNOQUALMIE – U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Child Development Center Thursday to tour their facilities and discuss the childcare crisis Tribal and rural communities are facing, according an announcement from Murray’s office.

Moses Lake levy request to go back to voters

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District voters will be asked to approve or reject an educational programs and operations levy in a special election April 23. Moses Lake School Board members approved the resubmission of the levy request on a unanimous vote Thursday.

Levies mostly passing in Washington, bonds mostly failing

OLYMPIA – Preliminary results from the Feb. 13 Special Election show a significant majority of levies passing on local ballots across Washington state, but only a third of bond proposals passed, according to a Feb. 14 announcement from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Lions claw their way to 1B state tourney

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School boys basketball team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1B state basketball tournament with a 64-54 win over Cusick Friday.

Three-time champ!

Naranjo caps career with third state title, unbeaten record

TACOMA – Winning a state championship is something every high school wrestler dreams of. Winning three state titles? Now, that’s a whole other challenge.

Law enforcement logs for Feb. 23, 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.

WA House passes transit-oriented housing bill

OLYMPIA — House Bill 2160, promoting transit-oriented housing developments, passed with a floor vote of 56 to 40 during a Feb. 13 floor debate. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Julia Reed, D-Seattle, has moved on to the Senate for further consideration. The bill requires cities in fully planning counties, such as Grant County, to conform to certain requirements and limitations for housing near transit systems. Reed spoke about the bill during the Jan. 9 hearing. “The bill before you addresses that urgent need for housing in our state, the state with the fewest number of housing units per household than any other, by making it possible to build new, denser housing around our most used and most heavily invested in transit modes, rail, light rail and bus rapid transit lines,” she said.

Quincy Valley parks board being formed

QUINCY — The new Quincy Valley Regional Parks District could start holding its first meetings in April. Quincy City Administrator Pat Haley said the formation of the new district’s board is underway.

Port of Othello continues work toward airport plan

OTHELLO – Port of Othello Executive Director Chris Faix gave an update on some of the port’s progress with its ongoing projects, mainly working with J-U-B Engineers to develop an Airport Layout Plan and entering the process of designing the incoming Bruce Water Tower.

‘Center of the universe’

Officials laud Grant County, Moses Lake EV innovation

MOSES LAKE — Grant County is the tip of the spear when it comes to clean energy, US. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said at a Moses Lake round table Thursday. “Moses Lake, you guys are like the center of the universe,” Granholm said. “What is happening here? It is amazing.”

Ephrata council approves resolution to repair sewer line

EPHRATA -- During the Feb. 21 Ephrata City Council meeting, Ephrata Public Works Director Rob Harris shared with the council the source of the Division Street sewer line failure that occurred on the Northeast side of Ephrata last week.

BASIN HOOPS REPORT: Regional play begins

COLUMBIA BASIN – Five local teams reached the regional rounds of their respective state tournaments, setting up regional games in Moses Lake, Richland and Tacoma.

Shadow dancing in the Basin

The Silhouettes to present ‘Love Happens’ in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Shadows will come to life next week at the Wallenstien Theater, as The Silhouettes bring their unique dance show March 1.

Moses Lake man barricades self in home after alleged assault

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man is in jail after a standoff with police, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department.