Numerous Mavs set best times at state

FEDERAL WAY — Moses Lake sent 10 swimmers to last weekend’s 4A State Swimming and Diving Championships in Federal Way, with many of them improving on their season and career bests. “It was tons of fun,” Moses Lake Head Coach Jason Hart said. “We went several season-best and lifetime-best times, the guys had a pretty awesome attitude.” The Mavericks quad swimmers qualify for four finals events; the 200-yard medley relay, the 100-yard butterfly and the adaptive 50-yard freestyle and backstroke events.

Ephrata Chamber to hold business after hours

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce’s monthly business after hours networking event will be held at M&H Glass located at 432 Basin Street NW in Ephrata. Admission to the 21-and-older event is $5. Proceeds go to support the chamber’s work to help local businesses grow and prosper. The event runs from 5-7 p.m. and will include beverages, snacks and an opportunity to network with chamber members and business leaders in the city.

Counseling available after Ephrata student’s passing

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District reminds students, faculty and staff that counseling is available if anyone is in need of help after the passing of Jett Johnson in a car accident Monday.

Ephrata campuses launch student assistance programs

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District has announced a new program to help students at Ephrata High and Middle schools with behavioral health management.

Pro soccer coming to Spokane

Spokane Velocity set to start playing in March

SPOKANE – Since it was announced in late 2021 that the United Soccer League would be coming to Spokane, soccer fans across the Inland Northwest have been waiting for the first match of the Spokane Velocity’s inaugural season. That match is just weeks away.

Basin sports schedule Feb. 21-27

COLUMBIA BASIN – Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local basketball events.

Royal girls take third at Mat Classic

TACOMA – The Royal girls wrestling team left Tacoma with hardware for the second straight season, placing third as a team in the 2A/1A/B Girls classification at the Mat Classic last weekend.

Othello boys, girls earn team trophies at Mat Classic

TACOMA – Both the Othello boys and girls wrestling teams left the Tacoma Dome with hardware on Saturday, with the boys taking second in the 2A classification and the girls taking fourth in the 2A/1A/B Girls classification.

Mattawa continues work on parks and rec plan

MATTAWA – Thursday’s regular Mattawa City Council meeting featured an update from SCJ Alliance regarding the city’s ongoing Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan, which will help the city plan its future parks projects and obtain funding for those projects.

Minor arrested in Moses Lake on various charges

MOSES LAKE — A male 16-year-old Moses Lake resident was booked into the Chelan County Juvenile Center in Wenatchee on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, DUI and other charges after he allegedly led officers on a chase that eventually ended in Ephrata early Saturday morning.

Information sought on Larson-area shooting

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies are asking for the public’s help following a shooting that left a 19-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds early Sunday morning.

37 local wrestlers place at Mat Classic

TACOMA – Nearly 70 wrestlers traveled from the Columbia Basin to Tacoma to compete in the Mat Classic last week, with 37 wrestlers reaching the podium in their respective classifications.

GALLERY: 2024 Mat Classic

TACOMA – Congratulations to all the wrestlers from across the Basin who qualified for last week’s Mat Classic, and to the 37 state placers who reached the podium Saturday. Each year, athletes from throughout the Columbia Basin make our community proud of them for their hard work, dedication, team spirit and work ethic.

Warden approves $570K for sewer upgrades

WARDEN – The Warden City Council voted unanimously during the Feb. 13 regular meeting to award a bid of about $570,000 to DW Excavating for upgrades to Warden’s lift station number 1, as well as approve the construction administration contract with Gray and Osborne engineers.

Moses Lake, Wahluke levees failing in updated election results

EPHRATA — A two-year educational programs and operations levy in the Moses Lake School District is failing, and so is a capital levy proposal in the Wahluke School District, in updated vote totals from the Feb. 13 special election released Friday afternoon.

Quincy schools take a close look at security

QUINCY — Presentations for Quincy School District parents and secondary students on what to do in the case of a shooter at school are scheduled for March 27 and 28. Jesus Villahermosa, a nationally recognized expert, will talk to students March 27 and parents and district patrons March 28.

Cougar attacks cyclist

FALL CITY, Wash. – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife received a report of an incident wherein a young male cougar weighing in at about 75 pounds attacked a female cyclist in King County. The cyclist sustained injuries to her neck and face and is reportedly in stable condition, according to a WDFW press release..

GCSO looks back and plans forward

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office saw successes and challenges during Sheriff Joe Kriete’s first year in office in 2023. Kriete said he’s overall very proud of his department and has a deep appreciation for the support county residents generally show him and his officers.

GALLERY: 2024 Mat Classic and Boys Swim and Dive Championships

FEDERAL WAY – Basin teams traveled across the Cascades for state championship events over the weekend, competing in the Mat Classic and the Boys Swimming and Diving Championships. Check out Tuesday’s edition of the Columbia Basin Herald for full coverage of both events.

Lions defeat Eagles in Central Washington 1B title game

WENATCHEE – A 25-point first quarter jumpstarted the Lions in their district championship win over Soap Lake Thursday night, defeating the Eagles 78-45 and advancing to the 1B Boys State Basketball Tournament.