Ephrata School District forms committee to consider future bond options

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District has announced the formation of a committee tasked with establishing a recommendation on the timing of the next Ephrata School District Bond, according to a Feb. 1 ESD announcement.

Ephrata’s Malone takes top honor in chess tourney

EPHRATA – For the third consecutive year, Hayden Malone, an Ephrata High School senior took home the top prize in the Waypoint Foundation Scholastic Chess Tournament, according to a statement from the Waypoint Foundation. The competition was held Saturday at Parkway Intermediate School in Ephrata.

CWU selects new dean of Education and Professional Studies

ELLENSBURG – Central Washington University’s College of Education and Professional Studies has chosen Selena Castro to fill its vacant Associate Dean position starting February 16 according to a statement from CWU.

Legislature looks at lowering blood alcohol content statute

OLYMPIA – To curb traffic fatalities, lawmakers are proposing reducing the legal limit for driving while intoxicated.

Quincy City Council scrutinizes fire agreement

QUINCY — Determining how much to pay for fire protection services was the subject of a lengthy discussion at the regular Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday.

BBCC’s upcoming wrestling finale sets stage for national tourney

MOSES LAKE – After a rough weekend versus the Pacific Northwest powerhouse in Clackamas Community College the Vikings hit the road to Pullman, Washington to duke it out versus various conference and non-conference opponents.

ACH Warriors use defense to defeat Northport in Northeast 1B tourney

COULEE CITY – A strong defensive effort carried the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors to their Northeast 1B District Tournament win over Northport Tuesday night, holding the Mustangs to under 30 points in a 54-24 win.

Olympic stumble: Rent control bill passes House appropriations, fails in Senate appropriations

OLYMPIA — Legislation that would place a limit on raises in rent in Washington faces an uncertain future after a bill failed to advance in the Washington Senate.

Bullying at Frontier points toward frustrations for parents

MOSES LAKE — Harassment or bullying at school often leads to unknown territory for parents, who don’t always know what school officials can do, and may not be able to find out what they are doing. School officials can’t always answer parents’ questions, even in the case of recurring incidents.

Basin sports schedule Feb. 7-13

COLUMBIA BASIN — Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local basketball and wrestling events. With many district tournaments beginning this week, check columbiabasinherald.com for schedule updates as teams progress through their brackets.

Reichert’s Showhouse in Othello for sale after 32 years of business

OTHELLO — Bob and Donna Reichert have owned and operated Reichert’s Showhouse 3 in Othello with their son Robert Reichert for 32 years. Now, they are selling the building and retiring from the theater business.

'Such a fabulous night'

Country Sweethearts banquest breaks records for attendenace and fundraising in support of local cancer patients

MOSES LAKE — Saturday night’s Country Sweethearts banquet and auction was the biggest it’s ever been, seating 540 people and raising just over $318,000 for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, according to CBCF Director Angel Ledesma. “It was such a fabulous night,” Ledesma said.

Fighting sadness

Do More Feel More takes a proactive approach to seniors and depression

COLUMBIA BASIN — A new program to identify and cope with depression in seniors is expanding to the Columbia Basin. It’s called “Do More Feel Better,” and it will be offered free in both English and Spanish.

Mattawa votes on truck parking, construction regs

MATTAWA – Thursday’s regular Mattawa City Council meeting featured unanimous approval of a motion to amend the city’s truck regulations and a motion to approve updated construction standards.

GALLERY: District wrestling

COLUMBIA BASIN — Basin wrestlers from Ephrata, Othello, Quincy, Royal and Wahluke competed at Friday’s District 5 tournaments in Yakima and Saturday’s 2A/1A/B District 6 Sub-Regional at Ephrata this weekend, with many wrestlers moving on to next week’s regional tournaments.

Mavs win title at Big 9 districts

MOSES LAKE — The Mavericks outscored second-place Wenatchee by over 100 points at last weekend’s Columbia Basin Big 9 district championships meet in Moses Lake, qualifying for 10 swims at next week’s state championships in the process.

Othello High temporarily locked down after social media threat, all safe

OTHELLO — A social media post prompted a lockdown at Othello High School Tuesday afternoon.

Washingtonians demand hearings on citizen initiatives

OLYMPIA — A sea of red, white and blue covered the Capitol steps in Olympia Friday as hundreds of Washingtonians waved American flags and demanded hearings on six initiatives to roll back taxes, solidify parents’ rights and restore police authority.

Charlene ReNae Winzler

March 26, 1964 – Jan. 25, 2024

Charlene ReNae Winzler, 59, passed away surrounded by family, at her home in Moses Lake, on Jan. 25, 2024, ending her battle with ALS, also known as Lou Guerighs Disease.

30 buzzing years

The Hive in Moses Lake celebrates three decades of buzzing tattoo guns

MOSES LAKE — The Hive was … well, buzzing Friday afternoon as Moses Lake’s first tattoo parlor turned 30.