Basin sports schedule Jan. 10-16

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

QPD officer stabbed, civilian killed in food mart incident

QUINCY – One unidentified man is deceased after two Quincy Police Department officers responded to a call for assistance at the Jackpot Food Mart at 308 F Street Southeast in Quincy a little after 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Mattawa raises fees, upholds cargo container restriction

MATTAWA – The Mattawa City Council voted unanimously during Thursday’s regular meeting to approve increased fees for city review processes. The council also upheld the city’s current code prohibiting cargo containers in commercial and residential zoning outside of temporary construction storage.

Othello declines $400K grant due to matching requirements

OTHELLO – The Othello City Council unanimously voted to decline a $400,000 Washington Transportation Improvement Board grant during Monday’s regular meeting that would have added sidewalks to several Othello streets.

Sweetheart deal

Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation auction is Feb. 3

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation’s Country Sweethearts dinner and auction has leveled up this year. In years past the benefit was held in the Commercial Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, but this year it will occupy both that building and the 4-H Building next door, said CBCF Executive Director Angel Ledesma. Last year’s event drew 520 guests, which made things a little tight with all the auction items as well. “I take this as a compliment,” Ledesma said. “(Some guests have said) ‘Could you please make more room for the tables?’ So this year, we added the 4-H Building. All the raffle items will be in the 4-H Building, so that leaves us room for all tables and all guests in the main room.”

BASIN WRESTLING REPORT: ACH, Warden host tournaments

COLUMBIA BASIN – It was another weekend of wrestling competitions across the state, including local tournaments in Coulee City and Warden.

Othello boys, girls basketball teams drop two games

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies boys basketball team got off to a slow start and never caught back up in an 88-49 loss to Prosser Friday in Othello. The Huskie girls basketball team made a run but ultimately lost to Prosser 73-36.

Four WA schools earn distinguished designation

OLYMPIA — Four schools in Washington have earned the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Distinguished Schools Award, according to an announcement from the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Ephrata Middle School portable burns, no injuries

EPHRATA – A portable at the Ephrata Middle School suffered a fire in its attic Friday morning, according to Ephrata School District Public Information Officer Sarah Morford.

Winter hits as passes close and snow falls

MOSES LAKE — It took a while, but winter is finally here in earnest in the Columbia Basin. And it looks like it’s not going away soon. The snow started Monday morning and was still coming down at press time.

Port says no: Municipal Airport in Moses Lake will not change management from city to port.

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners have declined a proposal from the city of Moses Lake to assume control of the Moses Lake Municipal Airport. Port commissioners suggested forming an airport district as an alternative.

Brian Charles Wilson

March 24, 1953 — Jan. 1, 2024

Brian C. Wilson, 70, of Moses Lake passed away knowing he was loved, with his wife by his side, in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2024. Brian was born March 24, 1953, to Ann and Chuck Wilson in Ritzville. He spent his childhood in Moses Lake with his brothers, exploring the fields near their home, playing baseball at Knolls Vista and fishing down by the lake. Summers were always spent with Grandma Rose at the family’s cabin in Loon Lake, which he later enjoyed with his own family. In high school, Brian met Tami, and their love story began with an invitation to the Sweetheart dance. They married in 1973 and had two children, Courtney and Brady. Brian worked at Lakeside Optical as an optician for over 40 years and eventually co-owned the business with friend Kevin Carvo.

Couple sentenced for years-long abuse

RICHLAND — A Tri-Cities couple will spend decades in prison for sexually abusing a minor, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Washington. Bret Michael Emineth, 41, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for engaging in years-long sexual abuse of a minor victim and recording images depicting the abuse, according to the statement. U.S. District Judge Mary Dimke also sentenced Emineth’s codefendant, Malesa Hale, 37, to 28 years for conspiring with Emineth to abuse the victim and record the abuse. Emineth, who began abusing the minor victim when the minor was only 12 years old, will also plead guilty to related charges in Benton County Superior Court. “I simply cannot convey how horrendous this behavior is,” Dimke said from the bench, saying also that Emineth and Hale had inflicted “harm that will last for a lifetime.” Directly addressing the victim, Judge Dimke said: “You are brave. You are strong. You are courageous. You saved others from the hell that you were subjected to,” by reporting to law enforcement. Dimke added that if the victim had not come forward, there was no doubt that Emineth and Hale would have expanded their abuse to other children.

Weather for the week of Jan. 8, 2024

Monday: Rain or snow likely. Highs in the lower to mid-30s. Lows in the mid-20s to lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent. Tuesday: Windy. Not as cool. Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of rain. Highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Windy and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain or snow. Lows in the mid- to upper 20s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent. Wednesday: Partly sunny with a chance of rain or snow. Highs in the mid- to upper 30s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent. Mostly cloudy overnight with a 20 percent chance of snow. Lows 19 to 23. Thursday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of snow. Highs in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Breezy and mostly cloudy overnight with a 40 percent chance of snow. Lows 12 to 16. Friday: Breezy. Partly sunny with a chance of rain or snow. Highs in the lower to mid-20s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

BASIN HOOPS REPORT: Local squads enter league play

COLUMBIA BASIN – With the start of the new year, many boys and girls basketball teams around the area have started to enter the teeth of league play across their respective classifications. See below for a look at where Basin squads stand at the beginning of January.

Police logs for Jan. 5, 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. Ephrata PD Dec. 29 Report of a backpack and a school laptop stolen from a vehicle in the area of F Street and First Avenue Northwest.

Lady Vikes end preseason on high note

MOSES LAKE – Coming off of a short Christmas break, the Lady Vikes go back right into it playing three games in three day in the Skagit Valley Classic.

Erikstrup sinks seven from deep, scores 32 in win over South Dakota

VERMILLION, S.D. — You don't get much hotter than Dane Erikstrup was on Wednesday night at South Dakota (8-8, 1-1 Summit). The junior forward made seven 3-pointers on his way to a career-high 32 points, leading the Eastern Washington Eagles (7-7, 2-0 Big Sky) to a 93-79 win as they improved to 7-7 overall.

Events for January 2024

The holidays are over, but there are still things to do in the Columbia Basin to have fun, support good causes and learn. Here is just a sample of those events. To submit your event for possible publication, please visit www.columbiabasinherald.com, click on the EVENTS tab and select Create an Event. Free and premium listings are available.

Vikings fall to Everett

MOSES LAKE – Coming off of several game cancelations, the Runnin' Vikes hoped to get one final preseason game in before entering the challenging conference schedule ahead. Playing their first home game of the season, BBCC hosted the Everett Trojans at the Devries Activity Center on Saturday.