Basin housing market stabilizing

MOSES LAKE — Just a few years ago, homes for sale in the Basin were few and far between. Today, things seem to have moved more or less back to normal.

Moses Lake council, school board candidates discuss issues at forum

MOSES LAKE — Candidates for the Moses Lake City Council and Moses Lake School District discussed school and city finances, trust and water at a forum sponsored by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Joel Graves, running for city council, said Moses Lake has some challenges to address. “These aren’t problems that we can keep kicking the can down the road on,” he said. Council candidates Deanna Martinez, Graves and Jeremy Davis, and school board candidate Mike Nordsten, answered questions submitted by the forum’s sponsors. Council candidate Jim Perez sent a statement, saying work commitments kept him from attending. Chamber Manager Debbie Doran-Martinez said school board candidate Lila Baker had declined to attend, citing her withdrawal from the race due to health reasons.

Voting begins today in WA

OLYMPIA — The voting period for Washington State’s General Election officially commences today, offering residents the opportunity to participate in shaping their local government. “Elections that are accessible, secure, and transparent are the cornerstone of our democracy, providing you with the opportunity to make your voice heard on a variety of issues,” Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said in a statement. He emphasized that the upcoming general election would empower constituents to have a say in who represents them and to weigh in on measures that directly impact their lives in Washington.

BASIN EVENTS: Oct. 17-25

COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you celebrate Halloween or harvest, there’s no shortage of macabre fun this week in the Basin, plus crafts, live music and more. Here are some ideas for getting out and about:

DAR calls for stories, memories from farmers

MOSES LAKE — Local residents are invited to share their memories through a program by sponsored by the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter, according to an announcement from the DAR. In preparation of the USA’s 250th anniversary celebration, the DAR Karneetsa Chapter is looking for farmers throughout Grant, Adams, and Kittitas counties to share their memories and knowledge of the years 1970-1990, particularly about the impact of the eruption of Mount St. Helens on the agricultural community, according to the announcement. The chapter will arrange interview times with individuals between now and Nov. 15 to record their stories, according to the announcement. The interview should not take more than 20 minutes; an interview prep sheet will be sent prior to the scheduled recording. Once a day and time has been scheduled, the recorded interview will take place at the Quincy Museum. In partnership with America 250, participants will be encouraged to share their story about history, hopes and dreams for the future.

Legals for October, 17 2025

Renewed legal battle ramps up over Columbia Basin dams and salmon

A long-running court battle over how to balance protections for endangered fish with hydropower dams in the Columbia River Basin has resumed after a two-year pause. Conservationists, anglers and clean energy groups, along with the state of Oregon, asked a federal court Tuesday to grant a preliminary injunction that would change how eight dams on the lower Columbia and Snake rivers operate. They argue that these changes would improve the conditions for salmon and steelhead survival.

Ephrata looking for architect to remodel potential new city hall

EPHRATA — The final layout of a former business recently purchased by the city of Ephrata, and the ultimate fate of the existing Ephrata City Hall, are still to be determined. That will be part of the process of remodeling the old Rite-Aid building at 250 Basin St. SW. Ephrata City Administrator Ray Towry said the first step will be hiring an architect. “We’ll budget for a (request for proposals) for an architect to redesign that space for us next year,” Towry said. “Depending on how involved you want to be, and (how much) we want to involve the public in that design, will determine the length of time it takes.” The existing city hall and the possible uses of the old Rite-Aid building were among the items discussed at the regular meeting of the Ephrata City Council Wednesday. Council members also discussed revisions to a union contract and renaming two streets at the site of the new Grant County Jail.

Cougars compete at Apple Ridge cross country course

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars Cross Country team competed in the Eastern Washington Athletic Conference’s week three event at Apple Ridge Cross Country course in Yakima. Cougars head coach Karla Banks said the team had multiple runners set new personal records at the meet. “They all had lots of determination,” said Banks. “I was really impressed, they showed off their talents and their skills, and they did it with a big smile on their face.” Aiden Castro led the Cougars boys team in the three-mile race with a time of 22.59.99. Coming up next was Soren Clausen with 23:12.54 and Enrique Gutierrez with 35:42.45 on the course.

Wildcats rank second in conference preseason poll

ELLENSBURG — On Oct. 14, the Greater Northwest Athletic Conference announced its preseason poll for the upcoming women’s basketball season. The Central Washington Wildcats were voted the second-best team in the conference and received four first-place votes, according to the statement by GNAC. Just ahead of them by a point and ranked first are the Western Washington Vikings. After finishing 23-8 last season, the Wildcats advanced to their first sweet 16 in the NCAA Division II tournament after overcoming Point Loma and Chico State. Heading into this season the Wildcats have reloaded and are poised to make another run, their coach said.

GCSO blotter Oct. 3-4, 2025

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office provided the incident details noted below. Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Othello Hospital Commissioner Pos. 2: Lallas vs. Logan

OTHELLO — John Lallas and Martha Logan are running for Position 2 on the Othello Community Hospital Board. The position was left open in March, when former board member Shirley McCullough resigned. Lallas and Logan both applied for the open job, and Lallas was appointed to the board in June. The Columbia Basin Herald provided questions to both candidates, but Logan did not respond. Candidates had a word limit.

Basin teams compete in Hole in the Wall Invitationals

MOSES LAKE – Cross Country teams from around the Columbia Basin had a busy weekend with Lind-Ritzville, Othello and Wahluke going to the Max Jensen Invitational and Quincy going to the Nike Hole in the Wall Invitational. The Moses Lake Mavericks split their team between the two meets.

LETTER: Imagine health care as a sacred right

Imagine a national healthcare system not built on profit, paperwork, or exclusion—but on mercy, justice, and love. A system that says: “You are worthy of care. Not because of your job, your passport, or your bank account—but because you are human.” In this model, every person is covered — citizens, residents, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, migrant workers, and even tourists. No one is asked for payment. No one is turned away. Just as Jesus healed the sick without condition, this system offers care as a sacred right. The system is sustained through progressive taxation, where those with greater means contribute more. This reflects the Biblical ethic: “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). Wasteful spending on billing departments and insurance bureaucracy is eliminated, freeing billions to be reinvested in actual care.

The Mariners are peaking at the right time

As I write this, the Mariners have yet to play the third game in the American League Championship Series. They are up to 2-0 on the Toronto Blue Jays and at least two games away from punching their ticket to the World Series.

Legals for October, 16 2025

Port of Othello working to expand airport services

OTHELLO — Port of Othello commissioners are looking to expand services at the Othello Municipal Airport and have purchased a hangar with the potential to do that.

ELECTION Q&A: Soap Lake mayoral candidates

SOAP LAKE — There is one candidate and one write-in candidate for the Soap Lake mayoral race. Incumbent Peter Sharp is the only candidate listed on the ballot. However, Karen Woodhouse is running as a write-in candidate.

Knights win with last-second goal against Wahluke

ROYAL CITY – The Royal City Knights soccer team (7-3-2) earned a close victory Tuesday evening with a score in the last few minutes of regulation to win 1-0 over the Wahluke Warriors (7-5). The result of the game places the Knights in third and the Warriors in fourth in the South Central Athletic Conference.

Mavericks suffer a loss at home

MOSES LAKE – On Tuesday, the Mavericks (6-5) fell 3-0 to the visiting Davis Pirates. Head Coach Krystal Trammell felt the Mavs were playing on their heels instead of being the aggressor.