Basin communities meet their protectors at National Night Out

MOSES LAKE — First responders and the people they serve mingled this week in three Columbia Basin communities for National Night Out.

MLPD logs for Aug. 8, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Moses Lake Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Legals for August, 8 2025

Legals for August, 8 2025

Grant Co. Jail health care exceeds standard, despite inmate’s claim

EPHRATA – The Columbia Basin Herald received a letter from a previous inmate at the Grant County Jail, Wayne Symmonds, who expressed concerns around the medical care he has received alongside concerns that several inmates have died during his stay. “This medical at this jail is no help,” Symmonds wrote. “I am afraid I am going to die at this county jail from infection in my body. There was a guy three months ago who had infection going (through) his body and medical was no help to that guy as well. That was how come he die at this jail.”

Auditor investigating finances at East Adams Rural Hospital

RITZVILLE — The Washington Auditor’s Office is investigating allegations of financial irregularities at East Adams Rural Healthcare in Ritzville. “We have an active investigation of the hospital district,” Adam Wilson, WSAO assistant director of communications, wrote in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “We are in the final stages of writing the report and expect to publish it in September. However, we are aware of new issues in the district that may require further investigation.”

MLHS Pals Club fundraiser supports special needs athletes

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake High School Pals Club held a Unified Booster fundraiser outside of Moses Lake’s Crumbl Cookie Tuesday evening from 5-8 p.m. to raise money for Unified Basketball and Soccer for the 2025/26 school year. “This is just one of our fundraisers we did this year, it was our second Crumbl Cookie fundraiser,” said Sarah White, Mavs’ assistant coach for unified sports.

Ephrata Police Department logs for Aug. 7, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Ephrata Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. July 22 Report of indecency in the 200 block of Parkside Place. Reporting party said neighbor exposed himself this morning.

100-acre fire in N. Grant County sparked Wednesday

ELECTRIC CITY — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 2 “Get Set” evacuation orders for both Electric City and Delano as a wildfire moves through the area as of 3:58 p.m. Wednesday.

Shot fired, nobody hurt in Knolls Vista altercation

MOSES LAKE — A weapon was fired but nobody was hurt during an incident Tuesday afternoon in the Knolls Vista neighborhood of Moses Lake, according to the Moses Lake Police Department.

Moses Lake man arrested in attempted murder case

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office arrested 27-year-old Luis Angel Ortega Tuesday morning after an what investigators describe as an attempted murder last Friday night. Ortega is lodged in Grant County Jail for suspicion of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree robbery, and second-degree attempted murder.

Grant, Adams primary election results 2025

EPHRATA - The primary election was held Tuesday in Washington state with statewide voter turnout at roughly 18.58% of the Evergreen state’s 4.4-plus million voters casting ballots. That amounts to a bit more than 822,000 votes cast.

Adams County Sheriff’s Office jail roster for Aug. 6, 2025

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.

60 years of community health center excellence

MOSES LAKE — This week is National Health Center Week, and the Moses Lake Community Health Center is celebrating.

Legals for August, 6 2025

New Mattawa business to start construction this fall

MATTAWA — A new convenience store is scheduled to open in spring 2026 at the west side of the intersection of Government Road and State Route 243 in Mattawa. Owner Hardeep Singh and Port of Mattawa officials recognized the start of the project with a groundbreaking July 30.

Grant County coroner asks for public assistance

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Coroner’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding the family of Deivis Alexander Torres Hernandez.

One injured in Desert Aire shooting

DESERT AIRE — One man sustained life-threatening injuries in a shooting at the Shell gas station at 5 Desert Aire Drive SW in Desert Aire Saturday around 5:30 p.m. The case is still under investigation.

SOAP LAKE MAYOR: Karen Woodhouse

SOAP LAKE — As Soap Lake prepares for its mayoral election in November, City Council Member Karen Woodhouse has officially announced her write-in candidacy. With a history of dedicated civic service and a passion for local advocacy, Woodhouse said, she presents herself as a reliable candidate knowledgeable about the issues facing her community.

Legals for August, 5 2025