Ahead of permit to purchase, WA experiencing a surge in concealed pistol licenses

(The Center Square) – The Washington State Department of Licensing is seeing a surge in applications for concealed carry permits for firearms.

Fiscal Fallout: How Washington Medicaid spending quintupled over a decade

(The Center Square) – Washington state’s Medicaid spending has quintupled, or increased five times over, since the 2013-15 biennium, according to an analysis by The Center Square.

Ozzy Osbourne, who led Black Sabbath and became the godfather of heavy metal, dies at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, the gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath who became the throaty, growling voice — and drug-and-alcohol ravaged id — of heavy metal, died Tuesday, just weeks after his farewell show. He was 76. “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,” a family statement said. In 2020, he revealed he had Parkinson’s disease after suffering a fall. Either clad in black or bare-chested, the singer was often the target of parents’ groups for his imagery and once caused an uproar for biting the head off a bat. Later, he would reveal himself to be a doddering and sweet father on the reality TV show “The Osbournes.”

One dead, one injured in Sunday evening shooting

EPHRATA – One man is dead and another is being held at the Grant County Jail after a shooting at about 7:40 p.m. at the Hawk Fuel station in Ephrata Sunday. Investigators say the incident began with an altercation at the fuel pumps that led to gunfire.

STUDIO BASIN: Railroads, MLSD budget and the conclusion of baseball

On this week’s episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer discusses the potential of the Columbia Basin Railroad being sold. The railroad runs from Connell to Ephrata, going through Warden and Moses Lake. Schweizer also discussed REC Silicon and what the company may do with its Moses Lake facility.

REC Silicon to appoint new board of directors in August

No new information on future of silane facility in Moses Lake that closed in January.

MOSES LAKE — An offer from the biggest shareholder in REC Silicon to buy all outstanding shares has been accepted by the company’s board of directors. “On 11 July, (Anchor AS) announced that it had received acceptances which, together with shares held by (the Hanwa Group), represented 43.94% of the issued and outstanding shares in (REC Silicon),” according to a REC Silicon press release. “On 14 July, (Anchor AS) announced that the voluntary offer had been completed and that a mandatory offer will be launched within the deadline set out in the Norwegian Securities Act.”

Moses Lake Police Department logs for July 21, 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.

Authorities investigating fatal shooting at Hawk Fuel in Ephrata

EPHRATA – Ephrata Police Department officers were dispatched to the Hawk Fuel station at 785 Basin Street NW at about 7:40 p.m. Sunday evening. Upon arrival law enforcement found one male victim with multiple gunshot wounds.

Dan Newhouse advised not to hold public events after man arrested for making death threats against GOP congressman, his staff

WASHINGTON — Just about every time Rep. Dan Newhouse posts on Facebook, the comments start pouring in with the same question from his constituents across central Washington. “When is your next public meeting??? Would love to ask some questions!” one person wrote under a post celebrating the Grand Coulee Dam’s anniversary on Wednesday. “In the area yet again and STILL no time for a Town Hall,” another commented after the Republican lawmaker posted photos from an event in Richland on July 10.

Report: WA among states with major funding gap in needed bridge, road improvements

(The Center Square) – A new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts finds Washington among U.S. states struggling to make the investments necessary to preserve and maintain transportation systems, including roads and bridges. “A situation that in turn threatens economic development, the safety of millions of drivers and residents, and the long-term sustainability of public budgets,” according to the report. In fiscal year 2024, the latest year of available data, states spent about $247 billion – roughly 8% of their total expenditures that year – on roadway assets.

Report: 140 Californians a day flee to the land of no income tax – Washington

(The Center Square) – Californians are trading wildfires and income tax for rain and $154,000 tech salaries, according to a new report. StorageCafe’s report found that approximately 140 Californians move to Washington state every day. In 2023 alone, 51,000 people moved to Washington, and 23,000 moved to King County specifically, which is where Seattle and Redmond – major U.S. tech hubs – are located. Experts are citing economic opportunities in Washington as the main driver. Susan Curran, director of the University of Washington’ Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology, expects the migration of Californians to Washington will continue at the current pace due to climate issues in California, which “will make portions of the state increasingly unlivable.”

Federal judge blocks WA law requiring clergy to report abuse learned in confession

(The Center Square) – A federal court on Friday blocked a new Washington state law requiring religious leaders in the state to report child abuse or neglect, even when it’s disclosed in confession. Senate Bill 5375 makes members of the clergy – including ministers, priests, rabbis and others – mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. The law was set to take effect on July 27. Penalties include up to 364 days in jail, a $5,000 fine, and potential civil liability for priests who uphold the seal of confession.

Summerfest draws crowds to Royal City

ROYAL CITY — Any way you measure it, Summerfest was a success. “I would say on Friday we had over 2,500 people, and then after the parade on Saturday, we had over 3,000 people in the park,” said Summerfest Committee Chair Jill Larsen. That’s more than the population of the town, she added, which was about 1,900 in 2023, according to the U.S. Census.

FIRE REPORT: Four wildfires burning in E. Washington

MOSES LAKE - More than 17,000 acres have been impacted by currently active wildfires in Eastern Washington, with another roughly 500-acre blaze burning on the West Side, according to state and federal sources. Firefighters have made significant progress with some of the fires, with the Greenacres Fire in Okanogan County burning about 921 acres of land five miles north of Omak. The fire is reported at 95% contained and is being transferred to local fire crews, according to a release from the Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team.

Legals for July, 18 2025

Ephrata mayoral candidates debate issues

EPHRATA – Ephrata Mayoral candidates came to the Columbia Basin Herald office Monday to talk about their positions on the issues. Incumbent Bruce Reim and opponent Steve Oliver answered questions around transparency, tax burdens, criminal activity and the local economy.

Adams County Jail roster for July 16, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This is the active list of inmates for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The Adams County Jail is closed, so inmates are housed in other jurisdictions.

NEWS BITES: July 16, 2025

NEWS BITES: July 16, 2025

Fire burns about 100 acres near Mattawa

MATTAWA — A wildland fire scorched about 100 acres about two miles west of Mattawa Tuesday afternoon. Grant County Fire District 8 Chief Matt Hyndman said the fire was reported at about 4:45 p.m.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Engage mindfully ...

For much of my adult life, I intentionally put myself in the background of different situations. I was content being a behind-the-scenes worker, whether that was in the military, in state government or as a cub reporter.