Bill proposes higher fees for Discover Pass

OLYMPIA – It will cost more to visit a state park next year, if a proposal in the state Legislature wins approval. Senate Bill 5390, proposed by Sen. Derek Stanford, R-Bothell, increases the cost of a Discover Pass from $30 to $45 and the day pass fee from $10 to $15. As an avid user of state parks, Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia, the primary sponsor of the House version of the bill, said this increase was long overdue.

Building business

Construction the theme of the Moses Lake Business Expo

MOSES LAKE — It’s hardly a secret that Moses Lake is growing, and that’s why this year’s Business Expo March 4 will have a construction theme.

After two-year-plus effort, Soap Lake Creative District is official

SOAP LAKE – Anyone who’s been to Soap Lake for a bite to eat at the Del Red Pub and heard live music there or seen a production at the Masquers Theater knows that Soap Lake has a thriving arts scene. The arts are an important part of the community, and now even the State of Washington recognizes that.

Student performance fuels school funding debate

OLYMPIA – Holly Koon of Mount Baker School District struggles every day in her freshman biology classes to help students achieve, but sometimes it seems like a losing battle. Chronic absenteeism, growing class sizes and fewer classroom helpers all get in the way of student learning, she said. “All students can absolutely learn, and they can learn to standard,” she said. “I have a biology class right now with 36 students in it; I have one instructional aid. How do you – in 60 minutes a day – individualize and support all 36 students?”

Eagles fall short in high-offensive battle with ‘Jacks

CHENEY — The style of play was different from Thursday night, as Eastern Washington women's basketball and Northern Arizona faced off on the court. Eastern dropped the game, 88-77, in a fast-paced offensive battle. EWU's record now drops to 6-9 in the Big Sky and 10-17 overall. Both teams shot over 40 percent for the game, with the Eagles at 41.7 percent and the Lumberjacks recording a 41.2 percentage.

13th district lawmakers discuss session

OLYMPIA - Residents of Washington’s 13th legislative district gathered virtually Wednesday evening with lawmakers to discuss key legislative topics and address constituent concerns. The webinar began with lawmakers highlighting their recent legislative activities. Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, discussed her bills promoting agro-tourism and livestock identification while Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, spoke about HB 1253 which expands the types of joint agreements public utilities can make with private entities regarding energy resources. Ybarra’s bill recently passed through the House and is now under Senate consideration.

WA Senate passes bill to boost housing supply by eliminating parking requirements

(The Center Square) – Washington state needs to build more than one million housing units over the next two decades, but one proposal intends to clear the way by repealing the state’s minimum parking requirements. Spokane eliminated its parking requirements last year to encourage the development of empty lots around town. The Legislature wants to follow suit with Senate Bill 5184, but only for cities with more than 20,000 people, extending to roughly 60% of Washingtonians.

Wahluke wrestlers set to represent Mattawa well

MATTAWA – The Wahluke High girls wrestling team is sending four athletes to the Mat Classic in Tacoma this weekend. The girls will be joined by Alex Tapia from the boys team and the hope is that he and his fellow Warriors represent the school well.

Tigers wrestlers work for a strong Mat Classic showing

EPHRATA — The Tigers are sending four juniors from the boys wrestling squad and one senior, six juniors and one freshman on the girls squad to the Tacoma Dome to compete this year. This year’s tournament roster includes Tiger girls wrestler Carolina Monico who earned fourth place at the Bring Home da Beef tournament in Quincy on Feb. 1.

Sen. Warnick’s bill strengthening penalties for theft from first responders passes Senate

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate passed Senate Bill 5323, which increases penalties for theft and possession of stolen property belonging to firefighters and emergency medical service providers. The legislation was introduced by Senator Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake) and approved with a bipartisan vote of 47-2.

Snow bikes make for a unique way to shred the mountain

“A SNO-GO,” I promptly smiled back to him. “Basically, a bike on skis.”

Idaho coughs up lead late as EWU rallies for victory

On Thursday, Idaho plays at Northern Arizona, and Eastern Washington is at Northern Colorado.

Grant Co. Fairgrounds getting upgrades

Incoming improvements set to improve safety, visibility and visitor experience.

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Fairgrounds is installing around $1 million in upgrades, according to Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan. The upgrades include new light towers and lighting at gates, additional cameras, a new public address system, improved fencing, removing track from the rodeo grounds, new bleachers for the rodeo and power and water stalls. There will also be increased policing staff at the fairgrounds this year. “A lot of our efforts, as far as capital projects are having to do with safety this year as a result of last year's shooting,” McKiernan said.

Nat Washington Way roundabout coming summer 2025

EPHRATA — Construction is planned this summer on a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way near the new Grant County Jail construction site. Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said there is a tentative timeline.

Soap Lake council members earn certifications

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Council Member Susan Carson recently earned a Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities, a program designed to enhance the skills and effectiveness of elected officials across the state, according to an announcement from Soap Lake Mayor Peter Sharp. Carson and other city leaders have completed extensive training in key areas essential to effective municipal leadership.

Richard William Klein

It is with a mix of deep sorrow and resurrection joy that we announce the passing of Richard William Klein,98, faithful husband, beloved father, grandfather, pastor and friend, who left us peacefully on February 3, 2025, at Holy Family Hospital, Spokane, Washington.

Moses Lake Air Show to move to different dates for 2025

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Air Show will move to a new weekend in 2025 and change back to a Friday-Saturday show. Rich Mueller of the air show’s board of directors (and the airport director for the Port of Moses Lake) reviewed the 2024 event and talked about some of the changes coming for 2025. He spoke during the regular port commission meeting Monday morning.

'It’s a killer show’

Murder and laughter mix in Masquers Theater’s ‘Clue: On Stage’

Prepare to don your detective hats and gather your wits, because the Masquers Theater is about to unravel a mystery that promises both laughter and intrigue.

iNET works at identifying, mitigating narcotics in the Basin

Local joint task force works to mitigate the flow of controlled substances into Grant, Adams counties

EPHRATA – If you live in the Columbia Basin, you've seen coverage from the Columbia Basin Herald and other outlets regarding the prevalence of drugs such as fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in the area. The Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, otherwise known as iNET, is tasked with fighting the drug epidemic in the region. “We have a mission – I would say mandate – but our mission is to target middle to upper-level narcotics traffickers in drug trafficking organizations,” said the group’s lead detective. “... Our primary area of responsibility is Grant and Adams counties.”

Plant early with milk-jug mini-greenhouses

MOSES LAKE — Some plants are meant to be left in the ground through the winter, and now that it’s February and the ground outside is as hard as week-old peanut brittle, it’s a little late to be planting. Fortunately, there are ways to use milk jugs and even ice cube trays to get planting underway. “Some seeds need to be frozen in order to split their outer shell,” said Valerie Parrott, president of the Columbia Basin Garden Club. “Things like carnations, they really need to be cold. So, you just fill your ice cube tray (with water), dump a few seeds in one, freeze them for two weeks, then you can go outside and plant them, and that will act the same as a cold stratification ... as if they had gone through a lot of hard freeze cycles.”