Washington employer groups file lawsuit against EPA

OLYMPIA – According to an announcement from the Association of Washington Business, several employer groups in Washington state filed a lawsuit on Dec. 4 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent 2022 water quality standards (WQS) for the state.

Legals for December, 21 2023

Soap Lake eyeing $7.15M budget

SOAP LAKE — The city of Soap Lake is expected to spend about $7.15 million in 2024, according to the proposed budget to be voted on by the Soap Lake City Council Dec. 20. The proposed budget includes a 5% decrease in spending. Utility rates may be increased in 2024, although that is still to be determined.

Washington patrols to increase through holidays

OLYMPIA — According to a Wednesday announcement from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, law enforcement agencies across the state will have an increased presence on roads from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1 to help remind everyone to drive safely.

Moses Lake BMX looking at continued growth

MOSES LAKE – Over the past few years Moses Lake BMX has been upgrading its track and building on turnouts of BMX riders from across the state; now the track is getting ready for what could be a big 2024 season with even more track improvements plus the addition program for beginning riders.

Local firefighters bring holiday warmth to Moses Lake children

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1258 got together to make sure some local students were warm as fall turns into winter in the Columbia Basin.

Legals for December, 8 2023

Calm before the fun

Cloudview Farm spending the winter to prep for busy 2024

EPHRATA – Growing season may be done at Cloudview Farm but the ag attraction’s Education and Community Coordinator Julie Johnston and Operations Manager Anna Moore are hard at work prepping for another year of events at the Ephrata business.

Exposure to soft robots decreases fears about working with them

VANCOUVER — Seeing robots made with soft, flexible parts in action appears to lower people’s anxiety about working with them or even being replaced by them. A Washington State University study found that watching videos of a soft robot working with a person at picking and placing tasks lowered the viewers’ safety concerns and feelings of job insecurity. This was true even when the soft robot was shown working in close proximity to the person. This finding shows soft robots hold a potential psychological advantage over rigid robots made of metal or other hard materials.

WSDOT updating Highway System Plan

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation held a virtual public meeting Thursday regarding its draft for the 2024 Highway System Plan update. According to the plan, the previous version was released in 2007. WSDOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Development & Delivery Kerri Woehler introduced the draft.

Legals for November, 30 2023

Community meal

Othello community organizations host Thanksgiving meal for food insecure

OTHELLO – Several Othello organizations and businesses partnered Thursday evening to provide food-insecure individuals and families with a hot Thanksgiving meal. The Cow Path Bakery organized the event in partnership with the Othello Food Bank and the Othello Church of the Nazarene which provided a venue for the holiday celebration.

Vikings win 1 out of 3 at Turkey Tournament

MOUNT VERNON – After a tough opening weekend for Vikings basketball, Big Bend Community College hoped to get in the win column as they traveled to Skagit Community College to participate in the Turkey Tournament.

Santa slated for an appearance at Soap Lake’s Winterfest

SOAP LAKE — Santa Claus will be coming to town, downtown Soap Lake anyway, Saturday afternoon. Santa’s arrival, however, is one of many events during Winterfest, Soap Lake’s annual holiday celebration. Susan Carson of the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce said Santa’s arrival is the biggest deal of the day.

Legals for November, 24 2023

Holiday cheer around the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down just about every main drag in the Columbia Basin. Many local communities will hold holiday celebrations over the next couple of weekends. Here are some places to load up on Christmas joy:

Washington sports schedule Nov. 22-28

MOSES LAKE – Check out this week’s professional, collegiate and local sports happening over the next week across the state. The Columbia Basin Herald wishes our local athletes good luck and safe journeys as they travel for competition.

Legals for November, 22 2023

News Bites for Nov. 21, 2023

MOSES LAKE — With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it’s important for people who decorate to do it safely, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake Fire Department. OTHELLO — Nobody was hurt Monday morning in a collision between a car and a school bus in Othello, according to a statement from the Othello School District.

Legals for November, 21 2023