Simple sounds: George Bluegrass Festival to feature homemade music and players

GEORGE — There’s something very user-friendly about bluegrass music. “If you know three chords and have a capo, you can play with any group of musicians that are playing bluegrass,” said Terry Enyeart of Steelhead, one of the bands slated to perform at the George Bluegrass Festival Sept. 15-21. A capo, he explained, is a device you can put on the neck of a stringed instrument to change keys easily. “(Bluegrass) is usually based on two or three chords, and if you know even the basics of guitar or mandolin, you can sit there and strum along and be part of the music.”

Gesa helping to fight food insecurity

RICHLAND — September is Hunger Action Month, and Gesa Credit Union is partnering with Food Lifeline and Second Harvest to fight food insecurity, according to an announcement from Gesa.

Legals for September, 4 2025

Ephrata boil notice to extend at least to Thursday

EPHRATA – The City of Ephrata has issued a boil advisory for residents after a water line leak was discovered Monday near the old juvenile detention building. “They are currently grabbing the samples for the test results right now,” City Clerk Katie Kapalo said Tuesday morning. “They're going into the different parts of town and making sure they're getting an accurate sample of the whole city. Then those are being taken to the state lab.”

BASIN SENIOR EVENTS: September 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The grandchildren are back in school, the summer family visits are done and there are plenty of things to get out and do this month. Here are a few:

BASIN EVENTS: September 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The days are cooling off – well, maybe a little – and the kids are back in school, which means fall is just around the corner. Here are some things to do to help you recover from the summer.

Legals for August, 27 2025

A place for veterans

Moses Lake American Legion post building back up after slow times

MOSES LAKE — The American Legion in Moses Lake was on the ropes for a while, but it’s coming back swinging. “We were only open on Wednesday (nights) and Sundays for breakfast,” said Vice Commander Mike Ford. “We’re currently reopened back to Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and then Sundays if we have somebody available to cook breakfast.”

Legals for August, 21 2025

LETTER: Love the paper, and what's going on with downtown maintenance

Mr. Miller, I enjoyed your editor's letter! I enjoy the desert living! What I also enjoy is my morning newspaper. Lord, we have the BEST paper carriers in town! I give them treats once in awhile! Never get to visit because they’re here and gone!

Othello Rotary donations to feed children and prepare them for school

OTHELLO — The Othello Rotary Club stepped up Thursday for school supplies and meals for school children, with donations to the Othello Food Bank and Lighthouse Community Center. Club President Don Burks and several fellow Rotarians passed on more than $4,500 to the Othello Food Bank for its Bite 2 Go program.

Starch Madness remains in Boise through 2031

MOSES LAKE — In a statement by the Big Sky Conference, the Starch Madness tournament will remain in Boise through 2031. The conference and Idaho’s state capital agreed to terms that keeps the annual men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in Idaho Central Arena.

Nonprofits the heart of community life

Celebrating the organizations that uplift the Columbia Basin on National Nonprofit Day

MOSES LAKE — It takes a lot of people, many of them working for nothing, to make a great community. This weekend will be a chance to honor those folks. Aug. 17 is National Nonprofit Day, a day set aside to recognize those organizations that serve their communities, from the big nationwide charities and advocacy groups to the small local service club. The one thing they all have in common is their impact on the communities they serve.

New Grant County prosecutor sets goals

EPHRATA — Brandon Guernsey was sworn in Aug. 4 as the new Grant County Prosecutor. He replaces Kevin McCrae, who announced his resignation in May, effective Aug. 3. Guernsey said he has set some goals for the prosecutor’s office, one of the most important being to improve morale. The prosecutor’s office does not have a sufficient staff of attorneys, he said, and he wants to remedy that. “For me personally, cracking down on drugs and gangs,” he said. “That’s really where my passion is, to stop drug cartels from destroying our lives.” Attorneys in the prosecutor’s office, he said, should be accessible. “We should be holding ourselves accountable to the community,” Guernsey said.

Grant Co. Fair has local vendors showcasing unique flavors

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Fair kicked off its opening day yesterday at the Grant County Fairgrounds, enveloping the area in a colorful tapestry of local vendors, enticing aromas and the sound of lively chatter. From tacos to tater dogs, this year’s fair brings an eclectic mix of culinary delights that highlight the community's entrepreneurial spirit. Among the participating vendors is Tacos El Rey, a local business known for its authentic Mexican cuisine.

Soap Lake welcomes new police chief

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Police Department officially welcomed its new chief, Patrick Canady, who was sworn in at City Hall on Monday morning at 9 a.m. Participating in the ceremony were Sharp and several city officials, who expressed their excitement about Canady's arrival and the fresh perspectives he brings.

CBAA takes to the big screen

MOSES LAKE — Columbia Basin Allied Arts is branching out into the movies. “(It’s) part of our Civic Series vision,” said CBAA Executive Director Shawn Cardwell, “which is serving new audiences in non-traditional venues focused on collaboration.”

GALLERY: July 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN – Booming fireworks began the month but so much more happened in July in the Columbia Basin. The month was packed full of local events, students completing summer school and baseball.

George Campbell Walker

1926 — 2025

George Campbell Walker, 99, of Othello, Washington, passed away on July 21, 2025, in Spokane, Washington.

NEWS BITES: July 28, 2025

EPHRATA — Grant County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Josh Erickson recently earned Certified Jail Manager certification through the American Jail Association.