Shining bright

Boys & Girls Club auction raises money for local children

MOSES LAKE — The theme for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin was “Shine Bright for the Kids,” and the community did exactly that, to an estimated tune of about $260,000.

Adams County Sheriff’s Office Jail Roster for Oct. 8, 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 listed in order of the date of arrest. The Adams County Jail is closed, so inmates are housed in other jurisdictions.

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: Oct. 8-15, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Student athletes now head into the second half of their season for fall sports as they prepare for the coming district and state tournaments. See where the local high school teams will be headed this week.

Legals for October, 8 2025

MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL 1: Martinez vs. Davis

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council incumbent Deanna Martinez is being challenged by Jeremy Davis for her position on the council. Both candidates were given identical questions, with a deadline. Martinez submitted her answers, which came in after the deadline, but the delay was due to miscommunication. Davis’s answers were printed Monday, and Martinez’s answers are below.

Three positions open for Grant County Board of Health

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Health District is looking for applicants to fill three open seats on the Grant County Board of Health.

WA fuel prices hold steady as second most expensive in nation

MOSES LAKE – For the third week in a row, Washington has the second highest average fuel prices in the nation at $4.52, a four-cent decrease from last week. California, the only state in the nation with higher prices, is sitting at $4.66, according to AAA.

East Adams Rural Health lays off staff, looks to address finances

RITZVILLE — A special meeting of the East Adams Rural Healthcare commission is scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 15. People who can’t make the meeting in person can join through a link on the district’s social media. The discussion follows further layoffs at the hospital, bringing the total of positions eliminated to 16; Chief Financial Officer Viola Babcock said none of the layoffs were in positions connected with patient care.

Basin students benefit from Innovia Foundation scholarships

SPOKANE — The Innovia Foundation recently awarded $436,089 in scholarships to students throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho for the 2025-2026 school year, including seven Adams County students, according to an announcement from Innovia. Innovia manages over 30 scholarship programs on behalf of donors who have established funds to help students achieve their career and post-high school education goals.

Vernon Mullings

1948 — 2025

Vernon Oscar Mullings left his earthly body behind and went home to be with his Savior, Jesus, and experience the glory and presence of God firsthand, on October 4th, 2025. He was 77.

Long-term GCAO residents still hope for homes

MOSES LAKE – For many furry friends, a forever home can often feel like a distant dream. At the Grant County Animal Outreach, three dogs have taken up residence longer than others, waiting patiently for their chance to find loving families.

Legals for October, 7 2025

150-acre fire burns near SR 17

SOAP LAKE — At around 2 p.m. firefighters were called to a brush fire around milepost 81 on state Route 17 at the south end of Lake Lenore. “Heavy sage brush and dry lands fueled the fire,” Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. The fire quickly spread to around 150 acres. As of 5 p.m. crews are still working on containment. There is no threat to the public, Foreman said.

Lovely Lavinia

Lovely, lovable Lavinia is only two and a half months old, but when she gets big, she’ll get really big.

Quincy Renew office closed for remodeling beginning next week

QUINCY — The Quincy office of Renew, Grant County’s mental health provider, will be closed for most of October and all of November while the space is remodeled. “The Quincy building closure is temporary and part of a planned renovation to improve client experience and service delivery,” wrote Dayana Ruiz, Renew community relations manager, in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “The Quincy office has served the community for many years, and these updates will create a more welcoming, accessible, and efficient space for both clients and staff.” The Quincy facility is owned by Grant County, she said, and as a result Renew officials want to keep it in good condition.

FIRE REPORT: Oct. 7, 2025

Fire season coming to an end

MOSES LAKE — The fire season is starting to come to an end in Washington, according to Department of Natural Resources Communications Manager Ryan Rodruck. “We’re certainly winding down the season,” Rodruck said. “I would say that for western Washington, we have seen that season-ending precipitation at this point. I would not expect any large, costly fires to materialize in western Washington at this point.” However, eastern and central Washington are still waiting for season-ending precipitation, which will likely not happen this week, Rodruck said.

Mark Murray Wilson

Feb. 8, 1961 – Aug. 18, 2025

Mark Murray Wilson, beloved father, grandfather, brother, son, husband, and friend, passed away on Aug. 18, 2025, at the age of 64. He was born Feb. 8, 1961, to Geraldine (Murray) and Jerry Wilson. Raised in Moses Lake, Mark was known for his adventurous spirit and his love for life. As a young man, he was a bit of a wild child who loved baseball and loved his friends, always exploring and making memories that would last a lifetime. He married his junior high sweetheart, Lisa Gibson, in 1982 and together they raised four daughters Tiffany, Nichol, Courtney and Brittney. Throughout his life, family was at the heart of everything he did. He worked hard to provide for his family and was a proud and dedicated father.

September in review

COLUMBIA BASIN – September in the Columbia Basin was filled with events, new businesses and athletes excelling in their sports.

Sweet little girl looking to be adopted

OTHELLO — Azar is a terrier mix currently hanging out with her friends at Adams County Pet Rescue in Othello. An adorable young lady, she enjoys playing with a tennis ball or just spending time with dog lovers. Like all of the pets available for adoption at ACPR, she is spayed/neutered and up to date on all of her vaccinations. To find out more about Azar, visit adamscountypetrescue.com. If you are unable to adopt, but want to volunteer or donate, either click the “donate” button at the top of the page or call 509-488-5514. The shelter is located at 1961 W. Bench Road near Othello.

Josephine Hoff

Nov. 22, 1924 – July 4, 2025

Jo Hoff, 100, passed away peacefully in her home in Ephrata on July 4, 2025. She was born to Ralph and Mary Walker in Burke, South Dakota, on Nov. 22, 1924. She met the love of her life, Jacob Hoff, and married him on Sept. 27, 1942. After the war, they adopted Mary Jo and Michael. They raised them in South Dakota and Soap Lake. They moved to Grant County, Washington, in 1968. Jo was a lover of animals. She is survived by her son Michael Hoff of Ephrata and grandson Tyson, grandchildren Michele Deems (Aaron) of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, great-grandchildren Jacob Riddle of Del Rio, Texas and Jared Broyhill of Ruther Glen, Virginia, Brandon Mccann of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and Jacob Deems of Carmichael, Pennsylvania, Jody Forrest and great-granddaughter Lily of Ephrata, Beth Ries (Jonathan) and great-grandchildren Isaac, Jacob, Josephine and Cecilia of East Helena, Montana, and grandsons Robert Wilkinson of Bakersfield, California, and Justin Adreniran of Selah, Washington. She is also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and relatives around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jacob Hoff; siblings Ann Marie Hullinger, John Walker, and Lilian Peters; daughter Mary Jo Wilkinson; grandsons Michael Yount and Derek Adreniran; and several relatives.