Huskies seize victory over Jacks to make postseason

OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies Volleyball team (7-9) earned a big 3-0 win for their senior night against the Quincy Jacks (0-14) to finish out the season. This win helps improve the Huskies’ standings as they head into the district tournament.

LETTER: Imagining a better health system

Imagine a national healthcare system not built on profit, paperwork, or exclusion—but on mercy, justice, and love. A system that says: “You are worthy of care. Not because of your job, your passport, or your bank account—but because you are human.”

BASIN BOX SCORE: Bob Richardson shares insight on pro sports, coach philosophy and local softball

MOSES LAKE - On this episode of the Basin Box Score podcast, Caleb Perez and Mike Maynard host Columbia Basin Herald manager, publisher and Mavericks slowpitch pitching coach Bob Richardson in-studio.

Marlene Keith

1937 – 2025

Marlene Marie Keith of Quincy, Washington, died on October 17, 2025, at the age of 88, reuniting in heaven with the love of her life.

Civics 101 workshops coming to Grant County libraries

WENATCHEE — NCW Libraries will host “Civics 101,” a series of workshops to learn more about state, federal and local government, according to an announcement from NCW Libraries. The workshops are offered through the Washington Secretary of State’s Civics Engagement Program, according to Alicia O’Dell, adult programs coordinator for NCW Libraries.

A statement to the community from MLSD Superintendent Carol Lewis

I want to take a moment — one final time — to talk about something that’s been at the heart of nearly every conversation we’ve had since May of 2024: keeping our promises.

Legals for October, 23 2025

Soap Lake reviews preliminary budget

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council held a budget workshop Saturday to go over the preliminary 2026 budget. No action was taken on the budget. Soap Lake Finance Director Jeff Balentine discussed each of the funds and what he has planned so far.

Transmission upgrades, Priest Rapids repairs on 2026 Grant County PUD project list

EPHRATA — Repairs to Priest Rapids Dam and rebuilding a transmission line between Ancient Lakes and Frenchman Hills are among the Grant County PUD projects scheduled to begin in 2026. Tarrah Bicondova, the PUD’s budget and reporting manager, said the utility is projected to spend $322 million on capital projects in 2026, compared to an estimated $225.6 million in 2025. “The increase is really driven by major infrastructure improvements,” she said. Scheduled projects include the continuing work on upgrading electrical transmission to the Quincy area, upgrades at Priest Rapids Dam, the PUD’s new Ephrata maintenance shop, known as a service center, and a rebuilt electrical line between Royal City and Quincy. Three projects on the list eventually will be paid for by the customers, but they had to be included as expenses, Bicondova said. Christine Pratt, PUD public information officer, said most are multiyear projects, and the projected cost is for 2026 only.

Adopt little Stink Bug

MOSES LAKE – Stink Bug, a terrier and pitbull mix, is looking for people who will love him despite his smell.

CWAC Soccer District Tournament weekend schedule

Cai, Coronado, Sims named to GNAC Preseason All-Conference team

Cai chosen GNAC Preseason Player of the Year

PORTLAND, Ore. — Three Central Washington University Women’s Basketball student athletes were honored by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tuesday afternoon, being named to the GNAC Preseason All-Conference Team. Asher Cai, Annalee Coronado and Capri Sims were all announced as members of the GNAC Preseason All-Conference Team. Cai was selected by the coaches of the GNAC as the Preseason Player of the Year. “I feel so grateful to coach the caliber of player each Asher, Capri, and Anna are but more importantly that gratitude runs even deeper because of the phenomenal young women they are and their unwavering commitment to our program and their teammates,” CWU Head Women’s Basketball Coach Randi Richardson said. “We are so proud of each of them and how they represent CWU WBB.”

Eagles win for Senior Night over Lions

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Eagles (10-3) earned a big home victory for their Senior Night going 3-0 over the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Christian Covenant School Lions (10-6). The Eagles are still in the fight for the number one spot and drop the Lions to fourth in the Central Washington B league. “I’m really proud of each one of these girls,” said Eagles senior Liana Sushik. “We’ve always been together, it’s Senior Night, and I’m really thankful for how it went today. It really showed who we really are.” The Eagles started the game strong, gaining an early lead in the first set. The Lions mounted a comeback to close the gap, but the Eagles would come out on top with a 25-21 victory in the first set.

Clarence Hamilton

Sept. 25, 1935 — Oct. 17, 2025

Clarence Edward Hamilton, 90, a longtime Colfax, Washington resident, passed away on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. He went by many names: Dad, Pops, Papa, FP (i.e. Favorite Person), Gramps, Grandpa, Sweetheart and Honey. Clarence passed very peacefully from this life into eternity, surrounded by Laura (his wife of 19 years), his three children, their spouses and his faithful dog Buddy. Clarence had dealt with the effects of dementia for approximately seven years. He was always fearful of ending up in a nursing home, and the family is eternally grateful for his loving caregivers who made his wish of passing at home possible. His caregivers were his daughter-in-law Soni Hamilton, stepdaughter Denise Beck and family friends Molly Overby and Rindy Waldo, as well as several of his other family members and Gentiva Hospice.

Harvey Heer

June 4, 1952 — Oct. 16, 2025

Harvey (Rick) Heer, 73 of Ephrata, Washington passed away on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, peacefully at his home. Harvey and Shirley Heer. Rick graduated from Ephrata High School in 1970. He attended Yakima Valley College, playing on their basketball team. In 1972 he married Nancy Youngers. They lived in Ephrata, Washington and had two sons together, Kevin and Allan Heer. In 1990 he married Sylvia Meulman and moved out of town to the farm on Road 9 and had two daughters, Lorna Bailey and Leah Johnson. Rick was a maker and farmer at heart. He grew many types of crops including wheat, cherries, alfalfa, corn, peas and hazelnuts. In his spare time he enjoyed riding his 1966 Shovelhead Harley Davidson, fishing, photography, sailing and welding. He was always ready with a joke or a story and will be dearly missed by his family.

Rocket test causes boom near Moses Lake, no danger reported

MOSES LAKE — An explosion north of Moses Lake Tuesday night turned out to be harmless. “At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, Stoke Space conducted a planned structural test at our Moses Lake facility as part of our Nova rocket’s qualification program,” Stoke Space Technologies Spokesman John Taylor wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. “The purpose of the test was to pressurize a propellant tank to its structural margins, eventually reaching its designed failure point – a standard engineering procedure during qualification testing.” The Moses Lake Stoke Space Technologies facility is used to test reusable second-stage rockets to deliver materials into orbit economically, according to Columbia Basin Herald archives.

A journey of resilience

Rebecca Moore recounts her path from breast cancer diagnosis to remission

MOSES LAKE – In the heart of Moses Lake, Washington, Rebecca Moore faces life anew after a challenging battle with breast cancer. With unwavering strength, she recounts her journey, emphasizing the importance of hope, community, and self-discovery amid adversity. Rebecca’s diagnosis came unexpectedly on August 1, 2023, just months after losing her father.

Community urged to take precautions against package thefts

OTHELLO – With the holiday season fast approaching, the Othello Police Department is increasing awareness about package thefts that have recently plagued the community. In a bid to prevent residents from becoming victims of these crimes, Police Chief Dave Rehaume said residents should be mindful and cautious when having packages delivered.

Moses Lake council, school board to hold joint workshop

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council and Moses Lake School Board will be talking about water, partnerships and facilities at a workshop scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday. Ryan Shannon, Moses Lake School District director of public relations, said MLSD officials proposed the workshop to talk about issues that affect both of them as well as the city as a whole.

Trunk-or-treating in the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Halloween is right around the corner and fun, spooky and exciting events are coming soon to help area residents enjoy the holiday. Here are a few: