George goes all-out for patriotic bash

GEORGE — You would expect a town named for our first president to pull out all the stops for the Fourth of July - and you’d be right to do so. “It’s a chance to meet with people, and let them get a taste of the healing waters,” said Andrew Vozniy of Soap Lake, who manned a booth with Nikita Vozniy to sell soaps and lotions made with Soap Lake water...

The Cattle Battle: Bovine Respiratory Disease

One of the greatest issues cattle owners face is Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), a complex condition that can affect cattle of any age and breed...

Soap Lake’s Suds N’ Sun brings all the fun

SOAP LAKE - The City of Soap Lake was bustling with Fourth of July fun over the weekend....

Legals for July, 5 2022

Food, fireworks and music

Moses Lake Freedom Fest takes over McCosh Park

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake marked America’s founding over the weekend with Freedom Fest, a three-day celebration held in McCosh Park. The crowd wasn’t as big as at the record-setting Spring Festival the town held over Memorial Day weekend, which included a carnival, car show and basketball tournaments. “It’s been really slow,” said Cynthia Small, owner of Smulligans Pizza & BBQ, as she dished out brisket sandwiches and lemonade Saturday. “Springfest was huge, so we expected the same.” “It came in spurts,” added employee Kris St. George...

Slowpitch tournament hits Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Slowpitch softball teams from around the state gathered at Larson Playfield and the Paul Lauzier Athletic Complex in Moses Lake this weekend for the Big Band tournament. Teams completed pool play on Saturday before entering a single-elimination tournament on Sunday. “I run about 5-6 tournaments,” said Isaac Valdez, World Sports League regional director. “I have directors that run tournaments in the Tri-Cities area and directors that run tournaments on the west side of the state that run tournaments over there.” ...

Local BMX track brings in riders from around state

MOSES LAKE - With a newly-installed track, the Moses Lake BMX Association has begun hosting races twice a week, taking place on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. at the Larson BMX Track. “We’re racing twice a week right now, our season goes from April through November,” track operator Jeff Neihenke said. “Kids race anywhere from one-and-a-half-year-olds, and we actually have a 55-and-over classification.” ...

MLFD saves pets from Marina Dr. fire

MOSES LAKE — Firefighters responding to a fire at a trailer house on Marina Drive last Thursday rescued and resuscitated some pets that had been trapped in the burning house, according to a press release from the Moses Lake Fire Department.

Shawna Kluge: Rescuing goes both ways

A Soap Lake woman is making a difference through rescuing animals in Grant County, and they are making a difference in her life as well.

Cari Cortez: Managing the moving pieces of the housing shortage

Cari Cortez’s official title with the City of Moses Lake is housing and grants coordinator. It sounds simple, but there’s more involved than people may realize.

CBH closed on July 4

The Columbia Basin Herald will be closed on Monday, July 4 and no Monday edition will be issued so that our staff may spend the holiday with their loved ones. News tips may be submitted to [email protected] and voicemails left at 509-765-4561 will be responded to as soon as possible Tuesday. We hope you and yours have an amazing holiday weekend.

Battle of the Badge to return to Larson Playfield

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department and Grant County Sheriff's Office will be hosting their Battle of the Badge community outreach softball game on July 20, raising money for local community outreach programs. “It’s a great event,” MLPD Evidence Technician Miranda Martinez said. “It’s been a great way to get people to come out and we’re human too, you know. We just want to go out there and have fun. At the same time, it’s entertainment.” ...

July 4 fun in the Columbia Basin

COLUMBIA BASIN - The Columbia Basin has several different events over the Fourth of July weekend for people of all ages to enjoy.

The little things

Hiring a handyman for small jobs

MOSES LAKE — It’s not a very big job you’ve got in front of you. A fence with a few holes, a door to replace, something like that.

Big Bass Tournament Trail makes way to Othello

OTHELLO — A Big Bass Tournament Trail event will be making its way to Potholes State Park next weekend, hosted by Limit Out Performance Marine. The Shootout at Potholes competition, entering its fifth year, will pin anglers in a team where they shoot to catch the five biggest fish of the day...

Moses Lake man booked in association with Okanogan Co. burglary

OKANOGAN — A Moses Lake man has been booked into the Okanogan County Jail in connection with a burglary near Oroville where more than $20,000 in cash was stolen...

Fire chief grateful for mutual aid after Tuesday fires

SOAP LAKE - June 28 was a busy day for Grant County firefighters. At least five different wildfires broke out around the country prompting responses from local departments and mutual aid from throughout the county. Grant County Fire District 7 Chief Kirk Sheppard said he was on vacation and out of the state when the fires broke out but he appreciates all the mutual aid partners who responded to the call for support. “I want to throw my heartfelt thank you out to all the support from the community but more importantly all of the other firefighting agencies that came to provide us mutual aid,” said Sheppard. “You know, without the bond between all the fire departments, there's no way that small agencies like mine would be able to handle these things.”...

Grant Co. unemployment falls, pandemic job losses recovered

GRANT COUNTY — Unemployment in Grant County has fallen to 5.7%, the lowest level since November 2021, with non-farm industrial employment recovering all the jobs lost since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, according to a report from the Washington State Department of Employment Security. ...

Seattle Mariners’ season thus far

SEATTLE - The Seattle Mariners came into the 2022 season after winning 90 games the previous year, finishing one game outside of the final wildcard playoff spot in the American League. Now sitting at 35-41 nearly halfway through the 2022 season, Seattle has a quickly fading chance to turn their season around if they hope to make the postseason for the first time since 2001...

Quincy School District superintendent contract extended

QUINCY — Quincy School Board members have extended the contract of Superintendent Nic Bergman through June 2025. Board members approved the new contract unanimously at their regular meeting Tuesday. “Implementing the strategic plan is going to be my work,” he said Wednesday...