Big Bend students participate in civics simulation

MOSES LAKE – Big Bend Community College students get to participate in mock scenarios of different parts of the American Government in Political Science 202. Instructors Chris Riley and Webb Waites teach the five-credit course together and have taught various courses together for over 10 years at Big Bend...

'Walk with Ease'

New Dept. of Health program helps residents get healthy.

MOSES LAKE — The Washington Department of Health has started a new online program designed to help people manage and possibly prevent chronic conditions by going for a walk. The “Walk with Ease” program information is available in English and Spanish. “Walking is still one of the best exercises out there for overall health (benefits) and low injury,” said Dale Kemper, manager of Evolve Fitness in Moses Lake...

GU’s Watson returning for 2023-24 season

SPOKANE – Bulldog senior forward Anton Watson is returning to Spokane for a final season in the 2023-24 campaign, according to a release from Gonzaga Athletics on Wednesday...

Pamela Cassiano Curnel

Pamela Cassiano Curnel, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family and friends after a private battle with pancreatic cancer. Pam was born June 16, 1952, to Joseph Sr. and Marylou Cassiano. She was one of five children. Pam graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1970 and attended Big Bend Community College and Central Washington University.

June 2023 Community Calendar

June 2 First Friday Jam Anyone with an instrument can come and play; anyone with ears can come and listen. Potluck at 6 p.m., jam 7-9 p.m. at George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd. Info: www.georgecommunityhall.com. Preschool story time Kids will read books, do fingerplays and action rhymes, sing songs, and explore with other activities. 10:30-11 a.m. every Friday at the Warden Library, 305 S Main Ave. Info: 509-349-2226. June 3 Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 basketball tournament This will be the 20th anniversary for the tournament. The tournament features an adult division ages 18 and older, youths in fifth grade through high school and boys and girls divisions. Proceeds go to the Dru Gimlin Foundation, named for the QHS student who died in a traffic accident. The foundation works to ensure children in Quincy can participate in athletics. First game starts at 9 a.m. on Central Avenue South in downtown Quincy. CBBRE Spring Classic Barrel racing. Begins at 7 a.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds, Moses Lake. Moses Lake Farmers Market Every Saturday until the end of October. Fresh produce, crafts and more. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at McCosh Park, Moses Lake. Info: moseslakefarmersmarket.com. Family Free Saturday Twirling ladybug or bee. Continues until supplies have been exhausted. Adult must accompany child during activity (no drop-offs). 12-2 p.m. at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 S. Balsam. Info: 509-764-3830.

Law enforcement logs for June 1

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

News Bites for June 1

QUINCY — Saturday’s sudden rainstorm triggered a flash flood at Adams Road and Road 13 Northwest, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Mud, rocks and debris were scattered across the roads, the GSCO wrote. Grant County Road District 3 responded to the area and cleaned the road up, and the GCSO statement did not indicate any injuries or property damage. Here’s what else happened over the weekend in the Columbia Basin:

Tigers, Mavs take home top-5 finishes at state championships

COLUMBIA BASIN — Ten local schools were represented at state track and field championships in Yakima and Tacoma over the weekend, with Moses Lake and Ephrata each sending 15 athletes to the state meet in Tacoma. Ephrata sent 15 athletes to the state meet, placing fourth overall as a team with 43 points: Angel Avila, Josh Green, Benjamin Belino, Alexander Belino, Felipe Esquivel, Hunter Handy, Travis Hendrick, Weslee Kriete, Hayden Malone, Mckenzie Paullin, Tyler Raine, Zachary Reyes, Hayden Roberts, Landon Schafer and Daniel Villa.

Suspect found dead in car after police pursuit

The following story contains information that might be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised. MOSES LAKE — A man sought in connection with a domestic dispute appears to have taken his own life during an encounter with Moses Lake Police officers Tuesday night, according to MLPD Capt. Mike Williams. Williams said officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. When they arrived, they were told a man in his mid-20s, who was not from Moses Lake, had left the scene and was reportedly armed. Williams declined to comment on the man’s role in the disturbance.

Fairgrounds seeking some fee increases for 2024

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan is proposing a new fee structure for the Grant County Fairgrounds next year that will set minimum stall usage requirements for horse events and raise some fees for commercial and animal-related events. “We’re raising some rates slightly,” McKiernan said. “These are fairly small increases, and we’ve decreased the fee for the rodeo arena to get more people to use that.”

Columbia Basin swimming pools publish opening dates

MOSES LAKE — It’s that time of year – city crews have swept out all the dead leaves, all the toys are back up and the pool is full, or almost full. Summer is dead ahead. The Surf ‘n Slide Water Park, 401 W. Fourth Ave., has already opened for the summer – the joint was jumping Memorial Day weekend – and will be open the first two Saturdays and Sundays in June. Daily operation begins June 15, after Moses Lake School District classes are dismissed for the summer.

Raindrops and moonlight

Spring Festival parade marches on despite downpour

MOSES LAKE — For a bit, it didn’t look like there would be a Moonlight Parade down Third Avenue on Saturday night. “There’s going to be a parade,” said Spring Festival organizer Sean Salis as he sat in the cab of his truck between phone calls and text messages. Salis drove off, rain still falling. A downpour drenched the 6 p.m. Kiddie Parade, and students, staff and teachers from North Elementary School braved the wet and made their way down Third to Frontier Middle School as soggy spectators applauded.

Washington sports schedule May 31-June 6

COLUMBIA BASIN – Check out this week’s Washington sports schedule, featuring professional and local events across the state. The staff at the Columbia Basin Herald would like to congratulate all of the local athletes that made it to state competition the last two weeks...

Graduations in the Basin coming soon

COLUMBIA BASIN – Area high schools will be celebrating graduation the first two weeks of June. The Columbia Basin Herald will be attending each of the ceremonies listed below and will provide coverage in a keepsake edition of the paper on June 12 so that graduates can have one issue that brings all of their graduation celebrations together with their friends at nearby schools. Additionally, look in tomorrow’s edition for a commemorative insert with photos of this year’s grads...

Local schools represented among FFA district officers

MOSES LAKE — Future Farmers of America members from Quincy, Moses Lake, Ephrata and Lind-Ritzville were named District Nine officers for 2023-24 at the district meeting at Moses Lake High School May 24...

'Excited' and 'happy'

Wahluke life skills students off to college with a ROAR

MATTAWA — Getting accepted to college requires a lot of effort, some of it doing scary things. Three students in Wahluke High School’s life skills class didn’t let that stop them - they’re off to college next fall. “We’re going to (Washington State University) in Pullman,” said Juan Ramos...

‘The final reveille’

Short but reverent ceremony marks Memorial Day at Pioneer Memorial Gardens

MOSES LAKE — The Memorial Day ceremony at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake Monday wasn’t long, not more than about 20 minutes, but it was heartfelt. The ceremony was led by American Legion Service Officer Fil Rivera, a retired Green Beret master sergeant who served in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic...

‘Tranq dope’

Dangerous animal tranquilizer found in illegal fentanyl supplies

MOSES LAKE — An animal tranquilizer is increasingly being found in illegal opioids like fentanyl and heroin making it more difficult to treat people overdosing on opioids with Narcan, according to the Grant County Health District. “We haven’t seen anything in Grant County yet, and fortunately Washington state hasn’t had any deaths associated with it yet, but it is difficult because it doesn’t show up on a tox screen,” said Laina Mitchell, GCHD investigations and response manager...

Bergman sentenced to 15 years after guilty plea

DAVENPORT — Charles Bergman will be spending the next 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday morning in Lincoln County Superior Court to the murder of his wife in 2022...

Insurers seek rate increases in individual health plans for 2024

OLYMPIA — The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner announced on Tuesday that health insurers who offer individual plans in Washington are asking for a roughly 9% across-the-board increase in insurance premiums for 2024, according to an OIC press release...