Quincy boys soccer looks to build on 2023 success

QUINCY — New Quincy head boys soccer coach Hector Vaca said the biggest challenge for the Jackrabbits heading into the 2024 season might be on their side of the field. “I think our biggest challenge is ourselves,” Vaca wrote in response to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald. “We need to go into every game with a positive mindset and ensure we take each game one at a time, as well as not overlook any opponent.”

Wahluke coach says Warriors looking good this spring

MATTAWA – Wahluke Boys Soccer Head Coach Cele Lopez talked about how his team is doing heading into this year’s soccer season as practices pick up and games begin. “I’m really excited. I think we’re going to have a solid group. There's a lot of energy, positive energy around the kids. I saw a really good vibe during practices. I see a whole bunch of friends just playing the sport they love, so I'm excited for the season,” Lopez said. “Sometimes in high school sports… it's more about the way they get along, and so far we're doing great.”

New-look Mavericks hit the field

MOSES LAKE – With nine seniors graduating off of last year’s state-qualifying Moses Lake baseball team, the Mavericks will look quite different this spring.

Huskies bring plenty of returning players into 2023

OTHELLO – Coming off of a 15-8 season in 2023 where 13 of the team’s 18 rostered players were underclassmen, the Othello baseball team is looking to build off of success from a year ago.

Law enforcement reports for March 8, 2024

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. Ephrata PD Feb. 28 Report of damage to a fence in the 300 block of Sixth Avenue Southeast. March 1 Report of a speaker stolen from a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way.

Robert "Bob" G. Bullis

1937 – 2024

Robert “Bob” G. Bullis, 86, passed away peacefully in Othello, WA, surrounded by many of his family members, on March 1, 2024. He is now in the hands of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Basin sports schedule March 6-12

COLUMBIA BASIN – Spring sports arrive this week with golf, soccer, baseball and more taking over as priorities at schools across the Basin.

Fentanyl crisis in WA needs a turning point, so what is being done?

SEATTLE —Washington came to understand the scope and severity of the state's fentanyl crisis in 2023 more than any other year. Statistics have gone from bad to worse: Fentanyl set a record of fatal overdoses in 2023, with 1,082 — a 51% increase over record-setting 2022.

Basin home market more stable than statewide, despite home sales decline

COLUMBIA BASIN — Home sales in Washington in 2023 were down from the previous couple of years, but the change in Grant and Adams counties was much less severe, according to data released recently by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

WDFW to begin prescribed fires in March

SPOKANE – Annual prescribed fires on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife-managed lands in Eastern Washington are scheduled to start in March, as conditions allow, according to a Thursday announcement from the WDFW.

New crosswalk with lights is first 2024 road project in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — A crosswalk with flashing lights to make it a little easier to cross Daisy Street South in Soap Lake will be installed sometime this spring. Soap Lake City Council members approved a contract for about $282,620 with Ascent Foundation, Cle Elum, during the regular meeting Feb.21. Michael Woodkey of Gray and Osborne, the city’s engineers, said the city received an additional grant for about $51,200 after bids were opened to pay costs that were higher than projected. Flashing lights will be installed at the crossing, to be activated when pedestrians want to cross the street. State Route 17 is Daisy Street South where it runs through Soap Lake. Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox said the setup would be similar to crossing lights that already exist at the Grant County Courthouse and Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata.

Fostered passion: Scholarship remembers woman committed to foster children and adoptive families

MOSES LAKE — Patty Honsowetz liked children, all children, and thought all of them deserved a chance. When her husband Rick and their children decided they wanted to do something in her honor, they thought about that. “I started talking to my kids about ways that we could, yes, honor her legacy, but also benefit something she was passionate about,” Rick Honsowetz said. “Which was children, specifically foster children and children from the foster system that had been adopted.”

March 2024 Basin Events

COLUMBIA BASIN – As always, the Columbia Basin has a lot going on next month. As spring moves a bit closer to being official, here are several opportunities to get out of the house, have some fun, and maybe support a good cause. This listing is noncomprehensive and event details may change or events may be canceled at the organizers’ discretion. Readers are encouraged to call ahead or verify the information below online prior to the event.

Law enforcement logs for Feb. 23, 2024

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.

Port of Othello continues work toward airport plan

OTHELLO – Port of Othello Executive Director Chris Faix gave an update on some of the port’s progress with its ongoing projects, mainly working with J-U-B Engineers to develop an Airport Layout Plan and entering the process of designing the incoming Bruce Water Tower.

Michael R. Finch

Jan. 11, 1944 — Feb. 5, 2024

Michael R. Finch of Moses Lake, Wash. was born Jan. 11, 1944, as the first child of Eldie and Margaret Finch in Yakima, Wash. Michael passed away Feb. 5, 2024, following a pneumonia infection complicated by lymphoma cancer in addition to heart and kidney failure at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, at the age of 80.

Pro soccer coming to Spokane

Spokane Velocity set to start playing in March

SPOKANE – Since it was announced in late 2021 that the United Soccer League would be coming to Spokane, soccer fans across the Inland Northwest have been waiting for the first match of the Spokane Velocity’s inaugural season. That match is just weeks away.

GCSO looks back and plans forward

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office saw successes and challenges during Sheriff Joe Kriete’s first year in office in 2023. Kriete said he’s overall very proud of his department and has a deep appreciation for the support county residents generally show him and his officers.

Man indicted in Yakima bail bond scam

YAKIMA — A federal grand jury has returned an indictment in a phony bail bond scam, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Washington.

Lovely market: Valentine’s Market brings people out as winter fades

MOSES LAKE — Love was in the air, and so were the aroma of food and the sound of shopping, at the Moses Lake Farmers Market’s annual Valentine’s Market Saturday. The market, which was held in the Commercial and 4-H buildings at the Grant County Fairgrounds, attracted a sizable crowd.