One fire blazing in WA

ENTIAT — The Pomas Fire, reported on June 13, has rapidly grown to 910 acres in size as of Thursday. The fire is situated 36 miles northwest of Entiat, within the rugged Glacier Peak Wilderness, according to a report on Inciweb. There are no updates on containment as of Thursday. “This is an extreme(ly) tough piece of ground with all the dead and down timber from the 2015 Wolverine Fire and 10 years’ worth of thick regeneration,” said Holly Krake in a statement from Entiat-Chelan District Ranger for the Forest Service. “The smokejumpers and pilots are doing everything they safely can to keep fire from becoming established on the east side of the Entiat River and down in Snowbrushy Creek.”

Whooping cough cases surge in 2024 in WA

OLYMPIA – Washington state saw a rise in whooping cough cases in 2024, with 2,261 confirmed and probable cases reported in preliminary figures.

Double duck rescue: a tale of feather heroics in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Two daring rescues unfolded yesterday, reuniting ducklings with their anxious mothers for the first time and relocating them entirely after the second.

Maxwell and Goles join Eagle staff for ‘25-’26 season

CHENEY, Wash. — In preparation for the 2025-26 season, head coach Joddie Gleason announced the hiring of Brynna Maxwell and Dora Goles as assistant coaches for Eastern Washington women's basketball. The two new assistants look to build on the progress the Eagles made last season, going into Gleason's fourth season leading the program. Maxwell is well familiar with the area after playing at Gonzaga for two seasons (2022-24), where she earned two All-WCC first team honors. Originally from Gig Harbor, Wash., Maxwell initially started her collegiate career at Utah (2019-22), earning two All-Pac 12 honors, along with a spot on the 2020 Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Adding to her list of honors, Maxwell appeared on the Ann Meyers Drysdale watchlist in three seasons and the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year watchlist for two seasons. Following graduation, Maxwell was drafted 13th in the WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She spent last season playing in the Liga Femenina Endesa for Celta Zorka Recalvi in Vigo, Spain.

Maxwell and Goles join Eagle staff for 2025-26 season

CHENEY, Wash. — In preparation for the 2025-26 season, head coach Joddie Gleason announced the hiring of Brynna Maxwell and Dora Goles as assistant coaches for Eastern Washington women's basketball. The two new assistants look to build on the progress the Eagles made last season, going into Gleason's fourth season leading the program. Maxwell is well familiar with the area after playing at Gonzaga for two seasons (2022-24), where she earned two All-WCC first team honors. Originally from Gig Harbor, Wash., Maxwell initially started her collegiate career at Utah (2019-22), earning two All-Pac 12 honors, along with a spot on the 2020 Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Adding to her list of honors, Maxwell appeared on the Ann Meyers Drysdale watchlist in three seasons and the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year watchlist for two seasons. Following graduation, Maxwell was drafted 13th in the WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She spent last season playing in the Liga Femenina Endesa for Celta Zorka Recalvi in Vigo, Spain.

Some progress for ag in 2025 legislative session, Dent says

MOSES LAKE — While some progress has been made on revising the state’s Climate Commitment Act to reduce its impact on farming, Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said there’s still work to do. A bill sponsored by Dent, HB 1912, makes the process of getting an exemption for some CCA fuel sanctions easier. The bill also added propane to the list of fuels eligible for exemption. But Dent said he couldn’t get his colleagues in the legislature to agree on other provisions that would be of help to farmers. “Some of my colleagues - they don’t understand what agriculture really means,” Dent said. “They said, ‘(The exemption) is just for farm use.’ and I said, ‘Here’s the thing. The baler breaks down and I jump in my diesel pickup and drive to town to buy parts. Is that not agriculture use?’ And (the reply was), ‘Oh, we didn’t think about that.’”

Public’s help sought in finding missing Spokane girl

SPOKANE — The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is asking for the public’s help in finding a Spokane girl missing since June 13.

Law enforcement logs for June 18, 2025

The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Adams County Sheriff’s Office This is the active list of inmates for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The Adams County Jail is closed, so inmates are housed in other jurisdiction

Still on the run: Search for Travis Decker shifts into Kittitas County

(The Center Square) – After more than two weeks searching the Central Washington state wilderness, authorities have yet to find and capture Travis Decker, the Wenatchee man wanted for the kidnapping and murder of his three young daughters. Decker, 32, has been charged with kidnapping and killing his daughters, 5-year-old Olivia, 8-year-old Evelyn and 9-year-old Paityn. The girls’ bodies were found at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth on June 2, asphyxiated to death. Multiple local and federal agencies are assisting in the manhunt, with the U.S. Border Patrol taking the lead in the search. Earlier this month, Gov. Bob Ferguson activated the Washington National Guard to aid law enforcement in the search for Decker.

Rebuffed for years, Washington lawmakers regain Capitol dome access

OLYMPIA — Few, if any, members of the Washington state Legislature have been allowed to climb to the top of the state Capitol dome this century. That will soon change. A provision in the new capital budget requires 10 legislators be given a guided tour of the upper reaches of the historic building during the fiscal year that starts July 1. Another 10 must get the same opportunity in the following year. “It’s a happy day for the institution,” said state Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, who’s been on a mission to ease restrictions that have boxed lawmakers out of the dome. It’s not right, he said, that lawmakers “cannot visit all the places they oversee.”

Quincy man killed in collision identified

QUINCY — A Quincy man killed in a vehicle collision June 7 has been identified.

Canal safety urged after drowning incidents

QUINCY — As the warmer months approach, local officials are raising awareness about the dangers posed by irrigation canals, which are integral to the region's agricultural landscape but can be deadly. In recent months, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office has reported two drownings linked to these canals, highlighting the need for community education on canal safety.

Legals for June, 16 2025

Quincy man arrested for attempted theft

EPHRATA — An unidentified man was taken into custody Saturday evening after being sought as a suspect in a theft near Ephrata.

'No Kings' protest goes off peacefully in Moses Lake on Saturday

MOSES LAKE – Around 330 people lined East Broadway Avenue and North Stratford Road Saturday for a “No Kings” protest, according to Grant County Democrat Vice Chair and Protest Co-organizer Jill Springer. “I have met republicans, independents, progressives, liberals, a couple of conservatives and we have the democrats,” Springer said. “I mean it is a whole bunch of people, different types of people all gathered out here today.”

Former Port of Mattawa director under investigation for misuse of funds

MATTAWA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report from the Washington State Auditor’s Office that found former Port of Mattawa General Manager Lars Leland may have misappropriated port funds. Port commissioners said in a statement that some possible irregularities were discovered while port officials were preparing for an audit.

U.S. Army parade draws crowd

WASHINGTON D.C. - About 6,600 soldiers marched in a parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday Saturday on what is not only the Army’s birthday, but President Donald Trump’s as well.

Newest CBH reporter wants to highlight local athletes

MOSES LAKE – For Mike Maynard, the most interesting aspect of sports is the stories that are told in the lives of athletes. “There’s fascinating people everywhere, no matter where you look,” said Maynard. “I want to tell people’s stories; that’s my goal.”

GALLERY: Looking back at May 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN – May was a busy month in Grant and Adams counties with the end of spring sports, a variety of community events and community members coming together for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few glimpses of what May held for the Basin.

Law enforcement logs for June 13, 2025

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.