April 23 declared National Pygmy Goat Day

SEATTLE, Wash., April 18, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The National Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA) has declared April 23 as National Pygmy Goat Day. Members and affiliated clubs are planning events throughout the country to celebrate the day and showcase their pygmy goats...

Judging chili

Ten recipes accompanied by six kinds of cornbread entered into Monday cookoff

MOSES LAKE — Rich Mueller has some advice for anyone looking to judge a chili cookoff. “I’m going to put away any predispositions,” said Mueller, who runs the Grant County International Airport for the Port of Moses Lake. “I see some chilis over there that would not normally be my go-to chilis, but I’m just going to forget all that right now.” ...

4 to vie for title

Contestants will take to the dais over the weekend for the Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman program Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman will go to one of four high school juniors at the annual program scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave...

Community honor

Longtime volunteer recognized with ‘Pride of Quincy’ award

QUINCY — Charles Sepulveda Sr., a longtime Quincy resident and volunteer, who Mayor Paul Worley said had a big impact on the community, was honored at the Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday. “The ‘Pride of Quincy’ is an honor to remind people of someone from the community who’s really done something, participated and made Quincy a better place,” Worley said...

Law enforcement logs for April 20

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...

Abortion med bill passes WA Senate committee

OLYMPIA – A bill intended to safeguard access to abortion medication passed the Washington State Senate. “The people of Washington have demonstrated time and again — in polls and at the ballot box — that we support the right to reproductive freedom,” said Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), the bill’s sponsor. “But that right means nothing without actual access to care.” ...

Child malnutrition guide mandated

OLYMPIA – A bill designed to help state child protection workers identify the signs of child malnutrition was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee last week. “It was a good bill,” said Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, a secondary sponsor of the bill...

Ephrata names new middle school principal

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District has named Tina Mullings the new principal of Ephrata Middle School after a decision was made Tuesday night. “Tina has a proven track record at Ephrata Middle School,” said Tim Payne, Ephrata School District Superintendent. “Students, staff and families know the enthusiasm and commitment Tina brings with her each day. Her knowledge and expertise of school culture is invaluable. We’re excited to see her grow in this new position.”...

2 injured in Broadway Ave. accident

MOSES LAKE — Two people were injured in a three-car accident on Broadway Avenue on Thursday, April 13, with one driver taken to Samaritan Hospital, according to Moses Lake Police Department Capt. Mike Williams...

Brewers defeat Mariners 5-3

SEATTLE (AP) — Eric Lauer allowed just four hits over 7 2/3 innings and Brice Turang hit a go-ahead single and scored in the seventh as the Milwaukee Brewers completed a three-game sweep with a 5-3 victory Wednesday over the Seattle Mariners. Julio Rodríguez clubbed a two-run homer against Lauer (3-1) in the third, but that was all the offense Seattle could muster against the Brewers’ lefty, who didn’t give up another hit until the eighth inning...

Warriors at 9-0 with wins over Columbia

HARTLINE – With 19-0 and 11-1 wins over Columbia (Hunters) on Tuesday, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors improved to 9-0 on the year. The Warriors entered Tuesday’s doubleheader coming off 10-0 and 7-4 wins against Northport on Saturday, who was 9-1 entering the weekend...

Basin sports schedule April 19-25

COLUMBIA BASIN – Teams from across the Basin are entering the final few weeks of the regular season, with district playoffs just around the corner. Check out this week’s sports schedule for a full slate of action...

Dress Express helps make memorable prom

MATTAWA — Johanna Bucio had a hard time coming to a decision on her dress for the Wahluke High School prom - there were so many choices. In the end she chose a short dress in a deep cinnamon red, with layers of tulle in the skirt that gave it some drama. It wasn’t sparkly; the bag and shoes she chose will provide that. “I like the color,” she said...

Mattawa Drop Box to close May 15

EPHRATA — The last solid waste drop box in Grant County will close next month, according to a statement from the Grant County Commissioners...

Niebla named GCSO March Employee of the Month

EPHRATA — Deputy Sheriff Juan Niebla has been named the March 2023 Employee of the Month by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office...

Newspaper tax break passes WA House and Senate

OLYMPIA – Senate Bill 5199, a measure that gives a tax break for newspaper publishers, passed the Washington House of Representatives 89-7 Monday. It now awaits the signature of Gov. Jay Inslee. “The passage of Senate Bill 5199 shows the importance of newspapers in our local communities,” said Bob Richardson, regional general manager of Hagadone Media – Washington, which publishes the Columbia Basin Herald. “We strive to be the voice of the people in our communities and this allows us to continue to do that well into the future.” SB 5199 reduces the business and occupations tax rate to 0% for newspaper publishing and for news websites that are the successors to newspapers that were published prior to Jan. 1, 2008. The tax break is only effective for 10 years, beginning on Jan. 1, 2024 and there will be a study done to examine the effect of the tax reduction, according to a statement by Rowland Thompson, Executive Director of Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington. The bill was sponsored by Senator Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah), and the House companion bill by Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-Seattle). Mullet and Pollet are the former and current chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee, which did the tax study enabling the bill...

Othello Community Hospital births

The Columbia Basin Herald congratulates the families below on their new arrivals.

Construction begins on new Othello EMS facility

OTHELLO — For years, Othello Emergency Medical Services administrators saved money for a new ambulance hall, and on Monday EMS and Othello Community Hospital officials broke ground on the new facility. Jim Lomax, EMS coordinator, paid tribute to the EMS crew. “My wonderful staff, who have supported me so well for so long and made me look good,” Lomax said as he introduced them. “They do an awesome job under the worst circumstances, and they all deserve this wonderful place.” The project budget is $4.2 million, Lomax said. For that money, OCH and the EMS crew will get a significantly bigger ambulance hall...

RV issues

Moses Lake still looking for a parking sport for recreational vehicles used as residences

MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake is still looking at sites for parking RVs used as residences — eight of which are parked along North Central Drive — and hopes to have some possible options to give to the city council at their next formal meetings in early May. “We are looking at surplus city properties, and we will bring options to you on May 11 to move the units,” City Manager Allison Williams told council members during their previous regular meeting on April 11...

Bill to support PNWU signed by governor

OLYMPIA – Senate Bill 5113 was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee Friday. The new law, sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake), removes regulatory barriers for dental schools, particularly the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, to recruit out-of-state faculty which, as a result, will expand access to dental services.