Bill to improve APS moves to Inslee’s desk

OLYMPIA – A bill aimed to improve adult protective services moves to the desk of Washington Governor Jay Inslee. The bill would require the state Department of Social and Health Services and law enforcement to share information contained in reports and findings of abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation and neglect of vulnerable adults with each other. “This bill helps us protect our vulnerable adults,” said Sen. Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro-Woolley), sponsor of the bill. Senate Bill 5370 was unanimously passed by the Washington House on Friday after also being unanimously passed by the Senate, and now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration...

Royal High student arrested

ROYAL CITY — A Royal High School student has been arrested in connection with a drug investigation, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office...

Mattawa woman charged after collision

MATTAWA — Charges of vehicular assault are pending against a Mattawa woman after her car crossed the center line and struck another car head-on Sunday...

Auction set to support local accident victim

MOSES LAKE – Central Washington Livestock, Inc., Moses Lake, is set to auction off Panda the Mexican steer Wednesday at 1 p.m. to support Caleb Berquist and his family as he recovers from a side-by-side ATV accident. “I actually grew up with Shane Berquist, Caleb’s dad,” said Randy Hull, Jr. of Central Washington Livestock, Inc. “We’ve been close friends our whole lives – grew up in the same little town. (He’s) the closest thing to a brother that I’ve got, and so, obviously I have known Caleb since he was born.” ...

Washington Beef Day set

OLYMPIA – A release from the Washington Cattlemen's Association announces that Beef Day on the Hill in Olympia will be held April 6. The Washington Cattlemen’s Association will be barbequing tri-tip provided by Washington beef along with milk and cookies from the dairy farmers of Washington. The event starts at Noon at the North Steps of the Capitol.

Royal City robotics team has chance to compete in California

ROYAL CITY — If they can raise the money, nine budding Royal City engineers will be headed to California next month. The Royal Middle School robotics team, dubbed the Power Rangers, excelled both at the regional competition in Richland and the state competition in Spokane, bringing home the Champion Finalist Award said their robotics teacher and coach, Theresa Piper. Their next stop, they hope, will be the Western Edge Invitational, held May 12-14 in Long Beach, California...

CWU instructor honored at theater festival

ELLENSBURG — A Central Washington University instructor was honored recently with a prestigious award, according to a statement from the university...

Mavs off to 5-1 start

MOSES LAKE – After suffering its first setback of the 2023 season in a loss to Mt. Spokane on Saturday, the Moses Lake softball team is looking to get back on track with four matchups this week. “5-1 is a good start, but obviously we’d want to have won them all,” Moses Lake Head Coach Mike Hofheins said. “Mt. Spokane last weekend was better than us that day.” ...

DNR plans prescribed burns in Eastern, Central Washington

OLYMPIA — The Department of Natural Resources is planning a number of prescribed burns on State Trust lands in Central and Eastern Washington this spring, according to a statement from the department. “Prescribed fire is one of the most important tools we have to restore the health of our forests,” Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz wrote on the statement. “Prescribed fire is one of the most cost-effective ways for us to remove excess fuels and create defensible space for wildland firefighters as they fight to protect our homes and communities each summer.” ...

RECAP: Basin baseball March 20-25

COLUMBIA BASIN – Local baseball teams continued on through the early regular seasons, as many squads are now entering the teeth of league contests. See below for an update on the 10 Basin baseball teams and how they fared in last week’s action. All scores and records are per the WIAA...

Ephrata Parks and Recreation makes spring plans

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Parks and Recreation department has created a number of new events for spring, and Ephrata Recreation Supervisor Josh Johnson said the city has a number of upcoming programs for residents. The core mission of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is to enhance the quality of life for Ephrata residents through classes, events and activities, Johnson said. Upcoming spring events include a cornhole league and a dance program, as examples...

Fielding the Basin's best

QUINCY - Track and field teams from Ephrata, Othello, Royal and Wahluke all traveled to compete in the Best of the Basin meet at Quincy High School last week. For full meet results of the competition, see tomorrow’s edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.

Reading room

Royal City library moves closer to larger space

ROYAL CITY — Royal City’s library is about to have some breathing room. “We are hurting for space,” said librarian Jess Rosez. “Sometimes we have our programs indoors and they get a little bit tight. So we're really excited for the expansion.” The current library, located at 136 Camelia St., is only 1,200 square feet, said Susan Piercy, president of Royal City Friends of the Library.

Track & fielders compete in Quincy

QUINCY – Four local track and field teams joined the Quincy Jackrabbits at the Best of the Basin meet last week, with Ephrata, Othello, Royal and Wahluke all attending the meet. See below for the top five finishes for each event from the Best of the Basin meet...

Honoring the fallen

EPHRATA - Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete, right, honored Ephrata craftsman Kurt Moore for his service to the community. Moore offered his skills in the creation of the Fallen Deputy Memorial at the Grant County Courthouse.

Road improvements?

Grant officials consider road improvement districts

EPHRATA — Grant County officials are looking at the possibility of residents using a long-existing state law to facilitate the development of roads in unincorporated areas. Grant County Engineer David Bren explained the concept of a “road improvement district” to commissioners last week. Bren said in a separate interview that the idea is to allow neighborhoods to work with county officials to improve a road, and set up the mechanism to pay for it...

Quincy annexes industrial property

QUINCY — The Quincy city limits have been extended to the east following the annexation of about 150 acres approved by the Quincy City Council on March 21. Municipal Services Director Carl Worley wrote the property is zoned industrial. Council members voted unanimously in favor of the annexation. The property is east of the previous city limits at Road O NW, south of Road 11 NW and extends to Adams Road North. A portion of the property, about 75 acres, is owned by Michael and Martha Rodgers. The other section, also about 75 acres, is owned by Daniel Blain...

Top coaching

Basin students get expert help at track and field camp in Ellensburg

ELLENSBURG – Braving the very cold day, nearly 200 youth gathered at Central Washington University Saturday to learn from some of the best track and field athletes and coaches in the world. For the fifth year, Wahluke High School hosted a track and field clinic featuring World Record holders, Olympians and elite coaches through an organization called World Records Camps...

The Old Hotel Art Gallery

Creativity, history come together at Othello business

OTHELLO — The Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello is a place where local artists can have their arts and crafts displayed and sold on consignment. According to Gallery Director Jenn Stevenson, they fill many pairs of shoes in the community besides art. The main focus of the gallery is to promote art and art education, she said. Every month the gallery selects an artist of the month, and for March it is Sandy Taggares. She is a photographer of birds and wildlife and her family has deep roots ino Othello, Stevenson said. “We’re always looking for new artists,” Stevenson said. “Both to sell their items on consignment and to just feature as artist of the month.” ...

Weather for Monday, March 27, 2023

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Southeast wind around 6 mph, while Monday night is expected to be partly cloudy with a low around 34. Tuesday: A 20% chance of rain after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Tuesday night is expected to be partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Wednesday night should be mostly clear, with a low of around 30. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59, while Thursday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Source: National Weather Service