Quincy High School teacher Rod Cool stresses importance of ag industry

QUINCY — In Rod Cool’s estimation, ag teachers have a pretty important job. “One thing I always tell people about teaching ag and FFA is that, now more than ever, agriculture education in high schools is the most important thing that they can teach,” he said. “Because the farm population is so small, percentage-wise, there’s no way that it can sustain itself. Less than 2% of Americans are producers that produce for everyone else, and then almost the rest of the world. So it’s our job as ag teachers to make sure that for every 100 graduates at any high school we turn out two farmers, because if we don’t we’re going to starve to death.” Cool is in his 36th year as an ag teacher, he said, including the last six at Quincy High School, and he’s got no plans to move on any time soon...

Harriet West honored in hall of fame

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake musician and music teacher will be inducted into the Washington State Music Teachers Hall of Fame, according to a statement from Marina Munter, president of the WSMTA’s Moses Lake chapter.

Legislature look to combat illegal substance abuse

OLYMPIA — A bill currently under consideration by the Washington State legislature would expand the use of drug treatment as an alternative to prison for those convicted of misdemeanor drug possession. "Oftentimes, the arrest is what helps people get out of the immediate drug-induced crisis that they're in," said Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber (R-Republic), in a release by her office. "Getting them away from the bad influences around them and into various programs and offering services is a much more humane and effective way to handle drug abuse."

Weather for Monday, Feb. 6, 2023

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Monday night is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Tuesday night will see continued partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Wednesday night should be mostly clear, with a low around 26. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Thursday night should be mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Source: National Weather Service

An emotional win

ML’s Macdonald, Bischoff prove clutch on Senior Night

MOSES LAKE — Clutch performances by Moses Lake senior co-captains Sydney Macdonald and Marissa Bischoff helped the Mavericks secure a 52-50 win on senior night over West Valley (Yakima) on Friday night. “It’s nice that we can lean on that senior experience and the calm, cool, collected nature that Marissa Bischoff had at the free throw line was crucial,” Head Coach Matt Strophy said. “(Macdonald), throughout the game did a fantastic job of attacking the rim. Then she also gets some perimeter shots because they sag on her, so she did a really good job tonight of reading things and taking what they gave us.”

Quincy Police Chief Kieth Siebert moving on to Grant PUD

QUINCY — Kieth Siebert said one of the attractions of a law enforcement career was the variety. “You never knew what you were going to get,” Siebert said. “You could go to the same house five times and get a different issue every time.” But Siebert said it’s time to move on from law enforcement. He announced his retirement as Quincy Police Chief last week; Feb. 15 is his last day at the QPD. The Quincy City Council is scheduled to select an interim chief at its Feb. 7 meeting.

Mavs compete at swim districts

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School hosted the District Swim and Dive meet over the weekend. Teams included Davis High School, West Valley (Yakima) High School, Wenatchee High School, Eastmont High School and Eisenhower High School. Preliminaries were held Thursday, diving on Friday and finals on Saturday. Pick up a copy of Tuesday’s edition for full coverage on how the Mavs did at finals.

New gym, same Lions

MLCA/CCS boys ‘grind out’ 62-60 win over Entiat

MOSES LAKE — Battling foul trouble and injuries, the MLCA/CCS Lions eked out a 62-60 victory over Entiat on Friday, locking up a Senior Night win, their first win in their new gym and a league championship in the process. Head Coach Emerson Ferguson said the first two goals for this season were to win 10 games and win the Central Washington 1B title. Now, they’re on to districts as the No. 1 seed.

Defending the net

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Coyotes goalie Wyatt Horst defends the net against a Castlegar shot during the Moses Lake Winter Classic 18U hockey tournament Saturday morning. The teams tied 2-2. The tournament concluded Sunday; results will be available in the Tuesday edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.

Geologist to speak on Wenatchee Pinnacles

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Erratics, Ice Age Floods Institute will host a talk Feb. 14 on the Wenatchee Pinnacles, according to a statement from the organization...

Bill looks to encourage nuclear tech in state energy goals

OLYMPIA — House Bill 1584, which was introduced to the House on Jan. 25, would require advanced nuclear reactor technology to be considered, along with other carbon-neutral energy alternatives when developing the state's strategic energy goals. "I'm excited my bill helps expand this important energy resource," said Rep. Stephanie Barnard (R-Pasco), a primary sponsor of the bill. "Advanced nuclear reactor technology is price-competitive with other renewables. Because it's reliable and can be used on a large scale, nuclear energy can reduce our dependence on carbon-producing energy supplies." ...

Vroom...

Fairgrounds shift gears for go karts and family fun

MOSES LAKE — On a typical Saturday, the Ardell Pavilion at the Grant County Fairgrounds will most likely smell like livestock and hay. But last Saturday, it smelled more of exhaust fumes and motor oil, and was filled with the sounds not of horses whinnying or cows lowing, but small engines roaring around a small track...

Drive to succeed

Moses Lake-Othello Realtor of the Year making waves in the business

MOSES LAKE — The signs in Tara Zerbo’s office say it all: “I’m not bossy, I’m motivational” and “Wake up, kick (backside), repeat.” Zerbo, 37, was named Realtor of the Year by the Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors on Jan. 21. She also stepped down at that time as the president of the association, a role she handled with the same drive and energy her signs attest to. “Tara Zerbo is a first class person, takes her career extremely seriously and is a great role model,” said Jason Hall, managing broker at BHGRE Gary Mann Realty. “She was successful before entering the real estate industry so it's not surprising how well she is doing.”

Man charged with attempted murder

MOSES LAKE — A man has been booked into Grant County Jail following a domestic assault in Moses Lake, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department...

New license proposed for drivers delivering alcohol

OLYMPIA - Delivery drivers working for firms such as DoorDash and Instacart would be required to purchase a $50 state license and complete a certified class to deliver alcoholic beverages from bars and restaurants if a House bill under consideration passes...

2 Moses Lake students earn honors at Utah Tech

ST. GEORGE, Utah — Two students from Moses Lake received academic honors at Utah Tech University, according to information from the university...

Moses Lake woman arrested for stealing, selling tools

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake woman was arrested Thursday and has been charged with trafficking in stolen goods after trying to sell online some tools she had stolen from a local store, according to a Moses Lake Police Department statement...

More patients, smaller staff challenge for Samaritan ER

MOSES LAKE — More patients, fewer staff, more paperwork and cramped spaces have combined to put strains on the emergency department at Samaritan Hospital. Matthew Lockwood, the physician in charge of the department, detailed some of the challenges in a presentation to Samaritan Healthcare commissioners Tuesday. “If you have been there, you know that we’re small,” Lockwood said...

February 2023 events calendar

A listing of events in the Columbia Basin for residents and visitors to enjoy in February of 2023.

Three Grant Co. cities receive recreation grants

OLYMPIA - Three Grant County cities received grant money for recreation planning from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office...