GALLERY: Mid-season review

COLUMBIA BASIN – As the mid-way point of the winter sports season passes on, local teams are ramping up for the final stretch into various postseason tournaments and competitions.

Events for Jan. 13-19

The week ahead has plenty to do in the Basin for those ready to get out of the house and have a good time. Whether it’s live music, crafts or tracking down a good book, there’s fun to be had. Jan. 14 Luke David 5:30-7:30 at Michael’s Market & Bistro, 221 W. Broadway, Moses Lake. Live music from the Spokane-based musician. Info: 509-765-4177. Jan. 16 Fee-free day The U.S. Forest Service will celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day federal holiday by waiving standard amenity fees for all visitors to national forest and grassland day-use areas. Info: [email protected].

WSU flips script

After 5-9 start, Cougs have won three of last four matches

PULLMAN – Having lost five of six games to close out December, the Washington State University Cougars have flipped the script in the new year, winning three of their past four games – including a win over the top-five rated Arizona Wildcats on the road. “Experience matters, and to do it on the road is even more special,” WSU Head Coach Kyle Smith said in Saturday’s postgame press conference following the win over Arizona. “(Arizona) had a couple of looks, and I guess we were feisty enough to hang in there.” ...

Locals make Gonzaga President’s List

SPOKANE - The following local residents have earned placement on the Gonzaga University President's List for fall semester 2022. Students must earn a 3.85 to 4.0 grade-point average to be listed...

BBCC students recognized for academic achievement

MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College recently released its listings of those recognized for academic excellence. The list includes dozens of area students who have worked hard to establish and maintain a high grade point average while taking a full-time course load.

BSC announces fall honor roll

BISMARCK, N.D. - Bismarck State College announced the President's Honor Roll for the Fall 2022 semester which included three area residents...

Othello Sandhill Crane Festival to celebrate 25 years

OTHELLO - The 2023 theme of the annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival will be ‘Silver Anniversary, Celebrating Our Annual Visitors’ and will be held March 24-26. In the announcement made on Jan. 6 by the festival, online registration for the event opens on Feb. 6 and will be available on the website...

Hitting a home run to Moses Lake

Huebner takes roundabout way to working in local government as Moses Lake's assistant city manager

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake’s new Assistant City Manager Rich Huebner didn’t start out wanting to run city government. “I went to Selah High School and I went to WSU for undergrad thinking I was going to be a sports broadcaster, that I was going to be the next Dave Niehaus,” Huebner said during an early Tuesday morning interview in his office at the Moses Lake Civic Center...

Grant County Jail construction planning process starts today with kickoff meeting

EPHRATA — Grant County officials and representatives of the general contractor and architects will be meeting today to discuss the initial phases of construction of the new Grant County Jail. Tom Gaines, Grant County Central Services director, said Grant County Commissioners selected Lydig Construction out of Spokane Valley as the general contractor. “All of our pieces are in place,” Gaines said. “The team is now together, and we’re (planning) the next six to eight months.” Thursday’s meeting is the start of that process. “Everybody that’s responsible for getting this thing built meets in the same place,” Gaines said, and will review the work done to date. “Where we’ve been and where we’re going.” County voters approved a three-tenths of 1% increase in the county’s sales tax in 2019, with the money to go toward law and justice projects including a new jail. Grant County Commissioners approved the sale of up to $90 million in limited tax general obligation bonds for the project in July 2022.

Law enforcement records for Jan. 12, 2023

The reports below were provided by the agencies indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Ephrata Police Department Jan. 3 Report of a stolen vehicle on Junes Court. Jan. 4 Report of a female subject concealing items inside her shirt at a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way. Officers arrived and waited for the subject to finish purchasing the rest of her items. Report of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Alder Street and Third Avenue Southwest. Report of a cart full of merchandise pushed out of a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way. Subjects were contacted in the parking lot and items recovered. Jan. 5 Report of a single-vehicle rollover accident in the area of Airport Street Southeast and SR 282. Jan. 7 Report of theft from a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way. Jan. 10 Report of a two-vehicle non-injury collision at C Street and Fourth Avenue Northwest. Vehicle 1 failed to stop at the intersection and was struck on the driver side by vehicle 2. Report of a catalytic converter stolen off a vehicle in the 800 block of Hilltop Drive Southeast. Grant County Jail Jan. 4 Russell Hunter Dees, 30, Soap Lake, booked on violation of a no-contact order, as well as seven Grant County District Court warrants relating to third-degree driving with license suspended and a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to possession of a stolen vehicle. Nicholas Aaron Ritchie, 31, Moses Lake, booked on Grant County Superior Court warrants relating to second-degree possession of stolen property and second-degree theft, as well as four Grant County District Court warrants relating to third-degree driving with license suspended. Carlos Hector Bazan, 57, George, booked on a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to trafficking in stolen property. Ahmed Mohamed Madjri, 34, Everett, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Jan. 6 Ian Jacob Libby, 32, Soap Lake, booked on a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to second-degree assault – domestic violence. Tori Joan Kottwitz, 32, Mesa, booked on first-degree malicious mischief and third-degree theft. Destiny Czigany Barrera, 35, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Jan. 7 Jenny May Oneel, 42, Ephrata, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Jan. 9 Myra Liliana Valle, 22, Moses Lake, booked on a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to possession of a stolen vehicle. Moses Lake Police Department Jan. 6 Report of a vehicle damaged, apparently with a shopping cart, in a parking lot in the 1000 block of North Stratford Road. Report of a three-vehicle collision in the 600 block of North Stratford Road. Vehicle 1 attempted to change lanes and misjudged the distance to traffic stopped at a light. Vehicle 1 struck vehicle 2, which rear-ended vehicle 3. Jan. 7 Report of theft from a business in the 600 block of South Pioneer Way. Report of theft at a business in the 400 block of South Wanapum Drive. Report of merchandise valued at approximately $120.34 stolen from a business in the 900 block of North Stratford Road. Jan. 8 Report of a catalytic converter stolen in the 2700 block of West Broadway Avenue while the vehicle’s owner was at work. Jan. 9 Report of graffiti at a PUD substation at Paxson and West Central drives. Report of graffiti at the Lauzier Ball Park. Report of a catalytic converter stolen in the 300 block of East Ninth Avenue. Report of catalytic converters stolen off two buses at a business in the 1100 block of South Juniper Drive. Report of a trailer stolen from a church in the 200 block of North Dale Road. Report of stereo equipment and a firearm stolen from a vehicle in the 1000 block of South Juniper Drive. Jan. 10 Report of a stolen vehicle observed in the area of Miller Street and Longview Street Northeast with a subject sleeping inside. Officers placed spike strips under the vehicle and boxed the vehicle in from the rear, then called for the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect instead started the vehicle and struck an unoccupied patrol vehicle. The suspect briefly became high-centered, and officers broke out the vehicle’s window. The suspect managed to free the vehicle, striking the spike strips, and fled westbound on Beacon Road Northeast. Officers were unable to pursue due to state law.

RECAP: ’Hawks back in playoffs, Kraken winning on the road

SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks got some help from the Detroit Lions to lock up their fourth postseason appearance in the previous five seasons on Sunday, while the Seattle Kraken just keep winning on the road. Check out this week’s professional sports recap for both of the squads.

Tiger comeback bid falls short

EPHRATA – After being down by as much as 11 points in the first half, the Ephrata Tigers rallied to cut the Grandview lead to one point at the end of the third quarter on a layup by Ephrata junior Cameron Zabala to make the score 43-42. Grandview answered in the fourth with strong offensive rebounding down the stretch and used free throws off intentional fouls to barrel past Ephrata with a 60-50 win over the Tigers. “The (final result) is not the score a lot of times, you’ve got to foul to try and get in the game,” Ephrata Head Coach Rick Walter said. “It’s a three-point game, we execute a perfect play to tie it and it doesn’t go in – but that’s basketball. It doesn’t go in as much as you want it to, that’s just the odds of shooting. We’re doing fine, we just have to close out a game.”

Grant County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse prepares for service

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Sheriff's Mounted Posse has been getting back into the saddle and preparing for the call of service. “We try to represent the Sheriff’s Department and be a part of the community as much as possible,” said Trisha Cox, Captain of the Grant County Sheriff's Mounted Posse...

“I love softball, and I love working hard”

Moses Lake’s Ali Stanley signs with Big Bend softball

MOSES LAKE – Surrounded by friends and family inside the Maverick Gym at Moses Lake High School, senior Ali Stanley signed to play collegiate softball at Big Bend Community College on Monday afternoon. “It’s very exciting,” Stanley said. “All I can think about is how God has blessed me with these amazing abilities that he’s given me, and all those amazing coaches I’ve had to help me progress through ever since I was a little kid. Being able to sign with my hometown college is even more crazy, being able to play in my hometown instead of going somewhere else seems even more surreal to me.” ...

Basin sports schedule Jan. 11-17

COLUMBIA BASIN – As many winter sports have passed their mid-way point of the 2022-2023 season, competition is ramping up for district standings. Check out this week’s Basin sports schedule, which includes all the local high schools as well as Big Bend Community College events...

Law abiding panel: Animal control, traffic topics of conversation at Law Enforcement Appreciation in Mattawa

MATTAWA — Animal control and traffic on State Route 243 were among the topics at a question and answer session during an event to recognize law enforcement officers for their work Monday in Mattawa. The “Law Enforcement Appreciation” event was sponsored by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce. Wahluke School District Superintendent Andy Harlow said he hoped the participants would come back. “I hope it’s the first time of many to come,” Harlow said...

Mena sworn into office

OLYMPIA - State Representative Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma) was sworn into office on Saturday by Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Steve Gonzalez. “As the child of Mexican immigrants and the first person in my family to go to college, I am focused on pursuing policies that will empower working families to prosper,” said Mena in a release by Washington House Democrats. “I am excited to get down to Olympia and get to work building a Washington that works for everyone.”...

McMorris Rodgers appointed chair of Energy and Commerce Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, has been named to head the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee in the new Republican-controlled Congress...

Bill would protect churches from government closure

OLYMPIA — A bill introduced in the state House of Representatives would prevent the state government from closing churches and other religious institutions, according to a statement from Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen...

Gun transfer bills introduced

OLYMPIA — State legislators announced on Monday that bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to regulate the purchase and transfer of firearms in Washington, according to a statement from Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline) and Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle)...