Fairchild AFB wing honored

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE — The 92nd Air Refueling Wing received the 2023 Omaha Trophy in the Global Operations category Aug. 7 from U.S. Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command during a ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base, according to an announcement from the Air Force.

State offices close as heavy snow, 116 mph wind slams Sierra

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A Sierra storm packing heavy snow and winds gusting up to 116 mph (186 kph) prompted an avalanche warning Thursday in the mountains above Lake Tahoe, halted interstate traffic and closed schools and state offices in Nevada.

Royal, Lynden Christian face off for 1A title

ROYAL CITY — Royal football has another strong tournament run under their belts as the Knights get set for their fourth title appearance in five seasons. The Knights will take on Lynden Christian on Saturday afternoon for the 1A State championship.

Marysville man dies in accident near George

GEORGE — An unidentified Marysville man was killed when the car he was driving ran off the road and rolled about two miles east of George Sunday evening.

Ephrata schools receive grants

EPHRATA – Local schools have earned multiple grants for equipment that will help ensure students have access to skills training and academic success programs, according to an Ephrata School District press release.

Bells on Basin to bring holiday cheer to Ephrata

EPHRATA — A parade to light up the town, breakfast with Santa, popcorn and live music at the community Christmas tree. There’s a lot going on in Ephrata December 9 as the community celebrates “Bells on Basin.”

Sharp shooting seals win for Big Bend

MOSES LAKE – After a tough past weekend of play, the Lady Vikes hoped to get on track in a preseason match-up versus a conference opponent as they hosted the Spokane Falls Community College Sasquatch on Tuesday at the Devries Activity Center.

Payne to depart Ephrata School District

EPHRATA – Ephrata School District Superintendent Tim Payne has decided to resign from the district, citing personal, family and health issues, according to an ESD press release. His last day with the district will be June 30.

Washington patrols to increase through holidays

OLYMPIA — According to a Wednesday announcement from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, law enforcement agencies across the state will have an increased presence on roads from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1 to help remind everyone to drive safely.

MLSD to eliminate equivalent of 85 more positions

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will reduce its staff for the 2024-25 school year by about 85 jobs among its classified employees. The new reductions are in addition to about 100 layoffs announced May 15. The new round of reductions affects classified (non-teaching) employees only, according to a MLSD press release. The previous reduction affected certificated (teaching) employees and administrators.

WA aviation projects receive $36 million for sustainability

BLAINE, Wash. – The U.S. government has awarded significant federal funding to two major sustainable aviation projects in Washington. This was announced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, in her press release on August 16.

FIRE REPORT: 2 fires hit Grant Co. Monday

COLUMBIA BASIN — The warm weather has arrived and with it the fire season, as Grant County faced two wildfires Monday. At about 1 p.m. a report came in of a blaze about a mile south of Wanapum Village in southwestern Grant County, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The fire grew to 100 acres and caused SR 243 to close briefly due to smoke across the roadway before it was knocked down, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The fire was human-caused, the NIFC wrote.

STUDIO BASIN: Ephrata library, MLSD budget and the Moses Lake Roundup

MOSES LAKE -- On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Managing Editor Rob Miller is joined by Regan Shannon, a sophomore at Ephrata High School and freelance writer who wrote a story on summer programs at the Ephrata Public Library. Miller also recaps the Moses Lake School Board passing its budget for the upcoming school year.

ICE officer arrested in Othello child sex trafficking investigation

OTHELLO — A 47-year-old Ellensburg man was arrested by Othello Police officers Tuesday in connection with an incident where he allegedly traveled to Othello to pay for sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Moses Lake and partners put on play to promote water education

'Yarely' will hit the stage this Saturday

MOSES LAKE - “Yarely,” a musical play, free for the public, will come to McCosh Park Saturday. “It’s a drama with a message,” said Mike Riggs who is a part of the musical side of the play. The hunt for Yarely is put on through a partnership between Grant County Conservation District, the City of Moses Lake, the Moses Lake Watershed Council, and Columbia Basin Allied Arts, with additional financial support from Cascade Marina. According to the Moses Lake Watershed Council’s website, the play is about how different organizations are tackling harmful algae blooms in Moses Lake – and what the public can do to help make a difference. Riggs said everyone is affected by the toxic blue green algae in Moses Lake and that he thinks this play will be beneficial for people to learn more about it. The play will be held at Centennial Amphitheater in McCosh Park on Aug. 6 during the farmers market at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The poster for the event states it features local writers, actors, and musicians. Some of those include Emily Katlyn Duvall, Jeff Ames, Zoe Sterner, Nathaniel Stuart, directed by Ron Sawyer along with live music from Swing Shift. Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at [email protected].

Wenatchee pet organizations support pet owners in need

WENATCHEE - Several Wenatchee Valley pet organizations have come together to support pet owners experiencing hard times. In a press release, Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, Firehouse Pet Shop, Earthwise Pet Shop, PetSmart, and Petco said they would like to remind pet owners that they are there for support during trying times. If someone is in need of pet boarding, food or supplies due to an emergency they are asked to reach out. The release also says that those who are issued a level 3 evacuation notice during a wildfire can look to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society for free emergency pet boarding if needed. Anyone interested in emergency boarding should call the shelter ahead of time to ensure there is space available, even if that means calling while driving to the shelter, the release states. Wenatchee Valley Humane Society also offers a free pet food pantry on the last Saturday of every month. If pet food is needed before the last Saturday of the month please reach out. “Make sure you’re prepared and remember that your community has your back,” the release states. To volunteer, donate, or for more information visit wenatcheehumane.org, email [email protected] or call (509) 662-9577.

MLFD firefighter injured in Monday evening blaze

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake Fire Department firefighter was injured Monday evening fighting a fire that engulfed a residence, according to a city of Moses Lake press release. At approximately 6:25 p.m. Monday, MLFD firefighters supported by units from Grant County Fire District 5 responded to reports of a structure fire in the 500 block of Canterbury Lane, the press release said. Firefighters arriving on the scene were also told that two residents were still inside the building. At that time fire crews also entered the building to look for anyone trapped in the home. During the search, however, a resident told MLFD firefighters that no one was in the house. Crews withdrew, and in the course of fighting the fire, a support beam holding up a porch covering failed and fell. It struck a 46-year-old firefighter, the press release said. The firefighter was transported to Samaritan Hospital, was treated and released later that evening...

Smith expected to start at QB when Seahawks open preseason

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Geno Smith is expected to get the start at quarterback when the Seattle Seahawks open the preseason this weekend against Pittsburgh, coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday.

Work to begin Monday on Nelson Road walking path

MOSES LAKE — Work is set to begin Monday on the dedicated path along Nelson Road intended to make it easier for children to walk to and from Groff Elementary School, according to Moses Lake City Engineer Ricard Law. Speaking at the end of a regular meeting of the Moses Lake City Council on Tuesday, Law said bids for the project — which is being jointly paid for by the city and the Moses Lake School District — came in a little higher than anticipated. “JM Pacific was the low bidder at right around $90,000,” Law said, noting the bid was higher than original estimates for the project...

Twitter shuts down fake ML city account

MOSES LAKE — Social media platform Twitter has shut down a fake account pretending to be the City of Moses Lake. According to Lynne Lynch, a spokesperson for the city, Moses Lake officials asked Twitter to shut the account down after a member of the city council brought it to their attention early last week. In an email to the Columbia Basin Herald, Lynch said...