MLSD pursuing legal action to end work stoppage

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District has filed suit to return teachers to the classroom, district Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon said Wednesday. The district announced it has filed paperwork with Grant County Superior Court to end the work stoppage and order employees back to work. There will be a hearing on the matter later this week, according to the district.

Plan early for dementia care

MOSES LAKE — Having dementia can seem like the end of everything. But in some ways, it’s only the beginning. “The most important thing (for) people with dementia is planning for the future,” said Dr. A. Carroll Hayman, a Seattle physician who specializes in Alzheimer’s and other dementias, at a symposium in Pasco in October. “In fact, if we can do an early diagnosis that gives people an opportunity to plan (and) also allows the patient themselves to be involved in some of that planning. If we wait too long they can’t say what they want anymore, then we’re just sort of guessing what they wanted rather than involving them.” As much as we might wish otherwise, dementia isn’t going to go away, and it isn’t going to be cured. How long it could last varies widely from one patient to the next. The patient will have medical, legal and social needs to work out, and they can’t do it alone. Starting early is key, Hayman said.

Legals for December, 3 2025

MLEA, MLSD negotiations continue

MOSES LAKE — Negotiations continued Tuesday between the Moses Lake School District and Moses Lake Education Association, the district’s teachers union. Tuesday was the second day of the work stoppage after the parties failed to reach an agreement Sunday.

One subject arrested after residential burglary, additional arrests expected

MOSES LAKE — In the early morning Sunday, the Moses Lake Police Department was dispatched to a reported robbery at the Quail Run trailer park on Road H NE in Moses Lake, according to a statement from the MLPD. Upon officer arrival, it was discovered that two suspects entered a residence and robbed the three occupants, taking personal items and cash. The suspects fled after the robbery. One suspect fired a handgun at the victims’ dog; however, no person or animal was injured. MLPD used Flock camera technology to locate the suspect vehicle. Austin Spurgeon, 32, of Moses Lake, was taken into custody and booked into Grant County Jail. According to the Grant County Jail Roster, Spurgeon was booked for first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and two Grant County District Court warrants. Detectives are continuing the investigation; additional arrests are expected.

Quincy Police Department Logs as of Dec. 2, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Quincy Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Controversy arises over oath for incoming Lind council members

LIND — Administering the oath of office to new members of the Lind Town Council dissolved into controversy during the Nov. 25 council meeting and led Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt to say her staff will not return to Lind. “I was super disgusted at the disrespect shown by the Lind Town Council,” Hunt said. Three seats on the council were up for election in 2025. The terms of two of the three included the period of time between election certification and year’s end as well as their full elected term, according to the Washington Secretary of State’s office. Because the third contested seat was empty before the election, the term for that seat will begin in January. In that case, the candidates who won those seats would be sworn in after the election was certified. Certification occurred Nov. 25.

Elizabeth Mary 'Betty' Warnick

1925 – 2025

Elizabeth Mary “Betty” (Vickerman) Warnick, 100 years old, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, November 27, 2025, surrounded by her family. Betty was the beloved matriarch of the Warnick family to her seven children, children-in-laws, foster children, many grandchildren, grandnieces and grandnephews, great-grandchildren, friends and community members.

We are Ephrata Town Hall set for Dec. 10

EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Herald and the Ephrata School District will once again host the “We are Ephrata” Town Hall on Dec. 10 at the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center.

Celtic Christmas returns to Moses Lake Dec. 12

MOSES LAKE — Fiddler Geoffrey Castle will bring his Celtic Christmas show to Moses Lake again Dec. 12.

Police presence, security firms, alertness help prevent crime in unincorporated areas

DESERT AIRE— Community involvement helps combat crime, especially in places where law enforcement officers have a lot of ground to cover. Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said there are procedures people who live in locations like Desert Aire can do to make the area less appealing as a target. “The public should continue to follow the good advice to report anything suspicious that they see,’ Foreman said. “And take all the necessary precautions, like locking up valuables, locking up outbuildings, securing your vehicle, locking doors and windows on your house.”

Verify before responding to charitable requests

MOSES LAKE — Along with many other things, Christmas is the season of charity. But because scammers are still out there even during the Christmas season, the Washington Attorney General’s Office suggests that people verify before they donate. Othello Police Interim Chief Aaron Garza said a good way for people to protect themselves from charity scammers is to be proactive.

Legals for December, 2 2025

Adams County Jail roster as of Dec. 1, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This is the active list of inmates for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office listed in order of the date of arrest. The Adams County Jail is closed, so inmates are housed in other jurisdictions.

Moses Lake teachers begin strike Monday as negotiations continue

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District teachers gathered outside of their respective campuses Monday morning, holding signs reading “On Strike!” School was closed for the district’s students Monday and will be Tuesday as well. Sunday night, it was announced that Moses Lake Education Association, the district’s teacher union, would begin a work stoppage Monday, after nearly six months of negotiations with the district on a contract.

WA senators pushing on federal legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington senators are making progress on several pieces of legislation at the federal level. Washington’s two senators have been able to pass four pieces of legislation in one chamber this session, so far. Of those, two are resolutions designating April as the “Month of Military Child” and designating a week in Feb. as “National School Counseling Week.”

Legals for December, 1 2025

MLSD closed Monday as teachers opt to strike, negotiations to continue

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will be closed Monday as a precaution for a potential strike by the Moses Lake Education Association, the district’s teacher's union. MLEA said their executive board voted to initiate a strike starting Monday, if an agreement was not reached by Sunday night after negotiations ended.

GALLERY: November 2025 in review

COLUMBIA BASIN — November in the Basin began with memorials for the departed, surged through state sports championships and finally began to look like winter during Thanksgiving week. Here are a few highlights from last month.

Othello man injured in Dodson Road crash

EPHRATA — An Othello man was injured when he failed to negotiate a curve and rolled his semi-truck and trailer Friday morning at the intersection of Dodson Road and Interstate 90.