College football recap – week 6

MOSES LAKE — After a successful weekend for Washington college football where all three scheduled teams were victorious, we are now in full swing of October football. Across three games, fans were treated to a full spectrum of competitive rivalry wins, offensive domination and late comeback wins.

Basin students benefit from Innovia Foundation scholarships

SPOKANE — The Innovia Foundation recently awarded $436,089 in scholarships to students throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho for the 2025-2026 school year, including seven Adams County students, according to an announcement from Innovia. Innovia manages over 30 scholarship programs on behalf of donors who have established funds to help students achieve their career and post-high school education goals.

Big Sky Now: Griz rally, Bobcats dominate, and Bengals battle

Montana’s thrilling rally in Pocatello to Montana State’s dominant ground game and Idaho’s push for playoff positioning.

Dorene Claassen

1948 — 2025

Dorene Sue (Flaming) Claassen, 77, passed away on October 5, 2025, in Moses Lake, Wash. She was born June 20, 1948, in Goessel, Kansas, the oldest child of Theodore B. and Frieda (Schmidt) Flaming.

Rebeca Lucio De Leon

Jan. 12, 1950 — Sept. 25, 2025

Rebeca Lucio De Leon, 75, passed away peacefully in her home on September 25, 2025. She was born in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to José Lucio and Eustolia Zúñiga, the second of ten children.

Long-term GCAO residents still hope for homes

MOSES LAKE – For many furry friends, a forever home can often feel like a distant dream. At the Grant County Animal Outreach, three dogs have taken up residence longer than others, waiting patiently for their chance to find loving families.

The Eagles fend off Portland State

CHENEY – On Saturday, the Eastern Washington Eagles defeated the Portland State Vikings 35-27 to bring home the Dam Cup and cap off a successful homecoming game. After a couple years without it, Head Coach Aaron Best said it’s good to have it back in their hands. “It's been out of our hands for over 1,000 days, and now it's back in Cheney and after a hard fought back and forth affair late in that game, and just proud of our players and our coaches for finding a way,” Best said.

Crestview School plans Fall Festival Sunday

MOSES LAKE — Crestview Christian School will hold its traditional Fall Festival Sunday, with bouncy houses, pony rides, games and more on Oct. 12. “Thirty-plus years we’ve had Fall Festival, and generally it’s been on a Saturday night,” said Azure Goltz, a volunteer at the school. “This year we decided to try a Sunday afternoon and see how that would work.”

MLSD board passes resolution on sex-ed

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District Board passed resolution 2026-02 about sexual education at the Oct. 2 meeting.

Legals for October, 7 2025

150-acre fire burns near SR 17

SOAP LAKE — At around 2 p.m. firefighters were called to a brush fire around milepost 81 on state Route 17 at the south end of Lake Lenore. “Heavy sage brush and dry lands fueled the fire,” Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said. The fire quickly spread to around 150 acres. As of 5 p.m. crews are still working on containment. There is no threat to the public, Foreman said.

Quincy Renew office closed for remodeling beginning next week

QUINCY — The Quincy office of Renew, Grant County’s mental health provider, will be closed for most of October and all of November while the space is remodeled. “The Quincy building closure is temporary and part of a planned renovation to improve client experience and service delivery,” wrote Dayana Ruiz, Renew community relations manager, in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “The Quincy office has served the community for many years, and these updates will create a more welcoming, accessible, and efficient space for both clients and staff.” The Quincy facility is owned by Grant County, she said, and as a result Renew officials want to keep it in good condition.

Downtown improvements part of proposed 2026 Moses Lake city budget

MOSES LAKE — If it’s approved by the Moses Lake City Council, changes could be coming to Third Avenue and downtown in general to make it more appealing to residents and non-residents alike.

Basin football round up – week 5

MOSES LAKE – October is here, and the Basin football teams have completed another week of competition. Some teams continued to show their dominance while others faced tough challenges. See below where your favorite teams stand and their current records.

FIRE REPORT: Oct. 7, 2025

Fire season coming to an end

MOSES LAKE — The fire season is starting to come to an end in Washington, according to Department of Natural Resources Communications Manager Ryan Rodruck. “We’re certainly winding down the season,” Rodruck said. “I would say that for western Washington, we have seen that season-ending precipitation at this point. I would not expect any large, costly fires to materialize in western Washington at this point.” However, eastern and central Washington are still waiting for season-ending precipitation, which will likely not happen this week, Rodruck said.

Mark Murray Wilson

Feb. 8, 1961 – Aug. 18, 2025

Mark Murray Wilson, beloved father, grandfather, brother, son, husband, and friend, passed away on Aug. 18, 2025, at the age of 64. He was born Feb. 8, 1961, to Geraldine (Murray) and Jerry Wilson. Raised in Moses Lake, Mark was known for his adventurous spirit and his love for life. As a young man, he was a bit of a wild child who loved baseball and loved his friends, always exploring and making memories that would last a lifetime. He married his junior high sweetheart, Lisa Gibson, in 1982 and together they raised four daughters Tiffany, Nichol, Courtney and Brittney. Throughout his life, family was at the heart of everything he did. He worked hard to provide for his family and was a proud and dedicated father.

September in review

COLUMBIA BASIN – September in the Columbia Basin was filled with events, new businesses and athletes excelling in their sports.

Josephine Hoff

Nov. 22, 1924 – July 4, 2025

Jo Hoff, 100, passed away peacefully in her home in Ephrata on July 4, 2025. She was born to Ralph and Mary Walker in Burke, South Dakota, on Nov. 22, 1924. She met the love of her life, Jacob Hoff, and married him on Sept. 27, 1942. After the war, they adopted Mary Jo and Michael. They raised them in South Dakota and Soap Lake. They moved to Grant County, Washington, in 1968. Jo was a lover of animals. She is survived by her son Michael Hoff of Ephrata and grandson Tyson, grandchildren Michele Deems (Aaron) of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, great-grandchildren Jacob Riddle of Del Rio, Texas and Jared Broyhill of Ruther Glen, Virginia, Brandon Mccann of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and Jacob Deems of Carmichael, Pennsylvania, Jody Forrest and great-granddaughter Lily of Ephrata, Beth Ries (Jonathan) and great-grandchildren Isaac, Jacob, Josephine and Cecilia of East Helena, Montana, and grandsons Robert Wilkinson of Bakersfield, California, and Justin Adreniran of Selah, Washington. She is also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and relatives around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jacob Hoff; siblings Ann Marie Hullinger, John Walker, and Lilian Peters; daughter Mary Jo Wilkinson; grandsons Michael Yount and Derek Adreniran; and several relatives.

MLEA protests for contract negotiations adding back elementary programming

MOSES LAKE – Members of the Moses Lake Educators Alliance, Wenatchee School District employees and residents picketed before Thursday evening’s school board meeting. The group of over 200 chanted down Yonezawa Boulevard, in front of CB Tech, asking for the reinstatement of an additional 30 minutes of instructional time in elementary schools and calling for a fair contract.

TAKE3 to mix classical with rock Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — Classic rock will rub elbows with, well, classic classical music, Wednesday evening at the Wallenstien Theater.