MLPD arrests one after firearm shown at coffee stand

MOSES LAKE – A 34-year-old Moses Lake man was arrested Monday afternoon after displaying a handgun in the drive-through of an espresso stand, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

BASIN BASEBALL ROUNDUP - April 9, 2025

BASIN BASEBALL ROUNDUP - April 9, 2025

Suniga looking forward to job as Ritzville PD chief

RTIZVILLE — New Ritzville Police Chief Mike Suniga said he’s learned a lot over his law enforcement career. “I got hooked when I was an Explorer Scout,” he said. “It was just one of those things where I could see myself doing this and see myself making a career. And as I matured in law enforcement, I (thought), ‘How am I going to leave a lasting impact?’ I love helping people, and I love being able to solve problems, whether it’s through the criminal justice system or through other systems and programs that are available.”

Quincy PD arrests burglary suspect

QUINCY – The Quincy Police Department, assisted by the Moses Lake Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Joshua D. Avalos, 33, of Quincy after he was identified as a suspect in an apartment burglary.

Gas prices rise nationally, drop slightly in WA

MOSES LAKE— In the latest report from GasBuddy, the national average price of gasoline has increased for the third consecutive week, rising 10.6 cents to $3.21 per gallon. This marks a 13.2-cent increase from just a month ago but remains 35.6 cents lower than the same time last year. The national average price of diesel has also seen an uptick, climbing 3.6 cents to settle at $3.594 per gallon.

UPDATED: Water main break closes section of Mart Road

MOSES LAKE — A water main break is temporarily limiting access to businesses in the 900 block of Stratford Road. Moses Lake city officials said Monday afternoon that a section of the westbound lane of Mart Road will be closed while repairs are underway. Drivers still will have access to WinCo, Sportsman’s Warehouse and the other businesses in that block from Central Drive, said Lynne Lynch, Moses Lake communications and marketing specialist. The road will be closed until further notice.

City of Ephrata considering logo options

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council is reviewing options for a logo for the city which could be used for marketing and other purposes and discussed how to move forward during their April 3 meeting. “A logo is a graphic symbol or emblem that visually represents a company, organization or entity,” said City Clerk Kaitlin Kapalo. “It distinguishes us from others and gives us something to recognize (us for). Logos matter because it’s our first impression as a city.”

STUDIO BASIN: March crime roundup and sports recap

MOSES LAKE – On this week’s episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller and reporter Nance Beston discussed the crimes that occurred in the month of March. Miller explained both drive-by shootings in Moses Lake, including the Loop Drive drive-by shooting which had one fatality and four injured and the Olympic Drive drive-by shooting which resulted in no injuries. Beston talked about the rest of the crimes the Columbia Basin Herald covered in March including high speed chases, running from officers and an alleged murder.

Groff litigation, improving finances addressed in MLSD board meeting

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School Board met for a regular meeting April 3 and discussed litigation regarding Groff Elementary, adding public health information to the district website, protection of student information and heard a financial report from MLSD superintendent Carol Lewis.

SLPD swears in newest officer, hiring for police chief

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Police Department swore in its newest officer, Yuriy Bezzubenko at the Soap Lake City Council meeting Wednesday.

The Shack to hold grand opening tomorrow

MOSES LAKE — The Shack will hold its grand opening tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Moses Lake. The Shack, owned by Rick Rodriguez, will carry electronic accessories similar to those carried by the now-defunct Radio Shack chain. Rodriguez previously owned the Radio Shack store in Moses Lake before the chain folded in the 2010s. The Shack is the first business to take up occupancy in the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce’s business incubator at 301 W. Broadway Ave., according to the chamber.

Law enforcement logs for April 4, 2025

The reports below were provided by the sheriff's office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Legals for April, 4 2025

Guns, cocaine paraphernalia seized in drive-by investigation

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department announced the successful execution of search warrants that resulted in officers confiscating a dozen firearms and evidence of cocaine sales at a home in the 200 block of W. Knolls Vista Drive. The search was associated with the second of two drive-by shootings in Moses Lake in less than two weeks.

March 2025 a busy month for Basin law enforcement

MOSES LAKE — March was a busy month for law enforcement with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Moses Lake Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s Office all involved in investigations. The month had high speed chases, drive-by shootings and suspects fleeing from law enforcement, along with some other cases. Here is a recap of the cases that occurred in March.

Search warrants lead to arrest, narcotics seized

MOSES LAKE – Several federal search warrants were served March 30 in the greater Moses Lake area by the Moses Lake Police Street Crimes Unit Detectives who also serve as Task Force Officers for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Consumer alert issued for Bridge City Firm over alleged misconduct

VANCOUVER — The Better Business Bureau Great West + Pacific has issued a consumer alert concerning Bridge City Firm, a digital marketing and SEO service company based in Vancouver, Washington. Managed by Mark Davis, the firm has faced scrutiny from former clients who have raised serious concerns about its telemarketing tactics, misleading advertising claims and unfulfilled promises, according to a statement from BBB.

All three suspects in custody for March 21 drive-by

U.S. Marshals confirm two suspects' involvement in Norteños

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Police Department and U.S. Marshals service have captured all three suspects in a March 21 drive-by shooting on Loop Drive in Moses Lake. The suspects, an unnamed 14-year-old from Mattawa, Jose Beltran-Rodriguez, 20 of Moses Lake, and Mathew Valdez, 18, Moses Lake are all now in law enforcement custody.

Unemployment in WA, nation rises

WorkSource reminds residents resources are available

OLYMPIA — In February 2025 the labor market in Washington state revealed a discouraging trend, as the state experienced a decline in nonfarm employment paired with a slow rise in the unemployment rate, according to a report from the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Gas prices rise in Washington

MOSES LAKE — The average price of gasoline in Washington has reached a year-high of $4.38 per gallon, marking a significant increase from recent weeks. As of March 31, the price represents a 34-cent jump from the previous week and reflects a broader trend observed nationwide.