Leroy James Schaapman

Leroy James Schaapman, 58, of Quincy, Washington passed away Monday, April 18, 2022, at Quincy Valley Medical Center from heart failure.

Mattress Matters

For a good night’s sleep, figure out what you need before you buy

COLUMBIA BASIN — The trick to buying a mattress is simple, according to local furniture dealers: Know what you want. “Everybody's body's different,” said Wendy Cox, general manager at Home Center in Moses Lake. “Everybody's sleep habits are different … So we have to try and figure out what works best for them. Do they have back problems? Are there issues? Health concerns? Do they prefer a firmer bed? Softer bed? What are their comfort levels?” Other local dealers agreed with Cox...

Legals for April, 22 2022

Internet outages pepper Grant and Douglas counties Wednesday

COLUMBIA BASIN — A Douglas County Public Utility District work crew accidentally cut a fiber optic line feeding into Grant County on Wednesday, causing problems for Internet and cell phone service for some customers across Grant County. “A main fiber line that feeds into Grant County was cut in Douglas County,” wrote Grant County Public Utility District Ryan Holterhoff in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. “Douglas County PUD’s fiber crews are on-site actively working to repair the issue.” “They will need to fix the conduit and pull and splice new fiber to restore service,” Holterhoff added. Holterhoff said the work should be completed and full Internet and cell phone service restored by 1 a.m. Thursday. The outages were patchy and sporadic, Holterhoff said, affecting some service providers but not others, and some areas of Grant County and not others.

Michael (Mike) Stevens

Truck driving legend Michael Wallace Stevens, aka “Big Mike,” passed away at 79 years of age Monday, March 28, 2022, in Richland, Washington after a rough bout with transverse myelitis and kidney decline.

Police reports for April 20, 2022

EPD, OPD, MLPD, jail

Hit and run near East Wenatchee kills man

WENATCHEE — A Leavenworth man was arrested for felony hit and run following an accident that left an unidentified man dead early Sunday on S.R. 28 between Rock Island and East Wenatchee, according to the Washington State Patrol...

Friday morning fire destroys shed, chicken coop

MOSES LAKE — A Friday morning fire in the backyard of a residence destroyed a shed containing a chicken coop but caused no injuries and only slight damage to permanent structures, according to Moses Lake Fire Department Deputy Chief Pete Kunjara. The fire in the 300 block of W. Loop Drive was reported at about 8:40 a.m., Kunjara said, and city fire crews responded quickly, dousing the fire by 9 a.m. “When we got there, the shed was fully involved,” Kunjara said. “Our crew did a very good job on it.” Kunjara said no one was at home at the time, and the MLFD had been unable to contact the residents yet. Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at [email protected]

Focusing on fundamentals, Ephrata baseballers ranked third in 2A

EPHRATA — The Ephrata High School baseball team, ranked No. 3 in the 2A classification, took three wins in their matches against West Valley (Spokane) and Grandview over the weekend. The Tigers took on West Valley on April 14 and won 5-2. “It was a good outcome. I'm happy with what the boys did coming back off of a three-game skid and getting back on the winning ways,” said Ephrata head coach Jason Laugen after the game against West Valley...

Legals for April, 15 2022

Apartment building burns down in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — One person was injured and five were left homeless when an early morning fire gutted an apartment building at the corner of North Grape Drive and West Luta Street on Wednesday, according to Moses Lake Fire Chief Brett Bastian. “It’s damaged pretty much beyond repair,” Bastian said of the apartment building. “The four apartments are not livable.”...

Letter: Thanks to lawmakers for supporting health care

With the state legislative session wrapped up, we at Moses Lake Community Health Center want to acknowledge our state leaders, including Sen. Warnick, for their investments to restore and strengthen our health care system.

Police records for April 12, 2022

EPD, MLPD, jail

Low temperatures this week may cause harvest issues

MOSES LAKE — The calendar says it’s almost mid-April, but a cold low-pressure system passing through the Pacific Northwest has left it feeling more like it’s early March. . .

Seven tips for managing caregiver stress during national stress awareness month this April

NEW YORK — Stress can damage your health if you do not manage it properly — especially if you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness.

Legals for April, 8 2022

Police records for April 7, 2022

EPD, OPD, MLPD, jail

Utility officials push for safe digging

COLUMBIA BASIN — April is National Safe Digging Month, and a recent national survey revealed that 49% of homeowners who plan to dig this year will put themselves and their communities at risk by digging without calling 811 beforehand to learn the approximate location of underground utilities, according to a press release from Cascade Natural Gas. Additionally, 58% of homeowners reported experiencing a utility service interruption in the last 12 months, a direct result of damaging an underground utility line...

High winds raise dust, cause prep

COLUMBIA BASIN — The powerful gusts tearing across the Columbia Basin this week are the result of a cold front moving through Washington State, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Miranda Cote. “There’s a strong system pushing into the area and a cold front pushing through,” Cote said. Cote said Monday saw wind gusts of...

Flu activity rising in Grant Co.

GRANT COUNTY — Grant County Health District officials have issued an advisory recommending people take precautions against influenza following reports of increasing influenza activity in the county. “(The health district) currently is monitoring an influenza outbreak among residents in an assisted living facility,” read a statement from the GCHD. “Communicable disease investigators are reporting an increased number of influenza cases among school-aged children, as well as children under the age of 5.” Cases of the flu and influenza-like illnesses are on the rise...