Senior events for December 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather outside may be frightful, but the holiday events this month make the chill in the air a little more bearable. Here are some opportunities to get out and about in December:

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.

Section of Blewett Pass closed Thursday

LEAVENWORTH — Travelers between Ellensburg and Wenatchee are advised to look for a different route Thursday due to the daylong closure of U.S. Highway 97 over Blewett Pass. Crews will be cleaning up debris from September’s Labor Mountain Fire from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation. “Crews with the U.S. Forest Service and WSDOT have identified multiple sites to remove trees that could be a hazard and debris north of the summit,” the WSDOT release said. “The full closure of the road allows crews to work at several locations on the pass at once and expedite the work without pausing to allow traffic through the work zone.”

GCFD 8 looking for assistant chief

MATTAWA — Applications will be accepted through Friday for the assistant chief job at Grant County Fire District 8, with the first round of interviews scheduled for Dec. 15. Barb Davis, GCFD 8 business manager, said the district hasn’t had an assistant chief for a long time. “It’s kind of a new position,” Davis said. The assistant chief will take over some of the jobs now split between Davis and GCFD 8 Chief Matt Hyndman.

Karin Jones

1942 – 2025

Karin May Jones, a long time resident of Moses Lake, passed away on November 29, 2025, at the age of 83. She is now in Heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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.

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.”

BASIN SPORTS SCHEDULE: Dec. 1-8, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Winter sports in the basin begin this week with local athletes taking to the court and the mat as they aim for success this season. See where our local teams will be playing this week.

Legals for December, 2 2025

Trade group: High taxes, regulations straining WA restaurants to the breaking point

(The Center Square) — The holidays are typically the busiest time of year for restaurants, but if trends continue in Washington state, it might be a blue Christmas for eatery owners and operators. “Costs have gone up, and customers are really pushing back on price,” said Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, in an interview last week with The Center Square.

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.

Gas prices drop nationally, locally

MOSES LAKE — Grant County, Washington and national average gas prices saw decreases this week. However, Adams County saw a slight increase in average fuel prices this week.

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.

Steven L. Gilbert

1958 – 2025

Steven L. Gilbert, devoted husband and father, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025. Steve lived heroically with the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s for 18 years, but it never daunted his loving spirit and sense of humor. Steve was a gentle giant and leaves a legacy of strength during trial, humor in hard times and an enduring love of God, family and ice cream.

Huskies plan to make a statement this season

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies boys basketball team is returning to the court this season with a new fire lit underneath them as they look to come back from a winless season. Head Coach Juan Ramon Garcia said it was rough, but the team has made great strides since then as they work to improve.

Seahawks blank Vikings 26-0 for their first shutout victory in 10 years

SEATTLE (AP) — Ahead of the season, Ernest Jones IV set a goal of finishing the year with six interceptions. With six games left, the Seahawks linebacker already has a career-high four picks, including the one he returned 85 yards on Sunday for the first touchdown of his career. That was the first of five takeaways by Seattle's dominant defense as the Seahawks blanked the Minnesota Vikings 26-0 for their first shutout victory in more than a decade.

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.”