Local organizations collect Christmas presents for children

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot of talk about the true meaning of Christmas, but it’s hard to deny that one of the best parts is seeing children open their new toys.

Moses Lake Police logs as of Dec. 3, 2025

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

Legals for December, 4 2025

Grant County Jail logs as of Dec. 3, 2025

The reports below were provided by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Lions Park closed for new playground installation

EPHRATA – Lions Park will be closed to the public beginning Wednesday, as the City of Ephrata Public Works Department prepares for the installation of brand-new playground equipment and related site improvements. The anticipated closure will remain in effect through the end of the year, with the possibility of extending into early January, contingent upon weather conditions and the pace of construction.

'We could use just about everything'

Moses Lake Food Bank looking for donations of food, funds

'We could use just about everything.'

Mavs pull ahead of Tigers in season opener

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers and Moses Lake Mavericks basketball teams faced off in their first game of the season on the Tigers home court. It was a close competition, but ultimately the Mavs came out on top with a 48-37 victory. “It was a little slow in the beginning, but I think it’s just first game of the season, I think we have really good guys and I’m excited for the season,” said Taggart Rathbun, a junior for the Mavs. The Tigers took control in the first quarter, scoring 13 points and holding the Mavs to only three. Moses Lake quickly turned things around in the second quarter where they scored 17 points to tie up the game at 20-20 at the end of the half.

UW soccer enters elite 8 of NCAA Tournament

STANFORD, Calif. — The University of Washington Huskies soccer team (13-6-2) will continue their postseason bid into the quarterfinals after overcoming Stanford on Sunday. This win marks the eighth time the Huskies have won at least 13 games in a season under Head Coach Jamie Clark.

Noreta Colleen Haney

1938 – 2025

Noreta Colleen Haney of Wasilla, Alaska, passed away November 21, 2025, in the care facility where she resided. Noreta was born March 19, 1938, at Twin Falls, Idaho, to parents John Leroy Hansen and J. Wilda Cameron.

Big Sky Now: FCS Playoff preview

The Big Sky Now panel breaks down everything you need to know heading into Round 2 of the FCS Playoffs — starting with the most dramatic moments from Round 1.

Cookie decorating the focus of Free Family Saturday

MOSES LAKE — ’Tis the season for all kinds of sweet treats, and this month’s Free Family Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center continues that tradition, decorating gingerbread cookies. “It’s our annual December event,” said Creative Programs coordinator Jenni Shelton. “We’ve done gingerbread cookies for, I think this is the fifth year.” It’s also one of the most popular Free Family Saturday events, Shelton said, drawing 150-200 participants. Most of the cookie artists are children, she said, but parents are welcome to join in too, and many do.

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

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.

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.”

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.

Wildcats stay perfect after weekend sweep

ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats are off to a 6-0 start to their regular season after their sweep last weekend over San Francisco State Gators and University of Mary Marauders. With a new group of players leading this season, Head Coach Randi Richardson said she feels great about where the team is at. “We're learning a lot about ourselves every game we step out onto the floor as it truly is a really new group playing with each other,” Richardson said. “We're trying to find that camaraderie out on the floor and that unity at times, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but we are finding ways to win and compete in the moment and get the job done.”

Knights aiming high for success this season

ROYAL CITY — After an 11-12 season, the Knights are ready for more, according to Head Coach Farrah Wardenaar. After leaving it all on the court last season, they went into the offseason with a renewed drive to succeed. “We had a really good summer; we put in a lot of work. We went to a great team camp at Gonzaga, and I took 20 kids with me this summer. That just shows me the level of dedication (they have) is improving every year, so I think that's great,” Wardenaar said. With their investment into developing in the offseason, Wardenaar said she feels her team will be different this season. The Knights return a strong group of upperclassmen and a freshmen class. Taking both of those into account, she feels this roster is a strong depth to work with.

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.