STCU surprises Soup on Saturdays with $5K donation

MOSES LAKE — Spokane Teachers Credit Union had a surprise for a local nonprofit Friday morning. We usually pick up one to two local nonprofits within our community that we can support their needs,” Branch Manager Kerrie Petersen told representatives from Soup on Saturdays. “We chose you guys this year … and so we have a check for $5,000 that we would like to donate to you.” “Oh my God, yes,” Soup on Saturdays Secretary Mindi Brimhall said through tears. Brimhall was at STCU with SOS founder and President Trinette Mullineaux, Treasurer John Killian and Social Media Director Cassandra Wixom to receive a donation, but they had no idea how much it would be, Petersen said.

CBTECH students push in their own fire engine

MOSES LAKE — The Fire Science students at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center held their first push-in ceremony last week, welcoming home their new fire truck. The truck was a donation from the city of Moses Lake, and while the program had borrowed it in the past, it’s now all theirs, explained CBTECH Fire Sciences teacher Lynn Dodd. “It was a fire truck that was still in service,” Dodd said. “It was a backup of a backup of a backup, but if for some reason the city needed it, they could come and get it and they could utilize it. This last summer it failed pump testing and was deemed no longer an asset to the city. It doesn’t meet the requirements to be an in-service engine anymore … So we can do whatever we want with that truck and stock that truck and train on that truck, and it now is an asset of our class.”

REC Silicon sales decrease in third quarter

MOSES LAKE — REC Silicon has received another short-term loan from its largest shareholder for $13 million. According to REC’s third quarter report, released Nov. 4, company revenues were about $3 million less than the second quarter of the year.

Thanking Harold Hochstatter for his service

When the Columbia Basin Herald printed its appreciation of our veterans on Nov. 11, Moses Lake’s local history expert and former state Sen. Harold Hochstatter was inadvertently left off the spread. As with all the other veterans, we’d like to extend our thanks to Hochstatter for his service. Hochstatter served in the 362nd Signal Company during his active duty years from 1959-1967 and earned the rank of Specialist Second Class. We thank Hochstatter and all of our nation’s veterans for serving with grace and honor.

One shot in Cascade Valley, suspect not in custody yet

MOSES LAKE – One person was taken to Samaritan Hospital after suffering a gunshot wound in an incident in the 7900 block of Dick Road in Cascade Valley Sunday evening. The suspect is not in custody as of 12 p.m. Monday, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. However, detectives are still investigating.

Moses Lake Police Department logs for Nov. 13, 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 November, 17 2025

ACH finishes fourth in state

YAKIMA — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors volleyball team’s season came to a close at the state tournament at Yakima’s SunDome Thursday evening where they finished fourth. Despite not finishing off the season with a win, the team was proud of their own efforts and achievements made over the last few months.

Interest down, inventory up in Basin housing market

KIRKLAND — The prospects for home buyers in Washington are looking up, according to data released last week by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 Washington counties.

BASIN EVENTS: Nov. 13-25

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather is getting nippy and the holidays are fast approaching. Whether it’s shopping, art, music or theater, there’s something for everybody happening in the Basin this week.

Moses Lake teachers vote to strike if contract not ratified

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Education Association, the teachers' union for educators in the Moses Lake School District, has voted to strike if they do not have a ratified contract by Nov. 28.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Support local causes this holiday season ...

If you’re looking to enjoy the holidays, you’re not alone. Across the Columbia Basin, people will be baking turkeys, holiday shopping, decorating their homes, and reminding children to behave or they’ll get coal in a stocking.

Applications open for apple industry training program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Applications are open for a program designed to provide training and networking opportunities for young professionals in the apple industry. Recipients of the 2026 NextGen Apple Fellowship will be announced in February. The program is sponsored by USApple, the industry’s national trade organization.

Donor support helps finance Othello museum upgrades

OTHELLO — The Othello Community Museum will be expanding its schedule with the help of donations and an Othello business. Steve’s Refrigeration & Heating started work Monday on repairs and upgrades to the museum’s heating and cooling systems.

Locals recognized for contributions to STEM

WENATCHEE — Three locals were honored at the NCW Tech Alliance Awards ceremony last week. Quincy High School student Gerardo Guerrero and Big Bend Community College Professor of Chemistry Lindsay Groce received the K-12 Future Technology Leader and STEM Champion of the Year awards, respectively. Cooper Cox, BBCC alumnus and current Washington State University student, was a finalist for the STEM College Innovator of the Year.

Educators share plans to ‘Educate Tomorrow’ at LEAD Summit

MOSES LAKE — During the first day of the LEAD Summit, local school district superintendents Carol Lewis from Moses Lake, Andy Harlow from Wahluke, Nik Bergman from Quincy and Ken Murray from Ephrata came together to discuss the challenges that schools are facing and their plans to adapt education into the future.

Legals for November, 12 2025

Eagles enter state tournament as thirteenth seed

COLUMBIA BASIN – The Soap Lake Eagles (12-4) finished second in the district tournament after overcoming Entiat 3-2 but fell to Waterville-Mansfield in the district final. The Eagles will compete in the state tournament this week, starting as the thirteenth seed.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: A proper thanks...

Like Rob Bates said in his column that sits next to this one in the print edition for Veterans Day, the “Thank you for your service” messages he gets each year on this holiday to honor living veterans can come across as uninformed, though well-intentioned and appreciated, nonetheless.

COLUMN: What does service mean to you?

Veterans Day for me means I will be the recipient of ritualistic platitudes such as “Thank you for your service,” from people who have no concept of the rewards or costs of service. I don't think those who repeat this mantra have ill intent, and I know that repeating such phrases is actually done with extreme gratitude. It is simply done without understanding the sacrifices that were made.