Moses Lake man arrested for DUI after being tased

MOSES LAKE – Abel Valdez, 32, of Moses Lake was arrested Friday evening after he reportedly caused damage to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, according to a GCSO statement.

Shooting causes shelter in place for Moses Lake neighborhood

MOSES LAKE – Residents of the Harvest Manor Estates mobile home park in Moses Lake were asked to shelter in place Friday evening at about 9:45 p.m. after a shooting was reported. Nobody was hurt in the incident, though one mobile home was struck, according to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office statement.

Respiratory virus season is here, GCHD says

MOSES LAKE — Winter is here – as of Dec. 21 it was official - and so is one of its faithful companions, flu season. The Grant County Health District announced the beginning of “respiratory virus” season Friday. It’s the respiratory virus season because there’s more than just flu out there, according to the GCHD press release. There are benchmarks that indicate when respiratory virus season actually arrives.

Water, streets, sewer, parks included in Quincy capital budget

QUINCY — Between sewer system upgrades and repairs, street work and water system improvements – among many other possible projects – 2025 is going to be a busy year in Quincy. Quincy City Council members approved a list of possible capital projects for 2025 at a special council meeting Dec. 23.

Law Enforcement logs for Dec. 27, 2024

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.

Audit finds MLIRD in compliance

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Auditor's recent independent accountability audit of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District revealed that the district's operations substantially complied with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023. The audit concluded that the district maintained adequate controls for safeguarding public resources against fraud, loss or abuse. The examination focused on high-risk areas, including accounts payable, financial condition, and compliance with open public meeting requirements. The audit did not cover every aspect of district operations but provided an overview of the areas deemed most vulnerable to potential discrepancies.

Adams County Fire District 5 receives clean audit

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Washington State Auditor has released its audit findings for the Adams County Fire Protection District No. 5, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2023. The audit concluded that the district operated in compliance with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, effectively safeguarding public resources from fraud, loss, and abuse. Key areas examined included the accuracy of annual report filings, general disbursements, payroll processes, compliance with open public meeting laws, and the overall financial condition of the district.

Legals for December, 27 2024

Alleged drug dealer arrested in Civic Park

MOSES LAKE — An alleged drug dealer was arrested Saturday in Civic Park, according to a Monday statement from the Moses Lake Police Department.

Othello, ACSO, WSP officers bring holiday cheer

‘I see the smiles are bigger every year.’

OTHELLO – Blue and red lights flashed, and sirens blared down East Main Street in Othello Saturday before turning into the Walmart parking lot. A handful of police vehicles from Othello Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol made laps around the store's parking lot, children waving through passenger windows and shoppers watching the scene go down.

Moses Lake man booked after child abuse investigation

MOSES LAKE – Maxwell S. Homer was arrested by Grant County Sheriff’s Office Motor Crimes Detectives Dec. 19 after a 10-month-long Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. A search warrant was then served at his home in the 3000 block of Road F-Northeast.

Weather report for Dec. 26-30, 2024

Weather report for Dec. 26-30, 2024

Drive safely over the holidays, WSP urges

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Patrol and Washington Traffic Safety Commission want to remind everyone using the roadways this holiday season that safe roads come down to good decisions, the WSP wrote in an advisory Tuesday. Impaired driving, driving too fast, driving distracted, and not wearing your seatbelts are bad decisions that cost lives every year.

Joyous holiday wishes from the Columbia Basin Herald

MOSES LAKE – Each year, the holidays seem to come at us a little bit faster with a faster-than-light zip from January to December. At the end of a hectic year though, the staff at the Columbia Basin Herald have plenty to be thankful for and have been fortunate enough to serve the amazing group of communities in Grant and Adams counties.

Washington Democrats leak $15 billion tax increase plans

(The Center Square) – Senate Democrats are asking their peers to help “spread that tax policy love around” as they hope to close a $16 billion shortfall with new taxes in a leaked email on Friday.

Despite recruiting efforts, WA law enforcement numbers still lowest in country

(The Center Square) – During the upcoming legislative session, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs will be pushing for legislation to deal with the state’s shortage of law enforcement officers

BASIN WRESTLING REPORT: Huskies win home tourney

OTHELLO – The Huskies came out on top of their home tournament over the weekend, winning the Leonard Schutte Round Up with a team score of 280 points.

Mattawa council approves 2025 budget

MATTAWA — The city of Mattawa is projected to spend about $6.8 million in 2025 for city operations. The city will be required to use some reserve funds next year, which prompted council member Tony Acosta to vote against passage of the budget at the Dec. 19 council meeting.

Ag announces loan assistance program to help farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The US Department of Agriculture has announced a final phase of loan assistance for distressed direct and guaranteed farm loan borrowers through the Inflation Reduction Act. About $300 million is available nationwide.

GCFD4 Chief on admin leave, under investigation for malfeasance

WARDEN – Grant County Fire District 4 Fire Chief Kevin Whitaker has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman confirmed there is an ongoing investigation for malfeasance through GCSO which began in late November.