Music at McCosh

Top-notch country talent performs at Springfest

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Spring Festival saw a star-studded lineup of three country music artists whose performances were completely free to the public. “The whole thing has been a great time,” said Paul Moore who came to Moses Lake from the Tri-Cities for the weekend to enjoy the Moses Lake Spring Festival.

‘Pure imagination’

Ballet Academy of Moses Lake presents ‘Willy Wonka’

MOSES LAKE — Dancers will tap, swoop and spin their way across the Moses Lake High School stage as the Moses Lake Ballet Academy presents its “Willy Wonka” Thursday. The performance will draw on both the 1970 movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” with Gene Wilder in the title role and the 2005 movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as the eccentric confectioner. Both films are adaptations of the 1964 children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. “I kind of took my own spin on it and developed a show based on those two movies,” said Rian Miles, co-director of the academy and the show’s choreographer. “There's gonna be jazz and tap, lyrical and hip hop in the show. It'll go through each character and give the story of the show.” ...

Morning roundup: Spring Festival, casinos & Dollar General

Springfest draws ’em in, tribal casinos add to the pot and Soap Lake salutes the General. Here’s what’s happening in the Basin today:

Packed park: Moses Lake Spring Festival draws record crowds

MOSES LAKE — There were spots of rain, but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm – or the crowds.

Weekend on the field

In the last weekend of state tournaments for the Spring 2022 season, Basin athletes shined from the track to the diamond. Check out some photos from this weekend’s track & field and fastpitch events.

WA Fire Marshal’s Office tips for protecting homes from wildfires

OLYMPIA — The warmer spring and summer weather bring with them an increased risk of wildfires, and the Washington Fire Marshal’s office is recommending homeowners take precautions to reduce that risk. According to a press release from WFMO, the National Interagency Fire Center and the National Weather Service are forecasting a normal amount of precipitation for summer 2022. But summer east of the Cascade Mountains means dry weather...

CWU grad students offer student counseling service

ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University psychology graduate students are getting some real-world experience providing much-needed support for nine Kittitas County youths this spring, supplying free mental health services that weren’t otherwise available to them, according to a press release from the university...

"I am small town"

Singer-songwriter Colt Ford to perform in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Singer-songwriter Colt Ford will be performing at the Moses Lake Spring Festival this weekend. The Georgia native currently calls Nashville, Tenn. home but is bringing his country charm to Moses Lake on Sunday. “Honestly, I am little old Moses Lake, I am small-town. It's where I feel the most comfortable. That's where I'm the happiest,” said Ford...

Morning roundup: Spring Festival, Quincy athletes, stoplights

Springfest springs back, Jacks take all-league honors and traffic lights get a makeover. Here’s what’s happening in the Basin today:

‘Busy, busy, busy’

Spring Festival returns in full force

MOSES LAKE — Springfest is back.

Ready for summer

Moses Lake FFA, horticulture students plant downtown flower boxes

MOSES LAKE — Jacob Knight explained the layout - the ornamental grass in the middle of the flower container, with the sweet potato vines and petunias in opposite corners. Knight, a student at Moses Lake High School, was among the MLHS horticulture class and FFA members who worked their way down West Third Avenue and adjoining side streets planting flower containers Thursday morning...

Grapes don't give up

COLUMBIA BASIN — Despite a cold spring, wine grapes are looking good, according to a couple of local growers.

Groff Elementary BBQ held Friday

MOSES LAKE - Brian King (left) and Tonya Landon (center, in red) serve hot dogs and hamburgers to students and families at the annual spring barbecue at Groff Elementary in Moses Lake Friday...

Officials urge precautions as avian flu hits state

OLYMPIA — As avian influenza continues to spread through backyard flocks across Washington, state agriculture officials are asking residents to delay live market poultry sales for the next 30 days in the hopes that warmer weather will bring an end to the outbreak. “Please don’t sell sick birds,” Washington State Veterinarian Amber Itle advised bird owners who wanted to market their animals. “Separate water fowl from poultry, and keep birds in individual boxes.”...

Camping with canines

Things to consider when taking your pup to the wild

Spring presents a wonderful opportunity to spend time in the great outdoors with your pet. From long hikes to relaxing nights sitting around a campfire, there are many fun camping activities dogs enjoy being a part of. D'Lisa Hidalgo, a veterinary technician at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, has several tips for owners who want to bring their furry friends camping. “Much like providing for your own basic needs, you're going to have to think about providing for your dog's basic needs while on a camping trip,” she said...

Creature comfort

Pet doors allow four-footed family members a bit more freedom

MOSES LAKE — We all know how it is with pets. When they’re inside, they want to be out, and when they’re out, they want to come in. But that pesky door keeps getting in the way, and sometimes there isn’t a human handy to open it. What’s a critter to do? ...

Merce Rocha

Merce was born in October 1960 in Pearsall, Texas.

Wayne Daniel Puckett

Wayne Daniel Puckett was born Dec. 9, 1927, in Allen, Nebraska to Cyril and Eleanor Puckett. He was third in a family of 10 children.

Homes on wheels

The basics of RV maintenance

MOSES LAKE — Some people travel in them. Some people keep them parked. Either way, a home on wheels is still a home, and needs to be kept up.

Caution encouraged as motorcycles return to roadways

It’s spring, and among other things, that means that many motorcycle owners are returning to the road. The American Motorcycle Association is asking car and truck drivers to remember that motorcycles are out there in greater numbers than they are in winter. “As the weather warms in large parts of the country, riders take to the road in increasing numbers to enjoy the thrill of riding,” wrote AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman in a press release. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen the roads become more dangerous for all users. That is why it is incredibly important for drivers to remain attentive and alert to the presence of motorcycles,” Dingman wrote. “Distracted driving and overreliance on driver-assistance technology are worrisome.” Driver assistance technologies are still relatively new, the press release said, and drivers shouldn’t rely on them. Rising fatality statistics are also concerining and indicate the need for extra vigilance regardless of the vehicle being operated, he wrote.