Water lines flushed to address discoloration on Patton Boulevard

City of Moses Lake works to ensure water quality after facility closures

MOSES LAKE -— Samples of water from the system around North Elementary and along Patton Boulevard late last week met and were consistent with water quality standards. Discolored water discovered Wednesday at North Elementary School prompted that campus’s closure through Monday. Discolored water also closed the Family Services of Grant County facility on Patton Boulevard.

MLSD announces plan in light of Groff closure

MOSES LAKE – Groff Elementary will be closed for the rest of the school year, according to an announcement from Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis at the March 6 school board meeting. As a result, district officials have initiated plans to ensure Groff students continue their education without interruption. “We understand that this is going to be challenging, frustrating and new for families to go through,” MLSD Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon said. “This is a pretty big lift that we're asking of families and even staff and most importantly, the students. This is a big deal, and we are just appreciative of the ongoing communication that teachers and families are having as we start to map out those educational plans for the coming weeks.”

Weather for the week of March 10, 2025

Weather for the week of March 10, 2025

House passes bill to expand eligibility for program to remedy housing discrimination

(The Center Square) – Members of the Washington State House of Representatives spent nearly four hours Thursday night debating Second Substitute House Bill 1696, which would dramatically expand the pool of those who could qualify for the state’s Covenant Home Ownership Program, before finally passing it.

Catch the buzz

Othello class geared to beginning beekeepers

OTHELLO — Some people grow vegetables in their backyard. Some keep chickens and collect the eggs. A class tomorrow in Othello will help folks discover another thing they can grow in their yards: honey. “We've had some interest in the last year or so from people that … would like to have some information on how to get a small apiary going in their backyard,” said Kena Sohler, owner of Tri-Cities-area apiary BeeBlesst. Sohler will teach a basic class on beekeeping Saturday morning at Ironworks Cafe and Market in Othello.

S(up)porting youth

Annual YOU auction will raise money to take disabled children hunting and fishing

MOSES LAKE — Basin folks will have a chance to help make some youngsters’ dreams come true tomorrow. The 14th annual Youth Outdoors Unlimited fundraiser auction will raise money to take Basin youth who are dealing with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses on guided hunting and fishing trips. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. at the Best Western Lake Front Hotel in Moses Lake Saturday.

COLUMBIA BASIN EVENTS for March 7, 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring is finally here and there’s plenty to do. Live music, crafts, classes and more. Here are a few options:

Law enforcement logs for March 7, 2025

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.

WSU's Dayana Mendes finding her footing after road to recovery

PULLMAN - The morning following the Washington State women's basketball team's 67-59 home win over San Francisco, WSU Associate Head Coach Laurie Koehn started her morning off watching film to prepare for the Cougars' next opponent. She couldn't help but notice the difference she saw in Washington States' freshman forward, Dayana Mendes.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Help us keep perspective...

Regardless of how someone feels about Donald Trump, there are going to be things that happen over the next four years that are going to make you feel one way or another about a controversial something-or-other.

Betty Wallschlaeger looks back on a century

EPHRATA — Betty Wallschlaeger got an early start. “I was a six-month baby, and I fit in the palm of (my mother’s) hand,” she said. “They didn't know how much I weighed, because they didn't want to handle me too much. But I was in an incubator for eight weeks.”

Senior Events for March 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — The weather is getting nicer and there’s no shortage of things for seniors to do in the Basin. Here are a few ideas:

Business community comes together at Othello Chamber auction

OTHELLO — The parish hall at Sacred Heart Catholic Church was transformed Friday night as the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce held its annual fundraiser banquet and auction. “This is our one and only fundraiser that we have for the year,” said Chamber Manager Jackie Wilhelm. “The money that we raise goes back into the community.”

Othello resident booked after hiding in field from ACSO

OTHELLO – Monday afternoon at around 3 p.m., the Adams County Sheriff’s Office received a call saying two suspicious males were near the reporting party’s residence in the 800 block of S. Taylor Road in Othello. The deputies arrived on scene and made contact with a vehicle. While deputies were attempting contact with the two men, one of them took off running to a nearby field.

‘Many others might have given up after such an injury, but not her’

Starting the season with a shoulder injury, ending with a state championship

OTHELLO – From the moment she stepped onto the mat as a young wrestler, Othello High School junior Alejandria Espindola had dreams of reaching the pinnacle of her sport. “It feels amazing because finally, my hard work and dedication have paid off,” Espindola said. “Coming from a really tough injury at the beginning of the season, I had so many doubts. It felt like I was on the verge of giving up, but then I realized that if you put your mind and heart into what you love, you can achieve great things.”

Home and Garden Show kicks off spring in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — It was only an hour into the two-day show, and already there was a pretty sizable crowd at the third annual Columbia Basin Home and Garden Show Friday. “We always have a good turnout on Friday and Saturday,” said Lisa Villegas, owner of Seed Cupboard Nursery in Royal City and the organizer of the show. “Saturday is usually about twice as busy, but Friday’s always good.”

Illegal burn escapes, consumes 61 acres near Ephrata

EPHRATA – An illegal burn in the 12500 block of Road C.3 NW escalated into a significant wildfire on Friday, threatening nearby residences and posing challenges for firefighting crews, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 13. “It definitely is a large fire,” GCFD 13 Battalion Chief Mathew Meulman said. “That was pretty uncommon to see that rate of spread this early in the season with how our temps are, and especially during the nights that we're going to give it very wet, cool nights. It definitely was a large fire for this time of year.”

Robert L. Stevens

1951 — 2025

Robert “Bob” L. Stevens, 74, was born January 3, 1951, to Lester Stevens and Paula Norma Easterling in Spokane, Washington.

Let's cuddle for a movie, shall we?

MOSES LAKE – Hey there stranger, shall we go rob from the rich and give to the poor? I’m Artemis, and frankly, I think Robin Hood is simply a classic movie that’s underappreciated. I’m also a fan of tuna and kibble. The folks at Grant County Animal Outreach say I’m a domestic shorthair mix and a bit less than two years old. I enjoy time with other cats I really enjoy cuddles and head boops and would love to come make sure you are never lonely or unappreciated. Give my friends at GCAO a call at 509-762-9616 and check out pictures of me and my other friends at the shelter at grantcountyanimaloutreach.org.

Columbia Basin Herald intern has a passion for politics

MOSES LAKE — Elizah Lourdes Rendorio didn’t really know what to expect from the Columbia Basin. “I was a little bit scared, I'm not gonna lie,” she said. “I just knew that my audience is very different from the people that I usually write to, or the people that I surround myself with or grew up with. So. I was definitely hesitant at first. I was scared that I was going to (upset) the wrong people, but I haven't. People have been very receptive, and I don't think there was any reason for me to be scared.”