Mavs motivated for a state run this season

MOSES LAKE — As the start of the 2025 season hits, the Mavericks bring in an experienced roster that has stayed hungry for a state title opportunity. Head Coach Brett Jay said the team has homed in on player development in the offseason. “We're going to focus on our locker room and develop every player we have. It's a yearlong process, our offensive linemen are all bigger and stronger, our receivers are bigger and faster, our backfield (quarterback and running back) is bigger and faster, and so it's exciting,” Jay said.

Green School offers gardener training online

MOSES LAKE — There’s more to gardening than just filling a pot with dirt and seeds and waiting for something to grow.

Ferguson pauses approval of major solar project in central Washington

Gov. Bob Ferguson is tapping the brakes on a controversial solar farm proposed in south-central Washington to allow more time to appraise concerns of Yakama Nation leaders. Ferguson on Friday turned down a recommendation for the Carriger Solar project from the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and directed the state panel to reconsider tribal officials’ desire for tougher conditions to protect cultural resources. But the first-term Democratic governor signalled his eagerness to sign off on an updated development agreement that is due from the council by Oct. 21.

9th Circuit Court rebuffs bid to overturn WA state voting map

(The Center Square) – The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled in favor of a group of voters in the Yakima Valley in a case concerning recently redrawn legislative boundaries in Washington state. The court said the new boundaries for the 15th Legislative District do not discriminate based on race.

Quincy man injured in tractor-pickup collision

QUINCY — A Quincy man was airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane after the tractor he was driving, allegedly without lights, was hit by a car about five miles south of Quincy early Thursday morning. Miguel Contreras, 34, was driving south on State Route 281 on a tractor at about 4 a.m. Thursday, allegedly without the lights on, according to a press release from the Washington State Patrol. Contreras was rear-ended by a pickup driven by Isael Solano, 45, Quincy, the WSP memo said. The impact knocked both vehicles into the ditch, it said. The collision closed SR 281 for about four hours. Solano was not injured. Charges of driving a vehicle without legal lighting are pending against Contreras, the WSP memo said.

FIRE REPORT: AUG. 28, 2025

Air quality moderate across most of Washington

MOSES LAKE – The fires below were burning and causing smoke and air quality concerns regionally as of Thursday afternoon.

New Columbia Basin Railroad owners assume operation

MOSES LAKE — The owners of Jaguar Transport Holdings, Joplin, Missouri, officially took over operation of the Columbia Basin Railroad Thursday. The owners of Jaguar Transport announced they were buying CBRR in mid-July. “We take a disciplined approach to acquisitions, and this opportunity – backed by proven success, strong infrastructure, a dedicated team and a growing customer base – truly excites us,” said Jaguar Chief Executive Officer Stu Towner in a press release announcing the change. Jaguar did not respond to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald about the purchase. The sale was completed in mid-August.

Othello man sentenced to 39 years for child sex assault convictions

OTHELLO — An Othello man has been sentenced to 39 years in prison following his conviction on charges for first-degree rape of a child, second-degree rape of a child and third-degree rape of a child with aggravating factors. According to a release from the Othello Police Department, Rodrigo Plascencia, 66, was sentenced Wednesday. The aggravating factors included Placensia’s use of a position of trust to facilitate the assaults, and an ongoing pattern of abuse.

BASIN BOX SCORE: Former athletes, coaching families, cross country, and Basin football nears

On this episode of the Basin Box Score, Caleb Perez and Mike Maynard discuss recent stories in Basin sports. Hear about how the Mavericks cross country team is preparing for their upcoming season. Catch up with a former Jacks soccer player. Learn about Moses Lakes coaching family, and the gridiron guide is almost here.

Grant PUD gets upgrades with upcoming new Ephrata Service Center

EPHRATA – Not all of the construction near the intersection of Nat Washington Way and State Highway 282 is related to the Grant County Jail. The Grant Public Utility District broke ground on its upcoming Ephrata Service Center Tuesday afternoon, a new facility intended to address the growing demands on the district’s resources.

Road report

Construction suspended for Labor Day weekend, but some restrictions still in place

VANTAGE BRIDGE — Most road construction will be suspended during the Labor Day weekend, although lanes and sometimes roads will still be closed. “All four lanes across the Vantage Bridge will reopen by 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29,” according to a press release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. “Travel will return to one lane in each direction by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2.” Road construction in Grant and Adams counties is in full swing:

Grant Co. COVID-19 outbreak ends

MOSES LAKE — The COVID-19 outbreak that sickened 47 people and claimed at least two lives at a local long-term care facility is over, according to Grant County Health District Communication Coordinator Lexi Smith. The facility, which was not identified, has gone 14 days without an additional case, Smith wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. A third death was not immediately attributed to COVID-19 but was under investigation. “Long-term care facilities … house at-risk individuals, and that makes them an area where COVID can circulate in dining rooms and community areas,” Smith said in an interview Thursday. This is the eighth outbreak in a long-term care facility since October 2024, Smith wrote. By comparison, the period from October 2023 to October 2024 saw 19 outbreaks in care facilities and one in a school.

Stolen forklift leads to Soap Lake power outage

SOAP LAKE — A Soap Lake man was arrested for DUI and theft of a motor vehicle after he allegedly stole a forklift from the Soap Lake School District and broke off a power pole. The man, who was not identified, also was charged with first-degree malicious mischief, according to a statement from Soap Lake Police Chief Patrick Canaday. The incident was reported at about 3:15 a.m. “The suspect drove the forklift off the school property after taking out several sections of fence from the football field. The suspect drove across Second Avenue Southwest on to Dogwood Street Southwest and struck the asphalt with (the) front forks, damaging a large portion of the asphalt,” Canaday said. “The suspect continued driving northbound on Dogwood, striking five parked vehicles on both sides (of the street). (He) drove the forklift eastbound on Main Avenue West with the telescoping fork rail extended.”

MLSD welcomes back most students Wednesday

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District welcomed back first through sixth graders and freshmen for the first day of school Wednesday. The seventh, eighth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth graders return to school Thursday.

Mavs girls soccer ready to make noise this season

MOSES LAKE – After going 9-6-1 and making a playoff appearance last season, the Mavericks girls soccer team is eager for the fall 2025 season to start. Head Coach Alysha Overland said the team is looking to carry last year's experiences into this year.

GALLERY: Basin football almost here

MOSES LAKE – The 2025 football season is almost a week away with local high school football teams hitting the gridiron and preparing for week one. Here’s another glimpse into their practices. Our annual Gridiron Guide publication is right around the corner. Pick up a copy of the Columbia Basin Herald on Friday, Aug. 29, for a look at the upcoming high school football season.

55th Ritzville Rodeo begins tomorrow

RITZVILLE — The folks watching the rodeo will sit a little more comfortably this weekend. “We have brand-new grandstands,” said Ritzville Rodeo Board Member Julie Hartz. “We’ve been working on those all summer. Everybody has a pretty good tan that worked on them.”

Ephrata PD logs for Aug. 28, 2025

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

COLUMN: Supporting local athletics this fall

MOSES LAKE – The end of August might be one of my favorite times of the year. It signifies the best season, Fall. I’ll finally get to dust off my favorite cardigan and I won’t bore you with the pumpkin spice latte hype.

Legals for August, 28 2025