Basin events for May 11-19

COLUMBIA BASIN — Here are a few things to do in the Basin this week. This listing is noncomprehensive and event details may change or events may be canceled at the organizers’ discretion. Readers are encouraged to call ahead or verify the information below online prior to the event.

May 2024 Basin Events

COLUMBIA BASIN — There’s no excuse for being bored in the Columbia Basin this month. This listing is noncomprehensive and event details may change or events may be canceled at the organizers’ discretion. Readers are encouraged to call ahead or verify the information below online prior to the event.

Last Stand Rodeo back for 72nd year

COULEE CITY — The PRCA Last Stand Rodeo returns for its 72nd outing this May, hosted at the Coulee City Rodeo Grounds. The three-day rodeo is hosted over Memorial Day weekend, beginning the night of May 24. “The only year we didn’t have the rodeo was the year Mount St. Helens blew and the COVID year,” said Pete Thiry, president of the Coulee City Rodeo Association.

Jason Aaron Connor Finke

Jason Aaron Connor Finke, 31, of Ephrata Washington, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Jason was born on Sept. 13, 1992, in Wenatchee, Washington to Jake and Jeanne Finke. He was a man of faith, a vibrant spirit, a beloved son, a father who adored his son Waylon, a friend and a cowboy. He attended primary school in Ephrata, Washington and went to Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Washington. Jason loved the rural small-town life, growing up on the family farm, and following in his grandfather’s footsteps as a volunteer fireman with the Grant County Fire District 3. He transitioned from 4-H, Future Farmers of America and the Smokiam Washington State High School Equestrian Team to the hard life of a professional rodeo cowboy in the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association.

First-year Othello goalkeeper learns to fit in with team, local area

OTHELLO – Guarding the net for the Othello boys soccer team this season has been senior Aksel Jebsen, who’s been using his six-foot-eight frame to break up opposing shots in the early weeks of the season. Even though he’s a senior, this is Jebsen’s first year playing with the Huskies. In fact, this is his first year in the country.

Kathleen Morley

Feb. 25, 1945 – March 28, 2024

Kathleen ‘Katy’ Ann (Baier) Morley, 79, passed away at home March 28, 2024 in Centralia, Wash.

13th District legislators support community infrastructure investments

OLYMPIA — In the final week of the 2024 legislative session, 13th District lawmakers highlighted the passage of the state’s 2024 supplemental capital budget in a Tuesday announcement from the office of Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake. The announcement said the budget makes critical community infrastructure investments around the state, funding things like parks, community centers, libraries and school construction. According to the announcement, Warnick, Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, worked to secure over $26 million in this year’s allocation for the district, which covers most of Grant, Lincoln and Kittitas counties. Major themes from the state’s investment focus on directing resources for school construction, boosting behavioral health facilities and addressing the state’s affordable housing challenges, the announcement stated.

Moses Lake Roundup looks forward to the next 80 years

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Rodeo Association gathered with volunteers and sponsoring partners on Saturday at the Grant County Fairgrounds for its annual banquet. This year’s event introduced a new award, Demo Derby Man of the Year. This honor went to one of the new 2023 directors of the board, Aaron Schrodt. Schrodt’s initiative to build and raffle off an opportunity to drive the Moses Lake Roundup’s Demo Derby car, paired with his work with new Vice President Alex Alvarado, earned him the inaugural recognition. A bittersweet transition was recognized for the longtime efforts of Edie Longfellow, a veteran of the Roundup since starting as secretary in August 1969. Known as the “den mother of the Columbia River Circuit,” she was lauded for her support of previous rodeo presidents, queens, and contestants.

Contestant for a day, Queen for a year

Miss Moses Lake Roundup competition inducts Shoults into traditional role

MOSES LAKE – It’s said that the harder someone works, the more luck they have. If that’s the case, the recently crowned 2024 Miss Moses Lake Roundup, Alexis Shoults, has luck in spades.

Grant County Fairgrounds sees increasing equestrian events

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot going on at the Grant County Fairgrounds. There’s the annual fair, of course, and assorted festivals, trade shows, fundraisers and private parties, just like any fairgrounds hosts. But in recent years the fairgrounds in Moses Lake have stood out front and center as the most popular venue for equine events in the state.

Othello Council discusses tourism budget

OTHELLO – Monday’s regular Othello City Council meeting featured a discussion between council members regarding the funding for Othello organizations and agencies that promote tourism. Othello Finance Director Spencer Williams explained the subject up for discussion.

Grant Co. awards tourism funding

EPHRATA — The Grant County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee awarded just less than $1.6 million in grants at its Oct. 25 meeting at the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata. The funding, derived from the county’s overnight lodging tax, is intended to boost tourism in Grant County.

Columbia Basin getting spooky for Halloween

MOSES LAKE — Superheroes, goblins, princesses and ghosts out and about on Halloween night will have opportunities for candy, fun and scary places to go throughout the Columbia Basin.

The ride stuff

Young cyclists test their skills at bike rodeo

MOSES LAKE — It was wheels, wheels everywhere at the Larson Recreation Center Saturday as kids turned out in droves for the annual bike rodeo, officially called the Bicycle Activities, Repairs, Giveaway and Skills event. The rec center, which opened in December, gave organizers some elbow room to add some things. “We have a lot to work with,” said Richard Teals, a member of the Moses Lake Trail Planning Team, which organized the rodeo along with the Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake. “The obstacle course is a big hit inside the hockey rink. Then we have all the bike giveaways, and the GTA is here with their new buses, which of course carry bicycles all around the county.”

Bike safety, bike fun on agenda for Moses Lake bike rodeo

MOSES LAKE — All things bicycle will be the focus of the annual bike rodeo, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the ice rink and parking lot at the Larson Recreation Center, 2501 W. Broadway Ave. in Moses Lake. The bike rodeo has been a project of the Moses Lake Kiwanis and the Moses Lake Trail Planning Team since about 2019, with interruptions for the COVID-19 pandemic. Over time other sponsors have come on board. The bike rodeo was the brainchild of Kiwanis member Louis Logan, and he came up with the official name, “Bicycle Activities, Repairs, Giveaway and Skills.” It replaced a longtime Kiwanis project.

Wheels spin at Othello Demo Derby

OTHELLO — The Othello Demolition Derby brought a swarm of audience members to the rodeo arena at the Adams County Fairgrounds Sept. 13 during the 2023 Othello Fair. Warden resident Tomas Pruneda spoke about what brought him to the event. “This is my sixth year racing,” said Pruneda. “I just love to race. I mean, we go everywhere, we go to Moses Lake, Tri-Cities, Walla Walla. We're hoping to go to Spokane on Sunday … big adrenaline.”

Regional rodeo results: Aug. 10-Sept. 19

MOSES LAKE – Rodeos have been hosted across eastern Washington and northern Idaho over the previous six weeks, bringing in riders and competitions from across the country and beyond. Read along for a list of the top three placements from each rodeo, complete with scores, times and payouts. Results are as posted by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or organizers of the rodeo listed if it is a non-PRCA event.

Othello parade brings out folks of all ages

OTHELLO — People young and old, local and visiting, lined Othello’s Main Street Saturday morning for the Othello Parade. The weather was beautifully cooperative, warm but not scorching, and not a cloud to be seen...

Lodge Tax Advisory Committee grant applications due soon

GRANT COUNTY – The Grant County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee announced in a Tuesday press release the final date for grant applicants for qualifying tourism promotion for 2024 campaigns is nearing. ..

Mane management

Competitors lead horses at the Othello fair Halter and Showmanship competition

OTHELLO – The Othello Fair hosted the 4-H, Grange, Future Farmers of America and Open Halter and Showmanship horse judging event Wednesday morning, which saw competitors lead their horses around the ring and demonstrate their presentation and the quality of the horse itself. “Showmanship is showing off their horses, halters are their builds, the horses build,” said event organizer and Othello Fair Board Member Kyya Grant. “It's going good.” ...