BASIN EVENTS: December 2025

COLUMBIA BASIN — Now that the Thanksgiving turkey coma has passed, it’s time to get off the couch and start the December festivities. Here are some things happening this month.

Ferguson appoints Tyson Hill to the WA Court of Appeals

EPHRATA — Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Tyson R. Hill to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III, marking the governor's inaugural appellate judgeship appointment since taking office in January. This appointment, effective January 1, 2026, comes as Division III Judge George Fearing prepares for retirement on the same date. Fearing announced his retirement in July of this year.

Weather forecast for the week of Nov. 28

Weather forecast for the week of Nov. 28

Mavs coach excited for new wrestling season

MOSES LAKE – After a year of improvement, the Moses Lake High School wrestling squad is ready to hit the mats once again. Head Coach Jose Tanguma said he gets excited when a new season arrives. “We have a good group of kids, a very strong freshman class that came up through our wrestling club, and in these kids, you can see they're very mature for being freshmen, and they're setting high goals for themselves," Tanguma said.

Wahluke ready to bounce back on the court

MATTAWA – The Wahluke Warriors put together a 9-15 season under first year Head Coach Anfernee Cortez. Despite the record, he said last season was great for growth. “I thought there was a lot of learning last season for us, especially with a team full of guys going through their first year starting on varsity. I think just with that, I know there's going to be some growing pains and some learning,” Cortez said.

E. Columbia Basin Irrigation District recognized for perseverance

OTHELLO — A local irrigation district board was the recipient of an award from the Columbia Basin Development League designed to recognize people and organizations that find a way to overcome the obstacles. Jon Erickson, CBDL board chair, said the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District directors exemplify the Perseverance Award.

ACH prepares for big matchup against DeSales

COULEE CITY — The four-seeded Almira/Coulee Hartline Warriors football team will be headed to Walla Walla tomorrow to face the number one-seeded DeSales in the semifinals of the 1B state tournament. This will be the final matchup before facing either Liberty Christian or Wahkiakum in the championships at Husky Stadium.

COLUMN: Head west, they say

This column came together probably as quickly as my decision to move from Columbus, Ohio to Moses Lake. When I graduated from Denison University in May 2024, I remember being overcome with emotion after receiving my degree.

MLSD reaches agreement with Principals Association

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District and the Moses Lake Principals Association announced a tentative agreement on a new contract. The Moses Lake School Board will have to formally approve the contract.

Knights welcome new leader ahead of season

ROYAL CITY – After a successful season last winter where the Royal Knights went 27-3, new Head Coach Tim Ravet is excited to lead them into the future. He is excited to join a winning culture, he said. “That culture is built at home, and you could tell the families and the community care about winning. They're about doing it the right way, about the kids just playing the right way and kind of shaping them from boys to men, it's just the right situation for me,” Ravet said.

Groff transferred back to permanent power

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District announced Groff Elementary repairs are going well, with a focus on electrical grounding and related systems. The school has successfully transitioned Groff’s electrical service back to permanent power from the Grant County Public Utility District. It had been transferred to a special line to ensure any problems with the facility did not cause a power outage in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Eagles look for a successful senior-led season

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Eagles girls basketball team anticipates another successful season after finishing 12-9 last year. The Eagles return with another strong squad and a desire to earn a district title. “Last year we had a really good season,” said Eagles Head Coach Leonard Lundgren. “We were one game away from going to state.” At the end of last season, the Eagles made it into the second-place game at districts where they ultimately fell to Pateros to take third in the Central Washington B league. While this was an earlier end to their season last year, it leads to strong prospects as they enter this season.

Huskies look for success on the mat with fresh leadership

OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies head into the season with hopes to repeat the success from previous seasons with new leadership in the head coaching positions. Girls Head Coach Sammy Rocha took over last season and boys Head Coach Reuben Lopez will be stepping into the head coaching position for the first time this season. “I already had really strong leaders last year, and everything went as planned,” said Rocha. “Lots of youth, but that youth has a lot of experience and coming into this year I still have that same core from last year.” Both Lopez and Rocha have had years of experience with the team and worked extensively with the athletes last season to build the team they have today. At the end of last year, the Huskies girls team would finish second in state. The boys finished third.

A beacon of warmth in Ephrata

His Helping Hands looking for coat donations to help locals get through winter

EPHRATA – In a world where the cold can bite and hunger gnaws at the edges of self-esteem, a local nonprofit, His Helping Hands, is turning that frost into warmth and that hunger into nourishment. Founded in 2011, the organization continues to make an impact through outreach programs, including a coat closet and a Christmas gift giveaway for children.

Mavs’ historic season ends with quarterfinal appearance

MOSES LAKE — On Saturday, the Moses Lake Mavericks (11-1) fell to the Lake Stevens Vikings 76-41 on the road in the quarterfinals of the 4A state football tournament. Despite the loss, Head Coach Brett Jay was proud of how his players fought to the end.

Grant Fairgrounds suspends riding activities amid EHV-1 outbreak

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fairgrounds has announced a suspension of all private riding and open riding activities until at least December 16, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 that was initially reported in Waco, Texas.

Lions volleyball reflects on successful season

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Christian Covenant School Lions ended their season with a 10-8 overall record in the district tournament. Lions Head Coach Dean Spurbeck said it was a great season for the team and highlights the development the program has seen in recent years.

Purple Sage Meadows developer considering suit against Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — A dispute between North Pacific Investments and the city of Soap Lake has intensified following NPI’s recent decision to file a formal legal appeal against the city's administration. The developer says Mayor Peter Sharp's denial of the Purple Sage Meadows' affordable housing project—a $66 million initiative intended to provide 232 affordable homes—represents an unjustified obstruction of the planned development.

$75M Ephrata schools bond to go on February ballot

EPHRATA – The Ephrata School Board unanimously approved to move forward on the $75 million bond proposition on the February 2026 ballot to replace Grant Elementary and Parkway Intermediate schools along with partially renovating Ephrata High School.

Rehaume retiring as Othello PD chief

OTHELLO — Aaron Garza has been appointed as interim chief of the Othello Police Department, effective Nov. 30, when current Othello PD Chief Dave Rehaume retires. Rehaume announced his retirement Monday. Mayor-elect Ken Johnson said how the city will fill the permanent job is still to be determined.