Blue Heron sign to be highlighted with kiosk

MOSES LAKE — A sign at Blue Heron Park will become a little more visible soon. The Moses Lake Trails Planning Team has purchased lumber for a kiosk to go over a sign showing the native plants on the Joseph K. Gavinski Trail that runs between Blue Heron Park and the Cove West neighborhood, team member Louis Logan wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. Erik Nielson’s wood shop class at Vanguard Academy will build the kiosk, he added.

WA's ban on high-capacity magazines ruled unconstitutional

(The Center Square)/OLYMPIA – A judge in Cowlitz County briefly handed a victory to gun rights supporters in Washington before the state's highest court said not so fast.

Port of Moses Lake names new director

MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake has selected Dan Roach as its new executive director, port commissioners said at their meeting Monday.

LETTER: Be mad about the past, but don’t make our kids pay for it.

As someone who worked really hard to keep the second high school that was approved by voters in the 2017 bond election, I’m very troubled when I hear people citing that situation as a justification for voting no on the current levy election. Levies directly benefit students. If this levy was put up for a vote in 2018, I’d still vote in favor of it. My focus is on doing what is best for the kids, and that’s what the community should focus on as well.

Bills combating fentanyl, opioid addiction in Washington state made law

OLYMPIA/(The Center Square) – Washington state now has more tools to deal with fentanyl addiction in the form of a pair of bills sponsored by Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, that were signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Agencies team up to head off fire season

OLYMPIA — A collection of state and federal agencies will join forces this year to combat wildfires, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Ecology.

Various factors driving up car insurance premiums in Washington

THE CENTER SQUARE – On the heels of a double-digit increase last year, Washington state drivers can expect to pay even more for auto insurance this year. A report by personal finance website Value Penguin estimates Evergreen State motorists will see the second biggest increase in premiums in the nation this year, at 18%.

Sprint to success: Mavs 4x100 relay team breaks school record set in 1978

MOSES LAKE — As everybody who’s ever been involved in track and field knows, relays are tough. Sprint relays are even tougher. Not only does the leadoff have to get out of the blocks - a clean start is crucial in sprints - but the handoffs have to be precise, especially when runners are coming in fast and going out fast. It’s so easy to mess up the pass. Or worse, drop the baton...

Flooring experts

Basin Select Surfaces opens doors in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Basin Select Surfaces is brand-new, but they’re moving quickly to offer flooring options to area homeowners. “We got the keys to the actual building in November,” said Ruvim Nakonechny, who owns the business in partnership with his brother-in-law Dennis Andriychuk. “Then we started doing a bunch of remodeling, and then … on the 23rd of March, we opened the doors for business.” Basin Select Surfaces is a three-man family operation, Nakonechny said. Andriychuk came over from the west side, where he did contracting work, when he married Nakonechny’s sister, he said, and Ruvim Nakonechny’s brother Mark works for them as well. Both Andriychuk and the Nakonechny brothers come from large families, and opening day included lots of younger siblings waving signs on the corner by the Alder Street Fill and up the sidewalk along Broadway.

Disclosure commission welcomes new leader

OLYMPIA — Jim Oswald was named to the Public Disclosure Commission by Gov. Jay Inslee April 1, according to an announcement from the PDC.

Inconvenient accommodation

Short-term rentals have Moses Lake residents upset, but city may be able to help

MOSES LAKE — The prevalence of short-term or vacation rentals has upset some people in Moses Lake. “(There’s been) increased activity, a lot of vehicles and trailers,” said Moses Lake resident Rebecca Hutsell, who said her neighborhood has at least four homes available for short-term rental that she knows of. Traffic through the one entrance into her neighborhood can get hectic, she said. “Everybody wants to bring their trailers ... A lot of strangers in the neighborhood we don't know,” Hutsell said.

Eldon J. Clark

Nov. 21, 1934 – April 2, 2024

This obituary was written by Eldon before he died. Eldon J. Clark, 89, went the way of all living and died, April 2, 2024, at his country home in Moses Lake, Wash.

Columbia Basin Foundation works to help establish legacies

EPHRATA – The Columbia Basin Foundation has been working for years now to help ensure community members throughout the Basin can leave a lasting legacy in their hometowns, counties and communities they’re a part of, said Corrine Isaak, CBF executive director. That was the goal set by founders Rick Honsowetz and Randy Dickinson, she said.

Sail On to bring sounds of Beach Boys to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The sounds of endless summer come to the stage at the Wallenstien Theater April 9. Sail On, a quintet paying tribute to the Beach Boys, performs at 7 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the Central Basin Community Concert Association.

Legals for April, 4 2024

Ephrata Chamber events scheduled

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce has dates set for its annual events for 2024. More information regarding these events may be found at EphrataChamber.org.

Distracted driving emphasis patrols continuing through April 8

OLYMPIA — Law enforcement agencies across the state will be conducting emphasis patrols focusing on distracted driving through April 8, according to a press release from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Road upgrades near Gorge Amphitheater on schedule

GEORGE — The asphalt is going down on sections of Silica Road Northwest and Southwest and West Baseline Road near the Gorge Amphitheater. Grant County Engineer David Bren said the project is on schedule. “They’re paving already,” Bren said.

Annis "Ann" Smith

Feb. 19, 1937 — March 21, 2024

Annis (Ann) Smith, 87, passed away peacefully March 21, 2024, in Ephrata, Wash. She was born Feb. 19, 1937, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Harold and Thelma Hutton.

Jane Dione Pierpoint

Dec. 22, 1937 – Dec. 4, 2023

Jane Dione Pierpoint, 85, an amazing, caring, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister was called Home on December 4, 2023. Jane was born to Frank and Viola Pierpoint on December 22, 1937, Jane grew up in Coulee City, Wash., the seventh of twelve children. Jane's greatest love was her family. She cherished time spent with family. Especially important were holiday get-togethers and the annual Pierpoint-Nutt reunion.