Vanguard Academy celebrates first graduating class

MOSES LAKE — Vanguard Academy made history June 4 with the graduation of its inaugural class. The ceremony, held at Lion’s Field, featured heartfelt speeches from both staff and students as they reflected on the unique journey of project-based learning and the bonds formed throughout their high school experience. Vanguard Principal Mathew Stevens addressed attendees, emphasizing the significance of the moment.

MLSD celebrates inaugural graduation of Digital Learning Center

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District marked a historic milestone on May 4, as the Digital Learning Center proudly held its inaugural graduation ceremony at Lions Field. The school has had two other graduating classes, but they have been previously combined with Moses Lake High School. The event celebrated the academic achievements of the first graduating class, comprising a diverse group of students who have successfully completed their high school education through innovative digital learning methods. Attended by family, friends, educators, and community members, the ceremony featured heartfelt speeches, reflections on personal growth, and acknowledgments of the challenges faced throughout the academic year. “Your accomplishment marks not only a personal achievement but also the promise of a new beginning,” said Superintendent Carol Lewis during her opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of community support and perseverance throughout the students’ educational journeys.

MLHS Class of 2025 steps out into the world

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School Class of 2025 celebrated a milestone on Tuesday evening as 386 graduates participated in the commencement ceremony held at the school’s stadium. The air was filled with excitement and pride as families and friends gathered to honor the achievements of the graduating class, marking the completion of their high school journey. Principal Sheila Kries opened the ceremony, reflecting on the unique challenges faced by students over the past few years, particularly during the pandemic. “When you arrived at Moses Lake High School as ninth-graders, I was your assistant principal,” she said. “I fondly recall interacting with you and the memorable chaos that ensued as the school reopened post-COVID.” Her remarks served as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability the students demonstrated throughout their high school years.

ACH Warriors celebrate accomplishments at commencement

COULEE CITY – Last Saturday marked the end of an era at Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School for the class of 2025 as they graduated from high school and head into their futures.

'One of the biggest milestones in life' reached for Warden grads

WARDEN – Warden High School held their graduation ceremony last Friday to celebrate their students as they move on from high school and into their futures. “To the class of 2025, we did it. But more importantly, you did,” said Miliany Pruneda, Warden High School’s valedictorian. “You have accomplished one of the biggest milestones in life, high school graduation.”

Legals for June, 12 2025

Proposed TRIO cuts to impact around 1,300 BBCC students

MOSES LAKE – Big Bend Community College held its monthly board of trustees meeting last Thursday. They discussed their meeting with Congressman Dan Newhouse’s team on the topic of the One Big Beautiful Bill and 2025 graduation stats. “In the One Big, Beautiful Bill, there are some proposals in there to make some significant cuts to programs that really matter to our students and to our service district,” said BBCC President Sara Thompson Tweedy. “We wanted to make sure that anybody who was going to vote on that bill (is) aware of those direct impacts to their constituents.”

Adopt a cat ready to blossom in your home

MOSES LAKE – Meet Cherry, the purr-fectly sweet addition to your fruit bowl of life. This little domestic diva is spayed, vaccinated and ripe for adoption. Make your home a-peel-ing and whisker away this charming kitty today by visiting GrantCountyAnimalOutreach.org. If you can’t adopt but you would like to help a local shelter visit the website and click “donate.”

Jacks reflect on 2025 baseball season

QUINCY – The Quincy Jackrabbits baseball team finished their 2025 season with a 5-15 record and entered the District Five tournament as the seventh seed. This was their first year back in 2A as they played in the Central Washington Athletic Conference. “We wanted to try and secure a home field opening round district game,” said Jacks’ head coach Seth Longwill. “Keep improving, working up, having some momentum going into districts and be able to play with anybody to give ourselves a chance to advance.”

Gorge shooting suspect appears in court

EPHRATA – James Kelly, the suspect in the June 2023 shooting at the Beyond Wonderland music festival, appeared in court Tuesday morning when his defense team requested a continuance for his omnibus hearing.

Women’s hockey is on the rise in Pacific Northwest, with young girls excited about PWHL's arrival

SEATTLE (AP) — Elly Garcia-Dudek can't help but gaze out toward the ice during hockey practices at the Kraken Community Iceplex.

Ephrata water tower gets its top

EPHRATA — The construction of the new Ephrata water tower reached a significant milestone on Saturday morning with the successful placement of its lid, marking the completion of the tower's main structural components. As community members looked on, the lid was hoisted to its final position, a crucial step forward in a project that is expected to enhance water pressure and reliability for residents. Mayor Bruce Reim, who has been closely following the project, expressed his excitement about the progress.

‘It was humongous’

Little Big Show expands this weekend

WILSON CREEK — The Little Big Show keeps getting bigger. “Last year we doubled,” said organizer Nicholas Odorizzi. “We usually have 100 cars, and last year we had 208. It was humongous.”

Gallery: Sunset photos

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Herald asked readers to post their best sunset photos and where they were taken on Facebook, and the readers came through. With hundreds to choose from, here are our staff’s top 10 picks:

Legals for June, 11 2025

Three arrested after trespassing near Hiawatha Lake

MOSES LAKE – Friday afternoon, three people were arrested after they re-entered the site previously known as Hiawatha Homeless Camp, near Hiawatha Lake, in the 1200 block of North Frontage Road East.

Former Hatton town clerk-treasurer arrested for theft from town

RITZVILLE — The former Hatton clerk-treasurer and fire chief turned himself in to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office June 6 while under investigation for first-degree theft, first-degree possession of stolen property and seven counts of mail theft. Jared Potts, Lind, allegedly misappropriated town funds and kept town equipment at his home.

Othello park rental fee revision sparks heated discussion

OTHELLO — Park rental fees in Othello have been amended after some confusion led to an overcharge of the Othello Chamber of Commerce and a spirited discussion between Othello City Council members and city employees Monday.

Warden School District appoints Brouillet as interim superintendent

WARDEN — The Warden School District Board of Directors announced the appointment of Marc Brouillet June 4 as Interim Superintendent, effective July 1. Former Superintendent Scott West has taken the position of executive director of safety and well-being at Moses Lake School District.

Mavericks softball season recap

MOSES LAKE — The Mavericks softball team concluded the 2025 season with a 16-9 record and appearances in the 4A district title game and the state tournament. Despite not bringing home hardware, Head Coach Mike Hofheins said his team had a successful season. “I think we had confidence within ourselves that we were going to be right in it for a league title, and we were, and we were able to capture the regular season title, and we took second in districts and qualified for state,” he said. The Mavericks started off 1-2; they won their first game against Walla Walla but dropped two in a row to Mt. Spokane and Richland. Despite the losses, Hofheins said those two games showed him what his team was capable of. According to him, his team was able to hang with both of them and put up a fight.