JOEL MARTIN
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves.
Recent Stories
Improv camp coming to Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake students can immerse themselves in the world of improvisational theater at a new camp coming in August. “It’s an entry point for 7- to 18-year-olds into theater and improv comedy,” said Columbia Basin Allied Arts Director Shawn Cardwell. “They’ll go through the games and the thought processes behind improv acting.” The week-long camp, called Yes, And Academy, will take students through four different classes with multiple instructors, where they’ll learn scene work, devising, improv fundamentals, and performance through fun, interactive improv games and exercises, according to an announcement from CBAA, which is collaborating with MG Teams of Spokane to produce the camp. Students will get to explore a variety of games and activities tailored to their age group, according to the announcement. Classes will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, with a lunch break. Students should bring their own lunch, according to the announcement.
Achieving the dream
Catholic Charities brings homeownership into the realm of the possible
MOSES LAKE — Catholic Charities Housing Services, based in Yakima, operates multi-family housing in 19 communities including Moses Lake, George, Royal City, Warden and Mattawa. Some of those residential properties are for seniors, some for farmworkers, some for anyone who needs an apartment to rent. But for those residents who are ready to move beyond renting, CCHS has programs to help them get into a home of their own. “We have two different models that allow families access to homeownership opportunities,” CCHS Vice President and Director of Housing Services Bryan Ketcham said. “They're both sweat equity-based, a component where there's buy in and commitment from the families.”
BASIN EVENTS: July 10-18
COLUMBIA BASIN — Whether you soak up the sun or the air conditioning, there’s something happening to suit you in the Basin this week. Check these out.
Drought prospects looking dire this year, experts say
The question isn’t whether we’ll have a drought in the Inland Northwest this summer, according to regional experts. It’s just a question of how bad it will get.
Tribute, cover bands finish out Moses Lake’s summer concert series
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Summer Concert Series, sponsored by the Moses Lake Creative District, has come into its own in its fourth year, said Creative Programs Coordinator Jenni Shelton. “I think it’s growing, as things like this do,” Shelton said. “We didn’t have super high attendance with our first two concerts this summer, but we had bad weather. It wasn’t very warm out and there had been rain earlier in the day. But I think word is getting our more and I’m hoping that these tribute bands are going to get people out even more.” Two of this year’s concerts were tied in with other events: R and B singer Lady A performed at Juneteenth and the 133d Army National Guard band performed last week at Red, White and Boom. In between, tejano/conjunto band Los Volcanes de Eddie Rodriguez brought the sounds of the south Texas border country to the Centennial Amphitheater.
Ouija board leads to car prowl arrested
MOSES LAKE — A Ouija board led to an arrest in a vehicle break-in Friday afternoon, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department.
George celebrates Independence Day in a big way
GEORGE — The town of George, Washington began its existence as a city on July 4, 1957, and it’s been celebrating America ever since. But this Independence Day marked a quarter of a millennium of American history, and that meant going above and beyond the usual festivities. “I love the enthusiasm people have for the red, white and blue this year,” said Marissa Vela of Ephrata, who had her Blessed Beads vendor booth set up at the George Community Park. “I think it makes America feel so (much) heart with the 250th year, plus the World Cup. I’m loving that vibe.” George’s celebration had many of the elements that have been par for the course in past years: the parade, the patriotic program with song and speakers and the town’s trademark, the world’s largest cherry pie. In addition, there was a historical display by the Quincy Valley Historical Society, where reenactors showed kids how Benjamin Franklin’s printing press worked, recounted the experiences of a young Revolutionary War soldier and let them sign the Declaration of Independence with an actual quill pen. The display made the rounds of Quincy-area elementary schools earlier this year, said QVHS Director Harriet Weber, and gave those students a perspective they might not otherwise have had.
One man arrested in MLPD chase
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Friday following a brief police chase Friday morning. Canaan Nickolas Elliott, 18, was arrested on an out-of-county warrant in the Cascade Valley area of Moses Lake, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department. Elliott was previously arrested in June on suspicion of third-degree retail theft with special circumstances, obstructing a law enforcement officer and second-degree burglary, according to Columbia Basin Herald archives.
Over 100 fire calls made across Grant County during Fourth of July weekend
MOSES LAKE — Fireworks sparked over 100 fire calls across Grant County during the Fourth of July holiday, stretching local fire agencies and volunteers as crews raced from one incident to the next under dangerous fire weather conditions. "All I can say is wow," Grant County Fire Marshal Nathan Poplawski said in a statement released following the holiday weekend. The amount of fires responded to over the Fourth of July weekend was roughly double the number recorded during the first week of the county's burn restrictions, according to Poplawski.
Purple Party to kick off Alzheimer’s fundraising July 16
MOSES LAKE — The Walk to End Alzheimer’s technically takes place in September, but in fact, it starts two months earlier at the Purple Party. “I like to call it the pre-party to the Walk,” Cox said. “It gets people energized to build their teams.” This year’s Purple Party is on July 16 at Brookdale Hearthstone in Moses Lake, the second year it’s been held there. Before that it was held at an outdoor venue, and the change has been a welcome one, Cox said. “It was always so hot,” she said. “The participants were grateful that it was inside and air-conditioned.