JOEL MARTIN

CBAA auction moves inside with Kentucky Derby theme

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Allied Arts fundraiser auction will have a new venue this year, at the Best Western Plus Lake Front Hotel in Moses Lake. “They catered last year … and it was great,” CBAA Executive Director Shawn Cardwell said. “It felt like it would be fun to change it up … We really look forward to that beautiful lake view.”

Hayden Homes named Great Place to Work

REDMOND, Ore. — Hayden Homes is officially a great place to work, according to an announcement from the company.

Two dead after collisions near Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Two collisions left a driver and passenger dead on Road 3 Northeast near Moses Lake Sunday afternoon, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. At about 4:45 p.m., the Washington State Patrol responded to a report of a hit-and-run collision on State Route 17 at the Stratford Road intersection, according to a statement from the WSP. An unidentified male driving a 2003 Toyota Corolla attempted to exit SR 17 at the same time as Savana R. Oliphant, 19, of Moses Lake. Oliphant was transported to Samaritan Hospital with injuries, and the unknown driver fled the scene with Grant County Sheriff’s deputies in pursuit.

BBCC Job & Career Fair returns Thursday

MOSES LAKE — There are jobs out there, and people who are looking for jobs, and the two will come together Thursday at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake. “We’re incredibly excited to welcome more than 60 exhibitors to campus for the 33rd annual Job & Career Fair,” Alissa Scriven, Career Pathways Coordinator at Big Bend Community College, wrote in an announcement. “Each year, this event continues to grow, and it reflects the strong partnerships we have with local employers and organizations that are committed to strengthening our workforce. It’s a unique opportunity for students and community members to have real conversations with employers and explore what’s possible right here in our region.” The Job Fair is hosted by BBCC, and organized in conjunction with Washington State Employment Security, OIC of Washington, the Department of Services for the Blind, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services/DVR, SkillSource and Job Corps, all agencies that help connect people with jobs. Those entities will have booths, but they’ll be joined by scores of employers from the private sector looking to expand their teams.

Pipes, punk and tradition

Leavenworth to host Cascade Celtic Festival

MOSES LAKE — The pipes will skirl and the fiddles will ring out at the Cascade Celtic Festival in Leavenworth May 1-3. “Building on the success of its inaugural year, the 2026 festival expands its programming, deepens its cultural partnerships, and welcomes visitors for a full weekend of music, dance, storytelling, artisan craft, and community connection,” Festival President Alice Cloutier wrote in a press release announcing the festival. The festival will feature traditional – and not-so-traditional – Scottish and Irish music by more than 20 artists, many from Washington but also coming from Northern Ireland and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. There are also dance troupes from the Northwest and beyond, showing fancy footwork to Celtic strains. Three stages will showcase everything from traditional pipe and drum bands to high-energy Celtic punk rock.

BASIN EVENTS: April 17-25

COLUMBIA BASIN — Is it spring or isn’t it? You’d never know by the way the weather has gone back and forth this month. Don’t let that stop you from getting out and doing things this week, though. Here are some things to check out: April 17 Safe Kids, Strong Communities Free family-friendly event in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Pizza, face painting, child safety education and hands-on activities for children of all ages and abilities, as well as prize giveaways. All children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. 3-7 p.m. at Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. Info: 509-764-8402.

Support students and save some green at FFA plant sales

MOSES LAKE — This is the time of year when FFA students get to show the fruits of their labor – literally – at plant sales all over the Columbia Basin. Nearly every high school will offer flower and vegetable starts for sale around the end of April and the beginning of May.

The Way Cafe opens in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — It had only been open about an hour and a half, but already The Way Cafe was bustling Tuesday morning.

Hands-on history

Youth Heritage Project to explore Ellensburg history, alternative energy

MOSES LAKE — Some students in the Columbia Basin will get a chance to experience history at close range this summer. The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting applications for its four-day Youth Heritage Project, which will be July 13-16 in Ellensburg this year. “We go to different places in the state every year … and do a deep dive into a place,” said Moira Nadal, director of preservation for the WTHP. “We … want the students to have a chance to get to know a place. They could be in a classroom anywhere, (but) walking around, spending time in a place, doing site visits, those are really important.”

Ephrata Youth Fishing Derby Saturday

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Lions Club will host its annual Youth Fishing Derby from 6 to 8 a.m. this Saturday at Ping Pond, formerly Oasis Park Pond, according to Lions Club member Bill Sangster. The event is free for all children 4-14 years old. No registration is necessary; kids can just show up and fish. A fish farm is stocking the pond, Sangster said. “They (said they’re) going to put some big ones in, six- or seven-pounders,” Sangster said.