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
Keeping it small
Top Plumbing owners settle into Basin life
MOSES LAKE — Sometimes, when you need a plumber, you really need a plumber. When that happens, you want one who’s reliable and who won’t break the bank. Steve West considers himself one of those. “I do what I say,” West said. “I'm super honest. So if I tell you (I’ll be there at) 8, I’m usually a little before. I don't change prices. They go up if I have to, according to my costs, but there's a lot of people who take advantage of not enough workers. I do not do that. My price doesn't change no matter who you are. You're important to me as the next guy, the next guy and the next guy.” West and his wife Lisa West own Top Plumbing, which had its official ribbon-cutting Oct. 24. The Wests moved to Moses Lake last year from Whidbey Island, drawn by the small-town atmosphere and the sunshine.
Getting Elite in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE – Realtors Jeff Smart, left, and Dave Shinabarger cut the ribbon on the new Home Smart Elite Brokers Moses Lake office, located at 1845 W. Broadway Ave., on Wednesday. For more stories on the real estate business, home decorating and more, see our Homes section in today’s paper - Section D.
Realtors cut ribbon on new Moses Lake office
Realtors Jeff Smart, left, and Dave Shinabarger cut the ribbon on the new Home Smart Elite Brokers Moses Lake office, located at 1845 W. Broadway Ave., on Wednesday.
Drive-by victim dies; homicide charges planned
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man wounded in a drive-by shooting Sunday has died, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The GCSO announced the death of Dominick D. Hernandez, 18, Tuesday in a 6:30 a.m. statement. Hernandez was driving north on SR 17 Sunday afternoon with his passenger Justin I. Wilson, also 18, of Moses Lake, when he was shot by the driver of another vehicle, Sergio Miguel Herrera, 20, of Moses Lake, according to court documents. Hernandez’s vehicle crashed and rolled on its roof, according to witnesses.
Moses Lake fire claims one
MOSES LAKE – One person died in a fire in Moses Lake Sunday, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Fire Department.
Drive-by leaves two in hospital, one in jail
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man is in Grant County Jail and two others are in the hospital following a shooting and high-speed chase Sunday afternoon.
Samaritan culture, staffing, public perception discussed at candidate forum
MOSES LAKE — Four candidates for Grant County Hospital District 1, which oversees Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake, addressed voters at a candidate forum Oct. 24.
Feds announce changes to reverse mortgage program
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Housing Administration released new proposed policy updates to its Home Equity Conversion Program, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Vanguard gets creative for kids’ Halloween event
MOSES LAKE — Spiders, cows, ghosts and the occasional giant chicken took over Vanguard Academy Tuesday for the school’s Halloween trick-or-treat event...
Moses Lake Presbyterian marks 115 years Sunday
MOSES LAKE — The roots of Moses Lake Presbyterian Church run deep, a fact that the church will celebrate Sunday with a special service on its 115th birthday.
‘Praise and cheers’
St. Rose of Lima School readies its 40th benefit auction
EPHRATA — St. Rose of Lima Catholic School will celebrate “Praise and Cheers to 40 years” at its annual fundraiser auction and dinner Nov. 11.
Water, housing big topics for Moses Lake City Council candidates
MOSES LAKE — Four candidates for the Moses Lake City Council had an opportunity to make their positions clear at a candidate forum Oct. 24.
MLSD candidates swap perspectives at forum
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake voters had the opportunity to hear from 14 candidates for local offices Oct. 24. The forum, hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, The Columbia Basin Herald and KWIQ, allowed hopefuls for the Moses Lake City Council, the Moses Lake School Board and Grant County Hospital District No. 1 to speak a little bit about themselves and their visions for the positions they sought, and to answer pre-selected questions relating to those offices. The moderator was Alan Heroux, an ambassador with the Chamber, and the timekeeper was Karisti Cox of Summer Wood. Each candidate was asked two questions which were alternated, so each candidate had a chance to answer one of the questions first and one second.
Immanuel Lutheran Church bell to be rededicated
MOSES LAKE — Immanuel Lutheran Church’s bell will ring out again Sunday. The bell has been out of commission for several years, said Pastor Walter Klockers. After extensive repairs, it’s ready to peal again. Immanuel Lutheran is unusual in having an actual physical bell, Klockers said; most churches these days either use electronic carillons or forgo the tradition altogether. “I was surprised at the size of it,” Klockers said. “Thirty-six inches across and 700 pounds is quite a thing.”
Top Plumbers
MOSES LAKE – Steve West, left, and Leessa West, owners of Top Plumbing, surrounded by Moses Lake Chambber of Commerce ambassadors, prepare to cut the ribbon outside the chamber office Tuesday afternoon. The Wests moved their business to Moses Lake four months ago from Whidbey Island, Steve said, drawn by good weather and friendly people.
Royal schools celebrate end of construction
ROYAL CITY — A small but enthusiastic crowd came to the Royal School District’s newly remodeled transportation center to celebrate the completion of construction at the district’s four schools. Seventeen people attended the event, which included a slide presentation by Superintendent Roger Trail, as well as homemade cookies. The traditional gold shovel and oversized scissors were present, but not needed.
Recognizing service
Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce honors outstanding members, welcomes new board
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce honored two of its members at its 82nd annual meeting and banquet Oct. 17. Terri Riley Brown of Assured Home and Hospice was named the Ambassador of the Year, and Kevin Burgess of Windermere Real Estate received the Chairman’s Award...
‘Compassion leads the way’
Crossroads banquet raises money for pregnancy support
MOSES LAKE — Crossroads Resource Center’s work is all about compassion, attendees at the center’s fundraising banquet heard Saturday night.
Moses Lake Chamber to hold candidate forum Wednesday
MOSES LAKE — Candidates for Moses Lake elected offices will have a chance to be heard Wednesday at a forum sponsored by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, KWIQ and the Columbia Basin Herald. The forum will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam.
Gourd standard
Growing pumpkins at home is easier than it looks
MOSES LAKE — They’re everywhere this time of year, those round orange gourds. As soon as October rolls around, commercial pumpkin patches start doing a business as brisk as the weather. But home gardeners can grow the decorative – and often tasty – gourds as well...
Pumpkin patch kids
MOSES LAKE - Alice Westergard, 1 ½, left, and 6-month-old Heath Westergard explore pumpkin leaves at Rue & Sage in Moses Lake Wednesday morning. See Friday’s Homes section for pumpkin growing tips.
Gård Public House keeps it local, serves regionally
ROYAL CITY — Everybody loves a “best-kept secret,” a place they can introduce their friends to that hasn’t been discovered yet by the public at large. And Royal City boasts just such a gem: Gård Public House. “We had people say ‘We love Gård; we don't want to tell anybody about it because we love keeping it to ourselves,” said Josh Lawrence, who owns Gård with his wife, Lisa...
Crossroads fundraiser banquet coming Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Crossroads Pregnancy Center will hold its annual fundraiser banquet Saturday, according to an announcement from the center. The event will be held in the Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial Building, according to the announcement. Fellowship and seating will begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will begin at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “The Shelter in the Storm,” according to the announcement. The guest speaker is Kirk Walden, author of “Saving Samaria.” All funds benefit Crossroads Pregnancy Center, which has facilities in Ephrata and Moses Lake and provides support for pregnant women and children with free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, parenting classes, breastfeeding support and diapers and clothing, according to its website. More information can be found at pregnancywa.org.
Multiple fires over the weekend in Grant County
EPHRATA — Firefighters from Grant County Fire District 13 responded to several wildfires over the last week, according to a statement from the fire district...
One D charging up in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE – Dirt flies at the groundbreaking Monday for One D Battery Sciences’ silane offloading station, part of the company’s new Moses Lake facility...
Wizards, witches and house elves
Boys & Girls Club auction takes on a magical air
MOSES LAKE — The ATEC Building at Big Bend Community College was awash with magic Saturday, as witches, wizards and the occasional house elf turned out for “A Night at Hogwarts,” to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin. “It was great, wasn't it?” said Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Kim Pope. “Between the decorating, and the people that dress up when they come, they really embrace whatever our theme is for the year. That's one of the reasons that we do it; we really want to capture that ambiance.”’ The night was certainly a success for the club. Pope was still working on the exact figures at press time, but she said preliminary numbers were in excess of $200,000. A raffle for a house donated by CAD Homes of Moses Lake didn’t sell enough tickets for the actual house to be built, but the net proceeds were split between the club and the winner, to the tune of about $35,000 apiece, Pope said.
Caffeinated music: George CoffeeHouse concert series begins Oct. 21
GEORGE — The George CoffeeHouse Concert Series begins this month at the George Community Hall, according to an announcement from the series’ organizers...
Royal City to see new housing development
ROYAL CITY — Royal City will have some new housing opportunities soon. “There's going to be single- to two-family, four-family and multifamily components of this project, and then (also) some public dedication for continuing an existing pathway,” said Sara Prather, the land development manager for CAD Homes, which is developing the project...
Christensen appointed Royal City mayor
ROYAL CITY — The torch was passed at the Royal city City Council meeting Tuesday, as Council Member Michael Christensen was sworn in as the city’s new mayor. Christensen replaced Mayor P. Kent Anderson, who announced his resignation last month...
Wildfire season winds down
MOSES LAKE — Most of the wildfires that flared up in Washington this summer are out, according to information from the National Interagency Fire Center...
The ride stuff
Young cyclists test their skills at bike rodeo
MOSES LAKE — It was wheels, wheels everywhere at the Larson Recreation Center Saturday as kids turned out in droves for the annual bike rodeo, officially called the Bicycle Activities, Repairs, Giveaway and Skills event. The rec center, which opened in December, gave organizers some elbow room to add some things. “We have a lot to work with,” said Richard Teals, a member of the Moses Lake Trail Planning Team, which organized the rodeo along with the Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake. “The obstacle course is a big hit inside the hockey rink. Then we have all the bike giveaways, and the GTA is here with their new buses, which of course carry bicycles all around the county.”
Darling dahlias
Nursery owner offers tour, growing tips
MOSES LAKE — Everything you always wanted to know about growing dahlias will be on display Monday. Valerie Parrott, owner of Pieces by Parrott in Moses Lake, held a dahlia tour on Sept. 25, and has another coming up on Monday. Parrott’s nursery supplies several local florists as well as her own flower-arranging business. In the course of that, she’s built up a reputation over the years for her skill with the finicky flowers and has invited the public to see her dahlia patch. About 50 people came out last week for the tour...
Okanagan Specialty Fruits opens Moses Lake packing facility
MOSES LAKE — The new Okanagan Specialty Fruits facility had its official ribbon-cutting Wednesday before a crowd of OSF team members, Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members and local dignitaries. Along with the ceremony, the company offered a catered lunch along with tours of the plant and of an apple orchard...
Groundbreaking held for new Royal City Library
ROYAL CITY — The golden shovels did their job Wednesday in Royal City as the Royal City Friends of the Library broke ground for the new library building downtown, tangible evidence of a dream a long time in the making...
UMANI Festival returns Saturday
MOSES LAKE — The second annual UMANI festival takes place Saturday in Moses Lake, and it looks to be even bigger than the first.
FIRE REPORT: Rain stops Cowlitz Complex fire growth
MOSES LAKE — About an inch of rain fell on the Cowlitz Complex fires in the Cascades Tuesday, with more expected Wednesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The 30-fire complex, which has been burning since Aug. 25 in the Cascades between Mount Rainier and the Columbia River, has been showing little to no activity since the rain began, although the Grassy Mountain fire was still producing a small amount of smoke. The complex was 39% contained Wednesday at 731 acres. Cost estimates had risen to $18.3 million...
Throwing starfish
Down syndrome Buddy Walk spotlights parents, caregivers
MOSES LAKE — The annual Columbia Basin Buddy Walk drew a bigger crowd than expected Saturday. “We don’t have a number yet, but more than last year,” said Denise Ketola, one of the event’s organizers. One estimate had between 350 and 400 people, she added...
FIRE REPORT: Fire danger remains high, air quality good in the Basin
MOSES LAKE — Due to rainy weather, the Blue Lake fire that has burned in the Cascades since July 29 was showing minimal fire activity Tuesday, according to an update from the U.S. Forest Service. The fire, located about 53 miles west of Omak, is 80% contained at 1,074 acres, according to the USFS. It’s expected to be fully contained Sunday...
Subaru, potato truck collision leads to injuries
MOSES LAKE – Three people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after their car caught fire in a collision Monday afternoon. Simon Simons, 48, of Wilbur and his passenger Erika Simons, also 48, of Wilbur were driving south in a 2021 Subaru Outback on Road W Northeast just east of Moses Lake at about 5 p.m., according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. Simons ran the stop sign at Road 3 Northeast at about 55 miles per hour and was struck by a 2008 Peterbilt 386 loaded with potatoes and driven by Jesus Munoz Chacon, 37, of Warden.
News Bites for Sept. 26, 2023
News updates from first responder agencies from around the Columbia Basin.
FIRE REPORT: Annual burn ban ends Sept. 30 as fires continue across state
MOSES LAKE — The burn ban in Grant and Adams counties ends Saturday, according to Grant County Fire District 3’s website. Once the ban is lifted, the normal regulations will apply to residential and agricultural burning, the website said...
FIRE REPORT: Fire season not over yet
OLYMPIA — The weather is cooling, but fire danger is still high, according to a statement from Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. Citing elevated temperatures and dry fuel conditions, Franz highlighted the need to protect both residents and firefighters from avoidable wildfire danger...
Past perfect
Moses Lake-raised author takes pains to research her historical novels
MOSES LAKE — You could say A.L. Sowards is living in the past.
FIRE REPORT: Olympic blazes still growing, Dorian fire 30% contained
KENNEWICK — The Dorian fire outside of Wallula between Kennewick and Walla Walla, was 30% contained at 200 acres Wednesday according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. It was human-caused, according to the DNR, but the specific cause was under investigation.
Playing through
Ten Pin mini-golf opens in Moses Lake to let locals putt their way to fun
MOSES LAKE — The new Ten Pin miniature golf course is a family dream come true. “(It’s) something we've always kind of talked about doing,” said Cale Russell, the CEO of Ten Pin Territory, which includes Lake Bowl, Ten Pin Brewing, Papa’s Casino and Ten Pin Inn & Suites, all located on the north side of SR 17 where it crosses Stratford Road. “There were plans kind of hanging in the office for years that we've toyed with.” ...
Walking buddies
Down Syndrome event to spotlight and honor parents, caregivers
MOSES LAKE — People with Down Syndrome, along with their friends and families, will gather Saturday at McCosh Park for the 11th annual Buddy Walk, hosted by the Down Syndrome Society of Grant County. The walk will be the same as in past years, but the festivities beforehand will have a little something extra. “We are honoring caregivers and parents for the first time,” said Denise Ketola, one of the organizers of the event and the mother of a 20-year-old with Down Syndrome. “That’s kind of our theme; it’s the first time we’ve done that.” ...
FIRE REPORT: Firefighters knock down blaze in Soap Lake, fires season continues statewide
SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7, with a little help from its friends, extinguished a 2-acre wildfire Monday night in Soap Lake, according to a statement from the fire district. At about 10:45, GCFD 7 responded to a report of a structure fire at Division Street and SR 28, the statement said. When firefighters arrived, they found that no structures were actually burning, but a commercial building and multiple residences were threatened. Making matters worse were high winds, light fuels and a power pole brought down as a result of the fire...
FIRE REPORT: Blazes grow in WA over the weekend as red flag warnings go out
MOSES LAKE — The wildfires in Olympic National Park grew over the weekend, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, while red flag warnings due to low humidity and relatively high winds held over much of the state...
Othello parade brings out folks of all ages
OTHELLO — People young and old, local and visiting, lined Othello’s Main Street Saturday morning for the Othello Parade. The weather was beautifully cooperative, warm but not scorching, and not a cloud to be seen...
FIRE REPORT: Fire Science program starts, fire season continues across the state
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Fire Department had a chance to welcome students from the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center’s new Fire Science program recently, according to an announcement from the MLFD. Students in the program spend three class periods a day preparing for the career options of firefighting, dispatch, emergency medical services and wildland firefighting. The program also offers opportunities for scholarships, higher education and residency programs, the announcement said.