JOEL MARTIN

Protecting yourself

The importance of renters insurance

MOSES LAKE — Someday you’d like to own a house, but for the time being, you’re renting a place. It’s not permanent, but it’s home.

Seniors without a center

Royal Slope group aims to revive activities

ROYAL CITY — The senior scene in Royal City isn’t what it used to be.

The little things

Hiring a handyman for small jobs

MOSES LAKE — It’s not a very big job you’ve got in front of you. A fence with a few holes, a door to replace, something like that.

Story Corps comes to Moses Lake

No story left untold

MOSES LAKE — Basin residents have a chance this month to tell their stories for posterity.

Then and now

Veteran Moses Lake Realtor reflects on the changing market

MOSES LAKE — Alan Heroux has seen Moses Lake’s real estate changes at first hand.

Little Big Show fills Wilson Creek with classics

WILSON CREEK — The streets of Wilson Creek were full on Saturday as locals and visitors alike turned out for the 10th annual Little Big Show.

Books by the box

Warden library sale raises funds for literary program

WARDEN — The Warden Friends of the Library held its first book sale since the pandemic Thursday and raised about $300 in the process. “We were able to move a lot of books so we're thankful,” said Warden Friends of the Library President Toshi Nitta. She wasn’t sure how many books had actually sold, though...

First kindergarten class graduates at Groff Elementary

MOSES LAKE — The Vicki Groff Elementary School gym was brimming with adorability as 65 kindergartners held a graduation program Friday, joined by an audience of about 150 family members. “We are so proud of all the work our students did this year,” said Counselor Jannette Serrano-Vasquez in her introductory remarks, standing in for Principal Nikki Mackey. “They have fun learning together, doing math, reading, science and writing, art and so much more.”

‘Awesome journey’

Wahluke seniors look to the future after an unusual four years

MATTAWA — It was a rainy, drippy day outside, but that failed to dampen the spirits of 152 Wahluke High School seniors as they prepared to face the adult world Friday evening. “I know we can all say that these past four years definitely passed by in the blink of an eye,” said Class President Maritza Cruz in her address at the graduation ceremony, held in the high school gym...

‘Small town feel’

Warden sees an influx of new homes

WARDEN — Development is coming to Warden that may put the small town of just under 2,500 on homebuyers’ radar in the days to come.

Last song of the year

The Chief Moses Middle School eighth-grade choir performs under the direction of choir teacher Nelson Green Wednesday in the school gym. The concert was the last of the school year and included awards for three outstanding students in each grade.

45 years and counting

The Taco Shop has become a fixture in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — In Moses Lake on June 1, 1977, Columbia Basin Machine defeated Zip Trucking in Little League, Japan Airlines held a model airplane contest for kids and new potatoes were 10 cents a pound at Thriftway. While “Star Wars” was breaking box office records across the country, Lake Theater was still showing “King Kong” from the year before. Oh, and a little taco stand opened up downtown near the swimming pool.

‘Into the arena’

MLCA graduates urged to do great things

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy Class of 2022 was sent forth into the world Saturday afternoon, with a lot of prayer and thanks to God. “If MLCA has taught us anything, it is that God is constantly there with us as you prepare for a new chapter in your life,” said Associated Student Body class representative and MLCA senior Rebecca Starcher in her address. “Do not worry about the future, for only He knows what it is. So before you go out and celebrate your newfound freedom, take a moment to remember those who have helped you get there. Be overjoyed by the prospect of a new life. And as always, trust that God will guide you in the correct direction.” ...

Months of inventory

Housing market epitome of supply and demand

MOSES LAKE — There’s been a lot of talk about the housing market lately: pricing and scarcity, outgrowths of the reliable old Law of Supply and Demand. With real estate, that figure can be measured in months of inventory. “Months of inventory is an indicator of housing supply,” said Cara McNeil of Washington Realtors. “For example, when someone lists a home, it becomes counted as inventory. There is a formula for calculating months of inventory, but simply put, it refers to how many months it would take for the inventory on the market to sell in the current market. The less inventory we have on the market, the more we see housing prices increase.”...

‘Pure imagination’

Ballet Academy of Moses Lake presents ‘Willy Wonka’

MOSES LAKE — Dancers will tap, swoop and spin their way across the Moses Lake High School stage as the Moses Lake Ballet Academy presents its “Willy Wonka” Thursday. The performance will draw on both the 1970 movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” with Gene Wilder in the title role and the 2005 movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as the eccentric confectioner. Both films are adaptations of the 1964 children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. “I kind of took my own spin on it and developed a show based on those two movies,” said Rian Miles, co-director of the academy and the show’s choreographer. “There's gonna be jazz and tap, lyrical and hip hop in the show. It'll go through each character and give the story of the show.” ...

Packed park: Moses Lake Spring Festival draws record crowds

MOSES LAKE — There were spots of rain, but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm – or the crowds.

Moses Lake locals honor Memorial Day

Raymond Roeder, right, and Kim Roeder neaten up the graves of Raymond’s parents Byron and Florence Roeder at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake. Byron Roeder, who passed away in 2000 at the age of 75, served as a mechanic in Germany in World War II. He moved to Moses Lake with his family in 1975 and worked at the Columbia Basin Job Corps Center.

Ready to walk

A small class gears up for graduation

WILSON CREEK — Even in the smallest of schools, graduation is a big deal. In fact, it may be that the smaller the school, the more important the graduation ceremony is.

A place to call home

Othello development focuses on affordable home

OTHELLO — It’s no secret that homes are in high demand right now. The median home price in Othello has risen almost 14% in the last year, according to real estate website Zillow.com. People are trying to move in, and they need some place to move in to.

‘Busy, busy, busy’

Spring Festival returns in full force

MOSES LAKE — Springfest is back.

Cellarbration!

Fundraiser banquet raises about $168,000 to support BBCC students

MOSES LAKE — It was an especially celebratory evening Saturday at Big Bend Community College, as Cellarbration! For Education returned in person after two years as a virtual event. This is the 21st year for the annual fundraiser banquet and auction, which raises money for scholarships given by the Big Bend Community College Foundation to BBCC students. A total of about $168,000 was raised through the event, according to BBCC spokesperson Tiffany Fondren. “My husband and I have been to all 21,” said BBCC Foundation board member Vickey Melcher. “Both of our children attended BBCC. I have been a board member for many years and have enjoyed it very much. It is important to me that all students receive an appropriate education based on their needs and goals.” ...

Sage words

Basin author weaves faith and a deep love of the Coulee into her writing

SOAP LAKE — Lyn D. Nielsen loves the Grand Coulee, and that love shines through in her work. Nielsen, who grew up on Vashon Island, is the author of three novels set in the Coulee City area, the “Place of Sage” trilogy...

‘The Sound of Music’ takes the stage in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The hills – and the Moses Lake High School theater – are alive with “The Sound of Music.” “It's not the movie version, it is the actual play,” said Marion Wyman, the show’s producer. “So it varies a little bit. There's a couple of musical numbers people probably won't recognize. But most of them, they will.” ...

Homes on wheels

The basics of RV maintenance

MOSES LAKE — Some people travel in them. Some people keep them parked. Either way, a home on wheels is still a home, and needs to be kept up.

MLPD officers prevent carjacking, rescue children

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Police officers foiled an attempted carjacking Tuesday, saving two children who were in the vehicle according to an MLPD statement. Around noon, an off-duty police officer spotted Salvador Harguideguy, whom he knew to have felony warrants, near Ivy Avenue in Moses Lake. The officer contacted the department and officers set up a perimeter around the area, according to Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr...

‘A Matter of Perspective’

Women Painters of Washington exhibit coming to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The focus will be on female artists at the new exhibit coming to the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center next week. “A Matter of Perspective” will feature 12 members of the Eastern Washington division of Women Painters of Washington, according to museum director Dollie Boyd. The paintings weren’t out yet on Friday, as the museum just wrapped up a traveling exhibit of American relief posters of World War II. “I haven't seen all the work yet,” said Boyd. “I'm excited. It's always like Christmas morning when you unpack a show because it's like ‘Oh I like this, I don't like that.’” ...

Getting involved pays off

Basin Realtor honored for commitment to ethics, community

MOSES LAKE — No matter how you look at it, real estate is serious business. When you’re dealing with land, one of the most basic things a person can own, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars it costs, you have to place a lot of trust in the person who’s putting the deal together for you. That’s why Realtors go to great lengths to make sure their profession is viewed with trust. That word “Realtor” is capitalized for a reason. Not everybody who buys and sells land can call themselves that. In the United States, the word is trademarked by the National Association of Realtors, and that organization defines it as a “a real estate professional who is member of the National Association of Realtors and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.” That Code of Ethics is eight pages long and details a Realtor’s obligations to their clients, the general public and other Realtors. These folks take their reputation seriously. Which is why it was such an honor for Moses Lake Realtor Kevin Burgess, of Windermere Real Estate in Moses Lake, to be named Realtor of the Year at the Washington Realtors Spring Conference in Yakima last week...

Mattress Matters

For a good night’s sleep, figure out what you need before you buy

COLUMBIA BASIN — The trick to buying a mattress is simple, according to local furniture dealers: Know what you want. “Everybody's body's different,” said Wendy Cox, general manager at Home Center in Moses Lake. “Everybody's sleep habits are different … So we have to try and figure out what works best for them. Do they have back problems? Are there issues? Health concerns? Do they prefer a firmer bed? Softer bed? What are their comfort levels?” Other local dealers agreed with Cox...

Easter egg hunt at McCosh Park

Hundreds of kids gathered at McCosh Park in Moses Lake Saturday for the annual Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Lions Club.

Starting a garden from scratch

Tips from a local pro

MOSES LAKE — So you have some lawn just sitting there in the sun. Maybe the kids are too old to play in the backyard, or maybe you knocked down a shed or sold the car that had been sitting there forever. Whatever the reason, you’d like to put it to good use and raise some veggies. How do you start? “To tackle a garden where you have an existing lawn, what I do is I build a raised bed on the existing patch of grass,“ said Kim Ries Ashley, a passionate gardener and owner of Blue Rouge Garden and Nursery in Moses Lake. Pressure-treated 2x6s work well...

Bell Event Studio

New event venue aims to offer customized celebrations

MOSES LAKE — Some people really love to plan parties. And some people, well, really don’t. The ladies at Bell Event Studio aim to take the stress off the latter group. “We want to be a one-stop-shop,” said Christine Villareal-Ontiveros, co-owner of the business, located at 108 W. Third Ave. in Moses Lake. “We decided to offer … a party venue that also offered full decorating and staff services such as cleaning, security, and waitstaff.” In other words, she explained...

Time to start planting early veggies

Cold veggies planted properly will prosper in early spring

QUINCY — Spring has finally arrived in earnest, and that means it’s time to start getting some vegetables in the ground, but choosing the right ones and planting them according to their respective needs is important.

Coulee City hosts April Fools Art Walk

Small town hosts ‘a helluva show’

COULEE CITY — About 400 people visited Coulee City on April 1 to wander through downtown businesses and look over art. That’s pretty impressive for a town of fewer than 600.

An updated option: Manufactured homes may be an option in tight market

MOSES LAKE — “It’s not Grandma’s trailer house anymore.”

Two decades of deals

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market owners celebrate 20 years in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — There’s no shortage of grocery shopping options in Moses Lake. Several large, well-known chains have big stores in town. And then, tucked away near the Stratford Road exit from SR-17, is the much smaller Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, which opened in 1994 and this month marked two decades under the ownership of Kris and Paul Emerson. The Emersons have spent most of their adult lives...

Fishing potential promising for local anglers in 2022

COLUMBIA BASIN — The fishing this spring at Potholes is, in a word, excellent.

Police in standoff outside home near Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Police are negotiating with a man who has barricaded himself in his rural Moses Lake home and is refusing to come out.

Housing market remains tight in Columbia Basin

Generational shopping a ‘boon’ for buyers, sellers

COLUMBIA BASIN — Real estate professionals seem to be pretty well agreed on what home buyers are looking for in today’s market. “Really, they’re looking for a lot of everything, honestly,” said Tara Zerbo, an agent with Gary Mann Realty in Moses Lake. “There’s kind of a desperation,” said Brian Gentry, of Re/Max in Othello. “People are almost looking for anything. There’s so few homes...

Visions in white: Enchanting Bridal Show prepares for post-COVID wedding season

MOSES LAKE — The snow wasn’t quite melted outside, but in the Commercial Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds Saturday, it was a bright spring day, perfect for a wedding.

Chiefs return to mat with one loss, three victories

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School Chiefs boys wrestling team returned to the mat last week for the first time in nearly a month, a hiatus head coach Jaime Garza attributed to COVID-19-related cancellations and delays.

Prep roundup: ACH holds early lead over Odessa

The Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School Warriors took an early lead over the Odessa High School Tigers Friday, finishing the first quarter 15-2, and stayed ahead the rest of the game.

Prep roundup: Tigers defeat Knights in OT

The Ephrata High School Tigers narrowly beat the Royal High School Knights in overtime Wednesday.

Prep sports roundup: Chiefs wrestling defeats Wenatchee, 39-25

The Moses Lake Chiefs defeated Wenatchee High School Tuesday on the mat.

Weekend prep roundup: Quincy sinks Chelan, 80-68

QUINCY — The Quincy High School Jacks defeated Chelan High School Friday. TreyVaughn Bierlink led with 40 points, while Jalen Spence made 16 and Aidan Heikes made 10.

Weekend prep roundup: Ephrata tramples North Central

EPHRATA — The Ephrata High School Tigers dominated the gridiron in their final game, bringing down Spokane’s North Central High School.

Weekend prep roundup: Royal shuts out Connell, 56-0

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights won their last district game handily Friday, trouncing Connell High School 54-0.

Weekend prep roundup: ACH shuts out Columbia

The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors gave Columbia High School a thorough spanking Friday.

Prep roundup: Knights shut out Leopards, 42-0

ZILLAH — The Royal High School Knights needed only half a game to defeat the Zillah Leopards Friday.

Prep roundup: MLHS softball splits with Chiawana

The Moses Lake High School Lady Chiefs split a doubleheader Tuesday against Chiawana High School.

‘Worth fighting for’: Crossroads banquet raises funds and emphasizes life

MOSES LAKE — About 300 people gathered Saturday at the 4-H building at the Grant County Fairgrounds to support an institution dear to their hearts: Crossroads Pregnancy Resource Center.