JOEL MARTIN

Ephrata priest gets last-minute visa reprieve

EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin nearly lost a popular priest due to a government glitch. But in a twist that could almost be called miraculous, it didn’t happen. “My visa … expired on June 30,” said Fr. Cesar Izquierdo, pastor at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Ephrata. “In order for me to continue (my work), I needed a permit because it’s a paid position.” Izquierdo was working in the U.S. on an R-1 visa, which is a special visa issued to religious workers – priests, pastors, missionaries, nuns and so forth – to conduct their ministries in the United States. R-1 visas are good for a maximum of five years, and during that time, the holder can apply for a green card, which Izquierdo did.

Coffey Anderson concert to honor veterans in Quincy

QUINCY — Nationally known country artist Coffey Anderson will honor veterans in Quincy and beyond with a Veterans Day concert. “(Anderson) is considered the most popular current country artist who’s not associated with a recording studio,” said Daniel Chisholm, founder of Veterans Operation Creation, which is sponsoring the concert. “He writes his own music; (he’s) a very patriotic Christian man. And he is a storyteller. So when he performs he has meaning behind the words.”

Houseplant guru offers advice at farmers market

MOSES LAKE — Some people are intimidated by houseplants, fearing that the plants won’t survive in their home. The problem may not be the owner but the plant itself, said Fred Bergold, owner of King’s Garden Nursery in Othello.

Local Job Corps students keep wildfire crews functioning

MOSES LAKE — Firefighters are battling fires across Washington – 20 of them Tuesday morning – but they’re not doing it alone. Back at the fire camp, at a safe distance from the fire, Job Corps students are working to ensure the firefighters have everything they need.

Hayden Homes honored with awards for company culture

REDMOND, Ore. — Hayden Homes, which has built housing developments in Moses Lake and Othello, was honored by Great Place To Work® and Fortune Magazine with two prestigious awards representing its positive culture, employee experience, leadership and community-driven work, according to an announcement from the company.

Same-day crowns now available at Moses Lake Community Health

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Community Health Center has taken a step forward in dental technology, according to an announcement from MLCHC. The CEREC Primemill system, now in operation at the clinic in Moses Lake, allows patients to receive custom dental crowns in just one visit, according to the announcement.

Down Syndrome Buddy Walk set for Sept. 27

MOSES LAKE — This year’s Buddy Walk will honor some people who don’t get much publicity: siblings of people with Down syndrome. “We’ve done parents and caregivers, so we decided it needed to be siblings this year,” said organizer Denise Ketola.

Gesa donates more than $24,000 to Moses Lake schools

MOSES LAKE — Student activities in the Moses Lake School District got a boost last week, as Gesa Credit Union handed Moses Lake High School and Vanguard Academy more than $24,000. “These dollars are important to what we're doing and important to our students,” Shannon said.

Moses Lake’s downtown sees busy Saturday

MOSES LAKE — There was a lot going on Saturday in downtown Moses Lake, with a fundraiser walk, an art festival, a wine-and-music tour and a nonprofit expo all happening more or less at once. The day started at McCosh Park, where the Walk to End Alzheimer’s drew more than 200 people to raise money for dementia research.

Fair entertainers rule the stage

OTHELLO — Elvis Presley passed away in 1977, despite the occasional tabloid rumor to the contrary. But the man singing “Jailhouse Rock” at the Othello Fair Thursday made a believable substitute. “I just loved Elvis,” said Danny Vernon. “(I) found my father’s records when I was a kid, and there was so much to listen to. Movie songs were fun because there’s always a different theme: you’re racing a car, or you’re in Hawaii or in the army.” Vernon was part of the entertainment lineup at the Othello Fair Thursday, which included Penelope the Clown, Reptile Isle, balloonist Cody Williams and juggler Paul Isaak. Some of them performed on the two stages at the fairgrounds, and some roamed around the grounds. Most of them had at least two performances every day.

Columbia Bank celebrates rebranding

MOSES LAKE — With a snip of the scissors and a burst of confetti, Columbia Bank presented its new face to the community Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting and open house. “I've been trying to reintroduce our bank to the community, building it back up, giving it a new vibe, making sure that it's one that's positive and helpful and all of those things,” Branch Manager Kristine Bailey said.

Home listings, sales up in Grant County

KIRKLAND — More homes are on the market in Washington than a year ago and closed sales are up in Grant County but down over much of the state, according to data released this week by Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 27 Washington counties.

Flowers, pumpkins and a fall market at Rue & Sage

MOSES LAKE — There’s a lot growing at Rue & Sage this fall. The floral business offers a U-pick pumpkin patch and hosts a fall pop-up market, and now they’ve expanded into U-pick flowers as well. Home decorations and furniture will be available at the event.

GALLERY: Othello Fair 2025

OTHELLO — The Othello Fair is in full swing through Saturday, with a carnival, livestock showings, food, entertainment and more. Here are a few scenes from Thursday’s fair.

Youth and suicide: Knowing the signs and accessing resources can save lives, experts say

MOSES LAKE — Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in Washington for people between the ages of 10 and 24, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Youth suicide is on the rise regionally, according to locals who work with people in crisis.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s coming Saturday

MOSES LAKE — There will be more purple shirts and multicolored flowers on the streets of Moses Lake Saturday at the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s than ever before, according to Julie Reathaford, who manages the event.

Ceremonies planned for 9/11 remembrance

MOSES LAKE — Several local communities will hold remembrances of the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks on Thursday. All are open to the public.

Pratt Hills preparing to go vertical in Royal City

ROYAL CITY — Some long-awaited homes are finally about to take shape in Royal City.

NCW Libraries marks Library Card Sign-Up Month

MOSES LAKE — A library card is more than just a little plastic rectangle.

Simple sounds: George Bluegrass Festival to feature homemade music and players

GEORGE — There’s something very user-friendly about bluegrass music. “If you know three chords and have a capo, you can play with any group of musicians that are playing bluegrass,” said Terry Enyeart of Steelhead, one of the bands slated to perform at the George Bluegrass Festival Sept. 15-21. A capo, he explained, is a device you can put on the neck of a stringed instrument to change keys easily. “(Bluegrass) is usually based on two or three chords, and if you know even the basics of guitar or mandolin, you can sit there and strum along and be part of the music.”

Courtright takes over as CBCCA president

MOSES LAKE — The gavel has been passed at the Central Basin Community Concert Association, as Caren Courtright succeeded Frances Irwin as president last week.

Grant Co. Democrats award prizes in candy count game

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Democrats have tabulated the results of their Count the Candy game at the Grant County Fair this year, according to an announcement from Vice Chair Jill Springer Forrest.

‘A Tortured Land’

Moses Lake Museum exhibit showcases the stark beauty of the Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — Central Washington artist Don Nutt will return this month to the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center after a long time away, according to an announcement from the museum. “It’s been over a decade since we had the pleasure of showing his work in our space,” Museum Communication Coordinator Natalia Zuyeva wrote in the announcement.

Columbia Physical Therapy debuts new pool in open house

OTHELLO — Columbia Physical Therapy has finally realized a longtime dream. “We just added the pool,” said physical therapist Ken Jones, who shares the clinic with physical therapist Nate Stott. “That year-long construction project was just finished.”

Wreck on SR 17 between Moses Lake and Othello

MOSES LAKE – First responders are on the scene of a rollover accident on State Route 17 between Moses Lake and Othello near the intersection with Road 4 SE. Additional details are unavailable at this time. Those traveling that portion of the road are advised to exercise caution.

Positive drama: High school theater gives students confidence, people skills

MOSES LAKE — If, as Shakespeare wrote, all the world’s a stage, then a high school drama club must be the perfect place to prepare for life. “(Students who participate in drama) have a place where doesn't matter what's going on in school,” said Marla Allsopp, drama advisor at Ephrata High School. “They might feel like they don't quite fit in, but when they come to the theater, they're part of that group.”

Green School offers gardener training online

MOSES LAKE — There’s more to gardening than just filling a pot with dirt and seeds and waiting for something to grow.

Grant Co. COVID-19 outbreak ends

MOSES LAKE — The COVID-19 outbreak that sickened 47 people and claimed at least two lives at a local long-term care facility is over, according to Grant County Health District Communication Coordinator Lexi Smith. The facility, which was not identified, has gone 14 days without an additional case, Smith wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. A third death was not immediately attributed to COVID-19 but was under investigation. “Long-term care facilities … house at-risk individuals, and that makes them an area where COVID can circulate in dining rooms and community areas,” Smith said in an interview Thursday. This is the eighth outbreak in a long-term care facility since October 2024, Smith wrote. By comparison, the period from October 2023 to October 2024 saw 19 outbreaks in care facilities and one in a school.

Warden Community Days coming this weekend

WARDEN — If you happen to have an inflatable costume – maybe a T-rex, or a cow, or a cartoon character – sitting around in the closet, Monday will be the perfect time to unearth it and try it on. Warden Community Days is introducing an inflatable costume race to the Labor Day festivities this year. “Basically, you put on these inflatable costumes and run through a small obstacle course,” said Renay Jorgensen, chair of the committee that organizes Warden’s annual festival. “One of the gals that I work with actually ordered a flying eagle costume … My boys had a bull rider costume.”

Harvest Fest

Wilson Creek tradition to make a return

WILSON CREEK — The Wilson Creek Harvest Fest will return Sept. 27, bigger and better than before. “Last year we didn't even have a Harvest Fest,” said Shirley Billings, who heads up the committee to restore the festival. “And typically in the past, it's been pretty short-lived. But we decided this year to make it a full day and something for everybody. Other than the vendors ... everything is free for kids.”

55th Ritzville Rodeo begins tomorrow

RITZVILLE — The folks watching the rodeo will sit a little more comfortably this weekend. “We have brand-new grandstands,” said Ritzville Rodeo Board Member Julie Hartz. “We’ve been working on those all summer. Everybody has a pretty good tan that worked on them.”

‘Having a Ball’

Wheat Land Communities Fair opens Thursday in Ritzville

RITZVILLE — The theme for this year’s Wheat Land Communities Fair is “Having a Ball since 1981,” and attendees can expect to, said fair committee member Lori Williams.

Imagination at work: Children cover church parking lot in chalk art

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Alliance Church may have had the best-decorated parking lot in town Saturday. Children braved the heat for the Imagination Running Wild event, decorating the lot with drawings, inspirational messages and a long, winding racetrack.

Rec grants fund local projects

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board recently awarded almost $2.8 million in Grant and Adams counties, part of more than $148 million awarded statewide to build and improve parks and trails, conserve wildlife habitat and maintain land for farming and forestry, according to an announcement from the board.

Inca Mexican Restaurant turns 35

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake restaurant celebrated 35 years of serving up Hispanic deliciousness Thursday. Incan Mexican Restaurant, a hard-to-miss business at the corner of East Third Avenue and S. Pioneer Way in Moses Lake has been serving giant plates of nachos, quesadillas and tacos to diners since 1990.

EWU honored for student engagement and opportunity

CHENEY — Eastern Washington University was recently named a College of Distinction, a national designation awarded to institutions that set themselves apart with their commitment to providing an engaged, experiential education, according to an announcement from the university.

4-car injury collision near Quincy Valley Rest Area

EPHRATA — A three- to four-vehicle collision has been reported in the vicinity of Road 10 Northwest and state Route 28 south of Ephrata, according to MACC dispatch. At least one of the vehicles is a semi and injuries have been reported as of 3:30 p.m. Readers may wish to avoid the area. This report will be updated as information becomes available.

A place for veterans

Moses Lake American Legion post building back up after slow times

MOSES LAKE — The American Legion in Moses Lake was on the ropes for a while, but it’s coming back swinging. “We were only open on Wednesday (nights) and Sundays for breakfast,” said Vice Commander Mike Ford. “We’re currently reopened back to Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and then Sundays if we have somebody available to cook breakfast.”

First-time exhibitor, 12, wins big at fair

Skill, good breeding and family tradition lead to victorious first fair outing.

QUINCY —Twelve-year-old Kayson Hull of Quincy cleaned up at the Grant County Fair, walking away with seven ribbons, all for one cow. What’s more, this is Kayson’s first time showing an animal at the fair. “Yeah, I’m shocked too,” he said.

Quincy house catches fire Sunday morning, no injuries

QUINCY – Nobody was hurt when a residence in Quincy caught fire Sunday morning.

50-acre fire quickly contained near Ephrata

EPHRATA - A fire broke out Saturday morning between Moses Lake and Ephrata but was quickly knocked down, according to Grant County Fire District 5 Battalion Commander Travis Svilar.

Wahluke community to hold prayer vigil on first day of school

MATTAWA — It’s no secret that young people starting the school year face a lot of negative influences. Some folks in Mattawa plan to counter some of that negativity with prayer.

Some Basin markets up, some down since 2024

MOSES LAKE — Median home sale prices changed from community to community around the Columbia Basin over the last year, according to the real estate website Redfin. In the Basin’s biggest community, Moses Lake, the median price of a home was $329,990 in July, according to Redfin’s data. That represents a drop of 7.4% from last July. Othello saw an increase of 7.6% to $360,000, and Warden’s median price was $371,000, a year-over-year increase of 12.3%. Ephrata’s median sale price was up 27.2% to $355,000, and Quincy’s was down 24.4% to $356,376. The median home price in Soap Lake was $261,000, a decrease of 19.2%. The median home sale price statewide was $648,300, less than half a percentage point lower than a year ago.

‘If you give it water, it’ll grow’

Heritage garden showcases lakefront-friendly plants

MOSES LAKE — The plants that grow naturally around Moses Lake are great to plant on purpose for landscaping as well, according to local experts. “A lot of the riparian plants, especially the shrubs and trees, they’re not as flashy with color,” said Columbia Basin Conservation District Education and Outreach Program Manager Kaley Wisher. “They’ve got deep roots. They’re going to hold on. And if you’re having a bad weather year, those plants will persist.” Moses Lake has more than 120 miles of shoreline, according to the city of Moses Lake, and much of that is in residents’ backyards. The Heritage Garden at Lower Peninsula Park is an example of what homeowners could plant along the edge of the lake in lieu of the conventional lawn grass, according to Wisher. Some of those plants are prettier and more durable than imported ones, she said.

Sporty’s Steakhouse ready to rock again

MOSES LAKE — Sporty’s Steakhouse is back again. “We were closed five months,” said former owner Debbie Black Thursday morning, the day after the iconic Moses Lake eatery reopened. “We did a lot of repairs on the building; the makeup air fans and a lot of the plumbing and we replaced a lot of stuff … and we’re ready to rock and roll.”

Planting the future

Heritage Garden at Lower Peninsula Park ready to educate the public

MOSES LAKE — The Heritage Garden at Lower Peninsula Park, 3519 W. Peninsula Drive in Moses Lake, is beginning to come together, and now there are signs to explain to the public exactly what’s what. “The first sign has the riparian plants,” said Dinah Rouleau, conservation director for the Columbia Basin Conservation District. “Then (another) honoring the history of the site and the Moses Columbia Tribe, talking about some of their historically used plants. We have a Heritage Program sign, an Urban Water Efficiency Program sign and one about us and why we did this.” The signs are the latest phase in the Lower Peninsula Park’s Heritage Garden project, which began last October. The CBCD, with a lot of help from the city of Moses Lake and local businesses, removed the grass in a 15,0009-square-foot area of the park and replaced it with plants native to the area, interspersed with gravel beds and stone paths. The signs, designed by CBCD Communications Specialist Anna Maletzke, are affixed to stones and describe the plants in the garden, the animals and insects that live among them, and the history of the area, as well as what to do and what not to do to keep the flora and fauna thriving.

Slices Pizza to open early next week after fire

MOSES LAKE — A fire closed Slices Pizza in Moses Lake Tuesday, according to owners John and Becky Boyer. The restaurant is expected to be closed until early next week, the couple said.

Othello Rotary donations to feed children and prepare them for school

OTHELLO — The Othello Rotary Club stepped up Thursday for school supplies and meals for school children, with donations to the Othello Food Bank and Lighthouse Community Center. Club President Don Burks and several fellow Rotarians passed on more than $4,500 to the Othello Food Bank for its Bite 2 Go program.

CBHA Run for a Cause coming Saturday

OTHELLO — A lot of folks in Othello will look very colorful this weekend. The Columbia Basin Health Association will hold its eighth annual Run for a Cause Saturday morning, with runners – and walkers, and strollers – making a loop through town and being sprayed with paint every few blocks.

Ritzville’s new chief has spent a lifetime in the police arena

RITZVILLE — On the wall behind Ritzville Police Chief Mike Suniga’s desk, there’s a quote from Theodore Roosevelt. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better,” it reads in part. “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who … does actually strive to do the deeds.”