JOEL MARTIN

Under the sea

Royal Middle School robotics team clinches championship with plastic-eating worms

ROYAL CITY — The Royal Middle School Oceanic Outlaws robotics team is headed to Nationals. The eight seventh- and eighth-grade students took home the Champion Finalist award at the FIRST LEGO League state competition in Spokane Jan. 18, according to their coach, RMS science teacher Theresa Piper. “We started robotics back in September, and they've been working really hard on investigating a problem and then developing an innovative solution based on this year's theme for research,” Piper said. “The theme was ocean exploration, and they've been talking to experts all over the world and developing different solutions, testing out and deciding which was the best.”

Taking to the streets

Expanded Brews & Tunes coming to Moses Lake on March 15

MOSES LAKE — It may feel like spring is a long, long way off, but Moses Lake is gearing up to welcome it back March 15. “Brews & Tunes is St. Paddy’s Day weekend,” said Downtown Moses Lake Association Director Mallory Miller. “It’s the first event that happens after wintertime and people are ready to get out of the house. Last year it was 75 degrees somehow, so cross your fingers for that this year.”

Moses Lake meets new city manager

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake’s incoming city manager paid a visit to the Civic Center Tuesday evening to meet city employees and community members. Robert Karlinsey, who accepted the position Jan. 21, is currently the city manager in Kenmore, Washington, a city of about 24,000 at the north end of Lake Washington in King County. He takes the reins in Moses Lake March 24, but he’ll be coming over to Moses Lake occasionally in the meantime to prepare, he said.

Playing with the future...

STEM event gets children excited about science and technology

MOSES LAKE — The Apple STEM event at Garden Heights Elementary School Thursday was a little more popular than expected. “We haven’t officially counted yet, but we got over 600 parents and students,” said David Estrada, STEM programs manager for the North Central Washington Tech Alliance, which put on the event. The organizers only anticipated about 300, he added.

Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars brings in more than $14,000

MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association’s second annual Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars event raised more than $14,000, according to an announcement from the CBCCA.

BBCC Cellarbration! coming March 15

Annual event looks to support local students in their academic pursuits

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Foundation will give a lot of students a hand up through the 24th annual Cellarbration! March 15. Tickets are still available, said Executive Director Leanne Parton. “It’s going to be a fabulous event,” Parton said. “Our numbers, as far as students, were ahead of pre-pandemic (enrollment). So, the need is even more because we’ve got more students.”

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Lanny Abundiz

GCSO crisis responder brings mental health help into the field

EPHRATA — The phrase “first responder” often conjures up a mental image of a heavily-armed person with a badge and a Taser, or a firefighter emerging from the flames covered in soot and carrying a rescued child. An unflappably calm woman with a gentle, serene voice doesn’t necessarily spring to mind. But that’s what the Grant County Sheriff’s Office has in Lanny Abundiz.

Home prices up, interest rates all over in 2024

KIRKLAND — Home prices and sales rose steadily in Washington in 2024 even as mortgage interest rates bounced up and down, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service Jan. 17. The NWMLS tracks real estate trends in 26 of Washington’s 39 counties. The average 30-year home mortgage began the year at 6.62%, according to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly called Freddie Mac. The rate went to 7.44% in early May, dropped to 6.08% in September and finished the year at 6.85%. As of Jan. 18, 2025, the rate was 7.04%. Those rates are comparatively recent, according to Freddie Mac’s data, stemming from a drastic jump in 2022 when the rate went from 3.45% in January to 7.08% in September. Interest rates have hovered in the 6-8% range since, frustrating buyers, sellers and real estate agents.

Chess tournament sharpens wits in Ephrata

Annual strategic competition set for February 1

EPHRATA — A hundred young players will go head-to-head – and brain-to-brain – at the Waypoint Foundation Scholastic Chess Tournament in Ephrata Feb. 1. This is the 18th year the tournament has been held at Parkway Elementary School. said Troy Pugh, who created and manages the tournament with his brother Roger Pugh. This year, Pugh said, the foundation has added online registration for the first time. There were 89 players registered Tuesday morning, he said, which is the fastest it’s ever filled up. “Usually, we don’t get to 89 until the week of the event,” he said.

Royal City honors retiring public works director

ROYAL CITY — The City of Royal City said goodbye to longtime Public Works Director John Lasen with a small retirement party Friday at City Hall. “For years and years, it seemed like Royal City was the same forever and ever,” Royal City Mayor Michael Christensen said at the celebration. “But in these last 10 years in particular, we've seen some considerable change, and John has been a significant part of that, helping see the vision and oversee some of the big projects that we've done.”

Royal Middle schooler honored for saving classmate

ROYAL CITY — A quick-thinking student saved a choking classmate’s life at Royal Middle School Jan. 9. Seventh-grader Alangel Baeza was honored at a school assembly Friday morning with a plaque and congratulations from his teachers, fellow students and Royal City police and firefighters.

Lavender donation honors late food bank director

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Food Bank received a different kind of donation Thursday. Joe Downs, owner of Lavender Ranch near Quincy, donated 70 bundles of lavender to Community Services of Moses Lake in memory of Peny Archer, the food bank’s director who passed away earlier this month. Each bundle has a photo of Archer on it.

All things agriculture

Spokane Ag Show has something for everyone

SPOKANE — All things agricultural will be on display the first week of February at the 48th annual Spokane Ag Show at the Spokane Convention Center. The Spokane Ag Show is one of the largest ag expos in the region, said Show Director Melisa Paul.

Trade school scholarship auction coming Feb. 15 in Mattawa

MATTAWA — The Sven Legacy Foundation will hold a fundraiser silent auction Feb. 15 near Mattawa, complete with food, drinks, music and lots to bid on. The foundation was formed in November in memory of its namesake, Sven Leland, a Mattawa farmer who passed away last year. The purpose is to help students who aren’t planning to go to college have career options.

Home solar can trim bills, but research before installing

EPHRATA — With the cost of everything going up, some homeowners want to embrace self-sufficiency in energy by mounting solar panels on their roofs to generate power. And considering the Basin’s abundant sunshine, that seems like a great solution for this area. “We do encourage customers to go into their solar investment fully educated with clear expectations,” said Chris Buchmann, energy programs supervisor for the Grant Public Utility District.

Queen Kaylee

Ephrata graduate named Moses Lake Rodeo Queen

EPHRATA — There’s a new queen in Moses Lake, and she’s got Ephrata roots. Kaylee Stump, 20, of Ephrata was named the 2025 Miss Moses Lake Roundup in November. Stump, the daughter of Mike and Miranda Stump, is a 2022 graduate of Ephrata High School. Her coronation will be March 29, said Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo Board Member Amanda Miller.

Showing the moves

Local hoofers show their moves at Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars

MOSES LAKE — The Wallenstien Theater was almost full Saturday night for the second annual Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars. “It was exciting to see (so many) young people,” said Judy Twigg, vice president of the Central Basin Community Concert Association, which hosted the event. “It shows that if you get the right entertainment in Moses Lake, it draws people.”

New Elks Lodge hosts youth hoop shoot

MOSES LAKE — Four Moses Lake youths will advance in the Elks Hoop Shoot thanks to their free throw skills. Fabian Vargas, Preston Groth, Linden Wiltbank and Brinly Wiltbank emerged the champions in their divisions in the competition held Saturday at Frontier Middle School, according to an email from Debbie Doran-Martinez, a member of the new Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge that formed in November in Moses Lake.

‘Hello, Dolly!’

Matchmaking, mayhem and a little and manipulation light up QVAA musical

QUINCY — Audiences can put on their Sunday clothes and cast themselves back to the Gay Nineties this month as Quincy Valley Allied Arts brings “Hello, Dolly!” to the stage.

Country Sweethearts to benefit cancer patients, families

MOSES LAKE — The 16th annual Country Sweethearts benefit auction is coming up Feb. 1 and it’s going to be a doozy, according to Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation Executive Director Angel Ledesma.

A career of grace

Pastor Walter Klockers prepares to retire

MOSES LAKE — Pastor Walter Klockers has a guiding principle: “This is Christ's Church, and I know my place.” It’s a part of the creed he maintains for his ministry, he said; he regularly reminds himself that he is an imperfect person who is called to proclaim a perfect Gospel and to serve others rather than feed his own ego. “That, I review, because I fail so many times,” he added.

ENZO opens event room, expands kitchen

MOSES LAKE — ENZO owners and staff cut the ribbon on the restaurant’s newest facility, called the Riviera Room, Wednesday. ENZO already had a smaller banquet facility, called the Amalfi Room, owner Rhonda Cacchiotti explained, but it’s also used for everyday dining and even when it’s booked for private functions it can only accommodate 25-30 people. “This (Riviera) room has capacity for 60-80 people.” Cacchiotti said. “It has a private entrance. It has AV equipment (with) a drop-down screen. We have speakers, we have microphones. We have a podium that can be used. We have room to push tables into different configurations, where we can have a small dance floor. We have a full banquet buffet menu that we can also customize.”

Interest rates continue to drag down housing market in Washington

KIRKLAND — 2024 ended with a disappointing housing market statewide, according to data released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate across 26 of Washington’s 39 counties. Interest rates were responsible for much of the gloom, according to the NWMLS. While potential home buyers and sellers had hoped for a reprieve, the Federal Reserve’s three interest rate cuts in 2024 failed to produce a significant increase in the market. Rather, in early January the average 30-year mortgage rate was 6.91%, the highest it’s been since last July. Median home prices went up statewide by 4.3% between December 2023 and December 2024. In Grant County, however, the median price dropped very slightly from $360,950 to $356,582 over the last year, and in Adams County the median price dropped 10.3% from $322,500 to $292,300, the second-lowest median home price of any county.

Open Mic brings out the talent in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE — It’s 5:30 p.m, and 11-year-old Jimmy Ocampo is singing “Die with a Smile” in front of an audience of about 25 people. He’s the fourth performer to take the stage in the last half hour, and there’s a long waiting list after him. It’s Open Mic Night, and the sky’s the limit.

Curiosity keeps centenarian young

MOSES LAKE — It could be that the secret to living a long time is just not to get old.

Beta Lambda brightens Christmas for farm worker families

OTHELLO — Sixty Othello children had a better Christmas this year, thanks to the ladies of Beta Lambda. Members of the women’s service organization took gifts to families at Guadalupe Haven, the low-income housing complex owned by Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington. This is the third year the organization has brought gifts to Guadalupe Haven, Beta Lambda member Trudy Doolittle wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. Guadalupe Haven manager Maria Guzman said a representative of Catholic Charities put her in touch with Beta Lambda.

Four Seasons Farm Service

Serving the community year-round with practicality and a smile

EPHRATA — J.J. Heston, owner of Four Seasons Farm Service, was already familiar with the store long before he owned it. “All through high school and my young adult years, I’d say ‘Hey, Dad, what do I spray on this weed?’ ‘Go see (then-owner Bernie Martin),’” he said. “‘Hey Dad, where do you get fertilizer?’ ‘Go see Bernie.’ So I just kind of bypassed Dad and came to talk to Bernie.”

Moses Lake Museum exhibit explores humanity

MOSES LAKE — An exhibit opening next week at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center will take a closer look at what it means to be human. “Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human?” will open Jan. 10, according to Gallery Director Veronica Talbot. It’s a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution, she said.

Fixing the damage

It’s wise to have a pro on your side when filing a claim

MOSES LAKE — It was, as they say, a dark and stormy night. Now it’s the next morning, and you’re looking with dismay at the tree that the wind sent crashing into your roof. You’ve got homeowners insurance, of course, but where do you go from there? “I hope you have an agent, as opposed to an 800 number,” said Chris Arnberg, an American Family Insurance agent in Moses Lake. “If you just have an 800 number, a company … where you don't have an actual person whose job it is to provide individual service, if you call to ask about opening a claim, they're going to open a claim.”

MLK Jr. program to take place Jan. 20

MOSES LAKE — The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program will take place Jan. 20, according to committee President Miranda Bridges, celebrating the life and legacy of the civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968. “It's a chance for the community to come together and be supportive to one another, recognize Dr. King’s life and his dream and his vision for all of us,” Bridges said.

Bill headed to WA Legislature would allow private family cemeteries

OLYMPIA — Washington could allow family burial plots on private property, according to a statement from the office of Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, who prefiled the bill Dec. 13. House Bill 1065 would amend state law to allow burials on private land if other conditions are met, according to the statement. The legislation addresses ambiguity in state law, protects property rights, and honors cultural traditions, Walsh wrote.

Carniceria La Nueva

Mexican store with drive-thru to open on Third Avenue in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — There’s a new Mexican store coming to town, and it’s got a twist: drive-thru service. Construction has been underway since August on a building at 914 W. Third Ave., which will be Carniceria La Nueva, according to owner Miguel Alanis.

Holiday tour

MOSES LAKE - Six-year-old Ellyas DeLaRosa introduces his Elf on the Shelf to the Christmas tree at Sinkiuse Square Tuesday. Because it was Christmas Eve, his mom Velma DeLaRosa explained, Ellyas was finally allowed to touch the elf, and so he was taking the elf on a tour of places he likes around Moses Lake.

'More than a statistic’

Civil Air Patrol, American Legion team up for Wreaths Across America

EPHRATA — More than 1,000 Grant County veterans were remembered Dec. 13 when the Civil Air Patrol, American Legion Post 28, Ephrata, and other community members laid wreaths on their graves.

Long journey: WSU scientists travel from India to Adams County

LIND — As the crow flies, the state of Rajasthan in Northwestern India is a long way from the state of Washington. But in some ways, they’re very similar. “A mountain range goes through the middle of the state (of Rajasthan),” said Dr. Surendra Singh, director of the Washington State University Lind Dryland Research Station. “The other side gets all the rain and we don't. And after 10 years, I ended up again on the drier side of the mountains.”

Festival of Trees raises funds for safe, affordable homes

MOSES LAKE — It was an evening of glittery trees, gaudy sweaters and holiday cheer at the Festival of Trees, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake’s annual banquet, auction and fundraiser. The event raised a little more than $70,000, according to Executive Director Rebecca Mabius.

‘The funnest day of the year’

Officers, families hit the aisles for Shop with a Cop Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — The Walmart store in Moses Lake was awash in uniforms Tuesday evening, as nearly every law enforcement officer in the area was gathered there for the annual Shop with a Cop event. “We get so many of our deputies that want to be part of this,” said Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete. “Every year we get some guys that keep coming back to do it, but we get a pretty good cycle of new people every year that want to be part of it.” “The nice thing is, everyone that’s here is here on their own (time),” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “No one’s working tonight that’s here right now.”

Coulee City clinic, library both get new home

COULEE CITY — Coulee City got a twofer Tuesday, as officials cut the ribbon on the new building that will house both medical clinic and library. “We're just incredibly ecstatic,” said Port of Coulee City Commissioner Joy Beardsley. “After all these years, we get to walk into an actual building.”

Habitat for Humanity to focus on home repairs in 2025

MOSES LAKE — Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake will focus on repairing existing homes rather than building a new one in 2025.

Scotty’s marks 30 years

$100 down buys three4 decades of serving the Basin

MOSES LAKE — It started with an audacious gamble by a 25-year-old mechanic. “I went to (Bill Duncan, who owned an industrial building on Citation Street), and I said ‘I’d like to get started. I’ll give you $100 down on the building, and then I’ll promise to pay the rent in two weeks or I’ll get out,’” said Scott Myers, who owns Scotty’s Auto Repair with his wife Jeannette. “He looked me in the eye and said ‘OK, I’ll do it,’ and we shook hands, and he gave me the key.”

WA named most bike-friendly state again

OLYMPIA – There is no state more supportive of people who travel by bike than Washington, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars returns in January

MOSES LAKE — There will be some fancy footwork at the Wallenstien Theater Jan. 11, when Dancing with the Moses Lake Stars returns for a second time, according to an announcement from the Central Basin Community Concert Association. “Last year’s show raised over $13,000 and we hope to exceed that this year,” CBCCA board member Carol Eidsvig wrote in the announcement. “The show was unique and something Moses Lake hasn’t seen before, we hope to fill the theater and show the community all we have to offer.” Six Moses Lake residents will each be paired with a professional dancer from the Utah Dance Company and have a week to perfect their moves, according to the announcement.

Care Moses Lake unveils new van

MOSES LAKE — Care Moses Lake will hit the road this year in a new van, with help from the Rotary Club of Moses Lake and the Kiwanis Club of Moses Lake. “Kiwanis came up with the idea after a conversation with Care Moses Lake,” said Rotarian Dave Campbell at the van’s unveiling Monday. “It was a project for consideration of our golf tournament … and that ended up materializing into what we have today.”

Housing market dips, but less than last year

MOSES LAKE — ’Tis the season for a sluggish housing market, according to data released last week by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate trends in 26 of Washington’s 39 counties.

Ready to shop

Moses Lake Shop with a Cop raises funds for gifts for families in need

MOSES LAKE — The Shop with a Cop program got a boost Wednesday and another Thursday. Wednesday evening the Columbia Basin Eagles Auxiliary presented the Grant County Sheriff’s Office with a check for $500.

Home at last

Habitat for Humanity’s latest house was a long time coming

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake family will move into its first home in the coming weeks, thanks to Habitat for Humanity. “This family is a family of four,” said Rebecca Mabius, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake. “They were able to select the flooring. They're able to select the color of their house, all the cabinets. They came in and they did the tile work themselves which, God bless them, that's a feat in itself.”

Ancient Lakes students collect hats, gloves

QUINCY — Three students at Ancient Lakes Elementary School in Quincy have made winter a little warmer for some folks. “(They collected) 97 pairs of gloves, 93 hats and eight scarves,” said teacher Kayla Hoffer.

Vocab VIPs

MLCA students give impressive showing in international vocabulary competition

MOSES LAKE — Next time you advise a Moses Lake Christian Academy student to use their words, be careful. They might use some you don’t know. MLCA emerged from the fall Vocabulary Bowl with some impressive honors: first place in Washington, second place in the U.S. and Canada in the under-500-students division and fourth place in North America overall.

Columbia Basin Foundation raffles trees for foster children

EPHRATA — The Grant County Guardian Ad Litem program, which advocates for children in foster care, will be the beneficiary of this year’s Columbia Basin Foundation Festival of Trees, according to CBF Executive Director Corinne Isaak.

Hometown shopping

Small Business Saturday brings rush of holiday sales to local shops

MOSES LAKE — Black Friday is big business, drawing huge crowds to huge stores with heavily advertised specials. But the next day, Small Business Saturday, hits a little closer to home.