R. HANS MILLER
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities.
Recent Stories
900 acres burn near Rocky Ford Creek
EPHRATA – A Wednesday afternoon fire near State Route 17 at Rocky Ford Creek was reportedly caused by a vehicle fire involving a farm tractor, said Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman...
Fire season starts in Grant Co.
SOAP LAKE — Fire season has kicked off in Grant County with three fires in less than 24 hours – one just north and east of Soap Lake, one at the intersection of State Route 17 and Stratford Road in Moses Lake on Tuesday and another at Rocky Ford Creek between Ephrata and Moses Lake on Wednesday...
Mavs and Chiefs
MLHS Class of 2023 goes out with style
MOSES LAKE — With mortar boards bedecked in flowers, back-the-blue flags, comedic statements, family names and hopes for the future, this year’s Moses Lake High School graduates walked the stage and stepped toward their futures, proud families watching from the stands at Lions Field. MLHS Principal Sheila Kries opened the ceremony with an analogy discussing how life’s experiences are like a watershed – appropriate for one of the larger schools in the Columbia Basin – and wished the students well. This year’s graduating class chose former School Resource Officer Zach Jennings as their staff speaker, and he shared a few memories of his time with the 2023 Mavs – who appeared to identify more as Chiefs, having had that mascot for much more of their high school careers – and a bit of humorous advice. “Growing old is mandatory – growing up is optional,” Jennings said.
‘I like to stay young and party all night’
Moses Lake youth brings big energy to a ‘crunched up’ town.
MOSES LAKE – Maximiliano Robert House has aspirations – and all of them involve having fun. “I like to stay young and I party all night,” Max said...
Letter from the Editor: Sad but fond farewell
The Columbia Basin will be losing a valued friend this month. After more than 116 years, the Grant County Journal will print its last issue at the end of June. The closure was announced in the Journal’s June 1 edition. The staff at the Columbia Basin Herald is saddened by the loss of another local newspaper, especially one so close to home. We’ve been happy to have a good relationship with the staff at the Journal and deeply respect and appreciate the service they’ve provided to the region for so long...
Bill to protect gas stoves introduced in Congress
OLYMPIA — A bill introduced Monday would protect gas stoves from proposed federal limitations, according to an announcement from Rep. Dan Newhouse, R – Washington. In February, the U.S. Department of Energy proposed an “energy efficiency standard” for gas cooking products. This would be the first energy performance standard imposed on residential cooktops, the announcement said...
GALLERY: Spring Fest Headliners
MOSES LAKE – Tone Loc, Montell Jordan and Vanilla Ice headlined Spring Fest in Moses Lake this year. The photos below highlight portions of their shows which celebrated the music of the ‘90s and had the rappers performing some of their hits from that era.
Soap Lake council accepts Walmart grant, tables cleanups
SOAP LAKE – During their regular meeting Wednesday, the Soap Lake City Council voted unanimously to accept a $1,250 grant from Walmart and tabled decisions on spring and fall cleanups for the city...
Special session called to complete Blake decision work
OLYMPIA – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced that he has called a special session to begin May 16 to address drug possession legality impacted by what is known as the Blake decision. “My office and I have been meeting with legislators from all four caucuses and I am very optimistic about reaching an agreement that can pass both chambers,” Inslee said. “Cities and counties are eager to see a statewide policy that balances accountability and treatment, and I believe we can produce a bipartisan bill that does just that.”
Letter from the editor: Fond farewell
MOSES LAKE – Rebecca Pettingill, one of the Columbia Basin Herald’s reporters for the last few years is leaving the publication for an opportunity with Big Bend Community College...
Artistic celebration
Columbia Basin Allied Arts celebrates founding anniversary with fundraiser
MOSES LAKE – Columbia Basin Allied Arts celebrated nearly five decades of bringing the arts to the Columbia Basin on Saturday. CBAA Director Shawn Cardwell said the event was a success overall and expressed her appreciation to attendees and other supporters. “It is always nice to spend time with the community. CBAA is grateful for every opportunity we get to share the work we are doing, and even more grateful for all those who spend time to listen and contribute to our success. Thanks to all who joined us on Saturday, to those who donated to our mission and those who supported the event. We are already planning for next year,” Cardwell said...
Business shindig
Ephrata Chamber hosts its first business expo, hopes to make it a yearly tradition.
EPHRATA – Ephrata Chamber of Commerce Director Rita Witte said she was excited at the response as the chamber hosted its first annual business expo during its April 12 business after-hours. “I think my excitement was that everybody else was excited,” Witte said. “Everybody else was happy with how it went.” ...
Colorful view
VANTAGE – One of the horse sculptures at the Wild Horse Monument above Vantage, Monday morning. Several of the horses have graffiti left by taggers on them, but the view is otherwise breathtaking from the top of the ridge.
Keeping the foundation
New Country Deli owners look to preserve menu, serve community
EPHRATA – Country Deli on Basin Street in Ephrata was recently bought by siblings Gabriela and Jeovani Dircio. The pair said they’re committed to staying the course and keeping the current menu the same while doing a bit of a refresh in other aspects of the business. “It’s a great place,” said Gabriela. “We were raised in Ephrata and Grant County and Country Deli holds a lot of great memories to ourselves and the community.”
CJ's Custom Meats cuts ribbon
MOSES LAKE - CJ's Custom Meats staff and members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce gathered Monday for a formal ribbon cutting at the business's shop in downtown Moses Lake. The business sells a variety of meats along with outdoor cooking equipment.
Burglary arrest, wreck, mental health call keep GCSO busy over weekend
EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office arrested Eliseo Valdobinos, 22, of Quincy Friday in association with investigations into multiple daytime burglaries, according to a GCSO statement...
Basic American Foods evaluating aftermath of fire
MOSES LAKE – Basic American Foods continues to assess the situation caused by a fire at their facility just south of Moses Lake on State Route 17. “BAF is currently assessing the damage to the portion of the facility and working with the local authorities to determine the root cause of the fire. BAF’s priority is and always will be to provide a safe work environment and produce quality products for a fair value to our customers,” said BAF Chief People Officer Peter Vitarisi via an email to the Columbia Basin Herald...
UPDATED: GCFD 5 responds to Basic American Foods fire
MOSES LAKE – A fire broke out at the Basic American Foods facility just south of Moses Lake at Tuesday evening. Grant County Fire District 5 and Moses Lake Fire Department responded to the blaze around 9 p.m...
Auction set to support local accident victim
MOSES LAKE – Central Washington Livestock, Inc., Moses Lake, is set to auction off Panda the Mexican steer Wednesday at 1 p.m. to support Caleb Berquist and his family as he recovers from a side-by-side ATV accident. “I actually grew up with Shane Berquist, Caleb’s dad,” said Randy Hull, Jr. of Central Washington Livestock, Inc. “We’ve been close friends our whole lives – grew up in the same little town. (He’s) the closest thing to a brother that I’ve got, and so, obviously I have known Caleb since he was born.” ...
AMR announces Grant departure
County first responders plan future of local EMS with new provider.
EPHRATA – American Medical Response, which handles much of the ambulance services in Grant County, announced last week that it will be ceasing operations in the county, citing increased costs, among other reasons. “We were notified that there was going to be a need for financial supplement of AMR’s operations, and those (conversations) started taking place in January of 2023, where they said they need an additional $350,000 annually to supplement their operations in Grant County,” said Ephrata Fire Department Chief Jeremy Burns, who also serves on the Central County Ambulance Service Board, also referred to as the ASB...
Columbia Basin Allied Arts
Local organization works to ensure rural Washington has access to creative performances
MOSES LAKE – Columbia Basin Allied Arts has been around for nearly five decades, said CBAA Executive Director Shawn Cardwell. The organization started at Big Bend Community College and works to ensure everyone in Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties has access to the arts. “There are so many events that I’m really proud of; that I love doing,” Cardwell said. “But I really think I am most excited about serving some of the most rural and smallest school districts and on the other hand, some of the largest elementary schools with the lowest income or highest (non-English speaking student percentages in the student body)” ...
Woman arrested and charged with raping 15-year-old boy
EPHRATA - Andrea Campos Hernandez, 22, Moses Lake has been arrested after an investigation into alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old Warden High School student, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. “The alleged misconduct started in 2021 when the boy was 13 and Hernandez was 21,” the statement said...
EDITORIAL: Straightforward about 'Dilbert'
You may notice that the comic strip “Dilbert” is missing from the paper. After recent events associated with the comic strip’s artist and writer, Scott Adams, and commentary on his YouTube channel, the Herald is choosing not to do business with him any longer. Last week, Adams took to his video channel and went on a rant, inspired by poll results from Rasmussen Reports...
Othello PD hosting recruiting seminars
OTHELLO – The Othello Police Department is having a hard time recruiting like other law enforcement agencies across Washington state, OPD Chief Phil Schenck said. However, the agency isn’t taking the issue lightly and is innovating to help new recruits pass muster. “The first (seminar) was on how to get in physical shape. The last one (we held) kind of reiterated that,” Schenck said. “But then we talked about how to do the written test.” ...
Association honors locals at real estate banquet
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors held their annual banquet on Saturday, July 21. The awards recognized community members and real estate professionals in five categories. Jeannie Austin-Cook, a member of the Moms helping moms of Grant County WA Facebook group – and incidentally the receptionist at the Columbia Basin Herald – was honored as the Citizen of the Year. “I feel humbled and honored,” Austin-Cook said. “A little taken aback because what I do isn’t about being recognized.” Austin-Cook was nominated by Allison May of Better Homes and Gardens Gary Mann Real Estate for her work in the community.
Soap Lake considers annexation, development needs
SOAP LAKE – During Thursday’s regular Soap Lake City Council meeting, council members took up multiple topics related to development in and around the city, including the annexation of a dozen 50-foot by 100-foot lots and an updated plan for the Purple Sage development. City Planner and former Mayor Alex Kovach said the new development plan for Purple Sage will set up a condominium development rather than an RV park. It will be comprised of double-wide manufactured homes with 236 units in the subdivision. Soap Lake Police Chief and Interim City Manager Ryan Cox advised the council that only brand new manufactured homes can be brought into the city, so this will not bring in outdated structures that aren’t up to current codes.
Racist flyers distributed in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr verified Thursday afternoon reports that flyers promoting the Aryan Freedom Network and directing those who find the materials to a white supremacy website were recently distributed in Moses Lake. “Last week and earlier this week, a group was dropping little flyers in a plastic baggie that had rice in it just to hold it down,” Fuhr said. “They were dropping them in neighborhoods and (the flyers said) basically, ‘Save the white race.’” The home-printed flyers were found in sandwich bags with rice to weigh them down and keep them from blowing away, Fuhr said. While the content of the flyers may be offensive to many, it is protected under the First Amendment, limiting law enforcement’s ability to address the issue to enforcing littering violations. Flyers were also tossed out along the route for the Martin Luther King, Jr. march held in Moses Lake on Jan. 16, he said.
2 locals added to ag hall of fame
MOSES LAKE - Members of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce gathered at Pillar Rock Grill Tuesday evening for the organization’s annual meeting which included the induction of Mike Laplant and Frank Martinez into the Grant County Farm Bureau’s Agriculture Hall of Fame. “The Moses Lake Area Agricultural Hall of Fame was formed in the year 2010 to recognize and honor distinguished individuals that have made significant contributions to the ag industry in our community in the Greater Moses Lake Area,” said incoming Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce board chair and Grant County Fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan before the awards were presented. Peter Dufault with the Grant County Farm Bureau gave out the awards to the two honorees after describing their contributions to agriculture in the region...
One in custody after early morning burglary
MOSES LAKE - One man is in custody and another is being sought after the pair broke into a Moses Lake woman’s home in the 1200 block of Adair Street, according to Grant County Sheriff’s Office staff. The woman was not injured, nor were law enforcement officials who responded to the incident. “(The resident) was pretty shaken up. She kept her head under some really terrible circumstances – having two men armed with knives come into her home, and she was able to call 9-1-1 and then escape to them to the safety of law enforcement officers,” said GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman...
Candidates discuss policies at candidate forum
MOSES LAKE — Candidates for several county-level races responded to questions at a candidate forum at the Moses Lake Civic Center Monday evening. Races represented included those for sheriff, clerk, commissioner, assessor and superior court judge – all on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election. “We sponsor the candidates forum to give voters an opportunity to better understand a candidate and their positions on the issues pertinent to the position they are running for, so voters can select a candidate that best reflects their views and values. Every candidate in contested races are invited to attend and we monitor the amount of time given to each candidate so that is fair and impartial,” said Debbie Martinez, president and CEO of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce...
November options narrowed after primaries
Unofficial county election results as of Aug.2
COLUMBIA BASIN - While Grant and Adams county voters had plenty of options in the Aug. 2 primary, the point of the August ballot is to narrow down options in November to no more than two candidates for each race. The results posted below are unofficial and do not include all ballots. Mail-in ballots or ballots with signature issues needing to be rectified before they are counted are not included. Results of the primaries are expected to be certified by Aug. 16 at the county level and Aug. 19 at the state level, according to the Washington Secretary of State’s website. Only contested races are included below and additional coverage will be provided as ballot totals are finalized...
Vantage Highway fire causes haze, threatens 40 structures
Blaze impacts about 8,000 acres so far
VANTAGE - A fire is burning on the western side of the Columbia River north of Vantage along the Vantage Highway, leading to the mobilization of state resources to combat the roughly 10,500-acre blaze which threatened about 40 structures Monday. “We have resources from all across the state because this is a state mobilization fire now,” said Grace DeBusschere, public information officer with Kittitas Fire District 7. “We have (Washington State Department of Natural Resources) ground resources from all across the state. We have local fire district resources and mutual aid partners.” A small amount of Bureau of Land Management land is also involved in the fire, so BLM staff are on hand to assist as well, along with Department of Fish and Wildlife responders. The state mobilization order, authorized by Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste at the request of Kittitas County District 4 Fire Chief William Rose, allows those additional resources to respond to the fire, DeBusschere said. Efforts to contain the blaze, which caused a haze of smoke across much of northern Grant and Kittitas counties, include aerial firefighting apparatus such as planes and helicopters. Boats with first responders aboard could also be seen from the Frenchman Coulee area moving around the area impacted by the fire, which she said was spreading in a northerly direction as of Monday at about 2 p.m. No cause has been identified for the fire at this time; however, it is thought to have started around 1 p.m. Monday. The fire caused the evacuation of the city of Vantage, along I-90 on the east end of the bridge over the Columbia River. No injuries or structure losses have been reported at this time, DeBusshere said...
Dollie Boyd: Helping history put on a good show
Dollie Boyd, city of Moses Lake museum director, is used to the pressure of educating and putting on a good show at the same time.
Cari Cortez: Managing the moving pieces of the housing shortage
Cari Cortez’s official title with the City of Moses Lake is housing and grants coordinator. It sounds simple, but there’s more involved than people may realize.
Multi-Agency Communications Center: Emergency dispatch requires ‘a special kind of person’
It takes a special kind of person to be a 911 dispatcher, says Dispatch Supervisor Jennifer Pitt, who has worked at the Multi-Agency Communications Center for about 17 years.
Levi Bisnett
Keeping Moses Lake a place people want to live
MOSES LAKE - Levi Bisnett wants Moses Lake to be recreationist and pedestrian-friendly. As a project surveyor with the city, he gets a chance to make that vision happen. “It kind of plays into what I’ve been talking about for many years,” Bisnett said of his position. “Which is the need to do things other than just streets, water, sewer, (stormwater drainage) and sidewalks.” ...
MLSD’s The Summit gets new home
Program growth leads to improved facilities for local youth
MOSES LAKE — The Summit - Moses Lake School District’s program for learners with special needs - has a new home.
UPDATED: Fatality accident near George closes roadway
GEORGE - The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement that roads have been closed at the intersection of Adams Road and S. Frontage Road near Quincy. The collision involves a retired school bus that was transporting farmworkers. No school children were aboard the bus at the time of the accident. At least one fatality and multiple injuries are reported. GCSO spokesperson Kyle Foreman said those injured are being triaged and sent to area hospitals for treatment. The statement made by GCSO indicated that multiple vehicles were involved in the collision but did not specify how many or what types of vehicles were involved.
Cherabella’s Salon
Local beauty shop owner looks to preserve history of new location.
EPHRATA – Clients of Cherabellas Salon at 142 W. Division Street in downtown Ephrata will soon have a different and larger venue to visit to get gussied up, according to shop owner Hannah Oliver. “Right now we have 900 square feet and the new building is 1,700,” Oliver said. “So, it’ll double the space, which will allow the last extension gal, Kiffen (Schulz, her own space.)” ...
Georgie's Gently Used
Local shop owner aims to help community
EPHRATA – Georgie Youngers, owner of Georgie’s Gently Used at 506 C St. SW in Ephrata, said she knows what it’s like to need affordable options to take care of yourself and your family. Youngers moved to Ephrata after a divorce to be close to her mother, she said. While she was recovering financially from the divorce, she cleaned houses and turned to thrifting and yard sales to make ends meet...
Ephrata SD receives $110K grant for digital whiteboards
EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District Board of Directors accepted a $110,000 federal grant which will be used to purchase Promethean digital boards and training for teachers to integrate them into their classrooms. “With this grant, we will be able to fulfill that vision of having an interactive Promethean panel in every single classroom,” said Ephrata SD Technology, Career and Technical Education Director Sarah Vasquez...
Students, supporters protest mask requirement at MLSD meeting
MOSES LAKE — Several students and their supporters were asked to leave after they refused to wear masks at last Thursday’s Moses Lake School District Board of Directors meeting.
'Barnyard chic': The Southern Gypsie boutique opens in Ephrata
EPHRATA — Erin Fruge opened The Southern Gypsie boutique in Ephrata at 444 Basin St. NW in Ephrata on Feb. 5. The business specializes in gifts, clothing and décor made by Columbia Basin artisans with what Fruge calls a “barnyard chic” style.
Grant County works to establish drug court
EPHRATA — Grant County is in the process of implementing a drug court aimed at reducing recidivism among defendants with a history of drug use associated with their alleged crimes.
Basin swimmers head to state
FEDERAL WAY — Fifteen Columbia Basin swimmers and divers will be headed to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association state swim and dive meet Feb. 17-19 in Federal Way.
Warden High School locked down due to gas leak
Warden High School was put into a shelter-in-place scenario Monday morning after construction crews working nearby damaged an underground natural gas line.
Two Moses Lake men arrested in connection with Carl’s Jr. robbery
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 30 armed robbery of the Carl’s Jr. on Kittleson Road in Moses Lake, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake Police Department.
The search is on: Consultant says MLSD to get quality candidates for superintendent
Moses Lake School Board members met with representatives of their superintendent search consultant, Northwest Leadership Associates during a special Wednesday afternoon meeting.
Moses Lake moves forward with study to address shelterlessness
In a split vote, the Moses Lake City Council passed a motion to move forward with a feasibility study to identify what steps need to be taken to address shelterlessness in the city. Council members also voted unanimously to terminate a contract with Wenatchee-based Pacific Security, the company that patrols the city’s sleep center.
Moses Lake High School awaits final word on Chiefs moniker
With the enactment of a new state law last year, legislators in Olympia made it illegal for a school to inappropriately use a Native American word or image as a logo or mascot – but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Moses Lake High School will be changing its moniker, Chiefs, anytime soon, says Moses Lake School Board member Shannon Hintz.