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Man missing, presumed drowned on Banks Lake
COULEE CITY – First responders searched for a man who went missing on Banks Lake near Coulee City Park Friday, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Crack sealing project on SR 26 Monday, Tuesday
OTHELLO — Road crews will be sealing cracks on a section of State Route 26 extending east from Othello Monday and Tuesday. As a result, drivers should plan for potential delays.
STUDIO BASIN: Leadership changes, and Royal softball coach Lisa Lawrence
MOSES LAKE - On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller reviews leadership changes happening around the Columbia Basin. That includes changes for the Moses Lake, Soap Lake and Royal school districts as well as the city of Moses Lake.
Seller’s market remains in Grant County
MOSES LAKE — Grant County is still leaning in favor of home sellers, according to a report from Rocket Homes reviewing home sales for the month of June. While the market price was lower in Grant County than the state average, the market still favors the seller to some extent.
Basin events for July 5-13
COLUMBIA BASIN – If you’re looking to get out and about after enjoying the Independence Day holiday, The Columbia Basin has several things going on over the next week.
Tiger leader sworn in
EPHRATA – Incoming Ephrata School District Superintendent Ken Murray was sworn in by his predecessor, Tim Payne, on Monday July 1. Murray has said he will work to continue to build community and focus on student success.
Othello PD looking for leads in missing juvenile case
OTHELLO – The Othello Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance to locate 15-year-old Serenity Ayala who went missing on Sunday, June 30. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts should contact OPD at 509-488-3314 and reference case number 24-O02636.
Moses Lake interim city manager appointed
MOSES LAKE — Mike Jackson, a retired city manager, has been selected as the interim city manager for Moses Lake. Jackson’s appointment was announced byt the city Tuesday.
WA gas prices consistently higher most of U.S., CCA causes jump
MOSES LAKE – According to an analysis by Gas Buddy, an organization that monitors fuel prices, Washington has consistently had higher average gas prices for July 1 of each year since 2014, even before increases resulting from the Climate Commitment Act’s carbon fees came into play.
Spring Chinook season to open early on Entiat River
ENTIAT — Fishing season for Chinook salmon on the Entiat River will open a week early and the upstream boundary will be expanded, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
MLSD receives donation for Garden Heights well repairs
MOSES LAKE — A $10,000 donation from a Moses Lake couple will help pay for repairs to the well at Garden Heights Elementary. The donation made by Derick and Audra Eckenberg was announced by Moses Lake School District officials Monday.
Soap Lake man injured in gunfire exchange
SOAP LAKE — A Soap Lake man was airlifted to Confluence Health-Central Washington Hospital, Wenatchee, early Monday morning after he exchanged gunfire with people he allegedly found on his property.
Quincy students to receive summer food aid
QUINCY – The Quincy School District announced that it has been informed that the Department of State Health Services will be providing grocery benefits to help families with school-age children buy groceries during the summer break in July and August.
Grant Co. Health District concerned about chickenpox incidences
WARDEN – The Grant County Health District has issued a press release indicating that there has been an increase in the instances of chickenpox over the past few months. GCHD is investigating outbreaks in multiple locations, including a childcare center in Warden that has affected several children that were not yet eligible for the chickenpox vaccine.
STUDIO BASIN: MLSD, fire news, Strength of the Basin and summer sports
MOSES LAKE – On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer discuss the ongoing issues with the Moses Lake School District, including an odd sidebar relating to the Grant County Morgue.
QPD asks for assistance locating missing Quincy woman
QUINCY — The Quincy Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in finding a Quincy woman last seen April 28. The QPD is working with the Latino Civic Alliance in an effort to find Carmen Flores, 27. She is autistic but is able to communicate.
BASIN Events calendar for July 2024
MOSES LAKE – As June rolls into July, the days are getting a bit warmer, the fish are biting and the car enthusiasts, golfers and children of the Columbia Basin are celebrating their season. The events below are a partial listing of what is going on in Grant and Adams counties. July 4 events will be published separately to ensure folks can celebrate our nation’s birthday.
Moses Lake man arrested for assault, robbery
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man has been booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault and first-degree robbery, among other charges, after he was arrested Thursday morning.
Local grocery store to sponsor food drive for 14th year
MOSES LAKE — Owners of the Moses Lake Grocery Outlet will be collecting donations of food and money for the store’s 14th annual “Independence from Hunger” campaign through the end of July.
Water safety patrols increase next week
CRESCENT BAR — Marine Unit deputies with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office will be out on county lakes and the Columbia River Next week as part of a campaign to reduce incidents of boats being operated by impaired drivers.
Registration open for Masquers summer drama camp
SOAP LAKE — Registration is open for a week-long summer drama camp sponsored by the Masquers Theater in Soap Lake. Camp begins July 22 with the finale performance July 26.
WA Connections Academy announces Grant Co. graduates
TUMWATER – The Washington Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school that serves Kindergarten through high school seniors announced the graduation of four Grant County students this month.
Pear Committee manager appointed
MILWAUKIE, Ore. – The Fresh Pear Committee met June 12 and appointed Jeff Correa as Manager of the Fresh Pear Committee of Federal Marketing Order 927, according to an FPC announcement.
GALLERY: Scenes of June
MOSES LAKE – June has been a busy month in and around the Columbia Basin. Community events, retirements and lots of sunshine have had the residents of Grant County out and about. The photos below are just some of the scenes that have made the area a wonderful place to live.
NEWS BITES: June 25, 2024
NEWS BITES: June 25, 2024
Columbia Basin events for June 21-29, 2024
MOSES LAKE – This week offers several opportunities for fun. Step out and enjoy the summer weather at these events.
NEWS BITES: New officers, lassos and driving safe
NEWS BITES: New officers, lassos and driving safe
Skills in action
MATTAWA – Ephrata High School welding students had the opportunity to visit with Grant County Public Utility District staff and see what it looks like to put welding skills to work during a trip to Priest Rapids Dam earlier this week. Throughout the Grant and Adams counties, many high school students learn technical skills like welding through technical skills programs.
Moses Lake concert series starts Friday
MOSES LAKE – The City of Moses Lake Creative District Free Summer Concert Series starts this Friday at 8 p.m. at McCosh Park. The first concert in the series of six live music shows is The Wenatchee Big Band.
Fruit grower fined for Othello trench collapse incident
TUMWATER — Wenatchee-based fruit company Stemilt has been fined $353,000 for safety violations that led to a worker being buried and injured in a trench collapse last fall near Othello.
Big Bend celebrates new nurses
MOSES LAKE – A new class of 15 Vikings nurses graduated Big Bend Community College and celebrated with a Friday pinning ceremony. Staff with BBCC said the following people earned nursing certifications this year: Nayeli Garcia, Kelsey Kramer, Casey McKinnis, Mikayla Rushton, Ty Tait, Natasha Weidig, Hannah Metcalf, Yvette Moreno, Leslie Kelly, Karmen Lange, Karena Rodriguez, Estebanie Swanson, Jennifer Villarroel, Charlie Wood, Shelly Miller.
MLSD hires new finance director
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District announced the appointment of Mitch Thompson as MLSD’s new executive director of finance and operations Monday. Thompson’s appointment was effective June 14.
Ephrata's Grandview Heights impacted by sewer outage
EPHRATA – The city of Ephrata is asking residents in the Grandview Heights neighborhood not to flush toilets, run washing machines or take other actions which put waste into the city’s sewer system. Backup issues in the area are causing a problem north and west of the intersection of Statter and Maringo roads. City staff are working to address the issue and the city will provide updates as they become available.
STUDIO BASIN: Sheriff Joey Kriete on summer safety and sports awards
MOSES LAKE – In this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller sits down with Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete to talk about summer safety. Kriete went over factors contributing to increased dangers during the summer and education efforts GCSO has in place to help keep area residents safe.
Mobile rec activities bring free fun for children
MOSES LAKE – Children ages 5-12 can enjoy free, interactive summer activities through the Mobile Recreation program in Moses Lake, according to a press release from the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Wenatchee library to host citizenship services
WENATCHEE – People who are interested in becoming United States citizens are being invited to a program that will provide local access to citizenship resources June 25-27 at the Wenatchee Public Library, 310 Douglas St.
Coumbia Basin events calendar for June 14 – 21
Coumbia Basin events calendar for June 14 – 21
Spencer named Ephrata Middle School assistant principal
EPHRATA – Levi Spencer has been named the new assistant principal at Ephrata Middle a School, according to an Ephrata School District press release. He will start in that role July 1.
NEWS BITES: June 12, 2024
EPHRATA — A 22-year-old Quincy man was jailed Tuesday for possessing sexually explicit images of children, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Hunter Biden convicted
WILMINGTON, Del. – Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has been convicted of three felony charges stemming from the purchase of a revolver in 2018. The charges are based on a form wherein the President’s son indicated he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.
Salmon, steelhead season extended on Columbia River
OLYMPIA — The recreational fishing season for salmon and steelhead on the Columbia River has been extended, including the section of river downstream from the Highway 395 bridge in Pasco.
NEWS BITES: June 11, 2024
EPHRATA — Two Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies assumed new roles Monday. Sheriff Joe Kriete gave the oath of office to Corrections Division Corporal Liz Ramirez and Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman.
UW announces Winter 2024 Dean’s List honorees
SEATTLE – Students from the Columbia Basin have been named to the Dean's List at the University of Washington for the Winter 2024 Quarter.
STUDIO BASIN: PUD rates, Chief for a Day and Dru Gimlin 3-on-3
MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer breaks down the Grant PUD seeking public input on its future rate policy, as well as Chief for a Day being hosted in Ephrata.
Airborne fun
MOSES LAKE – A member of the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team descends upon the Grant County International Airport during the first Moses Lake Air Show in June 2019. This year’s show is set for Father’s Day weekend. Find full coverage of what you can look forward to at the show in Monday’s edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.
Basin events for June 7-14
MOSES LAKE - Activities abound this week in the Columbia Basin with festivals, car shows and a bunch of other fun activities to get out of the house and enjoy the early summer weather. If you're looking for something to do, Grant and Adams counties have plenty to offer over the next week.
UW Dean’s List recognizes Grant, Adams scholars as university preps for graduation
SEATTLE - Students from Grant and Adams counties have been named to the Dean's List at the University of Washington for the Autumn 2023 Quarter.
EHS celebrates scholarship awards
EPHRATA – During a May 29 assembly at Ephrata High School, hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships were doled out to hardworking students headed toward ongoing education programs.
Ephrata summer meals program expanding
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District will be offering both on-site and grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals for children over the summer, according to a press release from the district.
16-year-old Mattawa girl dies by overdose
MATTAWA – Grant County detectives are investigating the suspected fentanyl overdose death of a 16-year-old Mattawa girl, according to a Wednesday statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.