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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.
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.
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.
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.
News Bites for June 4, 2024
News Bites for June 4, 2024
USDA wildfire plan issued
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland issued Monday a joint memo to federal agency leaders with wildfire responsibilities outlining their vision and goals for managing wildland fires this year, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Algae treatment starts in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE – Treatment for algal blooms in Moses Lake waters began Monday and continues through June 12, according to a press release from the Pollack Group, which represents EutroPHIX, the contractor performing the treatment.
Basin community calendar for June 2024
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s June, school is almost out, summer is dead ahead and there will be lots of things to do in the Columbia Basin.
CBIT investigation of Motel 6 incident moves forward
EPHRATA – The Central Basin Investigation Team is continuing the investigation into the May 4 officer-involved shooting at the Motel 6 in Moses Lake that resulted in injuries to the suspect, Zachary Allen Stockton, 37, and Moses Lake PD Sgt. Adam Munro, according to statement issued by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
NEWS BITES: June 3, 2024
NEWS BITES: June 3, 2024
STUDIO BASIN: Moses Lake School District, graduations and state championships
MOSES LAKE — Some tough decisions for the Moses Lake School District, a timeline for a new Grant County morgue and seniors saying goodbye to high school are among the topics for the Studio Basin podcast this week.
Trump convicted in New York
NEW YORK, New York – A jury returned guilty verdicts on 34 felony counts in the hush-money case against former President Donald J. Trump Thursday making him the first former U.S. President to be convicted of a felony after serving in the Oval Office.
Free dental clinic this weekend
MOSES LAKE —The Moses Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church will sponsor a two-day free dental clinic for local residents from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
MLSD to eliminate equivalent of 85 more positions
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will reduce its staff for the 2024-25 school year by about 85 jobs among its classified employees. The new reductions are in addition to about 100 layoffs announced May 15. The new round of reductions affects classified (non-teaching) employees only, according to a MLSD press release. The previous reduction affected certificated (teaching) employees and administrators.
Two arrested for trespassing, possible theft near Ritzville
RITZVILLE – Two subjects were arrested in association with a trespassing and subsequent theft complaint in the 1500 block of E. Rosenoff Road, near the Ritzville Memorial Cemetery Monday.
Deputies execute PIT maneuver to stop reckless driver
OTHELLO – Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies aided Othello Police Department officers after a passenger vehicle failed to stop for an OPD patrol vehicle, according to an ACSO statement.
Dogs and cats available for adoption at Adams County Pet Rescue
OTHELLO — It’s been a busy few weeks at Adams County Pet Rescue - there was the kitten that may have fallen out of a vehicle, and those puppies found in a haystack, among many other dogs and cats.
Othello man arrested in fuel theft case
OTHELLO – Anthony Earl Lee, 33, of Othello was arrested for suspicion of theft in the second degree and suspicion of unlawful use of red dyed diesel after an investigation by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Open house set for Reclamation fire station
GRAND COULEE – Construction work at the Bureau of Reclamation fire station is near completion near the west gate to the Grand Coulee Power Office near the intersection of Highway 155 and B Street.
Wet week helps crops
OLYMPIA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service’s weekly report for Washington indicates that the week ending May 26 was wetter than average which is anticipated to be good for crops across the state.
Box score roundup for May 24, 2024
COLUMBIA BASIN – Box scores for baseball, boys soccer and softball games from May 24. Box scores for weekend games will be compiled and published in the Wednesday, May 29 edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.
Olympic National Park ranks fourth in KURU Footwear top ten hiking list
MOSES LAKE – According to a May 22 statement from KURU Footwear, the organization conducted an analysis of all 63 U.S. National Parks to identify the top ten for hiking based on factors such as number of trails, trail length, average trail rating and park crowd levels.
Pear Bureau receives $4M global marketing grant
MILWAUKIE, OREGON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $4.025 million grant under the Regional Agriculture Promotion Program to build demand for American pears in global markets with a high potential according to a Pear Bureau Northwest press release.
Electric City audit report released
ELECTRIC CITY – The Washington State Auditor’s Office released Monday its report and summary of the office’s audit of Electric City’s financial statements from January 2021 through December 2022. The summary reported no findings of material weaknesses or non-compliance.
Sign-up for MCBONES Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site tours starts June 1
KENNEWICK – According to a May 17 announcement from the MCBONES Research Center Foundation, sign-ups for public and group tours at the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site, a dig site in Kennewick, begin June 1. Reservations can be made for June through October.
State Fire Marshal releases Memorial Day safety tips
OLYMPIA – According to a Wednesday statement from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, during Memorial Day weekend in 2023 there were 10,658 incidents in Washington State requiring Fire or EMS response. These incidents resulted in $3,489,572 in property loss. “Please keep fire safety in mind as we honor those that have fallen,” the statement said. The statement urged members of the public to follow these tips to stay safe during this year’s Memorial Day:
Columbia Basin Herald closed Monday for Memorial Day
MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Herald will not publish an edition Monday in recognition of the Memorial Day holiday. The office will be closed. Publication will resume Tuesday.
Chamber seeking volunteers for Sage-N-Sun
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers for this year's Sage -N-Sun Festival set for June 7-8. Takedown and cleanup volunteers are needed for Saturday, June 8 starting at about 10 p.m. the Saturday of the event. The chamber is also looking for two additional judges for the Grand Parade and someone to supervise the cornhole activities at the festival. That attraction will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and sifts are set for two-hour increments. The festival is also looking for a face-painting vendor for the event To volunteer, contact the chamber at 509-754-4656 or email the chamber at [email protected]. More information on the event is available at ephratachamber.org.
Memorial Day remembrance events scheduled
MOSES LAKE — Veterans, especially those who died in service to their country, will be remembered with Memorial Day ceremonies in communities around the Columbia Basin.
Grant County PUD manager to stay on the job
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD General Manager Rich Wallen will continue in that job. Utility district commissioners made the announcement during a workshop Tuesday morning, followed by a statement from Commissioner Terry Pyle warning against listening to rumors. Commission Chair Tom Flint said commissioners wanted to make it clear where they stood. “As you know, there has been a quite a bit of rumor and misinformation floating around the district,” Flint said. “The commission would like to clarify some of that. The commission has never asked Rich Wallen to resign.” All five commissioners supported, and still support, Wallen, Flint said.
Identification pending on crash victim
CRESCENT BAR – Identification is pending on a man found dead in a car near Ancient Lakes Road near Crescent Bar late Saturday afternoon.
Royal City teacher nominated for National History Day Teacher of the Year award
ROYAL CITY – Royal Middle School Social Studies Teacher Emily Ovenell was nominated in the middle school division of National History Day’s 2024 Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award according to a May 13 announcement from NHD
Man sentenced for sexually abusing children in Othello
PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon man who was convicted of sexually abusing two girls in Othello was sentenced Thursday to more than 12 years in prison, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Oregon.