STAFF REPORT
Recent Stories
Ephrata Middle School ribbon cutting set for Monday
EPHRATA – A ribbon cutting ceremony is set for this coming Monday at 6 p.m. at Ephrata Middle School to celebrate the school’s recent remodel. Changes made at the school include a new security vestibule, upgraded gym and cafeteria. Those attending the ribbon cutting will have an opportunity to hear from school leadership and tour the campus to see what changes have been made to public areas. Additional improvements include changes to the school’s HVAC system which make it easier and more affordable to maintain over time. The campus is located at 384 A Street SE in Ephrata.
Benton Sheriff asks for help identifying victims in sex assault case
KENNEWICK – In a Tuesday announcement, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying additional victims of Jose Marcelo Bustos, 37, who was arrested March 18 for second-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping with aggravating circumstance, with an allegation of sexual motivation.
BIAW sees a mixed bag of industry successes, frustrations from WA Legislative Session
TUMWATER – While Washington’s housing crisis continues to linger, the Washington Legislative Session for 2024 session brought mixed results for housing costs in Washington, according to a press release from the Building Industry Association of Washington.
Big Bend co-op's Caring Neighbors donates $10K to local organizations
RITZVILLE – According to an April 3 announcement, nonprofit organization Caring Neighbors, a five-member volunteer board established by Big Bend Electric Co-op, recently donated more than $10,000 to eight local non-profit organizations.
News Bites for April 9, 2024
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office issued a reminder Sunday for residents not to swim or play in irrigation canals, which have begun to fill up for the year.
STUDIO BASIN: Fentanyl challenges and sports successes
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 discuss the issues the county is facing with Fentanyl. The pair discuss what the challenges are for law enforcement as officers work to stem the tide of the dangerous drug in the county and review statistics for Washington and the county in relation to fentanyl overdoses.
Weather for the week of April 8, 2024
Weather for the week of April 8, 2024
Single-vehicle collision closes SR 262
MARDON — A fiery collision left a man in the hospital and closed state Route 262 Friday morning, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.
Basin box score roundup for April 5, 2024
MOSES LAKE – Most of the student athletes in the Basin are on Spring Break this week, but there have been a few games for Moses Lake and Othello teams, both of which performed well in their respective sports.
WSDA local food chain grant application opens
OLYMPIA – According to a recent announcement, the Washington State Department of Agriculture is offering $2 million in grants to support local food supply chains and market access for farms, ranches, food processors and food distributors.
Disclosure commission welcomes new leader
OLYMPIA — Jim Oswald was named to the Public Disclosure Commission by Gov. Jay Inslee April 1, according to an announcement from the PDC.
Ephrata Chamber events scheduled
EPHRATA – The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce has dates set for its annual events for 2024. More information regarding these events may be found at EphrataChamber.org.
Distracted driving emphasis patrols continuing through April 8
OLYMPIA — Law enforcement agencies across the state will be conducting emphasis patrols focusing on distracted driving through April 8, according to a press release from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Commerce invests nearly $20M into affordable housing
OLYMPIA — The Department of Commerce this week announced $19.8 million in awards to 31 applicants to preserve 873 affordable housing units through the Housing Preservation Program. These projects provide critically needed housing to some of Washington’s most vulnerable populations, according to the announcement.
Wreaths Across America partners with Military Order of the World Wars
COLUMBIA FALLS, Me., and ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Wreaths Across America announced Tuesday the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Military Order of the World Wars, solidifying a partnership aimed at bolstering support for veterans and their families across the nation.
Late-inning slip forces BBCC split with CBC
MOSES LAKE — Coming off of a rough conference home opener, the Big Bend Community College Vikings traveled to Pasco Saturday to finish out the four-game set, according to an announcement from BBCC.
Applicants sought for Solid Waste Advisory Commission
EPHRATA — The Grant County Commission is looking for a volunteer to fill an open position on the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The position is open to applicants from southern Grant County, District 3, which includes Mattawa.
State begins annual beetle treatments
OLYMPIA – Annual treatments against invasive Japanese beetles began Monday in South Central Washington, according to an announcement from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. WSDA is conducting treatments in Grandview, Sunnyside, Mabton, Prosser, Wapato and Pasco as part of a multi-year eradication effort.
Grant PUD to start sending text alerts
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD has started a system to alert customers to electrical or fiber outages in their areas via text message.
Roellich recognized as Banner Bank’s Best
MOSES LAKE — Kellan Roellich, a credit analyst for Banner Bank’s Moses Lake branch, has been selected for the Banner’s Best award, according to an announcement from Banner Bank.
Abell announces candidacy for Washington House
INCHELIUM — Hunter Abell, of Inchelium, has announced his candidacy for the state House of Representatives, according to an announcement from Abell Thursday.
New WA law caps cost of inhalers, EpiPens
OLYMPIA — A bill signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee Monday will limit the cost of some lifesaving medicines, according to an announcement from Rep. Dave Zpaul, D-Oak Harbor, the bill’s sponsor.
Two arrested, two sought in Adams County crime spree
RITZVILLE - Adams County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested two people and are searching for two more in connection with a series of crimes, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Japanese beetle open house to be held Thursday
PASCO — The Washington State Department of Agriculture will host an open house Thursday in Pasco to discuss plans for eradicating the Japanese beetle, according to an announcement from the WSDA.
BASIN SCORES ROUNDUP for March 26, 2024
COLUMBIA BASIN – Box scores for baseball and softball games from March 23-25.
Weather for the week of March 25, 2024
Weather for the week of March 25, 2024
STUDIO BASIN: Speech and drama, Sila Nanotechnologies and all-star basketball
MOSES LAKE — An update on a new Moses Lake business and Moses Lake High School drama and speech participants coming home with state hardware were among the topics on the March 22 edition of the Studio Basin podcast.
Ephrata schools select new assistant superintendent
EPHRATA – Ephrata High School Principal Aaron Cummings has been named the district’s new assistant superintendent, according to a press release from the district. The selection comes as Assistant Superintendent Ken Murray looks to assume the role of interim superintendent for the 2024-25 school year.
Othello to hold 26th Annual Othello Spring Clean-Up Days
OTHELLO – The city of Othello will be holding the 26th Annual Spring Clean-Up Days from April 1 to April 6, according to a Thursday announcement from the city.
Low interest loans available to cherry growers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sweet cherry growers in Washington will be eligible for up to $500,000 in federal emergency loans following a formal disaster declaration for the 2023 cherry season by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The declaration was announced Tuesday by Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Rep. Kim Schrier.
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival this weekend
OTHELLO — Birds, lectures, birds, tours, birds, geology, birds, activities, birds and all things birding await birdwatchers at the 2024 Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, scheduled for Friday through Sunday in Othello.
Moses Lake man arrested after fleeing on motorcycle
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Thursday following a short pursuit near Moses Lake, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Weather for the week of Monday, March 18, 2024
Weather for the week of Monday, March 18, 2024
One arrested after Othello stabbing
OTHELLO – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Dario Ochoa, 23, of Othello after receiving a report that he had stabbed his grandmother and was armed with a knife Thursday evening.
One dead, one wounded in Royal City shooting
ROYAL CITY – Royal City Police Department officers and detectives from the Moses Lake Police Department responded to a shooting in the 100 block of Grape Drive NW in Royal City Thursday evening, according to an announcement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
STUDIO BASIN: Roads, ACPR and boys soccer
MOSES LAKE — The Studio Basin podcast is on the road, in a manner of speaking, looking at the plethora of road construction projects in Grant County in spring and summer 2024.
Columbia Basin events for March 18-24
COLUMBIA BASIN – The Columbia Basin may seem quiet and slow, and it can be when that’s what you want, but it also has a lot going on that area residents can have a little fun with. Here are several events coming up in the next week. If you have an event you’d like to appear in the paper, submit it via our website’s events tab.
BBCC's Ernette named educator of the year
MOSES LAKE – Dawnne Ernette, an instructor with the English department at Big Bend Community College, has been named the Washington Education Association Community and Technical College Educator of the Year.
Ephrata community donates upgrades to EHS sports facilities
EPHRATA – The softball facilities Ephrata High School uses for its teams got an upgrade thanks to community support, according to an announcement from EHS.
Quincy Event Center upgrade gets $309K in state funds
QUINCY – The Port of Quincy Center Event Center Upgrade Project was recently awarded $309,000 in funding from the Washington State Legislature for Phase 1 of the project, according to a Tuesday announcement from the port.
Quincy rail project receives $4.5M in state funding
QUINCY — The Port of Quincy Rail Infrastructure Expansion Project has recently been awarded $2 million in funding from the Washington State Legislature and $2.5 from the U.S. Congress, according to a Monday announcement from the port.
Odessa groundwater project receives $5.5M in state funding
RITZVILLE — The 2024 Supplemental Capital Budget for Washington includes $5.5 million in funding for the EL 22.1 Pipeline Turnout Project in the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, according to a Monday announcement from the EL 22.1 Landowner Association.
Adams Co. man arrested for odometer tampering
RITZVILLE – Reynaldo “Rey” Valdez Garza, Jr. was arrested March 5 on suspicion of robbery by second-degree deception and disconnecting, resetting or reversing odometers.
STUDIO BASIN: Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete, K-9s and state basketball
EPHRATA -- Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete joins Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller and brings along GCSO's two canine handlers, deputies Zane Bundy and Luis Jimenez. The two are working with new K-9 officers, Malie and Uno respectively, which the department just obtained. Together, the deputies describe why they wanted to work with police dogs, the selection process for Uno and Malie, the benefits of K-9 officers on the force and how training their new partners is going.
Ephrata School District seeking board candidates
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District is looking for individuals interested in filling an open position on the district’s school board, according to a press release from the district.
Quincy man robbed, abducted at gunpoint in Ephrata
MOSES LAKE — A 23-year-old Quincy man was robbed and abducted Feb. 29 in Ephrata, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department.
Bills to help families with low incomes go to Governor
OLYMPIA – A pair of bills that will help families with low incomes find better financial stability are on the way to the governor, according to an announcement by the Washington House Democrats. House Bills 2230 and 2007, sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, work on removing barriers facing families with low incomes.
WSU researchers may have found treatment for stubborn bacterial infections
PULLMAN — Washington State University researchers may have found a way to trick bacteria into sending messages that make it easier to kill them, according to a WSU press release.
Pasco pharmacy technician charged with diverting controlled substances
PASCO — The license of a Franklin County pharmacy technician was suspended by the Washington Department of Health after she allegedly diverted opiates from the pharmacy where she was working.
Ephrata Legionnaires to host St. Patrick's Day fundraiser
EPHRATA – The Ephrata American Legion has announced the details of its Annual St. Patrick’s Day Girls State and Boys State Dinner and Auction happening on March 16 at the American Legion Post located at 276 Eighth Ave. NW in Ephrata.