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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.
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 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.
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.
News Bites for March 4, 2024
News Bites for March 4, 2024
GCSO, Royal PD welcome new K-9 officers
EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has brought on two new dogs to serve as K-9 officers, and the Royal City Police Department has brought on its first-ever K-9 officer as well, according to announcements from the two agencies.
Weather for the week of March 4, 2024
Weather for the week of March 4, 2024
Well-earned retirement
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department announced the retirement of Sgt. Brian Jones after 26 years of service to the Moses Lake community late last week. During his time on the force, Jones served on the Interagency Narcotics Team, Honor Guard and the Moses Lake Regional Response Team. he was promoted to sergeant in 2006 and was assigned as a patrol sergeant. He later moved into Investigations, grew that department, and helped form the MLPD Street Crimes Unit.
Schwab awards CWU grant for expanded financial planning programs
ELLENSBURG — Schwab Advisor Services, in partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation, recently awarded Central Washington University with a multi-year grant to support program expansion for the Center for Financial Planning and Well-Being, according to a Wednesday CWU announcement.
GCSO seeking missing Pasco woman
GEORGE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Irene Fleming, 31, of Pasco who went missing near George in the 4900 block of Road U SW.
Law enforcement logs for March 1, 2024
The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
WDFW to begin prescribed fires in March
SPOKANE – Annual prescribed fires on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife-managed lands in Eastern Washington are scheduled to start in March, as conditions allow, according to a Thursday announcement from the WDFW.
Gorge shooting court dates rescheduled
EPHRATA – Court documents associated with the trial for James Kelley, the suspect in the shooting that took the lives of two and wounded multiple other victims at the Beyond Wonderland music festival last year, indicate that court dates for the criminal proceedings against Kelley have been rescheduled.
House burns twice in same night in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — A residence in southeast Moses Lake burned twice Tuesday, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Fire Department.
‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ DLC for ‘Elden Ring’ release date set
TOKYO – Bandai Namco and FromSoftware have announced a June 21 release date for the long-anticipated “Shadow of the Erdtree” downloadable content for the “Elden Ring” video game, according to a FromSoftware press release.
Weather for the week of Feb. 26, 2024
Weather for the week of Feb. 26, 2024
March 2024 Basin Events
COLUMBIA BASIN – As always, the Columbia Basin has a lot going on next month. As spring moves a bit closer to being official, here are several opportunities to get out of the house, have some fun, and maybe support a good cause. This listing is noncomprehensive and event details may change or events may be canceled at the organizers’ discretion. Readers are encouraged to call ahead or verify the information below online prior to the event.
D&M Chem joining The McGregor Company operation
COLFAX – The McGregor Company is bringing D&M Chem into their family-owned ag retail business, according to a Wednesday announcement from McGregor.
Murray visits WA to discuss lack of childcare
SNOQUALMIE – U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Child Development Center Thursday to tour their facilities and discuss the childcare crisis Tribal and rural communities are facing, according an announcement from Murray’s office.
Law enforcement logs for Feb. 23, 2024
The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
EPA announces $113M for WA water infrastructure
SEATTLE – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday more than $113 million in federal funding for Washington drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.
Moses Lake man barricades self in home after alleged assault
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man is in jail after a standoff with police, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department.
Grant Elementary hosts talent show
EPHRATA – Grant Elementary School students turned out the red carpet for some fun last Thursday, Feb. 8 for a talent show supporting the arts on campus. Principal Shannon Dahl emceed the event with the help of Brandon Evenson, the campus's dean of students. With a silent auction included in the event, the campus raised a bit more than $1,200 to support the arts.
Ephrata Chamber to hold business after hours
EPHRATA – The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce’s monthly business after hours networking event will be held at M&H Glass located at 432 Basin Street NW in Ephrata. Admission to the 21-and-older event is $5. Proceeds go to support the chamber’s work to help local businesses grow and prosper. The event runs from 5-7 p.m. and will include beverages, snacks and an opportunity to network with chamber members and business leaders in the city.
Counseling available after Ephrata student’s passing
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District reminds students, faculty and staff that counseling is available if anyone is in need of help after the passing of Jett Johnson in a car accident Monday.