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News bites for Feb. 6, 2024
News bites for Feb. 6, 2024
Senior events for February 2024
The Columbia Basin has a great deal to do regardless of age. Here are several that are senior-friendly and provide a chance to socialize with a variety of people.
Grant Co. seeks Board of Equalization applicants
EPHRATA — Grant County officials are looking for qualified applicants to fill two open seats on the county’s Board of Equalization.
Weather for the week of Feb. 5, 2024
Weather for the week of Feb. 5, 2024
Providence settles lawsuit over low-income patient billings
SEATTLE — Providence Healthcare, which operates Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, among others, must forgive more than $137 million in medical debt and refund more than $20 million to low-income patients, according to an announcement from Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
Police logs for Feb. 2, 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.
Erratics to discuss geology pioneer
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Erratics Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute will host a talk on a pioneer in the geology of the Columbia Basin, according to an announcement from the organization.
NEWS BITES: Jan. 31, 2024
News Bites for January 31, 2024.
News Bites for Jan. 30, 2024
EPHRATA — An Ephrata man died Sunday night after a one-vehicle collision near Ephrata, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Weather for the week of Jan. 29, 2024
Weather for the week of Jan. 29, 2024
STUDIO BASIN: QVMC starts framing, water meters and Basin wrestling
MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Staff Writer Joel Martin go over last week's headlines, including the city of Moses Lake budgeting a $1 million match to a grant towards water meters, a Wahluke school bus being involved in a collision and the Quincy Valley Medical Center reaching an important milestone in its construction.
Basin students make EWU Dean's List
CHENEY – According to a Tuesday announcement from Eastern Washington University, the college’s 2023 Fall Dean’s list has been released. An undergraduate student who earns 12 quality hours and receives a grade-point average of 3.5 or better is placed on the Dean's List, according to EWU’s website.
Locals make Gonzaga Dean’s List
SPOKANE – Five Grant County students made it onto Gonzaga University’s Fall 2023 Dean’s List, according to a Thursday announcement from the college. Students must earn a 3.5 to 3.84 grade-point average to be listed. The following names are listed by city and in alphabetical order.
Tickets for Cellarbration! for Education on sale
MOSES LAKE — Tickets are now on sale for Cellarbration for Education, the annual fundraiser for the Big Bend Community College Foundation. Cellarbration is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 16 in the ATEC building in the BBCC campus.
Chess tournament incoming
EPHRATA – The Waypoint Foundation Scholastic Chess Tournament is set for Saturday Feb. 3 at Parkway Intermediate School. The tournament is open to all students from kindergarten through high school seniors but participation is limited to 100 players. There is no fee for registration and cash prizes are awarded to all participants. The winner of the tourney will receive $500. A registration form may be found at: https://bit.ly/EPHCHESS
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay nearly $150M to Washington for role in opioid epidemic
SEATTLE – Johnson & Johnson will pay nearly $150 million to Washington for its role in the opioid epidemic, the Washington State Office of Attorney General announced Tuesday.
Four-vehicle pileup blocks S.R. 26
ROYAL CITY — Two people were injured in a four-vehicle collision Monday afternoon near Royal City, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.
Quincy Jacks to move to Class 2A
QUINCY — The Quincy Jacks should be moving back to the Class 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference with the start of the 2024-25 school year. The Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association announced reclassifications Sunday.
Pets of the Basin: Furry friends up for adoption in Moses Lake and Othello
OTHELLO/MOSES LAKE — Adams County Pet Rescue and Grant County Animal Outreach both have dozens of dogs available for adoption, as well as a plethora of cats.
Weather for the week of Jan. 22, 2024
Weather for the week of Jan. 22, 2024
Weather for the week of Jan. 22, 2024
Weather for the week of Jan. 22, 2024
News Bites for Jan. 22, 2024
News Bites for Jan. 22, 2024
STUDIO BASIN: Honoring Mattawa PD Chief Robert Salinas, MACC upgrades and Basin basketball
MOSES LAKE — The Jan. 19 Studio Basin podcast opens on a somber note, reporting the death of Mattawa Police Department Chief Robert Salinas. Salinas passed away unexpectedly Jan. 16; he was remembered as “Chief Bob” by Mattawa residents.
Pro-life rally coming to Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — A Pro-Life Rally has been organized to take place in Moses Lake Feb. 4, according to an announcement from the Knights of Columbus, which sponsors the event.
Frontier gym serves as temporary warming center during frigid weekend
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake and the Moses Lake School District joined forces over the weekend to protect unhoused people from the bitter cold, by opening the Frontier Middle School gym as a temporary warming center, according to a statement from the city.
Ephrata schools offering Child Find screenings
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District announced on January 9 that screenings for developmental disabilities for youth up to the age of 21 are available through the Child Find program. Children can be screened to determine if an evaluation is necessary to identify any disabilities or developmental delays and if the child is eligible for special education services. Referrals may be made by sources within or outside of the school district and the service is free of cost. Anyone wanting a child to be screened should call the Child Find program at 509-754-3538 to make an appointment.
Eleven Ephrata High staff recognized for life-saving actions
EPHRATA – Eleven Ephrata High School staff were recognized in early January for their response to a life-threatening medical event suffered by a fellow staff member who was not named by the district. Officials credited EHS nurse Pam Cleveringa with training staff with the skills that saved the staff member’s life.
Othello second grader recognized for food drive efforts
OTHELLO — A Wahitis Elementary second grader received an Othello School District challenge coin for his efforts to collect food for the annual Othello Christmas Basket project.
WSU to co-host SoilCon24 in February
PULLMAN – Washington State University will be assisting in hosting SoilCon this year, a free resource for agricultural professionals to learn science-based soil health information.
NEWS BITES for January 16, 2024
NEWS BITES for January 16, 2024
Weather for the week of Jan. 15, 2024
Weather for the week of Jan. 15, 2024
News Bites for Jan. 15, 2024
News Bites for Jan. 15, 2024
STUDIO BASIN: Soap Lake School District with Superintendent Chavez and Basin wrestling
MOSES LAKE – On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is joined by Aaron Chavez, the superintendent of the Soap Lake School District, who has been on the job since July 2023. He discusses his impressions of the school district, challenges and opportunities in Soap Lake, and the Soap Lake educational programs and operations levy that will be on the Feb. 13 ballot.
Basin events for Jan. 13-19
It’s cold, but that doesn’t mean there’s no options for a bit of fun in the Columbia Basin.
Othello drug dealer sentenced to more than six years
SPOKANE – Jaime Alberta Garza, 52, of Othello has been sentenced after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distributed fentanyl. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 78 months – about six and a half years – in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, according to a press release from the office of Vanessa Waldref, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Othello drug dealer sentenced
SPOKANE – Jaime Alberta Garza, 52, of Othello has been sentenced after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distributed fentanyl. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 78 months – about six and a half years – in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, according to a press release from the office of Vanessa Waldref, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Four WA schools earn distinguished designation
OLYMPIA — Four schools in Washington have earned the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Distinguished Schools Award, according to an announcement from the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
STUDIO BASIN: Grant County crime in 2023 with Kyle Foreman and local hoops
MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Grant County Sheriff's Office public information officer Kyle Foreman joins Managing Editor Rob Miller to discuss the county's crime in review for 2023.
Teen airlifted with life-threatening injuries after crash
MATTAWA — A single-vehicle collision near Mattawa left the driver in the hospital early Friday morning, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
County seeks tourism commissioner
EPHRATA — The Grant County Board of Commissioners is looking for an interested citizen to serve on the Grant County Tourism Commission, according to an announcement from the commissioners.
News Bites for Jan. 2
RITZVILLE — Ritzville Police have made an arrest in a two-week-long investigation, according to a statement from the RPD.
Weather forecast for Jan. 2-4
Weather forecast for Jan. 2-4
WA Legislature takes aim at highway graffiti
OLYMPIA — A bill in the Washington State Legislature takes aim at graffiti, according to an announcement from Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia.
Local students make dean’s list
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Carlie Gregg and Hunter White, both from Moses Lake, made the dean’s list at the University of Saint Mary, according to a press release from the university. Students ending the fall semester at the university with a 3.5 grade point average or higher are enrolled into the dean’s list.
More than 1,700 acres added to conservation lands inventory
OLYMPIA – Washington added 1,726 acres of land for conservation through ten land acquisitions in 2023, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
GCSO urges caution while celebrating at bars
EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement warning area residents to be cautious when out at bars regarding Rohypnol, also known as roofies, and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, also known as GHB or liquid ecstasy. Both are date rape drugs and can take away the ability to fight back or remember what happened while under their effects. Mixing these substances with alcohol can also be fatal.
Fireworks reminder
EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office issued a reminder regarding rules associated with fireworks in the unincorporated area of Grant County. Fireworks may be discharged from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. New Year’s Day, generally. However, at no time are fireworks allowed at Marine View, Marine View Heights, Crescent Bar, Desert Aire outside of Desert Aire Park, The Gorge or the campground at The Gorge. Those seeking further information or clarifications may contact GCSO at 509-754-2011.
News Bites for Dec. 27, 2023
News Bites for Dec. 27, 2023
Apprenticeship program announces new class
MOSES LAKE — Six youths will receive training and eventual industry certification with the help of a program put together in partnership between Genie Industries, AJAC Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships, SkillSource and North Central Education Service District 171.
STUDIO BASIN: 2024 WA legislative session with Tom Dent and Mavs football with Brett and Brady Jay
MOSES LAKE - On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, State Representative Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) stops in to discuss his priorities for the 2024 Washington Legislative Session. Before getting into the meat of the session, he discusses how he started raising bison on his Moses Lake ranch. Then he discusses his passion for childcare concerns, a bill to help firefighting agencies work better together and bipartisan efforts and the importance of relationship building in the state legislature.