STAFF REPORT
Recent Stories
Ephrata campuses launch student assistance programs
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District has announced a new program to help students at Ephrata High and Middle schools with behavioral health management.
Minor arrested in Moses Lake on various charges
MOSES LAKE — A male 16-year-old Moses Lake resident was booked into the Chelan County Juvenile Center in Wenatchee on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, DUI and other charges after he allegedly led officers on a chase that eventually ended in Ephrata early Saturday morning.
Information sought on Larson-area shooting
MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies are asking for the public’s help following a shooting that left a 19-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds early Sunday morning.
Cougar attacks cyclist
FALL CITY, Wash. – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife received a report of an incident wherein a young male cougar weighing in at about 75 pounds attacked a female cyclist in King County. The cyclist sustained injuries to her neck and face and is reportedly in stable condition, according to a WDFW press release..
Three killed in Othello area collision
OTHELLO — Three people died Thursday morning in a head-on collision with a semi-truck, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.
Two die in home fire
EPHRATA — Two people died in a house fire late Wednesday night, according to a statement from the Ephrata Fire Department.
Man indicted in Yakima bail bond scam
YAKIMA — A federal grand jury has returned an indictment in a phony bail bond scam, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Washington.
Fish and Wildlife asking for feedback on updated fishing app
OLYMPIA — Fishing fans in Washington will get a chance to test a revised app from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that provides the latest information on fishing regulations.
Sage-N-Sun 2024 registration now open
EPHRATA – The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce has announced the dates for this year’s Sage-N-Sun festival in downtown Ephrata. The annual event which includes a parade, a children’s parade, vendor booths, live music and other attractions will be held June 7 and June 8. Registration for food and market vendors is now open. To register to sell food, crafts or other items, visit ephratachamber.org/sage-n-sun-registration.
Readers celebrate Valentine's Day
COLUMBIA BASIN – Valentine’s Day swings by once a year, but the people by us each day is what the holiday is about. The Columbia Basin Herald congratulates all the lovebirds out there on the joy they celebrate with their special someone. Each year, we’ll allow readers to send a message in for their special person with a photo. This year may be only four photos, but we’ll build upon it in the years to come. Have a wonderful holiday.
Dent, Ybarra, Warnick to hold virtual town hall
OLYMPIA — Lawmakers from the 13th District, which includes the southern half of Grant County, will hold a virtual town hall starting at 6 p.m. Feb. 21, according to a joint announcement from the legislators’ offices.
Suicide victim found on I-90 bridge in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — The body of a 36-year-old man was found at the I-90 bridge in Moses Lake Monday morning, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Speed camera bill passes state House
OLYMPIA — The Washington State House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday to decrease traffic fatalities, according to an announcement from the bill’s primary sponsor Rep. Brandy Donaghy, D-Mill Creek.
Wahluke shows appreciation for bus wreck response
MATTAWA — First responders, Wahluke School District personnel and children involved in a bus collision Jan. 22 were recognized for their response to the incident during halftime of the Wahluke-La Salle boys basketball game Feb. 8.
News Bites for Feb. 13, 2024
News Bites for Feb. 13, 2024
Public comment sought on proposed gray wolf change
OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will accept comments through May 6 on a proposal to change the state’s classification of gray wolf populations from endangered to sensitive. A briefing and public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for the March 15-16 meeting of the WDFW commission, according to a WDFW press release.
CWU to hold public quarterly meeting Thursday and Friday
ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington University Board of Trustees will hold its quarterly two-day meeting beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Wellington Event Center on the CWU campus, according to a Feb. 8 CWU announcement. The meeting is open to the public.
Basin weather for Feb. 12, 2024
Basin weather for Feb. 12, 2024
STUDIO BASIN: GCSO update, basketball action and swim & dive
EPHRATA – In this week’s episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans “Rob” Miller speaks with Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete regarding GCSO’s goals for the year. Highlights include recruitment efforts, two new K9 officers, an update to the development of the county jail and Kriete’s kudos to his staff. Next, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer break down basketball action at Ephrata, Royal and Almira/Coulee-Hartline, recap the district wrestling tournaments around the east side and discuss Moses Lake boys swim and dive team’s district title win.
Quincy man arrested for wire theft
MOSES LAKE — A Quincy man was arrested Thursday night for stealing wire from an irrigation circle, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement logs for Feb. 9, 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.
McMorris Rodgers will not run for reelection
WASHINGTON D.C. – Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, announced Wednesday that she will not be running for reelection when her current term ends in early 2025. She said she feels grateful to serve the people of Eastern Washington during her time in office in a formal statement to the press.
Collision injures 1 near Mattawa
OTHELLO — A collision near Mattawa sent one driver to the hospital Thursday, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.
Legislative education
OLYMPIA – Ephrata School Board Student Representative Charles Flynn, left, State Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and Ephrata School Board Student Representative Kadie McMullen stop for a photo at the capitol in Olympia in late January. The two student board members joined various officials from the Ephrata School District in visiting the state capitol to discuss education priorities with Dent, Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, and Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake.
Ephrata School District forms committee to consider future bond options
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District has announced the formation of a committee tasked with establishing a recommendation on the timing of the next Ephrata School District Bond, according to a Feb. 1 ESD announcement.
Honoring Indigenous
A year ago, the Wahluke School District announced that it would be allowed to keep the Warrior as its mascot after working with Wanapum leaders. Washington law required school districts to reach out to nearby tribes to obtain permission to keep Indigenous icons as mascots. The Wanapum found that the Warrior represents the entire community, not just the school district. Wahluke schools and the Wanapum have a longstanding relationship that fosters and appreciation for Native American culture and Wanapum artifacts are displayed in Wahluke campuses for educational purposes.
Ephrata’s Malone takes top honor in chess tourney
EPHRATA – For the third consecutive year, Hayden Malone, an Ephrata High School senior took home the top prize in the Waypoint Foundation Scholastic Chess Tournament, according to a statement from the Waypoint Foundation. The competition was held Saturday at Parkway Intermediate School in Ephrata.
Splash from the past
Scuttle (Emily Duvall), left; Flounder (Isaac Winter), center back; and Sebastian (Clark Dalton), right, do what they can to help bring Prince Eric (Taggart Hodges), left front and Ariel (Abigail Martinez), right front, find true love in the Quincy Valley Allied Arts production of “The Little Mermaid,” which was featured in the Columbia Basin Herald on Feb. 7, 2023.
Othello High temporarily locked down after social media threat, all safe
OTHELLO — A social media post prompted a lockdown at Othello High School Tuesday afternoon.
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