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News Bites for Dec. 21, 2023
EPHRATA — An Ephrata man was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of DUI and other charges after he allegedly led law enforcement officers on a chase south of Ephrata Tuesday. MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake woman was arrested Tuesday after she allegedly violated a no-contact order and failed to come out of a house when law enforcement officers asked her to.
Wreaths Across America brings out community to honor late service members
EPHRATA – Hundreds of wreaths were laid at the headstones of veterans interred at the Ephrata Cemetery Saturday with community members coming out to honor the community’s veterans despite the drizzly, cold weather.
Ephrata schools approve defeasement
EPHRATA – According to an announcement from the Ephrata School District, the Ephrata School Board unanimously approved alterations to the district’s 2018 school bond resolution, and swore in newly elected board directors during Monday’s regular meeting.
NCW Libraries addresses library funding, maintenance concerns
WENATCHEE – In response to recent coverage of Mattawa City Council, North Central Washington Libraries is seeking to clarify misunderstandings regarding how the library system operates and receives funding. “NCW Libraries is committed to good financial stewardship and to providing robust library services to rural communities across our (five)-county district. As a public organization, transparency is critical to building trust with our community leaders and taxpayers,” said NCW Libraries Communications Manager Amanda Brack in a letter to the Columbia Basin Herald.
WDFW opens public comment on draft Conservation Policy
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is opening a public comment period through Jan. 12. on its updated draft Conservation Policy, according to a Monday announcement from the commission.
Weather for the week of Dec. 18, 2023
Weather for the week of Dec. 18, 2023
STUDIO BASIN: Adams County Pet Rescue, Moses Lake news and Basin wrestling
MOSES LAKE – On this week's episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Sports Reporter Ian Bivona recap last week's headlines, including the Adams County Pet Rescue negotiating for additional funds with the City of Othello, Moses Lake City Manager Kevin Fuhr receiving the Person of the Year award by the Moses Lake Community Coalition and discuss news with the PUD rates.
Hanford board position open
EPHRATA — The Grant County Commissioners are looking for an interested county resident to serve on the Hanford Advisory Board.
Salvation Army donations down for year, help needed
MOSES LAKE — The Salvation Army is soliciting donations for its annual Christmas drive, citing a drop in donations both in Moses Lake and statewide.
News Bites for Dec. 14, 2023
News Bites for Dec. 14, 2023
Washington patrols to increase through holidays
OLYMPIA — According to a Wednesday announcement from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, law enforcement agencies across the state will have an increased presence on roads from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1 to help remind everyone to drive safely.
Suspect sought in Moses Lake armed robbery
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department is looking for a man who committed an armed robbery at a Moses Lake business early Tuesday morning.
Ephrata schools celebrating holiday season this week
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District is celebrating the holidays with their traditional lineup of winter performances.
Weather for the week of Dec. 11, 2023
Weather for the week of Dec. 11, 2023
News Bites for Dec. 11, 2023
News Bites for Dec. 11, 2023
STUDIO BASIN: Holiday celebrations, state titles and Quincy football coach Russ Elliott
MOSES LAKE – On this week's episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Sports Reporter Ian Bivona recap some of last week's headlines, including Othello passing its 2024 budget, Quincy designing its fieldhouse and aquatic center, holiday celebrations and Royal's state title win...
Local firefighters bring holiday warmth to Moses Lake children
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1258 got together to make sure some local students were warm as fall turns into winter in the Columbia Basin.
News Bites for Dec. 8, 2023
News briefs from around the Columbia Basin.
Festival of Trees through Dec. 12 in Ephrata
EPHRATA — The trees to be raffled in the first Festival of Trees in Ephrata will be on display through Dec. 12 at the Columbia Basin Foundation office, 101 Basin St. SW. The trees are on display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 12, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, during the Bells on Basin town celebration.
BIG SKY NOW: Two Big Sky teams advance, two fall in FCS Playoffs
MOSES LAKE – On this week’s episode of the Big Sky Now podcast, Josh Dugan and Fritz Neighbor of the Daily Inter Lake, Mark Nelke of the Coeur d’Alene Press and Ian Bivona of the Columbia Basin Herald break down last weekend’s second-round matchups in the FCS Playoffs...
ACSO busts burglary near Ritzville
RITZVILLE — An apparent burglary was foiled between Ritzville and Moses Lake Wednesday, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
News Bites for Dec. 6, 2023
A selection of news briefs from the Columbia Basin.
Senior events for December 2023
Senior events for December 2023
Weather for the week of Dec. 4, 2023
Weather for the week of Dec. 4, 2023
Celtic Christmas concert coming to Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Geoffrey Castle will bring his Celtic Christmas show to Moses Lake Dec. 10, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Bells on Basin to bring holiday cheer to Ephrata
EPHRATA — A parade to light up the town, breakfast with Santa, popcorn and live music at the community Christmas tree. There’s a lot going on in Ephrata December 9 as the community celebrates “Bells on Basin.”
Ephrata schools receive grants
EPHRATA – Local schools have earned multiple grants for equipment that will help ensure students have access to skills training and academic success programs, according to an Ephrata School District press release.
Ephrata board honors outgoing director
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District Board of Directors honored longtime board member Bill Correll at Monday’s regular district meeting, according to information provided by the district.
A brush of color
This photo was found in our archives and appears to be from the early 1900s based on colorization techniques, clothing and hairstyles. The color in the photo highlights the cheeks and lips of both people and adds blue to the man’s eyes. No dates or other markings are on the photo which likely would have come to us either to accompany a feature or an obituary. If anyone knows who this photo should be returned to, email us at [email protected].
International aviation conference sets 5% carbon reduction goal
MONTREAL, Canada – Governments attending the Third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) from Nov. 20-24 in Dubai, set a goal that aviation fuel in 2030 be 5% less carbon intensive than current fuels by 2030, according to a Monday announcement from Airports Council International.
USDA report says Washington ag has switched from harvest to maintenance
OLYMPIA – The US Department of Agriculture has released information regarding the status of agriculture for the state of Washington for the week of Nov. 20.
News Bites for Nov. 28, 2023
OTHELLO — A semi rollover north of Othello spilled more than 10,000 gallons of fuel on SR 17 and closed the highway for almost 13 hours, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.
GCSO warns residents to be wary of scams
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to beware of phone and online scams. With the holidays approaching, scammers usually increase their efforts to defraud the public.
Weather for the week of Nov. 27, 2023
Weather for the week of Nov. 27, 2023
Nationwide home sales decline
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Existing-home sales dropped in October, according to an announcement by the National Association of Realtors. Among the four major U.S. regions, sales slid in the Northeast, South and West but were unchanged in the Midwest. All four regions experienced year-over-year sales declines
News Bites for Nov. 21, 2023
MOSES LAKE — With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it’s important for people who decorate to do it safely, according to an announcement from the Moses Lake Fire Department. OTHELLO — Nobody was hurt Monday morning in a collision between a car and a school bus in Othello, according to a statement from the Othello School District.
State looks for feedback on ‘24-’27 transpo plans
OLYMPIA – The 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program is now ready for public review and comment through Dec. 19, according to a Monday announcement from the Washington Department of Transportation, which produces the STIP.
Smokey Bear could grace next custom Washington license plate
TACOMA — Washingtonians will be able to show their appreciation for forests – and the people who protect them – if a new custom license plate is approved, according to an announcement from state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.
Hanford agencies to hold cleanup meeting
KENNEWICK – The public is invited to ask questions and learn about Hanford Site cleanup during an in-person meeting at the ballroom of the Red Lion Hotel Kennewick Columbia Center on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 6-8 p.m., according to a Department of Ecology announcement Monday.
Weather for Monday, Nov. 20, 2023
Weather for Monday, Nov. 20, 2023
MLPD announces arrests in investigation of Nov. 12 homicide
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Sands issued a statement Friday indicating that multiple arrests had been made in the investigation of a November 12 drive-by shooting that led to the death of one man and multiple others being injured.
Samaritan, Premera reach one-year agreement
MOSES LAKE — Negotiations between Samaritan Healthcare and Premera Blue Cross have resulted in a one-year contract, in effect through Dec. 31, 2024. People who have health insurance through Premera won’t have any lapses in their coverage for services at Samaritan Hospital or the Samaritan clinics.
STUDIO BASIN: An elf, some directors, and Mavs volleyball Head Coach Krystal Trammell
MOSES LAKE – A happy elf and his directors from The Masquers stop by the studie to discuss “Elf: The Musical” which is coming up at the Soap Lake theater. Managing Editor R. Hans “Rob” Miller and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer talk to co-directors Clifford and Stacey Bresee and the star of the show, Clark Dalton...
Family photos
More photos from those found in storage at the Columbia Basin Herald. If any reader knows whom we should return these photographs, please email us their contact information at [email protected] or provide that email address to the family of those pictured.
News Bites for Nov. 17, 2023
EPHRATA – Grant County’s Interagency Narcotics Enforcement team conducted a drug bust Wednesday morning near Royal City and discovered an animal fighting operation, according to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office statement.
Inslee issues executive order requiring plain language
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order Wednesday that requires state agencies to create and adopt a plain language policy, according to a Wednesday announcement from Inslee’s office.
Bird likely cause of Moses Lake outage
MOSES LAKE — A bird that got too close to electrical wires apparently triggered a power outage in the Wheeler Road area that lasted about two hours Thursday morning. “A bird touched an energized component in the (Wheeler substation) while also in contact with a grounded component. This caused a distribution fault and the protective relay system operated to interrupt and clear the fault,” wrote Christine Pratt, PUD public information officer, in reply to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. The outage occurred about 8:30 a.m., and electricity was restored about 10 a.m.
The fuzzy faces of GCAO
MOSES LAKE – Both the city of Moses Lake and Grant County have agreed to fund up to $1 million each for a new animal shelter for Grant County Animal Outreach. While planning is underway for the new facility which will be located near the Grant County Fairgrounds, the current shelter is currently above capacity. The pets shown here were listed as being up for adoption and available as of November 16. Animal lovers in a position to adopt may want to consider these animals or others currently in the care of the shelter. Additionally, the shelter is in need of volunteers and other resources. To volunteer, including possibly fostering a dog or cat, contact the shelter by visiting their website at grantcountyanimaloutreach.org or by phone at 509-762-9616.
Suspect arrested in Moses Lake homicide case
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Police officers made an arrest Tuesday afternoon in the shooting near Montlake Park that left one victim dead and two others wounded Sunday, according to a statement from the MLPD.
Newhouse to host telephone town halls
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Washington) will host two town hall sessions by telephone for constituents of the Fourth Congressional District this week, according to an announcement from Newhouse’s office.