STAFF REPORT
Recent Stories
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.
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