Friday, April 03, 2026
60.0°F

STAFF REPORT

Staff Report

Recent Stories

Weather for Monday, July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Weather for Monday, July 10, 2023

Weather report for July 10.

STUDIO BASIN: Fourth of July, animal control and summer baseball
July 8, 2023 10:42 a.m.

STUDIO BASIN: Fourth of July, animal control and summer baseball

MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer recaps Fourth of July events from across the Basin, as well as Soap Lake's new city council member, Othello's new police chief and an update on animal control in the Basin. Next, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona goes over the 18U River Dogs placing third at the Spokane Wood Bat Classic and more. The Studio Basin podcast can be found on your favorite podcast apps, or downloaded directly at https://bit.ly/44wSPUE.

News Bites for July 7, 2023
July 7, 2023 1:30 a.m.

News Bites for July 7, 2023

News tidbits for July 7, 2023.

News Bites for July 6, 2023
July 6, 2023 1:30 a.m.

News Bites for July 6, 2023

A collection of news tidbits for July 6.

July 5, 2023 6 p.m.

Peshastin-area paving project next week will delay travel

PESHASTIN — Drivers planning to use the interchange at US Highway 2/97 next week should plan for delays while the bridge at the Don Senn Memorial/Big Y interchange is paved...

July 5, 2023 5:57 p.m.

Gesa CU celebrates 70

RICHLAND — Gesa Credit Union will celebrate its 70th anniversary next week and will open its first full-service branch outside the state of Washington later this year...

July 5, 2023 5:55 p.m.

Newhouse reintroduces bipartisan labor reform act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to the House alongside several Republican and Democrat representatives from across the United States, according to a Monday news release from Newhouse’s staff...

July 5, 2023 5:51 p.m.

Wenatchee Valley Senior Center lowers lunch cost

WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center has lowered the price of its lunch program to $5 to increase awareness of the program and community engagement, according to a Tuesday press release from the senior center...

Fire report for July 5
July 5, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Fire report for July 5

YAKIMA – State fire assistance has been mobilized by Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste in response to the Rest Haven fire located in Yakima County near Selah as of Sunday. The fire began July 2 sbetween 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., burning in brush and grass. By the end of the day Sunday, it had grown to about 400 acres and was still growing...

News Bites for July 5, 2023
July 5, 2023 1:30 a.m.

News Bites for July 5, 2023

A selection of news tidbits from around the Columbia Basin.

Weather for Monday, July 3, 2023.
July 3, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Weather for Monday, July 3, 2023.

Weather for Monday, July 3, 2023.

STUDIO BASIN: A chamber, a chief and some River Dogs action
July 1, 2023 9:51 a.m.

STUDIO BASIN: A chamber, a chief and some River Dogs action

MOSES LAKE – Pam Thorsen, secretary for the board of directors for the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce, talks about the goals of the chambrer with Managing Editor R. Hans “Rob” Miller. They touch on a variety of topics such as how transportation and community partnerships can impact businesses...

Grant PUD warns of potential scammers
June 30, 2023 6:42 p.m.

Grant PUD warns of potential scammers

EPHRATA – The Grant County Public Utility District announced Friday that the county has been targeted by a scam from a third-party carll center. “It has come to our attention that a 3rd party call center, falsely claiming to represent Grant PUD, has been contacting customers to schedule home energy services audit appointments at their home,” the announcement read...

EPA allocates $1.17 million to improve access to drinking water in Washington
June 30, 2023 6:04 p.m.

EPA allocates $1.17 million to improve access to drinking water in Washington

SEATTLE – The Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday they are allocating $1.17 million in grant funds for disadvantaged communities in Washington state to support access to clean and safe drinking water...

Wash. Ag department continues fight against invasive Spartina
June 30, 2023 5:43 p.m.

Wash. Ag department continues fight against invasive Spartina

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced June 24 that this year’s treatment season for Spartina, an aggressive invasive weed, began June 1 and will continue through November...

June 30, 2023 3:30 p.m.

NOAA opens funding opportunity for climate-related jobs

WASHINGTON – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced on Friday that it has opened a competitive funding opportunity for the Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative. According to the announcement, the initiative is intended to support coastal jobs that combat climate change...

Wash. HCA releases health insurance renewal info
June 30, 2023 3:27 p.m.

Wash. HCA releases health insurance renewal info

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) released May’s renewal data for Apple Health on Friday, according to a news release from the HCA. After the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, states are required to resume eligibility verification for state health care...

Reyna convicted in Adams Co. Jail attack
June 30, 2023 3:04 p.m.

Reyna convicted in Adams Co. Jail attack

RITZVILLE — A man who assaulted his cellmate and a corrections officer at Adams County Jail has been found guilty, according to a statement from Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner...

State revenue projection increases $327M
June 29, 2023 6:42 p.m.

State revenue projection increases $327M

OLYMPIA – Washington state’s financial prospects are a little brighter than anticipated, according to a statement from the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2023–25 state budget have increased by nearly $327 million, the statement said...

GCSO will up water safety enforcement
June 29, 2023 6:37 p.m.

GCSO will up water safety enforcement

EPHRATA — Operation Dry Water, a national boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign, begins Saturday, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office...

June 29, 2023 6:29 p.m.

Firewood permits available for Colockum Wildlife Area

OLYMPIA – Firewood permits are available for the Colockum Wildlife Area near Wenatchee, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife...

June 29, 2023 6:26 p.m.

BBCC announces academic achievers

MOSES LAKE – Big Bend Community College announced Thursday their 2023 spring semester President’s and Vice President’s lists. The President’s List features students who completed 12 or more credits with a GPA of 3.75 or higher...

June 29, 2023 6:20 p.m.

Moses Lake student offered prestigious scholarship

OLD WESTBURY, New York — A Moses Lake student has been awarded a prestigious scholarship at the New York Institute of Technology, according to an announcement from the school...

Suds ‘n Sun set for Soap Lake this weekend
June 29, 2023 5:33 p.m.

Suds ‘n Sun set for Soap Lake this weekend

SOAP LAKE — Soapbox racing, motorcycle derring-do and fireworks will be among the attractions at the Suds ‘n Sun celebration Sunday in Soap Lake.

Wildfire update for June 29, 2023
June 29, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Wildfire update for June 29, 2023

EPHRATA – According to the Washington Department of Natural Resources, only two significant fires were burning in the state as of Wednesday afternoon. To date, Washington has had 598 wildfires reported and just less than 17,000 acres have been burned as a result. Of those, 142 fires were caused by debris burning such as in a trash pit and 116 have undetermined causes. May and June have been the busiest fire months with 121 occurring in May and 123 in June so far. May saw 191 DNR managed acres burned, while that number has jumped to 909 in June, to date...

Law enforcement records for June 29, 2023
June 29, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Law enforcement records for June 29, 2023

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.

Soap Lake man arrested after standoff
June 28, 2023 4:15 p.m.

Soap Lake man arrested after standoff

SOAP LAKE – A Soap Lake man is in custody after a standoff at him home Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the Soap Lake Police Department.

JATP back at Big Bend
June 27, 2023 5:33 p.m.

JATP back at Big Bend

MOSES LAKE – The 2023 Japanese Agricultural Trainee Program’s class of 2023 has arrived at Big Bend Community College. This year’s group is the 57th set of students to visit the area. These students will spend time in Moses Lake taking classes, going on field trips to local farms and then continue to host farms throughout the country, according to a statement from Big Bend Community College.

June 27, 2023 4:53 p.m.

Moses Lake student makes university dean list

EREA, Ohio - Stephanie Foryan, a graduate of Moses Lake High School, has been named in Baldwin Wallace University’s Spring 2023 Dean List, according to an announcement from the university.

Adams County Pet of the Week: Meet Kemp
June 27, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Adams County Pet of the Week: Meet Kemp

Did somebody say treats? My name’s Kemp, and I like treats. I also like you, I’m pretty sure, and I’d love to come home with you. You clearly need a Border Collie mix in your life and I’m just the pupper to fill that void.

June 26, 2023 1:31 a.m.

Employers to begin deducting Washington Cares premiums

OLYMPIA - Washington employers will begin deducting premiums from Washington workers’ paychecks on Saturday for the Washington Cares Fund, announced a news release from the Washington State Employment Security Department. The Cares Fund is the state’s new long-term care insurance program. “Most of us will need some form of long-term care but don’t have a way to pay for it,” said Washington Cares Fund Director Ben Veghte. “Washington Cares will make a modest but critical amount of long-term care coverage affordable for all Washington workers for the first time.”

Grant County Pet of the Week: Meet Leo
June 26, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Grant County Pet of the Week: Meet Leo

Hello there. My name’s Leo and I’m a domestic shorthair mix with enough cute to keep you coming back for more. I’m a bit under five months old and I enjoy playing and cuddling.

Weather for Monday, June 6, 2023
June 26, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Weather for Monday, June 6, 2023

Weather for Monday, June 26, 2023.

News Bites for June 26, 2023
June 26, 2023 1:30 a.m.

News Bites for June 26, 2023

News briefs from first responder agencies across Grant and Adams counties.

June 24, 2023 12:23 p.m.

Grant Co. seeking new library board member

EPHRATA - The Grant County Commissioners Office announced Thursday they are seeking an interested citizen of Grant County to serve on the North Central Washington Libraries Board of Trustees, preferably one with a variety of skill sets...

Eastern Washington wineries earn awards
June 24, 2023 12:18 p.m.

Eastern Washington wineries earn awards

OLYMPIA - Nearly 80 wineries located throughout Eastern Washington won numerous medals at the 2023 Washington Wine Awards, according to an announcement from the organizers of the event, which was held in April...

STUDIO BASIN: Academics, word nerds and a sports junkie
June 24, 2023 12:10 p.m.

STUDIO BASIN: Academics, word nerds and a sports junkie

MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Managing Editor Rob Miller is joined by Big Bend Community College President Sara Thompson Tweedy and Big Bend Director of Communication Matt Killebrew. The trio discuss Big Bend's academic achievements and its role in the community, and later talk about Thompson Tweedy's involvement with Grant County Animal Outreach and the challenges facing the shelter...

June 23, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Basin community calendar for June 23-25

COLUMBIA BASIN – There’s no need to be bored this weekend. Head out to enjoy these community events and spend some time with your neighbors...

June 22, 2023 3:22 p.m.

Wenatchee River salmon fishing to close

WENATCHEE - Salmon fishing on the Wenatchee River will close one hour after official sunset Friday, said an announcement by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. In-season catch-and-release estimates indicate fishing limits on wild spring Chinook will be met by the end of the day...

Law enforcement records for June 22, 2023
June 22, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Law enforcement records for June 22, 2023

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...

June 21, 2023 4:23 p.m.

Snohomish roofing company fined for safety violations

TUMWATER — A roofing company based in Snohomish is faced with hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, according to a statement from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries...

June 21, 2023 3:03 p.m.

Grant Co. students graduate from WCA

GRANT COUNTY — Three Grant County locals graduated Tuesday from Washington Connections Academy, according to an announcement from the online public school...

June 21, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Washington fire report for June 21

MOSES LAKE — These are the wildfires that were burning in Washington as of Monday afternoon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website...

Newhouse to help lead field hearing on Lower Snake River Dams
June 20, 2023 3:52 p.m.

Newhouse to help lead field hearing on Lower Snake River Dams

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, will help lead a field hearing in Richland for members of the House Natural Resources Committee on the importance of Eastern Washington’s Lower Snake River dams, according to an announcement from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, who will join Newhouse at the hearing...

June 20, 2023 3:20 p.m.

Applications open for broadband funding grants

OLYMPIA — The Washington Public Works Board is currently accepting applications for broadband construction funding offering a total of $13.5 million in low-interest loans for projects in unserved areas of the state, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Commerce...

Senator steps down to serve as Kitsap commissioner
June 20, 2023 12:23 p.m.

Senator steps down to serve as Kitsap commissioner

OLYMPIA - Sen. Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island) announced her resignation Tuesday from the Washington State Senate. She is stepping down to serve on the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, according to a press release from her office...

News Bites for June 20, 2023
June 20, 2023 1:30 a.m.

News Bites for June 20, 2023

OTHELLO — Caring Neighbors, a nonprofit established by Big Bend Energy Cooperative, donated $2,375 to Adams County Fire District 5 on Thursday, according to an announcement from ACFD 5. The money will help to fund the replacement of older extrication tools, the announcement said.

June 19, 2023 6:29 p.m.

Washington wildfire summary for June 19

MOSES LAKE — These are the wildfires that were burning in Washington as of Monday afternoon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website...

June 19, 2023 5:25 p.m.

BBCC to debut Intro to Communications

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Communications Studies Department will add a new course to its offerings this year, Introduction to Communications, according to an announcement from the college...

Juneteenth 2023 weather
June 19, 2023 1:30 a.m.

Juneteenth 2023 weather

Juneteenth: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 6 to 11 mph. A 20% chance of showers evening that will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 47...