STAFF REPORT
Recent Stories
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.”
Weather for Monday, June 6, 2023
Weather for Monday, June 26, 2023.
News Bites for June 26, 2023
News briefs from first responder agencies across Grant and Adams counties.
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.
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
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
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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
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
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.
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...
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
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...
2023 Vikings
MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College's Class of 2023 walked on Friday to get their degrees. These Viking alum not move on to push their academic or professional careers forward.
BBCC holds nurse pinning ceremony
MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College held its graduation festivities Friday, starting with a nurse's pinning ceremony. Above, 17 newly-graduated nurses pose for a photo during the ceremony.
STUDIO BASIN: Fire and water, football and diamond action
MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Managing Editor Rob Miller and senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer discuss water conservation across the Basin, fires and fire season as well as recap graduation and Quincy's 100% graduation rate. Next, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona recaps the Pete Doumit Memorial Tournament, a football scrimmage held in Royal City and other sporting goodness in the Basin. The Studio Basin podcast can be found on your favorite podcast apps, or downloaded directly at https://bit.ly/446s0GA.
Summer meals for kids offered in Mattawa
MATTAWA — Breakfast and lunch will be served free of charge to qualifying children over the summer through the Summer Food Service Program sponsored by the Wahluke School District...
A BIT OF QUINCY HISTORY
QUINCY – This mural-bedecked building at the intersection of F Street SE and Road Q NW in Quincy is currently for sale, according to signage at the property. Anyone with information regarding the building’s history is asked to email information to Columbia Basin Herald Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer at [email protected] for use in an upcoming feature.
Family options
A high-level look at listings in the Basin
EPHRATA – If you’re looking for a larger, but not too large, home with four or more bedrooms and 2,000 to 3,000 square feet to live in, the Columbia Basin has options right now...
BBCC dean retires
Big Bend Community College’s Dean of Arts and Sciences, Kathleen Duvall, is retiring after 29 years at Big Bend Community College. Above, she holds a jarred brain and is seen posing Biology Professor Theresa Calip.
News Bites for June 16
EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is asking for concertgoers to be careful at the Gorge Amphitheater this summer. They recommend taking the following steps to be safe...
Juneteenth commemoration Saturday
MOSES LAKE — A program to commemorate the day the last slaves in the United States learned they were free men and women is scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the McCosh Park Amphitheater in Moses Lake...
Moses Lake student inducted into Phi Kappa Phi
BATON ROUGE, La. — Eastern Oregon University student and Moses Lake resident Simeon Hickman was recently inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest all-discipline college honor society, according to a society press release...
Quincy FFA announces officers
QUINCY – The Quincy Future Farmers of America announced its 2023-24 officers on May 23. The officer team was installed during the coinciding Parent-Member Banquet...
Othello man sentenced in child’s death
SPOKANE — An Othello man has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after an incident that left his 4-year-old child dead, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Spokane...
WDFW eyes 3-year hunting season plans
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for the public’s feedback as it begins its latest three-year season-setting efforts, according to a WDFW press release...
Law enforcement records for June 15, 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.
WSP to conduct motorcycle emphasis patrol
MOSES LAKE — Washington State Patrol troopers will be conducting additional patrols along Interstate 90 June 23-25 to teach bikers and drivers about motorcycle safety. The patrols will span I-90 from Snoqualmie Pass to Spokane, according to a press release from the Grant County Health District...
Basin community calendar for June 17-21
Basin community calendar for June 17-21
News Bites for June 14
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Department officers arrested Byron Combs, 30, of Moses Lake on Monday after receiving a call that took them to the 800 block of Loop Drive, according to an MLPD statement. Contractors working nearby had overheard a man and woman arguing and believed the woman was being assaulted. The workers wenter to intervene when Combs reportedly pulled a firearm, pointed it at the workers and threatened to kill them...
Moses Lake to host walkability workshop
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will host a one-day workshop on Thursday, June 22, to discuss future possibilities for creating and improving walkability in Moses Lake, according to a city press release.
Coulee City chiropractor’s license suspended
COULEE CITY — A Coulee City man’s chiropractic license has been suspended following his arrest on suspicion of child rape and unlawful imprisonment...
News Bites for June 13, 2023
SOAP LAKE — Two fire districts were brought in for a rescue at Lake Lenore Caves Sunday, according to a statement from Grant County Fire District 7.
Caps and gowns
COLUMBIA BASIN – Graduations continued over the weekend with students walking stages across the Columbia Basin the last few days. Below are some photo highlights of those graduations. Full coverage of area graduations will be printed in a keepsake edition of the paper this Wednesday so area students can have something with themselves and their friends from throughout the region in one place. The staff at the Columbia Basin Herald congratulate this year’s graduates and wish them the best of luck in their futures.
News Bites for June 12, 2023
EPHRATA — An Ephrata man reported as missing Wednesday was found safe and sound Thursday, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office...
Weather for Monday, June 12, 2023
Weather for the week of June 12.
STUDIO BASIN: Adkinsons and the week in sports
On this week’s Basin Studio podcast, Senior Reporter Charles H. Featherstone talks with outgoing Ephrata Interim city administrator, former Ephrata police chief and 25-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol Kurt Adkinson about his time in the WSP and what he learned as a police officer...
UW tour to pass through Basin
The University of Washington is hitting the road again...
BBCC celebrates 2023 Outstanding Student Award winners
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College has released its list of 2023 Outstanding Student Award winners, according to an announcement from the college. BBCC faculty recognized their top students from the 2022-23 academic year during a ceremony Thursday evening...
Events calendar for June 13-18
COLUMBIA BASIN – There’s plenty to do in Grant and Adams counties over the next week. Take a look:
Adams County Pet of the Week: Meet Welder
Welder has decided he already loves you and would like to come help you make sure all the crumbs on your floor don’t go to waste. He’s a Husky or Husky mix and his blue eyes put Frank Sinatra’s to shame – Just don’t tell Frank we said so. Welder is currently hanging out with his friends at Adams County Pet Rescue located at 1961 W. Bench Road just outside of Othello. Like all of his foster-family at ACPR, he is microchipped, fully vaccinated and neutered. Welder is good with other dogs, but is unsure about cats. He’s a larger furry friend, so will need room to play and will need regular grooming. For more information, contact the shelter at 509-488-5514.
Grant County Pet of the Week: Meet Teddy
Teddy might be a little older, but she’s got plenty of love to share with a forever home. An 11-year-old German Shepard mix, she came to the shelter with her son Bear, who she is bonded to and should be adopted with. She enjoys being outside doing her own thing, but wants to be able to be close to Bear, otherwise she gets anxious. She is great with most dogs, people and children, but she’s afraid of cats. To adopt Teddy, contact Grant County Animal Outreach at 509-762-9616. The shelter is located at 6725 Randolph Road NE in Moses Lake and is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and closed Sundays. Additional pets can be viewed at www.grantcountyanimaloutreach.org.
Law enforcement records for June 8, 2023
COLUMBIA BASIN - 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...