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Torres pest management bill signed into law
OLYMPIA — A pair of bills authored by Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, and currently making their way through the state legislature, will change how Washington state regulates and oversees the regulation of pesticides and other crop protection products, according to a press release from Torres’ office...
Reclamation announces irrigation availability
YAKIMA — The Bureau of Reclamation announced Thursday that the Yakima Project’s reservoirs were holding just more than 553,000 acre-feet of water as of April 1, meaning the system was about half full, according to a bureau press release...
Law enforcement records for April 6
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.
Senior events calendar for April 2023
Retiring doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun. The Columbia Basin offers a wide variety of activities for seniors to get out an have a good time. Here is just a sampling of what is available for local retirees in the area.
Fair Committee member sought
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair Advisory Committee needs one more member...
Puppy grad
EPHRATA - The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced that its new peer support dog, Nitro, completed training late last week. He was trained by Cara Putnam’s Crossroads School of Dog Training, which is based in Quincy.
CWU to offer transfer advisement
MOSES LAKE – Students interested in transferring to Central Washington University can meet with Alissa Scriven, the CWU transfer outreach and onboarding counselor at the CWU-Wenatchee Center on Thursday, April 13...
Tire collection event set for late April
MOSES LAKE — Grant County residents will have a chance to unload those unwanted tires this month, according to a statement from the Grant County Public Works Department...
Othello man arrested following chase
OTHELLO — An Othello man was taken into custody late Friday after leading Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a chase that ended on Main Street in Othello, according to a statement from the ACSO. The statement said Andres Garza, 35, of Othello, was wanted in connection with a robbery when ACSO deputies located his vehicle and used a pursuit technique to bring his car to a stop. In an ACSO dash-cam video, a sheriff’s deputy pursuing Garza uses the front end of his car to nudge Garza’s vehicle so that Garza was forced to turn, spin out and come to a stop on Main Street.
Watchful neighbor helps GCSO nab burglar
EPHRATA — A Moses Lake man was arrested Friday morning after burglarizing a home thanks to a watchful neighbor, according to a statement released by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. In a statement issued early Saturday, the GCSO said Brandon Cirame, 35, was taken into custody a little after 8 a.m. Friday when a resident on the 4300 block of Road E.9 NE saw him carrying an empty backpack and walking around a nearby unoccupied house. The neighbor then noticed Cirame leave the house with his backpack full, the statement said.
Growth in Quincy and sports review on Basin Studio Podcast
On this episode of the Studio Basin podcast, senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer sits down with Quincy City Administrator Pat Haley to discuss growth in Quincy and how that growth has affected the area. Next, sports reporter Ian Bivona recaps the previous week of Basin sports action. The Studio Basin podcast can be found on your favorite podcasting apps, or downloaded directly at https://bit.ly/3ZytWoT.
Weather for Monday, April 3, 2023
Monday: A 20% chance of showers after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming westerly at 5-7 mph in the afternoon, while Monday night should be mostly cloudy with a low around 29. Tuesday: A 20% chance of showers after 11 a.m. and mostly sunny with a high near 52. Tuesday night should be partly cloudy with a low around 29. Wednesday: Sunny with a high near 56 while Wednesday night should be mostly clear with a low around 32. Thursday: Sunny with a high near 58, while Thursday night is expected to see a 20% chance of showers and will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Friday: A 20% chance of showers and mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Source: National Weather Service
April 2023 community calendar
A community calendar for the Columbia Basin.
MLPD releases annual report
MOSES LAKE — Calls to the Moses Lake Police Department in 2022 increased by 6.3% over 2021, according to the department’s annual report, released Thursday.
Moses Lake man dies in Wednesday night collision
MOSES LAKE – A Moses Lake man was killed Wednesday night in a single-vehicle collision near Moses Lake, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office...
Police logs for March 30, 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.
Ephrata appoints assistant superintendent
EPHRATA – The Ephrata School District appointed Ken Murray as the district’s assistant superintendent of human resources earlier this week. “Ephrata is growing as a community and as a school district,” said Ephrata School Board Chair Jim Adams, in a release by the district. “To ensure that we’re prepared to meet the future needs of our students, staff and families, it’s time to add additional support to the district office. Ken will not only solidify some of our most important business practices, but he will also have the added benefit of working closely with our superintendent and learning from one of the greats.” ...
Lottery prize hits $7.1 million
OLYMPIA — The numbers will be drawn at 8 p.m. tonight for the Washington Lotto, a prize that has increased to $7.1 million...
Bill to improve APS moves to Inslee’s desk
OLYMPIA – A bill aimed to improve adult protective services moves to the desk of Washington Governor Jay Inslee. The bill would require the state Department of Social and Health Services and law enforcement to share information contained in reports and findings of abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation and neglect of vulnerable adults with each other. “This bill helps us protect our vulnerable adults,” said Sen. Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro-Woolley), sponsor of the bill. Senate Bill 5370 was unanimously passed by the Washington House on Friday after also being unanimously passed by the Senate, and now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration...
Royal High student arrested
ROYAL CITY — A Royal High School student has been arrested in connection with a drug investigation, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office...
Mattawa woman charged after collision
MATTAWA — Charges of vehicular assault are pending against a Mattawa woman after her car crossed the center line and struck another car head-on Sunday...
Washington Beef Day set
OLYMPIA – A release from the Washington Cattlemen's Association announces that Beef Day on the Hill in Olympia will be held April 6. The Washington Cattlemen’s Association will be barbequing tri-tip provided by Washington beef along with milk and cookies from the dairy farmers of Washington. The event starts at Noon at the North Steps of the Capitol.
CWU instructor honored at theater festival
ELLENSBURG — A Central Washington University instructor was honored recently with a prestigious award, according to a statement from the university...
Life saver
EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete, right, presents the 2023 Life Saving Award to Brian Walters of Grand Coulee, a UPS driver who helped save the life of a 7-year-old drowning victim in July 2022. Walters, who is also a volunteer firefighter, pulled the child, who wasn’t breathing, out of a pool at Smokiam Resort in Soap Lake. Walters performed CPR on the girl until she was revived.
Honoring the fallen
EPHRATA - Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete, right, honored Ephrata craftsman Kurt Moore for his service to the community. Moore offered his skills in the creation of the Fallen Deputy Memorial at the Grant County Courthouse.
Weather for Monday, March 27, 2023
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Southeast wind around 6 mph, while Monday night is expected to be partly cloudy with a low around 34. Tuesday: A 20% chance of rain after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Tuesday night is expected to be partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Wednesday night should be mostly clear, with a low of around 30. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59, while Thursday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Source: National Weather Service
GCSO Seeks info on man in custody
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for any information the public might have about a man arrested near Coulee City on Thursday on suspicion of child rape. According to a GCSO statement released Friday, GCSO deputies arrested Tyrone Thomas Trexler, 52, of Coulee City, on March 23 on two counts of child rape and one count of unlawful imprisonment for an assault of a 6-year-old girl alleged to have occurred near Trexler’s previous home in the Moses Lake.
Unincorporated Grant Co. building permits for March 24
The building permits reported below are noncomprehensive.
Home sales figures all over the map for February
MOSES LAKE — Figures were up and down for the real estate market in Grant and Adams counties in February, according to new data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service...
Sandhill Crane Festival starts today
OTHELLO – The Othello Sandhill Crane festival begins today and runs through the weekend. Visitors to the area can stop by and help organizers celebrate the silver anniversary of the festival that celebrates the return of Sandhill Cranes to the Columbia Basin. Advanced registration is available at www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org. Festival events are hosted via the Othello Nazarene Chruch at 835 S. 10th Avenue and McFarland Middle School at 790 S. 10th Avenue in Othello. Events include a crane photo workshop, Rimrock Trail Hike, Potholes Reservoir Boat Birding Tour and several others with various costs associated.
Samaritan partnering with WSU
MOSES LAKE – Samaritan Healthcare has announced a partnership with Washington State University’s College of Medicine to support medical students, according to a Samaritan press release. “We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to advance our partnership with the WSU College of Medicine,” said Samaritan CEO Theresa Sullivan. “Their commitment to training physicians and medical professionals towards a rural track is vital to the development of our future workforce.” ...
Quincy trout derby this weekend
QUINCY — Anglers of all ages are being invited to drop a line in Quincy Lake and Burke Lake Saturday and Sunday in pursuit of trout and prizes. The 14th Trout Fishing Derby begins Saturday morning...
Deadline approaching to remove studded tires
OLYMPIA — With the arrival of Spring, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that Friday, March 31, is the deadline to remove studded tires from cars and trucks, according to a WSDOT press release...
Print praise
EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriffs Office recognized Records Supervisor Dawn Prince, left, as January’s employee of the month in an announcement Thursday morning. Prince was nominated by Lt. Dan Durand for her efforts which lead to GCSO receiving a $20,000 grant from the Washington State Patrol to replace the department’s Livescan fingerprinting equipment. The new equipment is expected to assist investigators in obtaining information in an efficient and timely manner.
MLCA/CCS Baseball Schedule
MOSES LAKE -- Moses Lake Christian Academy has started their second year fielding a baseball team after a hiatus. Below is this year's schedule...
Bass tourney this weekend
MOSES LAKE — The Panhandle Bass Anglers will be staging a bass fishing tournament at Blue Heron Park on Saturday, March 25...
WDFW app keeps anglers up to date
OLYMPIA — Fishing limits, regulations and more are just a phone signal away. In 2021, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rolled out its FishWA for Apple and Android devices. The free mobile app is designed to convey up-to-the-minute fishing regulations for every lake, river, stream and marine area in the state, according to WDFW’s website...
Law enforcement logs for March 23
The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office, jail or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Airport siting bill passes WA House, gets Senate hearing
OLYMPIA – A bill that would replace the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission established in 2019 to recommend possible locations for a new airport had a public hearing in the Washington Senate Tuesday. “The CACC established in 2019, didn't have enough time to do a thorough review of what they set out to accomplish,” co-sponsor Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) said in a release from his office. “COVID played a role, but the commission was also lacking adequate resources and did not provide enough outreach and notice to those who could have been impacted.” ...
Two arrested in Adams County drive-by shooting cases
OTHELLO — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Othello Police Department arrested two Othello men late last week in connection with two recent drive-by shootings. Jean Carlos Avila, 18, was arrested by the OPD, and Carlos Cerna Jr., 19, was arrested March 18 by the ACSO with the help of the Moses Lake Tactical Response Team, according to an ACSO release. The arrests stemmed from the report of a drive-by shooting on March 12 inside the Othello city limits, the release said. Othello Police Chief Phil Schenck said no one was injured in that incident. The circumstances of the shooting resembled a similar incident in ACSO jurisdiction Feb. 15, said Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner...
Warriors excel in skills competitions
Wahluke High School’s SkillsUSA program had the students below qualify for state competition, according to a WHS announcement...
Spring cleanup week slated for Othello
OTHELLO — Othello residents will be able to dispose of old leaves and grass, old appliances and scrap metals during the city’s annual cleanup week, April 3 through 8. Appliances and scrap metal will be picked up on April 3 and 4, according to a city press release. Appliances and scrap metal must be at the curb or in the residence’s alley by April 2 to be scheduled for pickup...
Adams Co. police logs for March 22
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...
Recall issued for frozen strawberries
OLYMPIA — Several brands of frozen organic strawberries and one brand of frozen tropical fruit are being recalled after an outbreak of Hepatitis A that has caused at least five Washington residents to get sick, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Health...
Soap Lake Conservancy to hold public meeting
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Conservancy is holding a public meeting to discuss the organization’s Outstanding Resource Water application to the state. The meeting will discuss what the conservancy has learned in its research and how the Outstanding Resource Water recognition will impact the area, as well as answer any questions attendees may have. The meeting will be at 2 p.m. on March 25 at Masquers Theater, 322 Main Ave. E. For more information, visit TheLake.org or contact Peggy at 509-289-0292.
Sales tax exemption for seniors’ meals passes WA House
OLYMPIA – Washington House Bill 1431, sponsored by Rep. Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham), would provide a sales tax relief for residents of senior living communities when it comes to meals...
USDA grants aim to help plan and prevent wildfires
ASHLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Forest Service announced it is giving nearly $25 million in grants to help plan for and prevent wildfires across Washington, according to a USFS press release. The grants are part of the Forest Service’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant program and are being given to 14 organizations from Spokane to South Bend in Pacific County, the press release stated. However, more than $11 million — including a $10 million grant — is going to three organizations in Kittitas County, including Kittitas County Resilient Landscapes.
Applications open for law enforcement education classes
MOSES LAKE — Applications are being accepted through Friday for a series of informational classes for people who want to learn more about how law enforcement works, according to a release from the agencies involved. The Columbia Basin Multi-Agency Citizens Academy will begin April 2. The five-week series will be held in the ATEC building at Big Bend Community College, 7662 Chanute St. NE. The classes, nine in all, will be each Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr wrote that the academy returns after a three-year hiatus. Fuhr wrote that organizers are hoping to sign up at least 20 to 30 people. The purpose is to encourage positive relationships between law enforcement officers and community members through education on the basics of the profession, according to the release...
Stack to speak on dangers of marijuana
MOSES LAKE — Laura Stack, CEO and founder of Johnny’s Ambassadors, will be speaking at 6 p.m. on March 30 at Columba Basin Technical Skills Center in Moses Lake regarding the risks associated with marijuana use. Stack founded the organization after her son, Johnny Stack, died by suicide in 2019. “Johnny had no medical issues, no mental illnesses until he used marijuana and no genetic history for psychosis. He wasn't depressed, neglected, or unloved. But after getting a ‘medical’ marijuana card and using high-THC products, Johnny became psychotic, paranoid and delusional,” Stack said in a statement...
Area students make UW dean’s list
SEATTLE – Students from the Columbia Basin have been named to the Dean's List at the University of Washington for the Spring 2023 quarter. To qualify for the dean's list, a student must have completed at least 12 graded credits and have a grade point average of at least 3.5...