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Celtic Extravaganza to fill Wallenstien Theater with holiday music
MOSES LAKE – Christmas in Washington will hold a Celtic Extravaganza at the Wallenstien Theater this Friday with traditional Celtic music from violinist Geoffrey Castle and the Seattle Irish Dance Company’s Celtic Dancers.
ACSO announces award winners for 2024
RITZVILLE – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office released a statement about the annual staff award winners. The 2024 honorees were Magaret Kuen for dispatcher of the year, Commander Kelly Watkins for corrections officer of the year, Sergeant Darryl Barnes for supervisor of the year, Deputy Jesus Montes for deputy of the year and Corporal Cale Yount for an honorable mention.
Mattawa PD reports gang-related shooting
MATTAWA – The Mattawa Police Department released a report regarding a shooting that occurred Saturday night in the 100 block of second street. Officers from MPD and Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the scene and recovered evidence.
AFA offers scholarships for those affected by Alzheimer’s
NEW YORK – The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering scholarships of up to $5,000 for college-bound high school seniors who are affected by Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related illnesses.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin celebrate rewarding year
MOSES LAKE – The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin has received several awards this year, recognizing exceptional leadership, advocacy and service to youth across the region. These accolades reflect the organization's commitment to transforming the lives of young people and building a stronger community through partnerships, advocacy and high-impact programs.
MLPD Cops for Tots event deemed a success
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department expressed appreciation for the Moses Lake Walmart and community members for a successful Cops for Tots event Sunday afternoon.
Ferguson opts to retain agency leaders
OLYMPIA – Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced Friday that he will retain Commissioner Cami Feek to continue running the Employment Security Department, as well as Derek Sandison as head of the Department of Agriculture and Major General Gent Welsh as Adjutant General of the Washington Military Department.
GCSO seeks burglary suspect
MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Eric J. Fuentes, 31, of Moses Lake in connection with a burglary along Road K.5 Southeast Sunday evening at about 8 p.m.
BBCC to add second bachelor’s program
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College will offer a new bachelor’s degree program next year, according to an announcement from the college.
Teen pregnancy dropping in Grant, Adams counties
MOSES LAKE – According to a study conducted by BadCredit.org, an organization that studies issues impacting credit ratings, teen pregnancies in Grant and Adams Counties are down significantly over the past five years with Adams County seeing an 18% reduction in the number of teens getting pregnant and Grant declining 12% over that same period.
CB Foundation donates to Viking Food Pantry
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College was recently awarded a $1,000 grant to support its Viking Food Pantry, courtesy of the Columbia Basin Foundation, according to an announcement from the college.
MLFD investigating residential fire
MOSES LAKE – Tuesday at around 4 p.m. the City of Moses Lake Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on West Texas Street, according to a release from MLFD.
Bite2Go program combating child hunger in Quincy Schools
QUINCY – The reality of chronic hunger and food insecurity faces countless children across Washington, impacting their ability to learn and thrive. In response, Second Harvest has expanded its Bite2Go program to Quincy, providing vital meals to students in need.
Soap Lake Winterfest set for Saturday
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake will usher in the holiday season with Winterfest Dec. 7, according to the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce.
West Canal maintenance funding announced
WASHINGTON D.C. – The office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., announced $57.85 million in federal funding for aging water infrastructure, fishing facilities and canal operations around Washington state. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
One arrested in connection with van theft
MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office recovered a van stolen from the El Oro Cattle Company Dec. 2 and arrested 34-year-old Tomas Diaz Layna on Dec. 3.
Grant County certified election results
MOSES LAKE – According to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office, nearly three-quarters of registered voters in Grant County participated in the Nov. 5 General Election with 36,600 of the county’s 50,488 casting ballots – or 72.55%.
Masquers to open Christmas play this weekend
SOAP LAKE — “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” will open tomorrow at the Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, according to an announcement from Publicity Chair Darryl Pheasant.
Two booked for controlled substance homicide
WARDEN – Monday morning the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team served a warrant to a residence outside of Warden in the 4600 block of Road U Southeast, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department.
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week provides food for thought
MOSES LAKE — Older Driver Safety Awareness Week is Dec. 2-6, so if you are an older driver or a caregiver, it may be time to talk about driving safety, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2022, there were 7,870 traffic collisions nationwide involving a driver 65 and older resulting in 8,572 deaths, the highest figure since at least 1975.
State auditor suggests Mattawa tighten accounting controls
MATTAWA — City officials lacked sufficient oversight to ensure its 2022-23 budgets were accurate, leading to a request to revise city procedures from the Washington State Auditor’s Office.
Gesa scholarship applications open
RICHLAND — Gesa Credit Union, which operates multiple branches in Eastern Washington, including one in Moses Lake, is accepting applications for college scholarships, the credit union announced Tuesday. Students who are entering college for the first time, continuing to pursue higher education, or managing student loans are encouraged to apply.
Sixkiller appointed WA director of Ecology
OLYMPIA – Governor-elect Bob Ferguson has appointed Casey Sixkiller as the 14th Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology, effective Jan. 15, 2025, according to an announcement from the governor-elect’s office.
News Bites for Dec. 3, 2024
News bites for Dec. 3, 2024
Grant PUD gets clean audit report
EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District employees adequately monitored PUD operations to protect public money, according to a report from the Washington Auditor’s Office.
Moses Lake firefighters distribute coats through Operation Warm
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Firefighters Local 1258 provided coats to students within the Moses Lake School District, ensuring they are prepared for the colder months ahead, through the union’s Operation Warm initiative according to information sent to the Columbia Basin Herald by MLFD Lt. Jason Koziol.
MLFD responds to electrical fire Tuesday
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Fire Department was dispatched Tuesday night around 7:30 p.m. to 7761 Randolph Road Northeast, by the Port of Moses Lake, according to a release by the City of Moses Lake.
MLPD asks for community aid in drive-by investigation
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department is investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 on Basin Street. There were no injuries. Witnesses saw two subjects get into a white or grey sedan with loud exhaust following the incident. MLPD is asking for residents in the area to check for any surveillance footage surrounding the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Edmond Guerrero at 509-764-3887 and reference case number 24ML17518.
MLPD arrests illegal minibike driver
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department released a statement regarding a 19-year-old man who took an illegal joyride through town on Nov. 10 and was eventually booked into Grant County Jail.
GCFD7 asking for junk vehicles for training
SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 purchased a brand-new set of extrication tools — which will help the firefighters to remove people from damaged cars and perform life saving rescues.
12-year-old booked for driving stolen vehicle from King Co.
MOSES LAKE – A 12-year-old was arrested after Grant County Sheriff’s Officers stopped him in a stolen vehicle by using the Precision Immobilization Technique.
WDFW looking for new Game Management council members
OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently accepting applications for new members to its Game Management Advisory Council. WDFW Director Kelly Susewind will appoint eight members to the 18-member council, with terms commencing in 2025.
CWU to host lecture on plantation imagery in Cuba
ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington University Department of Art + Design will host a lecture by art historian Dr. Asiel Sepúlveda on Thursday, according to an announcement from the university. Titled “The Plantation’s Smokescreens: Art and Vision in Nineteenth-Century Cuba,” the talk will explore how lithographic artists crafted new ways of seeing the Cuban landscape during the 19th century.
Tigers, Legos and farewells at Ephrata schools meeting
EPHRATA – During the Nov. 25 Ephrata School Board meeting there was a presentation on the First Lego League. Then there was discussion around electronic doors, new kitchen equipment and a donation. The meeting ended with a farewell to Board Director Anita Waller who has resigned her position to focus on personal matters.
Ferguson names leaders for three state agencies
OLYMPIA — Governor-elect Bob Ferguson selected leaders of three state agencies Wednesday, according to an announcement from Ferguson’s office: Marcus Glasper as director of the Department of Licensing; David Puente Jr. as the director of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and Cheryl Strange as acting secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. Strange formerly served as Secretary of DSHS from 2017 to 2021. Marcus Glasper has been serving as the director of the Department of Licensing since April 2023, according to the announcement. In his role at DOL, Glasper serves on the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission and the Transportation Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. Glasper has over 30 years of public sector experience, and prior to his appointment at DOL, he served as the director of the Washington State Lottery for five years. He has served the public in a variety of Washington State executive leadership positions including Deputy Director at the Department of Revenue and Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Department of Corrections. Prior to his state service, he spent a decade working for the United States Department of Energy.
Prescribed burns scheduled to mitigate wildfires, improve habitats
OLYMPIA – Across Washington, ecosystems ranging from the Western Washington prairies and meadows to the Columbia Basin wetlands and Eastern Washington's pine forests and shrub steppe are showing positive effects of prescribed fire, according to a statement from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. WDFW, along with its partners, utilizes this natural management tool to reduce wildfire fuel and severity, improve wildlife habitats and promoting native species across the state.
Rep. Dye earns award for ag service
WENATCHEE — Ninth District Representative Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) received the State Representative Legislator of the Year award from the Washington Farm Bureau at its annual meeting last week in Wenatchee.
Keeping holiday safety in the forefront
EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office released advice for residents for the holidays. GCSO said this is a good time for swindlers and thieves to take advantage of good people, this is the sheriff’s office advice to stop them. The City of Moses Lake Fire Department also released a statement regarding house fires this holiday season. The statement is broken into five different parts – at home, strangers at door, leaving for the holidays, house fires and after the holiday.
SLSD gets new transportation number
SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake School District announced the transportation department has a new phone number 509-390-4060. The transportation office should be contacted for long-term changes of more than one week. For temporary bus changes, the district asks for people to call the school offices. The elementary school can be reached at 509-246-1323. The middle and high school’s office can be contacted at 509-246-1201.
Two Moses Lake men booked for trespassing
EPHRATA – Two Moses Lake men were booked into Grant County Jail Thursday night for suspicion of second-degree trespassing on private property near Ephrata, according to a statement released from Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
STUDIO BASIN: Natural gas, media literacy and state playoffs
MOSES LAKE – On this week's STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller and Senior Reporter Joel Martin discuss the results of the initiative ballot measure to repeal a ban on natural gas in new construction in Washington and lessons from how coverage of that issue can be used to improve media literacy. Readers are encouraged to think about where news outlets may be trying to lead them rather than allowing them to decide for themselves as they should.
Black Friday fish have been stocked across WA
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is stocking 24 lakes with over 65,000 rainbow trout for Black Friday fishing. The fish measured longer than 14 inches and weighed around three pounds each, according to WDFW.
WA expands access to free school meals for students
OLYMPIA – As of Oct. 15, 2024, over 775,000 students in Washington State, around 70% of the student population, have access to school meals at no out-of-pocket cost. This initiative follows recent legislative expansions aimed at addressing food insecurity among students.
Be prepared when traveling over passes
MOSES LAKE — With Thanksgiving approaching, many local residents will be driving over mountain passes to see family and friends. Because road conditions on those passes can be unpredictable, it’s important to be aware of conditions before traveling and to have the right equipment on your vehicle.
Ephrata chamber to hold window decorating contest
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Bells on Basin Christmas window decorating contest this year for downtown businesses, according to an announcement from the chamber.
WA DOH recommends holiday vaccinations
OLYMPIA – Thanksgiving is a little over a week away, winter holidays will follow closely behind, and the Washington State Department of Health issued a press release reminding residents to get the updated COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, vaccines.
New PIO appointed for BPA
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Bonneville Power Administration announced Wednesday that Chris Wilk has been appointed as its new chief information officer and executive vice president of information technology, effective December 1.
Grant awarded to fight sexual exploitation
MOSES LAKE – The Fulcrum Institute Dispute Resolution Clinic’s SAVE ONE Sexual Exploitation Prevention Program has received a grant from Confluence Health and the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group through their Community Partnership Fund to support middle and high school students in North Central Washington, according to an announcement from the institute.
STUDIO BASIN: A love of welding and playoff football
MOSES LAKE – Seth Miner, the owner of a local fabrication and welding company Miner Services LLC, joins the STUDIO BASIN podcast to discuss his journey from couch-hopping, to starting in the welding field, to eventually owning and operating his own welding business. Miner tells his story about how he forged a path to success with the help of his community, wife and his own ambition. For those interested in hiring Miner for a job visit his website at MinerServicesLLC.com or call him at 509-750-1406.
MLPD arrests 19 in prostitution crackdown
MOSES LAKE -- The Moses Lake Police Department Investigations unit with the support of Othello Pollice Department conducted a three-day human trafficking operation. The three-day operation was designed to impact both the demand and supply side of human trafficking. There were a total of 19 arrests with 13 of them for patronizing a prostitute and the other six for prostitution.