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Outstanding Service to Veterans Award recipients recognized for dedication, commitment
OLYMPIA — The Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee has announced the recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards, which recognize individuals who have showed remarkable dedication to veterans and their families. The award recipients will be honored at the Auburn Veterans Day Parade luncheon, where they will be recognized for their exceptional achievements, according to the announcement.
Samaritan, Big Bend partner for internship program
MOSES LAKE — A collaboration has been announced between Samaritan Healthcare and Big Bend Community College to provide a paid internship opportunity for second-year Manufacturing and Process Technology students.
STUDIO BASIN: Boeing strike, election results and football playoffs
MOSES LAKE – On this spisode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Staff Writer Nance Beston discuss the Moses Lake School District naming Carol Lewis its superintendent, Boeing's machinists strike ending and the results of Tuesday's local elections in Grant and Adams counties.
WA Governor-elect names executive team
SEATTLE – Washington Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson filled his executive leadership team Nov. 7.
North 40 hosting firearm lock giveaway to promote safety
MOSES LAKE – In an effort to promote firearm safety, North 40 Outfitters in Moses Lake is hosting an event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where attendees will receive free gun safety devices such as lock boxes and trigger locks, courtesy of the Grant County Health District's Safe Kids and Injury Prevention programs.
Upthegrove leads in DNR commissioner race
OLYMPIA – The race for lands commissioner has seen some ups and downs over the last several months with Hillary Franz stepping aside to run for Congress and opening the primary for several challengers. After a primary recount, Dave Upthegrove, a Democrat, faced off against Republican Jamie Herrera Beutler.
Moses Lake man arrested for murder of grandfather
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Monday after his grandfather was found buried in a shallow grave near Stanley Road in Cascade Valley.
ACSO deputy crashes going to call for aid
OTHELLO — A reported burglary led to a damaged patrol vehicle and a trespass citation, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Some GC District Court services suspended
EPHRATA — Payments due to Grant County District Court will not be processed for a few days, possibly through the end of the week, after unauthorized activity was discovered on the statewide Washington Courts network.
American Legion to host USMC ceremony, veterans parade next week
EPHRATA — American Legion Art Semro Post and Unit 28 will celebrate the founding of the Marine Corps and honor veterans with ceremonies Nov. 10 and 11, according to an announcement from the post.
STUDIO BASIN: Boeing strike, upcoming elections and state placers
MOSES LAKE -- On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans “Rob” Miller and Reporter Nance Beston discussed the Boeing strike, the impacts of the strike and the new contract union members are voting on Monday. The two also discussed another important vote with a discussion about the presidential campaign, the Fourth Congressional district seat and other local elections on the ballot this year. The Studio Basin wants to remind people to turn in their ballots at either a ballot drop box or go to a post office to get their ballot postmarked before mailing it to ensure it is counted. The Studio Basin does not promote any candidate or party but does promote using your constitutional right and responsibility to vote.
Fishing closed on Snoqualmie River
OLYMPIA — Fishing will close Friday on the Snoqualmie River from its mouth near Monroe to Snoqualmie Falls, according to an announcement from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
WDFW asks public not to leave pumpkins for wildlife
MOSES LAKE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife released a statement reminding people not to leave pumpkins out for wildlife but instead toss or compost them.
Basin Events Calendar: November 2024
MOSES LAKE – As we pass through Halloween and move toward Thanksgiving, the community’s holiday spirit comes through in a wide variety of community events and activities. Here are just a few bits of the festivities coming up in November. If you have an event you’d like included in upcoming calendars, email it to [email protected].
Ephrata schools still accepting board applications
EPHRATA – Today is the final day interested applicants can file applications for a position on the Ephrata School board. The opening comes after Ephrata School Board Director Anita Waller announced that she will step down from the board at the end of the year.
WA elk hunters asked to keep an eye out for CWD
OLYMPIA – Elk hunters in Washington are gearing up for another season, as the general hunting season for Eastern Washington elk opened last Saturday, October 26, followed by the western Washington elk season beginning November 2.
25-year-old arrested after alleged vehicle theft, crossing county lines
PASCO – Dispatch reported a pursuit with a dark-colored BMW conducted by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies heading towards Adams County. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office released a statement regarding the incident.
Shelter-in-place safety meeting held Tuesday
MOSES LAKE – Members of public safety, industry and healthcare groups in the area held a tabletop exercise hosted by Grant County Local Emergency Planning Committee Tuesday. The group addressed shelter-in-place situations and communication from a simulated hazardous materials incident in Moses Lake, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Othello Fall Clean Up coming Saturday
OTHELLO — Just in time for leaf-raking season, Othello residents will have a place to dispose of yard debris during the city’s annual fall cleanup from 8 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
High-speed chase ends in truck rolling
RITZVILLE – Friday evening, the Washington State Patrol initiated a pursuit with a red Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was traveling southbound on Highway 395 near Ritzville at high speeds. WSP called off the pursuit but notified Adam’s County Sheriff’s Office that the vehicle was last seen driving westbound on Highway 26, according to ASCO’s release.
Mattawa woman dead after two-vehicle collision
MATTAWA – A 33-year-old Mattawa woman died Friday and three other people were injured from a two-vehicle collision near Mattawa Friday, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Two teens hit by suspected drunk driver
QUINCY – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to a collision in the 8500 block of Road T-Northwest Monday night, according to a release from GCSO.
SkillSource open house set for Wednesday
OTHELLO – SkillSource is hosting an open house Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at its Othello location at 165 N. First Street, according to a press release from the agency.
STUDIO BASIN: MLSD Interim Superintendent discusses finances, Basin teams rocking the gridiron
MOSES LAKE -- On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller and Reporter Nance Beston speak with Moses Lake School District Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis regarding the district's efforts to face financial challenges and regain the community's trust. Lewis explains how the district ended up with a $20 million shortfall and what the administration have done to course correct and get the district back in the black. In the sports segment, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona breaks down Moses Lake defeating Eastmont in both football and slowpitch softball, LRS volleyball taking on Manson and the Big Bend men's basketball team preparing for the 2024-25 season. The STUDIO BASIN podcast can be found on your favorite podcast apps, or downloaded directly at https://bit.ly/3YO9fIt.
Columbia Basin Railroad receives federal grant
MOSES LAKE — A regional railroad has received an $11.55 million federal grant to rehabilitate a section of its line. Washington Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray announced the award Thursday.
Royal City man booked for first-degree rape of a child
ROYAL CITY – Sergio Leal Barragan was arrested by Grant County Detectives Tuesday in relation to the sexual assault of two juveniles over a prolonged period. The 54-year-old Royal City man had his first court appearance Wednesday.
Basin events for Oct. 25-Nov. 1
COLUMBIA BASIN — There's plenty happening in the Basin this week. Here are a few things to mark on the calendar.
Halloween events for Oct. 25-31
COLUMBIA BASIN — Ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night will be out and about the Basin. Here are a few family-friendly ways to get your scare on.
State Auditor’s report shows shortcomings in cannabis industry
OLYMPIA – A recent performance audit by the Office of the Washington State Auditor has unveiled shortcomings in the state’s oversight of its cannabis industry, nearly twelve years after its legalization for recreational use. The report, led by State Auditor Pat McCarthy, serves as a follow-up to a 2018 audit, revealing persistent issues that have impacted effective regulation and data management.
Two audits, no significant findings
OLYMPIA – The Washtucna School District, in Adams County had no significant findings in their Sept. 2022 to Aug. 2023 audit conducted by the Office of the Washington State Auditor. The district has around 81 students in one school building that serves kindergarten through twelfth grade. The audit focused on ensuring the district was in compliance with state laws, regulations, their district’s policies and safeguarding of public resources.
More than 8,000 Grant Co. residents receive bill help
EPHRATA – Grant Public Utility District released a statement regarding the Washington Families Clean Energy Credit Program. The program facilitates one-time $200 electric bill credits for 8,579 qualifying Grant County customers.
NEWS BITES: Oct. 23, 2024
NEWS BITES: Oct. 23, 2024
Runaway DUI suspect treed
EPHRATA – A 36-year-old Ephrata man, Miguel A. Lopez Montes Jr, fled early Saturday around 2 a.m. at a traffic stop, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy pulled over Lopez Montes for speeding and suspicion of DUI in the 9500 block of Adams Road Northwest. Lopez Montes then sped away as the deputy was approaching the window.
WA risky driving behaviors analyzed
OLYMPIA — The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has announced a partnership with Cambridge Mobile Telematics and Michelin Mobility Intelligence to utilize large-scale telematics data aimed at assessing and improving roadway safety across the state. This collaboration employs data collected via mobile phone applications and vehicle equipment to analyze risky driving behaviors without identifying individual drivers.
Othello, Moses Lake men arrested on drug, weapons charges
OTHELLO — Two men were booked on drug and weapons charges following a traffic stop.
Confluence announces telehealth services expansion
WENATCHEE — Confluence Health patients will have access to additional telehealth services beginning today.
One injured in Adams Co. collision
OTHELLO – One man was injured after a collision along State Route 26 near milepost 33 Monday afternoon.
Moses Lake man sentenced in child rape case
MOSES LAKE – Dale Bruce Lewis, Moses Lake, 63, was found guilty in August of a second-degree rape of a child. Lewis was sentenced Wednesday to 95 months to life in prison.
Parents arrested for child endangerment, possession of controlled substance
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department Street Crimes Unit received a search warrant for a residence on West Ridge Road in Moses Lake, Oct. 17. The investigation was in regard to a narcotics investigation into Curtis Terry, 38, Moses Lake, according to an MLPD press release.
Two programs to assist with clean energy projects
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced two new programs Oct. 17 that will connect Washington entities with federal clean energy and climate funding opportunities, according to a release from the WSDC. The two new programs are the Federal Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program and the Federal Funds Grant Writing Assistance Program.
Quincy, Moses Lake traffic light maintenance this week
MOSES LAKE — Drivers should plan for some lane closures and flagger-controlled traffic this week at intersections in Moses Lake and Quincy. Contractors for the Washington Department of Transportation will be working on traffic lights at intersections in those cities, both during the day and at night.
STUDIO BASIN: Elections, Boeing labor dispute and Basin football
MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans Miller discusses recent news regarding elections at the state and local levels and provides updates on the Boeing labor disputes.
HopeSource selects affordable housing director
ELLENSBURG — HopeSource has hired longtime Kittitas County leader Bill Hinkle as the organization’s director of affordable housing, according to an announcement from the organization.
Dry clothes safely, fire marshal says
OLYMPIA — It’s important to use clothes dryers safely, the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office reminded Washingtonians in an announcement Tuesday.
Basin events for Oct. 18-26
COLUMBIA BASIN – As always, there is plenty of activity set for the Columbia Basin this week. Check out these events and remember that it’s never a bad idea to have a little fun.
11M+ pounds of potentially contaminated meat recalled
MOSES LAKE – BrucePac is recalling approximately 11,765,285 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reported Oct. 9.
Millions to participate in earthquake drill
MOSES LAKE – Residents, businesses and students across Washington will participate in the Great Washington ShakeOut on October 17 at 10:17 a.m. The event aims to promote earthquake preparedness through a drill that encourages participants to "drop, cover, and hold on" in response to simulated seismic activity.
Pedestrian safety reminders from WSP
OLYMPIA – With October being National Pedestrian Safety Month, the Washington State Patrol is reminding people that pedestrian safety is a responsibility of all, including drivers and those walking. In Washington there were 733 fatal pedestrian collisions in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, resulting in 1.62 fatalities per 100,000 people in Washington.
First snowfall of the season coming to Cascades passes
SPOKANE — The cold weather is coming to our region, and some areas could see snow this week, according to a statement from the National Weather Service in Spokane.
Fire Safety Day celebrated at Lind Elementary
LIND — Kindergarten students at Lind Elementary School Friday celebrated Fire Safety Day, a day dedicated to learning essential fire safety practices, according to a release from Lind Elementary School.