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Active April
March 29, 2024 1:35 a.m.

Active April

Events scheduled for the next month of 2024.

COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring is finally springing up, and the Basin is teeming with things to do and enjoy. This listing is noncomprehensive and event details may change or events may be canceled at the organizers’ discretion. Readers are encouraged to call ahead or verify the information below online prior to the event.

Abell announces candidacy for Washington House
March 29, 2024 1:20 a.m.

Abell announces candidacy for Washington House

INCHELIUM — Hunter Abell, of Inchelium, has announced his candidacy for the state House of Representatives, according to an announcement from Abell Thursday.

SR 17 paving work starts Wednesday
March 29, 2024 1:20 a.m.

SR 17 paving work starts Wednesday

MOSES LAKE — Construction will begin Wednesday on resurfacing a seven-mile section of state Route 17 through Moses Lake. Construction crews will be working from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m. Monday through Friday, and drivers should plan for delays during working hours.


DIAMOND RECAP: League play begins
March 29, 2024 1:10 a.m.

DIAMOND RECAP: League play begins

COLUMBIA BASIN – Many Basin baseball and softball squads have been wrapping up non-league games and have begun to face competition in their respective leagues. Read along for a look at how teams have fared in their games over the past week.

Huskies defeat Wenatchee 10-0
March 29, 2024 1 a.m.

Huskies defeat Wenatchee 10-0

OTHELLO – A five-run bottom of the third inning surged the Othello Huskies in their non-league matchup against Wenatchee on Wednesday, defeating the Panthers 10-0 in five innings.

March 29, 2024 midnight

Legals for March, 29 2024


March 28, 2024 7:38 p.m.

North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force receives award

NESPELEM — The North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force was named 2023 Agency of the Year for Washington Region 2 by the Western States Information Network, according to an announcement by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. According to the statement, the commander of the NCWNTF is Colville Tribal Police Chief Steve Brown. The NCWNTF is comprised of fewer than four full-time employees, including other Colville Tribal Police officers in addition to Brown. Colville Business Council Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson commented on the award in the statement.

Samaritan group receives ‘Heroes of Healthcare’ award
March 28, 2024 7:36 p.m.

Samaritan group receives ‘Heroes of Healthcare’ award

MOSES LAKE — A team of Samaritan Healthcare doctors and nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, lab technicians and other staff recently received an award for their work on a plan to help patients susceptible to sepsis. “Sepsis is the body’s extreme reaction to an infection,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Director of Emergency Services Rebecca Suarez and emergency room nurses Courtney Koehn and Amanda Martinez represented the team that won the “Heroes of Rural Healthcare” award for 2024 at the Samaritan commission meeting Tuesday.

March 28, 2024 7:32 p.m.

Law enforcement records for March 29, 2024

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 PD March 21 Report of a two-vehicle non-injury collision at Dodson Road and SR 282. March 22 Report of damage to a vehicle in the 200 block of Pioneer Avenue Southeast. Reporting party advised that feminine hygiene products had been stuck to her vehicle and change thrown on the front windshield.


Two Basin residents sworn in as WSP troopers
March 28, 2024 7:30 p.m.

Two Basin residents sworn in as WSP troopers

OLYMPIA — Colton Conner of Ephrata and Kay Lester of Othello were among the 47 newly commissioned troopers added to the ranks of the Washington State Patrol Wednesday at the 118th Trooper Basic Training graduation ceremony held at the state Capitol Rotunda, according to an announcement from the WSP. The graduation marks the completion of more than 1,400 hours of training, including classroom and practical exercises at the WSP Academy in Shelton, according to the announcement. The training culminated with a coaching trip where the cadets worked the roads alongside field training officers. The combined efforts of the 118th TBTC class resulted in 9,065 driver contacts, 3,069 calls for service, the removal of 540 impaired drivers from the roadways, and 976 collision investigations during their two-month-long coaching trip, the WSP wrote.

Studded tire removal deadline Sunday
March 28, 2024 7:23 p.m.

Studded tire removal deadline Sunday

OLYMPIA — According to a March 21 reminder from the Washington State Department of Transportation, studded tires must be removed by the end of the day Sunday to avoid a potential fine of $137. "We know that studded tires cause between $20 million to $29 million in damage to state-owned roads in Washington each winter and also damage city and county roads," WSDOT Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin said. "We urge travelers to explore all their traction options, including non-stud, winter-tread tires which are different from all-season tires. These tires are legal year-round and don't damage our highways." The statement said the removal date falls on a holiday this year, which could mean some shops are closed, so WSDOT urges travelers to plan ahead now. Studded tires are legal in Washington from Nov. 1 to March 31. There is no individual exception or out-of-state waiver to the studded tire dates. The announcement said tickets could be issued by the Washington State Patrol as soon as Monday, April 1. WSDOT does not issue tickets.

City to revise parking time limits
March 28, 2024 7:08 p.m.

City to revise parking time limits

MOSES LAKE — The parking situation in downtown Moses Lake may get a little easier, under new regulations the city is considering. Some downtown businesses have complained to the city that there’s no place for their employees to park, and others have complained that downtown employees are taking up spaces that customers could be using. “Customers were saying things to me that they got a good parking spot and they usually don't, or they had to go around the block a couple of times to pull up and find a parking spot, or they had to park (farther away),” said Magen Evans, owner of Hello Nature, which opened in November at 312A S Division St., in the space formerly occupied by Sears. “So I kind of started keeping an eye on the cars out there. But I noticed that all 10 spots (in front of the store) were full, and it seemed to be the same cars every day, and sometimes some would swap out and different ones would come in. And they were here from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. typically, and they weren’t leaving.”


‘78 years of prayers’
March 28, 2024 2 a.m.

‘78 years of prayers’

Memorial Christian Church to sing last hymn, but considers a seed of Hope

EPHRATA – After more than 70 years, Ephrata’s Memorial Christian Church will soon shut down after decades of service to the community, Pastor Don Dunn and church elders said in an interview with the Columbia Basin Herald last week. “It’s an aging thing…,” Dunn said. “One of the people in another church in town says that they’re aging out, and I think we’ve kind of aged out and the ministry has changed.”

Competitive spirit
March 28, 2024 1:50 a.m.

Competitive spirit

Ephrata’s Addison Mills signs with Corban University to play college volleyball

EPHRATA – Ephrata’s Addison Mills has signed with Corban University, a Salem, Oregon-based Christian institution, on a full-ride volleyball scholarship. Mills, a pin hitter on the court, said she had to consider her options after getting offers to play multiple sports – in part due to her height and competitive nature.

Ephrata council considers compression brake ordinance
March 28, 2024 1:50 a.m.

Ephrata council considers compression brake ordinance

EPHRATA -- Last week the Ephrata City Council discussed the possibility of adding a “Jake” Brake Ordinance, stemming from a letter from a community member.


March 28, 2024 midnight

Legals for March, 28 2024

March 27, 2024 6:01 p.m.

New WA law caps cost of inhalers, EpiPens

OLYMPIA — A bill signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee Monday will limit the cost of some lifesaving medicines, according to an announcement from Rep. Dave Zpaul, D-Oak Harbor, the bill’s sponsor.

March 27, 2024 5:49 p.m.

Two arrested, two sought in Adams County crime spree

RITZVILLE - Adams County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested two people and are searching for two more in connection with a series of crimes, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.


Royal dance team brings home third straight state title
March 27, 2024 5:17 p.m.

Royal dance team brings home third straight state title

ROYAL CITY — As high school coaches know, every year is a new team. Seniors graduate, participants decide to do something else, somebody is sidelined due to injury – every year is different. Royal High School dance Coach Makynlee Myrick said that’s part of the appeal. “It takes, really, a whole year to get the girls competition-ready,” she said. “It’s always pretty cool, though, to know that every year we’re coming in with new members and they’re working with the girls who were on the team from the previous year. It’s always cool to see them come together.” The Knights successfully defended their state title in 1A/2A military dance competition Saturday night, taking their third straight title in the category. To add to the challenge Royal was the last team, not just for military competition but for the entire tournament, taking the floor at 9 p.m.

ACH baseball sweeps Wellpinit in doubleheader
March 27, 2024 4:34 p.m.

ACH baseball sweeps Wellpinit in doubleheader

COULEE CITY – The Almira/Coulee-Hartline baseball team continued its strong start to the season with a doubleheader sweep of Wellpinit on Tuesday, winning by scores of 17-1 and 16-1.