Studio Basin

On this week's episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer discuss the ongoing issues with the Moses Lake School District, including an odd sidebar relating to the Grant County Morgue. Miller also discusses the fire safety publication, "Living in Wildfire Country" which was released this week and the "Strength of the Basin" publication released this week as well. The fire publication provides news and tools on combating wildfires while Strength highlights several people around the Columbia Basin that are working hard to contribute to their communities in a positive manner.
In sports, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona breaks down last weekend's Earl Barden Classic, the ACH Senior Legion baseball team sweeping East Valley and the WA Golf Men's Amateur Championship held in Moses Lake last week.

In this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller sits down with Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete to talk about summer safety. Kriete went over factors contributing to increased dangers during the summer and education efforts GCSO has in place to help keep area residents safe. 
In sports, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer discuss last week's stories on Royal softball winning the WIAA's Team of the Month Award, MLCA/CCS eighth grader Rebecca Wiser taking fourth at the state track and field meet, spring football jamborees and Royal football Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Scroggins receiving the High School Broyles Award.

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer breaks down the Grant PUD seeking public input on its future rate policy, as well as Chief for a Day being hosted in Ephrata.
In sports, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona recaps last weekend's Dru Gimlin 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Quincy, Moses Lake winning the Kings of the Columbia 7-on-7 football tournament and Ephrata senior Hayden Roberts winning a state championship in the 800-meter run at the 2A State Track and Field Championships.

Some tough decisions for the Moses Lake School District, a timeline for a new Grant County morgue and seniors saying goodbye to high school are among the topics for the Studio Basin podcast this week.

Moses Lake School Board members voted last week to borrow money from its capital projects fund to ensure the district could pay its payroll and bills in June. School board members and MLSD officials have been working to address the district’s financial situation in the wake of a rejection of an educational programs and operations levy in April, and the subsequent discovery of some accounting errors that led district officials to believe they had more money than they actually did. It’s an ongoing story, and there will be more to come.

Grant County officials are looking for property to build a new county morgue after determining that the first option, building a facility as part of Samaritan Hospital, wouldn’t work 

Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said the space the hospital could provide was too small, given the county’s caseload. County officials have identified a piece of property and are talking with MLSD officials about a purchase.

And it’s the end of the school year, and graduations are dead ahead. June 7 and 8 will be chock full of graduations, from Almira/Coulee-Hartline to Wahluke. A full list of graduations is available on the Columbia Basin Herald website, www.columbiabasinherald.com.

In sports, four local teams qualified for their respective state championship games; the Royal boys soccer team, the Warden softball team, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline baseball team and the Royal softball team. 

Royal soccer, Warden softball and ACH baseball all placed second in their title games, while the Royal softball team captured its first fastpitch softball state championship by defeating Seton Catholic 16-4 in the 1A state championship game on May 25.

Grant County Commissioner Rob Jones joined Managing Editor R Hans "Rob" Miller for the news segment of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast this week. The pair discussed the process and cost of filing for office - Jones is running for reelection - as well as a variety of projects going on in the county. Jones also discussed how inflation has impacted the various businesses he owns and operates. 
In sports, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer break down several of last week's district playoff games, including Moses Lake baseball, Royal and Wahluke boys soccer, Ephrata and Othello softball and Soap Lake tennis.

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Sports Reporter Ian Bivona break down recent headlines in the Columbia Basin Herald, including recent Moses Lake School Board meetings, an officer-involved shooting in Moses Lake, a swatting incident in Ephrata and Boeing firefighters picketing at the Moses Lake facility.
In sports, Bivona and Schweizer recap local district playoff events for Othello and Moses Lake baseball, as well as Quincy, Royal and Wahluke boys soccer.

Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller sits down with Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete to discuss a recent fundraiser for the Columbia Basin Canines group, which works to support area K9 officers and their handlers. The pair also discusses increasing domestic violence in Grant County, the factors that can lead to domestic violence and some of the organizations in the area that work to help families struggling with the issue.
In sports, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona and Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer break down recent baseball and softball games in the Basin, including teams from Moses Lake, Ephrata, Othello, ACH, Royal and Warden.

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Staff Writer Joel Martin break down last week's headlines in the Columbia Basin Herald, Well 20 in Moses Lake, leadership in the Grant County Republican Party, the MLSD's levy being voted down and the Othello Community Pool being closed over safety concerns. 
In sports, Schweizer and Sports Reporter Ian Bivona recap local sporting events, including Othello softball's sweep of Prosser, Quincy hosting a track and field meet, Wahluke winning the SCAC (East) over Royal, Ephrata softball besting Quincy and the Jacks falling to Cascade.

This week in the news segment of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Managing Editor R. Hans "Rob" Miller discusses the challenges of fentanyl and other opioids in the Columbia Basin. With about a third of accidental deaths in Grant County being from overdoses last year, area leaders are concerned with addressing the issue quickly and educating the public. After that, Joel Martin joined in to cover the possibilities teff - grain from Eastern Africa - might pose for farmers in the Pacific Northwest, especially Eastern Washington's high desert. 
In sports, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Sports Reporter Ian Bivona break down recent sporting events in the Basin, including Quincy boys soccer, Othello baseball and Moses Lake baseball, softball and tennis.

On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer and Sports Reporter Ian Bivona break down the estimated cost of the Grant County Jail, the new director of the Port of Moses Lake and upcoming public meetings regarding the rates of the Grant County PUD.
In sports, the duo recap recent soccer action at Moses Lake, Wahluke, Othello, Quincy and Royal high schools, as well as discuss how Moses Lake BMX aims to continue growth in the 2024 season.