Bomb squad responds to suspicious device near Othello
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 1 month AGO
A bomb squad technician readies a robotic vehicle to search a car containing a suspicious device near Othello Wednesday. No actual bomb was found in the vehicle. The item in question was what law enforcement refers to as a distractionary device.
COURTESY PHOTO/ACSO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | November 2, 2022 5:23 PM
OTHELLO — The discovery of a suspicious device in a vehicle belonging to a fugitive led to the evacuation of some residences in the 300 block of South Reynolds Road north of Othello Wednesday afternoon.
Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said the suspect, Nicholas Romero-Rivera, 34, Othello was still at large as of Wednesday. He is being sought in connection with an incident Oct. 28.
“We’re still looking for him,” Wagner said in a later interview.
Wanger wrote in a release that the vehicle was being impounded in connection with the search for Romero-Rivera. While deputies were getting the vehicle ready for impound they saw the device between the front seats.
“There was a note in the window,” Wagner said. “It was pretty derogatory toward law enforcement, and when we saw that (note), it was like, ‘Hey, wait a minute.’”
The ACSO contacted the Tri-Cities bomb squad, who retrieved the device.
“It was what they believe to be a distractionary device,” Wagner said.
During the Oct. 28 incident, Romero-Rivera and a second subject allegedly threatened a female with a short-barrel shotgun and a handgun during a domestic dispute, according to a sheriff’s office release.
The second subject, Carlos Villanueva-Martinez, 36, was arrested at the residence Friday on suspicion of second-degree assault, possession of a short-barrel shotgun and other charges, the release said.
Anyone with knowledge of Romero-Rivera’s whereabouts is asked to contact the ACSO, 509-659-1122. Informants may remain anonymous.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Othello approves $29M budget for 2026
OTHELLO — The city of Othello is projected to spend about $10.1 million from its general fund in 2026, the biggest part of a $29 million overall budget. Council members approved the 2026 budget earlier this month, and city Finance Director Spencer Williams said budget planning started in late summer.
New Othello mayor, council members sworn into office.
OTHELLO — New Othello Mayor Ken Johnson and two of three new Othello City Council members were sworn in Monday during the last council meeting of 2025. Alma Carmona and Kelli Camp joined Johnson Monday for the swearing-in.
Port of Moses Lake to build electrical generation, transmission lines
MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake will start construction of electrical transmission lines between port property and Rocky Ford to the north and the port and Connell to the south. Port officials also are working to build electrical generation facilities on port property.