News Bites for June 7, 2023
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 5 months AGO
Adams County Sheriff’s deputies got a chance to cool off with some other law enforcement agencies and the local community Monday at Snow Cones with Cops, hosted by the Warden Police Department.
COURTESY PHOTO/ACSO
EPHRATA — Some special kids will get a chance to wear the chief’s hat Thursday.
A number of law enforcement agencies will host the 19th annual Chief for a Day at the Grant County Courthouse starting at 1 p.m., according to an announcement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. It’s a way to honor Grant County youths who are affected by a long-term or life-threatening condition, the announcement said. Everyone is invited to attend.
At Chief for a Day, each public safety agency adopts one child who is empowered as that agency's chief, according to the announcement. Each temporary chief is presented with a plaque, uniform and badge from their agency.
Chief for a Day is sponsored by the Thomas A. Boruff Foundation, an Ephrata-based nonprofit organization focused on assisting special needs children in the U.S. and Mexico, the announcement said.
COULEE CITY — A grass fire triggered calls to three Grant County fire districts Monday.
At about 10:40 p.m., Grant County Fire District 7 in Soap Lake was called to the area of SR 17 and Moore Road near Blue Lake for a 1/4-acre brush fire, according to a statement from GCFD 7. Because of the 15-20 mph winds, the responding chief officer immediately called on Grant County fire districts 6, based in Hartline, and 13, based in Ephrata, according to the statement. The firefighters from District 7, with two brush engines and two water tenders, were able to stop forward progress on the blaze before the reinforcements arrived, and the calls were canceled.
Firefighters from District 7 stayed around for about half an hour to mop up, the statement said. The cause was determined to be a malfunctioning electrical plug on a security gate, it added.
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office will hold a testing event on July 29 in Ephrata, according to an announcement from the GCSO.
A law enforcement written and physical ability test along with a firefighter and dispatcher written test will be offered on this date, the announcement said. Testing will begin at 10 a.m. at Ephrata High School. The GCSO has several openings in the Corrections Division that require this testing, according to the announcement.
People interested in taking the tests can find more information at www.publicsafetytesting.com, the announcement said.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.