News bites for June 27, 2023
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 5 months AGO
Corporal Jason McDonnell, left, was sworn in Monday morning by Sheriff Joe Kriete, right.
COURTESY PHOTO/GCSO
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | June 27, 2023 1:30 AM
EPHRATA — Nicole Shenefelt, 25, is being held at the Grant County Jail after reportedly setting a fire in Ephrata, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Grant County Fire Districts 7 and 13 and the Ephrata Fire Department responded Saturday to a wildfire at the Wagon Wheel Mobile Home Park in the 17000 block of Highway 26, according to the statement.
The fire burned about 15 acres, according to a statement from GCFD 13, which is based in Ephrata. The blaze threatened the east side of the park, the GCFD 13 statement said, but firefighters were able to contain it on both flanks while natural barriers slowed the head of the fire.
Shenefelt was arrested Saturday afternoon after witnesses and evidence placed her at the spot, the GCSO statement said. She is lodged in the Grant County Jail for investigation of second-degree reckless burning, the GCSO wrote.
OTHELLO — An investigation is underway into an officer-involved shooting near Othello Sunday.
At about 2 p.m., the Adams County Sheriff’s Office was assisting Othello Police in locating a suspect allegedly involved in an investigation in Othello, according to a statement form the ACSO. The suspect was located in the area of Kulm Road and SR 26, where the officer-involved shooting occurred.
The Central Basin Investigative Team is conducting an independent investigation of the incident, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. CBIT investigation team members include investigators from the Moses Lake Police Department, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police, Ellensburg Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Ephrata Police Department, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, according to the GCSO statement. Capt.
Jim Weed of the Ellensburg Police Department is heading up the investigation, according to a GCSO statement.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Quincy Shop with a Cop pairs families with officers
QUINCY — Ten Quincy families will have a brighter Christmas through the Quincy Police Department’s Shop with a Cop event Dec. 6. “Seeing how excited the kids get and how thankful the families are, it’s awesome,” said QPD Ofc. Danya Mercado, who organized the event with Ofc. Jessica Diaz.
‘Our favorite time of year’
Shop with a Cop brings smiles to both children and officers
MOSES LAKE — The heavy police presence outside local stores recently wasn’t because of a crime wave. It was police officers engaging in their favorite annual event. “This is one of those times throughout the year that we don't have to go and ask for volunteers to help,” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “The first day we put it out, I think we got 20-some people say ‘Yeah, we’re in.’ That's just under half the department right away.“
BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and a lot of people will be spending time at home with their families or at the church of their choice. Still, there are a few things happening around the Basin. Here are some ideas: