News Bites for Oct. 16, 2023
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
Grant County Sheriff’s Office Posse members attended the 15th Annual Autism Awareness Walk on Sept. 30. A statement from the Eprhata Police Department expressed appreciation for GCSO Posse members’ attendance and support.
COURTESY PHOTO/EPHRATA PD
Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete swore in Corrections Deputy Benjamin Hernandez early last week. Hernandez’s family, friends and colleagues attended the swearing-in ceremony. GCSO still has opening corrections positions it is trying to fill.
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Grant County Coroner’s Office are looking into the death of a man found early Saturday in the middle of Sheep Canyon Road near Road E-NE north of Ephrata, according to a GCSO statement.
According to the statement, a motorist reported the body next to a car at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. He was declared deceased at the scene and there are no initial indicators of foul play or vehicle collision. The coroner’s office was set to notify next of kin, then perform an autopsy to determine what caused the man’s death.
MACC 911, the Soap Lake Police Department, Grant County Fire District 13 and LifeLine Ambulance assisted the two county agencies in the incident.
Grant County Fire District 13 issued a statement Oct. 1 indicating that the countywide burn ban had expired for the year.
Residents of cities may have fire restrictions in place still and should check with their local fire department. Additionally, anyone burning on their land is encouraged to contact their fire district to advise them of the intentional burn to avoid confusion and unnecessary calls.
OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department has announced that it will be blocking off Hemlock Street between S. 4th Avenue and S. 5th Avenue for football games as needed to establish a safe observation zone for those wanting to watch Huskies football. Handicap parking in the area will remain available and anyone with questions should contact the department at 509-488-3314.
OPD will also be hosting an event at that same location Oct. 20 — this coming Friday — for their Faith and Blue event, a partnership event between OPD, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and various faith-based organizations in town. The tailgating event will have burgers available and residents are encouraged to come out and mingle with the sponsors.
QUINCY — Melvin Ireland, 81, of Quincy was arrested Oct. 8 and charged with three counts of felony harassment – domestic violence and two counts of fourth-degree assault — domestic violence after an incident in the 18000 block of Road 5 NW, according to a GCSO statement.
The domestic violence situation caused law enforcement to shut down a portion of the roadway near White Trail Road while they dealt with an issue of the suspect briefly barricading himself inside the home.
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.