News bites for May 21, 2024
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 5 months AGO
EPHRATA — An Ephrata man was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault — domestic violence and making a bomb threat after portions of the neighborhood around the 10 block of K Street Northeast were evacuated Sunday night.
Nicholas Svetich, 49, was arrested Monday morning, according to a release from the Ephrata Police Department.
“Due to threats made by the suspect, neighbors were evacuated as a precaution,” the release said. “Neighbors were notified they could return to their homes (Monday morning).”
OTHELLO — A former law enforcement agent who thought he was meeting an underage girl in Othello and instead found police officers waiting for him has been convicted of attempted online enticement of a minor, according to a statement from the Othello Police Department.
Koby Don Williams, 49, a former supervisory enforcement and removal officer with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, was arrested in July 2022 at a hotel in Othello, the OPD wrote.
Williams had replied to a Craigslist ad that was part of an undercover law enforcement operation with the objective of identifying individuals interested in having sex with children, according to the statement. Williams chatted with “Rebecca,” who he believed was a 13-year-old girl. Williams identified himself as a “cop” and the two discussed the rates she would charge for sex acts, and an arrangement to meet her for sex. On July 26, 2022, Williams arrived at the hotel and was met by an arrest team comprised of Toppenish and Moses Lake PD detectives.
Under a search of Williams and his government vehicle, detectives located his ICE badges and federal credentials, service pistols, two bottles of vodka, several bottles of prescription pills and $4,075 in cash, according to the statement
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.