Ephrata PD seeks candy donations
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
Zerorez Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning of Central Washington made a donation of a full box of candy for the Ephrata Police Department’s Trunk or Treat event. Normally the event is grant funded, however there have been some issues this year receiving those funds. Therefore, EPD is asking for candy donations.
EPD PHOTO
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Police Department is asking for candy donations for their Halloween Trunk or Treat event. Last year the event was funded by a Walmart grant, however, there have been some challenges getting the grant again this year.
However, this year there have been updates to the grant process for Walmart. Jennifer Hansen, the office manager at EPD said there have been some communications issues and a lot of back and forth. EPD is still trying to get the grant. This grant is also what funds “Shop with a Cop” where children can shop with a police officer and buy presents for their family for Christmas.
“So, there's just been some miscommunications, I'll say it is that we need to provide for them to verify our agency so that we can apply for the grant. Yeah, just been a lot of back and forth in communication, and we still haven't come to a resolution,” Hansen said.
Although EPD does not have grant funding, they want to be able to hand out candy on Halloween.
Hansen said candy was donated from six different people and one business, Zerorez Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning of Central Washington, donated a full box of candy. EPD currently has two boxes of candy.
“Last year, the Department spent a couple hundred dollars on candy and ran out within like ten minutes,” Hansen said. “So, we just want to be able to hold our own for the entirety of the event.”
Hansen said EPD will take candy donations if they are individually packaged. Donations can be dropped off in the EPD lobby Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Mayor Peter Sharp takes oath of office
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Commissioner Kevin Burgess adminstered the oath of office to Mayor Peter Sharp Wednesday. Sharp was previously appointed to this role at the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting after his predecessor Allen DuPay quit during the Aug. 7, 2024, meeting.
Newhouse, colleagues introduce infrastructure bill
WASHINGTON D.C. — On November 21, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act, HR 6279, aimed at addressing the deteriorating condition of urban canal infrastructure across the country. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Dan Newhouse, R-WA; Mike Simpson, R-ID; Adam Gray, D-CA; and Russ Fulcher, R-ID focuses on providing federal support for the extraordinary operation and maintenance of urban canals deemed to be at significant risk of failure. “As communities in Grant County and elsewhere face serious risks from aging canal systems, it is imperative that we act now to ensure vital water infrastructure is maintained and upgraded,” Newhouse wrote in a statement. “The Bureau of Reclamation’s canals are in dire need of repairs, and the surrounding communities who rely on them would be at risk if they were to fail. This legislation provides local authorities with additional resources to manage these critical pieces of infrastructure while protecting the people and property around canals of concern.”
Ephrata water tower waiting for final tests
EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata is still waiting for the final testing to come back to the water tower. The city had originally hoped the tower would be connected to the water system by Thanksgiving; however, the intensive water testing is taking longer than anticipated.