GCFD 5 responds to fire near Grant Co. Fairgrounds
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO
A Grant County Fire District 5 brush truck sprays water on a hot spot while crews finished putting out a fire that may have been caused by fireworks.
R. HANS MILLER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
The fire was quickly put out but was bright enough to be seen from across town.
The area circled in blue is the location of the Thursday evening fire. The fire appears to be contained and in mop up as of the time of this posting.
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | July 3, 2025 11:11 PM
MOSES LAKE - Grant County Fire District 5 personnel are mopping up the scene of a brush fire just east of the Grant County Fairgrounds.
Witnesses in the area said two people had been seen setting off fireworks in the area.
No crew chief was immediately available to discuss the incident as the scene was still active.
Fire crews were still on the scene as of 10:55 p.m. Thursday, but traffic was being allowed through the area. Residents are encouraged to drive carefully in the area to ensure no first responders are struck by vehicles as they work.
The fire was quickly put out but was bright enough to be seen from across town.
The area circled in blue is the location of the Thursday evening fire. The fire appears to be contained and in mop up as of the time of this posting.ARTICLES BY R. HANS MILLER
Court cases in March 2025 shooting death of Moses Lake teen moving forward
EPHRATA — Jose D. Beltran Rodriguez, 21, of Moses Lake, and Matthew Gabriel Valdez, 19, also of Moses Lake, remain in custody at the Grant County jail after being arrested in connection with a March 21, 2025, drive-by shooting in Moses Lake.
Sentencing hearing set in 2022 Moses Lake murder case
EPHRATA — Juan Gastelum, the suspect in the March 2022 killing of Yanira Cedillos, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on March 3. He is now scheduled for an April 28 sentencing hearing. According to court documentation, Gastelum, 32, of Hermiston, Ore., pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree with Sexual Motivation. The minimum sentence Gastelum may receive under the law is two years in prison, but the maximum is life imprisonment and up to a $50,000 fine. However, the sentencing hearing is under Special Set Sentencing, an option under Washington state law which allows adjustments to sentencing if a suspect pleads guilty.
Court case in Nov. 2025 Moses Lake shooting moving forward
EPHRATA — The trial into the shooting of a 23 year old Moses Lake man is progressing through Grant County Superior Court. Darwin Nahun Tejada Martinez, 29, of Seattle is on trial facing a single charge of Assault in the First Degree after investigators say he shot the victim in a Nov. 25, 2025, incident.