Ephrata PD chief says EMS bomb threat unfounded
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 1 week AGO
On Monday night, around 9:30 p.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office log shows a call claiming a bomb would detonate at Ephrata Middle School in 15 minutes. The Ephrata Police Department Chief Erik Kock determined the call was a hoax after several details raised red flags and officers patrolled the area.
COURTESY PHOTO/EPHRATA SCHOOL DISTRICT
EPHRATA — A bomb threat reported late Monday night targeting Ephrata Middle School was determined to be unfounded, according to Ephrata Police Chief Erik Koch. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office log shows the call came in at 9:24 p.m., with the caller claiming a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes. However, Koch said the details quickly raised red flags.
“It was an odd one, it was a bomb threat in the middle of the night, and some of the other stuff that was said within the threat, none of it was credible,” Koch said.
Officers checked the school grounds overnight.
“We conducted driving around the middle school and didn’t find anything suspicious,” he said.
The campus had been closed in observance of Presidents Day Monday and students were never at risk. School operations continued as normal Tuesday morning. Koch said the department determined the threat to be a hoax based on the timing, the phrasing of the call and the absence of any corroborating information.
The chief noted that similar false threats have been circulating nationwide.
“There’s information passing throughout the state that these bomb threats were coming around, especially for schools… anything within the call that we could find credible, none of it made any sense,” he said.
While police see a rise in these types of calls, Koch cautioned against assuming all threats are fake.
“We do our best to analyze and figure out which ones are and aren’t, and then make the best call for the safety of the community,” he said.
Tracking down the caller may take time.
“It’s very hard to track down these actors, especially when they’re outside the area routing the traffic through different IPs… but not impossible,” Koch said. “It just takes some time.”
No arrests have been made and the investigation remains open, Koch said.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
‘Show up’
Local leaders say community voices shape schools, cities and trust
WARDEN — When Warden Mayor Rosaelia Martinez looked out over the audience at the April 28 Warden City Council meeting, she didn’t see empty seats. She saw neighbors. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.” That message – that showing up matters – was echoed by city and school leaders across the Columbia Basin, many of whom say public participation directly shapes decision-making, transparency and long‑term planning.
Warden council bans kratom, considers parking regulations
WARDEN — Warden City Council passed a kratom ban and special event permit Tuesday night. It also discussed its comprehensive plan update and an ordinance for parking regulations. Around 17 residents were in attendance, a fairly large showing for a Warden council meeting. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Mayor Rosaelia Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input because it really validates what a lot of people are hoping to achieve in the city. Thank you. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.”
Columbia Basin Hospital nominates Allred for board
EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Hospital received one application for a vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 3. Dr. Lowell Allred has applied for the role. He was officially nominated for the role at the April 28 board of commissioners meeting. “Public notice of this nomination shall occur between April 29 and May 14, to allow time for registered voters residing in the hospital district to also submit nominees for the vacant position,” said Chief Executive Officer Rosalinda Kibby.