Soap Lake Police Department reaches full staffing with swearing-in of newest officer
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 weeks AGO
Soap Lake Police Chief Patrick Canady (right) swears in officer Thomas Levi Johnson at the Sept. 17 meeting.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Police Department reached a staffing milestone Wednesday as its newest officer, Thomas Levi Johnson, was sworn in during the Soap Lake City Council's regular meeting.
Police Chief Patrick Canady administered the oath of office to Johnson, who joined the department Sept. 1 and will serve as a patrol officer.
Introducing the department's newest hire to council members and residents, Canady said Johnson, who goes by Levi, brings life experience to the position.
"This is Thomas Levi Johnson. He goes by Levi. He's our new federal entry officer. He started on Sept. 1," Canady told the council. "He was born in June of 1980. So, he doesn't remember Mount St. Helens."
Johnson's swearing-in brings the department to four full-time officers in addition to the chief; a level city officials say will allow the agency to provide around-the-clock coverage once Johnson completes field training.
"We have four full-time officers now, and the chief," Soap Lake Police Department Administrative Assistant Jody Siebert said following the meeting.
While the department technically may have the ability to add another officer depending on future budget discussions, Siebert said the current staffing level meets the agency's immediate operational needs.
"Yes, we would like to have four officers. That gives us our 24/7 and then puts the chief back to Monday through Thursday," Siebert said. "After the middle of October, I think we'll be running 24/7 with the officers, and then the chief will be here during the week, which will be nice because then he can do all his chief duties without the additional patrol duties."
For the past several weeks, Johnson has been completing field training and will continue working under a field training officer before transitioning into the regular patrol rotation.
Siebert described the addition of Johnson as an important step for the department after working to fill vacancies in recent years. She added that Johnson brings several years of law enforcement experience to the position, a benefit as the department works to maintain consistent coverage for the community.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Ephrata community development department highlights growth, housing projects during budget workshop
EPHRATA — Major construction projects, new housing developments and long-range planning efforts have kept the City of Ephrata community development department busy over the past year, with additional growth expected in 2027. During a budget workshop Tuesday, Ron Sell, Ephrata's community development director, updated the city council on completed projects, future developments and the department's priorities for the coming year. Sell said several major projects reached completion over the past year, including the new Grant County Jail, the Microtel Hotel and the Peachtree Drive road project.
Moses Lake School District to host community conversation on school safety
MOSES LAKE — From emergency preparedness and bullying prevention to school resource officers and facility safety, the Moses Lake School District is inviting community members to learn more about the measures in place to keep students and staff safe during a community conversation scheduled for Oct. 20. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the MLSD Learning Services Center, 1620 S. Pioneer Way. Members of the district's Safety & Well-Being team will answer questions and discuss school safety efforts taking place across the district. According to Communications Director Ryan Shannon, the topic was selected because school safety consistently ranks among families' top concerns and aligns with one of the district's strategic-plan priorities.
Candidates outline priorities at Moses Lake Chamber Forum
MOSES LAKE — Candidates for Grant County auditor, assessor, superior court judge and Public Utility District commissioner shared their qualifications and priorities Monday during a candidate forum hosted by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. The event gave voters a chance to hear directly from candidates ahead of the November general election. Candidates discussed topics ranging from government transparency and property assessments to constitutional law and utility governance. This is the third and final part of the forum coverage. To read about legislators and the Fourth Congressional District candidate race visit: bit.ly/CBHCongressandLeg. To read about the sheriff and commissioner races visit: bit.ly/CBHSheriffandCom. To watch the full forum visit: bit.ly/MosesLakeChamberForum.