Sheriff to give away life jackets

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Sheriff's Marine Patrol will give away three life jackets, valued at $150 each, during free raffles each day of the Grant County Fair, which starts today at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

The life jacket give-away is part of the "Wear It" campaign being promoted by the sheriff's office and the National Safe Boating Council.

According to Sheriff Tom Jones, there were 18 deaths attributed to boating last year. He said reports show many of the deaths were preventable if the victims had been wearing life jackets.

The Wear It Foundation has provided 15 life jackets for the raffles. The are Coast Guard-approved inflatable type personal flotation devices.

The public is invited to sign up for the raffles every day of the fair at the sheriff's booth inside the commercial building. The rules for the raffle are posted there.

- Staff report