Weekend keeps deputies busy

EPHRATA - Memorial Day weekend draws numerous tourists to Grant County and with it more calls to the 9-1-1 dispatch center.

From 8 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Tuesday, the Grant County Sheriff's Office responded to 341 calls for help across the county, according to Sheriff Tom Jones.

"We had a lot of deputies out patrolling this weekend to help keep everyone safe," Jones stated. "It was a busy weekend for everyone, and I commend all our deputies for their hard work."

Most of the emergencies stemmed from people enjoying the sand dunes, boating or attending the 2011 Sasquatch! music festival at the Gorge Amphitheater.

Sand dunes

Deputies working as the Off-Road Vehicle unit reported arresting one person for disorderly conduct, and writing 30 tickets for various misdemeanors ranging from driving violations to alcohol offenses, Jones stated. 

They also assisted with two ambulance calls for a person with a broken leg and one with a concussion.

Boating

The Grant County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit conducted 101 boat inspections, assisted towing four disabled boats, answered two calls for boats in distress and wrote 16 tickets ranging from inspection violations to negligent operation.

2011 Sasquatch!

Deputies responded to 52 calls for help in the gorge campground, stated Jones. They included 19 calls for drug cases, 19 for thefts, several trespassing complaints and several calls regarding vandalism.

The special operations unit deputies also assisted with 25 calls for service at the Gorge Amphitheater, including five trespassing complaints, four thefts, four drug related incidents, four disturbances, two assaults and one drug overdose, state Jones.