Man drowns in Long Lake.

OTHELLO – An Othello man drowned in Long Lake, just north of the Adams/Grant County line, while on a fishing outing the evening of June 6.

Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Adams County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded. Arturo Valdez Jr., 31, was reportedly fishing in the northwest area of Long Lake when he went into the water and did not resurface.

It took a while before Grant County Sheriff’s Office diver located Valdez in about 32 feet of water just below the area he reportedly fell into. Others had tried to locate him.?

Valdez’s younger brother, who was in the area, heard a splash but could no longer see Valdez. Another fishing party in the immediate area offered immediate assistance, but they were unable to locate Valdez. Grant County Fire District Nos 4 and 5 responded with water rescue. ?

An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but the Grant County Sheriff’s Office did not believe there was anything criminal in nature. ?

“This was a very sad, tragic outcome for the Valdez family, and the civilian and joint responders trying to get to Mr. Valdez in time,” Sheriff Tom Jones said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Valdez family for their heartbreaking loss.”