Ephrata residents who helped catch fugitive recognized

EPHRATA — A quick-thinking employee at an Ephrata business helped catch a criminal, and she and her boss received a “Chief’s Coin” from Ephrata Police Chief Mike Warren at the June 15 meeting of the Ephrata City Council.

Amber Cobb, an employee at DK’s Restaurant, and business owner Helen Snow were recognized for their help in catching Travis Franklin May 19. Cobb became suspicious of Franklin when he attempted to use what turned out to be a stolen check, said Ephrata police officer Patrick Canaday. Cobb called the person listed on the check, discovered it was stolen, and called police.

Canaday said he stopped the car but Franklin, who was a passenger, ran away. He was later apprehended by Ephrata police and Grant County Sheriff’s deputies.

Canaday recommended Cobb for recognition by the city “for recognizing when something just doesn’t feel right, and acting upon it.” He recommended Snow for allowing employees to “go above and beyond their duties.” Franklin had used the same checks at other Ephrata businesses, but DK’s was the only one who acted upon suspicions they had, Warren said.

The Chief’s Coin, Warren said, is a way to “recognize individuals that go above and beyond” in helping the police and community. “We don’t do this a lot. And it’s really special to us to have partners in the community that we can trust and we feel trust us.”

In other business, council members discussed adding golf carts that meet specific standards to the list of off-road vehicles allowed on some city streets.

In answer to a question from Mayor Bruce Reim, city administrator Wes Crago said the vehicles would be restricted to streets with a maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour. Council member Valli Millard asked if the vehicles would be traditional golf carts. Crago said they’re not; they have headlights and turn signals, seat belts and a roll cage.

Millard asked if residents could get confused over what was and wasn’t allowable. Camela Farmer, who presented the request to the council, said any allowable golf-cart-style vehicle would have to be licensed by Grant County.

Anna Franz, the city’s attorney, said state law treats modified golf carts differently than other off-road vehicles, and the council is required to take separate action if it wants to allow them. Council members voted to ask employees to research the options.

The council canceled its July 6 regular meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for July 20.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.