Basin Briefs for Dec. 4, 2019

EPHRATA — The Ephrata, Quincy and Soap Lake police departments will participate in the annual Shop With a Cop program at the Ephrata Walmart.

The event is scheduled for December 18. Time Out Pizza is donating pizza and Walmart has donated a $2,500 grant.

MOSES LAKE — The Elks Lodge in Moses Lake will host police K9 units and their handlers from local law enforcement Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Cocoa for K-9s.

Proceeds from the event will go to benefit the Columbia Basin Law Enforcement Kennel Project, which hopes to fund the building of a kennel for police K9s inside the county.

That kennel would provide a safe and secure place to lodge K9s from local law enforcement as well as visiting departments, according to organizers.

Attendees can enjoy hot chocolate and baked goods at the morning’s pancake breakfast, and photo opportunities with Santa or one of the K9s will also be available.

MOSES LAKE — The Grant Transit Authority will be unveiling its annual Holiday Bus at the Moses Lake Ag Appreciation Parade this Friday. The colorful, decorated bus will serve different routes each day through the end of December, and fares will be free while riding it.

MOSES LAKE — An unknown suspect reportedly broke into Nutrient Ag Solutions Monday, stealing only a jar of peanut butter and some coffee, according to police reports.

That business was in the news earlier this year for another series of break-ins, during which former employee Ryan Palmer stole fertilizer and other materials for a makeshift bomb over the course of several weeks.

Palmer told authorities that he had no intention of detonating the device, which was later found to be incomplete and made of incorrect materials. Instead, he said at the time, he wanted to make a point about the company’s lax security protocols, as well as what he believed were unsafe practices.

Police believe the same unknown subject also attempted to break into a vehicle at a nearby business by using the vehicle’s antenna to trigger the locking system. Nothing was stolen from the vehicle.

LEAVENWORTH — Drivers headed to the westside this weekend should plan for major delays due to the kick-off weekend of the annual Christmas tree lighting festival in Leavenworth.

The annual event attracts thousands to the small mountain town, causing congestion and backups. The Washington state Department of Transportation advises travelers headed west to prepare for longer travel times and to be ready for winter conditions.