News Bites for Dec. 11, 2023

EPHRATA — K-9 Chewbacca has retired from service as of the end of his workday on December 7. Chewy and Sgt. Nick Overland was partnered in 2018 and since then has aided in 146 deployments and 94 arrests, according to an announcement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. 

Chewy, now 9 and a half years old, will go into retirement at Overland’s home knowing that his simple reputation kept the county a bit safer.

“Most of the time, Chewy just had to get out of the car or announce, ‘I’m here’ for the bad guys to decide to surrender,” the GCSO announcement said.

During the past two months, K-9 officers Hawk and Edo also retired from GCSO leaving the department with one K-9 team, Zedd and his handler Deputy Luis Jimenez. The department is working to establish additional K-9 units and could use the community’s support for that purpose, the post said. The K-9 program runs almost exclusively via donations. To donate, community members may contact the Columbia Basin Foundation at 509-754-4596.

EPHRATA — In a separate announcement, GCSO reminded area residents and visitors to be cautious while driving on winter roadways. Tips included traveling at a slower speed, keeping an eye out for ice and standing water and avoiding use of cruise control.

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Police Department announced at the end of November that several of its officers had participated in No Shave November, an annual fundraiser and awareness campaign that points attention toward men’s health issues associated with cancer. Participants raised more than $500 for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation.

OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying three people in association with damage to Lions Park last week. The group includes a young woman with shoulder-length dark hair who was wearing a flannel-type jacket and a long blue skirt, a male who wore a gray vest-jacket with a red shirt underneath and a third individual, a young man with a short dark beard, dark hair, a green T-shirt and a flannel shirt. Anyone with information regarding who these people are is asked to contact OPD at 509-488-3314.

SOAP LAKE — Stratford Road between Road 21 NE and State Route 28 was closed for a short time Friday while crews replaced a utility pole that was damaged during a non-injury collision, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

    K9 Officer Chewbacca - AKA Chewy - has retired after serving the people of Grant County since 2018. He is pictured here with his handler, GCSO Sgt. Nick Overland.