News Bites for July 5, 2023
Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy K-9 Chewy, shown here with his bipedal counterpart Sgt. Nick Overland, celebrated his ninth birthday Friday, according to a social media post by the GCSO.
COURTESY PHOTO/GCSO
EPHRATA – The city of Ephrata announced last Wednesday that work to repair Well 9 on G Street SW was causing the city to have reduced water stored in its reservoir. As a result, the city had temporarily ceased watering parks and the Ephrata School District had stopped watering at district campuses.
“In addition to the efforts of the city and school district, residents are encouraged to take reasonable steps to conserve water during this time,” the statement from the city said.
MATTAWA – Grant County Fire District 8 announced on June 26 that volunteer firefighter Scott Burkland had been selected as member of the week. Burkland has been with GCFD 8 for the past three years and had joined the district when looking for an opportunity to pitch in around the community during the pandemic.
“I remember driving by the station and seeing the volunteer sign and thinking, ‘I could do that,’” Burkland said.
Burkland enjoys spending time with his wife Jodi and their dog, Ranger. He also enjoys gardening and pickleball.
SOAP LAKE – Grant County Fire District 7 announced July 1 that volunteers had responded to 75 incidents in the month of June 2023.
“Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who serve our community with pride and dedication,” the announcement read.
WASHTUCNA — Three people died in a collision in Adams County Friday, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.
At a little before 1:30 p.m., a 1999 Ford Ranger pickup driven by Mark R. Nieman, 53, of Des Moines was traveling east on SR 26 about 18 miles west of Washtucna when he crossed the center line and collided head-on with a 2019 Ford Edge driven by James E. Coughlin, 65, of Cle Elum, according to the statement. Nieman, his passenger Natasha J. Nieman, 24, and Coughlin’s passenger Diane L. Coughlin, 68, were all pronounced dead at the scene. James Coughlin was transported to East Adams Rural Hospital in Ritzville.
It was unknown whether any of the parties were wearing seat belts, or whether drugs or alcohol was a factor in the collision, the statement said.