News Bites for July 18

CRESCENT BAR — The body of a man who fell in the Columbia River has been recovered, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

The man fell off a floating raft between 50 and 100 yards offshore from Willow Beach in Crescent Bar at about 6:20 p.m. Saturday, the statement said, and did not resurface. Searchers from the GCSO, Grant County Fire District 3, the Bureau of Reclamation, Grant PUD and other agencies looked for him until sundown. Sunday morning the search resumed with resources from the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office and Columbia Basin Dive Rescue, including water search dogs.

The man’s body was recovered at about 10:45 a.m. Monday, the statement said. The man’s family had been notified as of Monday afternoon, but the GCSO had not released his name or city of residence. The Columbia Basin Herald will wait to release the information also out of respect for the victim's family and the GCSO.

“We want to extend on behalf of the man’s friends and loved ones our deep gratitude for the support which was given by the Crescent Bar community and the allied agencies who helped,” the GCSO wrote in the statement. “The burden was lightened by kindness.”

MATTAWA – Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete issued a statement Friday regarding a man with multiple dogs near Mattawa. Kriete said concerned citizens had reported the man for mistreating the dogs; however, upon arrival deputies found the animals were not being mistreated. Deputies have aided the man in caring for his animals and will be following up with him as needed to ensure their well-being.

“If there are indications that the dogs are in distress and the Prosecuting Attorney - after reviewing all of the evidence - believes there is cause to pursue charges of animal cruelty, then we'll go that route. For now, the dogs' owner is taking the best care of his pets as possible,” Kriete said in the statement.

He also said the owner of the dogs, who was not named in the statement, had rights that could not be violated by a seizure of the animals that, at this time, is unwarranted. That would violate the man’s Fourth Amendment rights.

MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Police Department has announced that their National Night Out celebration will be held Aug. 1 at McCosh Park. The event begins at 3 p.m. National Night Out is an annual, nationwide event that offers police and members of the community the opportunity to get to know each other and interact outside of an emergency situation.

OTHELLO – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Othello Police Department responded to a call to the 800 block of S. Highland Road on July 8 shortly before 6 p.m., according to an ACSO statement. The report indicated a large fight in progress at that location and another report indicated that shots had been fired.

During the course of the investigation, officers found that one suspect had discharged multiple rounds but nobody had been injured. The argument was reportedly in regard to various clothing items and the suspect left the scene prior to officers’ arrival.

Deputies collected evidence at the scene and ACSO is asking that anyone with information regarding the incident contact investigators at 509-659-1122 or via email at crimetips@co.adams.wa.us.

QUINCY – The Quincy Police Department announced last week that they will have their annual National Night Out celebration on July 31. The event will take place at Lauzier Park that night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and block parties will be held Aug. 1 in various places around town. For more information, email jfuller@quincypd.org.

ROYAL CITY — Three people are dead and a fourth injured following a collision on SR 26 late Saturday night, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.

At about 11:21 p.m., a 2000 Nissan Frontier pickup driven by Homero Vicente Victoriano, 30, of Royal City, was driving eastbound on SR 26 about halfway between Othello and Royal City when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a 2004 Chevrolet Classic sedan driven by Eloy Romero Serrano, 78, of Royal City. The Nissan returned to the eastbound lane and came to rest on the shoulder, partially blocking the road, while the Chevrolet traveled over the westbound shoulder and went into the ditch.

Romero Serrano and his passengers Antonia Rodriguez Barragan, 63, of Royal City and Jesus Perez Escamilla, 21, of Tlalixtaquilla de Maldonado, Guerrero, Mexico were pronounced dead at the scene, the WSP statement said. Vicente Victoriano was injured and transported to Kadlec Medical Center. Drugs or alcohol was a factor, the statement said, and charges against Vicente Victoriano are pending.