News Bites for June 7, 2023
EPHRATA — Some special kids will get a chance to wear the chief’s hat Thursday.
A number of law enforcement agencies will host the 19th annual Chief for a Day at the Grant County Courthouse starting at 1 p.m., according to an announcement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. It’s a way to honor Grant County youths who are affected by a long-term or life-threatening condition, the announcement said. Everyone is invited to attend.
At Chief for a Day, each public safety agency adopts one child who is empowered as that agency's chief, according to the announcement. Each temporary chief is presented with a plaque, uniform and badge from their agency.
Chief for a Day is sponsored by the Thomas A. Boruff Foundation, an Ephrata-based nonprofit organization focused on assisting special needs children in the U.S. and Mexico, the announcement said.
COULEE CITY — A grass fire triggered calls to three Grant County fire districts Monday.
At about 10:40 p.m., Grant County Fire District 7 in Soap Lake was called to the area of SR 17 and Moore Road near Blue Lake for a 1/4-acre brush fire, according to a statement from GCFD 7. Because of the 15-20 mph winds, the responding chief officer immediately called on Grant County fire districts 6, based in Hartline, and 13, based in Ephrata, according to the statement. The firefighters from District 7, with two brush engines and two water tenders, were able to stop forward progress on the blaze before the reinforcements arrived, and the calls were canceled.
Firefighters from District 7 stayed around for about half an hour to mop up, the statement said. The cause was determined to be a malfunctioning electrical plug on a security gate, it added.
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office will hold a testing event on July 29 in Ephrata, according to an announcement from the GCSO.
A law enforcement written and physical ability test along with a firefighter and dispatcher written test will be offered on this date, the announcement said. Testing will begin at 10 a.m. at Ephrata High School. The GCSO has several openings in the Corrections Division that require this testing, according to the announcement.
People interested in taking the tests can find more information at www.publicsafetytesting.com, the announcement said.