NEWS BITES: Aug. 22, 2024
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Police Department put out a statement asking for the public’s help in identifying a subject associated with a theft investigation. EPD is investigating an Aug. 20 theft that occurred on West Main Street in Ephrata. Anyone who can identify the person in the photo associated with this story is asked to contact EPD Officer Cook at 717-738-9200.
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Fire Department released a statement reminding residents to keep their properties cleaned up and organized. The department is seeing a lot of junk vehicles, debris piles, no access to large areas that may burn, weeds right to the door of the trailers or sheds which leave no access for firefighters.
“Haul your scrap and junk to the appropriate places, it really doesn’t get any cheaper than our Grant County Landfill,” the statement read. “Learning to live with wildfire will protect your property and your neighbors.”
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office released a statement saying that Sheriff Joey Kriete administered the oath of office to Corrections Deputy Justin Dellinger on Tuesday. The ceremony was attended by Dellinger’s friends, family and colleagues.
EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office released a statement about abusive relationships Tuesday.
“Abusers are often concerned with outward appearances and may appear charming and stable to show outside of your relationship,” the statement said. “This may cause you to believe that his or her actions can only be explained by something you’ve done.”
The statement says that if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, that help is available in Grant and Adams counties. New Hope is available at 888-560-6027 or contact law enforcement.
GRAND COULEE — The Grand Coulee Vol. Fire Department trained Friday night with attack hose lines and different types of nozzles according to their press release. “Great time training and learning hoses and nozzles,” the statement reads.
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office put out a statement about a serious injury collision on Road 12 SE and Road A SE near Royal Camp on Tuesday morning. According to the statement, one man is hospitalized after the incident.
Investigators say Jose Rivera, 43, Moses Lake, was driving a 1995 Ford Explorer northbound on Stratford Road. Rivera slowed to make a left turn onto Union Road NE. Rivera’s vehicle was struck from behind by a 2016 Honda CR-V driven by Martha McDonald, 60, Moses Lake. Then, the force of the collision sent Rivera’s vehicle more than 260 feet north on Stratford Road. The force caused McDonald’s vehicle to rotate counterclockwise. McDonald’s vehicle was then struck on the driver’s side by a northbound 2013 Yamaha motorcycle driven by Colby Ralton, 29, Moses Lake.
Ralton was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake. His health status is not known.
Rivera and McDonald declined medical treatment.
McDonald will be issued a traffic infraction for following too close and causing the collision.
Ralton will receive a criminal citation for first-degree driving with a suspended license, a criminal citation for failing to have a required ignition interlock, an infraction for following too close and causing the collision, and an infraction for having no motorcycle endorsement.
The collision remains under investigation by the Grant County Sheriff’s Motor Traffic Unit.
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office put out a notice that the new Grant County Jail cannot house juveniles. GCSO has started to do public information releases called “rumor control.” The statement says laws and standards do not allow juveniles to be housed in an adult jail.
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department released a statement about the Battle of the Badge community outreach softball game. The game is at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Larson Baseball Field located at 2501 W. Broadway, Moses Lake. The event is free to the public and all proceeds from associated fundraising are used to support those in need.
The game will be MLPD against Grant County Sheriff’s Office. There will also be games, face painting, static displays, DJ Rick Rodriquez, a raffle and food. According to the release, MLPD will be led by a collection of former collegiate baseball and softball players, including former minor leaguer Hunter Boyd.
“GCSO will be led this year by a couple of decent players, whose names escape me right now and a bunch of guys that played a lot of the MLB The Show on PlayStation growing up,” reads the statement. “All joking aside, (we get along with the Sheriff’s Office quite well) this is a fun evening and a great way to celebrate our community.”
OTHELLO — Adams County Pet Rescue put out a statement that they are throwing a low-cost Fall Fix Fest on Sept. 20 and 21 at the Othello Fairgrounds. Registration begins Saturday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. Via the ACPR website. Costs are $55 per dog to be spayed or neutered, including vaccines and microchips. Those who bring a kennel or crate will receive $10 back. The requirements for the event are as follows: must meet HUD low-income limits, the dog must be between four months and eight years old, the dog must be over four pounds and no aggressive dogs are allowed.
OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department accepted the ice bucket challenge and posted a video to Facebook showing officers participating in the challenge. The video begins saying that 10 years ago Othello Resident Michael Montemayor accepted the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ice bucket challenge. This year marks the 10-year anniversary for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Doing the honors of dumping the ice buckets are the children of Michael Montemayor, who is battling ALS. The officers also donated $100 to the ALS Foundation. The video says if you would like to donate to visit als.org. At the end of the video, the OPD challenges Othello EMS.
Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete swore in Corrections Deputy Justin Dellinger Tuesday in a ceremony attended by Dellinger's friends, family and colleagues.