Crime
For information regarding local and national criminal news, see our latest news stories below.
Adams County Jail remodel to start in spring 2026
RITZVILLE — Remodeling of the Adams County Jail is projected to begin in May 2026, with the project completed by t…
Wahluke student arrested after alleged threats against teacher
MATTAWA — A Wahluke School District middle-schooler was taken into custody on Monday after the student allegedly posted an online threat against a teacher, acc…
Tactical response team to tour Ephrata High School
EPHRATA — The Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team will tour Ephrata High School on Wednesday afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. as part of the team’s ongoing…
Washington lawmakers pass, Inslee signs Blake fix
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed into law a bill that keeps illegal drugs illegal but focuses state and local efforts and resources on treatment and…
News bites for May 16
Below are a collection of announcements from first responder agencies that serve the Columbia Basin. These reports are based on press releases and media statem…
First responder news bites
The news bites below are based upon statement from area first response organizations.
Capturing savings
EPHRATA — Grant County officials and contractors working on the construction of a new Grant County Jail will meet next week for what Grant County Central Servi…
Parking problems
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake does not need to have a permanent parking place for RVs and other vehicles used as residences in order to enforce city park…
Rehaume selected as interim Othello police chief
OTHELLO — Othello Police Department Assistant Chief David Rehaume has been named as the interim chief while city officials conduct a search for a permanent rep…
Washington AG’s office, DSHS fined for evidence withholding
SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington state attorney general’s office and Department of Social and Health Services have been fined $200,000 — and could pay hundreds of thousands more in legal fees — for what a judge called…
Elderly Wenatchee couple protected from scam attempt
SPOKANE — U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Vanessa Waldref announced Thursday that the U.S. Secret Service has seized over $290,000 as part of an alleged fraud scam that targeted an elderly Wena…
Credit card skimmer found on gas pump in Schwana
SCHWANA — A technician discovered a credit card skimmer attached to the card reader of one of the gas pumps at the Outpost Grocery in Schwana, south of Beverly…
Local gun shop files suit over weapon ban
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake gun shop owner has filed a lawsuit in response to the assault weapon ban enacted last week. Guardian Arms LLC, located at 208 S. D…
Special session called to complete Blake decision work
OLYMPIA – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced that he has called a special session to begin May 16 to address drug possession legality impacted by what is kno…
Adams Co. police logs for May 3
The reports below were provided by the sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
New law set to help prosecute sexual assault crimes
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law on Monday a measure intended to make it easier for prosecutors to pursue sexual assault cases in court, according to …