2023 Chief for a Day

Grant County youth honored by emergency responders.

EPHRATA — There were some very excited kids in uniform Thursday afternoon outside the Grant County Courthouse. “This is Chief Jesus Flores from the Royal City Police Department,” said Rey Rodriguez, who serves as Royal City’s police chief on all the other days. “He’s a second grader, attends Red Rock Elementary. He likes to color, and his favorite color is blue. And its favorite character is Spider-Man because he likes to save the day.” ...

Mattawa PD Chief Robert Salinas led by example

MATTAWA — Officers with the Mattawa Police Department posted a message to MPD Chief Robert Salinas on the department’s social media Wednesday. “Thank you for your service, dedication and friendship,” it said. “Time will pass, but your memory will live forever. Rest easy, Chief Robert Salinas. “Your shift is over. We have the watch.”

Ephrata council offers appreciation for Adkinson

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council awarded former Interim City Administrator Kurt Adkinson with a trophy honoring his service to the community during its July 19 meeting now that new City Administrator Ray Towry is fully engaged in the city’s top administrative position.

BPA revenues $197M below financial performance target

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Bonneville Power Administration released its first official forecast of the expected financial performance for fiscal year 2024 on Feb. 13, according to an announcement from the organization. The statement said dry winter conditions in the Pacific Northwest have resulted in agency net revenues of -$102 million, $197 million below the financial performance target. BPA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Marcus Harris commented on the estimates in the statement.

New Othello police chief wants to continue 'path of success'

OTHELLO — Dave Rehaume said the Othello Police Department is going in a positive direction, and he wants to continue and enhance that. Rehaume was hired as OPD chief last week. Rehaume, a 34-year veteran with the OPD, started as a patrol officer. He was hired for the interim job in May, replacing retiring chief Phil Schenck, and hired for the permanent position July 3. He had been assistant chief for eight years prior to being hired as chief...

Othello PD names Garza assistant chief

OTHELLO — Othello Police Sergeant Aaron Garza was promoted to assistant chief of police and sworn in with a badge-pinning ceremony at the regular Othello City Council meeting Monday evening. Garza is filling the position of assistant chief after David Rehaume took over as chief of police earlier this year.

CWU police expect therapy dog to make positive impacts

ELLENSBURG - The Central Washington University Police Department has a new best friend. And once the rest of campus gets to know him, they will, too. During a brief ceremony on May 30, Chief Jason Berthon-Koch swore in Archie, a therapy dog and the newest member of the police department. In a letter to colleagues, the chief said Archie's primary mission will be to provide support, comfort, and stress relief to CWU students, faculty, and staff — and "lend a helping paw when it matters the most." ...

New officer

Othello native Dereck Garza, right, was sworn in as an officer of the Othello Police Department by Othello Mayor Shawn Logan, left, during Monday’s regular Othello City Council meeting. According to Othello Police Chief Dave Rehaume, Garza’s hiring brings the Othello PD up to full staff.

Fuhr, Sands sworn in at Moses Lake council meeting

MOSES LAKE — A couple of torches were passed Tuesday, as Moses Lake swore in a new city manager and police chief. Former Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr took the oath of office as the new city manager and former Moses Lake Police Department Capt. Dave Sands was sworn in as the new chief. The council had approved both appointments at its Oct. 12 meeting.

Rehaume chosen as Othello PD chief

OTHELLO — Dave Rehaume, a 34-year veteran of the Othello Police Department who was named interim chief in May, was hired and sworn in as chief during the Othello City Council meeting Monday. The council's vote to hire Rehaume was unanimous...

Moses Lake gets new city manager, police chief

MOSES LAKE – Now-former Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr was appointed during this week’s city council meeting as permanent city manager. Subsequently, Captain David Sands has been tapped to take over as Moses Lake Police Department chief.

STUDIO BASIN: Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green

MOSES LAKE — On this episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer sits down with Quincy Chief of Police Ryan Green, where the two discuss Green's career in law enforcement, his goals for the position and challenges facing Quincy. Next, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona goes over renovation projects at Central Washington University and Lions Park in Othello, the 14U Columbia Basin River Dogs finding success at regionals and athletic camps at Moses Lake and Warden high schools. The Studio Basin podcast can be found on your favorite podcast apps, or downloaded directly at https://bit.ly/3Q2bMdX.

Chow line

ROYAL CITY - Students, teachers and even Chief of Police Rey Rodriguez stand in line at Royal Intermediate School’s open house breakfast on the first day of school Tuesday.

North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force receives award

NESPELEM — The North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force was named 2023 Agency of the Year for Washington Region 2 by the Western States Information Network, according to an announcement by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. According to the statement, the commander of the NCWNTF is Colville Tribal Police Chief Steve Brown. The NCWNTF is comprised of fewer than four full-time employees, including other Colville Tribal Police officers in addition to Brown. Colville Business Council Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson commented on the award in the statement.

STUDIO BASIN: Adkinsons and the week in sports

On this week’s Basin Studio podcast, Senior Reporter Charles H. Featherstone talks with outgoing Ephrata Interim city administrator, former Ephrata police chief and 25-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol Kurt Adkinson about his time in the WSP and what he learned as a police officer...

STUDIO BASIN: Honoring Mattawa PD Chief Robert Salinas, MACC upgrades and Basin basketball

MOSES LAKE — The Jan. 19 Studio Basin podcast opens on a somber note, reporting the death of Mattawa Police Department Chief Robert Salinas. Salinas passed away unexpectedly Jan. 16; he was remembered as “Chief Bob” by Mattawa residents.

STUDIO BASIN: A chamber, a chief and some River Dogs action

MOSES LAKE – Pam Thorsen, secretary for the board of directors for the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce, talks about the goals of the chambrer with Managing Editor R. Hans “Rob” Miller. They touch on a variety of topics such as how transportation and community partnerships can impact businesses...

City manager forum postponed

Moses Lake Interim City Manager and Police Chief Kevin Fuhr issued a statement Monday indicating that a forum set for Wednesday to allow the public to meet candidates for the permanent city manager position has been postponed...

Local residents tell cancer to take a hike

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Department officers, members of the community and at least one loving wife joined Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr Saturday morning at 9 a.m. for a fundraising walk to support the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s efforts to battle the disease. “I’m not a crier,” Fuhr said. “But, when I came around the corner and saw how many people had showed up, I got a little verklempt.” ...

News bites for June 6, 2023

SOAP LAKE — A hike took a frightening turn when a hiker fell at the Lenore Caves Friday afternoon. At about 2 p.m., responders from Grant County Fire District 17 were called to the scene about half a mile from the parking lot of the popular hiking area north of Soap Lake. There they found a middle-aged woman who had fallen and injured her leg and hip, according to a statement from the fire district. The victim was unable to walk, the statement said...