OPD Chief Phil Schenck retires

OTHELLO — It was through a partnership with the Othello School District that Othello Police Chief Phil Schenck found what he wants to do next.

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...

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.” ...

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...

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...

STUDIO BASIN: QSD Superintendent Nik Bergman, MLPD Chief Kevin Fuhr and sports update

MOSES LAKE – To open this week’s edition of the Studio Basin podcast, Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer talks with Quincy School District Superintendent Nik Bergman. Bergman talks with the Studio Basin podcast about his background, some of the challenges facing QSD, some of its successes and the district's path forward. ...

National Night Out

Cool and interesting vehicles, food, fun events around the Basin

COLUMBIA BASIN — Police cars and fire trucks, stickers and snow cones, games and lots of information will be among the attractions at National Night Out events in Grant and Adams counties. National Night Out is hosted by local law enforcement agencies across the country, and is a chance, said Mattawa Police Chief Robert Salinas, for officers and community residents to get to know each other better. “It’s an opportunity to interact with the public,” Salinas said.

Celebrating opportunities

Moses Lake city staff, officers gather to honor Fuhr on his retirement from law enforcement

MOSES LAKE — Dozens of people gathered in the Moses Lake City Council chamber Tuesday. Not for a boring meeting, but for a celebration of decades of public service on the part of former Moses Lake Police Chief – now City Manager – Kevin Fuhr, after his formal retirement from law enforcement. “I have worked with the most phenomenal people in my career,” Fuhr said. “I had told them right from the get-go that I was never going to leave, that I was going to retire with the Moses Lake PD. Actually, I think my comment was, ‘I’m going to die in a Moses Lake PD Uniform.’” After 32 years in law enforcement in both Washington and Idaho, Fuhr opted to fill the role of city manager after the city’s quest for a full-time replacement kept falling through as candidates took jobs in other locations.

STUDIO BASIN: Fourth of July, animal control and summer baseball

MOSES LAKE – On this episode of the Studio Basin podcast, Senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer recaps Fourth of July events from across the Basin, as well as Soap Lake's new city council member, Othello's new police chief and an update on animal control in the Basin. Next, Sports Reporter Ian Bivona goes over the 18U River Dogs placing third at the Spokane Wood Bat Classic and more. The Studio Basin podcast can be found on your favorite podcast apps, or downloaded directly at https://bit.ly/44wSPUE.

MLPD fields record calls in 2022, keeping patrol officers busy

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department responded to nearly 20,000 calls in 2022 — a record number, according to Chief Kevin Fuhr, and one that keeps the department’s 45 sworn police officers almost constantly busy. “I think we’re doing a pretty dang good job making sure that we’re protecting our citizens,” Fuhr said.

Quincy PD swears in two new officers

QUINCY — Jesse King and Hector Avila were sworn in as Quincy Police Department officers and Officer Sal Mancini was recognized for 20 years with the department during the Quincy City Council meeting Tuesday.

Studio Basin: Hospital bond, chief chat and diamond action

On this week’s episode of the Studio Basin podcast, senior reporter Cheryl Schweizer spoke with Samaritan Healthcare's Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan, Chief Administrative Officer Alex Town, and Gretchen Youngren, chief development and communications officer, to discuss the reasons behind the hospital’s request to district voters for a construction bond and what has changed since the project was first approved. They also discussed the cost to property owners and talked about contingency plans if the bond is rejected...

News Bites for June 8, 2023

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office will be closed today from noon to 3 p.m. for staff to participate in the Chief for a Day event. The event, as stated in yesterday’s news bites, honors Grant Co. youths impacted by long-term or life-threatening medical conditions...

Suspect sought in Moses Lake armed robbery

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department is looking for a man who committed an armed robbery at a Moses Lake business early Tuesday morning.

Making connections

Mattawa National Night Out a way for officers, residents to get better acquainted, chief says

MATTAWA — Joao Garcia was interested in all those mysterious things carried by Mattawa Police Department officer Edgar Villa, and Villa explained them all. Garcia was also intrigued by the police vehicles, lights flashing, sitting on the lawn in Hund Park. Villa invited him to take a look inside - Garcia could even sit in the police car if he wanted, Villa said...

‘Cancer sucks’

Moses Lake police chief faces cancer with family, community and Fred Hutch by his side

MOSES LAKE — “Cancer sucks.” That’s what it says on the new cancer survivor’s ribbon tattoo on Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr’s abdomen, which he got recently after having surgery to have his gallbladder and surrounding cancerous tissues removed...

Five arrested in drive-by investigation

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Department Interim Chief, Cpt. David Sands issued a statement Friday indicating four arrests have been made in the investigation of an Aug. 13 shooting that led to the death of Jeremy Flores, 36, of Moses Lake.

Graffiti causes challenges for Othello landowners

OTHELLO — Othello Police Chief Dave Rehaume said the gang-related graffiti on an outbuilding facing an alley is an illustration of the problems it causes for property owners...