MLPD to get new bodycams, plate readers

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake police officers are going to get new body cameras as older models begin to wear out. “We got these body cameras in 2016, they are six years old, and we’re starting to see failures,” Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr said. At a regular city council meeting on Tuesday, Fuhr told city council members the body cameras currently used by the MLPD are beginning to show their age. Fuhr also said a new state law requires police officers to record all interviews, and current camera equipment simply does not allow the MLPD to comply with the new law. Council members unanimously approved a request from Fuhr to spend slightly more than $48,000 to buy 52 new cameras and 7 docking stations to charge them, with the money coming from a $100,000 state grant to help the MLPD comply with the new law. Council Member Deanna Martinez asked Fuhr if the request would provide a body camera for every MLPD officer, including the new mental health specialist from Renew — formerly Grant Integrated Services, Grant County’s behavioral health agency — expected to join officers this fall. “Yes, that includes animal control, but not the mental health person. They will not be our employee,” Fuhr said. Council members also approved a request from Fuhr to spend $75,000 on cameras that can read license plates. Called automated license plate readers (ALPR), Fuhr said the MLPD already has one mobile camera in a patrol vehicle and would like to equip more cars with mobile cameras and deploy a few stationary cameras across the city. Fuhr said the city of Yakima recently set up a number of stationary cameras, which use text recognition software to discern a license plate that can then be compared with a database of stolen vehicles or vehicles owned by wanted suspects, and within a 30-day period detected 68 stolen vehicles and arrested six people. He also told council members about a recent incident of vandalism in which a vehicle driven by suspects in the crime was caught on video. Had the city had an ALPR system in place, it is likely the vandals could have been apprehended. “ALPR is the next big thing in law enforcement since DNA testing,” Fuhr said. “It helps out not just with stolen vehicle recovery but also with criminal activity.” Fuhr said the money for the license plate readers will come from a separate state grant given to the MLPD under a program to assist police departments in high-crime communities. Council Member Dustin Swartz, however, wondered just how long videos, images and license plate numbers of vehicles would remain on the MLPD’s system. “It’s only effective if the equipment is recording traffic,” Swartz noted. Fuhr responded that while the system takes images of all license plates and officers can save images for as long as they need to, by default the ALPR system only keeps those license plate images stored for 60-90 days. “They’re not just sitting out there, always,” Fuhr said. Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at [email protected]. ..

Story Corps comes to Moses Lake

No story left untold

MOSES LAKE — Basin residents have a chance this month to tell their stories for posterity.

Fires banned at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Hanford Reach

OTHELLO — All activities likely to start a fire have been banned on national wildlife refuges in the Mid-Columbia region, effective through Sept. 30. The region includes the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge near Othello. The order also applies to the Hanford Reach National Monument...

Hope for Hanford

Groups come together to lobby for Handford cleanup

MATTAWA- The second annual Hanford Journey was held June 24 at the Vernita Boat Launch. The event familiarizes people with the area, educates them on the history of the Handford site and lobbies for people to take action for change.

Police records for June 29, 2022

EPD, OPD, MLPD, jail

Legals for June, 29 2022

Rectenwald appointed as interim Grant County Sheriff

EPHRATA — Grant County Undersheriff Ryan Rectenwald has been appointed as the interim Grant County Sheriff. Grant County Commissioners approved the appointment Tuesday.

CWU basketball camp brings in high schools

ELLENSBURG — The courts at the Central Washington University recreation center were full of the sounds of cheers and squeaking shoes this weekend, as the Wildcats coaching staff hosted a camp for high schools on campus.

Moses Lake port buys more land for railroad project

MOSES LAKE — With the approval of a second land deal on Monday, the Port of Moses Lake continues to buy the land needed for its Wheeler Corridor railroad project.

Soap Lake man arrested after standoff

SOAP LAKE - Joseph Loan, 67, of Soap Lake is in custody after a six-hour standoff with law enforcement in Soap Lake. Loan is facing four charges after barricading himself inside his trailer in Soap Lake Monday night. Loan has been charged with two counts of attempted assault 1 on law enforcement and two counts of felony harassment threats to kill...

‘This is going to take some getting used to’

Migrant program initiative helps students see better

MOSES LAKE — Nallely Escobedo said she didn’t realize for a long time that her vision wasn’t really that good. “I thought everyone just saw how I saw,” she said.

Zags’ ace named to All-American list

SPOKANE - Right-handed pitcher Gabriel Hughes was named to the D1Baseball.com All-American list on Friday, earning a nod on the second team.

Legals for June, 28 2022

Zags’ ace named to All-American list

SPOKANE - Right-handed pitcher Gabriel Hughes was named to the D1Baseball.com All-American list on Friday, earning a nod on the second team...

‘Pieced Together’

Fairgrounds mural is completed

MOSES LAKE — The last piece of a project to add art at and around the Grant County Fairgrounds has been completed.

Gamble Sands Golf Resort

Columbia Basin links style golfing

BREWSTER — Gamble Sands Golf Resort is a direct descendant of golf courses of old - and a worth-the-trip destination for Columbia Basin golf enthusiasts. “It’s a true links-style design,” said Brian Benitz, director of sales and marketing for Gamble Sands. “It’s a throwback to the original design of golf courses.” The course is located at 200 Sands Trail Road near Brewster. It was designed by golf architect David McLay Kidd, also known for his design of the first course at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon. “(Kidd) is a genius. Everything he does is good,” Benitz said...

First aid for pets

When a friend or significant other gets hurt we generally have a good idea of how to take care of them, but what do you do when your pet is in an emergency? Unfortunately, most pet owners do not prepare themselves for these tragic incidents until it is too late. “It is absolutely necessary to know if your veterinarian has an after hour emergency service and if not, who they recommend calling in case of an emergency,” said Dr. Mark Stickney, Clinical Associate Professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “It is also imperative that you can call your veterinarian for advice on what to do to help your pet until you can get it to a clinic.” ...

Basin steps out to support Warden wrestlers on the course

OTHELLO - The Warden wrestling team hosted its inaugural Please Hit Straight golf tournament in Othello on Saturday, raising money for an upcoming summer camp the team will be offering.

Wahluke baseball coaches host summer camp in July

MATTAWA - Wahluke High School will be hosting a baseball camp in July, in cooperation with the U.S. Baseball Academy as part of the USBA’s Summer Training Program.

Pride run colors the streets of Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Two miles of Moses Lake streets were colored with the shades of the rainbow on Saturday, with more than 100 participants showing for the Pride Color Run hosted by New Hope/Kids Hope.