Othello man arrested in connection with house fire

OTHELLO — An Othello man was arrested on suspicion of arson Wednesday following a Tuesday afternoon fire that destroyed a trailer about one mile west of Othello. No one was injured. Petronilo Osorio-Mendoza, 35,was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson, burning a dwelling, according to a statement from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The fire was reported at about 3:15 p.m. in the 600 block of Danielle Road. Law enforcement and firefighters arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. Adams County Fire District 5 Chief Gary Lebacken said 10 firefighters responded. Fire crews were on scene for about three hours, he added. “The responding fire units extinguished the burning structure and limited damage to adjoining properties,” the ACSO statement said. Osorio-Mendoza also was charged with third-degree assault in connection with an incident while he was in a temporary holding area of the sheriff’s office, the post said.

Farm efficiency

Tech advances help farmers manage crops

MOSES LAKE – As technology advances for fancy cars, trucks and devices in our pockets, so do advances in equipment used to grow our food. With employees stretched thin, advances in agricultural tech can help keep ag pros going. “One of the biggest situations is labor,” said Tim Prickett, co-owner of Rashco Farm Supply in Moses Lake, Washington. “(The response to) the increases in cost of labor is to mechanize, improve their processes. So that's kind of what we try to do is to find equipment that is going to reduce their inputs and increase their outputs.” ...

Law enforcement logs for Jan. 25

The reports below were provided by the police departments and jails. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Abandoned bumper leads to arrest

DESERT AIRE — A Mattawa man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and first-degree malicious mischief after he is alleged to have damaged the front entrance of a Desert Aire business with his car.

Hunt serves as page at the Senate

OLYMPIA - As part of the Senate Page Program, which has not been operational the past two years due to the pandemic, Noah Hunt, a sophomore from Coulee Dam, was one of 10 pages for the Washington State Senate in Olympia during the opening week of the 2023 legislative session...

Sunday fire destroys home near Mattawa

MATTAWA — A Mattawa-area home was destroyed in an early evening fire Sunday Grant County Fire District 8 Chief Matt Hyndman said no one was injured. “They were all at church, and unfortunately came home to their house burned down,” Hyndman said...

Law enforcement logs for Jan. 3-17

MLPD, EPD, jail

Law enforcement records for Jan. 12, 2023

The reports below were provided by the agencies indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Ephrata Police Department Jan. 3 Report of a stolen vehicle on Junes Court. Jan. 4 Report of a female subject concealing items inside her shirt at a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way. Officers arrived and waited for the subject to finish purchasing the rest of her items. Report of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Alder Street and Third Avenue Southwest. Report of a cart full of merchandise pushed out of a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way. Subjects were contacted in the parking lot and items recovered. Jan. 5 Report of a single-vehicle rollover accident in the area of Airport Street Southeast and SR 282. Jan. 7 Report of theft from a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way. Jan. 10 Report of a two-vehicle non-injury collision at C Street and Fourth Avenue Northwest. Vehicle 1 failed to stop at the intersection and was struck on the driver side by vehicle 2. Report of a catalytic converter stolen off a vehicle in the 800 block of Hilltop Drive Southeast. Grant County Jail Jan. 4 Russell Hunter Dees, 30, Soap Lake, booked on violation of a no-contact order, as well as seven Grant County District Court warrants relating to third-degree driving with license suspended and a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to possession of a stolen vehicle. Nicholas Aaron Ritchie, 31, Moses Lake, booked on Grant County Superior Court warrants relating to second-degree possession of stolen property and second-degree theft, as well as four Grant County District Court warrants relating to third-degree driving with license suspended. Carlos Hector Bazan, 57, George, booked on a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to trafficking in stolen property. Ahmed Mohamed Madjri, 34, Everett, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Jan. 6 Ian Jacob Libby, 32, Soap Lake, booked on a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to second-degree assault – domestic violence. Tori Joan Kottwitz, 32, Mesa, booked on first-degree malicious mischief and third-degree theft. Destiny Czigany Barrera, 35, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Jan. 7 Jenny May Oneel, 42, Ephrata, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Jan. 9 Myra Liliana Valle, 22, Moses Lake, booked on a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to possession of a stolen vehicle. Moses Lake Police Department Jan. 6 Report of a vehicle damaged, apparently with a shopping cart, in a parking lot in the 1000 block of North Stratford Road. Report of a three-vehicle collision in the 600 block of North Stratford Road. Vehicle 1 attempted to change lanes and misjudged the distance to traffic stopped at a light. Vehicle 1 struck vehicle 2, which rear-ended vehicle 3. Jan. 7 Report of theft from a business in the 600 block of South Pioneer Way. Report of theft at a business in the 400 block of South Wanapum Drive. Report of merchandise valued at approximately $120.34 stolen from a business in the 900 block of North Stratford Road. Jan. 8 Report of a catalytic converter stolen in the 2700 block of West Broadway Avenue while the vehicle’s owner was at work. Jan. 9 Report of graffiti at a PUD substation at Paxson and West Central drives. Report of graffiti at the Lauzier Ball Park. Report of a catalytic converter stolen in the 300 block of East Ninth Avenue. Report of catalytic converters stolen off two buses at a business in the 1100 block of South Juniper Drive. Report of a trailer stolen from a church in the 200 block of North Dale Road. Report of stereo equipment and a firearm stolen from a vehicle in the 1000 block of South Juniper Drive. Jan. 10 Report of a stolen vehicle observed in the area of Miller Street and Longview Street Northeast with a subject sleeping inside. Officers placed spike strips under the vehicle and boxed the vehicle in from the rear, then called for the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect instead started the vehicle and struck an unoccupied patrol vehicle. The suspect briefly became high-centered, and officers broke out the vehicle’s window. The suspect managed to free the vehicle, striking the spike strips, and fled westbound on Beacon Road Northeast. Officers were unable to pursue due to state law.

Myrtle Louise Manuel McCart

Myrtle Louise Manuel McCart passed Jan. 5, 2023, in Wenatchee, Washington, at age 91. She was our mother. Mom was born in Pond Creek, Oklahoma, and grew up there with her sister MaryAnn and parents Pete and Linnie Manuel. She graduated as valedictorian from Pond Creek High School. Go Panthers! Mom married Berry "Bud" McCart, and they moved to Quincy, Washington, following the building of Grand Coulee Dam and the availability of irrigated land for farming. She and Bud raised three girls in a home by the last school bus stop on Monument Hill. They adopted many dogs dropped off at the end of the lane and fought off roosters when raising chickens and collecting eggs. Horses were usually in the corral, and that allowed for 4-H projects and some sagebrush land range-riding. Mom would add some chlorine bleach to the finicky well when it needed it and would bring home the milk from the dairy she visited once a week, to separate out the cream and stir in some powdered milk to stretch things out a bit. The ability to identify milk with powdered milk stirred in remains a skill her children appreciate, not needing it anymore.

John Flint McCabe

John Flint McCabe was born May 13, 1973, in Seattle, Washington to Jack and Jane McCabe. He graduated from Stanwood High School and was a proud member of the class of 1991. From his youth, he was always athletic and considered himself an adrenaline junkie. After graduation, Flint moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado to pursue his love of skiing by competing in the freestyle mogul. He had dreams of Olympic gold, but they were dashed by a major ski injury. In his final competition, Flint injured his back and unknowingly damaged his pancreas, which led to him becoming a Type 1 diabetic. Sadly, he fought 20 years of pain and side effects. On Jan. 1, 2023, at 9:19 a.m., Flint lost the battle with Type 1 diabetes while living in Moses Lake, Washington. He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Rebekah, his 20-year-old daughter Ana and his mother Jane. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack. He had no siblings. His hobbies included fly tying and watching cooking shows. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fly fish. He was a certified mixologist and worked all aspects of the hospitality industry.

Law enforcement records for Jan. 5, 2023

The reports below were provided by the agencies indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Ephrata Police Department Dec. 29 Report of trespassing on an abandoned property in the 400 block of Seventh Avenue Southeast. Unknown subjects tossed items around the yard and may have entered some sheds. It was unknown if anything had been taken. Report of a hit-and-run on Second Avenue Southwest. Unknown vehicle struck a vehicle legally parked on the side of the street, then fled. Report of a vehicle prowl in the 400 block of Sixth Avenue Southeast. Nothing was reported stolen. Report of attempted theft in the 200 block of D Street Southeast. Reporting party found subject on neighbor’s porch attempting to steal. Subject fled when reporting party approached her. Dec. 30 Report of a two-vehicle collision at the SR 282-Nat Washington Way intersection. Vehicle 1 attempted to turn onto Nat Washington Way traveling too fast for conditions and struck vehicle 2, causing reportable damage. Report of theft in progress at a business in the 1300 block of Nat Washington Way. Suspect was contacted and items recovered form her purse. Adams County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 23 Report of a one-vehicle collision at West Cunningham and South Billington roads, Othello. A semi-truck had rolled, striking a power pole and causing an outage. Dec. 26 Report of a shed broken into in the 2200 block of West Shelly Road, Othello. Owner advised nothing of value was taken. Dec. 30 Report of a mailbox forced open and multiple items taken in the 2300 block of West Covey Road, Othello. Report of a computer stolen from a residence in the 200 block of West South First Street, Lind. Othello Police Department Dec. 28 Report of a hit-and-run on West May Street. An unidentified truck struck a parked vehicle. Dec. 30 Report of a vehicle prowl on North 12th Avenue. Jan. 2 Report of a stolen three-wheeler bike located in the area of South 11th Avenue and East Spruce Street. Report of a non-injury rear-end collision in the area of South 14th Avenue and East Scootney Street. Jan. 3 Report of a catalytic converter stolen off a commercial truck. Grant County Jail Dec. 28 Sally Lou Voight, 61, Moses Lake, booked on DUI. Juan Carlos Cortez Barajas, 30, Quincy, booked on first-degree robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and fourth-degree assault – domestic violence, as well as a Grant County District Court warrant relating to fourth-degree assault – domestic violence and interfering with reporting domestic violence. Dec. 29 Jose Miguel Escobedo Ramos, 41, Royal city, booked on first-degree criminal trespass, as well as a Department of Corrections warrant. Jessica Lynae Lawter, 34, Ephrata, booked on two Grant County Superior Court warrants relating to second-degree burglary and third-degree theft, as well as a Grant County District Court warrant relating to third-degree theft. Dec. 30 Jonathan James Mengle, 29, Everett, booked on a Grant County Superior Court warrant relating to second-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and attempting to elude a police vehicle. Melanie Innette Cordova, 45, Moses Lake, booked on warrants relating to first-degree theft – welfare fraud and second-degree escape. Regina Carole Spicer, 56, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Dec. 31 Juan Marcos Mena, 33, Moses Lake, booked on possession of a stolen firearm, first-degree burglary, third-degree theft, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and firearm transfer/sale violation. Jan. 1 Melody Rosas Gonzalez, 19, Quincy, booked on violation of a protection order – domestic violence. Erendida Medina Rodriguez, 38, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Caleb Kyle Esparza, 22, Moses Lake, booked on DUI. Jennifer Marie Pugh, 41, Moses Lake, booked on felony harassment and unlawful carrying or handling of a weapon. Lamberto Medina Ramos, 30, Soap Lake, booked on second-degree assault – domestic violence, unlawful imprisonment and interfering with reporting domestic violence. Jan. 2 Joseph Anthony Barros, 48, Ephrata, booked on violation of a no-contact order, as well as a superior court warrant relating to failure to register as a sex offender. Miranda Lakoduk, 36, Ephrata, booked on first-degree burglary, theft of a firearm, second-degree theft and unlawful possession of a firearm. Jerimiah James Miller, 32, Ephrata, booked on first-degree burglary, theft of a firearm, second-degree theft, unlawful possession of a firearm and trafficking in stolen property. Jason Alan Curtis, 40, Moses Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. Jan. 3 Robin Douglas Carlberg, 32, Soap Lake, booked on fourth-degree assault – domestic violence.

Long haul

Truckers do the essential work of hauling goods

FIFE — Theron Wood stands in a fenced-in parking lot at the end of a narrow cul-de-sac not far from the Port of Tacoma. He’s watching a pair of forklift drivers load 32 tons of palm fat — 64,000 pounds in one-ton totes — on the back of a pair of flatbed trailers hooked up to his semi-tractor. The 25-year-old has been driving for a year as a professional driver for TL Trucking in Pasco, and the parking lot of Global Agri Trade is now a regular stop for him. But it’s a bit of a difficult stop. The street is narrow, short and poorly maintained — crumbling at the shoulders — and a tight fit for any big vehicle, much less a semi-truck pulling nearly 70 feet of trailers. “If I go any farther down that road,” Wood said as he neared the Global Agri Trade entrance, “I’ll need to call a tow truck to get out.” The forklift drivers do their work quickly and efficiently — the totes were lined up before Wood arrived — and make sure they are centered and balanced evenly on both the 40-foot front and 24-foot rear trailers. It’s illegal, in fact, to haul a lopsided load, Wood noted, as that makes a truck more difficult and dangerous to steer and stop. Altogether, Wood said his rig and loaded trailers weigh around 52 tons. That’s very close to the limit he’s allowed to haul.

How to read the range

Quincy High School’s Levi Kukes to compete in international rangeland management contest

QUINCY — An experienced observer – or somebody who’s done their homework – can study a piece of rangeland and find clues to its condition. The vegetation on a specific section of range, its distribution, the way the land slopes, the soil type – it all has something to say, at least to someone who’s done their homework. Levi Kukes has done his homework.

Legals for December, 26 2022

Legals for December, 21 2022

Legals for December, 19 2022

Late morning fire damages Quincy shop Friday

QUINCY — Grant County Fire District 3 firefighters gain entry to a shop while fighting a fire in the building late Friday morning. The fire, in the 40 block of F Street SE, was reported at about 11:35 a.m., said GCFD 3 Assistant Chief Jim Kling. He added that the building sustained damage but was not destroyed. Kling said the cause of the fire was undetermined, but that an electrical issue was suspected. Firefighters were on the scene about an hour.

Police records for Dec. 16

The reports below were provided by the police departments and sheriff’s offices indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Finding stink bugs in your home?

Here's why the smelly bugs are still in WA this winter

WASHINGTON - Brown marmorated stink bugs seem to be creeping back into Washingtonian's homes as the smelly bugs are seeking warm temperatures during the winter season. Stink bugs are commonly found in Washington homes during the fall and winter months, according to Washington State University, as the bugs desire to be in warmer weather and seek shelter during cold temperatures...

Basin events for Dec. 10-15

Events Dec. 9-15