Car chase, robberies make for busy MLPD shift

MOSES LAKE — Two people were arrested for theft after a pursuit and another in a separate burglary, both in Moses Lake, while Moses Lake Police Department detectives investigated a fatal accidental shooting, all in the space of about six hours Thursday night into Friday morning. “Busy night,” said MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely. “We ended up calling the detectives out.”

Dent's ag exemption bill for CCA costs moving forward

OLYMPIA - Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, is working to fulfill lawmakers' promise to exempt Washington farmers and ranchers from cap-and-trade fuel taxes in a newly proposed bipartisan bill. “Finding a solution is a challenge,” Dent said in a public hearing. “We know that, but a promise was made, and we need to find a way to keep that promise.”

GCSO seeking citizen use of force committee volunteers

EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a volunteer outside of active law enforcement to serve on its independent use-of-force investigative team.

Law Enforcement logs for Feb. 28, 2025

The reports below were provided by sheriff’s office or police department indicated. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Ferguson details proposed budget savings of nearly $4B to address shortfall

(The Center Square) – Gov. Bob Ferguson unveiled his plan for nearly $4 billion in cuts as lawmakers in the Washington State Legislature grapple with a projected four-year operating budget shortfall. Just after taking office last month, Ferguson asked most agencies to find 6% in spending cuts.

Acting SLPD chief investigation discussed during city council

SOAP LAKE – At the Feb. 19 Soap Lake city council meeting, a public comment was made by Karen Dillon, a former City of Soap Lake employee. During her comment, Dillon brought up the Sept. 16, 2022, investigation of acting Soap Lake Police Department Chief Robert Geates during which he admitted to having sex on duty with a female trainee in 2021.

Moses Lake woman found deceased

MOSES LAKE – On Monday night, 60-year-old Rauline Silva was found deceased behind the Moses Lake Safeway according to Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison. A person had called into the Moses Lake Police Department at around 9:40 p.m., reporting an unconscious woman behind the store, according to MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely. Sursely did not have any other information on the matter. An autopsy was performed the following day and determined Silva had died at around 10:02 p.m. Monday from acute methamphetamine intoxication, according to Morrison.

Multimillion-dollar commitment will advance key cwu initiatives

ELLENSBURG - Central Washington University has received a multimillion-dollar commitment from Rob and Valerie Moehring to create a Presidential Innovation Fund, which will be used to invest in new strategic priority initiatives.

Legals for February, 27 2025

ICE arrests Othello woman, teen son left to run family food truck

OTHELLO —Eighteen-year-old Raul Gomez-Eudave woke up on a Saturday morning earlier this month to a flood of missed calls and text messages. When he unlocked his phone, his heart dropped.

Changes coming to Mattawa development application process

MATTAWA — With residential and commercial building activity coming to Mattawa, city officials are working on ways to streamline the development application process. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners, told Mattawa City Council members that a checklist is being prepared to give people thinking about development some basic guidelines.

Legals for February, 26 2025

FIRST RESPONDER FOCUS: Josh Bronn

Royal SRO brings a safe presence to school

ROYAL CITY — One thing most people can agree on is that schools shouldn’t be dangerous places, especially in a small town. But they can be, especially with undesirable elements in schools. “In typical school fights, you’d have a couple of kids fighting, and then everyone’s gathered around and they’re cheering them on,” said Royal City Police Officer Josh Bronn, who’s the school resource officer for the Royal School District. “But in these fights, the kids were wearing their gang attire. They dropped their backpacks and everyone else would leave. They scattered like ‘We don’t want to be involved in this.’”

Proposed law could allow state agencies to decertify elected sheriffs

(The Center Square) – Voters typically expect higher standards from law enforcement, but one proposal to align expectations across different levels would also allow Washington state to decertify an elected sheriff and more. House Bill 1399 aims to standardize state laws regarding the eligibility and duties of sheriffs, police chiefs, marshals, and volunteers. While it seeks to align the expectations of each position, it also cuts any mention of the U.S. Constitution amid conflicts over federal immigration enforcement. If approved, sheriffs must enforce all state laws, be at least 25 years old, have two years of law enforcement experience, obtain certification within 12 months of assuming office, and pass the Criminal Justice Training Commission and Washington State Patrol background checks.

Lady Vikings extend win streak to 10 with gritty win over Spokane Falls

MOSES LAKE - Looking to make it 10 wins in a row, Big Bend Community College hosted the Spokane Falls Sasquatch on Wednesday, February 19th, at the DeVries Activity Center. The Lady Vikes came out swinging in the first quarter, establishing an early lead by knocking down 41% of their shots and playing elite defense. They held Spokane to just 20% from the floor and finished the opening 10 minutes with a commanding 16-8 lead.

Eagles fall short in high-offensive battle with ‘Jacks

CHENEY — The style of play was different from Thursday night, as Eastern Washington women's basketball and Northern Arizona faced off on the court. Eastern dropped the game, 88-77, in a fast-paced offensive battle. EWU's record now drops to 6-9 in the Big Sky and 10-17 overall. Both teams shot over 40 percent for the game, with the Eagles at 41.7 percent and the Lumberjacks recording a 41.2 percentage.

Othello PD to hold recruitment event

OTHELLO — People interested in a law enforcement career are being invited to a two-day recruitment event from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Othello Police Department, 500 E. Main St. Participants will meet in the OPD conference room.

Othello man faces animal cruelty charges

OTHELLO — Dogs were confiscated from an Othello man Feb. 18 after a report that the animals were neglected. Ulises Neponoceno Pineda was cited for second-degree animal cruelty, a gross misdemeanor, according to a release from the Othello Police Department. The dogs were initially taken to a local veterinarian.

13th district lawmakers discuss session

OLYMPIA - Residents of Washington’s 13th legislative district gathered virtually Wednesday evening with lawmakers to discuss key legislative topics and address constituent concerns. The webinar began with lawmakers highlighting their recent legislative activities. Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, discussed her bills promoting agro-tourism and livestock identification while Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, spoke about HB 1253 which expands the types of joint agreements public utilities can make with private entities regarding energy resources. Ybarra’s bill recently passed through the House and is now under Senate consideration.

Ephrata PD blotter for Feb. 21, 2025

EPHRATA - The reports below were provided by the Ephrata Police Department. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Other agencies are working on resolving issues with new dispatching software and will be providing blotter information once that has been resolved.