Latest news with #GrantCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Local youth honored at upcoming Chief for a Day event
Jun. 5—"Every child selected has a unique story and letting them shine in front of their peers is heartening. It helps them understand that they are not alone in their challenges." Warden Police Department Chief Rick Martin EPHRATA — What happens when Grant County children, who are battling significant medical challenges, are promised a day of fun and recognition? They become honorary Chiefs for a day June 12, an exhilarating experience that leaves lasting smiles and cherished memories. "It's all about giving the families and the children a memorable day where they can momentarily forget their medical challenges," said Grant County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. The "Chief for a Day" event, now in its 21st year, is set to uplift ten children from Grant County as they take center stage and assume roles typically reserved for law enforcement and fire department personnel. Foreman has been there since the event's inception and is aware of the enormous positive impact it has on the kids. "Seeing the excitement and happiness on their faces is heartwarming," Foreman said. Held on June 12 at 11 a.m., this heartfelt community celebration will take place at the Grant County Courthouse, where the children, selected for their resilience and spirit, will formally be sworn in as police chiefs, fire chiefs and one will become the sheriff. The event kicks off with a motorcade that will lead the youths to the courthouse, featuring lights and sirens, aimed at introducing the Chiefs to the public in a grand fashion. The day's festivities are designed to immerse the children fully in the roles they are stepping into. After arriving at Walmart for the presentation of badges and photographs, the Chiefs will join a parade procession, escorted by members of local law enforcement and fire departments. Once the motorcade arrives at the courthouse, the children will be formally honored during a ceremony accompanied by the National Anthem and an invocation. This year, several local law enforcement and fire agencies are participating. The agencies participating and their new chief are as follows: Grant County Sheriff's Office, Aiden Kane; Grant County Fire District 13, Bryan Reyes-Cervantes; Ephrata Fire, Nayelli Lopez; Ephrata Police Department, Grant Williams; Moses Lake Police Department, Hunter Kennedy; Quincy Police Department, Adam Torres; Warden Police Department, Brandon Martin Arredondo; Grant County Fire District 5, Preston Thomas; Moses Lake Fire, Adrian Aguinaga and Washington State Patrol, Elijah Basilio. Each of the children filled out a biography for their department with questions like what the first thing they will do as chief, favorite color, favorite character or hero, hobbies and any needs the child has. The first action as Chief for Kennedy is to see the K-9s; Torres said he will be wearing a police hat; Thomas said he will be driving the fire truck with lights and sirens and Aguinaga said he is going to see the vehicles and meet the heroes that drive them. "Our interactions with these kids promote a connection to their community and enable them to have a fun day filled with joy," Ephrata Police Department Chief Erik Koch said. In the spirit of community involvement, the officers choose their "Chief" based on information from local school districts that highlights deserving candidates. "We usually work with the school district to select a child," Quincy Police Department Chief Ryan Green said. "This year, it's been rewarding to see our chosen kid excited about their role. They get to experience police vehicles and interact with officers." The importance of this event extends beyond just the fun; it serves as a recognition that children with special needs are valued and supported within their communities. Warden Police Chief Rick Martin said. "Every child selected has a unique story and letting them shine in front of their peers is heartening. It helps them understand that they are not alone in their challenges," Martin said. Each of his past young chiefs has made a lasting impact on him, the adult Warden chief said, each teaching him something new. He said he has photos of him, alongside the young Warden Police Department chiefs hanging on a wall in his house. "All of these kids are special," Martin said. "I love doing this event and I enjoy making sure the kids know they are one of a kind, because they are." Each appointed Chief for a Day receives their own uniform and badge, along with an official oath of office conducted by Grant County Court Judges, legitimizing their honorary roles in a way that brings the children immense pride. The event provides families with an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime, Koch said. He also said much of the experience needs to be catered to the sensitivities of the children. "We have to ensure that the atmosphere is comfortable since some may have sensory sensitivities, which adds another layer of complexity," Koch said. Chief for a Day not only highlights the resilience of these children but also underscores a community rallying around its members, Foreman said. "We hope to see everyone join us at the courthouse to witness the joy and hear the cheering from families and community members," Foreman said. "If you need something that will warm your heart and make you smile, come down for chief of the day." Chief for a Day Ephrata Grant County Courthouse June 12 at 11 a.m.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Grant Co. pursuit ends with arrest, damaged law enforcement vehicles
GRANT COUNTY, Ark. – A man is in custody after a Wednesday morning pursuit ended in Sheridan with multiple county and city patrol vehicles damaged. According to investigators with the Grant County Sheriff's Office, 31-year-old Carlos Smith was arrested after a pursuit began in the Ico area during a traffic stop made by the Arkansas State Police. Arkansas State Police honors Troopers of the Year Investigators said the pursuit reached speeds of 90 mph, with Grant County deputies and Sheridan police officers joining the efforts in getting Smith to stop and contain the threat to other drivers. Spike strips and other maneuvers were used during the chase, and three Sheridan Police Department and two Grant County Sheriff's Department patrol units were damaged, along with a City of Sheridan vehicle, according to investigators. Deputies said Smith was finally stopped on Oklahoma Street and taken into custody. Memphis man killed in Crittenden Co. high-speed chase Investigators said Smith will face many pending charges and that he had several warrants for his arrest from multiple states, including Arkansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ephrata man arrested in connection with Schwana murder
May 29—EPHRATA — An Ephrata man was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder and drive-by shooting Thursday following the fatal shooting of a 44-year-old man near Schwana late Wednesday night. The victim was from Beverly but his name is not being released yet pending notification of his family. "At this time, we have not been able to locate a next of kin," said Maxwell Yoder, an investigator with the Grant County Coroner's office, early Thursday afternoon. As a result, the victim's name had not been released as of the time of publication Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff's Office, said Angel Luis Olivares, 23, was driving a car that had been identified as a suspect vehicle when he was arrested. Luis Olivares was still listed as in custody on the Grant County Jail's roster as of 5 p.m. Thursday. Foreman said detectives are still interviewing people to determine if the shooting was gang related. The incident was reported at about 10 p.m. Wednesday, Foreman said. The man's body was found in a car on road T.5 Southwest, about three miles north of Schwana. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Schwana is located about seven miles north of Mattawa along State Route 243. Video from cameras near the crime scene identified a suspect vehicle, a white Chrysler 300, Foreman said. Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green said another incident involving a white Chrysler 300 was reported in Quincy earlier in the day. Green said QPD officers received multiple reports of shots fired at about 4 p.m. and found multiple shell casings near the intersection of Sixth Avenue Southeast and H Street Southeast. No one was injured in that shooting. Green said QPD officers don't know yet if the two shootings are related, but it is possible. "We're definitely comparing information, for sure," he said. Ephrata Police Department officers found the vehicle suspected in the Schwana shooting and arrested Olivares as he drove to his residence in Ephrata. Olivares was the only person in the car when he was arrested, Foreman said.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers, police make big difference at Spring Fest
May 29—MOSES LAKE — This year's Moses Lake Spring Fest came off better than usual, in large part because of lots of community involvement, organizers said. "We welcome everyone in our community to come and volunteer," Spring Fest Board Member Lori Valdez said. "But this year, we had a lot of people step up and volunteer that we've never had before, and that was very nice." Nearly 200 people came out to help with the various activities at the festival, according to Board President Sean Sallis. The Fun Run alone had 60 volunteers, he said. There were 30 volunteers helping with the beer garden, 45 for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament and 11 for the parade. "One little boy was helping us put tape on the basketball court," Sallis said. "He was like 4 years old, and he wanted to help lay tape. It's just a picture of our community." The 20 Moses Lake High School JROTC students were especially helpful, Valdez said. They helped set up before the festival and stuck around for teardown and cleanup, which is usually an ordeal in itself, she said. "By the time we get to Monday, to tear down, we are completely exhausted, 100% medically and physically," she said. "When you get out of bed, you can't even walk ... They helped clean the tables, they picked up garbage, they came back (Monday), until we were 100% all cleaned up at the park. They stayed until like five o'clock and helped us tear down." The JROTC students also carried the giant flag in the parade, Valdez said. Not all the assistance the festival organizers received was measurable in hours. Pro Rentals donated 18 big lights to illuminate the park and the carnival, Sallis said. "We had those all throughout the park and the carnival, (in) any spots that were dark," he said. "Every night, we were inspecting different spots that could have better lighting, and so we were working in concert with the police department and the sheriff's (office) to ... support them." The Moses Lake Police Department increased its presence at the festival as well, according to Capt. Jeff Sursely, contracting with the Grant County Sheriff's Office to provide some deputies as well. "We plussed up our manpower," Sursely said. "We averaged, between us and the Grant County Sheriff's Office, between 26 and 30 officers a day, (which included) two jail staff and a jail transport vehicle." In past years, the MLPD has only had six to eight officers a day at the festival, he added. Officers made 12 arrests. "Mostly juvenile issues, trespassing, nothing big," he said. "Mostly misdemeanor crime." The MLPD announced a zero-tolerance policy on crime during the festival, Sursely said, and the Grant County Commissioners authorized law enforcement to book juvenile offenders, which hadn't been allowed before. The additional lighting was a major factor as well, he said. The Spring Fest is Moses Lake's biggest community celebration of the year, and it takes a lot of coordination between departments and organizations. Because most of the event takes place at McCosh Park, the Parks & Recreation and Cultural Services Department bears much of the brunt of the work involved, Director Doug Coutts said, but the rest of the municipal government has a part to play as well. "Our fire department is here with paramedic services, roaming around and doing checks on people with heat-related issues," he said. "Our streets department has to close the street for the parade, move the street closures around as the event progresses. So, it is a full-on city team effort." Having so much volunteer help says a lot about Moses Lake, Valdez said. "We had people showing up at the park saying, 'What can I do to help?' she said. "It just tells you what type of community we live in, that 100% we have an amazing community."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gas prices rise in Grant Co., WA and nationally
May 19—MOSES LAKE — Gas prices across the nation rose, impacting both Grant County and Washington state, according to the American Automobile Association. However, gas prices are still lower than last year at this time, which is good for travelers this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Last week, Grant County was sitting at $4.28 per gallon for the second week in a row, but as of Monday, gas prices had risen $0.02 per gallon, bringing the average gas price in the county up to $4.30, according to AAA. This is the same price consumers saw during the week of April 28. This week, Adams County saw a decrease in gas prices from $4.20 to $4.18 this week, according to AAA. Two weeks ago, gas was averaging $4.17, lower than currently. Both Grant and Adams counties remain around the median of gas prices across the state, according to AAA. Wahkiakum County remained the most expensive for the second week in a row at $4.80, which is a $0.05 increase from the previous week. Asotin County also remained the cheapest at $3.84, which is a $0.07 increase from last week. Washington state's average prices have increased for the second week in a row, averaging $4.35, a $0.07 increase from the previous week. The current price is around $0.03 higher than a month ago and $0.26 cheaper than a year ago, according to AAA. Washington remains one of the most expensive states to purchase gas, with only California at $4.91 and Hawaii at $4.49 having higher prices in the nation. Nationally, the gas prices have gone up $0.04, sitting at an average of $3.18, according to AAA. As of a month ago, prices have increased $0.03. However, as of a year ago, prices are down $0.41 from an average of $3.59. According to AAA, the seasonal increase in gas prices usually starts earlier in the spring, but lower crude oil prices this year have kept that from happening. However, prices are starting to settle into a more traditional pattern. Memorial Day weekend Despite this upward trend in prices, drivers are still paying less compared to last year, which is good news for the 45.1 million Americans expected to travel domestically for Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA. This year's domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and it sets a new Memorial Day weekend record, according to AAA. The previous record was set back in 2005 with 44 million people. AAA is projecting around 39.4 million people to travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. That's an additional one million travelers compared to the previous year. AAA said that 87% of travelers choose road trips over other forms of travel for Memorial Day weekend. Grant County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman wants to remind people to be safe on the roads this weekend, which includes wearing your seatbelt and making sure children are in car seats. He also wants to remind people to avoid risky behavior such as texting and driving, speeding and driving under the influence. "Be ready for your road trips and summer travel. Even a well-maintained vehicle can break down, so it's good practice to put together an emergency roadside kit to carry with you," Foreman said. "A cell phone tops the list of suggested emergency kit contents since it allows you to call for help when and where you need it." Other items Foreman recommends include: a first aid kit, with a tourniquet; flashlight, flares and a white flag; jumper cables; tire pressure gauge; jack and ground mat for changing a tire; work gloves and a change of clothes; basic repair tools and some duct tape; water and paper towels for cleaning up; nonperishable food; drinking water; medicines; extra windshield wiper fluid; maps and emergency blankets, towels and coats. Foreman also recommends people plan their route ahead of time, including looking at weather, road conditions and traffic. The Washington State Department of Transportation has a website that tracks real-time traffic data, which can be found at WSDOT also has an app that people can download onto their phones from Google Play or the App Store. "Don't rush through your trip," Foreman said. "Allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely. And always familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, even if you use a GPS, and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time." INREX, which uses data from connected devices and mobility insights, anticipates the most congestion for Seattle to be around 5:15 p.m. Monday on Interstate 90 from Ellensburg to Seattle. There will be a 79% increase in traffic compared to a normal travel day. Airports will also be bracing for another busy weekend with AAA projecting around 3.61 million air passengers, a nearly 2% increase from last year. This weekend is not anticipated to set an air travel record; however, it will likely surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%. For other means of travel — train, bus and cruise — there will be an anticipated 8.5% increase over last year. This category is now surpassing pre-pandemic numbers but doesn't reach the record numbers of the early 2000s, when more people were choosing trains and buses post-Sept. 11, 2001.
