In Other News

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT ESC THRIFT STORE

EPHRATA — With the arrival of spring and summer, the Ephrata Senior Center Thrift Store has volunteer opportunities available for those able to share their time.

A primary need is help with placement and display of gently used merchandise, said manager Tandra Harrington. She noted the store has an extensive assortment of  clothing, furniture, electronics, books, crafts, antiques, home and holiday décor, plus a kitchen department and bed-and-bath shop.

“If you have an interest or passion for any (or many!) of these kinds of merchandise, we will happily put you to work,” she said.

To volunteer or for more information, contact Harrington at 509-754-9605 or stop by the store, located at 604 Basin St. N.W. in Ephrata. Business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

HOUSING TASK FORCE SEEKS FEEDBACK THROUGH SURVEY

OLYMPIA — Washington’s Department of Housing Task Force is inviting citizens and organizations to participate in an online survey or provide direct feedback regarding housing supply and stability issues and how those topics might be addressed by formation of a new state agency.

The public can share their experiences and opinions through the survey, which takes about 15 minutes. No names or personal identifying information is collected. The survey closes April 26.

Participants are asked about homelessness status, whether they rent or own homes, associated financial challenges, homeowner associations and cooperatives, and how a new Department of Housing might be structured.

Organizations can submit feedback directly by emailing HousingPolicy@commerce.wa.gov.

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order last December creating the housing task force, which is scheduled to deliver a final report on Nov. 15 to the governor and state legislature for consideration.

More information is available at the Department of Housing Task Force webpage.

MAN ARRESTED FOR GUN DISPLAY AT WALMART

EPHRATA — A local man faces charges of burglary, harassment, and unlawful display of a weapon following a confrontation at the Ephrata Walmart Sunday morning, March 8.

Shortly before noon, police were notified that a male subject, identified as 21-year-old Rafael Diaz Chavez of Ephrata, had approached an 18-year-old male in one of the store’s main walkways and repeatedly asked his name. During the exchange, Chavez allegedly pulled a handgun from his pocket, said he would be waiting outside, and exited the store.

The 18-year-old, who was shopping with two women and a 1-year-old child, later told police he did not know Chavez, but one of the women identified him. Another uninvolved witness also confirmed that a handgun was displayed. Police said the store was crowded with numerous shoppers at the time.

Store personnel provided surveillance video that allegedly showed Chavez driving away in a white Nissan passenger car with a temporary license. Officers responded to an apartment in the 300 block of E Street N.E., observed the car parked there, and contacted a 19-year-old female who said she was Chavez’s girlfriend. An officer made telephone contact with Chavez, who said he was at his parents’ residence in the 300 block of Sixth Avenue S.E., but acknowledged the handgun was in a closet at the apartment, the police report stated. The .45-caliber firearm and a loaded magazine were located and collected as evidence.

Officers then responded to the family residence on Sixth Avenue, where Chavez surrendered without incident and declined to talk except to say, “I don’t know what happened, bro.”

Chavez was booked into the Grant County Jail and made a preliminary appearance on Monday, March 9, in Grant County Superior Court, where he pled not guilty to charges of harassment, unlawful display of a weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, and second-degree burglary. Bail was set at $2,500 and an April 29 trial was scheduled.

The felony burglary charge stems from Chavez being banned from all Walmart properties following a June 2025 incident when he was allegedly among a group who threatened an employee at the Moses Lake store.

HOSPITAL BOARD SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR VACANT SEAT

EPHRATA —Grant County Public Hospital District No. 3 is accepting letters of interest from qualified applicants for appointment to a vacancy on its five-member board of commissioners following the departure of Catherine Snyder, who resigned her Position 3 seat effective March 1.

Commissioners oversee policies and operations, including delivery of patient care, for Columbia Basin Hospital and its associated facilities.

To qualify for appointment, a prospective applicant must be a U.S. citizen age 18 or older and a registered voter who has resided within the hospital district for at least 30 days. Commissioners cannot be employees of the district.

Interested persons may call the hospital’s administration office at 509-754-4631, ext. 1222, to schedule a meeting and facilities tour.

Letters of interest may be mailed to: Rosalinda Kibby, CEO, Columbia Basin Hospital, 200 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata, WA 98823. Her email address is kibbyr@columbiabasinhospital.org.

The application deadline is Tuesday, March 24.

Commission meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month in the CBH conference room.