Hydrant tamperings, Orange E Carnival, BOCC not supporting candidates, forums scheduled, McKay bingo night, ARC blood drive
Updated
EPD investigating fire hydrant tamperings
EPHRATA — Police are investigating a trio of recent incidents in which fire hydrants have been uncapped during early morning hours, allowing water to flood city streets.
Around 12:23 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, police found an opened hydrant pouring water onto the roadway and encroaching on a few homes on H Steet N.E. Ephrata Fire Department personnel responded to shut off the hydrant, which had a side cap removed. While on that call, police were notified that another hydrant had been opened at the intersection of C Street S.E. and Nat Washington Way.
An initial incident was encountered around 4 a.m. last Tuesday, Sept. 22, when an opened hydrant created a “large lake” on Third Avenue S.E. Fire personnel also closed that hydrant and public works staff was called out to temporarily barricade the street.
EPD Capt. Troy Froewiss said a person of interest has been identified and the incidents are being actively investigated. He also said officers have been provided with equipment to shut off water in the event of any future events so fire and public works personnel don’t have to be called out unless necessary.
Ephrata fire chief Jeremy Burns said the city has an ordinance making it unlawful for any unauthorized person to operate, interfere with, or damage a hydrant. An initial violation carries a civil fine of $259.
Froewiss said hydrant tampering is also a misdemeanor criminal offense under state law with violations potentially punishable by fines and jail time. He encouraged residents to call 911 if they observe tampering and, if possible, to “safely maintain visual (contact)” on a suspect until officers arrive.
57th annual EHS Orange E Carnival on Saturday
EPHRATA — The 57th annual Orange E Carnival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, from 4-6:30 p.m. in the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center gymnasium.
Hosted by EHS letterwinners, the event is an annual fundraiser for the Tiger athletics and activities programs.
Family-friendly games will include bean bag toss, cork guns, bottle-baseball throw, balloon darts, and the always popular Haunted House. Surplus Ephrata Tigers athletics gear will also be available for purchase.
Tickets will be sold at the door and can be used for games and concessions.
Board of Commissioners: no official candidate support
EPHRATA — The Grant County Board of Commissioners issued a public statement Monday saying the three-member board in its official capacity does not support any political candidates.
The announcement came after commissioners Kevin Burgess, Cindy Carter, and Rob Jones became aware of a Facebook post which seemed to indicate the board, as a county entity, was supporting the re-election campaign of sheriff Joey Kriete.
The statement did note that commissioners, in their personal capacities, have the right to endorse a candidate, but not collectively as a board.
Anyone with questions about the matter may contact the commissioners’ office at the courthouse in Ephrata, by calling 509-754-2011 (ext. 2901), or emailing commissioners@grantcountywa.gov.
Political candidate forums scheduled
In advance of the Nov. 3 general election, several events are planned featuring candidates for elective offices in Grant County, two state legislative districts, and a U.S. House race representing central Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
On tap:
— The South Grant County Chamber of Commerce will host a 6 p.m. forum on Thursday, Oct. 1 at Wahluke High School in Mattawa featuring Grant County judicial candidates and state representative candidates from Legislative Districts 13 and 15.
— 4th District congressional candidates John Duresky, D-West Richland, and Amanda McKinney, R-Yakima, will square off on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The forum is being hosted by AARP Washington, the League of Women Voters, and Northwest Public Broadcasting. It will be livestreamed on Northwest Public Broadcasting's YouTube channel and AARP Washington's Facebook page. It will also be posted on AARP Washington's webpage shortly after airing, and broadcast on KTNW-TV before election day.
— Ephrata American Legion Post 28 will sponsor a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. All candidates appearing on the Grant County ballot, including state legislative and congressional races, have been invited. The Legion post is located at 726 Eighth Ave. N.W.
Team McKay plans free community bingo night
SOAP LAKE — Supporters of McKay Healthcare will host a free bingo night for the community on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 5-7 p.m. in the Soap Lake Elementary School gym.
Players will have a chance to win cash and prizes, including a big-screen TV as the grand prize, and Cloudview Kitchen will be providing tasty snacks. The family friendly event will feature both classic bingo and “singo” bingo, where players match short audio clips to a grid card showing song titles and performers instead of numbers.
For more information, call McKay Healthcare at 509-246-1111.
Red Cross blood drive Oct. 14 at ERC
EPHRATA — The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin St. S.W.
Red Cross officials say all blood types are needed. Anyone age 17 or older, weighing 110 pounds or more, and in good general health is a potential donor.
An appointment for the Oct. 14 drive can be scheduled by calling 1-800-733-2767 or online at www.redcrossblood.org. A pre-donation “Rapid Pass” questionnaire can also be completed on the website.
Prospective donors should bring personal identification and donor cards, or download the Blood Donor App on their smartphones.
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Hydrant tamperings, Orange E Carnival, BOCC not supporting candidates, forums scheduled, McKay bingo night, ARC blood drive
EPD investigating fire hydrant tamperings
EPHRATA — Police are investigating a trio of recent incidents in which fire hydrants have been uncapped during early morning hours, allowing water to flood city streets.
Around 12:23 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, police found an opened hydrant pouring water onto the roadway and encroaching on a few homes on H Steet N.E. Ephrata Fire Department personnel responded to shut off the hydrant, which had a side cap removed. While on that call, police were notified that another hydrant had been opened at the intersection of C Street S.E. and Nat Washington Way.
An initial incident was encountered around 4 a.m. last Tuesday, Sept. 22, when an opened hydrant created a “large lake” on Third Avenue S.E. Fire personnel also closed that hydrant and public works staff was called out to temporarily barricade the street.
EPD Capt. Troy Froewiss said a person of interest has been identified and the incidents are being actively investigated. He also said officers have been provided with equipment to shut off water in the event of any future events so fire and public works personnel don’t have to be called out unless necessary.
Ephrata fire chief Jeremy Burns said the city has an ordinance making it unlawful for any unauthorized person to operate, interfere with, or damage a hydrant. An initial violation carries a civil fine of $259.
Froewiss said hydrant tampering is also a misdemeanor criminal offense under state law with violations potentially punishable by fines and jail time. He encouraged residents to call 911 if they observe tampering and, if possible, to “safely maintain visual (contact)” on a suspect until officers arrive.
57th annual EHS Orange E Carnival on Saturday
EPHRATA — The 57th annual Orange E Carnival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, from 4-6:30 p.m. in the Ephrata High School Performing Arts Center gymnasium.
Hosted by EHS letterwinners, the event is an annual fundraiser for the Tiger athletics and activities programs.
Family-friendly games will include bean bag toss, cork guns, bottle-baseball throw, balloon darts, and the always popular Haunted House. Surplus Ephrata Tigers athletics gear will also be available for purchase.
Tickets will be sold at the door and can be used for games and concessions.
Board of Commissioners: no official candidate support
EPHRATA — The Grant County Board of Commissioners issued a public statement Monday saying the three-member board in its official capacity does not support any political candidates.
The announcement came after commissioners Kevin Burgess, Cindy Carter, and Rob Jones became aware of a Facebook post which seemed to indicate the board, as a county entity, was supporting the re-election campaign of sheriff Joey Kriete.
The statement did note that commissioners, in their personal capacities, have the right to endorse a candidate, but not collectively as a board.
Anyone with questions about the matter may contact the commissioners’ office at the courthouse in Ephrata, by calling 509-754-2011 (ext. 2901), or emailing commissioners@grantcountywa.gov.
Political candidate forums scheduled
In advance of the Nov. 3 general election, several events are planned featuring candidates for elective offices in Grant County, two state legislative districts, and a U.S. House race representing central Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
On tap:
— The South Grant County Chamber of Commerce will host a 6 p.m. forum on Thursday, Oct. 1 at Wahluke High School in Mattawa featuring Grant County judicial candidates and state representative candidates from Legislative Districts 13 and 15.
— 4th District congressional candidates John Duresky, D-West Richland, and Amanda McKinney, R-Yakima, will square off on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The forum is being hosted by AARP Washington, the League of Women Voters, and Northwest Public Broadcasting. It will be livestreamed on Northwest Public Broadcasting's YouTube channel and AARP Washington's Facebook page. It will also be posted on AARP Washington's webpage shortly after airing, and broadcast on KTNW-TV before election day.
— Ephrata American Legion Post 28 will sponsor a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. All candidates appearing on the Grant County ballot, including state legislative and congressional races, have been invited. The Legion post is located at 726 Eighth Ave. N.W.
Team McKay plans free community bingo night
SOAP LAKE — Supporters of McKay Healthcare will host a free bingo night for the community on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 5-7 p.m. in the Soap Lake Elementary School gym.
Players will have a chance to win cash and prizes, including a big-screen TV as the grand prize, and Cloudview Kitchen will be providing tasty snacks. The family friendly event will feature both classic bingo and “singo” bingo, where players match short audio clips to a grid card showing song titles and performers instead of numbers.
For more information, call McKay Healthcare at 509-246-1111.
Red Cross blood drive Oct. 14 at ERC
EPHRATA — The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin St. S.W.
Red Cross officials say all blood types are needed. Anyone age 17 or older, weighing 110 pounds or more, and in good general health is a potential donor.
An appointment for the Oct. 14 drive can be scheduled by calling 1-800-733-2767 or online at www.redcrossblood.org. A pre-donation “Rapid Pass” questionnaire can also be completed on the website.
Prospective donors should bring personal identification and donor cards, or download the Blood Donor App on their smartphones.