Newsbriefs

$5K offered for arsonist info

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for arsons of several haystacks around Grant County this year.

To be eligible, the information must sent to crimetips@grantcountywa.gov, OR if the fire is in-progress, the information may be given to 9-1-1 dispatchers. The information must lead to both the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved.

The sheriff’s office is also strongly encouraging all owners of haystacks to implement the following protective measures to help solve these crimes:

1) Install surveillance cameras, game cameras and/or perimeter alarms around haystacks and access to haystacks. If you need advice on camera or sensor placement, call 762-1160 and ask for a deputy to come to your farm to assist you.

2) Rake areas around haystacks and access routes to haystacks. Raked soil will assist deputies identify tire track impressions and shoe impressions that can be matched to suspects.

Extra patrols watching drivers

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is conducting emphasis patrols through Dec. 1 as Washington State University (WSU) students travel across the state for the Thanksgiving holiday break. District 4 troopers in Spokane, Whitman and Adams counties and District 6 troopers in Grant and Kittitas counties will be focusing on speeding to include driving too fast for conditions, distracted/impaired driving and other collision-causing violations during the emphasis.