Grant Co. celebrates courage and community at Chief for a Day
Jun. 12—EPHRATA — Laughter filled the air and smiles shone brightly Thursday as Grant County honored 11 exceptional children during the annual Chief for a Day celebration.
"Seeing the excitement and happiness on their faces is heartwarming," said Kyle Foreman, Public Information Officer for the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
The cherished event, now in its 21st year, transforms young residents, some battling significant medical challenges, into honorary chiefs for a day.
As local law enforcement and fire department personnel rallied around them, the children took center stage in a celebration that embodies community spirit and resilience.
The festivities commenced with a motorcade featuring lights and sirens, escorting the young chiefs from local schools to the Grant County Courthouse. Participants vividly remember the joy radiating from the faces of the children as they arrived at the venue.
The event aims to create a memorable day where families can momentarily set aside their struggles and delight in the spirit of celebration, Foreman said.
The 11 honorary chiefs included Aiden Kane, 11, made sheriff for the day; Nayelli Lopez, 15, the Ephrata Fire Department's chief; Brandon Martin Arredondo, 9, chief for Warden Police Department; Adam Torres, 6, chief of the Quincy Police Department; Bryan Cedillo, 7, chief of the Royal City Police Department; Bryan Reyes-Cervantes, 11, honored by Grant County Fire District 3; Elijah Basilio, 8, the chief for Washington State Patrol; Hunter Kennedy, 9, from the Moses Lake Police Department; Preston Thomas, 5, the chief for Grant County Fire District 5; Grant Williams, 10, from the Ephrata Police Department; and Adrian Aguinaga, 12, with the Moses Lake Fire Department.
"This event is all about giving the families and the children a memorable day," Foreman said. "The joy and connection to the community that these kids experience is invaluable."
Each child presented a colorful biography detailing their aspirations for their new role, personal interests and favorite heroes.
For example, young Sheriff Aiden Kane named his first objective as "to eat snacks," a sentiment praised by Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete, who admitted, "I can relate to that."
The ceremony included heartfelt speeches and an emotional oath-taking led by Grant County Court Judges, legitimizing the honorary roles of the newly appointed chiefs.
The children proudly recited their vows, promising to be brave, honest, respectful and, above all, to have fun. The genuine pride displayed by each young chief as they donned their uniforms and badges was evident.
"This day is not just about fun; it serves as an important recognition that children with special needs are valued in our community," said Warden Police Chief Rick Martin. "Every child selected has a unique story, helping them understand they are not alone in their challenges."
The reactions from the young chiefs, including Nayelli Lopez, who expressed her excitement to wear a fire helmet, and Hunter Kennedy, whose first act as chief was to meet the K-9s, encapsulated the heartwarming nature of the day.
As Bryan Reyes-Cervantes said, "I want to take my crew to lunch!"
The day not only served as an event for celebration but also as a reminder of the strength and resilience exhibited by children facing considerable health challenges, Foreman said.
"Together, we can truly make a difference," Kriete said.
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Yahoo
13-06-2025
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Grant Co. celebrates courage and community at Chief for a Day
Jun. 12—EPHRATA — Laughter filled the air and smiles shone brightly Thursday as Grant County honored 11 exceptional children during the annual Chief for a Day celebration. "Seeing the excitement and happiness on their faces is heartwarming," said Kyle Foreman, Public Information Officer for the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The cherished event, now in its 21st year, transforms young residents, some battling significant medical challenges, into honorary chiefs for a day. As local law enforcement and fire department personnel rallied around them, the children took center stage in a celebration that embodies community spirit and resilience. The festivities commenced with a motorcade featuring lights and sirens, escorting the young chiefs from local schools to the Grant County Courthouse. Participants vividly remember the joy radiating from the faces of the children as they arrived at the venue. The event aims to create a memorable day where families can momentarily set aside their struggles and delight in the spirit of celebration, Foreman said. The 11 honorary chiefs included Aiden Kane, 11, made sheriff for the day; Nayelli Lopez, 15, the Ephrata Fire Department's chief; Brandon Martin Arredondo, 9, chief for Warden Police Department; Adam Torres, 6, chief of the Quincy Police Department; Bryan Cedillo, 7, chief of the Royal City Police Department; Bryan Reyes-Cervantes, 11, honored by Grant County Fire District 3; Elijah Basilio, 8, the chief for Washington State Patrol; Hunter Kennedy, 9, from the Moses Lake Police Department; Preston Thomas, 5, the chief for Grant County Fire District 5; Grant Williams, 10, from the Ephrata Police Department; and Adrian Aguinaga, 12, with the Moses Lake Fire Department. "This event is all about giving the families and the children a memorable day," Foreman said. "The joy and connection to the community that these kids experience is invaluable." Each child presented a colorful biography detailing their aspirations for their new role, personal interests and favorite heroes. For example, young Sheriff Aiden Kane named his first objective as "to eat snacks," a sentiment praised by Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete, who admitted, "I can relate to that." The ceremony included heartfelt speeches and an emotional oath-taking led by Grant County Court Judges, legitimizing the honorary roles of the newly appointed chiefs. The children proudly recited their vows, promising to be brave, honest, respectful and, above all, to have fun. The genuine pride displayed by each young chief as they donned their uniforms and badges was evident. "This day is not just about fun; it serves as an important recognition that children with special needs are valued in our community," said Warden Police Chief Rick Martin. "Every child selected has a unique story, helping them understand they are not alone in their challenges." The reactions from the young chiefs, including Nayelli Lopez, who expressed her excitement to wear a fire helmet, and Hunter Kennedy, whose first act as chief was to meet the K-9s, encapsulated the heartwarming nature of the day. As Bryan Reyes-Cervantes said, "I want to take my crew to lunch!" The day not only served as an event for celebration but also as a reminder of the strength and resilience exhibited by children facing considerable health challenges, Foreman said. "Together, we can truly make a difference," Kriete said.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- 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
01-06-2025
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Ephrata area fire damages about 26 acres Thursday
May 31—EPHRATA — On Thursday at around 4:30 p.m., Grant County Fire District 13 was called out to a fire in the 12000 block of Road B.6 Northwest. The fire started as a controlled burn, but because of the winds, it quickly became uncontrolled. "It was a prime example of a control burn getting out of control," GCFD13 Chief Jim Stucky said. "I do not know the actual details. But he probably thought, just like everybody else, 'it's a very slight breeze, I can keep this contained.' Then next thing you know, just a little puff of wind just takes an ember somewhere. That's the way it goes and then they can't catch it, and we get called out." The blaze burned around 25 acres of land before it was contained at around 5:30 p.m., according to Stucky. Crews from GCFD13, Grant County Fire District 5 and Ephrata Fire Department stayed on scene until about 8 p.m. to complete mop-up. Between the three departments, they had around nine trucks managing the fire. "But then there's a couple hours of mopping up. We have to try to cool everything down," he said. "We had to get it out because we knew it was a windy night. Fortunately, it didn't come back overnight." No injuries or structural damage occurred because of the fire; however, some rangeland was damaged and GCFD13 popped a tire on one of the department's vehicles. "If there's even the slightest wind, don't burn, please," Stucky said. "We're just kind of getting a bunch of these fires that don't need to happen." Stucky wants to remind people that the burn ban will be in effect beginning Sunday, which means no fires are allowed within Grant County limits. "No more burning after June 1," Stucky said. "You can really damage property, hurt people and get fines if you decide to burn. Please be careful with any firepits, if that's something you decide to do and keep water nearby in case it decides to spread. Fire is unpredictable and we need to be careful with hotter, drier days coming ahead."
