Here are the links to review the draft surveys.

Click Here to take and test the Youth Master Plan – Student Survey

Click Here to take and test the Youth Master Plan – Community Leader Survey

Click Here to take and test the Youth Master Plan – Resident Survey

Click Here to take and test the Youth Master Plan – School Staff Perception Survey

Person of interest in homicide at Sunnyside AM-PM Mini Mart. Police are asking for assistance in identifying this individual.

Sunnyside, WA- The New Year has started out violently for Sunnyside with the city’s first homicide taking place just days of the holiday. At approximately 9:15 pm on January 3, a report of shots fired sent Sunnyside Police Officers to the AM/PM Mini Mart at 1850 Waneta Road at the east end of Sunnyside. The shooting took place near the gas pumps and resulted in three shooting victims when the young males in two vehicles confronted each other outside the convenience store.

Injured were a 16 year old male from Schawana, Manuel Farias, 20 of Mattawa and Grandview, and Jesus Sosa, 22 of Sunnyside. Farias fled the scene on foot and was taken into custody by police officers. He was treated for non-life threatening wounds and taken into custody for questioning. The juvenile also suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

This case is under investigation and Sunnyside Police Department has released photos of a suspect vehicle and persons of interest. If you have any information on the identity of this person or his whereabouts please call the Sunnyside Police Department at 509.836.6200.

The weapon has not been recovered and it is believed that there was only one shooter. Police believe this is a gang related incident. Sunnyside Police were assisted by Grandview and Mabton Police as well as the Washington State Patrol.

The suspect vehicle and driver are pictured above. Police are asking for assistance in locating what appears to be a red Dodge Durango with roof racks and its male driver.

Bursting pipes occur when frozen water causes a pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the closed faucet. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces, and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to extreme cold. To keep water in your pipes from freezing fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow heat transfer. Even a wrapping of newspapers and plastic can increase the insulation value. Seal the cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.

If your pipes do freeze, it is important to know where your water shutoff valve is. Shutting it off quickly can help minimize the damage.

It is a good idea to keep sink cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes. If you have small children at home, be sure to remove from reach all chemicals and other hazards. A slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space. This will keep the ice from totally blocking the pipes.

If you do suffer a broken pipe begin cleanup as soon as it is safe. Disconnect all electrical equipment and move to a dry area. Remove water damaged items immediately. Try to remove any standing water and begin to ventilate the area with fans and dehumidifiers.

Covering your windows with plastic and pulling your curtains shut at night can also increase the temperature inside your home. Adding a strip of weather stripping can stop the cold drafts from entering your home. Need a gift idea; think about making a draft dodger for a friend that they can lie at the base of the door to block drafts.

Unseasonably cold weather means it is also time to give special attention to your pets and livestock, both inside and out.

Cold weather creates its own set of stress for all animals, but your pet needs your undivided attention. When temperatures reach sub-zero, it is time to give the outdoor cat, dog a break, and invite them in, not necessarily in the house but a garage or shed will help. Shelter in a well-built doghouse will benefit even breeds such as Siberian huskies, Malamutes, Chows, German shepherds, golden retrievers, and others where they may not be acclimated to such extremes.

Local veterinarians recommend that when you take your inside dog out for a bathroom break that you stay out with them. Chances are if you are cold enough to go inside, it probably is too cold for the pet to stay out much longer as well. Be sure to wipe its paws and under belly and make sure there are no snow or ice balls clinging between the toes or on the sole of the foot. This can lead to frostbite in an animal left outside for a significant time in sub-zero temperatures.

Keep an eye on your pet and livestock outside water source. If the water source is not heated, remember to change it several times a day when temperatures dip far below freezing. Ice is not a substitute for clean water. A reduction in water intake and the resulting dehydration in horses can trigger colic.

If you have to go outside, remember to cover all exposed skin when temperatures reach sub-zero temperatures. Hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and warm socks can help prevent frostbite. Tis the season to wear layers. Multiple layers add warmth by trapping air which becomes heated by your body. Avoid going outside as much as possible but if you must, dress warmly but not so much that you perspire. Damp clothing can cause the loss of body heat and lead to frostbite especially in feet.

Grandviewnews.net has now opened eReporter access to the community. The newly established community eNews publication announced Sunday public eRporter access for publishing articles of interest to the community. Click this link to the Grandview eReport submission form and become a Grandview News eReporter today!

Can passers-by see under your tree? Give thieves less temptation and store gifts out of view from your windows.

Sunnyside, Wa. – The Sunnyside Police Department has some tips to help people avoid theft during the holidays:

When shopping:

• Don’t park in unlit areas.
• Be extra careful carrying a purse. They are prime targets in crowded shopping areas.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash with you.
• Be aware of strangers approaching you. This is the time of year for many solicitors, etc. be aware of your surroundings and possible distraction techniques.
• Put shopping bags in your trunk. Don’t try to cover items with a blanket, if possible take packages and large items home and then go back out shopping rather than leaving them in your car.

At home:

• If you are leaving for the holidays have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Make sure your holiday gifts are not visible through windows in your home.
• If you are leaving town leave lights on an automatic timer.
• When large gifts are received (like electronics, televisions, computers, etc) do not leave empty boxes by your garbage can. Dispose of them in a recycling receptacle or elsewhere.

Fire Consumes Travel Trailer and Garage - Staff Photo

At around 11 p.m. last night a Grandview police officer discovered what appeared to be a travel trailer being consumed by fire. It was located in the 900 block of West 4th Street in the alley behind one of the homes.

As Grandview police secured the area, Grandview Fire was dispatched to the scene and extinguished the blaze as it spread to a nearby garage and power pole. No one was injured in the blaze and the cause was unknown at time of publication.

The Grandview Fire Department wants everyone to be safe and warm this winter holiday season.

Toward that end, the department echos a press release this past week from our State Fire Marshal’s Office providing tips to “ensure a safe and happy holiday season.”

“Cold weather causes a higher fire threat due to increased uses of heating sources, such as electrical space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves,” state Fire Marshal Mike Matlick said in the press release. “This coupled with increased cooking activity, the use of extra holiday lights, candles and other decorations, pose an even greater threat for fires and fire deaths.”

Captain George Saenz of the Grandview Fire Department sited an incident last week where tragedy was narrowly averted when the department responded to a smoke filled apartment. An occupant thinking the stove burner was on “low,” left an unattended pot cooking on the stove top and then left the residence. Unfortunately the stove burner was on “high” and overheated the pot of food, filling the apartment with smoke and putting all residents in the building at risk.

“During the winter break is an ideal time for families to review their home fire safety plan, ensure their smoke detectors are working and practice their exit plans” added Saenz.

As we enter the hectic holiday season, the department offers the following tips:

General Heating Tips:

Keep any heater at least three feet away from anything that might burn, i.e., curtains, walls, furniture, papers, etc.
Keep children and pets away from heaters.

Cooking Safety:

Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food.
Keep any flammable items away from your stove top.
Keep children and pets away from any cooking appliances.

Holiday Lights:

Maintain your holiday lights.
Do not overload electrical outlets.
Do not leave holiday lights on unattended.

Holiday Decorations:

Use only nonflammable decorations.
Never put wrapping paper in the fireplace.
Choose a flame-retardant artificial Christmas Tree.

Candle Safety:

Avoid using lit candles.
Never put lit candles on a tree.

A little holiday fun to get you in the mood!

Firefighters in Grandview, Washington will have new personal protective equipment provided through a federal grant announced Friday. The grant is met with a small matching contribution from the City of Grandview.

The Fire Department will receive $56,924 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s firefighter assistance grant program, according to a news release from FEMA.

Pat Mason, Grandview Fire Chief, stated the funds will be used to replace outdated personal protective equipment for his team of firefighters. The personal protective equipment will include a variety of safety gear assigned to each volunteer firefighter including bunker gear, wildland gear, boots and gloves.

The department has been using a mixture of equipment on loan from neighboring departments. This grant will enable the cadre of volunteers to use gear that meets the current safety standards. The gear they have now met the standards at the time of manufacture, but improvements to those standards and normal wear and tear, have contributed to the need for replacement.

Grandview was one of four Washington communities that were awarded FEMA funds on Friday. Washington agencies have received $3,722,462.00 in 14 rounds of 2008 funding. FEMA will award nearly $500 million nationwide to fire departments and emergency medical groups this fiscal year.

See the Washington State 2008 Awards to date here.

eNews is soon to be available in Grandview, Washington. No community should have to wait a week to get their news, and now Grandview won’t have to.

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