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Man drowns in Lake Rufus Woods

A 26-year-old Bridgeport man drowned Sunday near Chief Joseph Dam while swimming with friends, Douglas County Sheriff Kevin W. Morris said.

Responding to the call, deputies found Manuel De Jesus Galarza-Martinez lying on the shore unresponsive. Deputies attempted lifesaving measures, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Martinez had been swimming with friends when he went under the water. After he did not resurface, friends dove in, found him unresponsive, pulled him to shore, and then called for help.

No flame allowed

Fire ban in effect at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

Due to extreme conditions, all fires at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area are prohibited as of 12:01 a.m., Friday until further notice, the NPS said in a media release Tuesday. No open flames are permitted. This includes, but is not limited to; all fires in NPS provided fire rings and boxes, charcoal fires, tiki torches, incense burners, candles, and propane campfires. Exceptions include self-contained propane or gas stoves and lanterns.

For the most current information regarding the fire ban in the Recreation Area, call 509-754-7893.

Sheriff’s deputies will all have defibrillators

Lincoln County Sheriff Wade W. Magers has issued each of his deputies a new automated external defibrillator, emergency medical equipment proven to save lives, he said Tuesday.

The AED’s, which cost more than $1,500 each, were purchased with Dept. of Homeland Security grant funds awarded to the sheriff’s office.

Last year, Magers said, his office acquired four of the units. Now, with the grant funding, Magers said, “we now have every road deputy and supervisor with an A.E.D.,” plus one at the Sheriff’s Office.

“We hope to never have to use them, but if an emergency occurs we will have the equipment in the patrol cars for quick access to potentially save a life,” Magers said.

Barker Canyon, Quincy sites to close for upgrades

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will temporarily close the Quincy Lake and Barker Canyon access areas in Grant County for repairs and boat ramp upgrades that will benefit boaters and anglers, the department said Tuesday.

The Barker Canyon Access will be closed Aug. 19-30 to replace the ramp’s planks and extend the ramp by 8 feet. The lake access is located about 30 minutes southwest of Grand Coulee off of Highway 174.

The Quincy Lake Access will be closed Aug. 12-16 for repairs and an upgrade to extend the existing ramp to make it easier to launch boats. The lake is located about 15 minutes south of Quincy off Highway 281.