Soap Lake Raves and Occasional Rants

05/02/2026

Fraud Prevention: How to Tell if a Facebook Profile is Fake

In the following steps, you’ll learn how to identify a fake Facebook profile. By checking these signs, you can avoid interacting with scammers and keep your online experience safe.

Step 1: Examine the Profile Picture

Look closely at the profile picture for signs of authenticity. A fake profile often uses a generic or too-perfect photo. If the picture looks like it was taken from a stock photo website or it’s overly glamorous, you might be dealing with a fake profile. You can even use reverse image search tools to see if the picture appears elsewhere on the internet.

Step 2: Check the Friends List

Review the friends list for suspicious patterns. Fake profiles often have a limited number of friends or friends from many different countries. If most of their friends seem to be random or appear to be fake profiles themselves, be cautious. Real people usually have friends they actually know in real life.

Step 3: Look at the Timeline Activity

Inspect the timeline for regular posts and interactions. A genuine profile will have a timeline filled with regular posts, comments, and interactions over a period of time. Fake profiles often lack this kind of activity or have copied content. Look for signs of actual human interaction, like comments from friends and photos with tags.

Step 4: Analyze the About Section

Read the About section for inconsistency. The About section can provide clues about the authenticity of a profile. If the information there is vague or looks inconsistent, that’s a red flag. Check for matching details, like where they live, work, and their education history.

Step 5: Verify Mutual Friends

Mutual friends can provide more context about the profile. If you have mutual friends with the profile, reach out to them and ask if they know the person. Mutual friends can sometimes help verify the authenticity of a profile. However, be cautious, as some fake profiles may also have mutual fake friends.

Once you complete these steps, you’ll have a good idea of whether the Facebook profile is fake. If multiple red flags pop up, it’s best to avoid interacting with the profile.

Tips for How to Tell if a Facebook Profile is Fake

• Be Skeptical of Friend Requests: If you receive a friend request from someone you don’t know, think twice before accepting.

• Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors: Fake profiles often have poor spelling and grammar.

• Look for Real-Life Connections: Genuine profiles usually have connections to people you know in real life.

• Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links: Fake profiles often send messages with suspicious links.

• Report Suspicious Profiles: If you think a profile is fake, report it to Facebook to help keep the platform safe.

EM-3

05/02/2026

Just a friendly heads up, the “Ian Steward” profile is about as real as a three-dollar bill. I'll keep my money on who might be behind it, but hey, if you want to keep engaging in those lively discussions in the SL R&R facebook group, don't forget that this profile likes to chime in regularly, and let's just say their ID is about as genuine as a fake mustache. Oh, and it joined the group recently, like that Kalishi profile that pops up like a jack-in-the-box, roughly within the last 6-8 weeks, give or take.

04/29/2026

I didn’t want to write this, but pretending this is fine would be worse.

I’ve watched this group for weeks, months, years, and what’s happening here is not just “people being passionate” or “debate getting heated.” It’s a pattern of people being talked down to, piled on, intimidated, bullied, and threatened for simply asking questions or speaking clearly.

And the part that’s honestly hard to ignore is the hypocrisy.

Right at the top of this group are rules about kindness and respect. Those aren’t vague. They are clearly written. But they’re not being enforced at all... and everyone can see it.

What’s actually happening is that certain behavior (by certain people) gets a pass. The same tone, the same attacks, the same escalation… over and over again. And nothing changes.

That doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens because it’s allowed.
And when it’s allowed long enough, it becomes the culture.

That is the part that is the most disappointing. Not just the behavior itself. But the fact that it keeps being tolerated while people who are trying to stay respectful get pushed out or shut down.

You can’t build a “welcoming community” on selective enforcement and silence. You can’t say kindness matters and then look the other way when it clearly isn’t happening.

People notice that disconnect. And it’s why more and more reasonable voices stop engaging. Because they don’t want to be the next target.

That’s not on them. That is the environment that’s been created here.

At some point, this stops being about individual comments and starts being about accountability.

If the rules matter, enforce them consistently.
If they don’t, then at least be honest about that.

Because right now, this doesn’t feel like a space where respect is expected. It feels like a space where it’s optional, depending on who you are.

And people are done pretending not to see it.

I would be ashamed to call myself an admin or moderator of this group.

04/02/2026

When multiple city leaders resign, and a unanimous vote of no confidence is issued, the conversation shouldn’t be about sides.

It should be about standards.

What should residents expect from their leadership — regardless of politics?

02/09/2026

It’s hard to know where to start. So let’s just let this sit right here. Initially, the Interim Mayor was running unopposed to be fully appointed to serve out this mayoral term that was vacated when the previous elected official resigned in the fall of 2024. Shortly after the May 1st deadline to register, a second candidate emerged as a write in candidate. There must have been a good reason why someone was motivated to run a difficult write in campaign.

SOAP LAKE – There is one candidate and one write-in candidate for the Soap Lake mayoral race. Incumbent Peter Sharp is the only candidate listed on the ballot. However, Karen Woodhouse is running as a write-in candidate.

11/03/2025

Sometimes the headlines only show the tip of the iceberg.

What’s in the public record is severe enough - cameras, city credit cards, questionable emails - but what’s harder to uncover are the half-truths and stories that keep getting spun around town. It’s exhausting watching people believe every polished line just because it sounds good.

Soap Lake deserves honesty, not a popularity contest. We don’t need a “feel-good” mayor - we need one who tells the truth, even when it’s not convenient.

You should start reading the public records for yourself. The truth is there - if you’re willing to look.

SOAP LAKE — On Oct. 15, at the regular council meeting, several Soap Lake City Council members made allegations against Mayor Peter Sharp of unlawful recording in city buildings, including the Soap Lake Police Station, Soap Lake City Hall and the Soap Lake Tourism Center, sending an inappropriate ...

04/03/2025

**LOCAL AUTHOR ALERT! 📚✨**

Join us for a special evening celebrating the release of "Midnight in Soap Lake," the much-anticipated second novel by local talent Matthew Sullivan!

**Event Details:**
- **What:** Presentation, Q&A, and Book Signing
- **When:** May 16, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
- **Where:** Lakeside Bistro, Canna St N (also known as Marina Drive)

Kick off the evening with a captivating presentation by Matthew, followed by an engaging Q&A session and a chance to get your book signed. Copies of "Midnight in Soap Lake" will be available for purchase!

Plus, don’t miss out on the raffle! Prizes will be drawn that evening, with proceeds supporting the event.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support a local author and enrich your collection with a signed copy of Matthew's latest work. We can’t wait to see you there!

04/03/2025

If you haven’t yet heard about the recent Civil Service Commission meeting, you can listen to the proceedings here. This meeting included the four Civil Service Commissioners, the Commission’s attorney, an attorney retained by former Police Chief Ryan Cox, Mayor Peter Sharp, the city attorney, and a full audience.

The purpose of the meeting was to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding Raymond Gravelle, the head of the Commission. Mr. Gravelle, who previously served as the mayor of Soap Lake, was responsible for hiring Ryan Cox as Police Chief against the recommendations of the previous Civil Service Commission. He is also a personal acquaintance of Ryan Cox and his family and has previously stated his intent to conduct his own review of Cox’s termination. The city attorney provided an explanation of the relevant statute and the legal considerations surrounding potential conflicts of interest in this case.

During the meeting, discussions included procedural and legal considerations related to the grievance. The attorney representing Ryan Cox engaged in questioning Mayor Peter Sharp, which led to exchanges about the scope and relevance of testimony in this setting. As is a common attorney tactic in legal proceedings, attorneys may seek to establish records that could be referenced in future legal contexts.

At the core of this case is the appeal of a former city employee’s termination. Ryan Cox, who previously held dual roles as both Police Chief and City Administrator, is challenging the decision and seeking reinstatement, as well as potential financial compensation. The city followed a structured process, including placing the employee on leave, requesting an independent investigation, and holding multiple city council discussions before making a final determination.

For those interested in staying informed and engaged, city council meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at the Soap Lake Senior Center at 5:30 pm. If you care about what is going on in your community, participation is encouraged.

03/20/2025

The City of Soap Lake invites applications for consideration to serve on the City Council. Interested individuals are requested to submit a letter of interest to City Hall.

Exciting Opportunity Alert! The City of Soap Lake is looking for passionate individuals to fill open council positions. Join us in making a difference in our community!

If you are interested, please contact the City of Soap Lake soon.

The City of Soap Lake invites applications for consideration to serve on the City Council. Interested individuals are requested to submit a letter of interest to City Hall. Exciting Opportunity Alert! The City of Soap Lake is looking for passionate individuals to fill open council positions. Join u