Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 11 August 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports three residences were damaged during a storm event Sunday evening in the south Wenatchee area. Residents had to be rescued from one home, but no one was injured.
The initial 911 call was received by RIVERCOM dispatch at 5:07pm as a strong lightning and rain storm moved through the area of the Squilchuck Canyon drainage just southwest of the city. The extremely heavy rain caused mud and debris flows in the Squilchuck Canyon, Pitcher Canyon and Halverson Canyon areas. Storm drains and culverts became overwhelmed quickly as water and mud began running down the roadways.

A culvert which diverts water under the lower Squilchuck Road, began eroding the downslope hillside located above Boodry Street just south of the city limits. The force of the water began creating a deep channel in the earthen slope and which forced a massive amount of rock and mud down the hillside and into a development of single-wide mobile homes. Deputies and Wenatchee Police officers responded and began evacuating the development. A river of mud, rock and other debris impacted the north side of three mobile homes nearly to the roof lines. Children were carried out of one home by deputies and Wenatchee police officers. Three of the mobile homes are now deemed uninhabitable.

The flow of water, rock and debris began to slow by 6:00pm, but more rain was predicted during the evening. Residents of 16 homes in the area were advised they should stay out of the area until the storm completely subsides. Chelan County Public Works engineers and road crews responded and began assessing the slope and clearing the affected roadways. The local Red Cross Office was contacted and was put in touch with residents of the affected homes.

Written by Lauren Loebsack, WSDOT communications

Published: 08 August 2019

Public input sought in person and online to help develop traffic control plans during rock slope scaling work in 2020

Travelers who regularly use US 97A can help choose the best times for rock slope scaling work during the 2020 construction season. 

The Washington State Department of Transportation is seeking public comment regarding the best time for closures during the much needed work.  Specialized contractors will remove loose rock and debris from the slopes adjacent to US 97A to reduce the risk of it falling onto the highway.

All of this work takes time, during which traffic cannot travel through the work zone.  At the upcoming in person and the online open houses, the public can comment on whether all day or short closures of approximately 30 minutes make more sense for the area.  Longer closures mean more work can be accomplished but with more affect to travel times, and vice versa for shorter duration choices.

US 97A/SR 971 rock slope scaling work in person open houses

When:             4 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14

Where:           Chelan City Hall                        

                        135 E Johnson Ave.

When:             4 – 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20

Where:           Entiat Grange

                        14108 Kinzel St.

Details

During both of the in-person open houses, learn more about the options of closure times when WSDOT crews start working on the rock slope scaling in 2020. Responses received from the open houses will help determine the timing and length of the closures to complete the work.

Online open house

Those unable to attend either open house, or who want to review the information and options prior to a meeting, can visit the online open house.

Written by Kevin Morris, Sheriff, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Published: 05 August 2019

On August 4^th 2019 at approximately 7:09 PM Douglas County Deputies were dispatched to Rufus Woods Lake above the Chief Joseph Dam reference a possible drowning.

When Deputies arrived, they found Manuel De Jesus Galarza-Martinez, a 26-year-old male out of Bridgeport, lying on the shore unresponsive.

Deputies attempted life saving measures, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Deputies learned Mr. 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.

Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 05 August 2019

(Leavenworth, WA) Sheriff Brian Burnet reports a climber was rescued from the south aspect of Dragontail Peak on Sunday morning. The male subject had hiked and free climbed to an area on the mountain to a point at which he felt that he could not safely descend or ascend without assistance.

RIVERCOM dispatch received the initial 911 call from the subject at 7:52pm Saturday evening. Hezekiel Hinshaw 25-years of age of Olympia, WA stated he had hiked up the mountain and became, “Stuck on cliffs.” Hinshaw did not have a rope or other climbing gear. He told the Sheriff’s Office search and rescue coordinator he was not injured and had water, but the remainder of his gear was at his camp at Colchuck Lake. Hinshaw was told to stay put until a rescue team could make it to him.

Chelan County Mountain Rescue was contacted and a team of four responded Saturday evening to Colchuck Lake. At approximately 5:20am Sunday the team made it to an area below Hinshaw’s coordinates on the south of Dragontail Peak and had visual and verbal contact with him. Hinshaw had to be lowered via a rope system from the ledge he was on before the team could escort him out of the area. They arrived back at Colchuck Lake by noon Sunday and were back to the trailhead by 3:45pm.

Hinshaw told SAR coordinators he mistakenly got off course while descending the mountain and came to a steep cliff area where he could not figure a safe route out.

Written by Robin Pittman

Published: 03 August 2019

Regular Board Meeting
142 Pedoi Street, Bumgarner Building, August 8, 2019, 4:10pm

I. Call to Order
II. Flag Salute
III. Agenda Additions and Deletions
IV. Public Comment
V. Approval of Minutes
a. July 11, 2019 regular meeting minutes
VI. Financial Review
a. Review Monthly Financial Report
b. Review and Approve Monthly Voucher
VII. Old Business
a. Leffler Field
b. Singleton Park playground renovation
c. Shoreline erosion
d. Director’s Report
VIII. New Business
a. Site visit: Manson Bay parks walk-through
b. Marina policy compliance
c. 2016-2018 Audit
IX. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: September 12, 2019 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 01 August 2019

Manson School District will hold a certificated substitute academy, on August 21, 2019 beginning at 12:00 p.m. – 3:30p.m., lunch provided, at Manson Elementary School located at 950 Totem Pole Road.

If you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher this training will give you the information you need in order to become qualified. If interested, please RSVP to the Manson School District office at 687-3140.

Written by Herb Sargo

Published: 29 July 2019

Written by Chief Jason Reinfeld, CCSO

Published: 28 July 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on July 24th, 2019 a female from Auburn, Washington reported her beach bag was stolen from Slidewaters in Chelan.

At the time of the report, she was tracking the phone and it was plotting Near Emerson and Woodin in Chelan.

Deputies arrived and were given a description of the beach bag. A bag matching the description could be seen plain view in the back seat of an unoccupied vehicle.

A 34 year old male subject approached the vehicle and Deputies were able to determine he was associated with it. He was identified and arrested on unrelated warrants. Credit cards and identification belonging to the victim’s husband were located on his person. He was booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail for four counts of Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree and Possession of Another’s Identification.

In interviewing the suspect, Deputies learned the owner of the vehicle, a 34 year old Marysville woman was in a nearby store. She was found exiting the store with nearly $800.00 in purchases. It was determined the victim’s credit card had been charged the exact amount.

The female was arrested and booked into the Chelan County Regional jail for four counts of Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine, and Possession of Another’s Identification.

The investigation is continuing and more charges are expected relating to the use of the stolen credit cards.

Written by Carol A. Kibler, Administrative Office Manager, Chelan Fire and Rescue

Published: 19 July 2019

Special Meeting

Wednesday July 24, 2019 – 2:00 p.m.

Station 71 – 232 East Wapato Ave, Chelan

Agenda:

Open Meeting

Executive Session: RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) To evaluate the qualifications

of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee.

Adjourn Meeting