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

Published: 17 January 2022

Case# 22D00219

On 1-14-2022, at approximately 9:46 PM, Douglas County Deputies received a request for a welfare check to be completed on Kevin S. James, a 56 year old Des Moines, WA resident. Mr. James was last reported to be on Spring Canyon Road in Orondo, WA and had not been heard from in over 24 hours.

Due to limited access, deputies utilized a track equipped UTV to access the area. As a result of the search, Mr. James was located deceased next to a snowmobile which was located off of the roadway.

A cause of death is still yet to be determined, however; based on initial findings it appears Mr. James suffered a medical incident and there was no evidence to suggest foul play.

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

Published: 17 January 2022

Case# 22D00227/22D00228-SCAM ALERT

On 1-15-2022, five reports were received by our office in regards to local area victims receiving phone calls from subjects posing as employees of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

One of the victims were told they had warrants for their arrest and they needed to pay money to have the warrants cancelled. The other four victims reported being told they had court documents which they failed to complete and they needed to respond to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to provide signatures. One victim reported the phone call they received was from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office business phone line. The other four victims reported receiving their calls all from the same number using a (509) area code.

As a reminder, our office will not contact anyone by phone making these types of notifications and/or requests. Be aware of all the various types of telephone scams which are currently in circulation and do not disclose your personal information to anyone you do not know. Please continue to report all scam related incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Written by Kari Sorensen, Blueberry Hills Farms

Published: 17 January 2022

Meeting Agenda for January 18, 2022

ZOOM @ 6:00 pm Meeting ID: 895 6602 3031

CALL TO ORDER Kari       TIME:___________

MEMBERS PRESENT ONLINE: Kari Sorensen | Cindy Smith | Gordon Lester | John Frolker

FLAG SALUTE

TREASURER’S REPORT Cindy

OLD BUSINESS

APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 16, 2021 MINUTES

NEW BUSINESS

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2022

RESIGNATION OF PAT HAUTENNE
Pat was appointed to the Council to fill a spot that was previously vacated by Elmira Forner. We appreciate the time and energy Pat brought to the council. He was always willing to go the extra mile to research issues and participate. We will miss having you with us, Pat!

Council members will need to appoint someone to fill out the remaining 2-year term that remains. We should appoint a successor at the next meeting.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE COUNCIL RECEIVES A REQUEST FOR COMMENT

COMMUNITY COUNCIL BYLAWS: DISCUSSION ON UPDATING

PUBLIC COMMENT

 MEETING ADJOURNED TIME: .

NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON ZOOM: FEBRUARY 15, 2022 @ 6 PM

Written by Matthew Kenna, Public Transportation Division, WSDOT

Published: 17 January 2022

Public’s chance to weigh in on access to mobility for people with special transportation needs                                         

OLYMPIA – A group of transportation experts and providers, social services organizations, tribes, and other stakeholders have worked together to over the past three years to update the Human Services Transportation Plan. The draft plan now is ready for public review and feedback.

Every day, people across the state rely on human services transportation as their only means of travel between jobs, school, medical appointments, the grocery story, and much more. The Human Services Transportation Plan identifies gaps and barriers that create mobility challenges for people with special transportation needs and develops strategies to address those issues. This statewide plan will guide local and regional plans as well as future human services transportation investments in communities.

The public is encouraged to visit WSDOT’s online open house, where you can learn more about the plan and provide feedback. The online open house is available in English, Spanish and Russian languages for about two months beginning Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Additionally, WSDOT’s Public Transportation Division staff will host a virtual public meeting from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, for attendees to ask questions of the team who created the plan. Anyone interested in attending this meeting on Zoom must register in advance.

Written by Carol A. Kibler, Administrative Office Manager, CFR

Published: 13 January 2022

AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, January 19, 2021 at 3:00 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA

The CFR Board of Commissioners will conduct the meeting in person at the fire station, you are welcome to join via Zoom. The public is welcome to join by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87284665516 Meeting ID: 872 8466 5516 or dial +1 253 215 8782

Proposed Chelan Fire and Rescue agenda pending Board approval.

Flag Salute
Roll Call:
Regular Meeting Call to Order:
Appointments
Board Chairman
Board District Secretary
Badge Pinning:
Fire Chief Brandon Asher
Firefighter/EMT Brandon Fogelson
Promotion of Recruit Firefighter/LT Ron Simmons
Approve Agenda:
Public Comment:
Consent Agenda:
• Revenue and Expenditure Report: November and December 2021
• Payroll: November 20, 2021 to December 20, 2021 / Paid 01-05-2022 for $168,413.58
• General Account Vouchers: 12-03-2021 Transaction 1473-1486 for $8,598.02; 12-07-2021 Transactions
1505-1527 for $29,908.28; 12-29-21 transactions 1538-1541 for $6,000.43; 12-31-2021 Transaction 1530-
1537 for $10,160.22.
• Capital Account Vouchers: 12-04-2021 Transactions 1487-1491 for $3,989.61;12-16-2021 Transactions
1528 for $790.91; 12-30-2021 Transactions 1529 for $1,238.20.
• Minutes: December 2, 15 and 21, 2021
Fire Chief Report: (Chief Asher)
• 2021 Budget & Financial Report (November and December 2021 Financials)
• December Emergency Response Report / Operations / Community Risk Reduction / Apparatus Update /
Volunteer Recruitment
• End of Year Personnel Report
Firefighters Association Report (Ron Simmons)
Unfinished Business:
• Assistant Fire Chief Position – Update
• 2021/2022 Annexations – Update
• City of Chelan Fire Protection Services Contract – Update
• Station 75 Short Plat – Update
• Feasibility Study Letter – Chelan County Fire District 5 and Lake Chelan EMS Update
New Business:
• Out of State Travel – Chief Asher and Captain Rains (National Fire Academy training)
• Strategic Long-Range Planning – Set Meeting Date
• Short term Mechanic Services
• Entry Level Firefighter testing
• Apparatus Planning Team
Special Events:
• KOZI – Community Connection January 20, 2022 @ 8:10 a.m. – Commissioner Jones / Chief Asher
Board for Volunteer Firefighters:
AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, January 19, 2021 at 3:00 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA
Public Comment:
Commissioner Comments:
Executive Session:
Adjournment:

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 13 January 2022

The District is so excited to announce that construction has begun on the Early Childhood Learning Center.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here.

Back in 2019 Manson voters approved a Capitol Levy Project to build the center and also revise the bus lanes and parking lot at the elementary school. Construction was set to begin in the summer of 2021. Construction prices forced the District to adjust plans and timelines.

The project is set to be complete in August of 2023.

The building will contain three classrooms designed to meet the needs of current early childhood education practices. Moving the Early Childhood Center out of the Elementary building will free-up space at the Elementary school for creative new programming.

The parking lot/bus lane revision will add 20 parking spaces while doubling the amount of cars in the pick-up and drop-off lanes. The parking/bus lane revision has a completion date of August of 2022.

If you have any questions about the project, please call the district office at 509-687-3140.

Written by Reema Griffith, WSTC executive director

Published: 13 January 2022

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Transportation Commission will kick off 2022 at its meeting next week with briefings on the state’s Climate Commitment Act and current preparations underway to replace the Columbia River Interstate 5 bridge that connects Washington and Oregon. The Commission will also be briefed on the how tolled facilities are performing and will consider approving a planned toll rate adjustment for the State Route 99 Tunnel this year.

The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, and 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20. Due to limitations related to COVID-19, this meeting will be virtual using Zoom. People interested in attending can register on the Commission’s website. The meeting will be broadcast live on TVW.

Highlights of Wednesday’s presentations include:

• Climate Change Blueprint: The 2021 Legislature passed the Climate Commitment Act that establishes a comprehensive program to reduce carbon pollution. The act takes effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and a panel of state leaders will provide a briefing on implementation plans.
• Approval request for planned SR 99 Tunnel toll rate adjustment: The Commission’s current toll regulation for the SR 99 tunnel includes planned toll rate increases of 3% every three years, starting in 2022. The planned rate increase for this year will take effect on July 1, 2022, pending Commission approval. 
• Columbia River Bridge replacement project: The Commission will receive an update on the project’s progress including outreach efforts and next steps in the schedule.
• I-405 / SR 167 Express Toll Lane Corridor Plans: Members will get an overview on the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) efforts to develop operational plans for the expanded express toll lane corridor between Bellevue and Renton. 

Highlights of Thursday’s presentations include:

• Governor’s Supplemental Transportation Budget: An overview will be provided of the Governor’s budget submitted to the Legislature in December.
• 2022 Legislative Priorities: The Commission will hear from partner agencies from cities, counties, transit, and ports, to WSDOT and Washington State Ferries on each of their legislative priorities and top issues for the 2022 legislative session, which commenced Jan. 10.

The public can comment at noon Thursday, Jan. 20. People wishing to speak can sign up during the meeting by posting their name in the Q&A box on-screen. Written comments can also be submitted via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov.

Written by Robin Pittman

Published: 11 January 2022

Regular Board Meeting
January 13, 2022, 4:10pm
Bumgarner Meeting Room, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA 98831

I. Call to Order
II. Flag Salute
III. Oaths of Office
IV. Board service commitment overview
V. Board Elections
VI. Agenda Additions and Deletions
VII. Public Comment
VIII. Approval of Minutes
a. December 09, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
IX. Financial Review
a. Review Monthly Financial Report
b. Review and Approve Monthly Voucher
X. Old Business
a. Update ‘Board, Terms’: replacing “Four positions on the Board will be four (4) year terms and
one position will be a (2) year term” with “All positions will be four (4) year terms.” (Final
reading)
b. Old Swim Hole development
i. Approval of Pacific Engineering fee proposal
c. Director’s Report
XI. New Business
a. Annual housekeeping items
i. Regular meeting schedule
ii. Conflict of Interest policy & disclosure forms
iii. Payroll Voucher Authorization Form 2022
b. Notice of Voter’s Pamphlet fee
XII. Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: February 10, 2022 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831, unless otherwise posted.

Written by Brandon Asher, CCFD

Published: 10 January 2022

On 1/8/22 at 11:32 pm, Chelan Fire and Rescue was dispatched for a reported fully-involved barn fire in the Swanson Gulch area.

Neighbors noticed the fire and alerted the homeowners who called 911.

Crews arrived to find a well-involved large shop with a full-size RV next to it.  The main fire building was quickly called a defensive fire and suppression efforts focused on protecting the RV from catching fire. 

Crews faced challenges with the fires remote location, snow conditions and lack of fire hydrants.

Crews from Chelan County Fire District #5 (Manson) and Douglas County Fire District #4 (Orondo) also assisted. In all, eleven firefighters responded and units were on scene till approximately 2:30 am.

Three goats that were in a pen attached to the structure were helped to safety by the homeowner. The shop was declared a total loss.

The fire is currently under investigation and appears to have been caused by an electrical issue.

Chelan Fire and Rescue would like to thank Manson and Orondo for their help in getting this fire under control.