Written by Chief Rick Johnson, EWPD

Published: 23 November 2020

Chief Rick Johnson reports on November 22nd, 2020 at approximately 3:53 pm, East Wenatchee officers responded to a Disturbance at 255 N Georgia Ave; Eastmont Community Park.

It was reported the victim had been threatened by someone with a knife at the Pump Track. One officer was in the immediate area and arrived within moments of being dispatched. The juvenile suspects fled from the officer on foot but were caught on 3rd St NE, outside the park.

The investigation showed there was an argument at the Pump Track involving an eleven and a thirteen-year-old male. The thirteen-year-old male suspect was not on a bike but was sitting on the Pump Track blocking the path of the kids using the track. After being asked to move there was an argument between the eleven-year-old victim and the thirteen-year-old suspect. During this argument the thirteen-year-old suspect pulled a knife from his pocket, held it out towards the victim and walked towards him. One witness estimated the suspect held the knife within two feet of the victim’s face.

The incident was captured on cell phone video and was shown to the officers during the investigation. The video confirmed what had been reported to the officers. The thirteen-year-old suspect was arrested and transported to Chelan County Juvenile Detention where he was booked for Assault in the 2nd Degree.

Written by Chief Jason Reinfald, CCSD

Published: 23 November 2020

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on November 21st, 2020 at approximately 6:45 am an injury collision was reported on Malaga Alcoa highway at the Appleyard.

Deputies responded along with Chelan County Fire District 1 and Ballard Ambulance. When responding units arrived they found the collision involved four total vehicles. The driver of a 2008 Subaru Impreza, a 26 year old Wenatchee male was in need of extrication and had serious injuries. Unfortunately, he died at the scene.

The collision is still under investigation with the assistance from Washington State Patrol, but according to witness statements it appears the Subaru Impreza was travelling north on Malaga Alcoa Highway. The vehicle travelled across the centerline and had a minor impact with a southbound Subaru Legacy wagon. The Impreza started to spin and impacted another southbound vehicle, a Nissan Murano. This impact was on the driver’s side door of the Subaru Impreza.

The driver of the Nissan Murano was transported to CWH with non-life-threatening injuries. A fourth vehicle, a Honda Element was southbound behind the Nissan Murano and had a minor impact with one of the other vehicles while trying to avoid the collision. The driver of that vehicle was uninjured.

The identity of the 26 year old Wenatchee male is being withheld to allow time for the family to be notified.

Written by Nancy Huntley, Local Programs, WSDOT

Published: 18 November 2020

Public comment invited on the draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, Nov. 17 through Dec. 16

OLYMPIA – More than 1,100 statewide transportation projects using $3.7 billion in federal funds are included in the draft 2021-2024 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, called STIP for short. This compilation of prioritized transportation improvement projects is now ready for public review and comment.

The Washington State Department of Transportation annually develops the STIP from local agency, metropolitan and regional transportation improvement programs. The draft 2021-2024 STIP is a 4-year program of multimodal transportation projects identified through state, metropolitan, regional, tribal, and local agency planning processes. Projects identified as using Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration funds must be included in the STIP to authorize the expenditure of federal funds.

The comment period for the STIP is the final step of the community engagement process that began locally during development of the individual transportation improvement programs. WSDOT will accept comments until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. Any comments received by WSDOT will be sent to the local agency, metropolitan or regional planning organization for their consideration.

About the STIP

The STIP is a four-year, fiscally constrained, prioritized multimodal transportation program of state, local, tribal, and public transportation (transit) projects. The STIP includes highways, streets, roads, railroads, transit-hubs, park-and-ride lots, bridges, sidewalks, bike lanes, ferry terminals, trails, and safety projects.

The collaborative effort between WSDOT, local agencies, metropolitan and regional planning organizations ensures projects are consistent with local, regional, and state long-range plans. Some county projects are not included in the draft STIP because state law requires counties to complete their transportation improvement programs by the end of the year; those projects are amended into the final STIP in January.

The current 2020-23 STIP can be viewed online and a similar, searchable database of the 2021-24 STIP will be created in January 2021, following FHWA and FTA approval.

How to comment

Written comments can be sent to: Nancy Huntley, WSDOT, P.O. Box 47390, Olympia WA 98504-7390, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by fax at 360-705-6822. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, any mailed or faxed comments will be reviewed weekly during the public comment period.

Written by Undersheriff Tyler I. Caille, DCSO

Published: 17 November 2020

On 11-14-2020 at approximately 6:09 PM, Douglas County Deputies responded along with personnel from the Bridgeport Fire Department and Bridgeport Ambulance to an unknown injury accident in the 300 block of 17^th Street, in Bridgeport.

Upon arrival, units located a single vehicle collision, with one passenger trapped inside of the vehicle, with life-threatening injuries.

The passenger, a 17 year-old female Bridgeport resident, was extricated by fire personnel and transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Hospital where she was subsequently pronounced deceased as a result of her injuries.

The driver, 35 year-old Bridgeport resident Christopher J. Williams, was contacted outside the vehicle and was also transported to Three Rivers Hospital for non-life threating injuries.

The preliminary investigation shows speed and intoxicants were contributing factors to the collision. Upon the completion of receiving medical treatment, Williams was booked into the Okanogan County Jail for vehicular homicide.

Written by Justine DelaRosa, Molina Healthcare

Published: 17 November 2020

Leavenworth, Wash. – November 3, 2020 – Donny Guerrero (left), Senior Community Engagement Specialist at Molina Healthcare of Washington, and Bob Mark, Program Manager at The Community Cupboard, smile with a $1,000 check Molina presented to the organization. Photo Credit: Molina Healthcare

Twisp, Wash. – October 29, 2020 – Susan Gottula (left), Volunteer at The Cove, with Rick Lewis, Board Chairman, Suzanne Baldwin, Volunteer, and Glenn Schmekel, Executive Director after receiving a $1,000 donation from Molina Healthcare of Washington. Photo Credit: Molina Healthcare

Bothell, Wash., November 9, 2020 – Molina Healthcare of Washington (“Molina”) has committed more than $16 million to support communities that have been affected by the pandemic with its COVID-19 Community Response Plan. In North Central Washington, Molina has supported more than 25 providers, Tribal Nations, food banks, and community-based organizations over the past six months alone to enhance access to health care services, and to help stabilize key community providers and services throughout the region.

“This pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the most basic human needs in every community, including access to food, housing, employment, health care, and so much more,” said Peter Adler, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Washington. “Molina is committed to enhancing our collaboration with providers and community partners to address these needs and to ensuring access to health care services before, during, and beyond this public health crisis.”

• Primary Care Provider Stabilization Support - Molina’s commitment of over $10 million in additional financial support to primary care providers focuses on pediatric and safety net (including Federally Qualified Health Centers and tribal clinics) providers across the state. In the North Central region, Molina provided direct financial support to Cascade Medical Center, Chelan Community Hospital, Columbia Basin Health Association, Columbia Basin Hospital and Columbia Basin Family Medicine, Columbia Valley Community Health, Confluence Health, Coulee Community Hospital and Family Medicine, Family Health Centers, Mattawa Community Clinic, Mid-Valley Hospital, Moses Lake Community Health Center, Quincy Valley Medical Center, and Samaritan Hospital.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donations - Molina is donating personal protective equipment and supplies to help protect front-line providers and community-based organizations as they provide care and services through the pandemic. Molina’s PPE donations include thousands of N95 and 3-ply masks, COVID-19 rapid antibody testing kits, face shields, gowns, digital forehead thermometers, nitrile gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes. Molina has donated PPE to the following providers and groups in North Central Washington: Columbia Valley Community Health, Confluence Health – Wenatchee, Family Health Centers, Moses Lake Community Health Center, Samaritan Hospital, Summer Wood Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, The Shove House at Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare, and Three Rivers Hospital.

• Food Insecurity Response - Molina’s ongoing response to food insecurity includes providing temporary emergency in-home meals for Molina Medicaid and Medicare members who have been diagnosed or live with someone who has tested COVID-19 positive. Molina has also committed over $100,000 to more than 100 food banks and organizations throughout the state. In North Central Washington, Molina has contributed to Colville Confederated Tribes, Community Cupboard – Upper Valley Mend, Entiat Valley Food Pantry, Soap Lake Food Bank, The Cove, The Tonasket Food Bank, and Waterville Food Pantry. Additionally, Molina is donating nonperishable food items directly to the Okanogan communities impacted by recent wildfires.  

• Behavioral Health Provider Support
  • Substance Use Disorder Provider Support - Molina is making an ongoing investment to increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) services. In 2020, Molina committed nearly $5 million in increased payments to SUD providers with an emphasis on inpatient residential SUD services, and medication assisted opioid treatment programs.  This ongoing investment will yield an increase of over $12 million annually thereafter.

• Supporting Access to Care through Telehealth Support - To increase access to telehealth services, Molina is providing behavioral health provider organizations with technological support and financial and supply donations to facilitate access to resources, such as computers and cell phones. Molina is also offering cell phones and data plans to its Medicaid members who would not otherwise have the capabilities to contact their provider via virtual visits.

• Wraparound with Intensive Services Provider Donations - Molina is providing additional support to Wraparound with Intense Services (WISe) providers who take care of children with intensive behavioral health needs by offering both PPE and financial contributions.  WISe providers are able to utilize Molina financial support payments to help families with food insecurity. North Central WISe provider recipients include: Catholic Charities of Central Washington, Children’s Home Society of Washington, Grant Integrated Services, Moses Lake Community Health Clinic, and Okanogan Behavioral Health.

About Molina Healthcare of Washington

Molina Healthcare of Washington has been providing government-funded care for low-income individuals for over 20 years. As of September 30, 2020, Molina serves over 947,000 members through Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Benefit Exchange programs across the state of Washington. Additionally, Molina Healthcare of Washington operates a primary care clinic in Everett (MyHealth Everett) and a mobile health unit (MyHealth Mobile) in the Spokane area. For more information, visit MolinaHealthcare.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

Published: 17 November 2020

AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 3:00 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA

The CFR Board of Commissioners will conduct the meeting 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.
Roll Call:
Regular Meeting Call to Order:
Approve Agenda:
Public Comment:
Consent Agenda:
• Revenue and Expenditure Report: October 2020
• Payroll: October 1 -31, 2020 for $200,275.51 paid 11-05-2020
• General Account Vouchers: #746724 – 746765 for $33,490.46
• Capital Account Vouchers: #17148 – 17152 for $1,747.19
• Bond Account Vouchers: #19017 for $300.00
• Minutes: October 21, 2020
Fire Chief Report:
• 2020 Budget & Financial Report
• Emergency Response Report / Operations / Community Risk Reduction / Apparatus Update
Assistant Chief Report:
• Volunteer Recruitment & Retention / Training
Firefighters Association Report:
Unfinished Business:
• 2021-2025 DRAFT Strategic Plan – Final DRAFT Review
• City of Chelan Fire Protection Services Contract – Update
• Station 75 Short Plat – Update
• CF&R and IAFF Local 4816 2021-2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement – Board Approval
• Firefighter/EMT Testing/Hiring – Update
• 2020-2021 Annexations – Update
• 2021 Budget – Recommendation to Approve (New Business)
New Business:
• Resolution 2020-11 for 2021 Property Tax Levy and Certificate
• 2021 Contract for Legal Services – Update to Board
Special Events:
Board for Volunteer Firefighters:
Public Comment:
Commissioner Comments:
Executive Session:
Adjournment:

Written by Summer Derrey, WSDOT communications

Published: 17 November 2020

MOUNT RAINIER – The gates to State Routes 410 and 123 inside Mount Rainier National Park, including Chinook and Cayuse passes, are closed for the season after heavy snow and a forecast of more to come.

These routes closed temporarily Tuesday night, Nov. 10, due to deteriorating travel conditions and a 14-vehicle collision, which included commercial vehicles that are not allowed to travel through the park.

After an assessment of the roads and the upcoming forecast, Washington State Department of Transportation, in coordination with Mount Rainier National Park, made the decision to keep State Route 410/Chinook Pass and State Route 123/Cayuse Pass closed for the winter. For the safety of the crews, signs will be removed and facilities will be winterize before more heavy snowfall. Completing this work prevents sign damage and makes the spring reopening more manageable.

The roads inside the park typically close sometime in mid-November each year due to avalanche danger, poor road conditions, lack of emergency services in close proximity and limited snow storage.

Chinook Pass (elev. 5,430 feet) is closed between Crystal Mountain Boulevard, about 12 miles northwest of the summit, and Morse Creek, 5 miles east of the summit. Cayuse Pass (elev. 4,675 feet) is closed within the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park between Crystal Mountain Boulevard and the park arch at milepost 2.5 at the southern park boundary.

Tools to keep travelers connected

Sign up for email alerts via “Mount Rainier Area State Highway News” newsletter. Additional information about Chinook and Cayuse passes is available on a combined webpage that features the status of closure and reopening efforts. Current weather and highway conditions are posted on the mountain passes webpage.

Visit the Mount Rainier National Park’s road status webpage and follow @MountRainierNPS on Twitter for updates about roads within Mount Rainier National Park.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 10 November 2020

Chad and Jeana Steiner, owners of Chelan Valley Farms, teamed up with Thrive and Wilbur Ellis to donate 300 water bottles to Manson Elementary School. 

Due to Covid-19, we had to shut-off our drinking fountains and now we rely on our water bottle filling stations.

Chad and Jeana Steiner saw a need and donated the 300 water bottles so that every student is able to stay hydrated while at school. 

We are so grateful to have a community support. 

Written by Erin McCardle, Executive Director, Historic Downtown Chelan Association

Published: 30 October 2020

Halloween processional will cause traffic delays on the Old Bridge and Woodin Avenue

LAKE CHELAN, WA (October 29, 2020) This year, the Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA) invites you to drive through a ghostly downtown Chelan to receive Halloween goody bags on Saturday, October 31 from 5 – 7 p.m.

Drivers who do not plan to participate in the event should expect traffic delays on the Old Bridge and Woodin Avenue. It is recommended that drivers avoid the area during the event hours if possible. Parking will be restricted on Woodin Ave between Columbia and Sanders streets starting at 4 p.m. in preparation for the event.

If you plan to participate in the drive-thru trick-or-treat event, vehicles will stage in the high school parking lot. Enter the parking lot from S Farnham St and await instructions from volunteers. See map for details.

We look forward to seeing all of you ghouls, ghosts and goblins this Saturday in historic downtown Chelan!

Drive-thru Trick-or-Treat Route
Vehicles will stage in the high school parking lot and proceed to Woodin Avenue to cross the old bridge and enter downtown. Spooky décor and haunted characters await as you drive through historic downtown. You will have the opportunity to enter the “Car-stume” Contest if you wish, and then will receive your Trick-or-Treat goody bags at the end of the processional.

Car-stume Contest Details
The HDCA will host a “Car-stume” Contest this year with $250 in Chamber Bucks for the family with the most creative costume for their car and passengers! One $250 gift certificate will be given to the most creative Halloween costume and one $250 gift certificate for the most creative Dia de los Muertos costume.

Here’s how to participate:

• Decorate your car and/or dress up your passengers in Halloween or Dia de los Muertos attire!
• Come up with a creative Team Name for online voting.
• Enter the staging area at the High School and follow the route into downtown.
• Fill out a "Car-stume” Contest entry form that volunteers will hand out at the beginning of the processional.
• “Say Cheese!” at the intersection of Woodin Avenue and Emerson Street, where we’ll take your photo for online voting.

The community will have an opportunity to vote on their favorite Car-stumes online. LakeChelanNow will stream the processional on Facebook Live so the community can view the fun from anywhere.