Written by Norm Manly

Published: 24 December 2020

Written by Chief Rick Johnson, EWPD

Published: 14 December 2020

On December 13th at approximately 8:53 AM RiverCom dispatch advised Douglas County Fire District #2 of a fire on the porch of a residence at 953 S.E. Tedford in East Wenatchee. The resident had been alerted by individuals who had observed the fire when passing by in their vehicle.

Fire damage was to the front porch of the residence and gasoline had been poured on a vehicle parked in front of the residence. More evidence of arson was located at the scene. The investigation is ongoing with staff from Douglas County Fire District #2, and the East Wenatchee Police Department.

We are asking for assistance from the public. If anyone observed a potential suspect(s) walking in the 900 block of S.E. Tedford, or in the 800 – 1000 block of Grant Road before 9:00 AM on Sunday December 13th, please call the East Wenatchee Police Department at (509) 884-9511 or RiverCom Dispatch at (509) 663-9911.

We are also requesting residents who reside in these areas and have security cameras please check their footage for any potential evidence.

Written by Chief Rick Johnson, EWPD

Published: 08 December 2020

On December 6th at approximately 2:20 AM, a nightshift officer observed a vehicle parked at the 7-11 Store on 9th St NE. A check of the Colorado license plate on the front of the vehicle showed “No License Record”. The officer checked the license plate more than once and confirmed there was no license record for it. During this time the driver of the vehicle got into the vehicle and drove onto Valley Mall Parkway. When the officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in a parking lot off Valley Mall Parkway the driver attempted to flee in the vehicle. The driver drove the vehicle onto a curb and the vehicle became high centered. The driver got out of the vehicle and fled on foot towards SR 28. Responding units were unable to locate the driver at this time. There were two other occupants in the vehicle. One occupant had an arrest warrant from Colorado. A check of the vehicle’s VIN showed it to be a stolen vehicle from the state of Colorado. The vehicle is a black, 2005, Toyota, RAV 4. The vehicle was impounded for a search warrant.

Through their investigation officers identified the driver as KC Hatley, a 20-year-old male with ties to Grand Junction, Colorado and Omak, Washington. At approximately 2 PM on December 6th, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office located Hately outside the BJ’s Shell near Lincoln Rock. Hately was arrested and later booked for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of a dangerous weapon, and fail to stop/obey law enforcement. Hately had an arrest warrant for burglary from Colorado as well. Hately may be facing narcotics related charges pending some material testing results from the state crime lab.

When the search warrant was executed on the vehicle officers located drug paraphernalia including loaded syringes, license plates from another vehicle, shot gun shells, the stock of a shotgun, and numerous shaved car keys. Shaved keys are altered car keys commonly used in vehicle theft.

Written by Herb Sargo

Published: 08 December 2020

TREES ARE NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN!. Maybe you know someone who doesn't get to Stehekin often enough, who has a special memory of the Orchard, or you just want to support the work of the Foundation in caring for the Orchard? The adoption of trees also raises awareness of the Orchard and its care. 

Written by Norm Manly, Post Service Officer

Published: 28 November 2020

On November 27, at high noon, seven members of the Manson American Legion, Post 108 gathered at the home of Leonard Carlson on Summit Boulevard, where he has lived since 2004 to honor, say goodbye and wish him a Happy 90th Birthday. The honor guard marched down the driveway and ending up on the front porch where they sang Happy Birthday. Leonard moves to the Kenmore Retreat Home on November 28 to be closer to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Joining the American Legion Honor Guard were Clyde McCullough, Brian Strausbaugh, Norm Manly, Carole Hanson, Craig Pittson (Santa), Jim Young and Allen Carnahan. Leonard has been part of the American Legions since 2015 and has been an active member in Manson, Post 108 helping serve our community. 

Leonard was born on December 7, 1930 in Astoria, Oregon and has one younger brother, Larry. He spent his youth southeast of Astoria, up the road from his grandfather's family farm on Tucker Creek, which runs into Youngs River before it enters the Columbia. Leonard says "I could hear the ocean from where I grew up!" 

He joined the Air Force after graduating Astoria High School in 1948, and became a Staff Sergeant at age 19. He was based at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska, the home of the Headquarters, Alaskan Air Command and Alaskan NORAD Region. 

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Leonard attended Oregon State University, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation Leonard was immediately hired by the Boeing Company where he enjoyed a very successful 40-year career, retiring in 1992. 

Leonard and his wife, Frances, also from Astoria, were married for 60 years. Unfortunately, Frances passed away after a short battle with cancer on October 13, 2013. Their family includes two sons, David and Michael with seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. What are Leonard hobbies, books, books and more books; salmon fishing; world travel, and as for joy, besides family, his 30 years as a gentleman farmer on seven acres bordered by the Snoqualmie River near Fall City, Washington. Most recently spending six years perched atop Summit Boulevard, watching morning sunrises and evening sunsets reflected gloriously by the azure waters of Lake Chelan, with neighbors and visiting friends. A place he daily greeted, "it’s another day in Paradise." 

Post 108 Vice Commander, Brian Strausbaugh says, “We are really going to miss Len. We wish him the very best with this new adventure in his life.”

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 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 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.