Written by Robin Pittman

Published: 06 February 2021

In these chaotic times, it’s not difficult to see the bad in things. Here in our small community, it is also not difficult to see the good. Inspiring acts of kindness and generosity are happening all around us. The Singleton Park Playground Renovation Project in Manson is a perfect example, showing that the power of community is alive and well in the Lake Chelan Valley.

Several years ago, Manson Parks identified the need to replace the aging playground equipment at Singleton Park. In 2019, the project gained momentum, and in 2020, it went from a dream to a reality.

The new equipment was ordered in January of 2020, manufactured, and then delivered in April. Due to the heavy pandemic restrictions in place, installation of the equipment was delayed. In September, with a safety plan in place, a group of dedicated volunteers installed the equipment. If current COVID restrictions loosen, the new playground is scheduled to open in the spring of this year. For now, it remains closed as we await warmer weather so work can resume. The next steps of the project are adding several benches, signs, completing the concrete sidewalk, and adding safety surfacing.

The playground, even in its unfinished state, is a place of wonder! It exceeds all expectations and is exactly what our children deserve: a place where people of all abilities can play side-by-side. It is the first inclusive playground in our valley, and it truly couldn’t come at a better time.

Manson Parks would like to recognize and give thanks to following supporters, who truly believe in the importance of play and physical activity. A huge “Thank You!” goes out to our financial donors:

THE TOM & MEG NAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION, Burke Move With Us Grant, Manson Kiwanis, Lake Chelan Rotary, Mountain View Lodge, The Community Foundation of North Central Washington and Give NCW! Campaign supporters, Chelan-Douglas Developmental Disabilities Program, Wenatchee Valley Medical/ Confluence Health, Community Support Committee, Lake Chelan Community Service Council, Lake Chelan Lions Club, Chelan Walmart Lake Chelan Building Supply, Manson Red Apple Market, Cashmere Valley Bank, Karl and Cathy Blum, Sue and Roger Baker, Betty Bordner, Chelan Sand & Gravel, Chelan Concrete, Dave’s Apple Barrel, David & Cindy Sneesby, Green Dot Sub Shop, Viki Downey, and Felix & Krystin Guerra.

And to those who selflessly volunteered their time and energy:

BRIAN PATTERSON, Randy Doull, Don Christenson, Tom Tochterman, Ty Witt, Barry Leahey, Karen Pembroke, Kirk & Mary McGovern, Robert & Karen Takagi, Steve Clark, Roger & Sue Baker, Rick Auger, Adelina Grajeda, Alicia Alexander, Johnny Morfin, Nick Pittman, Harold & Sherry Pittman, Ben Riippi, Maria Zaragoza, Alaric Pratt, Sara Jones, Taylor Quigley, Travis Schoenwald, Bill Sharkey, Fred Barkley, Gregg Neff, Larry Lesmeister, Loa Servis, Honorina De Jesus, Evelyn De Jesus, Bill Jarr, Lester Cooper, Dale England, and Robert Campbell.

Manson Parks could not be more grateful to the people mentioned above. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for coming together to bring some good news to our valley in these unprecedented times. This valley is truly is unlike any other. It’s the people who make this place we call “home” so special. For those of you who have not been able to help with the project, we hope to see your smiling face at the playground once it opens. The laughter and memories soon to be created at Singleton Park are what this is all about. The magic doesn’t end here, it’s only just beginning!

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 05 February 2021

The Manson School Board is asking our community for nominations of Manson School District Staff Members who have made a significant contribution to the lives of students and/or the greater Manson community. Recipients of this year’s award will receive a scholarship in the amount of $500 from Aaron England of England Chiropractic. Honorees are also recognized by the North Central Education Service District of Wenatchee and the Manson Chamber of Commerce.

Selection criteria is as follows: one certificated employee (grades P-12) and one support staff employee (secretaries, bus drivers, custodians, para-professionals, food services, coaches, etc.)

Nominations will be accepted until March 25, 2021 at noon. Winning nominees will be announced at the Manson School Board meeting on March 29, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via ZOOM.

Nominations forms are available online at the school district website www.manson.org, in both English and Spanish. If you should have any questions, please call the Manson School District office at 687-3140.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 28 January 2021

Earlier this month, Manson Middle and High Schools both received recognition from the State Board of Education, the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the 2018-2019 school year.

Recognition methods rely on multiple measures from the Washington School Improvement Framework. Follow this link to learn more about the methods and metrics https://www.sbe.wa.gov/2018-19-school-recognition-methodology

Manson Middle School was recognized for their overall GROWTH and for CLOSING GAPS. Manson High School was recognized for their overall GROWTH. Principal, Dr. Ireland, shared this recognition with the school board who are so proud Manson’s teachers. She stated that “it is the hard work, dedication, and support of our staff, students, parents, and community that have made these recognitions possible. We look forward to continue growth and learning for all students whom we serve.”

Written by Eric Sivertson, Manson School District Athletic Director

Published: 27 January 2021

Manson senior running back Caden Beazley has verbally committed to play football at Eastern Oregon University (EOU) in the fall of 2021.

After visiting the University in January, Caden felt that EOU was a great fit academically as well as on the football field.

Caden was a standout athlete for the Manson Trojans as a junior compiling 1348 yards rushing, 285 yards receiving and scoring 17 touchdowns.

Beazley has worked diligently in the weight room and on the field in preparation for his senior year.

The current regional plan would allow for his last year of high school football to begin on February 17th.

Caden was considering offers to play at multiple universities and is excited to continue his playing career at EOU!

Written by Chief Jason Reinfeld, CCSD

Published: 26 January 2021

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on January 23rd, 2021 a 19 year old East Wenatchee male was taken into custody by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputies for multiple domestic violence crimes against his 20 year old ex-girlfriend in Chelan County. The crimes included Assault 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, Kidnapping 1st Degree, and Harassment – Threats to Kill.

The crimes were believed to have been committed throughout the evening of January 21st into the morning of January 22nd, 2021. It is believed the victim was held against her will and was assaulted multiple times in the Wenatchee area and during a drive to and from Ellensburg.

This incident is still under investigation by Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Detectives. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office does not release the names of suspects until they have been formally charged.

Written by Mark R. Donnell, Fire Chief, CCFD

Published: 17 January 2021

On Jan. 15 at 8:56 pm, Chelan Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a possible commercial structure fire in at Campbell’s Resort. 

Callers on site reported that fire alarms were going off with smoke in the Riverside Room and that all occupants were out of the building.

The first arriving unit was on scene by 8:01 pm and begin to investigate the source, finding an exhaust fan in the lower level bathroom had caught fire. 

During the investigation crews noted heat extension with more smoke and upgraded the call to a second alarm commercial fire, summoning additional resources from CCFD #5 (Manson, CCFD #8 (Entiat), DCFD #4 (Orondo) and CCFD # 1 (Wenatchee.) 

Fire personnel on scene were eventually able to completely extinguish the fire that had travelled through the floorspace between the upper and lower levels.  Crews completed the overhaul and investigation at 10:46 pm with the cause determined to be electrical wiring to the exhaust fan. 

Damage estimate is undetermined at this time.  There were no fire personnel or citizen injuries reported. 

Written by Chief Jason Reinfald, CCSD

Published: 15 January 2021

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on January 13th, 2021 the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force out of Yakima and Spokane with assistance from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia River Drug Task Force, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife apprehended the second Okanogan County escapee, Christopher Lee Whitman.

U.S. Marshals received information Mr. Whitman was staying in an abandoned trailer off of Tarpiscan road south of Malaga. Further investigation led the Task Force to believe the trailer was approximately 1.5 miles south of the end of the pavement on Tarpiscan road. They were able to conduct surveillance on the trailer and a plan was developed to place resources in the area. WDFW Officers transported a team to the area by boat on the Columbia River and a team went in on the ground as well with CCSO K9 Asa.

At approximately 2:30 PM Mr. Whitman was seen walking away from his trailer. The ground team was positioned to where they were able to intercept him and take him into custody. He has been booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. 

The other escapee, Christian White was apprehended in the Portland area on Tuesday.

Written by Christina Crea, WSDOT communications

Published: 15 January 2021

OLYMPIA – The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission released its Phase I report that includes several recommendations, including a preliminary list of six airport sites with potential for expansion. The report also includes a proposal to meet near-term aviation demand at two or more existing airports while the work to locate a new airport continues and a proposal to extend the CACC’s final recommendation deadline to 2024.

The six preliminary airport sites are Arlington Municipal Airport, Bremerton National Airport, Paine Field (Snohomish County Airport), Sanderson Field Airport (Shelton), Tacoma Narrows Airport (Gig Harbor), and Ed Carlson Memorial Field (South Lewis County Airport). These airports could meet some of the demand for air passenger service, air cargo operations and/or general aviation.

“The list of six potential sites should only be considered preliminary because it only includes existing airports at this time,” said David Fleckenstein, CACC chair. “Additional work needs to be done to identify potential sites that may be more appropriate for a major airport. The work of the CACC was greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which constrained opportunities for community engagement.”

A critical next step for CACC is to engage the public to collect input about Washington’s future air transportation demand. The CACC has heard many concerns about noise and the effects on the environment and society. Future work will provide an opportunity to consider measures to reduce both noise and harmful emissions from aircraft. Some of those measures may include the potential use of Community Benefits Agreements at select airports.

The CACC’s next upcoming virtual webinar will be in February and next official meeting in the spring. The website will be updated as soon as the dates are confirmed.

The report was requested by the Washington state Legislature in Substitute Senate Bill 5370 to meet Washington’s aviation capacity needs.

Written by Reema Griffith, WSTC executive director

Published: 15 January 2021

OLYMPIA – The effect lower traffic volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic has had on tolled facilities, and potential toll rate changes in 2021 will be discussed at next week’s Washington State Transportation Commission meeting. Also, transportation organizations and agencies representing cities, counties, ports, transit, and the state will discuss their priorities for the 2021 legislative session and the year ahead.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. both Tuesday, Jan. 19, and Wednesday, Jan. 20. Due to limitations on the size of gatherings in response to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted virtually using GoToWebinar. People interested in attending can register on the commission’s website.  The meeting will be broadcast live on TVW at www.tvw.org.

On Tuesday, staff will give an update of the Interstate 405 express toll lanes / State Route 167 high-occupancy toll lanes Low-Income Tolling Study. The study assesses the effects of tolling on low-income drivers of the I-405 express toll lanes / SR 167 HOT lanes and will identify possible approaches to mitigate impacts. The project team will present an assessment of proposed low-income toll program options and the commission will select which options will advance for further evaluation. A final report of findings and recommendations is due to the Legislature by June 30, 2021.

Next, the commission will hear from the Washington State Association of Counties on its 2020 Revenue Study, which includes recommendations on alterations to transportation funding and revenues. In addition, Joint Transportation Committee staff will brief the commission on its report to the Legislature on a options for funding transportation programs, projects, and services over the next ten years, including a timeline for legislative action on funding identified shortfalls.

The commission’s afternoon session will focus on the state’s tolled facility performance. The Office of the State Treasurer will provide financial updates on toll facilities, including results of financial models for the SR 520 Bridge and SR 99 Tunnel. Commission staff will provide an update on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge financial status. Washington State Department of Transportation staff will provide an update on changes to toll facility and toll system shared costs. WSDOT will also provide a draft work plan and timeline to support the WSTC’s rate setting process anticipated for SR 520 and SR 99 this year.

On Wednesday, commissioners will hear from various state and local agencies and organizations on priorities for and expectations of the 2021 legislative session.  The commission is tasked with providing transportation policy recommendations to the Legislature and Governor, and these briefings keep the commission apprised of emerging priorities for all levels of government with transportation responsibilities.

Written public comment will be accepted via email until 4 p.m. the day before the meeting. Comments should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Written comments received after this deadline will be provided to commissioners after the meeting. Questions can also be asked during the meeting by using the “question” box found on-screen during the meeting, and as time allows, will be addressed during the meeting.

All presentations will be available on the commission’s website. For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/

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