Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 09 November 2019

Many activities were held at Manson elementary, middle and high schools on Friday, November 8th!

The day got off to a great start by honoring our veterans with a special breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs and a perfect cup of coffee all prepared and served by Manson high school students. Assemblies were also held at both schools where many veterans were in attendance. Students had an opportunity to thank each Veteran with a hand shake and a hello!

During this month of honoring our Veterans, a school-wide Penny War was also going on to benefit our friends at the Tatley Outpost build 3 tiny homes on their Veteran run farm. The class that earned the most gets to take a field trip to the farm, do some yoga therapy, do some work and help with the tiny home project. A total of $2,125.17 was collected by all our students. As a nice surprise, local business “Chelan Fresh” also donated $1,000 to Tatley Outpost making the total donation of $3,135.17.

Thank you for your service Veterans!

Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 07 November 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a Seattle man was rescued on Tuesday evening (11/05/2019) after suffering a significant fall on Sunday while descending Cannon Mountain. Ryan Cairnes - 36 years of age – suffered serious injuries in the fall, but eventually made his way to a trail on Tuesday evening where rescuers located him. He was transported to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee where he is in stable condition with fractures to his neck, right knee, scapula and also rib injuries.

The initial call to the Sheriff’s Office reporting Cairnes as a potentially overdue climber was made on Monday at about 2:00pm by his mother in Pennsylvania. She advised that they had last heard from Cairnes at 4:05pm on Sunday – via text - while he was near the summit of Cannon Mountain which is approximately nine miles southwest of Leavenworth, WA. Family believed Cairnes had planned to be out Sunday evening, but was not certain of his itinerary and had little additional information. A search and rescue deputy with the Sheriff’s Office located Cairnes’ vehicle parked at the Stuart Lake Trailhead on Monday at 3:45pm.

On Tuesday morning, when it was determined Cairnes had not returned to his vehicle, nor made any attempts to contact family or friends, a search was initiated via air and ground assets. A Sheriff’s Office helicopter began flying a search area above Cannon Mountain and eventually located what were believed to be human tracks in the snow descending the west side of the mountain. The aircraft encountered 40-knot winds during the initial search. As the winds subsided, a team of two Chelan County Mountain Rescue personnel were inserted to a point at which they could reach the summit and begin following the tracks down the west aspect of the mountain. By 4:45pm the team could not see a continuation of the tracks as they descended the slope around the 6,000 foot elevation. Darkness set in and the search team began making their way back to the Stuart Lake Trail. As the mountain rescue members were working their way down to the trailhead, they located Cairnes on the trail. He was conscious and alert with significant injuries from the fall he suffered on Sunday. A rescue team with a wheeled litter was requested and Cairnes was taken to the trailhead where a Cascade Medical Center ambulance was staged. Cairnes was transported to the hospital in Wenatchee.

During an interview with Cairnes at the hospital on Wednesday morning, he told a Sheriff’s Office search and rescue coordinator that he believed he was going to die as he began sliding and tumbling down the mountain on Sunday afternoon. Cairnes stated he began descending the mountain summit (8,500ft elevation) shortly after sending the text to his mother in Pennsylvania on Sunday at 4:00pm. He was not having any issues during the descent until he encountered a boulder field around the 5,500 foot elevation level and was forced to alter his course to continue the decline. Cairnes said that while in a couloir, he “slipped” on what he believes was ice and began sliding uncontrollably down slope bouncing off of boulders and over ledges. Cairnes believes he slid and fell nearly 400 feet down the slope prior to coming to rest near the base of the mountain sustaining the many injuries to his body. Cairnes was wearing a climbing helmet and backpack with overnight and survival gear which he credits with cushioning some of the impacts. The backpack stayed intact during the fall and he was able to utilize his sleeping bag to stay warm through Sunday night. Cairnes did not have an emergency beacon or any cellular service to call for assistance and realizes now that he had not been specific with anyone concerning his climbing itinerary.

Due to his injuries, Cairnes made the decision to remain in place on Monday and only maneuvered himself over to a waterfall so he would have drinking water. His hope was that someone had called to report him as overdue (which did not occur until Monday afternoon).

Cairnes decided that on Tuesday morning he would begin trying to hike his way out to the west toward the Stuart Lake Trail. The injuries to his neck, scapula and ribs prevented him from carrying his backpack. He found a branch to use as a walking stick to support his very injured right knee and decided to only carry his water bottle, helmet and sleeping bag. Cairnes said he spent nearly all of Tuesday working his way to the west where he knew the trail existed. He observed the Sheriff’s Office helicopter flying in the area, but was not able to make himself visible to the crew. Cairnes entered into a forested area prior to nightfall and eventually made it down to the Stuart Lake Trail at nearly the same time the mountain rescue members were hiking back toward the trailhead (6:05pm).

Cairnes stressed that he feels lucky to be alive and appreciates the efforts of Chelan County Mountain Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office.

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

Published: 07 November 2019

Case# 19D06280

On November 2nd at approximately 7:36 AM Rivercom dispatched a Deputy to a report of a stolen vehicle, later identified as a Palisades School bus, which was left abandoned on the side of Palisades Road in the 1400 block. It was also discovered a maintenance building by the Palisades school was entered and a window was broken.

The suspects stole an air compressor, power tools, yard tools and some fuel from a barrel on site. From video footage recovered from the bus, the two individuals responsible for the stolen bus are Devon R. Taylor, a 27-year-old male out of East Wenatchee, who is currently in custody and Jordan S. McCullough-Cheney, a 19-year-old male, out of Wenatchee, who is still at large.

If you have knowledge of Jordan S. McCullough-Cheney’s whereabouts please contact Rivercom dispatch at 509-663-9911.

Case# 19D06317

On November 3rd, 2019 at approximately 6:39 PM Deputies responded to a Harass/Threats complaint in the 200 block of West Maple Street, Waterville. Deputies received information a firearm may be involved with the threats.

While enroute, Rivercom received multiple calls reporting possible gunshots from the same general area. One person who reported the possible gunshots saw a male without a shirt, carrying a rifle. The male with the gun was gone when Deputies arrived in the area.

After interviewing the people involved, it was learned Dylan L. O’Gara Smith a 21-year-old male out of Waterville, called a 15-year-old Waterville resident and threatened to hurt him over a past incident. Deputies located Dylan at his residence, in his shop and arrested him without incident. The shotgun used in the threats was recovered.

Dylan was transported and booked into Chelan County Jail for Assault in the 1st degree, Felony Harassment – Threats to kill, Unlawful Carrying of a Firearm, Reckless Endangerment and Communicating with a Minor for Immoral Purposes.

Written by Winterfest Chelan

Published: 05 November 2019

Written by Deputy Rich Magnussen, CCSO

Published: 05 November 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a 60-year-old Dallas, Texas resident – Robert Jake Colburn - was killed in a climbing accident while descending Aasgard Pass approximately 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth.

On October 31, 2019 at approximately 11:00pm, RIVERCOM Dispatch received a 911 call from Colburn’s son, he advised that his dad had not returned to camp after climbing Aasgard Pass. Colburn was last seen around 3:00pm as he was descending Aasgard on his way back to camp.

This morning a Chelan County Sheriff’s Office helicopter inserted a team of four Chelan County Mountain Rescue (CCMR) personnel into the area. At approximately 1:30pm Colburn was located at approximately the 7,300-elevation level on Aasgard Pass, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Rescue personnel reported that it appeared Colburn had slipped and fallen several hundred feet. The victim was hoisted from the scene and transported to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery.

Also assisting in the rescue were members of Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue.

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

Published: 05 November 2019

On November 3rd, 2019 at approximately 7:37 PM Douglas County Deputies and East Wenatchee Officers responded to Badger Mountain Road near the Waterville Ski hill reference a stolen vehicle, out of the East Wenatchee area. The stolen vehicle was reported to be southbound on Badger Mountain Road.

The vehicle fled when the Deputy and Officers attempted to stop it. The pursuit continued south on Badger Mountain road for approximately 7 miles at speeds of over 90 mph, before spike strips were successfully deployed near Canyon Hills Drive and Badger Mountain Road. The driver, later identified as Devin R. Taylor a 27 year old male out of East Wenatchee and the passenger fled on foot.

After a short foot chase Devon was caught. Douglas County Deputies, East Wenatchee Officers, Wenatchee Officers and Chelan County Deputies attempted to locate the passenger without success.

Devin was transported and booked into the Chelan County Jail for Felony Elude, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Driving While License Suspended in the Third degree and two outstanding arrest warrants for Assault Fourth Domestic Violence, without further incident.

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

Published: 05 November 2019

On October 31st, 2019 at approximately 12:00 PM, Douglas County Detectives arrested and booked Howard A. Lane, a 66 year old male out of Waterville, into Chelan County Jail for Acts Prohibited in Voting Center-Prohibited Practices, without incident.

This arrest is reference to the powder substance located in an election ballot envelope discovered during the election ballot processing. Due to the stage of the processing Detectives were able to determine which envelope the substance came from. The envelope belonged to Mr. Lane.

The envelope still had some of the substance inside. The substance was tested and found to be non-toxic, however it is not known exactly what the substance is.

Written by Barbara LaBoe, WSDOT communications

Published: 29 October 2019

Studded tires allowed in Washington from Nov. 1 to March 31; stud-free winter tire alternatives are legal year-round

OLYMPIA – With winter fast approaching, now is the time for travelers to make sure they’re prepared for driving in inclement weather.

The Washington State Department of Transportation urges all travelers to start preparing themselves and their vehicles before traveling on snow and ice. Drivers can check out WSDOT's winter driving web page for tips and information. WSDOT also asks travelers to always "know before you go" and get the most up-to-date roadway information before heading out.

“Our crews are ready for winter and work hard to keep roads clear, but as last winter showed, any part of the state can experience severe weather and we need the public’s help as well,” said WSDOT Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin. “Most pass closures are due to spin outs or crashes from vehicles traveling too fast or not having proper winter equipment. Preparing early and staying informed about conditions and restrictions can help keep traffic moving during storms.”

To check conditions and prepare for winter weather:

• Download the WSDOT mobile app.
• Follow WSDOT's regional and pass accounts on Twitter, the agency's Facebooksite and online travel alerts.
• Sign upfor email and/or text updates about road conditions – including Snoqualmie Pass delay text alerts.
• Download, print and carry the WSDOT Winter Driving Guide.
• Get your vehicle ready and plan extra time to cross all mountain passes, including heavily traveled routes such as Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass and White Pass.
• Carry chains and know current traction and chain requirementsfor mountain passes, which are also available on highway-advisory signs, highway-advisory radio and by calling 511.
• Preset your radio to 530 AM and 1610 AM for WSDOT's traffic-information stations.

Alternatives to chains
Although some vehicle manufacturers recommend against the use of tire chains for certain models, that doesn’t excuse travelers from state traction device laws. These requirements exist to help keep all traffic moving safely during extreme winter conditions.

The Washington State Patrol provides an online list of approved, alternative-traction devices that meet state traction requirements. All travelers are reminded to carry chains or approved alternatives whenever crossing mountain passes to be prepared for changing weather conditions and avoid a costly ticket. Failure to obey a tire chains sign can mean a ticket of up to $500. Special chain enforcement patrols will be keeping an eye on mountain passes this winter.

Studded tires
By law, studded tires are legal for use in Washington state only from Nov. 1 through March 31. This applies to all vehicles in Washington, even those traveling from other states, and no personal exemptions or waivers exist.

WSDOT estimates studded tires cause between $20 million and $29 million in pavement damage to state-owned asphalt and concrete roadways each year. Motorists are encouraged to visit a tire dealer to learn more about their options, including stud-free, winter tread traction tires. These type of tires are different than all-season tires, are legal year-round and do not cause the same roadway damage as studded tires. More information about studded-tire restrictions and requirements can be found in the FAQ on the WSP website.

Written by Robin Pittman

Published: 29 October 2019

Manson Parks would like to announce that registration is now open for this year’s AAU basketball season.

This program is for Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Forms will be sent home through the Manson School District. They can also be completed at the Parks Office (142 Pedoi St.) or online at www.mansonparks.com.

Office hours are Monday through Friday 10am - 2pm.

The LAST DAY FOR SIGN-UPS WILL BE November 8, 2019. The office will remain open until 6:00 p.m. on the 8th to accommodate working parents.

The total cost to play is $34.00, or $20.00 if the athlete already has a current AAU card.

For more information please call our office at 509-687-9635 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..