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.

Written by Barbara LaBoe, WSDOT communications

Published: 29 October 2020

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

 OLYMPIA – With some early storms already here and full-fledged winter fast approaching, now is the time for travelers to make sure they’re prepared for winter driving.

 The Washington State Department of Transportation urges all travelers to start preparing themselves and their vehicles for winter weather. 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 work hard to keep roads clear, but we need the public’s help as well,” said WSDOT Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin. “Most pass closures are due to preventable spin outs or crashes from vehicles driven too fast or not having proper equipment. This year COVID-19 protocols could mean slightly longer road or pass closures, as well as more chain requirements during major storms, so we need everyone to be prepared and stay informed to help keep traffic moving.”

 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 Facebook site and online travel alerts.
• Sign upfor email and/or text updates about road conditions – text alerts about Snoqualmie Pass delays is a subscription option.
• 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 state-approved alternative traction devices on its vehicle equipment webpage under “traction tires” These approved alternatives meet state traction tire requirements. All travelers are reminded to prepare for changing weather conditions and avoid a costly ticket by carrying chains or approved alternatives whenever crossing mountain passes. 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. This type of tire is different than an all-season tire, is legal year-round and does 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 Mark R. Donnell, Fire Chief, CCFD

Published: 29 October 2020

Virtual Open Public Meeting for discussion on the Proposed 2021 Budget.  This meeting will be held:

Chelan Fire & Rescue Proposed 2021 Budget Virtual Public Meeting

Monday, November 9, 2020

6:00 PM via Zoom Meetings (link for this meeting to follow.)

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the proposed 2021 Budget and gather input from the community served by the Fire District.  This meeting will help the Board of Commissioner in determining the best service model for the community as well as the funding needed to maintain this service for 2021 and beyond.

Please find below links to the 2021 DRAFT Budget Proposal along the 2020-2026 Budget Worksheets, Apparatus Replacement Schedule and Capital Replacement Schedule that we are using as we work through our 2021 Budget process.  The revenue figures listed in the 2021 DRAFT Budget Proposal and on the 2020-2026 are the current numbers given to us by the Chelan County Assessor’s Office for 2021 and are what we can expect for revenue coming into the district for maintaining our operations.  Explanations for the attached worksheets are as follow:

1. The 2021 with 2022 DRAFT Budget Proposal is our proposed operating budget for 2021 with explanations of the revenue and expense categories.  Each expense category will list our 2020 Budget amounts as well as the anticipated 2022 Budget amounts.
2. The 2020-2026 Budget Worksheets are used as a forecasting tool showing our estimated revenues and expenses for a 5 year period.  This worksheet allows us to make our best guess at what our future revenues will be and what our future operating costs will look like.  The information in these worksheets includes our estimated capital expenses as listed on the attached Capital Replacement Schedule but does not include any Apparatus Replacement expenses.
3. The Apparatus and Capital Replacement Schedules are forecasting tools that allow us to determine the money we need to set aside (transfer to our Capital Reserve Investment account) in order replace apparatus and equipment or take care of necessary repairs or replacement of hard assets.
4. One item to note, budgeting and forecasting is a dynamic process and will be updated as we work through the 2021 Budget process.

2021 DRAFT Budget Proposal

2020-2026 Budget Worksheets

Apparatus Replacement Schedule

Capital Replacement Schedule

Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSD

Published: 20 October 2020

LAKE WENATCHEE - Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a 73-year old lost hunter was located by search teams in the Meadow Creek area of western Chelan County early Sunday morning after an extensive search which began late Saturday evening..

RIVERCOM Dispatch received the initial call concerning the missing hunter at 9:31pm Saturday evening from family members. David Sargent of Marysville, WA had planned to hike a loop off of the USFS 6306 Road at about 5:00pm. He was to meet up with the two other hunters in his party prior to darkness. When Sargent did not return, the two family members searched for Sargent having very intermittent radio contact with him. Sargent told them he was lost on a brushed in primitive road. He did not have a pack with him which meant no light or other or survival gear.

Search teams including Lake Wenatchee Fire & Rescue, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and Chelan County Volunteer Search & Rescue began focusing on several spur forest service spur roads off of the main 6306 road. At one point, a LWF&R team was able to reestablish family radio communication with Sargent, however he was unable to describe his location to the rescuers. He stated he was tired and suffering from low blood sugar complications. At approximately 1:30am, Sargent was asked to fire a round from his rifle so his position could be triangulated. That procedure allowed SAR coordinators to refocus searches into smaller, more targeted search areas on the 6306-430 and 6306-400 spur roads.

At 2:24am, Sargent was located on an overgrown portion of the USFS 6306-400 (spur) road by a SAR deputy. Sargent was hypothermic, soaking wet from rain and suffering from low blood sugar. A search team on all-terrain vehicles - including a medic - responded to assist in getting Sargent back to search base. He was reunited with family and transported by ambulance to Cascade Medical Center in Leavenworth for treatment. He is in fair and stable condition.

Sheriff’s Office SAR coordinators would like to remind hunters to always carry the ten essentials of survival while hiking (especially: water, food, light, a map, shelter, fire starter, navigation tools, extra clothing and prescribed medications).