Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 31 October 2018

All local veterans are cordially invited to attend a breakfast in their honor on Friday, November 9 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Manson High School.  

Students will be preparing and serving pancakes, eggs, bacon and coffee. 

Please join us as we honor those who have served. 

Written by Gregory Kennedy

Published: 31 October 2018

Studded tires allowed in Washington from Nov. 1 to March 31

OLYMPIA – The falling leaves and colder weather can mean only one thing – snow and ice are just around the corner. With the changing seasons, now is the perfect time for travelers to shift their focus towards winter driving.

The Washington State Department of Transportation urges all travelers to start preparing themselves and their vehicles well before the threat of snow and ice kicks into high gear. 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 of snow and ice,” said WSDOT Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin. “But we also need the public’s help in being prepared for winter weather. Most of the pass closures we see are due to spin outs or crashes from a vehicle traveling too fast or not having proper winter driving equipment.”

To check conditions and prepare for adverse 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 up for email and/or text updates about road conditions – including Snoqualmie Pass delay text alerts.
• Download, print and carry the WSDOT Winter Driving Guide (pdf 1.83 mb).
• Get your vehicle ready  (pdf 2 mb) 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 requirements for mountain passes, which are also available on highway-advisory signs and 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

Some vehicle manufacturers recommend against the use of tire chains for certain models – but that doesn’t exempt travelers from state laws about extra traction devices. The Washington State Patrol provides a list of approved, alternative-traction devices (pdf 133 kb) that meet state chains and traction tires requirements. All travelers are reminded to carry chains whenever crossing mountain passes to be prepared for changing weather conditions and potentially 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.

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 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 Chief Jason Reinfield, CCSO

Published: 27 October 2018

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on October 25th, 2018 at approximately 1:45 PM the Columbia River Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 200 block of North Chelan Avenue in Wenatchee.

CRDTF received several recent complaints of suspected drug activity in the residence.  Through investigation, they were able to develop probable cause for the arrest of two 28 year old Wenatchee male residents for unlawful possession of a firearm.  The task force obtained a search warrant for the residence and for the arrest of the two subjects.

Due to the possibility of firearms in the residence and the potential number of occupants, it was determined the Chelan County Regional SWAT Team would be used initially to serve the warrant.  The two subjects named on the warrant were arrested and the residence was cleared without incident.  Three other occupants of the residence were taken into custody on arrest warrants as well.

Chelan Avenue was closed from Fifth Street to Second Street for approximately one hour while the residence was cleared and neighboring businesses were asked to shelter in place.

Washington State Department of Corrections Officers, Wenatchee Police Department, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, and City of Wenatchee Public Works assisted with this operation.

The Chelan County Regional SWAT Team is comprised of Officers and Deputies from the Wenatchee Police Department and Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.  The Columbia River Drug Task Force is comprised of Detectives from Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Wenatchee Police Department, East Wenatchee Police Department, and Washington State Patrol.  

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

Published: 27 October 2018

On 10-11-18 at approximately 11:58 PM Douglas County Deputies were dispatched to a one vehicle rollover collision in the 500 block of Road M NW.

When Deputies arrived they found Charles T. Besel, a 38 year old male of Wenatchee, and Judy M. Hoffman, a 37 year old female of Waterville, outside of the vehicle.

Due to their injuries Judy and Charles were transported to the Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee.  Charles was treated and released, however Judy later passed away from her injuries.

The investigation revealed Judy was the driver and alcohol was involved.

Written by Sheriff Brian Burnett, CCSO

Published: 25 October 2018

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on October 23, 2018 at approximately 10:43 p.m., Chelan County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 12000 block of Chumstick Hwy, approximately four miles north of Leavenworth, for the report of a male subject firing a gun at co-workers.

Burlington Northern Santé Fe (BNSF) employees were attempting to access a railroad crossing construction site via a private driveway off of Chumstick Hwy.  The BNSF employees were in a large Freightliner truck and had utilized the driveway twice earlier in the day to access the work site.  They were confronted by a male subject, James Carl Brown, carrying an AR style rifle.  Brown advised the BNSF workers that they were on private property.  As they attempted to leave and drive back down the driveway towards Chumstick Hwy, Brown shouted for the group to stop, raised the rifle and fired 3-5 rounds into the ground in front of the truck.  They drove in reverse until James told them they were on BNSF right of way before James disappeared into the trees.

Fearing for their lives and not wanting to drive forward and unable to drive back down the driveway as the railroad crossing was completely torn up due to the construction, they radioed a co-worker who was approximately one mile south of their location.  The BNSF workers were eventually able to escape south on the railway by using a railroad machine via the rail line.

Chelan County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to establish phone contact with Brown.  Brown stated that Law Enforcement was not allowed on his property and refused to meet in person and would only talk on the phone.

Chelan County Regional SWAT was activated and utilized as negotiators continued to dialogue with Brown in an attempt for a peaceful conclusion.  Brown eventually stopped communicating with Chelan County Deputies but was later located by members of the SWAT team and taken into custody without incident.

After securing search warrants for Brown’s residence, multiple firearms were located, secured for evidence and safe keeping.

Brown was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on (RCW 9A.36.011.1) Assault 1st Degree-assaults another with a firearm (four counts) and (RCW 9A.40.040) Unlawful Imprisonment (four counts).

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

Published: 25 October 2018

On 10-22-18 at about 11:19 PM Douglas County deputies were notified of a gunshot victim at the Central Washington Hospital emergency room. 

Investigators learned the gunshot victim, a 21 year old male of Michoacan, Mexico, was attending a social gathering at a residence in the 5300 block of 4th ST SE. 

At some point during the gathering the victim walked away from the group into an open field, to talk on the phone.  While in the field talking on the phone an unknown subject, believed to be attending the same gathering, shot a firearm towards the open field.  The victim was struck two times staining non-life threatening wounds.

The victim was transported to the hospital in a private vehicle.  Investigators believe this was an isolated event and there is not a public safety risk. 

The investigation is still underway. 

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 23 October 2018

Manson School District will be conducting emergency exercises on Friday October 26, 2018.

The purpose of these drills are to help students and staff prepare for possible emergencies.

The district will send out a reminder text message to parents regarding this drill occurring.

Please do not be alarmed if you observe emergency vehicles on our campus during this training.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 23 October 2018

MANSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

MANSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

PUBLIC NOTICE

Saturday, November, 17, 2018

WSSDA Conference/Joint Board MeetingThe Manson School Board of Directors will be attending the Annual WSSDA Conference in Spokane, WA from November 14-17, 2018.

The Manson Board of Directors will also be conducting a joint meeting with the Lake Chelan School Board on Saturday, November, 17 from 7:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Topics of discussion will include: current ways in which the districts are working together, potential ways to partner in the future. No action will be taken at this conference or the joint meeting.

MANSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

PUBLIC NOTICE

BOARD WORKING SESSION

Thursday, October 25, 2018

The Manson School District Board members will be visiting Manson Elementary School located at 950 Totem Pole Road in Manson on Thursday, October 25th from 8:30-1:00 p.m.to learn more about the innovative programs and work that they are doing with students. No action to be taken.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 19 October 2018

All Manson School District Staff recently participated in an ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training which better prepares school staff to more proactively handle the threat of an armed intruder or active shooter event. The training is a part of an overall “layered” approach to improving student safety in which many different proactive and real time responses are being added. 

“As violent attacks have evolved our approach on how to best protect our students and staff has changed” says Superintendent Matt Charlton. We are teaching staff and older students option-based tactics vs. the traditional lockdown only approach. We believe these strategies will give our staff the tools they need to keep our students as safe as possible.”

On October 12th all staff were led through a series of training scenarios by two Manson staff members, Brad Soliday and Michelle Rogge who are ALICE Certified Instructors. Manson Elementary teacher Brandy Sampson shared “Upon completing the program, not only did I feel more empowered and knowledgeable, but also more confident about the safety all Manson staff can provide for our students.”

Chelan County Sheriff Deputy/Resource Officer Nigel Hunter assisted in the training as did community member (and former CCSD Deputy) Dale England. Charlton shared “Dale England served on our safety committee and offered to help our District. He understands the importance of preparedness and training.”

The District will next look to train students and put the recent staff training to the test with a district-wide drill on October 26, 2018. Parents and the community will also be offered an opportunity to learn more about student safety improvements on November 8th at a Manson Inc. parent night.

For more information about ALICE go to www.alicetraining.com.