Body of missing man found in Wenatchee River
- Written by Chief Jason Reinfeld, CCSO
Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on Friday, May 15th, 2020 the body of Jed Thorp was located in the Wenatchee River near milepost 7 on Chiwawa Loop Road.
Mr. Thorp was reported missing to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, May 11th after wandering from his campsite Sunday evening. He had been camping with family over the weekend. Family members searched for him Monday until approximately 2:00 PM when they called for assistance.
A search was initiated by CCSO Deputies as well as Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue personnel. The search was suspended at dark.
On Tuesday the river was searched by Chelan County Swift Water Rescue personnel. This was followed up on Wednesday by a large search group who searched the area between Chiwawa Loop Road and the Wenatchee River.
On Friday, May 15th, a CCSO helicopter was deployed to search the river due to improved weather conditions. At about 3:00 PM approximately 1 mile downstream from the campsite a suspicious object was seen. Swiftwater and Marine patrol members responded and recovered Mr. Thorp’s body.
The circumstances surrounding Mr. Thorp’s death are under investigation.
Transportation Commission to hold virtual meeting to consider COVID-19 impacts on transportation, May 19
- Written by Reema Griffith, WSTC executive director
OLYMPIA – As people have stayed home in efforts to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, traffic volumes have dropped significantly on highways and ferries. During an online virtual meeting, the Washington State Transportation Commission will hear about traffic impacts from the virus across the world, in other states, and in Washington.
The meeting starts 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 19. Due to the governor’s Stay Home – Stay Healthy Order issued on March 23, this meeting will be conducted using GoToWebinar. People interested in attending can find participation instructions and a link on the commission website to register.
The commission will hear from INRIX staff, who will share data on worldwide, national, and Washington state’s traffic demand changes and trends due to the COVID-19 virus. A Kirkland-based company, INRIX analyzes traffic data from road sensors and vehicles.
Staff from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Toll Division and the Office of the State Treasurer will report on reductions in traffic volumes on the state’s toll facilities, as well as how reduced traffic has affected toll revenues and plans to assess implications of the revenue loss.
Commission staff will update commissioners on the progress of a legislatively directed study to assess the effects of tolling on low-income drivers of the Interstate 405 and State Route 167 express toll lanes, and determine possible approaches to mitigating such impacts.
Traffic volume on Washington State Ferries also has dropped significantly due to the COVID-19 virus. WSF staff will brief the commission on service changes made to maintain safe and efficient ferry service and will provide preliminary estimates of how reduced traffic has affected WSF revenues. Commissioners also will hear an update on the 2020 Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group survey schedule.
Public comment on items on the commission’s agenda will be accepted via email. Comments should be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Comments received by 4 p.m. on Monday, May 18, will be provided to commission members electronically before the meeting. Those received after that deadline will be provided to commissioners after the meeting. No action is planned to take place during the May 19 meeting.
All presentations will be available on the commission’s website before the meeting. For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/
Chelan Fire and Rescue Commissioners Meeting 5-20-20
- Written by Carol A Kibler, Administrative Office Manager, CCFD
AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 3:00 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA
The CFR Board of Commissioners will conduct the meeting via google hangout. The public is welcome to listen to the open public meeting by calling #351-888-7591 no access code is needed.
Proposed Chelan Fire and Rescue agenda pending Board approval.
Flag Salute:
Regular Meeting Call to Order:
Approve Agenda:
Public Comment: Public comments will be accepted at this meeting. If you wish to comment during the public comment please email Chief Mark Donnell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 509-682-4476. Chelan Fire & Rescue will require a written statement for the record of all public comments made.
Consent Agenda:
• Revenue and Expenditure Report: March and April 2020
• Payroll: April 1-31 Paid 05-05-2020 $124,285.24
• Vouchers: General Account #746365- 746405 $36,691.15
• Vouchers: Capital Account #746377 -746378 $381.65
• Minutes: April 15, 2020
Fire Chief Report:
• 2020 Budget & Financial Report
• Emergency Response Report / Operations / Community Risk Reduction
Assistant Chief Report:
• Volunteer Recruitment & Retention / Training
Firefighters Association Report:
Unfinished Business:
• Long Range Planning
• Incident 2020-129 Illegal Burning Billing
• Incident 2020-186 and 2020-190: Out of District Brush Fire Response Billing/Annexation Invitation
New Business:
• Resolution 2020-Surplus of Matco Determinator Scan Tool
Special Events:
• May 30, 2020 0900: WFCA Webinar – Roles, Personnel, Duties, and Finances Class with Attorney Brian Snure
• June 6, 2020 0900: WFCA Webinar – Open Public Meetings and Open Public Meetings Records Class with Attorney Brian Snure
Board for Volunteer Firefighters:
Public Comment:
Commissioner Comments:
Executive Session:
Adjournment:
Manson Parks Regular Board Meeting 5-14-20
- Written by Robin Pittman
Regular Board Meeting
May 14, 2020, 4:15pm
Phone-in meeting: 1-425-436-6260
Access code: 8182416
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Minutes
a. April 9, 2020 regular meeting minutes
III. Financial Review
a. Review monthly financial report
b. Review and approve monthly voucher
IV. New Business
a. COVID-19 updates
b. Stripe account approval for online sales
c. Marina commercial use
V. Adjournment
Next regular meeting is June 11, 2020 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831, unless otherwise posted.
Douglas County Solid Waste completes clean-up of ten homeless encampments along Apple Capital Loop Trail
- Written by Becci Piepel, Director of Solid Waste
https://mansontribune.com/index.php?start=40#sigFreeId6cebc943a8
In February 2020, Douglas County Solid Waste began the long process of inventorying and remediating homeless encampments and illegal dumps along the Douglas County portion of the Apple Capital Loop Trail. The initial stages of this undertaking included identifying established camps, performing cursory assessments of the contents, and distinguishing between active and abandoned sites.
On April 21, 2020 Douglas County Solid Waste began the second phase of this process involved physical cleanup and mitigation of the sites. Ten individual abandoned sites were able to be cleared up with extensive help from the Eastmont Metro Park Department (EMPD). Douglas County Solid Waste and EMPD were able to remove the following from the areas surrounding the trail:
- 90 bags of garbage
- 75 sleeping bags
- 10 pounds of scrap metal
- 12 needles
- Large amount of wire, include razor wire
- 3 drug pipes
- 9 buckets
- Multiple knives
- 1 machete
- 1 shopping cart
1,840 total pounds of garbage were taken to the landfill. The amount of waste located at the sites was staggering and the proximity to the Columbia River makes these sites particularly concerning to the environmental safety of our waterways and wildlife. During the cleanup, two new large sites were located.
Douglas County Solid Waste has been awarded an additional $45,000 from the Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance Grant to aid in continued remediation efforts. These funds will be used to ensure that waste can be removed from these sensitive areas surrounding our ecological and recreational areas.
The attached photographs illustrate the significant progress made in this initial cycle of mitigation. We are grateful for the improvement made thus far and are looking forward to the difference that future efforts can make as we work toward keeping our community safe.
Sheriff Burnett support moving towards Chelan County & region reopening for business in an accelerated format
- Written by Gregory Kennedy
In a letter addressed to Governor Jay Inslee and staff, Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett expressed his concerns for the economic health of our county balanced against the low number of COVID-19 patients the area has experienced. Burnett recommends moving to Phase 2 of the plan immediately.
Here is his statement:
Governor Inslee and Staff:
I am respectfully requesting that you support the Chelan County Commissioner’s request for Chelan County to immediately move to Phase 2 of the Washington’s Phased Approach for Reopening Business and Modifying Physical Distancing Measures.
I whole-heartedly believe that both Chelan and Douglas Counties, along with the Cities and private businesses have worked diligently and self sacrificially to do their part from the very beginning of the declared COVID-19 emergency status.
I believe it is critical for all of our citizens that we expedite the four-phase plan for Chelan County in order to save personal businesses and livelihoods in North Central Washington. As Confluence Health and others health districts around our region have made massive adjustments to our regional health facilities in order to prepare for what was predicted to be a much greater impact and spread of an infectious disease, those numbers just haven’t been produced in Chelan County or our region. As I write this letter, there are only 2 COVID-19 positive patients hospitalized within Confluence Hospital in Wenatchee, which is a regional facility, providing services for Chelan, Douglas, Grant and at times Okanogan and Kittitas Counties.
I believe it is imperative to our local economy and the livelihoods of our citizens that we expedite reopening our economy to include the social, financial and health impacts to our region.
I know that you will find widespread support for this request within our region, to include elected officials from the counties, cities, state representatives, private business owners (both large and small), public utility districts, medical professionals, faith based organizations and many more. I believe we the people who live, work and recreate here in North Central Washington know what is best for our region. I am confident in the knowledge and competence of our citizens and business owners to implement an accelerated phase program to jumpstart our economy while doing it in a way that is safe for everyone involved, by safeguarding everyone’s wellbeing while utilizing appropriate social distancing standards in the process.
Again, I urge you to grant this request on the date of this request to re-open our community and economy for the sake of the citizens of Chelan County and North Central Washington. I truly believe it is the right thing to do and failing to do so will prove to be much more detrimental to our local area than the health implications of COVID-19 itself.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Brian Burnett
12 Tribes Colville Casinos extends opening date to May 19
- Written by Jonnie Crossland, Public Relations Coordinator, 12 Tribes Colville Casinos
After announcing an initial reopening date for May 5, 2020, the Colville Business Council and the Colville Tribal Federal Corporation (CTFC) approved extending the reopening date.
OMAK, WASH. May 4, 2020— The Colville Business Council and the Colville Tribal Federal Corporation (CTFC) Board of Directors approved an extended reopening date of Tuesday, May 19, 2020 for all three 12 Tribes Colville Casinos properties.
“We want to be the right place, for the right time,” said CTFC Chief Executive Officer, Kary Nichols “Our number one priority has always been the health and safety of our team members, valued guests, and communities.
All 12 Tribes Colville Casinos properties, 12 Tribes Resort Casino in Omak, 12 Tribes Mill Bay Casino in Manson, and 12 Tribes Coulee Dam Casino in Coulee Dam, put into place specific health and wellness measures to prepare a safe place for reopening. Some of those measures include;
• Daily hours of operation at all three properties will be 8AM-2AM
• All three properties will be deep cleaned nightly, 2AM – 8AM, and throughout operating hours
• All players are voluntarily visiting the property at their own risk and will be required to sign a waiver along with signing up for a Player’s Advantage Club Card (if they do not already have one)
• Masks, gloves, and sanitizer will be supplied, but patrons are encouraged to bring their own masks as there will be a limited supply available
• Temperatures will be taken prior to entering each property. Any person displaying a cough, shortness of breath, or other known symptoms of COVID-19 or a temperature above 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit will be asked to visit another time
• Patrons and staff will be given placards to promote social distancing at gaming machines
• Plexiglas has been installed in key locations across each property for patron and employee safety
• Food and Beverage venues will follow strict social distancing guidelines
• The hotel at 12 Tribes Resort Casino will open, while valet, the pool, hot tub, fitness center, and Renew Spa will remain closed until further notice
• Table games at 12 Tribes Resort Casino and Mill Bay Casino, Camas Restaurant at 12 Tribes Resort Casino, and Crosswinds Restaurant will remain closed during the initial reopening
• All entertainment events have been postponed, all 2020 Deep Water concerts have been
canceled
• Team members will have extensive training on company policies and proper health protocols upon returning to work and will be required to wear masks until further notice
“We are excited to welcome everyone back when we are absolutely certain it is safe,” said Nichols.
12 Tribes Colville Casinos closed on March 17, 2020, six days before Washington State announced12 Tribes Colville Casinos closed on March 17, 2020, six days before Washington State announcedthe, “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Order.
More information regarding reopening plans will be made available on 12 Tribes Colville Casino’sMore information regarding reopening plans will be made available on 12 Tribes Colville Casino’swebsite at www.colvillecasinos.com/covid-19-prevention.
Manson School Board selects 2020 Blue and White Excellence Award winners
- Written by Janice Stewart
The Manson School District Board of Directors announced the 2020 Blue and White Excellence Awards winners at its April board meeting. Nominations were submitted by staff, students and community members.
Award recipients were: High school teachers Steve Nygreen and Kate Sorenson, elementary teacher Cassie Williams and elementary classified employee Maria Zaragoza.
The Manson School District Board of Directors will officially recognize the award winners at a future board meeting.
The recipients will also be recognized this fall at the Night of Excellence sponsored by the Manson Chamber of Commerce.
A big congratulations to others nominees: Bill Thompson, Heather Teague, Eric Sivertson, Dane Johnson, Anita Johanson, Carmen Fretwell, Sarah Wiggum, Kari Petersen, Michelle Rogge, George Valencia, Angel Gosvenor and Trista Walters.
Maria Zaragoza - “Every day I am impressed with Maria’s attentiveness to student needs. She treats each student with true compassion, respect and nurturing and makes them feel safe in her care. She truly loves kids and works hard at establishing a positive relationship with them.”
Steve Nygreen - Students stated, he just makes math easier, I didn’t like math until I had Mr. Nygreen.”
Kate Sorenson - “Kate is a powerhouse of an educator and advisor. She has created several new clubs and programs that enhance Manson School District.”
