Written by Chief Jason Reinfald, CCSD

Published: 27 May 2021

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports On May 25th, 2021 a burglary was reported in the 3200 block of Rivers Edge Place in Wenatchee. The reporting party stated they believed their home was broken into sometime prior to noon that day. Several items were taken from the residence including a laptop, tablet, clothing, and firearm. The suspect also left behind articles of wet clothing.

Early on May 26th, the burglary victim reported receiving pings from their stolen tablet in the north Wenatchee area. As Detectives investigated this, they began to link the burglary to a subject who had fled on foot the day prior after a fire started near a homeless encampment along the Wenatchee River. This was in the vicinity of the burglary. The wet clothing left at the burglary matched what the subject was wearing when contacted by law enforcement.

Through interviews, they were able to determine he was associated with a Red Jeep Cherokee. CCSO Deputies and Detectives followed up on several Pings throughout the morning and eventually located the red Jeep parked on North Wenatchee Avenue near Walnut Avenue. Along with Wenatchee Police Department, they took the suspect, a 32 year old Wenatchee man into custody at approximately 11:00 am today. He was located with some of the stolen property from the burglary.

After interviews with Wenatchee Police Officers who transported him, the suspect was booked into CCRJC for Burglary 1st Degree, Theft of a Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree.

Written by Jonnie Crossland, Communications Coordinator, CTFC

Published: 25 May 2021

Colville Gaming LLC, Forest Products, LLC, and CTFC Administration lifts COVID-19 restrictions for team members and patrons who have been fully vaccinated with a valid vaccination card.

OMAK, WASH. MAY 24, 2021— In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Colville Tribe’s Health Director Guidance, the Colville Tribal Federal Corporation (CTFC), consisting of Colville Gaming LLC, Forest Products, LLC, and the CTFC Administration are open without COVID-19 restrictions, with the exception of the following requirements;

• Screening: Team members and patrons who have been fully vaccinated, with a valid vaccination card, are exempt from the daily screening requirements. Team members and patrons who have not been fully vaccinated, without a valid vaccination card, must continue with daily screening routines.

• Mask Mandate: Team members and patrons who have been fully vaccinated, with a valid vaccination card, are exempt from the mask mandate. Team members and patrons who have not been fully vaccinated, without a valid vaccination card, must continue to wear masks at all times while on CTFC facilities.

• Social Distancing: Team members and patrons who have been fully vaccinated, with a valid vaccination card, are exempt from current social distancing policies. Team members and patrons who have not been fully vaccinated, without a valid vaccination card, must continue to social distance at all times while on CTFC facilities.

Team members who have symptoms at screening will not be admitted to the facilities and will be referred to contact tracing and COVID-19 testing as previously required. Team members who have been referred for testing will not be allowed to return to work until they are released by their health care provider.

Team members should contact benefits immediately if symptoms are present to determine if Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) leave can be granted.

Team members should still not report to work sick.

“Our team members and patrons have been diligent in following the safety standards CTFC has put in place for the last year,” said Kary Nichols, CTFC Chief Executive Officer. “We are confident that we will continue to be the right place for the right time.”

CTFC appreciates the efforts from team members to get vaccinated, and continues to encourage team members to get vaccinated with their local healthcare providers.

Written by Carol A. Kibler, Administrative Office Manager, CFR

Published: 25 May 2021

Public Announcement:

Chelan Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners have called a special meeting for Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at the fire station located at 232 East Wapato Ave.

AGENDA:

Roll Call:

Call to order:

Executive Session: RCW 42.30.110 (1) ( g ) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee.

Adjournment:

Written by Barbara LaBoe, WSDOT communications

Published: 25 May 2021

MOUNT RAINIER – State Route 410/Chinook Pass and State Route 123/Cayuse Pass through Mount Rainier National Park will reopen for the season by 8 a.m. Friday, May 28, in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews are in the final stages of clearing both roadways. When the gates open, park visitors can travel SR 410/Chinook Pass (elev. 5,430 feet) between Crystal Mountain Boulevard, about 12 miles northwest of the summit, and Morse Creek, five miles east of the summit. SR 123/Cayuse Pass (elev. 4,675 feet) will also open within the park boundaries between Stevens Canyon Road and the SR 410 junction.

Mount Rainier National Park

National park crews have been hard at work clearing a robust winter snowpack. The park’s Carbon River, Longmire, and Paradise areas are all open, as is the road from Packwood to the Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead. Visitors should expect delays of up to 20 minutes along SR 123 due to ongoing paving work. The entrance to the Ohanapecosh Campground will reopen on Saturday, May 29. The road to Sunrise is estimated to reopen July 2. Mount Rainer National Park road access updates are provided on the park’s website.

Winter closures

Cayuse and Chinook passes close each winter due to high avalanche risk, poor road conditions, lack of snow storage and no emergency response services within close proximity. Both highways closed to vehicle traffic for the season on Nov. 12, 2020. WSDOT and the National Park Service collaborate each spring to reopen the highways. This process has been a shared responsibility for decades. A history of Cayuse Pass and Chinook Pass opening and closing dates is available on the WSDOT website.

Written by Sarah Deenik, CDRPA

Published: 21 May 2021

Board of Directors (Left to Right): Commissioner Mark Spurgeon, Commissioner Donn Etherington, Commissioner Rory Turner, Commissioner Alan Loebsack, Commissioner JC Baldwin, and Commissioner Jim Huffman.

The Washington Public Ports Association has selected the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority as the Port of the Year for 2021. Kathy Pittis, President of the Washington Public Ports Association said, “while there were many deserving Ports, the political courage and leadership of the Port Commissioners from Chelan and Douglas Counties in forming a Regional Port was worthy of being chosen Port of the Year.”

Regional Port Board Chairman Alan Loebsack commented, “There are 75 Ports in the state of Washington and this award is highly coveted as an endorsement from your peers that your Port does outstanding work. We are humbled that we were selected.”

The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority was formed in June 2019. It is a first in the state of Washington that two county-wide port districts functionally consolidated into one regional port. Geographically, it encompasses 4,843 square miles, making it the largest in the state. The Regional Port serves a population of 120,000 citizens with a combined assessed value of $16.5 billion.

Rory Turner, Regional Board member commented, “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the Regional Port Staff. Since day one, staff has rallied behind the concept and value of a Regional Port. They have worked as an effective team and are facilitating regional economic development projects that are making a difference.”

In early 2019 both Ports endorsed the formation of a citizen’s advisory panel to look into governance issues, specifically as it related to Pangborn Memorial Airport, which is jointly owned by both Ports. The citizen’s panel and the Port Commissioners soon thereafter endorsed a regional governance model, not only for the airport, but also for the Ports’ economic development efforts in North Central Washington.

Regional Board member Mark Spurgeon stated, “Thank you to WPPA for recognizing the Chelan Douglas Regional Port as Port of the Year. While it has been a lot of hard work, forming a Regional Port was in the best interest of the citizens we serve. I would also like to acknowledge Lisa Parks, the former Executive Director of the Port of Douglas County. Her leadership along with the current CEO Jim Kuntz helped make it happen.”

One of the Regional Port’s early successes was focused on helping small businesses survive the COVID-19 business uncertainty. The Regional Port was the lead entity in facilitating federal, state, and local funds to help small businesses. In Chelan and Douglas Counties, $4.2 million dollars were awarded to 727 small businesses – approximately 21% of the businesses in the two-county region. The average grant award was $5,847.

To learn more about current economic development projects taking place within the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority, please visit: www.cdrpa.org.

Written by Barbara LaBoe, WSDOT communications

Published: 21 May 2021

Use WSDOT tools, plan ahead for holiday weekend traffic

OLYMPIA – With Memorial Day serving as the unofficial kick-off for summer travel, anyone hitting the roads during the holiday weekend should plan ahead and prepare for additional traffic – especially during peak travel times.

For those who are traveling, consulting the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Memorial Day weekend traffic volume charts can help determine best times to travel on key routes. Due to the closure of the US-Canadian border to non-essential travel, there will not be travel charts for the border crossing. Travelers should also check ahead for any COVID-19 safety requirements at their destinations or stops along the way.

Given an expected increase in traffic this holiday, travelers should be sure to keep vehicles at least a quarter full of fuel throughout travel. The state Department of Commerce says there is no fuel shortage like recently seen on the East Coast, but with many people still driving rather than flying, there could be local delays in fuel deliveries during heavy travel weekends this summer. Downloading an app that identifies nearby gas stations may be helpful if traveling in a different part of the state, as will buying only the fuel you need to leave enough for everyone else.

By following these steps, travelers can “know before they go” and plan ahead, whether they’re just traveling across town or across the state:

• Get informed about WSDOT's online tools, including the WSDOT mobile app, traffic cameras and email alerts.
• Visit online traveler information for traffic, weather and ferry schedules.
• Follow WSDOT's social media accounts, such as Twitter and Facebook.
• Pre-program your vehicle radio to 530 AM and 1610 AM for highway advisory radio alerts.
• Call 5-1-1 for updated road conditions.
• Have a backup outdoor location if your first choice is full and never park along road shoulders, as this is unsafe for everyone on the roadway.
• Allow extra time for travel to avoid rushing or distraction.
• Carry extra food and water as well as extra masks and hand sanitizer as an added precaution for emergencies or unexpected stops.

Highway construction paused

Most state highway construction work is suspended through the holiday weekend – including Monday, May 31 – to ease congestion. However, please stay alert for new lane shifts or work zone staging areas that may remain in place. And please give any emergency repair crews plenty of space to work safely.

Snoqualmie Pass

No lane closures or other construction is planned on Interstate 90 from Friday, May 28, until to Tuesday, June 1. However, the usual holiday increase in traffic volumes means travelers should expect delays, especially eastbound on Friday, May 28, and westbound Monday, May 31 (see charts for more detail). Receive text message alerts about significant delays by texting the number 468311 with the words "WSDOT Snoqualmie."

Chinook and Cayuse passes

Both Chinook Pass, State Route 410, and Cayuse Pass, SR 123, are expected to be open in time for the Memorial Day weekend, but it depends on progress clearing deep snow. Exact dates and other details are still being finalized. Check the Chinook and Cayuse passes webpage for updates as the holiday approaches to be sure they’re open before heading out. Both these passes close each winter due to weather and hazardous conditions.

Tolling

In the Puget Sound, weekend toll rates will be in effect on Monday, May 31, on the State Route 520 bridge and SR 99 tunnel. The Interstate 405 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers on the Monday holiday. Out-of-town travelers, including those using rental cars, can learn about toll roads and short-term account payment options on the Good To Go! visitors page visitors page.

Ferry travel People boarding a state ferry by vehicle should prepare for long waits and plan to remain in their vehicle throughout the sailing as much as possible to allow walk-on passengers more room to physically distance. Peak travel times on most routes are expected to be westbound Thursday and Friday, May 27-28, and eastbound, Monday, May 31. Customers also can bypass vehicle lines by traveling as a walk-on passenger.

• All riders should double check the sailing schedules as some routes are operating on timetables that are different than prior to the pandemic.
• Visit the Washington State Ferries website for more details on vehicle reservations, ferry email alerts, checking terminal conditions and COVID-19 travel updates.
• In compliance with federal Transportation Security Administration regulations, face masks are required in both indoor and outdoor areas of terminals and vessels if outside a vehicle. To maintain physical distancing standards, reduced occupancy in terminals and on sailings for walk-on passengers will be enforced.

Trains, airports and transit

Travelers making a trip by train, personal aircraft or bus also should plan ahead to avoid holiday delays:

• Amtrak Cascades passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets early and should plan to arrive at the station one hour before departure. All Amtrak Cascades trains require reservations and TSA regulations require all passengers to wear masks. Visit amtrakcascades.com/or call 800–USA–RAIL for details.
• For information about traveling via state-operated airports, visit wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/airports/Amenities.htm or call 800-552-0666.
• Check with your local public transit agencies for any holiday schedule or service changes, including some Dial-A-Ride and fixed-route service that may not run on holidays

Written by Chief Rick Johnson, EWPD

Published: 17 May 2021

On 05-14-2021 at approximately 2300 hours, East Wenatchee Police Officers responded to reports of hearing a gun shot and finding a male unresponsive in the parking lot between Cedars Inn and The Clearwater.  Callers reported the male had been shot and was bleeding heavily. 

At approximately 2302 hours, officers arrived on scene within 1 minute of the call and located the unresponsive male.  The male did have a gunshot wound to the leg and was bleeding heavily.  Officers performed lifesaving measures with the application of tourniquets and direct pressure. The scene was secured, and EMS arrived to transport the male.

After the initial investigation, it was discovered the male had accidentally discharged the firearm, striking himself in the leg.  A firearm was located at the scene. 

After emergency surgery, the male subject is listed in stable condition and recovering in the ICU.

The investigation is ongoing. 

Written by Kari Sorensen, Blueberry Hills Farms

Published: 16 May 2021

Written by Mark R. Donnell, Fire Chief, CCFD

Published: 14 May 2021

NOTICE

Chelan Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners have changed the May regular meeting start time to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 5:30 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA

The CFR Board of Commissioners will conduct the meeting in person at the fire station, you are welcome to join 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: April 2021
• Payroll: April 1 -30, 2021 for $122,123.06 paid 05-05-2021
• General Account Vouchers: #428-433 for $5067.73/ 434-446 for $8,033.76 / 447-464 for $10,199.28 / 485-495 for 6,537.75 / 504-513 for $13,742.21
• Capital Account Vouchers: #501-503 for $4,170.97 / 484 for $393.47
• Minutes: April 21, 2021 and May 12, 2021
Fire Chief Report:
• 2021 Budget & Financial Report
• April Emergency Response Report / Operations / Community Risk Reduction / Apparatus Update
Assistant Chief Report:
• Volunteer Recruitment & Retention / Training
Firefighters Association Report:
Unfinished Business:
• City of Chelan Fire Protection Services Contract – Update
• Station 75 Short Plat – Update
• 2020-2021 Annexations – Update
• Citizens Group Advisory Board - Update
New Business:
• 2021 Levy Lid Lift
• Documents for Disposal
• Marine 71 Staffing for Summer Season
• Billing for Marine 71 Responses
Special Events:
• Thursday May 20th at 8:10 KOZI – Commissioner Oules and Chief Donnell or Chief Asher
• Station 73 Open House, Saturday, June 12th, 1000-1200 @ ST-73
Board for Volunteer Firefighters:
Public Comment:
Commissioner Comments:
Executive Session: RCW 42.30.110 (1) ( g ) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee.
Adjournment: