Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 26 April 2019

Manson Miles Club is an 8-week program, offered in both the Fall and Spring, which promotes overall health and fitness for all K-5 Manson Elementary Students, through walking and running laps at lunch recess. 

Students are awarded a foot charm for their Manson Miles Club necklace each time they run or walk 5 miles. 

Students who join the 50 and 75 Mile Clubs earn a t-shirt, donated by Lake Chelan Community Hospital, Lake Chelan Community Hospital Foundation and Club Max. 

This week, 5th Grade Student Hanna Lyman was the first student to join our 75 Mile Club, earning both a t-shirt and necklace token.  Congratulations to Hanna!  We look forward to seeing many more Manson Elementary students follow in your footsteps!

Written by Jeff Adamson, WSDOT Communications

Published: 19 April 2019

The crew that headed up to the SR 20 North Cascades Highway on March 20.

Another mountain route for drivers, bicyclists to crisscross Cascades

DIABLO – With the swing of the gates, the seasonal stretch of North Cascades Highway/State Route 20 opened at 9 a.m. today for the 2019 season.

The reopening provides:
• Another route between western and eastern Washington for drivers.
• Access to more miles of US Bike Route 10.
• Access to mind-blowing hiking and gorgeous campgrounds.

The clearing process
The four-week clearing process began on March 25. This week, Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews and avalanche technicians completed preparations by causing controlled snow slides to clear chutes above the road, repaired and replaced guardrail and pavement and cleared ditches of debris to channel water from melting snow.

Remember: winter conditions remain
While the road is open, there are still signs of winter along the highway. Those planning hiking, camping or snow activities should prepare for limited parking until snow melts and should not stop or park in the travel lanes.

For safety, people driving and bicycling should obey highway signs and avoid stopping below snow slide areas such as Liberty Bell Mountain east of Washington Pass. There are limited facilities between Diablo and Mazama, so travelers should come prepared with a stocked emergency kit for the trip. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should also expect sand on the road until temperatures warm.

Highway history
The North Cascades Highway officially opened in September 1972. The 37-mile scenic by-way travels through Whatcom, Chelan and Okanogan counties, connecting communities in western Washington’s Skagit River Valley with the Methow Valley in eastern Washington.

Before driving the highway, check real-time traffic conditions. Find closure updates on the:
• Whatcom County construction page
• WSDOT traffic app
• WSDOT Traffic Twitter feed

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 19 April 2019

Mrs. Sears computer science class was invited by Microsoft to attend the TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools) Fair during spring break.

A group of Manson students from the freshman and sophomore classes jumped at the chance.

The trip included a tour of the Microsoft building where all the action happens.

Written by Jan Brincat, Assistant to Sheriff Brian Burnett, CCSO

Published: 19 April 2019

(Wenatchee) --- The executive board of the Columbia River Drug Task Force has asked for an outside law enforcement review of possible errors in handling evidence related to a recent seizure of cocaine, firearms and cash.

Board chair and Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett has asked the Thurston County Sheriff’s office to handle the investigation to allow for maximum transparency in determining how policies and procedures may not have been followed in accounting for cash seized as a result of the raid earlier in April.

Ten law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation where drugs, firearms and cash were taken into evidence from two locations in the Wenatchee area and two men were arrested on April 3. The original accounting of cash received was thought to have been more than $80,000 but evidence packaged was found to be closer to $68,000.

“If policies and procedures were not followed during the processing of the scene, it is extremely important we find and correct those types of errors as soon as possible,” Burnett said. It is common for law enforcement agencies to ask other departments who were not involved to conduct the investigations.

During the investigation, Sheriff Burnett and other agencies involved will not have comment on the case and will await the final recommendations and findings from Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. No date for completion of the investigation has been established.

The initial investigation and arrests were the result of months-long planning and removed a lot of illegal drugs from possible distribution to the community. The Columbia River Drug Task Force is comprised of detectives from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Wenatchee Police Department, East Wenatchee Police Department and Washington State Patrol. They were assisted by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Homeland Security, Grant County INET Drug Task Force and Chelan County Public Works.

Written by Chief Jason Reinfeld, CCSO

Published: 19 April 2019

Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas and Okanogan County-Extra patrols will be out statewide on Saturday, April 20, 2019. The patrols will be looking for drunk and other drugged drivers, but will enforce all traffic laws.

While the extra patrols will increase the likelihood that someone driving impaired will be arrested and prosecuted, the goal is not to apprehend impaired drivers but to prevent people from driving impaired in the first place.

The warmer weather brings increased travel for vacations, parties, and other gatherings with family and friends. These gatherings often involve alcohol and/or other drugs. As a result, the season also brings an increased number of drivers who are impaired by alcohol and other drugs on our road.

Whether you smoke, eat, vape or dab marijuana this may lead you to becoming impaired and therefore not able to operate a motor vehicle safely. A person may experience more impairment when they mix marijuana with any other drug including alcohol.

When you’re drunk or high, you have big ideas, but not necessarily good ideas. Driving impaired is dangerous which is why most Washingtonians don’t do it or approve of it. Be prepared, be safe and don’t drive drunk or high. Plan ahead and if you see someone impaired, it’s ok to intervene.

Driving a motor vehicle is probably the biggest responsibility we have every day. Most drivers on our roads do the right thing. Most drivers are sober, wear a seat belt and drive within the safe speed limits. We want to thank those responsible drivers and ask that everyone works together to keep your friends and family from driving after consuming any type of drug.

Written by Sgt. Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 16 April 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a 29 year old back country skier was rescued Sunday afternoon after being swept off her skis during a snow slide in the area above of Colchuck Lake.

Shanna Hovertsen of Seattle was skiing with friends at around 1:15pm when a small avalanche caused her to tumble down the slope twisting both of her knees. She was assisted by the other three subjects in the group and escorted to a campsite near Colchuck Lake.

Hovertsen could not hike out under her own power. One of the subjects used an inReach satellite communication device to text a request for assistance to the International Emergency Rescue Communication Center in Texas. The message was relayed to the Washington State Emergency Management communication center at Camp Murray, and then to RIVERCOM dispatch.

A Chelan County Sheriff’s Office helicopter crew was launched from Wenatchee. The helicopter was able to land near the patient.
Hovertsen was flown to the National Fish Hatchery landing pad near Leavenworth by 4:40pm where an ambulance was waiting to transport her to Cascade Medical Center in Leavenworth.

Hovertsen is in stable condition.

Written by Sgt Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 16 April 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a 36 year old male drowned in Lake Chelan on Saturday afternoon (04/13/2019) when an inflatable kayak he and another subject were in flipped over. Both subjects were ejected into the cold water. The incident occurred north of the dock area at Lake Chelan State Park.

At 2:49pm, RIVERCOM 911 dispatch began receiving calls reference the two subjects in the water. One of the males had not surfaced. Several boaters who were participating in a fishing derby in the area began actively looking for the missing subject. State Park Rangers, Sheriff’s Deputies (with a marine vessel), Chelan County Fire District #7 (with rescue swimmers) and Lake Chelan EMS responded to assist in the search.

It was determined that Bonventure Gitau 36 years of age of Tacoma, WA had not been wearing a personal floatation device when the two-person inflatable kayak he was in with his friend capsized. Gitau was seen momentarily in the water by witnesses but then disappeared under the surface. His friend, Jackson Njaru 31years if age of Puyallup, WA, made it to a nearby boat and was pulled from the water in fair condition.

Just prior to 4:00pm, Gitau’s body was spotted on the bottom of the lake at a depth of about 30 feet. A diver from Fire District #7 made the recovery. The body was released to the Chelan County Coroner’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone planning to recreate in lakes and rivers this season, to please utilize personal floatation devices when in any type of vessel.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 11 April 2019

All student, staff, parents and community members are invited to join the Manson School District at its cultural celebration on Tuesday, April 30 from 5-8:00 p.m. at Manson High School. Dinner will be served throughout the evening beginning at 5pm.

In conjunction with our annual districtwide Dia del Niño celebration, we invite you to join us in the celebration of our children and embracing cultures from 15 different countries. Many interactive activities will be available for you to participate in. Here is just a sample of what you can do:

• Family Photo Booth – for family pictures (free of charge)

• Sample homemade food from around the world

• Learn how to play games from other countries

• Participate in a “World Cup” soccer match on the football field

• Hear about student DNA results.

You may also enjoy listening to songs and watch dances being performed by our elementary students from the Swedish Maypole dance to an Irish Folk dance.

This community-wide family event is open to anyone who wants to have some fun and learn about other cultures. Please join us!

Written by Robin Pittman

Published: 09 April 2019

Regular Board Meeting
142 Pedoi Street, Bumgarner Building, April 11, 2019, 4:10pm
I. Call to Order
II. Flag Salute
III. Agenda Additions and Deletions
IV. Public Comment
V. Approval of Minutes
a. March 14, 2019 Special meeting minutes
VI. Financial Review
a. Review Monthly Financial Report
b. Review and Approve Monthly Voucher
VII. Old Business
a. Leffler Field
b. Director’s Report
VIII. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: May 9, 2019 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831