Written by Herb Sargo

Published: 29 October 2019

HARVEST FEST

The 11th annual Harvest Fest was one of the best ever! Sunny weather, a great crop in a beautiful setting , and a record turnout made for a great day of picking, pressing, and potluck on Saturday. 240 people of all ages came and went during the day, arriving early and leaving late into the afternoon.

Though Valley Music Night was cancelled due to the cosmic convergence of most of the musicians being unavailable, Poetry Night on Sunday evening was a relaxing and enjoyable evening of 25 folks sharing, listening, and reading a variety of poetry.

Harvest Fest photos can be accessed without signing in and without downloading by clicking HERE.

Many thanks to all of you who contributed to the setup, cleanup, and all the many things that need to be done; it was a team effort!

RAFFLE WINNERS AND DONORS

A part of Harvest Fest for the past three or four years, the raffle has become a favorite. Great donors with great prizes have made this a important source of revenue and fun for Harvest Fest. Many sincere thanks to all who contributed!

Custom-knit stocking cap (Nancy Barnhart),
Winner -Patsy Martin, Burlington
3-book autographed set of writings and essays (Anna Maria Spagna),
Winner - Crystal Austin, Chelan
Moon over McGregor photo (Mike Barhnart),
Winner -Terry Lloyd, Chelan
Custom-knit mittens (Bob Nielsen),
Winner - Matt Kaemingk, Texas
One-hour massage (Wendy Garfoot),
Winner -John Newhoff, Seattle
2-book autographed books of poetry (David Kurth),
Winner - Jake Johnston, Chelan
4-CD set of original music (Trapper Robbins),
Winner - Danita Breeze, Manson
3 autographed copies The Stehekin We Remember (Buckner Sisters),
Winners - Mile Miles, Stehekin; Jamie Richard, Kennewick; and Tarra Cunningham
2 Hydrangea wreaths (Kathleen Nerenberg, Holden Village),
Winner - Amber A. and Christina Theubet
$25 Bakery Gift Certificate (Stehekin Pastry Company),
Winner - JoAnne Reiter, Walla Walla
Quilted Wall Hanging (Jean Vavrek),
Winner -Kitty Griffith, Manson
Lake Sunset Photo (Crystal Austin),
Winner - Lisa Bingham Cochrane, Portland
Autographed copy At Home in the Woods - A Family History (Mike Barnhart),
Winner - Laura Corkern, Stehekin
Quilted Wall Hanging (Little Sisters Quilts, Adrienne Carpenter),
Winner - Liz Hambleton
Dinner for Two (Stehekin Valley Ranch),
Winner - Vani Schubert, Seattle
2 RT Commuter Tickets on Lady Cat (Lake Chelan Boat Co./Discover Lake Chelan)
Winner - Patsy Martin, Burlington
11-Ticket Commuter Pass on Lady II (Lake Chelan Boat Co./Discover Lake Chelan)
Winner - Brian Hendricks, Chelan

 2020 EVENTS - Mark your calendars!

Square Dance at the Orchard August 1, 2020
Harvest Fest 2020, October 2-4, 2020

ADOPT-A-TREE

In addition to memberships, donations, and volunteering; Adopt-A-Tree is another way to support our work and events at the historic Buckner Orchard. Trees can be adopted as gifts, in memory of, dedicated to, or just for yourself for $25 a tree. Certificates are available upon request.

Simply send your check for the number of trees to BHHF at PO Box 184, Manson, WA 98831. Be sure to enclose your e-mail address, as this is how we receipt your donation. You can also check the Adopt-A-Tree part of our web site, Adopt-A-Tree.

Written by Carol A. Kibler, Administrative Office Manager, Chelan Fire and Rescue

Published: 29 October 2019

Call to order:

Flag Salute:

Unfinished Business:

• Long Range Plan – Review
• Issues Facing the Fire District
• Organizational Objectives
• 2020 Budget

Adjournment:

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 29 October 2019

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

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

Please join us as we honor those who have served.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 17 October 2019

The Manson School District in coordination with the Chelan Co. Sheriff and Chelan County Fire District #5 will be conducting an emergency exercise. The purpose of the drill is to help prepare for possible emergency situations.

The exercise will occur on Friday, November 1, 2019. We are not sharing the exact nature of the incident so as to better prepare our students and staff for a real emergency should one occur.
The district will be using its BrightArrow messaging system to communicate with parents prior to the drill and during the drill.

Each message you receive will begin with the words “THIS IS A DRILL” as to alert you that this this is only a drill.

If you have any questions about this event, please feel free to contact the district office at (509) 687-3140

Written by Reema Griffith, WSTC executive director

Published: 10 October 2019

OLYMPIA – At its October meeting, the Washington State Transportation Commission will take action on policy recommendations to the legislature on testing and deploying autonomous vehicles. The commission also will begin drafting its final report to the legislature assessing whether the state should consider implementing a Road Usage Charge system as a possible replacement to the gas tax.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. both Tuesday, Oct. 15, and Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE, on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. The commission meeting is open to the public and persons wishing to speak to the commission may do so at public comment times at the end of each day.

On Tuesday morning, the commission will receive a briefing on a study of city transportation needs completed earlier this year for the Joint Transportation Committee. The study concluded that city transportation investments fall short by half of what is needed. In addition to the report’s findings and recommendations, commissioners will hear the reaction from two of the case study cities.  

The remainder of Tuesday’s agenda is devoted to the topic of exploring a potential replacement to the gas tax to fund roads and bridges. Because gasoline is taxed by the gallon, as vehicles become more fuel efficient or switch to electric power, gas tax revenue will decline. In 2012, the legislature directed the commission to assess the potential of a road usage charge to replace the gas tax. A Road Usage Charge (RUC) is a per mile charge drivers would pay for the use of the roads, as opposed to paying by the gallon of gas.

The commission, with the assistance of a stakeholder steering committee, has determined that road usage charging is feasible and that over time it can generate more revenue than the gas tax, as cars become more fuel efficient. To test how such a system could work in Washington and evaluate different ways of recording and reporting mileage, more than 2,000 Washington drivers participated in a year-long Washington Road Usage Charge pilot project. With the conclusion of the pilot, the commission is now ready to report on its findings, including the RUC experience of other states. 

Oregon, the first state in the country to implement a RUC, now has several hundred vehicles paying by the mile for using its roads. Oregon Department of Transportation staff will brief the commission about legislation enacted in Oregon earlier this year to stabilize and expand its road usage charge program.

Then, the commission will consider the work of its road usage charge steering committee, results and findings from the test-driving phase of the Washington RUC pilot project, and reactions of pilot participants, as it drafts its report recommending next steps. Commissioners will identify preliminary findings and recommendations for the 2020 legislature, and provide direction regarding the RUC Assessment Final Report. They also will discuss a proposal on gathering public input in November on the preliminary recommendations.

On Wednesday, the commission will act on several policy recommendations forwarded to it from a broad-based Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Work Group that includes members from the private sector, state and local government, and the legislature. Established in 2018, the legislature created the AV Work Group to enable Washington state to address the public policy issues raised by emerging AV technology in an informed, thorough, and deliberate manner. The briefing and discussion led by the work group chair and its subcommittees will frame the commission’s report to the Legislature and Governor on testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles in our state.

The commission also will hear a brief update on preparations for tolling the State Route 99 tunnel and receive a report on a recent study of the Interstate 405 express toll lanes by the Washington State Transportation Center. Using data from each trip made on the I-405 express toll lanes during operating hours, demographic data on census block groups, and lane speed, volume, and travel time data, the study reveals insights into how the express toll lanes are used, the benefits they provide to the region, and how these benefits are distributed among different groups of noncommercial users.

For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/

Written by Carol A. Kibler, Administrative Office Manager, Chelan Fire and Rescue

Published: 09 October 2019

AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 3:00 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA
Proposed Chelan Fire and Rescue agenda pending Board approval.
Flag Salute:
Regular Meeting Call to Order:
Approve Agenda:
Public Comment:
Consent Agenda:
• Revenue and Expenditure Report: September 2019
• Payroll: $143,597.96 September 1-30, 2019 Paid: 10-05-2019
• Vouchers for September 1-30, 2019 General Account: Vouchers #19101 – 19108 for $1,807.45; Vouchers #19110 – 19117 for $,.29; Vouchers #19118 – 19136 for $9,002.64.
• Vouchers for September 1-30, 2019 Capital Account: Vouchers #17098,17099 and 19105 for $5,126.93; Voucher #19109 for $1,732.28.
• Minutes: September 18, 2019
Fire Chief Report:
• 2019 Budget / Emergency Response Report /Operations/ Community Risk Reduction
Assistant Chief Report:
• Volunteer recruitment & Retention / Training
Firefighters Association Report:
Unfinished Business:
• Badge Pinning
• Proposed 2020 Budget – schedule Budget workshop
New Business:
• Resolution 2019-06 Surplus Items; Bunker Gear and MSA items
Special Event:
10-19-2019 Firelight Gala – Sorento’s Restaurant
10-21&22, 2019 Washington State Fire Marshal Conference – Campbells Resort
10-23-26, 2019 Washington State Commissioners Association Conference – Tulalip Resort Casino
10-31-2019 Halloween – Station 71 Event
Board for Volunteer Firefighters
• Invoice - Pension
Public Comment:
Commissioner Comments: No action to be taken.
Executive Session:
Adjournment:

Written by Jana Ratcliff, Environmental Services Office, WSDOT

Published: 07 October 2019

WSDOT accepting public input Oct. 7 - 18

OLYMPIA – Those who are interested in how the Washington State Department of Transportation handles stormwater runoff from highways and other paved surfaces have an opportunity to comment on a new Stormwater Management Program plan. WSDOT will consider online and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. comments on the plan starting today, Oct. 7, to Friday, Oct. 18.

WSDOT is responsible for managing stormwater from highways, rest areas, park-and-ride lots, ferry terminals and maintenance facilities in urban areas throughout the state. In spring 2019, the state Department of Ecology issued WSDOT a permit that regulates stormwater from these paved surfaces. As part of that permit, WSDOT is required to submit to Ecology a stormwater management plan by Oct. 31, describing how the agency will implement the permit’s requirements.

Any comments WSDOT receives by Oct. 18 will be considered before finalizing the plan this year. WSDOT will consider comments received after the deadline in next year’s plan update.

Managing stormwater from highways and other paved surfaces is important to traveler safety and for water quality in streams and underground water supplies. Untreated, stormwater can carry pollutants downstream and can cause flooding and erosion that might lead to roadway damage.

Written by Robin Pittman

Published: 07 October 2019

Regular Board Meeting
142 Pedoi Street, Bumgarner Building, October 10, 2019, 4:10pm
I. Call to order
II. Flag salute
III. Agenda additions and deletions
IV. Public comment
V. Approval of Minutes
a. September 12, 2019 regular meeting minutes
VI. Financial Review
a. Review monthly financial report
b. Review and approve monthly voucher
VII. Old Business
a. Leffler Field
b. Singleton Park playground renovation
c. Shoreline erosion
d. Director’s Report
VIII. New
a. 2020 preliminary budget
b. 2019 Fall newsletter
IX. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: November 14, 2019 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831

Written by Chief Rick Johnson, CCSO

Published: 05 October 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on September 23rd and 24th, several thefts, burglaries and car prowls were reported in the Chelan area. The combined property taken in these multiple crimes was over $5,000.00.

Surveillance cameras at one of the burglary sites captured a suspicious vehicle. This vehicle was later seen driving in Chelan, was stopped, and some of the stolen property was seen in the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger from the vehicle were arrested.

A search warrant was subsequently served on the vehicle, and the stolen property was returned to the owners. Other items were recovered from the vehicle, but the owners have not yet been identified.

The suspects have been charged with Burglary 2nd Degree; Theft 2nd Degree; Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance Heroin; Possession of Burglary Tools, and Vehicle Prowl 2nd Degree.