Written by Robin Pittman

Published: 06 September 2021

Regular Board Meeting
September 9, 2021, 4:15pm

This will be a phone-in meeting. Please join using the following information.
Dial-in using your phone: 1-712-832-8330
Access code: 818 2416

I. Call to Order
II. Agenda Additions and Deletions
III. Public Comment
IV. Approval of Minutes
a. August 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes
V. Financial Review
a. Review Monthly Financial Report
b. Review and Approve Monthly Voucher
VI. Old Business
a. Purchasing Policy (setting purchase limit)
b. Proposals to PUD for park improvements
c. Director’s Report
VII. New Business
a. Marina Committee
VIII. Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: October 14, 2021 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831, unless otherwise posted.

Written by Kari Sorensen, Blueberry Hills Farms

Published: 06 September 2021

Manson Community Council

September 21, 2021 Agenda

ZOOM @ 6:00 pm Meeting ID: 895 6602 3031

Written by Sheriff Brian Burnett, CCSO

Published: 03 September 2021

On August 18, 2021 Governor Inslee announced that Proclamation 21–14 (Vaccination Requirement) had been expanded to include all employees, on-site contractors and on-site volunteers at all public and private K-12 schools.

On August 20, 2021 Sheriff Burnett reached out to the Cascade School District, Cashmere School District, Chelan School District, and Manson School District to discuss the pending 2021/2022 School Resource Officer (SRO) contracts, as this new mandate now involved Sheriff’s Office employees who are protected by a collective bargaining agreement.

After many discussions with the School Districts, the Sheriff’s Office, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and each SRO, it was determined that the contracts would be put on hold, in order for all those involved and potentially affected by the Vaccination Requirement to work through this process.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office values the working relationship we have with our School Districts, their administration and staff. Together with our School Districts, the Sheriff’s Office administration, staff and School Resource Officers, we have worked collaboratively in order to provide programs that foster a safe learning environment for both students and staff.

Sheriff Burnett is working closely with the School Districts, Sheriff’s Office Employees and the Chelan County Deputy Sheriff’s Association in hopes of finding a resolution, while at the same time giving due process to all those potentially affected by the Vaccination Requirement.

On September 8, 2021 the Chelan County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the Chelan County Sheriff’s Administration will be meeting to discuss this topic and determine how we move forward with future SRO contracts with the local School Districts.

In the interim, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is committed to keeping close communications with our schools and providing the best service possible under the current circumstances. The Sheriff’s Office will respond to all non-emergency and emergency calls for all schools and we will continue to work proactive patrols around our schools in order to maintain a safe learning environment for all.

Written by Barbara LaBoe, WSDOT communications

Published: 26 August 2021

Use WSDOT tools to help prepare for holiday weekend traffic

OLYMPIA – With summer drawing to a close, travelers during the Labor Day weekend should plan ahead for extra congestion, including allowing extra time and traveling during non-peak times if possible.

Checking the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Labor Day weekend traffic volume charts when planning trips can help determine best times to travel on key routes. There will not be travel charts for the I-5 US-Canadian border crossing this year because the border has not been reopened long enough to provide for good analysis. Travelers should also check ahead for any COVID-19 safety requirements at their destinations or stops along the way.

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 the 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 plan if the first choice of an outdoor location is full and never park along road shoulders, as this is unsafe for everyone on the roadway.
• Carry extra food and water as well as extra masks and hand sanitizer as an added precaution for emergencies or unexpected stops.
• Keep vehicles at least a quarter full of fuel throughout travel. The state Department of Commerce says with many people still driving rather than flying, there could be local delays in fuel deliveries during heavy travel weekends. 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 needed and leaving enough for everyone else.
• Given ongoing fire danger and dry conditions, never throw cigarettes or anything ignited out of vehicles, don’t park on grassy areas and ensure towing or other chains don’t drag on pavement causing sparks.

Highway construction paused

Most state highway construction work is suspended through the holiday weekend – including Monday, Sept. 6 – 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, Sept. 3, until Tuesday, Sept. 7. However, the usual holiday increase in traffic volumes means travelers should expect delays, especially eastbound on Friday, Sept 3, and westbound Monday, Sept. 6 (see charts for more detail). Receive text message alerts about significant delays by texting the number 468311 with the words "WSDOT Snoqualmie."

Tolling

In the Puget Sound, weekend toll rates will be in effect on Monday, Sept. 6, 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.

Ferry travel

People boarding a state ferry by vehicle should prepare for long waits. Peak travel times on most routes are expected to be westbound (or onto an island) Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 2-4, and eastbound (or off island), Sunday through Tuesday, Sept. 5-7. 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 and terminal conditions.
• A face covering is required in all indoor areas of vessels and terminals in compliance with the governor’s “Washington Ready” proclamation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s order for public transportation.

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 Transportation Security Administration regulations require all passengers to wear masks. Visit www.amtrakcascades.com/ or call 800–USA–RAIL for details.
• For information about traveling via state-operated airports, visit www.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 during holidays.

Written by Kevin Morris, Douglas County Sheriff

Published: 25 August 2021

On April 19, 2020 at about 2:13 PM, Douglas County Deputies were dispatched to a report of human remains found by an individual picking asparagus.

The remains were located in the trees and brush on the hillside in the 2700 block of Tacoma Avenue, Bridgeport.

The scene was investigated and the remains were removed.

Although confirmation cannot be made as to the identity of the remains until further DNA testing, investigators believe this to be Roy L. Groeneveld. Mr. Groeneveld was reported missing from a nearby residence in 2010 and was never located.

Written by Sergeant Jason Reinfeld, CCSO

Published: 23 August 2021

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on August 20th, 2021 at approximately 4:30 pm a 78 year old Peshastin man was located on the French Creek trail in the Icicle Drainage. The man was reported missing on Monday, August 16th after he didn’t return home from fishing on Sunday the 15th. Searchers worked all week attempting to locate the missing man.

On August 20th, a group of hikers located the man on the trail and flagged down a search team in the area who were returning to the SAR base. They were approximately 2-1/4 miles in from the trailhead. He was dehydrated but was still able to walk. It was determined on scene however, he would need to be littered out the remainder of the way.

After interviewing the man, searchers were able to determine he hiked in on Sunday morning and went up the French Ridge trail off of French Creek. At some point, he lost the trail and started working his way down off trail. He located the creek and was able to catch and eat some fish.

Throughout the week searchers from several different agencies helped in the search. Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Deputies, CCSO Swiftwater Rescue Deputies and Volunteers, Chelan County Volunteer SAR, Chelan County Mountain Rescue, as well as representatives from Kittitas County, Okanogan County, Spokane County, King County, Snohomish County, as well as spontaneous volunteers including family members all participated in the search. The hikers who located the man volunteered to assist with the litter carry-out.

Written by Lake Chelan Tourist Center

Published: 14 August 2021

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

Published: 14 August 2021

AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 3:00 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: July 2021
• Payroll: June 22-July 26 Paid 08-05-2021 $185,214.54
• General Account Vouchers: Transactions #826 -834 for $6,407.28, #836-842 for $2,404.69, #857-885 for $18,108.58.
• Capital Account Vouchers: Transactions #855-856 & 961 for $4,735.18
• Minutes: July 28, 2021 and August 2, 2021
Fire Chief Report:
• 2021 Budget & Financial Report
• July Emergency Response Report / Operations / Community Risk Reduction / Apparatus Update
Assistant Chief Report:
• Volunteer Recruitment & Retention / Training
Firefighters Association Report:
Unfinished Business:
• 2021 Levy Lid Lift
• New Chief Hiring Process
• City of Chelan Fire Protection Services Contract – Update
• Station 75 Short Plat – Update
New Business:
• 2021 Operational Goals (August through December)
Special Events:
• Chelan Fire & Rescue Open House, October 2nd, 1000-1400, Station 71
• Washington Fire Commissioners Association Conference, October 20th 23rd, Tulalip Convention Center
Board for Volunteer Firefighters:
Public Comment:
Commissioner Comments:
Executive Session: None
Adjournment:

Written by Barb Chamberlain, Active Transportation Division director, WSDOT

Published: 10 August 2021

New bike route designations expand to southeast corner of the state

OLYMPIA – There’s exciting news for people who desire to travel long distance by bicycle – Washington state is expanding its U.S. Bicycle Route system (pdf 1.8mb) by more than 200 miles by designating four new routes in the southeast corner of the state.

U.S. bike routes direct bicyclists to a preferred route through a city, county or state, and provide options for riders to select among various route choices. These preferred routes tend to have lower vehicle traffic volumes and take advantage of scenic landscapes as well as connect riders to services, parks and points of interest. With the addition of these new route designations, Washington’s USBR system will expand to just over 1,000 miles throughout the state.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials approved the Washington State Department of Transportation’s latest application for the new USBR segments earlier this week. 

The new routes are:

• USBR 20: 77.2 miles, starting at the city of Clarkston/Idaho state border along US 12 over the Columbia Plateau to the Columbia County line near the Lewis & Clark Trail State Park
• USBR 40: 1.9 miles from town of Tekoa to the Idaho border; a small step to the beginning of an ambitious route plan to span 400 miles across Washington to La Push
• USBR 81: 103.5 miles on state and county roads, from the northern border of Whitman County near the town of Tekoa to the city of Asotin, south of Clarkston
• USBR 281: 23 miles, starting in the city of Pullman, heading southeast along State Route 27 and US 195 to the Washington/Idaho border

“The U.S. Bicycle Routes are an example of how state highways can serve as critical connections in an overall network for bicycling, as well as support tourism, just as they do for people traveling by car,” said Barb Chamberlain, director of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division. “Bike travelers stop in more places and spend more on average than those traveling in motor vehicles, so bike routes are especially good for the economy in our small and rural towns.”

The new routes are now eligible for national and global promotion and are authorized to use nationally recognized signage.