Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 09 October 2018

Manson School District is forming a facilities review committee and would like to invite any resident of Manson to join in this work. The committee is charged with:

• Reviewing previous committee recommendations

• Reviewing enrollment (past, current and projected)

• Reviewing current facilities

• Reviewing staff and community input

• Making recommendations to the Manson School Board

Our first meeting is October 15th at 6:30PM at the Manson District Office.

Please call Janice Stewart at 687-3140 to RSVP

Written by Robin Pittman

Published: 09 October 2018

Regular Board Meeting
142 Pedoi Street, Bumgarner Building, October 11, 2018, 4:10pm

I. Call to Order
II. Flag Salute
III. Agenda Additions and Deletions
IV. Public Comment
V. Approval of Minutes
a. September 13, 2018 Regular Meeting minutes
VI. Financial Review
a. Review Monthly Financial Report
b. Review and Approve Monthly Voucher
VII. Old Business
a. Manson Bay Waterfront Revitalization Project
b. Willow Point Park policy update
c. Credit card
d. Director’s Report
VIII. New Business
a. Singleton playground renovation
b. 2019 Summer Programs
c. Old Swim Hole boundary
d. Annual Report: review ‘Goals and Objectives’ for 2019
IX. Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: November 8, 2018 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831

Written by Meagan Lott, WSDOT Communications

Published: 05 October 2018

CLE ELUM – Drivers traveling westbound on Interstate 90 near Cle Elum this weekend are highly encouraged to use alternate routes in order to avoid long delays and congestion.

For the safety of the traveling public, the Washington State Department of Transportation closed the right westbound lane Tuesday night, Oct. 2 after a string of collisions in the area prompted a closer look at the pavement. This new section of concrete was completed in fall 2017. However, a recent test of the concrete surface shows a subsequent reduction in skid resistance. Work to grind the surface of the roadway to increase friction and add traction is scheduled to start next week between mileposts 88 and 90.

WSDOT anticipates the worst delay will be on Sunday morning starting at 11 a.m. If drivers can either delay their trip until Monday or use alternate routes via US 97 to State Route 970, delays of several hours can be avoided.

WSDOT provides a variety of tools to help plan your trip over Snoqualmie Pass:

• Sign up for email updates and text message alerts.
• Snoqualmie Mountain Pass Web page for real-time travel information and to view traffic cameras.
• Check the weekly Construction Updates and Traffic pages for region-wide updates.
• Tune into the Highway Advisory Radio at 1610 AM and 530 AM.
• Follow us on Twitter @snoqualmiepass.
• Call the I-90 construction hotline at 888-535-0738 or 511.

Written by Meagan Lott, WSDOT

Published: 30 September 2018

HYAK – The opening of a new stretch of eastbound Interstate 90 marks the halfway point of a 15-mile improvement project to add lanes, build bridges, stabilize rock slopes, reduce avalanche closures and improve wildlife movement east of Snoqualmie Pass.

The Washington State Department of Transportation and contractor crews opened two of three new eastbound lanes to traffic last week. The third and final lane is scheduled to open in November.

“After many years of hard work, it’s exciting to see we are nearing completion,” said Brian White, WSDOT assistant regional administrator for construction. “The additional lanes and avalanche bridges will provide a more reliable roadway and the wildlife overcrossing will improve safety and connect wildlife habitat.”

In 2013, WSDOT celebrated the completion of the first 3 miles of the corridor.  The near-completion of this 4-mile section marks a major milestone as WSDOT is halfway to completing the full 15 miles between Hyak and Easton.

This 7-mile section of I-90 between Hyak and Stampede Pass, with a total budget of $551 million, was funded by the 2005 gas tax. Contractor crews removed more than 2 million cubic yards of material and poured 153,000 cubic yards of concrete to build six new lanes – three in each direction – and 17 new bridges including two avalanche bridges and a wildlife overcrossing.

Work to complete the remaining half of the 15-mile corridor is scheduled to begin in 2021 with completion in 2029. This 8-mile section will add new lanes, stabilize rock slopes, build more wildlife overcrossings and add new chain-up areas. The Connecting Washington funding package provides $426 million to improve this final stretch of I-90.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 18 September 2018

Titus Petersen, Manson High School student, is among eight local finalists nominated for the “Future Technology Leader of the Year” award sponsored by the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance (GWATA) for individuals who developed inspirational technology projects.

Titus was nominated for researching and conducting experiments on atmospheric/wind patterns using cutting edge technology and video capabilities to learn about a topic he was interested in. Back in May he launched his first ever weather balloon which traveled over 90,000 feet about the earth. Titus document his project and it is available for viewing at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU1h5tdO1js&t=1s

The awards ceremony will take place on September 26th at the Wenatchee Convention Cetner – Good Luck Titus!

Written by Chief Jason Reinfeld, CCSO

Published: 15 September 2018

On September 12th, 2018 at approximately 1:45 PM, a fire was reported in the dry grass in the front yard of a residence in the 1700 Block of Judkins Avenue in Wenatchee. The reporting party said they believed a male started the fire and gave a clothing description.

Chelan County Fire District 1 responded and extinguished the fire but not before it severely damaged a motorhome being used as a permanent dwelling. The motorhome was in close proximity to where the fire started and was occupied by three people at the time. All three were able to exit the motorhome without injury.

Deputies arrived on scene and observed a male nearby wearing clothing that matched the suspect description. He also had soot on his face under his eyes and on his nose that appeared to be purposefully applied. The male, a 41 year old Wenatchee resident was detained and later interviewed by Detectives.

After the male subject was interviewed by a CCSO detective, he was arrested and booked into CCRJC for Arson 1st Degree.

Written by Joe Irwin, Strategic Assessment and Performance Analysis, WSDOT

Published: 15 September 2018

Quarterly Gray Notebook report also tracks freight, fish passage and highway safety statistics

OLYMPIA – The condition of bridges owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation continued to improve through the first half of 2018. Between fiscal years 2017 and 2018, the percentage of WSDOT owned bridges (measured by bridge deck area) in fair or better condition increased from 91.8 percent to 92.5 percent. State fiscal years (FY) run from July 1 through June 30, with FY2018 ending June 30, 2018.

WSDOT reports bridge conditions measured by the surface area of bridge decks rather than simply reporting the number of bridges in each condition category in order to provide a more accurate view of system-wide bridge conditions, and to conform with federal reporting methods. While WSDOT uses deck surface area for reporting purposes, the ratings themselves cover all aspects of a bridge, including support structures.

WSDOT also collects data on the conditions of bridges owned and maintained by local governments such as counties and cities. Overall statewide bridge conditions– including both state and locally owned bridges – also improved. In FY 2018, approximately 4.8 million square feet (6.6 percent) of the 72.3 million square feet of deck on bridges owned by local and state governments was in poor condition. That’s an improvement from FY 2017, when 7.6 percent was in poor condition. A bridge in poor condition is still safe for travel; the “poor” rating identifies that substantial repairs are needed, but they do not require bridge closure before the work is completed.

These analyses and others can be found in WSDOT’s latest edition of its quarterly performance publication, the Gray Notebook. The current publication summarizes the quarter that ended June 30 and includes articles on freight, highway system safety and fish passage barriers. Notable topics include:

• Washington waterborne freight tonnage increased 10.2 percent in 2016 compared to 2015; air cargo tonnage in Washington increased 7.6 percent during the same period.
• Tragically, annual statewide traffic fatalities increased 5.4 percent and serious injuries increased 0.3 percent from 2016 to 2017.
• WSDOT corrected 14 fish passage barriers in 2017, improving access to 45.5 miles of potential upstream habitat.

To learn more about WSDOT’s performance or to review “Gray Notebook 70” or its condensed “Lite” version, visit WSDOT’s Accountability website.

Written by Kevin Morris, Sheriff, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Published: 09 September 2018

On 09/07/18 at approximately 8:27 PM a Deputy was on routine patrol in Rock Island, when he saw a vehicle near BJ’s with an expired registration, and an inoperable brake light. The Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle for the violations, however the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed.

The Deputy pursued the vehicle through Rock Island until the vehicle came to a stop near milepost 5 on State Route 28 where the driver fled on foot.  The Deputy gave chase and caught up to the driver, where he eventually surrendered. 

The driver was identified as Santiago Vasquez, a 43 year old male of Quincy, WA.  Santiago had cocaine and methamphetamines in his pocket when he was arrested.  Deputies also located a .38 Special Colt revolver near the location Santiago was located and arrested. 

Santiago also had an outstanding warrant out of Grant County for attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and a warrant out of the department of corrections for escape community custody. 

Vasquez was booked on his warrants along with attempting to elude a police vehicle, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), unlawful possession of firearms, and reckless endangerment. 

There was also a female passenger in the vehicle who was detained by assisting deputies. The female was identified as Ashely N Baker, a 23 year old female of Ephrata, WA.  Ashely had three outstanding warrants for her arrest out of Grant County for driving while license suspended in the third degree (two counts) and theft in the third degree.  Ashely was booked on her warrants, without incident.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 08 September 2018

“On to State Mr. Brown! Good luck as you complete with nine other finalists from all over the state for “Teacher of the Year”  What a great send-off from all your coworkers and students…you got this!”