Written by Christina Crea, WSDOT Aviation Communications

Published: 04 July 2018

WSDOT Photo

Phase 1 and 2 of rehabilitation project completed on time

WINTHROP – Methow Valley State Airport has a brand new runway after a 45-day temporary closure to rehabilitate the 22-year-old pavement. On May 14, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation began the four Phased $5 million project to replace the pavement and maintain this crucial infrastructure.

Methow Valley State Airport in Winthrop is the largest of 16 WSDOT-managed airports, serving aircraft weighing up to 30,000 pounds.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 were completed on time (within the first 45 days).The runway opens in time to avoid interfering with the expected fire season operations of the United States Forest Service (USFS), conducted by North Cascades Smokejumper Base (NCSB).

Although the runway is scheduled to be open for public use by 8 p.m. on July 3, the west side taxiway connector and transient parking ramp will remain closed into August in order to complete Phase 3 for additional sub-grade and pavement overlay upgrades. Phase 3 is scheduled to be complete in August.

Limited space is being made available for transient (visiting) aircraft with prior permission in the Rams Head hangar development on the east side of the airport. Pilots are advised to check NOTAM’s and contact the airport manager for prior permission to access limited parking.

Wenatchee general contractor, Selland Construction, worked on Phases 1-2 and continues to complete Phase 3 of the project. Phase 4 to expand the west general aviation aircraft parking apron to the south was rebid in June. Timing of construction is unknown at this time.

Construction costs are split between the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and WSDOT Aviation. The FAA is supporting 90 percent and WSDOT Aviation is supporting 10 percent of the total cost. 

Written by Sheriff Brian Burnett, CCSO

Published: 03 July 2018

A multi-agency coordination event occurred between Federal, State, County and City organizations in Grant County, Douglas County and Chelan County over the course of nine days in June. During this event, and through coordinated efforts, law enforcement officers arrested 62 Violent Offenders and others with warrants for their arrest.

Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that the United States Marshals Service coordinated a federal, state and local law enforcement operation, called “Operation Hopscotch,” that resulted in the arrests of sixty-two violent offenders in Grant, Chelan and Douglas Counties over the course of ten days.  The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Moses Lake Police Department, Wenatchee Police Department and East Wenatchee Police Department partnered in Operation Hopscotch to locate and arrest sex offenders and other violent offenders with outstanding active arrest warrants.  Operation Hopscotch also led to the apprehension of fugitives based on arrest warrants issued from California and Idaho, as well as the arrests of offenders located in Arizona and Texas.  During the operation, law enforcement officers seized approximately 180 grams of methamphetamine and $2,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency.

Craig Thayer, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Washington, said, “The United States Marshals Service is very appreciative of the partnerships we have with the city, county, state, and other federal law enforcement agencies that worked diligently to make this warrant operation a tremendous success.  “Sixty -Two” violent offenders with active warrants were arrested and taken to jail.  Our communities are safer as a result of these cooperative efforts that help to hold these violent offenders accountable to the justice system.”

Harrington stated, “On behalf of the citizens of the Eastern District of Washington: Well Done!”

The U.S. Marshals Service led Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (“PNVOTF”) is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.  The PNVOTF in Eastern Washington is comprised of full-time members from the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Kennewick Police Department, Washington State Department of Corrections, and U.S. Border Patrol with part-time officers from agencies throughout the district.  The mission of the PNVOTF is to locate, arrest and bring to justice the most egregious federal, state, and local violent offenders.

Written by Jordyn Giulio, Douglas County Records and Risk Manager

Published: 03 July 2018

The Douglas County Commissioners have appointed Undersheriff Kevin Morris as acting Sheriff following Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal’s early retirement. 

After over 11 years of outstanding service, Sheriff Gjesdal has chosen not to complete the remainder of his third term in office.  Effective 12:01 pm on July 1, 2018, Undersheriff Morris will serve as acting Sheriff pending the appointment of a Sheriff by the Commissioners. 

As required by state law, the Douglas County Republican Central Committee nominates candidates for appointment to the Commissioners.  The Republican Central Committee held interviews with interested persons on June 23, 2018. 

The Douglas County Commissioners are expected to make a selection to fill the remainder Sheriff Gjesdal’s unexpired term by resolution on Monday, July 9^th at 9:00am after they receive nominations from the Republican Central Committee.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 01 July 2018

On 06/23/18 at approximately 11:07 PM Douglas County Deputies were dispatched to Lake Chelan Hospital to investigate a stabbing. 

The victim, a 20 year old Orondo man was being treated for a stab wound to his pelvis. 

The investigation revealed that at approximately 8:00 PM that evening, the victim was at a worker’s cabin in the 30 block of Nollmmeyer Rd. near Orondo.  He observed the suspect, 31 year old Ismael Gonzalez-Diaz of Orondo, fighting with several other males.  When the victim tried to intervene, Gonzalez-Diaz stabbed him in the pelvis, then left the scene.  A witness confirmed the victim’s account of the assault.

The suspect was located in an orchard approximately 1/2 mile from the scene of the attack.  It appeared he was very intoxicated.  The knife used in the attack and a fraudulent social security card was found in the vehicle. 

Gonzalez-Diaz was arrested without incident and booked into the Chelan County jail for assault 1st degree.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 29 June 2018

The Manson School Board has approved the hiring of Mr. Shawn Thurman to fill the position of Manson High School Principal. Don Vanderholm served as Manson High School Principal for eleven years prior to accepting the Lind/Ritzville Superintendent position for the 2018-19 school year.

Mr. Thurman comes to Manson from the Yakima School District with 20 years of experience.  He began his educational career as a para-educator for two years at Sunnyside School District where he then became a teacher and taught for six years. He received his administrative certification in 2012 and has worked as a curriculum and assessment coordinator, special programs director and assistant middle school principal. He currently serves as Yakima School District’s Title One Chief Officer.

Shawn, his wife Kristy, son Scott and daughter Jessica are excited to join Manson School District and the Manson Community.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 28 June 2018

The Manson School District will be hosting a surplus sale from 9:00 to 2:00 on Friday, July 31, 2018 at 1210 Totem Pole Road, Manson, WA.

Items for sale include: cabinetry, textbooks, technology equipment, lockers, commercial oven and other miscellaneous items.

Written by Janice Stewart

Published: 28 June 2018

MANSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

PUBLIC NOTICE

Call for Bids

The Manson School District hereby calls for bids on two Blue Bird school buses: a 1985 diesel Type D, 72 passenger and a 1999 diesel conventional 19 passenger/wheelchair.

Specifications and Vender Bid Proposal forms are available from the Manson School District Office at 135 S. Hill St, Manson, WA (509) 687-3140 or at www.manson.org.

Bids should be emailed to Operations Manager, Eric Sivertson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by July 17, 2018 and will be opened at 4pm.

Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 25 June 2018

UPDATE 06/25/2018

The name of the climber who died after a fall near the top of Mount Stuart Sunday morning is Varun Sadavarte 32-years of age from Seattle, WA. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has had contact with Sadavarte’s family.

Original story

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a climber fell several hundred feet while descending Mount Stuart just before noon Sunday. The 32-year old male Seattle resident was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.

A 911 cellular call to the KITTCOM dispatch center was received from the subject’s climbing partner at 11:47am reporting the fall. That call was relayed to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. The incident location was determined to be on the southeast aspect of Mount Stuart just below the false summit – east of the true summit.

Due to the high elevation (8,900 ft), search and rescue coordinators requested a hoist capable helicopter via State Emergency Management. Naval Airbase Whidbey Island accepted the mission and a Navy Blackhawk helicopter crew responded. The aircraft was over the scene by 2:40pm, and it was confirmed that the climber was deceased. The body was hoisted from the scene and transported to SAR staging at the fish hatchery in Leavenworth. The Navy crew returned to the mountain to hoist out the climbing partner of the victim who stated he was not comfortable descending the mountain after witnessing the accident.

The climbing partner informed SAR coordinators that his friend had successfully summitted Mount Stuart earlier in the morning and descended to the false summit before noon. Just as they began to descend toward the Cascadian Couloir, the victim lost his footing and slid several hundred feet down a steep slope landing in rocks. Other climbers in the area eventually scrambled down to the area of the fallen climber advising he was unresponsive.

The name of the deceased climber is being withheld at this time pending notification to next of kin out of state.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 23 June 2018

On 06/21/18 at 8:29 PM, a Douglas County Deputy was on routine patrol E/B on Hwy. 28 at about mile post 4 when he observed an approaching vehicle failing to dim his headlights.  He turned around to stop the vehicle, but another W/B vehicle had gotten in between the violator and the deputy’s patrol car.

Rather than pull over for the patrol car, which now had its lights and siren activated, the second vehicle, a green 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, sped up.  It turned onto S. Mary Ave.  Deputy made the decision to stop the Pathfinder for the more serious violation of failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

The Pathfinder continued to accelerate running through stop signs and reaching speeds up to 80 MPH.  The driver finally pulled over on Parkway Drive in Rock Island.  He shut off the car and placed his hands out the window.

He was identified as 33 year old Joshua J. Clark of Cashmere.  He was found to have a DOC warrant for Escape from Community Custody and felony warrants out of Chelan County for Possessing Methamphetamine and Heroine with Intent to Deliver and Escape 1st degree. 

He was arrested and booked at the Chelan County Jail without further incident.  He was also booked for the additional Douglas County charges of Felony Eluding and driving with a suspended license.

The deputies did a very good job managing this incident and capturing the suspect without injury.