**Update 1/29/2026***
The male arrested by deputies on the evening of the incident is 18-year-old Hector Valencia-Farias of Manson. He is currently being held at Chelan County Regional Jail. Detective are actively continuing the investigation.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information that may assist detectives to call our tip line at 509-667-6845.
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On 1/23/26 at approximately 11:54 p.m. deputies responded to reports of gunfire in the 100 block of East Woodin Avenue. As units arrived on the scene, witnesses reported seeing several individuals fleeing the area on foot.
Upon arrival, deputies located a 22-year-old male on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound. Chelan EMS provided immediate on-site medical attention before transporting the victim to Lake Chelan Hospital in stable condition.
Upon further investigation, deputies identified a vehicle associated with the shooting near Riverwalk Park. An 18 year-old male passenger fled the vehicle on foot but was quickly located by deputies on Woodin Avenue. The individual was taken into custody without further incident.
The suspect has been booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center and faces the following charges:
This remains an active investigation. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety of the public and have no reason to believe there are any threats to the public. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
IMPORTANT HARVEST FEST NOTE
Adopted by the Foundation Board, the events scheduled for 2026 very much mirror those of previous years. In their considerations, the Board addressed Harvest Fest and whether it should continue to be held the first weekend in October.
Why Consider Changing the Date for Harvest Fest?
At Harvest Fest the past four or five years, the apple crop was less than satisfactorily ripe, and barely ripe for several varieties in 2025. Climate changes have gradually pushed back the date when your apples are ripe and best for harvesting. A week later could mean a considerable improvement.
Our Goal
Our goal is to continue to provide the best possible Harvest Fest experience for our community, patrons, and visitors. A part of that experience is being able to fully enjoy the Common Delicious, Rome Beauty's, and Jonathon's when pressing for cider and when you return home, making those delicious pies, cakes, sauces, wines, and apple chips. Being less than ripe, makes for poorer taste and less juice, and reflects badly on what great apples they really are!
The Plan
Your comments and suggestions are most welcome as we consider future dates for Harvest Fest. Simply reply to this message with your thoughts!
SUPPORTING OUR WORK
2025 was a very challenging year at the Buckner Homestead and Orchard. Staff and budgets frozen for months and the shutdown in October and November when some of the most critical work needed to be done to protect the historic trees, made the work of the Foundation critical to their survival.
Fortunately, through your support, we were well-positioned to fund off-season equipment maintenance, including major work on the Kabota tractor, to fund the stipends needed for spring pruning, to purchase needed new tools, and to provide nearly 400 hours of volunteer time to ensure critical work was completed.
With the very real uncertainty of further cuts and freezes in 2026, your support is needed more than ever! Please consider making a donation today. Our on-line option now provides the opportunity to contribute in an on-going manner, including monthly or quarterly, or with the still-available one-time donation.
To Contribute by Mail, please mail your donation to BHHF, PO Box 184, Manson, WA 98831.
FLOODING AT THE ORCHARD
It appears the horrendous fall flooding in the Stehekin Valley spared the Buckner Homestead from damage or loss, though a final evaluation is still pending.
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Regular Board Meeting: January 8, 2026 at 4:00pm
Bumgarner Meeting Room, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA 98831
1. Call to Order
2. Flag salute
3. Agenda additions and deletions
4. Public comment
5. Review and approval of minutes (Action Item)
a. December 11, 2025 Regular Meeting
6. Financial review
a. Monthly financial report
b. Review and approval of monthly voucher (Action Item)
7. New business
a. Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure Statements
b. Board of Commissioners Service Commitment Agreement0
c. PDC reminder
d. Payroll/Voucher Signature Form
e. Contract review and approval (Action Items)
i. Shoreline Watercraft contract
ii. Blackwatch contract amendment
f. Commissioner onboarding workshop
g. 2026 Goals & Objectives
8. Old business
a. Aquatics program (planning for 2026 season)
b. Project updates:
i. Old Swim Hole redevelopment
ii. Leffler Field
c. Director’s Report
9. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: 4:00pm on February 12, 2026 at 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA, 98831.
STEVENS PASS –US 2 Stevens Pass will remain closed between Skykomish (milepost 50) and Leavenworth (milepost 99) due to mudslides, water over roadway, washouts, and guardrail damage at multiple locations in the 49-mile section of road. There is no estimated time to reopen. Conditions will be assessed on Monday, Dec. 15.
Large portions of Leavenworth and Chelan County are currently without power. The City of Leavenworth issued a joint press release with the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce confirming that Village of Lights festivities have been cancelled for this weekend.
At this time, alternative routes for cross-state travel are available using I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, US 97 Blewett Pass, and State Route 28 through Quincy. With more precipitation in the forecast, travel conditions may change on short notice, and people should check the real time travel map for current travel conditions.
Sheriff Mike Morrison reports from the evening of December10th and through the day on December 11th, Stehekin, WA sustained substantial damage from mud and debris slides due to storms in the area. These problems were complicated by flooding that occurred during the same time.
Debris slides have blocked Stehekin Valley Road in several locations and have knocked out power to a large portion of the valley. The National Park Service water treatment facility in Stehekin was also destroyed.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office responded to Stehekin on December 11th with a boat to assess damages. It is expected drinking water may become limited and the Sheriff’s Office has 7-10 days-worth of bottled water enroute.
On December 12th as more reports come in, we have determined there are isolated groups of residents who are unable to travel up and down the valley. Most of these isolated groups are equipped to stay for a long period of time, however some assistance is needed. On Saturday, the Sheriff’s Air Support Unit will be flying a mission into the area to deliver supplies to one of
these isolated groups.
There is an unknown timeframe for when roadways and power will be fully restored in the Stehekin Valley.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management alerts residents to the National Weather Service’s recently issued Flood Warnings. Of special concern are burn scar areas from recent wildfires and the county’s steep hillsides and canyons.
Chelan County Public Works has pre-positioned equipment along areas of concern and will be on standby for a quick response to any reported problems. This flood watch extends until Friday afternoon. Public Works cautions that because crews are busy, flooded roadways may not all be signed with safety warnings. Be vigilant about where you are driving and what debris or obstacles are in the roadway.
Flash floods and mudslides can strike with little or no warning. Local rains may be so intense that small creeks and streams are unable to handle the large amounts of water. Storm drains and culverts may turn into raging bodies of water. The force of 6 inches of swiftly moving water can knock people off their feet. A foot of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.
Emergency Management encourages the public to observe the following flash flood safety rules:
On December 3rd, 2025 at approximately 2:30 pm, Justin Lasater, a 24-year-old Entiat man was reported missing. He had not shown up for work and he was last seen by friends in Wenatchee on the evening of December 2nd.
A deputy took the initial report and according to a tracking app, his last known location was on 97a North of Rocky Reach Dam. Deputies checked 97a north and Swakane Canyon but did not locate Justin or his white Nissan Pathfinder. A notice was put out to local agencies to attempt to locate and check the welfare of Justin.
On the morning of December 4th, Justin still had not been contacted. New information was obtained that Justin had been seen crossing the bridge northbound into Entiat. Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue as well as CCSO Deputies began thoroughly checking the Entiat River drainage over the next couple of days. Searching was unsuccessful.
On Monday December 8th, the weather finally allowed the Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit to fly the area. The crew was able to locate a white SUV submerged in the Columbia River just north of milepost 211 on 97a. Rescue swimmers from Chelan Fire Rescue were able to confirm the vehicle was Justin’s and that there was an occupant in the driver’s seat.
Washington State Patrol took over the incident since the collision occurred on the state highway. After the vehicle was recovered, the driver was positively identified as Justin Lasater.
The collision is still under investigation by WSP.
On Monday, November 10, 2025, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office personnel assisted with support in the Bridgeport area of a multi-agency narcotics investigation led by the King County Sheriff’s Office Precinct 4 Special Emphasis Team (SET), known as “Operation Eastbound and Down.”
Over the past several months, King County SET conducted a comprehensive investigation into a regional supplier based in Bridgeport who, along with an accomplice, was receiving more than 100 pounds of narcotics every few weeks. These substances were then distributed to local dealers across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
Detectives executed search warrants at locations in Bridgeport, Lynnwood, and Kirkland. The combined efforts of all agencies involved led to the following seizures and arrests:
The estimated street value of the narcotics seized is approximately $1.3 million.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office thanks the King County Sheriff’s Office for its leadership and coordination throughout this operation.
Work to replace span over westbound lanes to affect area traffic into winter
CLE ELUM – Work to replace the Bullfrog Road overpass above the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 near Cle Elum is set to begin by the end of November. The bridge was hit and severely damaged by an over-height load in late October.Washington State Department of Transportation bridge designers have finished plans to replace the span. A contractor is expected to be selected in time for work to start by the end of the month. Crews will work into the winter to restore full access to the overpass safely and efficiently.“Safety is our top priority,” said Brian White, WSDOT region administrator. “Our crews are working as quickly as possible to reopen the bridge while keeping both workers and travelers safe. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we complete this critical repair through winter conditions.”
The repairs are being completed under emergency authorization by Gov. Bob Ferguson, with an estimated cost of $8 million, funded under the governor’s emergency proclamation. Work is expected to be complete and the overpass reopened by January 2026. Crews will return in the spring, when temperatures allow, to apply a thin concrete overlay, which will require another temporary closure of the Bullfrog Road overpass.
What to expect
The replacement span over westbound I-90 will use pre-cast girders or concrete support beams to accelerate construction and closure times. Once the girders are set, crews will build the bridge’s concrete sidewalls and reopen the overpass.
Short-term full closures of westbound I-90 will be required as construction progresses. These closures may occur during daytime or nighttime hours, depending on the work being done:
Current Detours:
I-90 travel updates:
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