Regular Board Meeting: September 10, 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. August 13, 2026 Regular Meeting
6. Financial review
a. Monthly financial report
b. Review and approval of monthly voucher (Action Item)
7. New business
a. Chelanathon vendor applications (Action Item)
b. 2027 Budget
c. 2028-2030 Levy
d. Aquatics program review
e. Pickleball court repairs
8. Old business
a. Project updates (see Director’s Report)
9. Director’s Report
10. Adjournment
HARVEST FEST
Harvest Fest 2026 is scheduled for October 2-4, with planning and preparation continuing as usual - the makings for the great Buckner chili were ordered today! Again, the possibility of change remains, with the intent of making notifications in as timely a fashion as is possible.
FIRE PREPARATION AT THE ORCHARD
While normal work at the Orchard goes on as usual and the apples continues to ripen, crews from a variety of agencies and from across the country spent two plus days providing support and fire protection for the historic structures and equipment. Building on previous fuel reduction around the historic buildings and mowing of the pasture by orchard staff and volunteers, the crew cleared handlines, set up pumps at the river, and placed an abundance of hoses and elevated sprinklers around buildings and equipment. The sprinkler system will only be used in the event of the eminent threat of fire.
AGNES CANCELLED
Agnes on Fire at the Orchard, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, has been cancelled. The uncertainty of air quality, the ability to practice, and the availability of band members have made this a difficult, but necessary decision on the part of the band. Uncertainty is the key word in this decision. They'll be back for Harvest Fest!
On September 2, 2026, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Detectives developed probable cause to arrest the primary suspect responsible for igniting the Chelan Hills Fire on July 4, 2026. Detectives traveled to Kent, Washington, where they located and arrested Michael Yakimov, an 18-year-old Kent resident. Detectives made the arrest without incident. Yakimov was subsequently transported back to Douglas County and booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on the following charges:
• Manslaughter in the First Degree
• Arson in the First Degree
• Malicious Mischief in the First Degree
• Assault in the Third Degree (Six Counts)
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On August 31, 2026, the Douglas County Coroner’s Office confirmed the positive identification of the deceased individual located within the burned vehicle found during evacuation efforts related to the Chelan Hills Fire on July 4, 2026. The victim has been identified as Robert M. Lister, a 69-year-old resident of Orondo, Washington. Mr. Lister’s family has been notified of this updated information.
The Chelan Hills Fire resulted in significant loss, widespread disruption, and long-term impacts to residents throughout the Chelan Hills and McNeil Canyon areas. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the ongoing hardships faced by community members and remains committed to providing accurate information as the investigation continues.
Detectives are continuing their comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ignition of the fire and the events that led to Mr. Lister’s tragic death. As further information becomes available, updates will be released to the public. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the patience and cooperation of the community.
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At approximately 12:06 a.m. on July 4, 2026, Douglas County Deputies responded to a reported brush fire near mile marker 233 on U.S. Highway 97. Working in coordination with local fire districts, deputies assisted in delivering numerous evacuation notices to residents impacted by the fire. Deputies have continued to support fire personnel as the incident has grown in size and complexity. State Mobilization was requested and approved for the fire at approximately 4:30 a.m. Firefighting efforts for what is now known as the Chelan Hills Fire are being managed by the SE Washington Type 3 Inter-Agency Team.
On July 5, 2026, deputies conducted follow-up on a report of a missing resident who lives in the affected fire area. Deputies located a vehicle that had slid off the roadway and was subsequently consumed by the fire. Human remains were discovered inside the vehicle, and the scene was investigated by Douglas County Detectives. The remains have been turned over to the Douglas County Coroner’s Office, which will work to obtain a positive identification of the deceased.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with fire personnel to check the affected area for any additional residents who were unable to safely evacuate. Further updates regarding the fire’s activity will be coordinated between our office and the fire management team.
Chelan Hills Fire as seen from Manson 7-4-26
On August 18th, 2026 at approximately 8:15 pm and overdue hiker, 27-year-old Chad Pietrok of Portland Oregon was reported overdue. He was last heard from on August 11th as he entered the Ingalls Creek trailhead near highway 97. He was beginning a planned 4-day hike that would take him nearly 65 miles through the Ingalls valley over to the Esmeralda Basin, then into Jack Creek before going over Windy Pass to the Eightmile trailhead. Chad had already completed a through hike of the Enchantments prior to going to the Ingalls trailhead.
A Search and Rescue Deputy took the call and it was determined due to the time, an immediate response that evening would not be beneficial. Search and rescue efforts began the next morning. Throughout the next 2-1/2 days, searchers walked nearly every portion of Chad’s planned route as well as several potential off-course routes he could have gone. The area was also searched by helicopters, drones, and K9’s.
On August 21st, eleven ground teams deployed from various locations in Chelan and Kittitas Counties. At approximately 11:30 am, RiverCom dispatch received a text-to-911 from a hiker who indicated he was with Chad on the Jack Creek trail near the trailhead. The hiker recognized Chad as missing and offered to give him a ride back to his vehicle. A deputy was sent to contact Chad and the hiker. Chad was found healthy and uninjured. It had taken him longer to get through his hike than anticipated and he had experienced some trail conditions that were difficult to traverse.
Throughout this rescue, approximately 70 people and 3 dogs were deployed from the following agencies and volunteer groups: Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue, Chelan County Mountain Rescue, Chelan County SO Air Support Unit, Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, Kittitas County Search and Rescue, Seattle Mountain Rescue, Yakima County SAR, King County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit, and US Forest Service.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the help received from all of these groups
On August 17, 2026, at approximately 9:40 p.m., a Chelan County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop a vehicle observed traveling at an estimated 80–100 mph on East Woodin Avenue. The vehicle failed to yield and continued southbound on SR-150 before entering U.S. Highway 97 and crossing into Douglas County.
The vehicle eventually stopped in the middle of the Beebe Bridge and was found unoccupied. Deputies contacted a registered owner, who reported that her husband was the likely driver and expressed concern that he may have entered the river from the bridge.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington State Patrol coordinated an area search. WSP later located the male registered owner near Chelan Falls Park. He was taken into custody without incident and transported for medical evaluation. A Designated Crisis Responder was also requested.
During the investigation, the man reportedly acknowledged entering the river from the bridge. Deputies also observed indicators consistent with possible alcohol impairment. A search warrant was obtained for a blood sample, which was collected and submitted for testing.
Charges for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle and Driving Under the Influence have been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review. The investigation remains subject to prosecutorial review, and any person accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the coordinated efforts of the Washington State Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, medical personnel, crisis-response resources, and dispatchers. These collaborative efforts reflect our shared commitment to protecting the community, keeping our roadways safe, and responding professionally and compassionately to incidents involving potential danger to the public and individuals involved.
On August 17, 2026 at approximately 2:15 pm, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a report of a stuck vehicle near the end of the White River Rd, northwest of Lake Wenatchee. The vehicle was registered to Carl Pruitt, who had been reported missing from Wenatchee. On August 16, 2026 Washington State Patrol had issued a Silver Alert on behalf of Wenatchee PD for Pruitt.
Deputies responded to the area and located Pruitt’s unoccupied vehicle. Using drone technology, deputies immediately began to search the area. Shortly after, they located him deceased approximately one-third of a mile from his vehicle.
With the assistance of Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue, and Cascade Medical, deputies successfully recovered Pruitt and he was turned over to the Chelan County Coroner’s Office. Chief Deputy Coroner, Faye Fetters later positively identified the deceased as 86 year-old Carl Pruitt.
An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday. At this time, detectives have no reason to believe foul play was involved. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
A conflict of schedules for the musicians has sadly necessitated cancelling this event.
We're still working on having them all here at the Buckner Orchard at some time in the future.
On August 12th members of the Chelan County Assessor’s Office, Emergency Management, and Chelan County Fire District 8, went back to the upper Entiat valley and attempted to obtain an updated damage assessment of the damage caused by the Little Giant Fire.
A thorough assessment was able to be completed from the Snow Park (approx. mile marker 25) down through the valley.
The result of that assessment determined there were there were a total of at least 35 structures lost.
Of the 35 structures, 2 were primary homes, 13 were secondary home/cabins, and there were 20+ out buildings.
We understand the importance of maintaining an up-to-date assessment of the Little Giant Fire’s impact on properties. However, it is our priority to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible based on what is currently known. Additional information may become available as damage assessments continue when it is safe to do so.
8/9/2026
On the evening of Friday August 7, the Little Giant Fire became highly active in the upper valley under Red Flag Warning conditions. Despite the best efforts of firefighters, there were structures that were destroyed.
Fire activity in the area remained intense throughout Saturday and into that evening, making it unsafe for personnel to conduct a complete and accurate assessment of structure losses. As fire conditions improved slightly today, Chief Jones and personnel from the Entiat Fire Department entered the area to conduct an initial assessment. They determined that approximately 26 structures were destroyed.
2 primary residences, 3 cabins, and 21 outbuildings. However, unpredictable fire behavior, compromised trees, rolling debris, and other hazards continued to pose significant risks and limited
their ability to complete a full assessment of the damage.
As soon as conditions allow, the Chelan County Assessor’s Office will conduct a comprehensive assessment on the damage to include the total number of structures lost.
Chelan County Emergency Management will attempt to contact individual property owners with additional information as it becomes available.
The Little Giant Fire remains highly active in the area. Property owners will be permitted to return to their properties as conditions are determined to be safe. Your safety remains our absolute top priority. We understand how difficult and stressful this situation is for our community, and we greatly appreciate your continued patience, cooperation, and understanding during this challenging time.
For the latest information and updates on this, please refer to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and Chelan County Emergency Management websites and Facebook pages.
Waterville, WA — The North Central Washington Fair is proud to announce Becky Matthiesen as the recipient of the 2026 NCW Fair Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing nearly four decades of service, leadership, and dedication to the Fair and its horse racing program.
The NCW Fair Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual whose time, talent and commitment have helped shape the Fair into the successful family and community event it is today. The NCW Fair Board unanimously selected Matthiesen for the 2026 honor.
For more than 39 years, Matthiesen has been a familiar and influential presence at the NCW Fair, working alongside nine Fair managers throughout her tenure. She has served as a Fair Board member and officer, NCW Fair office manager and Racehorse Director, while also playing an important role in numerous Fair fundraisers and special events.
Her contributions have included the annual Prime Rib and Crab Dinner & Auction, Fourth of July events, and even snowmobile racing events held at the Fairgrounds years ago. However, Matthiesen's lasting impact can perhaps be seen most clearly on the racetrack.
Her involvement with horse racing began when she worked alongside former Judge Judy McCauley as assistant Racehorse Director. Matthiesen later assumed leadership of the program and has helped transform NCW Fair horse racing into an event that attracts racers, families, and fans from throughout the region.
One of her greatest accomplishments has been building relationships with sponsors to increase race purses. What began with a single $500 sponsorship in 1991 has grown into a program supported by more than 50 annual sponsors, contributing more than $32,000 in prize money each year. Matthiesen credits the continued growth of the races to the quality of the Waterville track, enthusiastic fans, and competitive purses, along with the welcoming atmosphere racers experience when they come to Waterville.
“Becky runs a very professional horse racing program. She treats people with respect, is fair, and has always made us feel welcome,” said Dayna Seymour, member of the Colville Business Council. “Both my husband and daughter participate in the relays, and we have always appreciated the way Becky makes everyone feel welcome and valued.”
Matthiesen has also been instrumental in having NCW Fair horse races sanctioned as qualifying races for the Horse Nations Indian Relay Races. Her passion for the sport extends well beyond Fair weekend, as she attends Indian Relay Championship Finals and continues to follow and support teams that have raced in Waterville.
“Our family has always appreciated Becky’s kindness and friendliness,” said Leslie Lahr, whose family has a long history in horse racing and is from Inchelium. “It means a lot to us that she follows our horse racing journey all the way to the National Finals. Coming to the NCW Fair Horse Races is always a highlight for our family. Becky is an honest and dedicated director who genuinely cares about the people and families involved in horse racing.”
Horse racing and Indian Relay have become signature pieces of the NCW Fair experience and its Big Bend Round Up weekend. Indian Relay, rooted in generations of tribal tradition and horsemanship, brings extraordinary athleticism, speed and excitement to the Waterville track. Matthiesen’s work behind the scenes has helped ensure those traditions continue to have a place at the NCW Fair while creating an environment where racers and their families feel welcomed and valued.
For nearly four decades, Becky Matthiesen has given her time, energy, leadership, and passion to the North Central Washington Fair. Her dedication has strengthened the Fair’s horse racing program, supported countless fundraising efforts, and helped create memories for generations of Fairgoers.
The North Central Washington Fair is honored to recognize Becky Matthiesen as the 2026 NCW Fair Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and celebrate the lasting impact she has made on the Fair and the community it serves.
About the North Central Washington Fair
The North Central Washington Fair is held annually in Waterville, Washington, bringing together agriculture, entertainment, livestock, youth programs, community traditions, and grandstand events. The 2026 NCW Fair will take place August 27–30.
On the evening of Friday August 7, the Little Giant Fire became highly active in the upper Entiat Valley under Red Flag Warning conditions. Despite the best efforts of firefighters, there were structures that were destroyed.
Fire activity in the area remained intense throughout Saturday and into that evening, making it unsafe for personnel to conduct a complete and accurate assessment of structure losses. As fire conditions improved slightly today, Chief Jones and personnel from the Entiat Fire Department entered the area to conduct an initial assessment. They determined that approximately 26 structures were destroyed. 2 primary residences, 3 cabins, and 21 outbuildings. However, unpredictable fire behavior, compromised trees, rolling debris, and other hazards continued to pose significant risks and limited their ability to complete a full assessment of the damage.
As soon as conditions allow, the Chelan County Assessor’s Office will conduct a comprehensive assessment on the damage to include the total number of structures lost.
Chelan County Emergency Management will attempt to contact individual property owners with additional information as it becomes available.
The Little Giant Fire remains highly active in the area. Property owners will be permitted to return to their properties as conditions are determined to be safe. Your safety remains our absolute top
priority. We understand how difficult and stressful this situation is for our community, and we greatly appreciate your continued patience, cooperation, and understanding during this challenging time.
For the latest information and updates on this, please refer to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and Chelan County Emergency Management websites and Facebook pages.
PLAIN – A busy summer of road work awaits this community on the northwestern edge of Chelan County starting with a five-day travel delay from Aug. 10 to 14.
Contractors with the Washington State Department of Transportation will repave sections of a 19-mile stretch of road from south to north, starting in Leavenworth and ending just outside of Plain.
A pilot car will guide travelers through the work zone. Delays up to 45 minutes are expected from 6 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 through Friday, Aug. 14.
After the WSDOT paving project is complete, Chelan County has plans to build a retaining wall at Beaver Hill starting Aug. 28.
For current travel updates, visit WSDOT’s real-time travel map.
Regular Board Meeting: August 13, 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. July 09, 2026 Regular Meeting
6. Financial review
a. Monthly financial report
b. Review and approval of monthly voucher (Action Item)
7. New business
a. Approval of short-term vendor application document
8. Old business
a. Emergency responders dock
b. Marina driftwood refund requests
c. Chelanathon
d. Project updates:
i. Old Swim Hole redevelopment
ii. Leffler Finance Committee
9. Director’s Report
10. Adjournment
Update 7/29/2026
The Chelan County Coroner, Earl Crowe, has identified the recovered body as 66-year-old Barry Dechenne of Wenatchee.
The cause and manner of death is still unknown, and remains under investigation by the Coroner’s Office and Chelan County Sheriff’s Office detectives.
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On July 20, 2026, at approximately 7:38 p.m., the Chelan County Sheriff's Office received a report of human remains in the Columbia River near Rock Island Dam. Deputies responded to the area and confirmed the report.
Detectives and personnel from the Chelan County Coroner's Office responded by marine unit and recovered the remains from the river.
The Chelan County Coroner's Office is conducting an ongoing investigation to determine the identity of the deceased. Investigators have confirmed that the remains are not those of missing 18-year-old Erik Luna of Bridgeport.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office is honored to announce the receipt of a $14,061.75 donation from the Lake Chelan Swim Foundation to support the Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Program. The Lake Chelan Swim Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, concluded operations in June 2026 after years of hosting its annual open-water swim in Manson. The event funded free community swim lessons and water safety education, programs that will continue through the Manson Parks and Recreation District.Led for decades by Manson resident and aquatic safety icon Viki Downey, alongside Director Judy Phelps and the Foundation's Board of Directors, the organization recognized the shared mission of the Chelan County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Program by directing its remaining funds to support marine public safety on Lake Chelan.
For many years, the Foundation and Marine Patrol worked together to promote water safety, support youth education, strengthen rescue preparedness, and encourage the safe enjoyment of Lake Chelan.
This donation reflects the value of that enduring partnership and a shared commitment to protecting residents and visitors alike.
"We are deeply grateful to Viki Downey, Judy Phelps, and the Lake Chelan Swim Foundation for their generosity and confidence in our Marine Patrol Program," said Sheriff Mike Morrison. "Their legacy has made Lake Chelan safer for generations, and we are honored to carry that commitment forward."
The donation also recognizes the Marine Patrol Program's continued success. Since rebuilding the program in 2023, it has earned statewide recognition with Marine Program of the Year, Marine Deputy of the Year, and a Marine Life Saving Award, while continuing to maintain a strong presence on Lake Chelan.
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office remains committed to providing exceptional marine public safety, strengthening community partnerships, and carrying forward the tradition of water safety and service established by the Lake Chelan Swim Foundation and Viki Downey.
NORTH BEND – Sometimes getting where you are going means taking a new route. That’s exactly what Interstate 90 travelers will need to do to stay connected to important travel alerts.
The Washington State Department of Transportation’s I-90 text message alert service ends Aug. 31, 2026. Travelers can continue receiving alerts by switching to the WSDOT mobile app, where they can sign up for push notifications about bridges, ferries, traffic, and now Snoqualmie Pass on I-90.
Moving I-90 text message alerts to the app provides a more cost-effective and user-friendly way for WSDOT to deliver the same important travel information while giving travelers access to additional travel tools and alerts in one place.
Making the switch is easy:
Snoqualmie Pass I-90 notifications cover the corridor from North Bend at milepost 33 to Vantage at milepost 138. Notifications will be sent when incidents, closures, construction or maintenance activities are expected to add 30 minutes or more to travel times. Notifications will also be provided for planned closures, including advance notice of winter avalanche control work.
Travelers who don’t want to turn on push notifications can still find Snoqualmie Pass I-90 alerts in the “mountain pass” section of the WSDOT mobile app, which provides current pass conditions and information about incidents, closures, and other events that may cause delays.
Don’t hit a dead end when it comes to important travel information. Make the switch to Snoqualmie Pass I-90 notifications in the WSDOT mobile app before the text message service ends on Aug. 31, 2026.
*** Update July, 20th, 2026 ***
Sheriff Mike Morrison reports on July 17th, 2026 the body of the man who drowned in Lake Chelan on July 4th was recovered. Chief Deputy Coroner Faye Fetters positively identified the deceased as 43-year-old Dustin Hauanio. Chelan County Coroner Earl Crowe has ruled the death as asphyxiation due to freshwater drowning. The death was accidental.
During the past several days, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office obtained assistance from several outside agencies while attempting to locate Mr. Hauanio. Initially, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office dive team assisted by sending divers and a tow behind side scan sonar. On July 15th, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office sent their sonar team with an additional tow behind side scan sonar. They were able to locate and mark an object at approximately 250 feet in depth that would need further investigation. As a result, on July 17th, Seattle PD Harbor Patrol responded with their ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle). They were able to examine the object and confirm it was a human body. Using the ORV, they successfully recovered the remains. Once brought to the surface, the individual was positively identified.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by these partner agencies. Their specialized equipment and their willingness to go above and beyond was instrumental in in recovering Mr. Hauanio, helping bring closure to his family.
July 18, 2026
Case Number: 26D03277
On July 14, 2026, at approximately 1:47 p.m., Douglas County Deputies were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the area of Stinar Road and Rivendell Road in Orondo, WA. The reporting party advised that a vehicle was parked near several rental properties and expressed concern that it may have been stolen.
Deputies located the vehicle and determined it was abandoned. During the investigation deputies learned the vehicle was associated with John Morrison who had been reported missing out of Grant County. Grant County Detectives responded to the scene and, working jointly with Douglas County Deputies, conducted an aerial search of the surrounding terrain using a drone. No sign of Morrison was located. The vehicle was later released to Morrison’s family.
On July 15, 2026, Douglas County Deputies continued searching the area using drones, again with no success. Through coordination with the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, an additional search was conducted later that day using their helicopter. During the flight, the crew observed a person lying in steep terrain several hundred feet below the location where Morrison’s vehicle had been found. The individual appeared to be deceased and was situated in an extremely inaccessible area. Due to the time of day, no hoist-capable aircraft from surrounding agencies were able to respond for recovery operations.
On July 16, 2026, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit responded and successfully extracted the remains from the location. The remains, believed to be those of John Morrison, were transferred to the care of the Douglas County Coroner’s Office for autopsy and formal identification.
Douglas County, WA— Residents impacted by the Chelan Hills Fire are invited to attend a Community Town Hall on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lake Chelan Community Center, located at 103 Bighorn Way, Chelan, WA 98816.
This community event will bring together representatives from local agencies, community organizations, and recovery partners to provide information, answer questions, and connect residents with available recovery resources and support services.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with organizations offering assistance related to disaster recovery, learn about available programs and services, and receive guidance based on their individual needs.
Whether you have immediate questions, are looking for recovery resources, or want to learn what assistance is available, community members are encouraged to attend.
Event Details:
Chelan Hills Fire Community Town Hall
Date: Tuesday, July 21
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Chelan Community Center
103 Bighorn Way
Chelan, WA 98816
This event is open to the public. A variety of agencies and organizations will be available throughout the evening to assist residents and provide recovery information.
For the most current information, resources, and updates related to the Chelan Hills Fire, please visit the Douglas County website’s Chelan Hills Fire Resource Page, which is being updated as new information becomes available.
On July 16, 2026 at approximately 10:30 am, RiverCom received a report of an aircraft accident at the Cashmere Airport in Cashmere, WA. The aircraft, an autogyro, appeared to have veered off the runway while still on the ground and impacted a hangar on the airport grounds.
The pilot, a 69-year-old Leavenworth man was the only occupant and sustained injuries in the collision. He was transported to Confluence in Wenatchee for treatment.
FAA will be conducting the investigation into this accident.
On July 9, 2026, Chelan County deputies arrested Kenneth D. Mayberry, 58, of Leavenworth, Washington, for making violent threats against the local Social Security Office in Wenatchee.
The investigation began after a California-based Social Security Administration office alerted the Sheriff’s Office to a threatening phone call. Mayberry, angry over a missing check, allegedly threatened to ram his vehicle into the Wenatchee office at 129 S. Chelan Ave. The Deputy was also advised that the Social Security Administration had obtained an audio recording of the suspect threatening to track down and shoot employees responsible for withholding his check.
Through the Deputy’s investigation, it was discovered there had been 2 prior reports of threats to the local Social Security Office that were handled by Wenatchee Police. Mayberry has been escalating his threats towards the Social Security Office and probable cause for the arrest of Mayberry for RCW 9.61.160 Threats to Bomb or Injure property was established.
Contact with Mayberry was made by Deputies and he was taken into custody safely and booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center for the above charge.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, WA-The Douglas County Board of Commissioners understands the concerns that have been raised regarding the on-going closure of McNeil Canyon Road in response to the Chelan Hills Acres Fire. Although the Chelan Hills Acres Fire has reached 75% containment, there are numerous continuing emergency operations occurring in the area, not least of which is a home-by-home accountability search. This activity involves the use of multiple types of resources including law enforcement canines, investigative personnel, firefighters, and heavy equipment operators to ensure that there is no loss of life. These operations cannot occur safely with vehicle traffic in the vicinity. It is anticipated that closure will likely be lifted within the next few days.
The Board of Commissioners agrees that this closure is prudent and appropriate at this time. We ask that the community remain patient in respect of our first responders and families of those affected. The closure of McNeil Canyon Road is a hardship, and we cannot minimize the impact it has on commuters, service delivery, and access. However, we must continue to remember that this area is not without hazard, and most importantly, remains an active crime scene.
In support of the efforts to locate the individuals responsible for this horrific event, Douglas County will be offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the perpetrator.
Our thoughts remain always with our friends, family, and community members who have been profoundly affected by this devastating fire.
Douglas County, WA-McNeil Canyon Road is now open, and all road closures and evacuation notices related to the Chelan Hills Fire have been lifted.
As residents return to the area, please use caution. Utility crews from the PUD will be working to restore infrastructure, construction crews will be present, and insurance representatives may be traveling throughout the affected area.
Burned areas can still present significant safety hazards. Please be aware of:
Please also keep the safety of pets and livestock in mind, as burned areas may contain hidden hazards.
The Chelan Hills Fire Resource Page will continue to be updated with recovery information. Later today, Douglas County Solid Waste will post guidance and resources for the disposal of burned vehicles, fire debris, and other cleanup materials.
As you return to your property, or travel through the area, please take your time, remain aware of your surroundings, and prioritize your safety, and the safety of those around you. Thank you for your patience and cooperation throughout this incident.
On 7/4/2026 at approximately 4:30pm, a male contacted Chelan Fire and Rescue to report a vehicle that had possibly gone off the Gorge Rd between Chelan and Chelan Falls.
Personnel from Chelan Fire and Rescue and deputies from the Chelan County Sheriff's Office responded to the area and located a red Toyota Tacoma pickup submerged in the Chelan River at the bottom of the canyon. Sheriff's deputies used a drone to locate and assess the scene while fire personnel established a rope rescue system to safely access the vehicle. Upon reaching the vehicle, responders discovered a single occupant who had died as a result of the crash.
To assist with the recovery operation, the Chelan County PUD temporarily restricted the flow of water in the Chelan River. That allowed the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office High Angle Rope Rescue Team (HARRT) to lower personnel to the vehicle, recover the victim, and assist with the removal of the vehicle.
The Chelan County Coroner's Office later identified the victim as 58-year-old Vladimir Stepanov of Chelan. The Coroner determined that Mr. Stepanov died from multiple injuries sustained in the crash. Toxicology results indicated that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the incident.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist investigators is asked to contact Chief Moody at the email address listed above.
Sheriff Mike Morrison reports on July 4th, 2026 at approximately 2:30 pm, RiverCom Dispatch received a call of a possible drowning on Lake Chelan. The location plotted about 2 miles east, or down lake from Lake Chelan State Park.
The reporting party said their friend, a 43-year-old Snohomish County male had jumped in the water from their boat to swim about five minutes prior and they were unable to locate him.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol as well as Lake Chelan Fire & Rescue responded on boats to the area. Lake Chelan Fire & Rescue deployed rescue swimmers to assist with the search.
There were also several citizens in the area who assisted with looking for the subject.
They searched the area until approximately 5:00 pm and were unable to locate the victim.
On Monday, July 7th, CCSO Marine Patrol is being assisted by a Douglas County PUD remotely operated underwater vehicle and operator to search the last known area. The last known point is approximate and the depth is 200 feet. This is too deep for a dive team to search.
CCSO Air Support Unit has also flown the area, searching the shallow points nearby.
Four-day closure starts July 13; a detour route will be available
LEAVENWORTH – Work begins tomorrow, July 7, to complete permanent repairs on US 2 near Leavenworth, following historic flooding in December. The repairs and closures will be from milepost 85 to 99 and will include slowdowns, single-lane closures, pilot cars and flaggers throughout most of the month. A detour will be in place for a four-day full closure from Monday, July 13, through Thursday, July 16.
This work is for permanent repairs to the damage caused by the December 2025 storms. After the historic storm and flood damage, crews operated around the clock to make temporary fixes to an eroded stretch of US 2 outside of Leavenworth.
That work was completed more than a month ahead of schedule, allowing the road to reopen to normal traffic on Feb. 10, The temporary repairs allowed the road to reopen to traffic as quickly as possible. Now, the warmer weather allows crews to make more permanent repairs.
Work is expected to begin on Tuesday, July 7, with crews working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday that first week. The following week, on Monday, July 13, the highway will fully close 24 hours a day through Thursday, July 16. The road is expected to reopen the evening of July 16.
Starting Friday July 17 there again will be single lane closures, flagging and pilot cars from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day and then Mondays to Thursdays the next week and until the end of the month.
This work requires dry weather, and some dates could be adjusted due to rain.
Detour route for July 13-16 full closure
During the full highway closure, traffic will be detoured at mileposts 85 and 100 onto Chumstick Highway for westbound traffic and onto State Route 207 and Chumstick Highway for eastbound travelers.
Chumstick Highway allows no traffic heavier than 26,000 GVW, meaning freight and some other large vehicles will need to find alternate routes, such as Interstate 90.
For updates on this project, visit the WSDOT East social media account and WSDOT’s real-time travel map online.
Regular Board Meeting: July 09, 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. June 11, 2026 Regular Meeting
b. June 24, 2026 Special Meeting
6. Financial review
a. Monthly financial report
b. Review and approval of monthly voucher (Action Item)
7. New business
a. Emergency responders dock at Manson Bay
8. Old business
a. New hire approval (Action Item)
b. Driftwood issue
i. Refund requests (Action Item)
ii. Funding/support for removal
c. Chelanathon contract (Action Item)
d. Aquatic Program- Doug Pinski
e. Project updates:
i. Old Swim Hole redevelopment
1. Psomas bid support services
ii. Leffler Finance Committee
a. Manson Bay ADA accessibility study
9. Director’s Report
10. Adjournment
Travelers should prepare for delays and stay alert on roadways from Seattle to Portland
OLYMPIA – Drivers should plan for extra travel time Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, and weekend bike riders will find they have some company on two wheels. Roughly 6,000 bicyclists will ride western Washington’s state highways and local roads on both days for the 2026 Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic event.
The Washington State Department of Transportation asks motorists to observe the rules of the road for safe driving around people on bikes and to prepare for travel delays during the popular recreational ride. As state driving laws periodically change, drivers may want to review the online state driver guide.
Bicyclists should also be aware of their responsibility to follow Washington’s bicycle rules of the road and traffic laws. The STP organizer, the Cascade Bicycle Club, distributes a free pocket guide about state bike laws. To request a copy of the guide, email
The Washington portion of the STP route follows state highways and local roads in these areas:
For more STP event information, visit the Cascade Bicycle Club STP page, which includes a route map and overall event details or email
Based on previous STP rides, congestion and delays are expected:
STP organizers, WSDOT and law enforcement will work together to direct bicyclists, drivers and pedestrian traffic at the following locations:
Saturday, July 11
Sunday, July 12
Drivers on SR 432 in Longview can expect delays of up to 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12. WSP and flaggers will stop southbound drivers on SR 433 so STP riders can cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge, escorted by members of the Gold Wing Motorcycle Club. Riders crossing the bridge on Saturday will not have a bridge escort and are expected to ride with traffic.
At approximately 12:06 a.m. on July 4, 2026, Douglas County Deputies responded to a reported brush fire near mile marker 233 on U.S. Highway 97. Working in coordination with local fire districts, deputies assisted in delivering numerous evacuation notices to residents impacted by the fire. Deputies have continued to support fire personnel as the incident has grown in size and complexity. State Mobilization was requested and approved for the fire at approximately 4:30 a.m. Firefighting efforts for what is now known as the Chelan Hills Fire are being managed by the
SE Washington Type 3 Inter-Agency Team.
On July 5, 2026, deputies conducted follow-up on a report of a missing resident who lives in the affected fire area. Deputies located a vehicle that had slid off the roadway and was subsequently
consumed by the fire. Human remains were discovered inside the vehicle, and the scene was investigated by Douglas County Detectives. The remains have been turned over to the Douglas County Coroner’s Office, which will work to obtain a positive identification of the deceased.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with fire personnel to check the affected area for any additional residents who were unable to safely evacuate. Further updates regarding
the fire’s activity will be coordinated between our office and the fire management team.
Manson Park & Recreation District is excited to offer FREE swim lessons for ages 4 and up this summer!
Register online today: https://mansonparks.com/aquatics/
As we continue rebuilding our aquatics program for a strong future, there will not be a public lifeguard program this season. Lifeguards on-site are assigned to supervise registered participants actively partaking in scheduled swim lessons only.
Community support makes programs like this possible! If you'd like to help sustain and grow swim lessons in the future, donations are welcome- contact us at
Manson Parks would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Viki Downey and the Lake Chelan Swim Foundation for their many years of support. Viki established and administered the original Free Swim Lessons program until her retirement at the end of the 2024 season. The Lake Chelan Swim Foundation provided funding throughout the life of the program and contributed their final donation this season. We are grateful for their legacy and hope to continue building on it to offer free swim lessons for years to come.
We look forward to seeing you at the park this summer!
On June 22, 2026 at approximately 12:10pm, Rivercom dispatch received a report of a 76-year-old male who fell off the Lakeshore Trail near Lucerne. The male was reported to be about 100ft below the trail, bleeding from the head and was not communicating with others in his party.
Chelan County Deputies deployed from Manson aboard Marine 1 (Sheriff’s Office large boat). They transported personnel from Lake Chelan EMS, and Manson Fire up lake to the reported area of the incident. When they arrived in the area, they made contact with a National Parks boat who had transported EMS personal from Stehekin. Stehekin EMS personnel had located the male and were already treating him.
To safely extract the hiker, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office High Angle Rope Rescue Team lowered him further down the slope, and then carried him to the waiting Marine 1. The victim was then transported across the lake to Lucerene were he was transferred to an Airlift Northwest helicopter who took him to Harborview Medical Center to be treated for multiple injuries he sustained as a result of the fall. At the time of the incident, it did not appear his injuries were life threatening.
The three females who were with the victim were given a courtesy transport back to their vehicle in Chelan.
The success of this rescue was a direct result of the rapid response from Stehekin EMS and the seamless coordination among all responding entities. We want to thank Manson Fire, Lake Chelan EMS, the National Park Service, and Airlift Northwest for their vital assistance in this challenging operation.
Pursuit and Stalking, arrests made:
On June 21, 2026, Chelan County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of East Pleasant Avenue in Cashmere, WA. A female victim reported she was being followed and threatened by 41-year-old Michael L. Long Jr.
Deputies knew Long from prior law enforcement contacts.
While responding to the scene, deputies spotted Long fleeing the area in a vehicle. When law enforcement attempted a traffic stop to investigate the domestic disturbance, Long accelerated and fled. He led deputies on a high-speed pursuit eastbound on US Highway 2 towards Wenatchee and ended up in the residential area on School St. During the chase, Long repeatedly drove into oncoming traffic lanes.
Because deputies knew Long's identity and determined his erratic driving posed an immediate danger to the public, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office terminated its pursuit.
A short time later, Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies located Long's vehicle and initiated a secondary pursuit. The second pursuit ended successfully after law enforcement deployed spike strips to disable Long's vehicle. Long was safely taken into custody.
Long was charged with Eluding and Stalking DV by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
Long faces additional pending charges from assisting agencies involved in the secondary pursuit and arrest.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere thanks to our partner agencies for their swift assistance in apprehending this suspect. It is through these strong professional ties and collaborative efforts that we are able to keep our communities safe.
OLYMPIA – An important safety tool for Washington drivers and road crews will soon enter a new phase with a steeper penalty for its first infraction. After more than a year of trying to change driver behavior, the Work Zone Speed Camera Program's first infraction will result in a fine.
Last year, the Legislature voted to change the fine for a first-time infraction from $0 to $125, beginning July 1. Penalties for second and all subsequent infractions remain $248.
The increase comes after the cameras have been used more than 900 times at about 50 job sites since enforcement began on April 16, 2025. So far, 85,000 work zone speed camera infractions have been issued statewide. 77,000 of those were first-time infractions.
Program goals
Cameras are rotated through different work zones to encourage people to slow down, not to make money. The program recently expanded into eastern Washington and continues adding more cameras, with 15 planned for use by 2027.
Enforcement began on Interstate 5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Early research shows that ongoing use of the work zone speed cameras reduces speeds.
A Washington State Patrol trooper reviews images and data for every potential infraction and determines whether a violation occurred. A notice of infraction is mailed to the vehicle's registered owner within 30 days. Those who receive an infraction can acknowledge it, review it, contest it or pay the fine on the program’s website.
The cameras only record speeding vehicles when work crews are present at a job site. Work zones can be active during the day or at night, so drivers should always treat them as active.
OLYMPIA – If red, white and avoiding the blues of traffic backups are on your Independence Day weekend agenda, then Washington State Department of Transportation’s holiday travel charts might just be your declaration of congestion independence.
WSDOT’s charts are available just in time for the Fourth of July, helping travelers spend more time with family and friends and less time sitting in traffic. The charts highlight the best and worst times to travel on major state highways during one of Washington's busiest travel weekends.
Key routes include Interstate 5 between Lacey and Tacoma, I-90 between North Bend and Cle Elum, US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass, and the I-5/Canada border crossing. WSDOT anticipates that these routes are likely to experience some of the heaviest congestion during the holiday weekend.
What chart colors represent
In the travel charts, green represents the most favorable travel times, while red indicates periods of anticipated peak congestion. Travelers are encouraged to review the charts before heading out and build extra time into their plans – especially on Friday, July 3, when many people are expected to begin their holiday travels.
Whether traveling across town or across the state, WSDOT encourages travelers to “know before you go” by following these tips:
What to expect
Travel will be busy across the state – no matter where and how people choose to get around. Holiday weekends regularly bring increased traffic and delays at airports and along state highways, waterways and pedestrian trails. Travelers should be patient, expect delays, allow extra travel time and stay alert. Delays may also occur as crews respond to crashes or conduct emergency repairs.
Most highway construction paused
To ease congestion throughout the holiday weekend, WSDOT will temporarily suspend most state highway construction work on Saturday, July 4. The Revive I-5 work on the Ship Canal Bridge is currently paused to accommodate increased traffic attending international soccer matches in the vicinity. All four lanes of the northbound I-5 Ship Canal Bridge opened to travelers Sunday, June 7, and the express lanes are operating on their regular schedules. Throughout international soccer matches, congestion is expected to be heavier on most major routes. Travelers should stay alert for lane shifts or work zone staging that may remain in place.
Roadside fires are preventable
WSDOT takes steps to prevent roadside fires and minimize fire risks on construction projects and highway maintenance activities. Crews also respond to and help with traffic control for roadside fires and wildfire response.
Small, everyday actions can be the difference in preventing a roadside fire from occurring:
Ferry travel
Washington State Ferry routes also are expected to be busy. Reservations are strongly encouraged on routes that offer them. People boarding a ferry by vehicle can likely expect the busiest sailings and longer wait times to be westbound (or onto an island) Thursday and Friday, July 2-3, and eastbound (or departing an island) Sunday and Monday, July 5-6. Walk-on passengers can bypass vehicle lines and usually board much faster. Other helpful tips to consider:
Vantage Bridge
To help accommodate increased travel during the holiday weekend, all four lanes of I-90 across the Vantage Bridge will be open Thursday, July 2, through Tuesday, July 7. At all other times, only one lane of the bridge will be open in each direction through the fall due to construction. WSDOT will reopen the bridge to all lanes for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-8. This project is part of a long-term effort to replace the deteriorating bridge deck, with construction expected to be complete by fall 2028.
Tolling
In the Puget Sound region, weekend toll rates will be in effect beginning Saturday, July 4, on the SR 520 bridge, SR 99 tunnel and SR 509 Expressway. The I-405 and SR 167 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers Saturday, July 4. Out-of-town travelers, including those using rental cars, can learn about toll roads and temporary account payment options on the Good To Go! visitors page.
Trains, airports and transit
Travelers making a trip by train, personal aircraft or bus also should plan ahead to avoid holiday delays:
Special Board Meeting: June 24, 2026 at 10:15am
Bumgarner Meeting Room, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA 98831
1. Call to Order
2. Flag Salute
3. Public Comment
4. Old Swim Hole emergency repair approval (Action Item)
5. Driftwood (Action Item)
6. Adjournment
Deputies assaulted, arrests made:
On June 14, 2026, at approximately 7:11 p.m., deputies responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of Independence Way in Cashmere, WA. A caller reported that Jared Soriano, 25, claimed he had been assaulted at a nearby Chevron gas station.
Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the caller, who noted that Soriano had no visible injuries and was inside an apartment breaking items and yelling at his mother. Soriano exited the apartment when he saw law enforcement. Appearing heavily intoxicated, he began shouting at deputies regarding his alleged assault. He then approached the deputies aggressively while using racial slurs.
Despite deputies' attempts to de-escalate the situation, Soriano continued his aggressive advance. He reached out and grabbed a deputy's neck, causing a scratch that drew blood. The deputy brought Soriano to the ground, where Soriano continued to resist, striking the deputy with his knee multiple times and attempting to bite a second assisting deputy.
During the struggle, Soriano’s mother, Margarita Violeta Mendez, 47, intervened. Mendez threatened to use pepper spray on the deputies as they attempted to secure her son and produced a can of pepper spray and aimed it at the deputies. Additional units arrived on the scene to assist, and both suspects were taken into custody without further incident. They were booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on the following charges:
Jared Soriano: Two counts of Assault in the 3rd Degree and, Resisting Arrest.
Margarita Violeta Mendez: Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer and, Assault in the 3rd Degree (for threatening deputies with pepper spray).
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office commends the responding deputies for demonstrating great restraint, tactical proficiency, and a commitment to de- escalation principles during a volatile situation.
Chelan County Deputies continue to be dedicated to, “A community where safety, justice and security are ensured for all through unwavering commitment to service”.
Sheriff Mike Morrison reports during the past week, the Chelan County Sheriff’s office has received several calls for assistance in the Colchuck Lake and Enchantments area. Resources were deployed to the field on 3 of the incidents.
On June 7th at approximately 7:45pm, the RiverCom dispatch advised the Sheriff’s Office of an injured hiker on the Colchuck Lake Trail approximately 3 miles from the trailhead. The hiker, a 28-year-old female from Whistler BC sprained or broke her ankle. She was unable to put pressure on it and was not able to walk out. Twelve volunteer rescuers from Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue and Chelan County Mountain Rescue responded to the trail. The first rescuers reach the patient at approximately 1:00am. It was determined the best method to bring the patient out would be via wheeled litter. They made it back to the trailhead at approximately 5:00am. The rescue would not have been possible without the response from our dedicated volunteer groups.
On June 9th at approximately 10:00pm, a group of hikers reported their friend had become disoriented after nearly completing the through hike of the Enchantments in one day. The group of 6 hikers who had just graduated from high school in Portland, said their friend suddenly ran back up the trail for an unknown reason but believed it was medical. They had searched the area and were unable to locate him. Two Deputies responded to the Snow Lakes trailhead to help search for the hiker. Prior to arriving, the group called back and said they had located him, but were requesting an ambulance. Cascade Medical responded and the Deputies continued in case they were needed. The patient was a short distance down the trail and was medically cleared. It appeared exhaustion may have been a factor in the incident.
On June 14th at approximately 12:30pm a 30-year-old female was reported to have a broken ankle at Colchuck Lake. A CCSO search and rescue coordinator requested they remain at the lake so they could be picked up by a helicopter. The CCSO Air Support Unit responded to the landing zone on the north end of Colchuck lake and were able to bring her to the helicopter. She was transported to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery and was transferred over to Cascade Medical.
During the past week there were also 2 calls reporting overdue hikers and climbers in the same area. These groups made it out on their own without the need to send resources into the field. An additional call was made by a group of 4 hikers who were approximately 3.5 miles up the trail to Colchuck Lake. They were cold and wet and said they did not know if they could continue the rest of the way out. They were encouraged to continue hiking and made it out on their own. They made it to the trailhead at approximately 1:00am.
These incidents underscore the importance of being prepared when recreating in the Enchantments Recreation Area of Chelan County. In 2025, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office deployed resources to 31 calls of people in distress in the Enchantments and Colchuck Lake area. The agency responded to one call last year where the person was deceased. The overwhelming majority of emergency calls are from people who live outside Chelan County.
When recreating in the outdoors, people are encouraged to carry sufficient supplies, plan for changing weather conditions and allow adequate time to complete their outings safely and in the daylight. People are also encouraged to research trails before they make trip plans. If your fitness and preparedness levels do not meet the trail conditions, seek an alternate trail to recreate on.
Regular Board Meeting: June 11, 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. May 14, 2026 Regular Meeting
b. June 1, 2026 Special Meeting
c. June 9, 2026 Special Meeting
6. Financial review
a. Monthly financial report- Not available due to County malware attack
7. New business
a. New hire approval (Action Item)
b. July 4th Planning
c. Refunds due to driftwood (Action Item)
d. Minimum age for employees (Action Item)
e. 2026 Aquatics Program Operating Plan (Action Item)
8. Old business
a. Manson Youth Baseball follow-up
b. Chelanathon contract (Action Item)
c. Project updates:
i. Old Swim Hole redevelopment
1. Approval of contract for bid support services from Psomas (Action Item)
2. AIS station placement
ii. Leffler Finance Committee
iii. Willow Point Park Playground- thanks Rotary!
a. Manson Bay ADA accessibility study
9. Director’s Report
10. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: 4:00pm on July 9, 2026 at 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA, 98831.
Special Board Meeting: June 9, 2026 at 4:00pm
Bumgarner Meeting Room, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA 98831
1. Call to Order
2. Flag Salute
3. Public Comment
4. Approval of Voucher
5. Adjournment
Bypass trail completed after storm damage closed trail sections for months
NORTH BEND — June 2, 2026 — The western portion of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is officially reopening this weekend near the Mount Washington Trailhead.
Washington State Parks completed work on a 350-foot long, 36-inche wide bypass trail. The trail will reopen to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians on June 5.
This project was made possible by the Washington State Parks Foundation, which donated the funding to complete the trail build. Trail construction was completed by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, whose expertise produced a high-quality trail corridor within an expedited timeframe.
“We were really able to rally everyone together,” Kevin Goodrich, State Parks Northwest Region Manager said. “This was an incredible example of people coming together and getting it done, and we’re grateful to all of our partners and the wide breadth of State Parks staff who made it possible.”
The bypass trail returns through access to the west side of the PTCT and is the last of three trail sections between Ellensburg and North Bend that were closed due to storm impacts to reopen. With the seasonal reopening of the Snoqualmie Tunnel on May 5th, trail users can travel from North Bend to the eastern PTCT.
Much of the western section of the trail has been closed since December 2025. The atmospheric river and severe storms made the areas unstable and impassible for public access. In one section, the storms created a washout that is approximately 85 feet long and between 35-50 feet deep.
Visitors to the trail will still see some safety fencing and light construction along the trail. State Parks asks all trail users to stay on the PTCT and the bypass trail for their safety. Please respect all closures, stay off of damaged trail areas and do not attempt to view any washouts or other trail damage.
Though the bypass trail will restore access, it will still be a temporary trail with more limited capacity than the original PTCT. State Parks staff will work with annual large trail event hosts to find alternatives for their events.
State Parks is continuing to look at funding and implementation options for a long-term permanent fix that would repair the washout and restore the PTCT in its former location. This would include restoring the trail’s width, surfacing and full trail capacity. Project updates will be made available online.
This bypass trail is temporary, but it could be in place for several years until a long-term fix is funded and constructed.
