Summer break is quickly coming to an end and many students will be moving in to dormitories or other college housing. State Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy recommendsthat, “Fire safety should be reviewed as students settle into their new spaces. Understanding the safety features of a building and knowing your escape routes can significantly increase your personal safety.”
The United States Fire Administration reports an estimated 3,800 university housing fires occur each year. The leading causes include cooking, intentionally set fires, careless smoking, unattended candles, and overloaded electrical wiring. State Fire Marshal Duffy suggests the following tips to reduce the risk of fire and increase student safety:
Cooking should only be done in a location permitted by the school’s policies. Never leave your cooking unattended. If a fire starts in a microwave, leave the door closed and unplug the unit.
Alcohol, drugs and fire do not mix. The combination can make an individual sleepy which could result in them falling asleep with a lit cigarette. Smoking outside the building is recommended. Only use noncombustible, deep, wide, sturdy ashtrays to extinguish smoking materials.
Candles may be prohibited from use in college housing. Students should familiarize themselves with the applicable policies regarding open flames. If candles are permitted, never leave them unattended while they are burning. Ensure the container/holder is noncombustible and made of sturdy material. Using a flameless candle is recommended.
Fire sprinklers and smoke alarms are built in safety devices designed to respond quickly if a fire were to start. Never disable or hinder their operation. If a smoke alarm sounds, immediately evacuate the building and do not assume it is a false alarm.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is a Bureau of the Washington State Patrol, providing fire and life safety services to the citizens of Washington State including inspections of state licensed facilities, plan review of school construction projects, licensing of fire sprinkler contractors and pyrotechnic operators, training Washington State’s firefighters, and collecting emergency response data.
Victor Barnard, wanted on 59 counts of sexual misconduct with children, possibly in Raymond
(Olympia)—Detectives with the Washington State Patrol have received what they believe is a credible tip as to the location of Victor Barnard, a former minister from Pine County, Minnesota, charged with 59 counts of sexual molestation of children.
Earlier today Barnard, 52, was reportedly seen leaving the McDonalds restaurant on SR 101 in Raymond heading towards Aberdeen. He was seen driving a dark blue Audi 2 door with tinted windows and a spoiler. The witness indicated the vehicle “looks like a Porsche.” There was a white female riding with him at the time.
Additional information was developed that places Barnard in the Raymond and Aberdeen areas for approximately the previous week.
On April 11, the Pine County, MN, Attorney’s Office issued a criminal complaint against Barnard. The charges result from a multi-year investigation by the Pine County Sheriff’s Office into Barnard’s behavior while he was ministering to a religious group in Northern Pine County.
Later that same day, the Pine County Sheriff issued a nationwide warrant for Barnard, who was last known to be in the Spokane, Wash. area. The Pine County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with the State of Washington and Homeland Security for the apprehension of Barnard.
Anyone who may have information as to the whereabouts of Victor Barnard, please call 911. Local police agencies are assisting in the search and will be ready for your call.
Law enforcement officials in 15 states conducting enhanced traffic enforcement Aug. 1-4
(Olympia)-- Motorists will notice an extra law enforcement presence when driving on two of the country’s most highly traveled interstates during a four-day enforcement campaign in early August.
The Washington State Patrol and law enforcement officials in 14 other states are joining together with a goal of zero deaths on Interstates 90 and 94 between Washington state and New York Aug. 1-4. That’s more than 5,600 miles of road.
This combined effort is known as the “I-90/94 Challenge.” It’s not a competition between states, but a challenge to drivers to stay safe on one of the country’s busiest highways.
“We will have zero tolerance for the violations we know cause the most deaths and injuries,” said WSP Chief John R. Batiste. “Speed, DUI and the failure to wear seat belts continue to cause preventable tragedies and rip families apart.”
Batiste urged drivers to answer the challenge by tweeting “#9094challenge” when they’ve arrived safely at a destination.
Coordinated by the Minnesota State Patrol, the challenge will use education, awareness and strict enforcement to save lives and remind all motorists to drive safely and obey important traffic laws.
Traffic crashes kill more than 33,000 people each year in the United States. Local, state and national traffic safety officials agree too many of those fatalities are happening on I-90 and I-94.
In Washington, regularly scheduled troopers will focus their work time on I-90. A few additional troopers are being brought on specifically for the emphasis patrol. I-90 splits into two highways, 90 and 94, in Montana. I-94 does not exist by that name in Washington State.
“The first weekend in August is the mid-point between two other driving holidays- Independence Day and Labor Day,” Batiste said. “We’ll use this emphasis patrol to help drivers maintain good driving habits.”
I-90/94 Challenge is intended to help the International Association of Chiefs of Police reach its goal this year of reducing U.S. traffic fatalities by 15 percent.
More information on is available at www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov or follow the hashtag #9094challenge.
A potential tragedy was avoided when two motorists teamed up and helped get an impaired driver off the road. On May 15, Kathy Cruz was driving along I-90, when she observed what she thought was an impaired driver. She watched as the suspected impaired driver swerved across all three lanes from shoulder to shoulder as he ascended Snoqualmie Pass from Highway 18. Kathy called 911 to report the vehicle and stayed behind the vehicle while Troopers responded to contact the vehicle. Kathy used her emergency flashers to warn other motorists of the dangerous impaired driver in front of her. This got the attention of David McDaniel, an off duty fire department Battalion Chief. He also called 911 and joined Kathy in warning other vehicles. The pair stayed behind the erratic vehicle, providing updates on location to responding Troopers. With the help of Kathy and David the impaired driver was arrested and removed from the highway just prior to the vehicle reaching an active construction work zone. Their actions that date helped make the roads of Washington safe for all to travel.
If you see erratic driving and you believe it is an impaired driver, it is an emergency, and 911 is appropriate.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Deputy’s arrest an 18 year old Everett man for drive-by shooting and unlawful possession of a firearm 1st degree.
On 5-23-14 at 5:30 pm several resident in the 11000 block of Entiat River Road reported an early 1980’s, maroon Chevrolet passenger car fired multiple shots as it drove eastbound on Entiat River Road. One reporting party stated his residence was hit by one of the rounds. The reporting party’s were able to provide a vehicle description and timeframe for the vehicle leaving the area. Responding Chelan County Deputies were able to locate the vehicle near mile post 7 on Entiat River Road. Based on the seriousness of the reported incident, Deputies conducted a high risk stop on the vehicle and detained four occupants.
Through their investigation Deputies learned an 18 year old passenger used a small caliber pistol to fire rounds from the vehicle as it traveled down the roadway. One round struck an occupied residence and narrowly missed the homeowner as the bullet passed through the residence. The fired bullet was recovered from the homeowner’s residence.
Deputies seized the vehicle in preparation for a search warrant and booked the 18 year old male on their charges and an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) welcomes visitors and locals alike to the start of Summer in Chelan County. Memorial Day Weekend is traditionally the summer kickoff. The WSP would like to remind everyone to have fun, but to consume alcohol responsibly and use a designated sober driver or public transportation.
Our goal this year is to prevent serious injury or fatal collisions from occurring during the long weekend. We will continue to be proactive in our efforts to prevent these tragic collisions from occurring during this weekend and throughout the summer, and stress the importance of having a designated sober driver and drinking responsibly. The WSP and Chelan County Sheriff’s Office will have additional officers out during Memorial Day weekend along with the Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU).
The MIDU is a self-contained 36 foot motor home that travels across the state in support of all law enforcement efforts during Driving Under the Influence emphasis’s. The MIDU is equipped with three breath test instruments and two holding cells to effectively and efficiently process impaired drivers in a faster manner which subsequently gets the patrol officer back on the road in minutes.
We recommend the following:
Drive Sober or get pulled over!
April 29, 2014
MANSON VS Lake Roosevelt
Score: 0-20
The Lady’s Trojans traveled to Lake Roosevelt on April 29 for a single header. Kendra Ellsworth got the start at the mound. She gave up 8 hits against 16 batters with one strikeout and 12 base on balls. The offense was unable to get the bats going with only two hits from Brittany Serafini and Ally Page to try to put a dent in the 17 run deficit.
The Lady Trojans tried to stay in the game but with some defense errors in the second inning made it difficult to hold off the Raiders. The game ended in three innings with Lake Roosevelt taking the win 20-0.
Next home game is Thursday, May 2, in a double header against Pateros beginning at 3:30p.m. at Singleton Park in Manson.
(Olympia)-- This just in….
Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste did not issue a warning today about an increase in motorcycle crashes with the coming good weather. Batiste did not order troopers to crack down on dangerous riding behavior. He did not exhort them to greater effort in preventing the kind of riding behavior that frequently results in tragedy.
Each spring with the arrival of good weather the State Patrol sees a jump in rider fatalities. Why would Batiste not tell his troopers to get busy?
“What order could I give that would be more powerful than their own experience investigating these completely preventable tragedies?” Batiste asked. “Troopers see these crashes first-hand. They help load injured riders in ambulances, and frequently have to make death notifications to stunned families.”
In other words, you can bet troopers will be cracking down on irresponsible riding behavior.
“I just don’t need to issue an order,” Batiste said. “Our troopers have their own personal and sometimes heartbreaking reasons for taking strong action.”
In 2013, 73 riders were killed in motorcycle collisions. In the majority of motorcycle fatalities, the rider is the causing driver. In about half, there’s not even another vehicle involved.
“This isn’t about clueless drivers pulling out of their driveways in front of motorcycles. Riders themselves have the power to change this horrible statistic,” Batiste said.
Just as with autos, speed and impaired driving are the biggest causes of death for riders. In particular, the desire to swoop through corners at high speed leads to riders losing control and leaving the roadway.
Inexperience is often significant contributing factor. Younger riders on sport bikes, and older first-time riders on big cruising bikes seem to be most at risk for losing control and crashing.