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.
; ?]])
MVT WebCam ; ?]])
