On 11/1/2023 at approximately 1400 hrs, the Columbia River Drug Task Force located Steven A. Irland, who had been a long time target of the Task Force. Irland was wanted by East Wenatchee PD on charges of Felony Eluding, and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, in addition to a court ordered arrest warrant.
Task Force Detectives located Irland in a garage off Douglas St in Rock Island. As they advised him he was under arrest, he immediately ran and got into his vehicle parked in the driveway. Once in the vehicle, he attempted to escape by ramming a patrol vehicle parked behind him. After failing to escape in the vehicle, Irland exited the vehicle indicating he was surrendering. As detectives were moving in to place him under arrest, he fled on foot. A short foot pursuit ensued, and detectives were able to quickly catch up with him. He was finally placed under arrest.
Irland was later booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the vehicle Irland was in. In the vehicle detectives recovered an E-Bike stolen out of Leavenworth, a pistol grip shotgun, AR15 rifle, approximately 1000 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, illegal mushrooms, and items used for distribution of drugs.
The Columbia River Drug Task Force will be contacting their federal partners for possible federal charges in addition to the local charges.
WATERVILLE, WASHINGTON -- Douglas County Elections will open an additional in-person Voter Service Center in East Wenatchee on Election Day -- Tuesday, November 7. Eligible voters will be able to register to vote, update voter information, request replacement ballots, access ADA compliant voting devices, and ask Elections staff for help with any other voting-related questions.
The temporary Voter Service Center will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day at the Douglas County Public Services Building located at 140 19th Street NW in East Wenatchee. This is in addition to the regular Voter Service Center that operates weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, at the Douglas County Courthouse at 213 S Rainier Street in Waterville.
“Since Washington allows same day voter registration on Election Day, Douglas County is opening an additional in-person Voter Service Center in East Wenatchee where our largest population resides,” said Douglas County Auditor Thad Duvall. “Eligible voters looking to register or update their voter information for this election will need to go in person to a Voter Service Center.”
Voters may return their completed ballot at an in-person Voter Service Center, by mail, or at one of the County’s eight official ballot drop box locations.
Additional Election Information
Replacement ballots
If a voter didn’t receive a ballot, it was lost, or their ballot was ruined, they can request a replacement ballot in-person at a Voter Service Center.
There are protections in place to ensure that a person may not vote more than once. If a person’s ballot has already been counted, the system will not allow a replacement ballot to be issued. Similarly, if a person was issued a replacement ballot and then tried to also vote with their original ballot, the system would show they had been issued a replacement ballot and will not allow for more than one vote to be processed.
Elections machines & results accuracy
Before each General and Primary Election, the Douglas County Auditor’s Office is required to perform a test of the machine’s accuracy known as a “logic and accuracy test.” A representative from the Office of the Secretary of State is on site to observe the process and verify results.
After every election, the Douglas County Auditor’s Office selects, at random, five batches of ballots that have been processed and staff hand count these to compare the results to the machine count to ensure accuracy of the results.
Election results
Preliminary election results will be posted on the Douglas County website and the Secretary of State website on election night. The Douglas County Auditor’s Office has until November 28 to certify the election results with the Office of the Secretary of State.
Draft plan recommends highway investment strategy for next 20 years
OLYMPIA – A draft plan outlining investment recommendations for preserving, maintaining, improving and operating state highways for the next 20 years is now available for public review and comment. Comments on the draft Highway System Plan will be accepted through Monday, Dec. 18.
The Washington State Department of Transportation last published the plan in 2007. The new draft plan used scenario planning with extensive feedback to explore different investment alternatives and make the strongest recommendation.
Draft recommendations
Communities from around the state provided input to the draft Highway System plan to reflect transportation priorities. These priorities form the core of WSDOT’s recommendation to the Legislature.
It proposes that new revenue for state highways over the next 20 years be dedicated first to adequately funding preservation and maintenance. It also recommends that remaining funds should be balanced between safety and efficiency strategies and highway expansion projects at a 2:1 ratio. These recommendations would provide a resilient state highway system that is sound, safe and smart:
Sound
Safe
Smart
How to comment on the draft Highway System Plan
People can provide feedback on the draft document which is available on WSDOT’s Highway System Plan website. The public comment period is open from Wednesday, Nov. 1 through 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18.
WSDOT Multimodal Planning and Data Division
310 Maple Park Ave. SE
Olympia, WA 98504-7370
Nov. 14 event gives community a chance to ask questions about upcoming paving, bridge projects
OMAK – Getting it done may not be a total walk in the park, but it will ultimately be a safe walk.
Two projects—one the construction of new multimodal facilities along a stretch of State Route 155 Spur and Omak Avenue; the other a bridge replacement project just blocks away—will be the focus of an upcoming open house scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the East Omak Elementary School library.
At the open house, the public will learn about plans to build a dedicated route for pedestrians and bicyclists that will make foot traffic to East Omak Elementary School safer, as well as provide the community a paved path to cross the nearby railroad tracks. More information, including a link to the online open house, is available on the project website. Construction is scheduled for the summer of 2026 during the school district’s summer break to reduce interference with school activities.
The second project presented at the open house is for the SR 155 Spur/Okanogan River Bridge replacement, currently scheduled for construction in 2027. This project will demolish the current, functionally obsolete bridge and replace it with a new bridge that will include designated multimodal access.
Community members will have a chance to meet the project teams, ask questions, share feedback and sign up for project updates.
SR 155 Omak area improvements open house
When: 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14
Where: East Omak Elementary School, 715 Omak Ave., Omak, WA 98841
Details: The public is welcome to stop by anytime during the listed hours. WSDOT staff will be in attendance to answer the community’s questions. In addition, professional drawings and maps will help explain the size and scope of the projects. Se habla español.
OLYMPIA – Nov. 1, 2023 – Washington Sno-Park permits are now on sale. The State Parks Winter Recreation Program manages over 130 recreation sites, or Sno-Parks, across the state for recreators to enjoy during the winter season. Parking at these sites requires special permits.
Seasonal or daily Sno-Park permits can be purchased online or through a licensed vendor.
Snowmobilers also must register their snowmobile through the Washington Department of Licensing and receive a free Sno-park parking permit.
In addition to the seasonal permit, a special sticker is required to park at several high-use Sno-Parks, including Crystal Springs, Cabin Creek, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Chiwawa, Nason Ridge, and Mount Spokane. The Special Groomed sticker helps pay for more frequent trail grooming, snow removal, sanitation and staffing at locations. The Special Groomed sticker is not required with a daily permit.
A Discover Pass is not required at Sno-Parks, and the Sno-Park permit is still required, even on the 12 days a year when the Discover Pass is not required for parking on state lands.
Washington State Sno-Parks provide access for a variety of winter recreation activities like cross-county skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, tubing and more. Some Sno-parks are also designated for use by motorized vehicles including snowmobiles. Sno-Park permits are required from December 1 through April 30.
Each year we celebrate those who go above and beyond for our community at Manson’s Annual A Night to Remember. The following individuals and organization were nominated and then voted for by the community!
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
- Norm Manly - Volunteer of the Year
- Jeff Conwell - Most Inspirational of the Year
- North Shore Christian School - Organization of the Year
The Manson School District will also be presenting two Blue and White Excellence Awards to the following staff members:
- Dane Johnson - 5th Grade Teacher
- Margarito Barrios - Head Elementary Custodian
Please join us for a night of recognition and celebration on Wednesday, November 8th from 5-8pm! This event has always sold out in the past so don't wait and get your tickets today!
Your ticket includes dinner and the menu is:
Prime Rib carving station
Grilled Chicken with basil tomato sauce and provolone cheese
Italian Meats
Antipasto Platter
Caesar Salad
Penne pasta with roasted garlic cream sauce
Sauteed yellow squash and zucchini
Garlic Bread
Drinks will be sold separately and we will have our famous dessert dash at the end of the evening!
Fire District No. 1 Commissioner race mistakenly included in City of Waterville ballots; Voters can still use ballots to vote in November 7 General Election
WATERVILLE, WASHINGTON – The Douglas County Elections Office discovered that a fire district commissioner race was mistakenly included in the November 7 General Election ballot sent to 832 voters within the City of Waterville.
Thad Duvall, Douglas County Auditor, explained that the Fire District No. 1 commissioner race between two candidates—Samuel Tonseth and Adam Brown—was inadvertently included on the ballot based on an incorrect election boundary map.
“The boundary for Fire District No. 1 was created a long time ago and the City of Waterville is not within the boundary,” Duvall said. “Even though the fire station is located within the City of Waterville, the City contracts with Fire 1 for fire services but they are not within the fire district.”
The error is confined to ballots issued within the City of Waterville. “Given the limited time before Election Day, it isn’t feasible for us to issue new ballots to voters in the City of Waterville,” said Duvall. “Voters in this precinct can still use the ballot they received to vote in the November 7 General Election.”
Since the Fire District No. 1 race was not intended to appear on the precinct 205 City of Waterville ballot, Elections staff will not count votes cast in that race while ensuring the accurate count of all other measures appearing on the ballot.
As of Friday, October 27, there have been 2,200, or approximately 8% of ballots returned in Douglas County. Voters are encouraged to return ballots either by mail or at one of the eight drop box locations across the County.
For more information about the November 7 General Election, visit the Current Election page on the Douglas County website or call 509-888-6402.
Westbound rolling slowdowns planned for tree removal near summit of Snoqualmie Pass Oct. 31 through Nov. 1
HYAK – Rock blasting closures and rolling slowdowns are planned next week on Interstate 90 near Snoqualmie Pass and travelers need to plan for added travel time.
The Washington State Department of Transportation and contractor crews will close I-90 for approximately one hour at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31 and Wednesday, Nov. 1 for rock blasting. During the closures, eastbound travelers will be stopped at milepost 63 and westbound travelers will be stopped at exit 70 near Easton.
WSDOT maintenance crews will be removing trees along I-90 during the day Monday, Oct. 30 through Wednesday, Nov. 1. This work requires rolling slowdowns westbound at milepost 53, near the summit of Snoqualmie Pass and will cause minor delays for travelers.
Sheriff Mike Morrison reports on 10/22/23 at around 10:45 PM deputies responded to a harassment/trespass call in the 3000 block of Fairveiw Canyon Rd in Monitor. The citizen reported that her ex-boyfriend Leonardo Cervantes-Ramirez was on her property to confront her and her new boyfriend. Cervantes-Ramirez indicated that he was armed with a firearm to the female, who dialed 911.
Responding deputies made contact with Cervantes-Ramirez who immediately began to escalate and indicated that he was armed and wanted the deputies to shoot him. The deputies had created space between themselves and Cervantes-Ramirez and from a safe position, attempted to de-escalate the situation. Additional agencies responded to assist including Washington State Patrol and Wenatchee Police.
After an hour of negotiating with Cervantes-Ramirez, he was taken into custody without incident. He was found to be unarmed.
Great restraint and patience were shown by the deputies who negotiated with Cervantes-Ramirez and with the assistance of partnering agencies this volatile situation was brought to a safe conclusion for those involved.
Studded tires allowed in Washington from Nov. 1 to March 31; stud-free winter tire alternatives are legal year-round
OLYMPIA – All right stop, collaborate (with fellow travelers) and listen: because winter’s on its way with some snow and icy conditions. There’s nothing vanilla about how road crews prep for winter weather – including pre-treating and plowing – but the traveling public also can help by being prepared for changing driving conditions. And with or without a ’90s music playlist, the Washington State Department of Transportation has tips on how stay safe and keep everyone moving this wintertime.
“Many mountain pass closures, for example, are due to driver behavior, including going too fast for winter weather, inattentiveness or failing to have proper equipment like chains,” said WSDOT Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin. “We need everyone doing their part to help keep passes and roadways open and traffic moving. That includes planning their trips accordingly for weather and possible closures and staying up-to-date using WSDOT’s online tools.”
Check out WSDOT's winter driving web page for more tips and information. WSDOT also asks travelers to always "know before you go" and get the most up-to-date roadway information before heading out. I t’s also important for motorists to remember to slow down, increase their following distance and be alert for people using crosswalks or bike lanes, as they may be harder to see due to inclement weather.
Know before you go:
Winter preparations and improved staffing levels
Winter-specific training for highway maintenance workers is underway across the state as teams ramp up and begin staffing crews around-the-clock for winter storms. Staffing levels for the positions most directly involved in snow and ice work have improved since last winter thanks to ongoing recruitment and many maintenance teams have returned to pre-pandemic staffing. As in years past, crews will “swarm to the storm” and move available resources to most affected areas or priority routes during storms.
Despite increased hires, the national shortage of applicants with commercial driver’s licenses remains an issue for WSDOT and all state DOTs, and some shortages do remain in certain areas. WSDOT remains committed to recruitment and retention of road workers with CDLs, including paying for specialized training as well as the mechanics who keep trucks, plows and other equipment working. Visit www.wsdotjobs.com and search “highway maintenance worker” in the field bar for more information on permanent and seasonal openings.
Studded tires and other options
By law , studded tires are legal for use in Washington state only from Nov. 1 through March 31. This applies to all vehicles in Washington, even those traveling from other states, and no personal exemptions or waivers exist. Studded tires do not meet a posted chain requirement. Drivers still need to install chains over studded tires to proceed in areas posted for chains.
WSDOT estimates studded tires cause between $20 million and $29 million in pavement damage to state-owned asphalt and concrete roadways each year. Motorists are encouraged to visit a tire dealer to learn about options, including stud-free, winter tread traction tires. This aggressive tread tire is different than an all-season tire, is legal year-round and does not cause the same roadway damage as studded tires.
Chains and alternatives
All travelers are reminded to prepare for changing weather conditions and avoid a costly ticket by carrying chains or approved alternatives whenever crossing mountain passes. Failure to obey a tire chains sign can mean a ticket of up to $500. Special chain enforcement patrols by WSP will keep an eye on mountain passes this winter.
WSDOT also encourages travelers to practice installing chains before heading out to develop a familiarity before having to install in winter conditions. Any tire becomes a traction tire when chains are installed.
Although some vehicle manufacturers recommend against the use of tire chains for certain models, that doesn’t excuse travelers from state traction device laws. These requirements exist to help keep all traffic moving safely during extreme winter conditions. The Washington State Patrol provides a list of state-approved alternative traction devices on its vehicle equipment webpage under “traction tires.” These approved alternatives can be used when chains are required.
MVT WebCam 