Congestion expected Dec 23-26 on major routes like I-5, I-90 and US 2
OLYMPIA – People preparing for holly jolly festivities this season are urged to plan now for winter weather and expect delays while traveling on state highways, waterways or railways.
One way to help ensure holiday magic isn’t dimmed by delays is to “know before you go” by consulting the Washington State Department of Transportation’s popular travel charts to determine best times to travel, including times to avoid if possible. The Interstate 5 Canadian border forecast is not included due to unreliable pandemic travel data the last several years. Travel charts are based on 2019 pre-pandemic volumes.
The agency provides several tools to help prepare for winter travels – whether by vehicle, foot or sleigh:
Cross-state travel and mountain passes
Many people may travel on unfamiliar roads as they venture over the river and through the woods – and over mountain passes – to visit friends and family. Travelers can help keep everyone moving by being prepared for winter weather driving conditions and staying alert. Most pass closures, for example, are due to poor driver behavior, such as going too fast for conditions or not having proper winter driving equipment. WSDOT reminds drivers to follow posted chain requirements and slow down on snow and ice. An online winter travel reminders video has tips on how to check traction tire treads, alternatives to chains and what to carryin vehicles during winter travel.
No construction is planned on most state roads from Friday, Dec. 23 to Monday, Dec. 26 – including on I-90 and Snoqualmie Pass. However, the usual holiday increase in traffic volumes means travelers should expect delays on I-90, especially eastbound on Thursday and Friday and westbound on Monday and Tuesday (see charts for more detail). Text message alerts about significant delays on Snoqualmie Pass are available by texting the words “WSDOT Snoqualmie” to 468311.
“It takes just one reckless person driving too fast, under the influence or not following chain requirements to close a mountain pass for all of us,” said Jim Andersen, WSDOT’s Winter Program Manager. “Our crews take great pride in their work and do everything in their power to keep roads open – but we need drivers and truckers to do their part and slow down.”
Where’s the plow?
WSDOT crews work around the clock clearing and treating highways throughout the state. Plow drivers must travel 35 miles per hour or slower to apply deicer or salt and to appropriately clear the roadway of snow. Snowplows also often use “tandem plowing” – staggered plows working together to clear an area more efficiently.
“Just because you can’t see a plow doesn’t mean our hard-working men and women aren’t out there,” said James Morin, the agency’s maintenance operations branch manager. “Plow trucks typically cover between 40 and 100 miles of roadway each, so if you are not seeing a plow, it is most likely because it is either ahead of you, behind you or on another route.”
Several plows have been struck by motorists this winter, which is dangerous for everyone on roadways and also takes the plows off the road during storms. Plow drivers’ peripheral vision is limited while moving snow off roadways, so all drivers are reminded to give plows plenty of room to do their work and never pass on the right – or on either side if there’s not sufficient room to do so safely.
Tolls
In the Puget Sound, weekend toll rates will be in effect on Monday, Dec. 26, for the State Route 520 bridge and SR 99 tunnel. The I-405 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers on Monday. 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 visitors page.
Ferry travel
People boarding a state ferry by vehicle should prepare for long waits. With Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday this year, the Friday and Saturday before each holiday are expected to be the busiest. Delays are possible in both directions on all routes. Customers can bypass vehicle lines by traveling as a walk-on passenger.
Trains, airports and transit
Travelers making a trip by train, personal aircraft or bus also should plan ahead to avoid holiday delays:
AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, December 22, 2022, at 3:00 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA
The CFR Board of Commissioners will conduct the meeting in person at the fire station, you are welcome to join via Zoom. The public is welcome to join by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87284665516 Meeting ID: 872 8466 5516 or dial +1 253 215 8782
Proposed Chelan Fire and Rescue agenda pending Board approval.
Flag Salute
Roll Call:
Regular Meeting Call to Order:
Approve Agenda:
Public Comment:
Consent Agenda:
• Revenue and Expenditure Report: October 2022 and November 2022
• Payroll: October 25, 2022, to November 21, 2022 / Paid 12-05-2022 for $173,104.34
• General Account Vouchers: 11-11-2022 transactions 1250 to 1266 for $12,943.54; 11-23-2022 transactions #1280 to 1303 for $16,476.9.1
• Capital Account Vouchers: 11-18-2022 Transaction 1279 for $86,682.55.
• Minutes: November 3 and 16, 2022
Fire Chief Report: (Chief Asher)
• 2022 Budget & Financial Report October and November 2022
• November Emergency Response Report / Operations / Community Risk Reduction / Apparatus Update
Assistant Fire Chief Report (Asst. Chief Sherman)
• Volunteer Recruitment / Training
Firefighters Association Report (Ron Simmons)
Unfinished Business:
•
New Business:
• Appoint the 2023 Chairman and District Secretary
Special Events:
• KOZI – Community Connection December 22, 2022, @ 8:25 a.m. – Commissioner Oules/Chief Asher
Board for Volunteer Firefighters:
Public Comment:
Commissioner Comments:
Executive Session:
Adjournment:
The Manson High School shop students recently traveled to Tonasket to compete in a welding contest.
The students that competed from Manson were: Eric Luna, Jesus Estrda, Geovanni Morrales, Beren Soliday and Angel Romero.
Contestants had to do a t-weld along with a butt-weld on ¼" thick metal using a 6011 and 7014 rod.
Eric Luna tied for 1st, followed by Jesus Estrda and Geovanni Morrales tying for 3rd place,
Beren Soliday placed 4th with Angel Romero tying for 5th.
Overall, it was a great showing by the group of welders from Manson High School.
The next contest they will be competing in will be at Cashmere on Dec 14th.
Regular Board Meeting
December 8, 2022, 4:10pm
Bumgarner Meeting Room, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA 98831
I. Call to Order
II. Flag Salute
III. Agenda Additions and Deletions
IV. Public Comment
V. Approval of Minutes
a. November 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
b. November 17, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes
VI. Financial Review
a. Review Monthly Financial Report
b. Review and Approve Monthly Voucher
VII. New Business
a. 2023 Payroll Signature Form
b. Manson Bay Marina policy update
c. PUD projects agreement
d. Proposal from Buckingham family for the sale of property to MPRD
VIII. Old Business
a. Updates:
i. Old Swim Hole development project
ii. Manson Bay Marina planning project
iii. Leffler Field soil remediation planning project
b. Director’s Report
IX. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: 4:10pm on January 12, 2023 at 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA, 98831 (unless otherwise posted).
Virtual meeting takes place Dec. 13 and 14
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Transportation Commission will cover several topics at its Dec. 13 and 14 meeting, including statewide traffic safety challenges, a statewide road usage charge program, and approaches to addressing possible shortfalls in fuel funding at Washington State Ferries.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. both Tuesday, Dec. 13, and Wednesday, Dec. 14. This meeting will be virtual using Zoom. People interested in attending can register on the Commission’s website. TVW will broadcast the meeting live.
The commission will hear from the state Traffic Safety Commission on Tuesday, December 13 about alarming increases in fatalities and injuries on our roadways, suggesting the time has come for significant changes in how to address roadway safety. The Traffic Safety Commission will share current safety trends and possible needed policy changes.
Also on Tuesday, the commission will hold a work session on current research, testing and preparations for a road usage charge program in Washington state. This will include reviewing and selecting recommendations on how to advance a pay-per-mile system. The commission’s recommendations will be provided to the Legislature for consideration in the 2023 legislative session.
Some further highlights of the commission’s two-day meeting include:
The commission will take public comment at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. Those wishing to speak can sign up during the meeting by posting their name in the Q&A box on-screen. Written comments can also be submitted via email at:
For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit the commission’s website: www.wstc.wa.gov.
On 11/26/22 2 reports were received by our office in regards to local area victims receiving phone calls from subjects claiming to be Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputies from the Warrants Department. These calls were an attempt to solicit money in the form of gift cards to avoid an arrest. The caller also attempted to solicit personal information. This is a scam.
We continue to ask citizens to be aware of all the various types of telephone scams which are currently in circulation and do not disclose your personal information, or pay money to anyone you do not know. Please continue to report all scam related incidents to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
On behalf of the Columbia River Drug Task Force we want to make the public aware of different colored Fentanyl or what is considered “Rainbow” Fentanyl that has been confiscated by law enforcement in the Wenatchee Valley within the last month.
CRDTF detectives have seen pictures of this multi-colored Fentanyl on suspect’s phones who reside in the Wenatchee Valley. We want the public to be aware of this latest trend as the Fentanyl looks very similar to candy or children’s vitamins.
Also, there have been drug seizures in Washington State, specifically in Eastern Washington, of colored Fentanyl powder that looks similar to colored chalk. We believe it will only be a matter of time before this type of Fentanyl will also make its way into our community. We urge the public to talk with your children about the dangers of drugs, to include not ingesting any type of pill that is not prescribed by a Doctor, and not trying or experimenting with any pills or powder that are given to them by an acquaintance, friend, or family member.
Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous substance.
For more information on the dangers of Fentanyl and to learn more please visit the following website.
On 11-21-2022 at approximately 7:33 PM, Douglas County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near mile marker 8 on State Route 173 (Bridgeport Bar, WA).
While contacting the driver of the stopped vehicle, deputies observed a vehicle approaching them on the highway. The vehicle traveled over the fog line and struck the patrol car, causing significant damage to both vehicles. The deputies were able to move out of the way and were uninjured. After striking the patrol car, the suspect vehicle proceeded to travel southbound on SR 173 towards Bridgeport.
Deputies advised RiverCom Dispatch of the incident and provided a description of the suspect vehicle. Another Douglas County Deputy located the vehicle traveling southbound on SR 173. The vehicle was missing a front tire, which caused sparks to be emitted down the roadway.
The deputy was able to stop the vehicle near approximately mile marker 4 on SR 173. With the assistance of the Brewster Police Department, the driver identified as Hendrika Isensee a 76-year-old Bridgeport resident was detained, without further incident. Washington State Patrol responded, placed her under arrest for suspicion of DUI and Hit and Run, and booked her into the Okanogan County Jail.
On 11-01-22, Matthew D. Hendricks, a 29 year old resident of East Wenatchee, was observed by CRDTF Detectives in Rock Island, WA. Hendricks had a DOC Escape warrant out for his arrest at the time. CRDTF Detectives had gathered intelligence from numerous sources that Hendricks was dealing Fentanyl pills. Hendricks drove his motorcycle from Rock Island to a body shop in the 400 block of Rock Island Road. He was contacted by Detectives once he arrived at the location. When contacted, Hendricks fled into the nearby body shop and hid behind a vehicle inside the shop. Hendricks was arrested and found in possession of nearly 1000 Fentanyl pills and close to an ounce of methamphetamine. Hendricks had over $2500 cash on his person. Hendricks was arrested and a search warrant on his phone was served which revealed evidence of drug dealing. Hendricks’ cash and motorcycle were seized. Hendricks was arrested for possession with intent to deliver Methamphetamine and Fentanyl as well as Resisting Arrest.
On 11-09-22, CRDTF Detectives had been surveilling Casey C. McKinstry, a 32 year old resident of Rock Island, due to information gathered that McKinstry was dealing Fentanyl. Detectives interrupted a drug deal after seeing a hand to hand transaction at the Evergreen Smoke Shop parking lot. McKinstry was arrested for possession with intent to deliver Fentanyl, Heroin and Methamphetamine. The buyer, Christopher R. Dexter, a 30 year old resident of East Wenatchee, was also arrested for leaving two young children unattended in his running vehicle while he was purchasing drugs from McKinstry. Child Protective Services was called and notified of the situation and the children were placed in temporary protective custody. Both subjects admitted a drug deal was occurring when the CRDTF Detectives contacted them. McKinstry had approximately $4800 cash, approximately 400 fentanyl pills, about a gram of heroin, and about gram of methamphetamine in his possession. The cash and McKinstry’s vehicle were seized. McKinstry was out on bail at the time of his arrest and has a pending case out of Douglas County for firearms possession and possession w/intent. McKinstry was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. It should be noted that under the current state law for drug possession that CRDTF Detectives only course of action is to issue Dexter a drug referral for his part in the drug transaction.
Both subjects are currently housed at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.
The Columbia River Drug Task Force is committed to targeting Fentanyl drug dealers in the Wenatchee Valley. There have been too many lives lost and countless lives affected by this poison being distributed in our community. CRDTF is committed to working with our Federal partners as well as the Chelan and Douglas Prosecutor’s office to hold these drug dealers accountable to the highest extent of the law.
MVT WebCam 