The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management alerts residents to the National Weather Service’s recently issued Flood Warnings. Of special concern are burn scar areas from recent wildfires and the county’s steep hillsides and canyons.
Chelan County Public Works has pre-positioned equipment along areas of concern and will be on standby for a quick response to any reported problems. This flood watch extends until Friday afternoon. Public Works cautions that because crews are busy, flooded roadways may not all be signed with safety warnings. Be vigilant about where you are driving and what debris or obstacles are in the roadway.
Flash floods and mudslides can strike with little or no warning. Local rains may be so intense that small creeks and streams are unable to handle the large amounts of water. Storm drains and culverts may turn into raging bodies of water. The force of 6 inches of swiftly moving water can knock people off their feet. A foot of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.
Emergency Management encourages the public to observe the following flash flood safety rules:
On December 3rd, 2025 at approximately 2:30 pm, Justin Lasater, a 24-year-old Entiat man was reported missing. He had not shown up for work and he was last seen by friends in Wenatchee on the evening of December 2nd.
A deputy took the initial report and according to a tracking app, his last known location was on 97a North of Rocky Reach Dam. Deputies checked 97a north and Swakane Canyon but did not locate Justin or his white Nissan Pathfinder. A notice was put out to local agencies to attempt to locate and check the welfare of Justin.
On the morning of December 4th, Justin still had not been contacted. New information was obtained that Justin had been seen crossing the bridge northbound into Entiat. Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue as well as CCSO Deputies began thoroughly checking the Entiat River drainage over the next couple of days. Searching was unsuccessful.
On Monday December 8th, the weather finally allowed the Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit to fly the area. The crew was able to locate a white SUV submerged in the Columbia River just north of milepost 211 on 97a. Rescue swimmers from Chelan Fire Rescue were able to confirm the vehicle was Justin’s and that there was an occupant in the driver’s seat.
Washington State Patrol took over the incident since the collision occurred on the state highway. After the vehicle was recovered, the driver was positively identified as Justin Lasater.
The collision is still under investigation by WSP.
On Monday, November 10, 2025, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office personnel assisted with support in the Bridgeport area of a multi-agency narcotics investigation led by the King County Sheriff’s Office Precinct 4 Special Emphasis Team (SET), known as “Operation Eastbound and Down.”
Over the past several months, King County SET conducted a comprehensive investigation into a regional supplier based in Bridgeport who, along with an accomplice, was receiving more than 100 pounds of narcotics every few weeks. These substances were then distributed to local dealers across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
Detectives executed search warrants at locations in Bridgeport, Lynnwood, and Kirkland. The combined efforts of all agencies involved led to the following seizures and arrests:
The estimated street value of the narcotics seized is approximately $1.3 million.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office thanks the King County Sheriff’s Office for its leadership and coordination throughout this operation.
Work to replace span over westbound lanes to affect area traffic into winter
CLE ELUM – Work to replace the Bullfrog Road overpass above the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 near Cle Elum is set to begin by the end of November. The bridge was hit and severely damaged by an over-height load in late October.Washington State Department of Transportation bridge designers have finished plans to replace the span. A contractor is expected to be selected in time for work to start by the end of the month. Crews will work into the winter to restore full access to the overpass safely and efficiently.“Safety is our top priority,” said Brian White, WSDOT region administrator. “Our crews are working as quickly as possible to reopen the bridge while keeping both workers and travelers safe. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we complete this critical repair through winter conditions.”
The repairs are being completed under emergency authorization by Gov. Bob Ferguson, with an estimated cost of $8 million, funded under the governor’s emergency proclamation. Work is expected to be complete and the overpass reopened by January 2026. Crews will return in the spring, when temperatures allow, to apply a thin concrete overlay, which will require another temporary closure of the Bullfrog Road overpass.
What to expect
The replacement span over westbound I-90 will use pre-cast girders or concrete support beams to accelerate construction and closure times. Once the girders are set, crews will build the bridge’s concrete sidewalls and reopen the overpass.
Short-term full closures of westbound I-90 will be required as construction progresses. These closures may occur during daytime or nighttime hours, depending on the work being done:
Current Detours:
I-90 travel updates:
Lake Chelan Reclamation District will be holding an election on Tuesday, December 9th to fill one board of director position.
Candidates
Todd Jeffries is seeking re-election and will be challenged by Edwin "Troy" Hawkins. Please view the candidates bio's HERE.
Voting in Person
Pursuant to Washington State law, polls will be open on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the District Office located at 80 Wapato Way, Manson.
Eligible Voter
A person 18 or more years of age, a citizen of the United States of America, a legal resident of the State of Washington and a landowner with the District boundaries is eligible to vote. If land is held by a corporation, a trust, an LLC, or other legal entity formed pursuant to the laws of the State of Washington, they may appoint a person within their organization to vote using the Authority to Cast Votes form below. All forms must be returned to
Absentee Voting
Any qualified district elector may vote by absentee ballot. See RCW 87.03.032. To receive an absentee ballot, please turn in a completed and signed a Request for Absentee Ballots form. These may be printed, completed and signed, then returned to LCRD via mail, email to
Absentee ballots are available from November 21, 2025 (18 days before Election Day), through December 8, 2025. Electors are reminded that the voted absentee ballots must be returned to the District office no later than 8:00 p.m. on December 9, 2025, or be postmarked no later than midnight on December 9, 2025, and received within seven days of that date. (RCW 87.03.033)
The Lake Chelan Reclamation District can make no guarantee of timely mail delivery and recommends that absentee ballot requests be mailed or delivered at least one week in advance of the election.
Forms:
Electors planning to cast ballots for a spouse or for a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited-liability corporation or other legal entity should consult RCW 87.03.051. The following authorization forms are available and should be completed and submitted with your Request for Absentee Ballots form, if applicable:
If you would like to be mailed the Absentee Ballot Request form, please call 509-687-3548.
Statutory Deadline for Receipt of Voted Absentee Ballots
Absentee Ballots must conform to statutory requirements and be returned to the District Office no later than 8:00 p.m. on December 9, 2025, or be postmarked no later than midnight on December 9, 2025, and received within seven days of that date. RCW 87.03.033.
On November 12th, 2025 at approximately 12:14 PM, Douglas County Deputies, Washington State Patrol, Douglas County Fire District #4 and Lake Chelan Health EMS personnel were dispatched to a report of an unresponsive male in a vehicle, near mile post 228 on US Highway 97, in Orondo WA.
Responders arrived and found a single male in the vehicle who was unresponsive. Life-saving measures were attempted, however; the male was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene. The male was found to have injuries consistent with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. A portion of US Highway 97 is currently closed due to the incident and Washington State Department of Transportation personnel have established a detour route around the scene. The closure of the highway is expected to last for the next several hours.
No further information regarding the identity of the victim will be released at this time. This incident is being investigated as a homicide and anyone with information can contact RiverCom Dispatch at (509) 663-9911.
*****
On November 13th, 2025, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Investigators were assisted by Columbia River Drug Task Force, Grant County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, East Cascades SWAT, East Wenatchee Police Department, Washington State Patrol, and Lifeline Ambulance personnel serving a search warrant in the 1400 block of Columbia Avenue, Bridgeport, WA, in relation to this case. Subsequently, a 16-year-old male juvenile was arrested for Murder-Second Degree. This investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
*****
On November 14, 2025, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Investigators released the identity of the victim of this homicide investigation as Adnan A. Abouammo, a 68-year-old male resident of East Wenatchee, WA. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact RiverCom Dispatch at (509) 663-9911.
Regular Board Meeting: November 13, 2025 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
a. October 09, 2025 Regular Meeting
b. October 28, 2025 Budget Workshop
6. Financial review
a. Monthly financial report
b. Review and approval of monthly voucher
7. New business
a. Park hours
b. Marina commercial slips
c. Approval of EFT Policy
d. Employee wage change approval
e. Pacific Engineering contract; consultant for Old Swim Hole project management
f. Campground Host job description
8. Old business
a. 2026 budget approval
i. Levy Certification
b. Aquatics program (planning for 2026 season)
c. Project updates:
i. Old Swim Hole redevelopment
1. Project schedule
ii. Leffler Field
iii. Manson Bay Marina breakwater
iv. Old Mill T-dock replacement
d. Director’s Report
9. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: 4:00pm on December 11, 2025 at 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA, 98831.
On 11/11/25, Chelan County Deputies were dispatched to a disturbance report in the 200 block of Mystic Creek Ln, in Chelan, WA. It was reported that the neighbor was on a hillside screaming and acting irrational. It appeared the suspect was armed with a rifle.
The suspect was identified as, Jose Franco Nunez, a 56 year old male from Chelan, WA. Deputies were familiar with Jose due to past contacts with him at this location. Deputies arrived on scene and located Jose on a hill. He was not armed with a rifle but was armed with 2 Samurai style swords. Jose ran down the hill and went to a trailer that was on his property. The victim lives in this trailer and Jose banged on the trailer which caused the victim to step outside to see what was going on. Jose threatened the victim with the swords and entered the trailer and then came back out. Jose continued to yell and threaten the victim with his swords. He then used a sword to smash 2 windows to a vehicle that belonged to the victim.
At that time deputies moved up and were able to get the victim over to them and to a safe position away from Jose. Jose then walked away from the trailer and went to his residence where he was witnessed picking up a golf club and smashing his own window out and then going inside. From inside the residence Jose threatened to “blow up” deputies and show them his gun. Jose refused to cooperate with lawful commands given to him.
The East Cascade SWAT Team was activated to respond to the location to assist.
While they were en-route to the location, CCSO Detectives applied for a search warrant for the arrest of Jose. Jose continued to refuse to cooperate. A less lethal option of pepper balls were
eventually deployed which eventually caused Jose to surrender without further incident.
Jose was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center for violations of:
RCW 9A.52.020 Burglary 1st degree
RCW 9A. 36.021 Assault 2nd degree
RCW 9A.46.020.1(a)(i) Harassment (threats to kill)
RCW 9A.48.080 Malicious Mischief 2nd degree
RCW 9A.56.050 Theft 3rd degree
Chelan County Deputies will continue to work to provide, “A community where safety, justice and security are ensured for all through unwavering commitment to service”. A special thanks to the East Cascade SWAT Team for it’s assistance during this incident.
On 10/28/25 Chelan County Deputies were dispatched to a report of a trespass in the 1900 block of Lakeshore Dr in Manson, WA. The owner of the property uses it as an Air B&B and saw subjects trespassing on the property when there was supposed to be no one there.
Deputies made contact with the owner and were advised that the property was currently not in use or being rented out but was for sale. Two subjects had been seen sneaking around the property on security video.
Through the security video, deputies were able to identify the vehicle the suspects were using. Deputies went to the property in question and were let in by the caretaker of the home. Deputies found that the house had been broken into and it appeared that several people were staying in the basement but were not currently there. While on scene, the suspect vehicle drove by the residence. Deputies were able to catch up to the suspect vehicle and made a traffic stop on the vehicle.
Through their investigation, they were able to identify the two subjects in the vehicle as the same suspects who were in the house. Both parties were detained and identified as, Jose Eduardo Ramos-Arellano, a 20 year old male from Palisades, WA and Aida Perez-Ramirez, a 19 year old female from Bridgeport, WA.
Both Jose and Aida admitted to being inside the residence. Both were arrested and booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center for violations of Residential Burglary. Jose was also charged with Driving While License Suspended 3rd and had outstanding warrants as well.
Chelan County Deputies will continue to work to provide, “A community where safety, justice and security are ensured for all through unwavering commitment to service”.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, WA – The Douglas County Board of Commissioners warmly invites the public to join in celebrating the completion of the McNeil Canyon Road Realignment Project.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at McNeil Canyon Road. The event will feature brief remarks, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, and light refreshments to commemorate this important milestone and recognize the collaboration that made it possible.
The final project cost is estimated at $4,415,000 and was funded in partnership with the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) through the Rural Arterial Program (RAP). Scarsella Brothers, Inc. served as the project’s contractor.
The McNeil Canyon Road Realignment Project re-routed a section of roadway north of its existing alignment to improve safety, efficiency, and reliability. Key improvements include:
These enhancements correct less than ideal vertical and horizontal alignments, resulting in a safer and more dependable route for motorists.
Construction began on June 2, 2025, and Douglas County extends its gratitude to all partners and community members who supported the successful completion of this vital transportation improvement.
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