Opioid reduction campaign is working, physician says
WENATCHEE — There might be another factor in the rising cost of prescription opioids: The effort led by Wenatchee Dr. Malcolm Butler to reduce the amount of opioid prescriptions written for chronic pain. Since the effort began in October of 2010, the number of opioid-related deaths for Columbia Valley Community Health patients has dropped from 10 patients in 2010 to seven in 2011.
Heroin seizures jump
In the Wenatchee area, the Columbia River Drug Task Force recovered or purchased 7 grams of heroin. That contrasts with 299 grams seized in 2011. Seizures of heroin have also increased in the state and nation, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Hooking a younger crowd
With reformulated OxyContin pills, the black market favors cheaper drug alternative
WENATCHEE — Move over, oxycodone and methamphetamine. Heroin is becoming a contender for drug-of-choice in the Wenatchee Valley.
Heroin abuser: ‘My fall from grace is extreme’
Dave Cook sees the danger in heroin overtaking oxycodone as the drug of choice in Wenatchee. “The advantage with prescription drugs is you know exactly what you’re getting; with heroin you have no idea. You can overdose easier with heroin.”
Homeowner interrupts burglary
WENATCHEE — A Wenatchee resident interrupted a burglary in his home late Tuesday morning, saving himself the loss of a gaming system and two laptop computers. The man, who lives in the 800 block of Kittitas Street, came home about 11 a.m., saw man in the home and called 911, said Sgt. John Kruse with the Wenatchee Police Department. This prompted the suspect to drop the gaming system and two laptops he was trying to take.
Train-car collision victim is from Grand Coulee
EPHRATA — William L. Hertenstein, 81, of Grand Coulee has been identified as the man killed about 9 a.m. Tuesday in a train-car collision at the Third Avenue railroad crossing in Ephrata. He died at the scene, according to a State Patrol report.
Two injured in two-car accident
PESHASTIN —Two people were injured about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in a two-car accident at the intersection of Highway 2 and Main Street at Peshastin. Azucena M. Guzman, 36, of Leavenworth, was in satisfactory condition at Central Washington Hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman. A car that Guzman was driving collided with a car driven by Maria G. Rivera, 34, of Cashmere, according to a State Patrol report.
Two arrested for assault, robbery
WENATCHEE — Witness statements and surveillance video helped police arrest two Wenatchee residents in the Jan. 2 assault of a 27-year-old Wenatchee man. “The motive appears to be robbing the victim of beer he had purchased moments before at a Wenatchee convenience store,” said Wenatchee Sgt. John Kruse in a press release.
Train-vehicle accident kills Grant County man
EPHRATA — A Grant County man was killed about 9 a.m. today in a vehicle-train accident in Ephrata. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two injured in one-car accident
OKANOGAN — Two Twisp residents were injured Monday afternoon in a one-car accident about 10 miles west of Okanogan on Highway 20. Stuart G. Belli, 22, was injured when the car he was driving crashed down an embankment, struck a tree and rolled onto its top, according to a State Patrol report. Also injured was a passenger in the car, Everett F.S. Privett, 25. Both were transported to Mid-Valley Hospital in Omak. Their conditions were not available.
Drowning investigation: Eight changes in the works
Among them are better testing and a second lifeguard on duty
WENATCHEE — A standardized test to designate swimmers from non-swimmers and a second on-duty lifeguard are among eight changes that the Wenatchee School District is putting in place to improve safety at the high school swimming pool. The changes stem from the Nov. 17 drowning of a high school freshman in the pool.
Vigil sheds light on bullying
Suicide of Cashmere student is closed case for Sheriff’s office
WENATCHEE — A 14-year-old Cashmere boy hanged himself Jan. 29 after suffering anti-gay bullying.
Vigil sheds light on bullying Suicide of Cashmere student is closed case for Sheriff’s Office
WENATCHEE — Friends and family of a 14-year-old Cashmere boy who hung himself Jan. 29 said during a candlelight vigil Friday night that he had been bullied because he was gay. “He told me he got shoved and punched in the face in PE in the locker room at Cashmere,” said Lexii Mullin of Wenatchee, a friend of Rafael Morelos.
Salvation Army services
• At 1205 S. Columbia St. (662-8864): Food bank, 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
About the Salvation Army
WENATCHEE — The Salvation Army, which was founded in 1865 in England as an offshoot of the Methodist Church, began offering services in Wenatchee in 1904. It offered help to 17,526 people in 2011. That is up from 11,016 people served in 2010. Lt. Sergio Garcia, who oversees activities in Wenatchee, blamed the continued down economy for the increase.
Hanging on to housing
Salvation Army helps when eviction becomes a reality
Brenda Lilley was at the end of her rope. The 51-year-old East Wenatchee woman had been sick and unable to work for three weeks. Then she got an eviction notice from her landlord.
‘Crowbar Burglar’ couldn’t pull perfect crime
The burglar’s calling card was always the same. A crowbar.
A voice for the opera: Wenatchee native makes a name for herself
WENATCHEE — Friends who see Elizabeth Zharoff on the streets of Wenatchee May 17, 18 or 19, should not expect a long conversation. She’ll be on vocal rest.
Dog bites woman on Chelan sidewalk
CHELAN — A 50-year-old woman was bitten on her nose and lips by a dog in the 100 block of East Woodin Avenue about 10 p.m. Tuesday. The dog, a pit bull-mastiff mix, was in quarantine at the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society shelter this morning, said Dawn Davies, Humane Society director.
Burned teen still in serious condition
SEATTLE — A Chelan High School freshman who was burned in a bonfire accident Jan. 15 remained in serious condition this morning at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. A Harborview spokeswoman said Clayton Kimsey was in the intensive care unit.
Pedestrian, struck in crosswalk, in serious condition
WENATCHEE — Carrying a bright orange flag and crossing in a crosswalk failed to keep a 56-year-old Wenatchee man from getting hit by a car about 5:45 p.m. Saturday. Manuel Mata Perez was in serious condition this morning at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He was struck in the 800 block of South Mission Street, said Sgt. Cherie Smith with the Wenatchee Police Department. Mata was wearing all black clothing. He was carrying one of the pedestrian flags that are on either side of the crosswalk in that location.
Heart-health walk seeks women participants
WENATCHEE — Women can walk at Riverfront Park to promote heart health from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 10. The annual walk, called Go Red for Women Walk, is sponsored by the North Central Emergency Care council, the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and Central Washington Hospital.
Burglary suspect cuts wrist, calls for help
WENATCHEE — A cut wrist alarmed a burglar badly enough that he called for help — from inside Mission View Elementary School. “He apparently thought it was life-threatening, but it wasn’t,” said Lt. Maria Agnew with the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
The Worm: Redistricting confusion: Will the real representative please stand up
The lines are drawn, but ...: Our Tuesday article on congressional redistricting essentially sent Dave Reichert to D.C. on central Washington’s behalf, but the reality’s not that simple. In that article, about Chelan and Kittitas County and East Wenatchee joining the 8th District, we wrote that Reichert, an Auburn Republican, “becomes the congressman for much of North Central Washington when redistricting takes effect in February.”
Accidents down just a bit at red-light camera locations
WENATCHEE — The data is in on how many accidents have been happening at intersections where red-light cameras are set up. The numbers show a slight downturn but nothing dramatic. And they’re a bit confusing. Between 2009 and 2011, the number of accidents actually went up at Fifth Street and Chelan Avenue.
Footprints lead police to shed burglars
WENATCHEE — Footprints in the snow led police to a 37-year-old Wenatchee man and a 17-year-old Wenatchee boy who were inside a shed behind Calvary Crossroads Church early Friday morning. Albert E. Otterson was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on suspicion of second-degree burglary. The juvenile was booked into the Chelan County Juvenile Center on the same charge.
Sale of pickup turns into a robbery
EAST WENATCHEE — Two East Wenatchee residents were robbed at gunpoint of about $2,100 Saturday afternoon while trying to buy a pickup. Three people were later arrested, said Dan Reierson, assistant chief for the Wenatchee Police Department.
Malaga fire claims two lives
MALAGA — An electrical problem was the likely cause of the house fire that killed two people early this morning , Investigators say.
Burned teen remains in serious condition
SEATTLE — A Chelan High School freshman who was burned in a bonfire accident Sunday remained in serious condition this morning at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. A Harborview spokeswoman said Clayton Kimsey was in the intensive care unit.
RiverCom dispatchers direct officers to errant driver
WENATCHEE — Hit and run driving within sight of RiverCom dispatchers is a good way to get caught. Dispatchers — located in the top floor of the Wenatchee Police station at the corner of Yakima and South Mission streets — heard a crunching sound about 7 p.m. Wednesday and looked out their windows to see a semitrailer leaving the scene of an accident, said Sgt. Cherie Smith with the Wenatchee Police Department.
Hit and run victim tracks down suspect
WENATCHEE — A Wenatchee woman who was rear-ended followed the other driver, who did not stop, for about 10 minutes Thursday until Wenatchee police could arrest him.
9 inches ... and counting
WENATCHEE — It’s slow going on Wenatchee streets today with motorists slogging through 7 to 9 inches of new snow that fell on Wednesday. But keep the snow shovels handy. The Wenatchee Valley will be getting another inch or so as light snow falls today and into Friday morning.
Burglary suspect says he found the goods
WENATCHEE — A 27-year-old Wenatchee man told police that he found a shopping cart filled with goods from the Town Toyota Center Tuesday evening and tried to catch the thief. Video from inside the center tells another story.
Chelan woman killed in two-vehicle accident
ENTIAT — A 68-year-old Chelan woman was killed about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 97A about three miles south of Entiat. Kristine G. Gavin was dead at the scene of the accident about three miles south of Entiat, according to a State Patrol report. The northbound car she was driving crossed the centerline and collided with a southbound pickup.
Car crashes into house in Wenatchee
WENATCHEE — “A wild, serpentine drive” down Franklin Street Tuesday evening ended when a car crashed into a house then ran down an embankment and stopped running in the middle of a nearby intersection. The driver of a Ford Explorer was booked into jail on suspicion of drunken driving.
Residential shooting leaves 30 shell casings
WENATCHEE — Police found about 30 shell casings in the 1300 block of Westwood Avenue Monday after residents in the area reported hearing gunshots about 5:30 a.m. “It’s an odd deal, we don’t usually see this number of rounds fired,” said Detective Edgar Reinfeld with the Wenatchee Police Department.
Group offers support to ostomy patients
WENATCHEE — Carl Andersen is upbeat about his medical condition. “It isn’t the end of the world ‘cause you have a pouch,” said the 79-year-old Wenatchee man.
Meeting information
What: Ostomy Support Group When: 2 p.m. March 13
CHS student in serious condition with burns
CHELAN — Clayton Kimsey, a freshman at Chelan High School, was in serious condition this morning at Harborview Medical Center with burns suffered in a bonfire accident Sunday. A Harborview spokeswoman said Kimsey was in the intensive care unit.
Police follow snowy footprints to prowler suspects
WENATCHEE — Vehicle prowling when there’s snow on the ground can be a bad idea. Two 14-year-old Wenatchee boys found that out the hard way early this morning when police tracked them down via their footprints in the snow, said Sgt. Ken Britt with the Wenatchee Police Department. Footprints showed that prowlers attempted to gain entry to 53 vehicles in the south end of Wenatchee. They got into 19 of those vehicles.
Teenager burned in bonfire accident
A 15-year-old boy was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Sunday after being badly burned in an accident involving gasoline and a bonfire.
WSP troopers warn against shoulder parking at Stevens Pass
People should not park their cars on the shoulder of a highway when they come to a ski area, said Lt. Kandi Patrick with the State Patrol.
Arrest may solve multiple burglaries
PESHASTIN — The arrest of a 50-year-old Peshastin man on Thursday clears up multiple burglaries in the area over the past couple of years, says Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett. Working off a tip from a confidential informant, sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant on property in the 4000 block of Highway 97, Burnett said. They recovered more than $20,000 worth of stolen items, including welding and diving equipment and tools. Those had been taken from businesses and residences, some up to two years ago, Burnett said.
911 landline work will affect local calls
CHELAN — Manson and Chelan residents using landline phones will not be able to call outside their local calling areas between 11 p.m. on Jan. 16 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 17 while landline circuits for 911 in those areas are rewired. The work will not affect cellphone users, said Millie Tirapelle, director of the RiverCom dispatch center.
Company faces fines for asbestos violations
WENATCHEE — The state has fined a Cashmere company $25,450, saying it did not properly remove asbestos from Solomon’s Porch youth center in downtown Wenatchee. The state Department of Labor & Industries alleged 14 violations by Evergreen Asbestos Solutions that officials consider serious, said Hector Castro, an L&I spokesman. “We believe this particular contractor should have known better,” Castro said.
Waiting game on for medical management
WENATCHEE — Talks between officials with Central Washington Hospital and the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center over a joint management proposal are “in a waiting phase,” said the medical center’s chairman and chief executive officer. That is because local officials have not heard yet whether the state Attorney General’s Office or the Federal Trade Commission have any concerns about the proposal, said Dr. Pete Rutherford.
Juvenile arrests clear up burglaries
QUINCY — Quincy police say they have cleared up 10 burglaries with the arrest Sunday of two 15-year-old boys. The boys were arrested on suspicion of first-degree residential burglary and theft of a firearm, said Sgt. Paul Snyder with the Quincy Police Department. Two other suspects are being questioned. Snyder said the boys confessed to 10 of the 12 burglaries in the city in the past two months. The boys were arrested after an officer questioned a boy who said he had been sold a game console by another boy. The officer went to that boy’s home and, while standing at the front door, saw property inside that had been reported stolen.
Homeowner arrested as items removed from property
WENATCHEE — An angry Gene Duell landed in jail Friday morning as items from the outside of his home were hauled away to the dump. He objected to the court-ordered cleanup by “driving extremely quickly and recklessly down the street, jumping out of his vehicle in the middle of the road and blocking the roadway,” said Sgt. Ken Britt with the Wenatchee Police Department. “He was angry and wouldn’t listen to reason and move his truck and calm down and wouldn’t obey commands.”
Drug task force seizes $23,000 in crystal meth
WENATCHEE — A stash of crystal meth with a street value of about $23,000 was confiscated Dec. 30 in what one law enforcement officers says was the largest drug seizure in Chelan County in 2011. Authorities also confiscated $15,000 in cash on Dec. 30, and arrested Jose A. Manajares, 30, on suspicion of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
If you go
If you go What: Open house at Grace House
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