The Worm: Hard ciders and hard-hitting football players turned outlaws
Cheers: Bottles of Snowdrift Cider Co.’s hard apple cider just started being capped last fall, but the East Wenatchee artisan ciders are already making a national name for themselves. Alaska Airlines Magazine plugged the cider, as did Seattle Magazine at seattlemag.com/0p38a2321/tasting-notes-washingtons-hard-ciders/.
Owens murder trial moves back again
WATERVILLE — The second first-degree murder trial for Christopher Martin Owens, 29, who is accused of shooting his mother’s ex-boyfriend in 2008, has been rescheduled — again. Due to conflicting trial schedules of Owens’ defense attorney, John Crawley of Seattle, Douglas County Superior Court Judge John Hotchkiss on Tuesday changed the trial date from Oct. 11 to March 7.
Crews clear path for East Wenatchee bridge
EAST WENATCHEE — Anyone watching progress of the Canyon B arch bridge project in East Wenatchee has seen a lot of dirt being moved. “When it’s all said and done, 33,070 yards of dirt will have been excavated,” said Aaron Simmons, project engineer with Douglas County.
Gzyl sentenced to prison
EAST WENATCHEE — A former East Wenatchee man was sentenced Tuesday to one year and a day in prison for possession of child pornography. Dan Mariusz Gzyl, 32, in June pleaded guilty in Douglas County Superior Court.
Eastside bridge ramp runs into roadblock
EAST WENATCHEE — A glitch in securing rights-of-way is putting a new eastside ramp and road off Sen. George Sellar Bridge on hold until spring. State Department of Transportation officials had hoped to request bids last May and start the project this August.
Wenatchee nursing home getting new purpose
WENATCHEE — Douglas County workers this week tackled the first step in renovating the former Parkside Manor nursing home into a comprehensive mental health campus.
Seeing NCW’s backcountry means getting off the pavement ... and getting the wheels muddy
Why would someone choose a rocky, rutted, one-lane, dusty back road to get from point A to point B when we have a perfectly good highway system? “Because sometimes it’s just nice to slow down and smell the roses,” said Jim Faulconer, 58, of Yakima, who recently drove Colockum Pass Road near Malaga to Ellensburg. “And when you’re plugging along at 5 or 6 mph, you can’t help but take it all in.”
Waterville considers taking swat at new mosquito-control district
WATERVILLE — Town officials in Waterville are hoping the creation of a mosquito control district will make the annual spraying decision “less personal.” “I can hope, can’t I?” said Mayor Royal DeVaney.
Waterville councilman submits resignation
WATERVILLE — A third Waterville councilmember has stepped down before his four-year-term ends. Daniel Bareither, elected to the council in 2007, submitted his resignation at the Sept. 7 council meeting.
Woman pleads guilty to assault
WENATCHEE — A Wenatchee woman found in Colorado this July after skipping out on a court appearance for child rape charges pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. April L. Blomquist, 20, originally charged in 2008 with second-degree rape of a child, pleaded guilty Sept. 2 in Chelan County Superior Court to third-degree assault.
East Wenatchee man charged for having too many pot plants
EAST WENATCHEE — An East Wenatchee man was charged Friday for having more pot plants than state law allows for medical marijuana users. Peter Taylor Thomas, 45, was charged in Douglas County Superior Court with one count each of manufacturing of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.
Link may drop Route 37 to Lake Wenatchee, Plain
WENATCHEE — Low ridership is forcing Link to consider dropping Route 37, which operates between Plain, Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth. The route was established in 2007 when Plain and Lake Wenatchee residents petitioned Link to create the route, said a Link Transit press release.
Crisis center hears more reports of would-be rapists doctoring drinks
WENATCHEE — Cindy knew better than to leave her drink on the table while she got up to dance. Disregarding her own advice that night earned her an ambulance ride to the emergency room. The 37-year-old from Wenatchee, who wishes to be known as Cindy for this story, in January took a couple of sips from her beer before getting up to dance with a male friend who had come to the Wenatchee bar with her.
Man accused of molestations at day care pleads guilty to lesser charges
WENATCHEE — A 57-year-old Wenatchee man accused of molesting two girls at a day-care center he and his wife ran pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced to eight months in jail. Agustin O. Barragan, originally charged with two counts of first-degree child molestation, on Sept. 8 pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree assault of a child in an Alford plea in Chelan County Superior Court.
Men accused of rape plead to lesser charges
WENATCHEE — Two Wenatchee men accused of raping a 20-year-old woman in June, have pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Hector A Garcia, 36, was initially charged with second-degree rape and furnishing liquor to a minor. He pleaded guilty Sept. 8 in Chelan County Superior Court to felony unlawful imprisonment and furnishing liquor to a minor and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and one year of probation.
Bookkeeper embezzled $250,000, prosecutors say
WENATCHEE — An East Wenatchee man suspected of embezzling at least $250,000 from his employer has been charged with 13 counts of forgery, and one count each of first-degree theft and first-degree identify theft. Scott D. Brixey, 48, was charged Friday in Chelan County Superior Court and is being held at the Chelan County Regional Justice center on a $500,000 cash bond.
Fiestas Mexicanas celebration draws a crowd
Royal court part of festival for first time
WENATCHEE — The food, music, booths and festive atmosphere bring thousands of Latinos annually to Fiestas Mexicanas at Wenatchee’s Lincoln Park. But Roberto Garcia of East Wenatchee, who played his guitar with the group Gallitos del Norte, said Saturday afternoon that the festival was also important to remind people and teach the children to not forget their past.
Man says someone stole his mother’s ashes
EAST WENATCHEE — An East Wenatchee man was very upset to learn Saturday morning that a silver and blue metal urn with his mother’s ashes inside was stolen from his Jeep Cherokee, said East Wenatchee Officer Carrie Knouf. The man went to his vehicle to go to work and discovered his GPS, binoculars, CDs and hunting equipment were gone, she said.
Men take ATM while business open
WENATCHEE — Two men walked into Bob’s Classic Brass & Brew in Wenatchee Friday night and walked out with an ATM, said Wenatchee Police Sgt. Jim West. He said the men brought in a moving dolly around 11 p.m., and removed the machine that’s located just inside the restaurant’s entrance.
Traffic slows up man in police chase
WENATCHEE — A 27-year-old Wenatchee man led a string of law enforcement vehicles on a “slow-rolling” chase Friday night. Wenatchee Police Sgt. Jim West said the incident first began just after 6 p.m., when the department received a call that a man was throwing vases inside the chapel of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Elliott Avenue.
Cockfighting investigation snares 2 men
MALAGA — Two Malaga men were charged with felony animal fighting in connection with what law enforcement suspect was an illegal cockfighting operation. Adrian Barrozo Lozano, 44, and Jose Jesus Lozano, 40, were also charged Aug. 19 in Chelan County Superior Court with one count of alien in possession of a firearm without an alien firearm license.
Fiestas Mexicanas adds some pop this year
WENATCHEE — What’s an independence celebration without fireworks? Saturday evening will mark the first time pyrotechnics will be part of Fiestas Mexicanas in Wenatchee’s Lincoln Park. Now in its 11th year, the Fiestas celebration, held today and Saturday, unites the region’s Latino community for two days of music, food and fun.
Court finds firefighter errors — but no fault — in fire that took home
BRIDGEPORT — Fire districts were not at fault when a firefighter “unnecessarily and improperly” started a backfire that destroyed a couple’s property, the state court of appeals ruled Tuesday. After hearing about the court’s decision, landowner Terry Pope said Thursday, “It’s ridiculous that a guy can walk around and start a backfire in 35 mph winds and not be found at fault. This guy caused that fire. Damn right I’m going to fight it.”
Home invader gets nine years
WATERVILLE — Samuel Madrigal Santana, 19, was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison for his part in a December home-invasion robbery. Madrigal pleaded guilty in Douglas County Superior Court on Aug. 9 to first-degree burglary with a firearm, first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.
Two men charged in med thefts
WATERVILLE — An East Wenatchee man accused of impersonating an officer to steal prescription medications faces multiple felony charges in Douglas County Superior Court, but the driver of the car that got robbed has also been arrested in connection with the robbery. Justin Levi Schulze, 24, was charged Thursday with second-degree robbery, first-degree theft and first-degree criminal impersonation.
Man charged with child molestation
BRIDGEPORT — A 43-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with three counts of first-degree child molestation after being accused of touching two young girls. Emillio Duarte Chavez, who is being held in the Okanogan County Corrections Center on a $1 million bail bond, was charged Monday in Douglas County Superior Court.
Speed limit changes for the Eastside?
EAST WENATCHEE — Douglas County commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider lowering speed limits at four Eastside locations. They are:
The Worm: Up in the sky — It’s a Chinook, it’s a sign
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign: Rockis Land. Now that sounds like a really fun place to visit, huh? Sadly, it doesn’t exist, at least, not around here. The Rockis Land Road sign is a misspelled street sign at the corner of 4th Street Southeast and Rock Island Road in East Wenatchee.
Court rules airport overlay district not a violation of state law
EAST WENATCHEE — Douglas County’s 2007 decision to create an airport overlay district around Pangborn Memorial Airport did not violate state laws, the state Court of Appeals said Tuesday. Judge J. Robin Hunt, who wrote the unpublished opinion, also awarded Douglas County and the city of East Wenatchee attorney fees for “having to defend against a frivolous appeal.”
Man sentenced for helping drive-by shooters
WATERVILLE — Robert Murillo-Vera was sentenced Monday to a year and one day in prison for assisting two suspects in a Wenatchee drive-by shooting in February. Murillo-Vera, 19, of Wenatchee, was originally charged in Douglas County Superior Court with first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and first-degree criminal assistance. He pleaded guilty Aug. 10 to an amended charge of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Fire near gun club in East Wenatchee
EAST WENATCHEE — Firefighters expected to contain a large brush fire on Badger Mountain by the middle of this afternoon. The fire never threatened any structures and burned only grassland, said Doug Miller, fire marshal for Douglas County Fire District 2. He did not have an estimate of acreage burned.
Child molestation charge filed
WATERVILLE — A Rock Island man on Friday was charged with first-degree child molestation in Douglas County Superior Court. Jeffrey S. Withrow, 40, is being accused by law enforcement of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old female relative last month.
Man charged with statutory rape
WATERVILLE — A rape charge has been filed against a 19-year-old man police suspect of having consensual sex with a 13-year-old girl. Juan Alberto Silva Rodriguez of Wenatchee was charged Thursday in Douglas County Superior Court with second-degree rape of a child. A warrant for his arrest was issued Friday after law enforcement had been unable to locate him.
Council grants funds for rural projects
WATERVILLE — The Douglas County Regional Council has awarded nearly $567,000 to help with rural projects. In July, councilmembers unanimously awarded:
Bernd and Paris still top two in Grant PUD races
EPHRATA — In the two Grant County PUD races, incumbent Bob Bernd and Patti Paris continue to be the top finishers in their races. Bernd will face second-place finisher Ron Baker for the District B post in the November elections.
Police stepping it up along Loop Trail
WENATCHEE — Chelan County PUD is hoping a strong police presence on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail will cut down on the number of “unwholesome activities” that occur during the busy summer months. The PUD has hired off-duty Wenatchee Police officers to patrol their parks on bikes from 5 to 9 every night until Labor Day.
Woman made drug sales with son in home, police say
WATERVILLE — Police officials say an East Wenatchee woman was selling methamphetamine out of her apartment with her 3-year-old son in the home. Carolina Landa, 28, was charged in Douglas County Superior Court on Aug. 11 with felony involving a minor in a drug transaction, maintaining premises for using controlled substances, delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture or deliver.
Suspected Web cam molestation leads to felony charges
WATERVILLE — An East Wenatchee man was charged with six counts of first-degree child molestation and six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Monday in Douglas County Superior Court. Douglas County deputies say Scott James Martin, 47, molested a young girl and broadcast his actions over the Internet using a Web camera.
Crowds descend on back-to-school giveaway
More than 900 turn out for free school clothes, shoes
WENATCHEE — For more than a thousand kids, Saturday was like a crazy shopping spree at the mall, only better, because it was free. School-aged kids, along with their parents, snaked in lines around the First Presbyterian Church’s parking lot to take advantage of the ninth annual Back-to-school Clothing Giveaway.
One fire reignites while others start
WENATCHEE — Hot and dry conditions over the last two days caused the Rainbow Bridge Fire near Stehekin to reignite, and started the Finner Creek Fire in the Chiwawa Drainage north of Lake Wenatchee. Crews at the Rainbow Bridge Fire were able to mop up and secure the fire quickly, according to a news release from Sarah Ehlen, lead interpretive park ranger from the Stehekin District of the North Cascades National Park Service.
Woman no longer in hospital after being struck in crosswalk
WENATCHEE — A woman pushing her toddler in a stroller was struck by a car while crossing a street around 4 p.m. Friday. A witness who saw the accident at Spokane Street and South Wenatchee Avenue said the woman, Jennifer Carr, 38, was walking west on Spokane Avenue in a crosswalk with her 3-year-old son, Hayden Bates, when she was hit by the car.
Back-to-school clothing giveaway this Saturday
WENATCHEE — Serve Wenatchee Valley will be handing out free clothing for children from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, 1400 S. Miller St., Wenatchee. The local service organization, along with church and business volunteers, have been gathering lightly used and new clothing for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade as part of Stuff the Bus, a three-day project.
Port of Douglas director resigns at his review
EAST WENATCHEE — With Pangborn Memorial Airport’s commercial development at a near standstill, Pat Haley took stock of the situation and made a tough decision. He resigned. The Port of Douglas County’s director handed in his resignation Wednesday after 10 years of struggling to attract new business and new revenues to Port properties with, he admitted, limited success.
Former Bridgeport firefighter pleads guilty to stealing from city
WATERVILLE — A former Bridgeport volunteer firefighter pleaded guilty to swiping the city’s gas card in 2006 and 2007 and racking up a $1,431 bill. Cergio Santiago Britt, 24, pleaded guilty Aug. 2 in Douglas County Superior Court to first-degree criminal trespass and second- and third-degree theft, and was sentenced to 365 days in jail with 185 days suspended. The remaining 180 days will be served with an electronic home-monitoring device.
Man charged with second-degree rape of child
BRIDGEPORT — Enrique Gonzalez Gonzalez, 31, was charged with second-degree rape of a child in Douglas County Superior Court on Aug. 4. He is accused of sexually assaulting a friend’s 12-year-old daughter this July, says a probable cause statement filed with the court and written by Douglas County Detective Steve Groseclose.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport Man charged with second-degree rape of a child
Man pleads guilty in home-invasion robbery
WATERVILLE — An East Wenatchee man pleaded guilty Monday to felony charges stemming from a home-invasion robbery last December. Samuel Madrigal Santana, 19, pleaded guilty in Douglas County Superior Court to first-degree burglary with a firearm, first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and felony possession of marijuana.
Two Douglas County planning seats open
WATERVILLE — There are two vacancies on the Douglas County Planning Commission, a nine-member volunteer panel of citizens appointed by the Board of Commissioners to develop recommendations on planning matters. The current vacancies are from within the districts of Commissioner Ken Stanton and Commissioner Dale Snyder. To be eligible, interested persons must reside in and be registered voters in those districts.
Fee free weekend at national forests
WENATCHEE — In an effort to encourage people to visit the outdoors, the US Forest Service is offering fee waivers to national forests this Saturday and Sunday. “The Forest Service is working to ensure as many visitors as possible have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors and take advantage of the many recreational activities national forests have to offer,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “By waiving fees, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and rejuvenation of recreation on national forests.”
Why xeriscaping holds water
Arid image doesn't do it justice, local gardeners want you to know
WENATCHEE — Local gardeners want you to know that if your vision of a xeriscaped garden includes truckloads of gravel and a few spatterings of cactus plants, then it’s time to update that image. People have a lot of misconceptions about xeric gardening, said Terry Anderson, a master gardener who coordinates the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden on the Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail, just north of the miniature railroad park in Wenatchee.
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