Under his watch, the Sheriffs Office has grown to employ approximately 35 deputies and a total staff including corrections and administration of approximately 90. Prior to that, the department was known as the Ronald Volunteer Fire Dept. He was a 28-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol. You have permission to edit this article. While the outcome is not what we would have hoped, we know that this will bring closure to Jays family, friends and colleagues. Updated Kittitas Chief of Police Aaron Nelson has one major benefit in his court in his recently appointed position. Val Barschaw, Kittitas County Clerk 205 W 5th Ave Suite 210 Ellensburg, WA 98926 Phone: 509-962-7531 clerk@co.kittitas.wa.us Office Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Washington Annual Crime Report 2017 2017 Crime Statistics Offense Total 498 # of Cleared Offenses 136 Percent Cleared 27.3% Arrest Total 109 Adult Arrest Total 100 Juvenile arrest Total 9 The area is close to Yakima County but it is in Kittitas County. Dana's retirement from the position was in a press release Thursday. To make matters more difficult, melting snow may cause flooding in certain areas of the county. A forensic pathologist and an odontologist in Wenatchee also performed examinations but there was insufficient information available at the time to identify the decedent. Were better prepared to be safe.. Sheriff Songers Statement Regarding Governor Inslees Proclamation. There will be challenges ahead, especially with navigating higher input costs and questions about beef demand. Sheriff Clay Myers won the Kittitas County Sherriff's race Tuesday night by a large margin, winning just over 70% of the preliminary vote. Also known by the brand name Suboxone, the drug can now be prescribed by any doctor with Schedule III authority, Kittitas Valley Family Medicine Dr. John Asriel said. Grant County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kyle Foreman says the person fell off the bridge and landed on an island in the Columbia River. Subscribe. All Rights Reserved. The suspect, whose name was not released, was shot and has died, said Ellensburg Police Chief Ken Wade. See less detail This is a tragic accident and will be felt hard in our close-knit law enforcement community., At least 14 people died in avalanches last week, the deadliest week of US avalanches on record. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, McDonald's hack on TikTok reveals how to get cheap eggs, Portland police searching for two suspects who fired multiple rounds at officers, Drinking coffee helps to improve mood as daylight hours decrease. King Countys growing popularity for outdoor recreational activities and a rising population in Kittitas County are contributing to an increase in vehicle collisions on the passes. Kittitas County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Thompson was killed in the line of duty March 19, 2019. We also want to thank everyone who participated in or supported this search. 108 Goldendale, WA 98620 Main Line: 509-773-4455 FAX: 509-773-6575 Emergency: 9-1-1 This years avalanche season has likely been more active because of a persistent weak layer of snow, she said. Invalid password or account does not exist. BEVERLY - Emergency responders from both Kittitas and Grant County are on scene after a person fell off the Beverly Railroad Bridge rehabilitation project over the Columbia River. The Washington State Department of Transportation reports Snoqualmie Pass is closed in both directions from North Bend to Ellensburg. Hope you've had a wonderful day so far. Stay current with all the latest and breaking news about Kittitas County, compare headlines and perspectives between news sources on stories happening today. A group of Seattle firefighters have travelled over to Eastern, WA today to assist local authorities in their search," said Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Kristin Tinsley. EASTON, Wash. - Authorities have recovered the body of a missing snowmobiler after an avalanche in the French Cabin Creek area in Kittitas County. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office and Kittitas County Search and Rescue have responded to three m. Missing Hiker Found Deceased Near Lake Lillian Hiker Nicolas Gomiero, age 24, of Seattle, was reported missing on Monday when family and friends di. Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. In the avalanche slide area, troopers found the bodies of the three missing climbers buried in the snow. So, this event came about because some property owners in Ellensburg reached out to Mayor Nancy Lillquist really seeking to better understand, Kittitas County Water Resources Manager Arden Thomas said. ELLENSBURG -- A former public records clerk for the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office has now had attempted murder added to the long list of charges against her. bit.ly/2FvrNEu 12:51 PM - 23 Mar 2019 18 Retweets 135 Likes Sheriff Clay Myers won the Kittitas County Sherriffs race Tuesday night by a large margin, winning just over 70% of the preliminary vote. Early search and rescue efforts, which included scouring sections of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the use of a U.S. military Chinook helicopter, were impeded by snow as crews attempted to maneuver through several square miles of extremely rugged terrain. Ryan Thompson, 42, worked for Kittitas County in Washington state. A new law has removed a barrier to treatment access for opioid use disorder, according to an Ellensburg physician. There was no preliminary evidence of suspicious activity or foul play, according to the Kittitas County Sheriffs Office, which had led the massive search effort. Clayton Myers, Kittitas County sheriff (post primary) Ed Troyer, Pierce County sheriff (post primary) Kim Schrier (D) Local officials. Communication assessments were also mailed February 21, 2023. Kittitas County Commissioner Cory Wright has heard the concerns from constituents frustrated with their internet service and providers. Three skiers, all local government officials, were killed in a Colorado avalanche last Monday with their bodies recovered Wednesday. Kittitas County is in the center of Washington State and has about 48000 (2019) residents, with the population increasing on weekends due to winter and summer recreation opportunities. I was talking to a buddy the other day, and it was A new grant awarded by the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners is set to work toward expanding child care services and combatting the county's status as a child care desert. In May 1978, unidentified human remains were discovered near Westside Road in Upper Kittitas County. It could be that more people are enjoying the outdoors in the wilder parts of the West or could be the result of a really dangerous snow pack, Champion explained. A lot of troopers have come and gone through Kittitas County and hes been one of those stabilizing troopers that everyone know, Batiste said during a press briefing Monday night. I wouldnt do it if I didnt love the job. ELLENSBURG, Wash. Law enforcement and public agencies in Kittitas County are keeping a close eye on the remaining snow and ice that continue to pose trouble for residents of their area. A collection of mementos sits on display at Sheriff Gene Danas retirement celebration at the armory Tuesday. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Kittitas County S.O. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. According to the Kittitas County. A backcountry skier and snowboarder were caught in an avalanche near Etna Summit in California on February 3. Its very rewarding, and thats why I stayed on.. The bridge, which was completed in 1909 and spans about a half-mile across the river, was damaged on the west end by a wildfire in 2014. So far, the fire has not jumped the Columbia River and I-90 is. The Seattle Fire Department received the news Wednesday night that Schreckengost was reported missing. Station 61 was built in 1982 as just apparatus bays with a small room at the back of the bays. As he eyes the future, Olson said he looks forward to seeing how the sheriffs office continues to develop and said he hopes the agency will become more professional than it has been in the past. Thanks for contacting us. Kittitas County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Thompson, 42, a Washington state native, leaves behind a wife and three children, Sheriff Ryan Dana said at a news conference Wednesday. appreciated. A sheriff's deputy was killed in the line of duty and a police officer was injured Tuesday. The freezing rain is creating extreme weather conditions, and increasing avalanche danger. The county stretches east from Snoqualmie Pass to the Columbia River and south from Blewett Pass to just north of the Yakima/Selah area. Stay current with all the latest and breaking news about, Looking for a source we don't already have? Steve Houle, 51, of Cle Elum died in an avalanche Monday. To view our latest e-Edition, click the image on the left. We have our officers well-trained in responding to active shooter (scenarios) in schools. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. I just pray for the safety for all the employees and the law enforcement in our county and across our country, he said. Rescue efforts continued on Monday to save 37 people after part of a glacier broke off, releasing a torrent of water and debris that slammed into two hydroelectric plants on Sunday. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. We are incredibly saddened by this news and are all grieving the loss of one of our own, the Seattle Fire Department said in a statement. Streamside landowners and residents with flood concerns are invited to a Thursday workshop hosted by the Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Recovery Board. Kittitas County Sheriff Gene Dana stands for a portrait after an interview Wednesday in his office. Prosecutors say she'd attempted to hire people to commit the crimes on her behalf. This photograph provided by National Disaster Response Force shows NDRF personnel prepare to rescue workers at one of the hydropower project at Reni village in Chamoli district of Indian state of Uttrakhund, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. After 44 years, human remains discovered in the Upper County have been identified as Donald Grant Anderson, according to a news release from the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. Kittitas County, about 90 minutes east of Seattle, is a low-crime rate county. Chavez and his wife are expecting their first child, authorities said. The Seattle Fire Department said 160 of its members had traveled to the site in Washington, determined to find our beloved member., Were saddened to give news of Chief Schreckengosts passing to his family and fellow firefighters, and we ask the public and press to respect their privacy as they grieve his loss, Kittitas County Sheriff Clay Myers said in a statement. Dana, who was in his sixth term had . 2 Alabama, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, Author Marianne Williamson becomes 1st Democrat to formally challenge Biden in 2024, kicking off another long shot run, Marianne Williamson opens long shot 2024 challenge to Biden. House Bill 1006, sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Kent, removes FTS that test the purity of controlled substances from the definition of unlawful drug paraphernalia. As of 9:00 am on August 4, 2022, the following evacuations are in effect: LEVEL 3 - LEAVE NOW All residences south and west of the Umptanum Rd/Shushuskin Rd intersection, including: Overlook Rd Coyote Run The Kittitas County Sheriffs Office told FOX 13 News that Jay Schreckengost, a Deputy Chief with the Seattle Fire Department, was hunting in a remote area of Kittitas-Cliffdell, near Yakima. 24 Texas A&M over No. Attendees at a celebration for Sheriff Gene Danas retirement look at a collection of news clippings and photos from Danas career. It was a tremendous outpouring of resources and effort that produced a vital result: a family knows what happened to their loved one and he can be brought home to them.. If you have a communications assessment (TV assessment) on your property, your statement will be mailed in a separate envelope. I am proud to say I currently have the best and most experienced command staff in the state, he said in the release. On behalf of the Sheriffs Office, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Trooper Houles family, friends and the Washington State Patrol, Sheriff Clay Myers said. My wife and I are very active. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office launched a search and rescue operation on Monday and searched into the night. Klickitat County Sheriff's Office 205 S. Columbus Ave. Rm. Kittitas County Sheriff Gene Dana speaks about his plans for retirement during an interview Wednesday in his office. The decedent has been positively identified as Donald Grant Anderson, who, according to family members, was originally from Minnesota and had been in Washington state a short time prior to being reported as a missing person by the Bellevue police department in 1977. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office is searching for 30-year-old Andrew Morgan of Mississippi, whose car was found abandoned after a minor crash off I-90 near Cle Elum last week, according to a . To volunteer for Disaster Animal Response Team, contact Athens County Emergency Management Agency via direct message on its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/athens.ema , email acema@athensoh.org , go to the website co.athensoh.org/departments/emergency_management_agency/index.php or call Deputy Director Melody Barnhart at 740-592-3219. westbound I-90 is closed at Ellensburg due to a jackknifed semi-truck. After a hard-fought race, the face of the Kittitas County Sherriffs Office remains the same. Kittitas County Sheriff Deputy Ryan Thompson, 42, was shot and killed March 19, 2019. Current Sheriff Clay Myers has been on the job for just under a year after being appointed to the position in November of 2019. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office said the remains were those of a. Search-and-rescue crews recovered trooper Steve Houle, 51, of Cle Elum from the avalanche. Fox News: Solid D July 11, 2022 DDHQ: Solid D July 20, 2022 538: Solid D August 19, 2022 The Economist: Safe D September 28, 2022 Results . The avalanche struck in the French Cabin Creek area of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Create a password that only you will remember. An attendee signs a campaign sign at Sheriff Gene Danas retirement celebration at the armory Tuesday. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Dana said he was also proud of strides made by the offices emergency management strategy. Searching without any search terms will only return the most recent 100 results. It is located in the Public Safety Building in Ellensburg. As of Thursday morning, Search and Rescue coordinators are overseeing seven teams of ground searchers, four K9 search teams, and infrared-equipped drones from both counties. Exemptions will only be taken until April 30, 2023. Other accomplishments under Danas watch was the office moving to a new headquarters on Umptanum Road, the expansion of the jail and modernizing equipment used by the office. A local legend in law enforcement decided it was time to retire the badge this year. No match was obtained, but through this analysis the person was determined to be male instead of female as originally believed. The cattle industry in Kittitas County is cautiously optimistic heading into the second quarter of 2023 with cattle prices at the start of this year the highest since 2014-2015. Looking back on his time with the Sheriffs Office, Dana said he never expected to be in his position for as long as he has. On January 13, 2023, the 2023 Kittitas County Tax Roll was certified, and tax statements were mailed on February 21, 2023. By KIRO 7 News Staff November 12, 2021 at 7:37 pm PST KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office has released a new photo of the Seattle deputy fire chief who vanished . I-90 Snoqualmie Pass and US 2 Stevens Pass are closed due to freezing rain. Did you encounter any technical issues? The eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 near Ellensburg reopened around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday after closing early in the morning due to a 38-car pileup. I cant stream Netflix, I cant do a Zoom call Anything that people in the modern age with broadband speed levels Learning to recognize the difference between facts and opinions, particularly regarding politics, was the goal of a conference this past weekend that included a seven-member Kittitas County 4-H delegation. Authorities had received a report that at least two people were overcome by an avalanche one man was able to dig himself out, but was unsuccessful in locating his partner, the KCSO said in the release. Residents may elect to pay their full tax liability by the April deadline. Danger tonight, especially in the Yakima and Kittitas County areas. Royal Slope Fire and Grant PUD are assisting Kittitas County first responders and an air ambulance has been requested as the persons injuries are believed to be critical. Mandatory recess for elementary students approved over objections, Action team working to expand internet access across Kittitas County but requires funding to meet broadband goals, Ellensburg girls win state opener, Cle Elum-Roslyn boys out in OT, Kittitas County awards grant to help construct child care facility. The first seven days of the month marked a record for the deadliest week of US avalanches. Daily poll Should elementary school students have mandatory recess? Anyone who has any information they believe could help locate Chief Schreckengost is asked to call Kittcom, the unified Kittitas County emergency dispatch center, at 509-925-8534. Seattle Deputy Fire Chief Jay Schreckengost, 56, was found dead in the mountains near Cliffdell in Kittitas County on Sunday evening, just about a half-mile from the spot where his pickup truck . There is no current time of reopening for both passes in both directions. Peninsula Daily News Peninsula Daily News - Your #1 News Source for the Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend and beyond. The Board of Commissioners awarded Happy Feet Academy a $500,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant on Feb. 21. Kittitas County Sheriff Gene Dana announced his retirement in September. Overview. According to Kittitas County Fire Protection District #6 the outage is in the area of Pacific and 3rd St. Cones are in place and the road is blocked. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from SAT 6:00 PM PST until SUN 12:00 PM PST, Wenatchee Area, until SAT 4:00 PM PST, West Slopes South Central Cascades and Passes, VIDEO: Kent police search for man who stole car with 2 children inside; children later found unharmed, Giant bug found at an Arkansas Walmart identified as a Jurassic-era insect, 'I've been really scared:' Survivor of home invasion sexual assault fighting to keep suspects in jail, Remains found tangled in a fishing line south of Marysville in 1979 identified through DNA, Puyallup police officer arrested for third-degree rape, Philadelphia Eagles WR Zach Pascal robbed at gunpoint in Maryland, Thurston County man dead after being hit by car in his own driveway, suspect arrested, VIDEO: Distinct red van may have been used in multiple break-ins in Seattle, Edmonds, Investigators: Former Puyallup police officer accused of rape may be linked to other assault, Good News Only: First woman fire chief in King Co., TikTok clears thousands of dollars in school lunch debt, SPD: 3 kids arrested for threats, stealing a car, having guns, Things to do with the kids this weekend in the greater Seattle area. When the suspect refused to stop, officers pursued the suspect into the small city of Kittitas, officials said. In 2020, Kittitas County Coroner Nick Henderson submitted a sample of the DNA originally extracted by the University of North Texas for comparison to a forensic genealogy data base. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said the Houle was a fixture in the county and will be greatly missed. Kittitas County Public Safety Building 205 West 5th Ste. It was the first. A Washington state trooper was killed in an avalanche while snowmobiling Monday in Kittitas County, Washington, the county sheriffs office said in a press release. Kallee Knudson of Ellensburg was arrested in early 2019 for charges including kidnapping, assault, burglary, and more. The department relies on state patrol, Ellensburg police and the sheriff's office for help, Kittitas Police Chief Chris Taylor said. This story has been shared 163,447 times. Year in review No. The last fatal officer involved shooting was 92 years ago, Dana said. Bids are due on March 23, 2023 at 2:00 p.m, at which time bids will no longer be accepted. Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. By KIRO 7 News Staff November 25, 2021 at 7:34 pm PST KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. The search for a 30-year-old man missing for days has intensified in Kittitas County. A member of the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office rides from Kittitas Valley Hospital in an ambulance with the body of a Sheriff's Deputy shot and killed in Kittitas on Tuesday, March 19. The last fatal officer involved shooting was 92 years ago, Dana said. Kittitas County authorities have identified the human remains that were found last month near Stampede Pass. Coffee with Kittitas County Fire District 7 Fire Chiefs is Friday, March 3. We like to hike and snowshoe and stuff. Inlet Oakland Bay U.S. 101 SR 3 SR 108 SR 106 Jefferson County - northwest Kitsap County - northeast Pierce County - east/southeast Thurston County - southeast. Their support is what drove me to be the best I could, he said. Both directions are closed after multiple crashes on Interstate 90. The system could dump a foot or more of fresh snow for elevations above 1,000 feet. Good news for Cle Elum, Roslyn and surrounding area for more jobs. The Board of Commissioners awarded Happy Feet Academy a $500,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant on Feb. 21. March is Womens History Month, and this Friday, March 3 at Gallery One in Ellensburg, the poets will perform a crown of sonnets, a succession of seven sonnets written by seven individual poets, at the Womens History Month Poetry Extravaganza. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Washington State Patrol are currently working to close eastbound I-90 due to a 30 car pileup near the town of Kittitas. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much In December 2021, a possible sibling for the person found in 1978 was finally identified. Kittitas County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Thompson, 42, a Washington state native, leaves behind a wife and three children, Sheriff Ryan Dana said at a news conference Wednesday. (National Disaster Response Force via AP). By midday Sunday, the rescue teams had not found evidence they were onto Schreckengost's trail, said Kittitas County Sheriff's inspector Chris Whitsett. Looking across at the avalanche that caught four skiers on February 1, 2021. Kittitas County Sheriff Gene Dana speaks about his future successor Under-Sheriff Clayton Myers during an interview Wednesday in his office. During the search, Alaska State Troopers discovered what appeared to be a recent avalanche. The search resumed on Tuesday when Kittitas County Search and Rescue. Governor Inslees orders pertaining to public gatherings or businesses operating in violation of his orders in my opinion is a violation of our citizens constitutional rights under the First Amendment, Second Amendment, and other Amendments of the US Constitution and Washington State Constitution. A detour is in place via US-97 to SR-970. The Kittitas County Sheriffs Office is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Anderson. It is located in the Public Safety Building in Ellensburg. @KCSheriffOffice Follow @KCSheriffOffice Media Advisory on Behalf of Kittitas Police Department - Kittitas Police Officer Benito "Kellyn" Chavez is scheduled to be released from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle at around 3:00 P.M. today. He served in law enforcement for 14 years. We would not leave the county even during the wintertime.. You have permission to edit this article. I feel pretty confident that were going to see great results from those things, he said. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Twenty cars and 18 semi-trucks were involved in the pileup, according to state patrol. Dana has over 45 years in law enforcement. according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. Kittitas County has verified its tax rolls and mailed tax statements Tuesday to residents. He was promoted to line sergeant and assigned to Kittitas County in 1984, marking the start of his local tenure. Drivers should be cautious and prepared for winter conditions. Schreckengost went hunting in a remote in the. Local News Publishers No sources with tracked biases. A group of poets in Kittitas County will honor eight important Washington women in verse. The Kittitas County Corrections Center is a division of the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office. The need for and challenges of the sheriff will always exist, but my time and work here is done, Dana said in a news release regarding his retirement. Seattle's Emerald City Comic Con is back! Olson said he was moved by the support he received from community members as well, including everyone that donated to his campaign, helped his campaign get off the ground and helped support his run by placing signs and campaigning on his behalf. We will always remember you Jay, you are forever in our hearts.. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? A 44-year-old Kittitas County mystery over human remains finally solved, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. A high-ranking official at theSeattleFire Department was found dead Sunday, concluding a nearly two-week-long search after he failed to return from a hunting trip in central Washington. Kittitas County is hiring highly motivated candidates for the position of Deputy Sheriff. Community members gathered at the armory Tuesday to celebrate the retirement of Sheriff Gene Dana. A local legend in law enforcement decided it was time to retire the badge this year. Further to the right you can see a second, smaller avalanche, that released sympathetically to the first. KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. After serving in the position for over a year, Sheriff Clay Myers was officially sworn in at the Kittitas County Superior Court on Wednesday, Nov. 25.Sheriff Myers first served as undersheriff to former Sheriff Gene Dana for 16 years. 1 Ellensburg, WA 98926 New process for sending mail to an inmate. Burn Ban implemented in the Upper County The snowboarder survived but the skier was buried by snow and despite an hour of CPR by his partner, he was unable to be revived and died. Kitsap County Sheriff Steve Boyer; Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown; state Senator James Hargrove. Discovery Company. Sheriff Gene Dana greets guests at his retirement celebration held at the armory Tuesday. The suspect then stopped his car, got out and exchanged gunfire with Thompson and Kittitas police officer Benito Chavez, the sheriff's office said. They understand what to expect if something happens. Reflecting on the race, Olson said is incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement he received from his wife and daughter during the campaign. Create a password that only you will remember. Our county is in good hands and is a safer place.. After some time, Washington State Anthropologist Dr. Katherine Taylor sent another DNA sample to the University of North Texas Health Center Laboratory for an identification attempt using improved DNA technology. Comments can only be made on article within the first 3 days of publication. In total, 205 stories have been published about Kittitas County which Ground News has aggregated in the past 3 months. Royal Slope Fire and Grant PUD are assisting Kittitas County first responders and an air ambulance has been requested as the person's injuries are believed to be critical. He's already a familiar face to the residents he serves in his small rural town . Once you are there your life is misery and what you think doesn't matter if you aren't one of the pet employees. The Power, Action and Systems (PAS) program provides assistance to individuals with disabilities in need of ramps, bathroom modifications, yard maintenance, and grab bars for their homes according to CWDR. The race is for a two-year unexpired term previously held by Gene Dana prior to his retirement. First responders on scene after person fell off Beverly Railroad Bridge over the Columbia River, More ski days?! Moving forward, Myers said he looks forward to utilizing new tools within the sheriffs office, including the implementation of criminal intelligence technology to address issues facing the county such as addiction and mental health.