NCWLIFE Evening News September 21, 2021

Have a good evening and welcome to the NCWLIFE evening news. I am Grant Olson. Before we get into what’s in the news, let’s take a look outside our weather window:
And now, some of the stories we’re following for you tonight, around 15 people have died so far this month from COVID-19 in the Wenatchee Valley. Wenatchee Valley College has extended the deadline for all of its students to complete their COVID-19 vaccinations and the Chelan County Public Service District has promoted from within to replace its outgoing CEO.
But first, our top story tonight. . .
Tesla Hit and Run -The driver of a red Tesla is accused of intentionally hitting a pedestrian in Moses Lake on Sunday afternoon and then fleeing. But Moses Lake Police said they were able to quickly locate the hit-and-run suspect after one of their community resources officers determined the best place to find an electric vehicle was at a charging station. Police say the unidentified suspect was arrested while attempting to charge his vehicle illegally using an electrical outlet next to the post office in Sinkiuse Square. Police said at around 1 p.m., the Tesla driver had a verbal altercation with the pedestrian on East Yonezawa Boulevard, then struck him in front of three witnesses. The victim’s handprints were reportedly found on the hood of the Tesla. Police said the victim suffered minor bumps, bruises and cuts. The suspect was held in Grant County Jail on charges of second degree assault and hit and run.
15 deaths from COVID -An estimated 15 people have died so far this month from COVID-19 in the Wenatchee Valley. These have not yet been confirmed with a death certificate, but the Chelan-Douglas Health District says they represent local COVID patients who died during their treatment in September. That’s the same number of COVID deaths recorded for the entire month of December. If confirmed, that would bring the death toll in the region to 114 people between the two counties. Confluence Health reports that an average patient dies every other day at Central Washington Hospital, as they continue to treat large volumes of infection. Fifty-one people have been hospitalized there with COVID-19 to date.
WVC Vax Deadline -Wenatchee Valley College has extended the deadline for all of its students to complete their COVID-19 vaccinations. Registered students now have until November 1st. The college had previously set the date of September 27. Students who do not have a medical or religious exemption and who are not fully immunized by the deadline may be unsubscribed from in-person classes or suspended from the winter semester. The most common COVID-19 vaccinations require two injections. To be fully immunized before the deadline, all students should receive their first vaccine by the end of this month.
New Managing Director of PUD -The Chelan County Utilities District has been promoted from within to replace its outgoing CEO, choosing current executive Kirk Hudson to start the role on January 1. Hudson, the PUD’s 54-year-old general manager of production and transmission, replaces Steve Wright, who has served as general manager since 2013. The board of utilities district commissioners announced the selection on Monday, after which he described it as “extensive national research”. Hudson has held several positions for Chelan PUD over the past 24 years and worked in the consulting industry for seven years prior to that. He will be the 13th CEO since the creation of Chelan PUD in 1936.
TO TEASE -Ahead, a fungus that can devastate bat colonies continues to show its presence in Chelan County./ State Senator Brad Hawkins has joined the effort to pass a fire ban July 4th fireworks display in East Wenatchee. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife said today that while it may seem counterproductive after such a severe fire season, they will start their own fires in the east from Washington in October, and, drivers on Route 2 west of Leavenworth can expect a detour tomorrow, we’ll ‘I’ll tell you where. I’m Grant Olson and you watch the NCWLIFE evening news.

Welcome back, and in other news. . .
Bat fungus -A fungus that can devastate bat colonies continues to show its presence in Chelan County. The Ministry of Fisheries and Wildlife says white-nose syndrome was detected in April in a dead bat found near Malaga. Signs of the fungus that causes the disease were first detected in bat guano collected in Chelan County in May 2020, but this is the first local confirmation of the disease itself. White-nose syndrome does not affect humans or pets, but it can spread rapidly among bat populations during their hibernation, destroying the skin on their wings and making them active in cold weather. The disease has also been detected in bats in King, Kittitas and Pierce counties.
Hawkins fireworks ban – State Senator Brad Hawkins has joined efforts to pass a July 4th fireworks ban in East Wenatchee. East Wenatchee City Council has discussed a fireworks ban similar to those in effect in Wenatchee, Chelan and Douglas counties. Last week, Chelan County Fire District Chief Brian Brett called on the city to impose such a ban. Hawkins agreed with Brett that the danger is too great. . .
Prescribed burns WDFW – The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife said today that while it may seem counterproductive after such a severe fire season, they will start their own fires in eastern Washington by October. Fish and Wildlife has scheduled prescribed burns that include 150 acres at Lilly Lake in Colockum Wildlife Sanctuary. This area is approximately 15 miles southeast of Wenatchee. A 248 acre burn is also planned along Ramsey Creek in the Methow Wildlife area. This burn will be approximately 10 miles northeast of Winthrop. The timing of burns depends on weather conditions.
Tumwater closes -Drivers on Highway 2 west of Leavenworth can expect a detour tomorrow. The State Department of Transportation will close Tumwater Canyon from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for maintenance before winter. Motorists will still be able to get to Stevens Pass via the Chumstick Road, so residents of Plain and Lake Wenatchee should expect increased traffic along this road. However, large freight is limited at Blewett Pass, due to weight and size limitations on Chumstick.
TO TEASE -You are watching the NCWLIFE evening news. Coming soon, tonight’s report and your full local weather forecast. This and much more to come on the NCWLIFE Evening News, stay with us.

Welcome to NCWLIFE Evening News. . .
Board of health – In tonight’s report, deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 have both reached record levels in the Wenatchee Valley. But another figure has also reached new heights: local vaccination rates. Chelan-Douglas Health District Administrator Luke Davies told his board of health yesterday that news of the pandemic appears to be getting worse, the two-county region has rallied to get vaccinated and resist the virus. . .

TO TEASE –And that’s a preview of your local, upcoming weather forecast, tonight’s sports report with Eric Granstrom and more as the NCWLIFE Evening News continues right after that.

NCWLIFE Sports Channel

Seamen dominated the A’s in Oakland last night behind a solid pitch and timely 4-2 hitting …
Seattle took an early lead thanks to a wake-up call for veteran third baseman Kyle Seager …
The Mariners offense backed up seven innings of brilliant work by starting pitcher Tyler Anderson …
Things got a little tricky in the 8th when Oakland scored a run and had runners in a 4-2 game. It was then that Paul Sewald intervened and closed the door …
Seager, Mitch Haniger and JP Crawford all had multi-hit games, but manager Scott Servais was quick to credit the pitching staff for another job well done…
Marco Gonzales will be on the mound for Seattle tonight against Oakland’s Paul Blackburn.
In another American League West action on Monday, Aaron Judge was 2-for-3 with a run and a run batted in to lead the Yankees over the Rangers 4-3.
Marwin Gonzalez was 2-for-5 with a grand slam and 5-RBI to lead Houston over the Angels 10-nothing.
Regarding the Wild Card Race, despite rallying 2 points in the 9th, Tampa Bay held on to beat Toronto 6-4. Boston was inactive, so the Red Sox’s lead is a game and a half behind the Blue. Jays. The Yankees are half a game behind. Oakland is 2 games behind while the Mariners are 3 games with 9 remaining.
Before the Seahawks can move on and prepare for the Vikings this week, there’s still a little to say about Sunday’s overtime loss to Tennessee. The biggest thing that jumped out to coach Pete Carroll in the movie was that Seattle basically gave the game on penalties…
Trips to Seattle in Minnesota on Sunday to face the Oh-and-Two Vikings at US Bank Stadium at 1:25 am on FOX.
There was a local girls prep football game to report starting Monday…
Bridgeport goes 5-2 this season with a 2-0 win over Okanogan.
It’s a very busy football schedule today with Omak hosting Lake Roosevelt; Cascade hosts Naches Valley; Brewster plays Chelan; and Manson welcomes Pateros. Tonight at 6 am it’s Selah at Ephrata and Cashmere at La Salle. Then at 7, Eastmont welcomes Sunnyside; Wenatchee’s in West Valley and Moses Lake hosts Davis.
Speaking of Eastmont and Sunnyside, we’ll be having this game LIVE on NCWLIFE tonight with Sebastian Moraga and Matt Wisen on call. Their Wildcat Stadium pre-game kicks off at 6:45 am.
On the volleyball courts tonight, Waterville-Mansfield is playing Almira-Coulee / Hartline at 6 a.m. The 6:30 am matches have Ephrata at Connell; Quincy welcomes Wahluke; Omak is in Okanogan; Manson goes to Liberty Bell; and Tonasket confronts Brewster. Tonight at 7 is Eastmont in Sunnyside; West Valley in Wenatchee; Lake Moses welcomes Davis; Entiat is in Bridgeport; and Cascade Christian plays at Moses Lake Christian.
And in the pool today, Eastmont is hosting Wenatchee in Girls Swimming and Diving at the Eastmont Aquatic Center.