Good evening and welcome to the NCWLIFE Evening News. I’m Grant Olson. Before we get to today’s top news stories, let’s take a quick look outside our weather window.

And now, a few of the stories we’re following for you tonight, Governor Jay Inslee announced that school will be closed for the remainder of the school year, but, does that include everybody? Chelan County commissioners took steps Monday to shut down short-term vacation rental operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Manson Apple Blossom, originally scheduled for May 8th and 9th, has officially been cancelled for 2020. One of the Wenatchee Valley’s most challenging backcountry foot races is off due to coronavirus, and, One of the Wenatchee Valley’s most challenging backcountry foot races is off due to coronavirus.

But first, we begin tonight. . .



COVID Colonial Vista -Eight cases of COVID-19 have been detected among residents of a Wenatchee assisted-living facility. Prestige Senior Living at Colonial Vista says that’s the total as of Friday, including two residents who’ve since died of the disease. All the patients have been found within Colonial Vista’s assisted-living wing, not in its nursing home center or its independent-living apartments. Operators say they’ve isolated the patients still at the facility, and taken steps to make sure the virus doesn’t spread from one residential unit to the others. The two residents who passed away were age 84 and 91.



No More School Inslee -In his Monday announcement that Washington schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year, Governor Jay Inslee at the same time urged school districts to open classrooms for some disadvantaged students, including those with disabilities and those learning English as a second language. . .

Both Wenatchee and Eastmont school districts said this morning they are not currently offering such access and are seeking clarification from the state Superintendent of Public Instruction before deciding how they could comply with Inslee’s request.



COVID Vacation Rentals -Chelan County commissioners took steps Monday to shut down short-term vacation rental operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes AirBnB’s and private campgrounds, unless they’re being used by essential personnel. All three commissioners signed an emergency order putting the ban into effect. They said they’ve seen an influx of visitors from more densely populated counties since the coronavirus outbreak. Short-term rentals are defined as lease agreements of less than 30 days. The ban applies in unincorporated areas of the county. Any property owner violating the ban risks a fine of $500 per day, enforced by the Chelan County Sheriff.



Manson Apple Blossom Cancelled -The Manson Apple Blossom, originally scheduled for May 8th and 9th, has officially been cancelled for 2020. This year was to be the 100th edition of festival and parade. Organizers first announced this week they would move the festival to Fourth of July weekend, but after concerns were raised about adding the event to an already-full holiday weekend in Manson, the decision was made to cancel the event.



Trail Run Canceled -One of the Wenatchee Valley’s most challenging backcountry foot races is off due to coronavirus. RunWenatchee director Joel Rhyner says the Red Devil Trail Run, scheduled for June 6th, has to be canceled for public health reasons. Governor Jay Inslee has mandated no large gatherings during the pandemic, and the run on National Forest trails near Cashmere draws scores of participants each year, in races of up to 50 kilometers. Runners who’ve already signed up may ask for a refund, or roll over their participation until the 2021 race.

Coming up next, A 23-year-old Moses Lake man was killed in a one-vehicle rollover accident Monday night about 10 miles north of Moses Lake. A woman says she and her one of her dogs were attacked by a pitbull-type dog last week in Wenatchee. A White House operative with East Wenatchee roots is out as President Trump’s press secretary, and, as we continue with our in-house PSA’s regarding the corovavirus, tonight we feature Washington State Patrol Trooper John Bryant. I’m Grant Olson and you’re watching the NCWLIFE Evening News.



Welcome back, and in other news. . .

Moses Lake Fatal -A 23-year-old Moses Lake man was killed in a one-vehicle rollover accident Monday night about 10 miles north of Moses Lake. Shane Phillips was a passenger in a 2002 Hyundai that failed to negotiate a curve and rolled on Road 16-Northeast, east of Stratford Road. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office said he was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The car was being driven by 20-year-old Andrew Albee of Moses Lake. The sheriff’s office said they are seeking vehicular homicide charges against Albee. He and another passenger, 21-year-old Chase Fluaiit sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The sheriff’s office said speeding and alcohol contributed to the wreck. None of the three were wearing seat belts.



Dog Attack -A woman says she and her one of her dogs were attacked by a pitbull-type dog last week in Wenatchee. Animal control officials are now looking for the dog and its owner. The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society says the attack happened last Thursday about 11:45 a.m. at the corner of Brown Street and Central Avenue. The woman says she was walking her two dogs when the chestnut-colored dog with white markings on its face attacked her and one of her dogs. She said a man then grabbed the pit bull and got into a black SUV and left the scene, pulling into the Cedarwood Apartments parking lot. Anyone with information is asked to contact Animal Care & Control at 662-9577, Option 1.



Grisham Out -A White House operative with East Wenatchee roots is out as President Trump’s press secretary. Stephanie Grisham will return to the staff of First Lady Melania Trump, where she worked before her promotion to press secretary just 10 months ago. Grisham attended Eastmont High School before moving to Arizona, where she started her career in Republican politics. During her time as press secretary, she broke with tradition by never holding a single briefing for the White House press corps.



Bryant PSA -NCWLIFE is producing a series of public service announcements from people in our communities. Tonight, we feature Washington State Patrol Trooper John Bryant. . .

You’re watching the NCWLIFE Evening News. Coming up next, tonight’s feature story and your complete local weather forecast. That and much more still to come on the NCWLIFE Evening News, stay with us.



NCWLIFE Channel Sports

The governor’s announcement of school closures extending through the end of the year brought an end to any chance of a spring sports season. The WIAA was quick to come out with a response…

“The WIAA has received clarification that the order issued by Governor Inslee Monday includes the cancellation of all in-person extracurricular athletics and activities through the end of the school year. This will include all regular season contests and practices as well as all postseason tournaments and championship events.”

The release went on to say, “the WIAA Executive Board and Staff feel for those students around the state that have had their seasons or careers cut short. This terrible disease has not only prevented students from creating lifelong memories through competition, it has limited the valuable lessons gained through participation in education-based athletics and activities.”

Athletic directors around the region have been working hard, readjusting schedules multiple times to try to accommodate some sort of season. There was even talk of at least an all-star type of game for the seniors in baseball, softball and soccer and Olympiad in track, Wimbledon in tennis and Masters in golf. Those discussions, however, will no longer move forward with the decision on the state level.

Friday’s announcement by Governor Inslee that the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order would extend to May 4th has also extended closures on hunting and fishing in Washington… The initiative will now cancel the start of the upcoming turkey season, which would have begun a week from tomorrow. That is now pushed back until at least May 4th. In addition, the general opener for lake fishing in the state is also delayed by at least a week. The most-popular public use of state waters was supposed to open April 25th but now must wait until at least May 4th. Salmon, steelhead and halibut catch record cards for the past year were also due March 31st but the Department of Fish and Wildlife has extended it, asking anglers to either mail them in or “hold them until you are safe to drop off.”

While the world rides out the wave of this pandemic, so too does Major League Baseball. Players have gone home and have been told to adopt “off-season” mentalities and workouts. It doesn’t mean, however, that coaches and organizations aren’t checking in. Seattle Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto says his staff has a constant pulse on what’s going on…

The Mariners and the rest of baseball are still holding out hope for the season to start sometime in June.

As we shelter in place trying to be safe and healthy, I thought I’d help pass the time with some sports movie recommendations. Today it’s “Greater” starring Neal McDonough from “Project Blue Book” and opposite Kevin Costner in “Yellowstone.”

“Greater” is a movie based on the true story of Brandon Bulsworth, an overweight, unathletic kid who grew up in Arkansas dreaming of playing for the Razorbacks. No one thought he could do it. He beat the odds as a walk-on, earning a scholarship and eventually All-American honors his senior year. He was drafted by the Colts but then, it all came to an end…

Greater is rated PG and is available now on Netflix. Tomorrow, a documentary for baseball lovers in the Northwest.

The NCWLIFE Sports broadcast schedule for the week begins tonight… We’re featuring Big-9 baseball from Rec. Park as Wenatchee and West Valley do battle at 7 o’clock. Thursday is Hockey Night with the Wenatchee Wild welcoming the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 7. Then on Friday its boys soccer as Wenatchee hosts Moses Lake at Lee Bofto Field at the Apple Bowl at 7. Saturday’s doubleheader features baseball at 2 and hockey at 7 as Eastmont hosts Sunnyside in Big-9 play earlier in the day, followed by the Wenatchee Wild and Powell River Kings Saturday evening.



Thanks Eric.

PUD Pinnacles -Finally tonight, work is set to start next month to re-route electrical lines around the sandstone features at Peshastin Pinnacles State Park. The cliffs in the park, popular with hikers and climbers, are thought to be 46 million years old and of great importance to the area’s Native peoples. Electric wires have run right through the park for decades, but the Chelan County PUD agreed to move the lines after consulting with the Colville Confederated Tribes. The first phase of the $2.4 million project should run through July, with completion either in fall of this year, or in May 2021.

Now let’s check in with Dan Kuntz for a look at what’s coming up tomorrow morning on Wake Up Wenatchee Valley, Dan. . .



And that’s going to do it for our newscast tonight. For more on these stories and other news from around North Central Washington, you can find us on Facebook or our website at ncwlife.com. And, remember, if you see news happening we’d like to hear from you. You can send us an email at news@ncwlife.com, or give us a call 888-NCWL (6295). I’m Grant Olson, thanks for joining us and have a great night.