Chelan Hills Fire destruction. Photo courtesy: Mountain Springs Homestead. A two month investigation into how the wildfire that burned nearly 10,000 acres in the Chelan Hills and McNeil Canyon this summer was started, has led to the arrest of an arson suspect. Michael Yakimov, 18, of Kent was taken into custody at mid-day Wednesday, following some expert investigative work on behalf of Douglas County Sheriff’s detectives. "They were relentless, tenacious, and driven to help bring...

The man accused of starting the Chelan Hills Fire in McNeil Canyon, July 4, was arrested in Kent Wednesday. The fire burned an estimated 9,800 acres in and around Orondo, caused the death of an Orondo man, the evacuation of more than 500 people and damaged or destroyed dozens of homes and up to 100 structures. The man who died in the fire was identified Tuesday morning by the Chelan County Coroner as Robert Lister, 69. Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille said the suspect, Michael Yakimov,...

Scene of a fatal accident on U.S. Highway 2, west of Cashmere, Sept. 1. Photo courtesy: Source One News. A second fatal crash in three days on Chelan County highways occurred just after 4:00 p.m., Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 2, west of Cashmere. The Washington State Patrol says a Jeep driven Patrick Marshall, 74, of Wenatchee struck the rear of a pick-up which had stopped to make a turn onto a private driveway. Alejo Garcia, 27, a passenger in the truck, was found dead at the accident...