Wenatchee

Douglas County Jury Awards $5 Million to Whistleblower in Disability Discrimination Case Against East Wenatchee Water District

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EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. — A jury in Douglas County has awarded $5 million to Brian Kniffen, a dedicated employee of the East Wenatchee Water District, who claimed he was wrongfully dismissed after sustaining a work-related spinal injury. Kniffen worked for nearly 30 years as a utility field inspector. In 2020, Kniffen injured his back while trying to open a stuck water main valve. Following the incident, he sought workplace accommodations to manage his recovery, including restrictions on his ability to lift heavy objects and manually operate valves. These recommendations were backed by the Washington State … Read more

Community Takes Action: New Task Force Formed to Reform AMBER Alert Laws After Tragic Deaths of Wenatchee Sisters

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WENATCHEE, Wash. — In the tragic aftermath of the deaths of three young sisters, Central Washington attorneys and community members are taking steps to reassess the existing laws governing AMBER Alerts. The initiative follows the grim discovery of 9-year-old Paityn Decker, 8-year-old Evelyn Decker, and 5-year-old Olivia Decker near Rock Island Campground on Monday, after they went missing during a scheduled visit with their father. The girls were reported missing late Friday by their mother, yet an AMBER Alert was not activated. Instead, authorities issued a Missing Persons Alert. Their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker, is … Read more

East Wenatchee Lawyer Wins $58K Settlement in Public Records Lawsuit with Washington State Patrol

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East Wenatchee, WA — A local attorney has reached a $58,000 settlement with the Washington State Patrol, resolving allegations of a public records act violation by the agency. Attorney John Brangwin, whose practice focuses on DUI defense, accused the State Patrol of delaying and partially omitting information in response to his 2022 request for records. Brangwin had requested a comprehensive roster containing names, contact information, and photographs of troopers stationed in North Central Washington. His lawsuit highlighted a significant delay, with the State Patrol taking 75 days to respond and failing to provide some of … Read more