Nespelem Man Sentenced to 216 Months in Federal Prison for Sex Crimes Involving Children on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Lifeline Connections proudly recognized this year’s John Cox Community Partner Award recipient at its third annual fundraising luncheon, A Lifeline to Wellbeing, on Thursday, Sept. 25, at Royal Oaks Country Club. This award celebrates individuals and organizations that partner with Lifeline Connections to provide lifesaving behavioral health treatment and supportive services.

During the event, Lifeline Connections announced the Vancouver Housing Authority as the recipient of the 2025 John Cox Community Partner Award. The Vancouver Housing Authority provides opportunities to people experiencing housing barriers while honoring their personal dignity and maintaining trust.

“This year’s winner collaborates on opportunities to maximize shared resources. They anticipate policy changes to mitigate the impact on our most vulnerable community members,” shares Lifeline Connections’ president and CEO, Andrea Brooks.

Among the nominees were Go The Distance, Ripple Impact NW, DeDe Sieler (Clark County Department of Community Services), Jeff Hatch, Monique Kennedy, Natalie DeWitt (Molina Healthcare) and Tessa Worthen (Whatcom County Mental Health Court).

This luncheon highlighted the prevalence of substance use and mental health conditions and need for services in our community. During the event, Brooks noted that September is Recovery month, and celebrated that recovery is possible. One in four Washington adults with a behavioral health condition report an unmet need for treatment. Washington has one of the highest prevalence rates for mental health conditions, ranking fifth-highest in the nation. During the event, Lifeline Connections demonstrated how a robust behavioral health treatment continuum enhances someone’s recovery by walking through an example of a patient’s journey.

Brooks explained the financial sustainability of Lifeline Connections is jeopardized by CareOregon’s abrupt termination of the agency’s contract as an in-network provider, decreased collection rate from managed care payors, and Washington paying the lowest room and board rate in the country. Lifeline Connections’ struggles will increase in the days ahead, as the agency faces the reality of federal budget cuts impacting Medicaid and federal grants.

Medicaid accounts for 84% of Lifeline Connections’ overall funding; it’s estimated that nearly 22,000 people will lose Medicaid coverage in the Clark County area. These reductions in Medicaid will eliminate access to lifesaving treatment for the most vulnerable community members, those who are most in need of a lifeline.

The Lifeline Connections fundraiser asked for the community’s support to replace the broken HVAC system at its Pregnant and Parenting Women’s program, offered at its Women’s Recovery Center. This unique program serves women who are pregnant or have young children living with them while participating in inpatient substance use treatment at Lifeline Connections. The event’s fundraising goal was $87,500, half of the amount needed ($175,000) to replace the HVAC.  

Lifeline Connections has a 63-year history of providing mental health and substance use services in southwestern Washington. As a leading provider of behavioral health services in the region, Lifeline Connections remains committed to ensuring the critical gaps in access are addressed by making behavioral health treatment and services available to our community, especially for those at the greatest risk and most in need of a lifeline.

Lifeline Connections is immensely grateful to this year’s luncheon attendees and community partners, who proudly demonstrated their belief that recovery is possible.

A Lifeline to Wellbeing sponsors included:

●      Media Sponsor

○      The Columbian

●      Platinum Sponsor

○      Houser Family

●      Silver Sponsors

○      Ginn Group

○      HUB International

○      Kaiser Permanente

○      Lockton

○      Riverview Bank

○      SWACH

○      Vancouver Clinic

○      Vancouver Housing Authority

●      Bronze Sponsors

○      Carelon Behavioral Health

○      Columbia Credit Union

○      Community Health Plan of Washington

○      Hamm Autoworks

○      Jodie Sharp Windermere Real Estate

○      Molina Healthcare

○      More Power Technology Group

○      Moss Adams x Baker Tilly

○      Opsahl Dawson

○      Phillips and Company Wealth Strategies

○      Three Tree Tech

○      Willamette Dental

●      In-Kind Sponsors

○      Upbeat Music Therapy

○      Wellpoint

WHAT:
The Bellevue Schools Foundation invites the community and local media to its annual Block Party, a family-friendly celebration with games, food, live music, and interactive activities. Guests will also have the opportunity to contribute to the “blocks of funding” that directly support students in the Bellevue School District.

Highlights include:

• Bouncy house
• Magician
• Face painting
• Food vendors, music, and entertainment
• Activities for all ages

WHEN:
Saturday, September 27, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Bellevue Downtown Park
10201 NE Fourth St.
Bellevue, WA 98005

WHY:
This event brings the community together to support students in the Bellevue School District through the Bellevue Schools Foundation. Every block of funding builds opportunities for academic success, innovation, and enrichment across all schools.

Kelso School District mourns the passing and honors the life and legacy of Coach Ed Laulainen, a beloved teacher, mentor, and coach whose legacy has shaped generations of Hilanders.

For more than three decades, Ed dedicated his life to Kelso High School, teaching and coaching with a passion that extended far beyond the field. Over 34 years as an educator and 25 years as head football coach, he built a program that inspired excellence, unity, and perseverance. His teams achieved an extraordinary 182-69-1 record and a 72% winning percentage, highlighted by Kelso’s 1983 State Championship, two state semi-final appearances, ten quarter-final appearances, and nine league titles. He was honored eight times as League Coach of the Year and was named Washington State Interscholastic Boys Coach of the Year and Associated Press State Football Coach of the Year in 1984. In 2013, Kelso Stadium was named in his honor — a permanent testament to his impact.

Ed’s influence reached well beyond football. He coached wrestling for 17 years, served as both head and assistant baseball coach, and founded Kelso Youth Football in 1973, ensuring opportunities for young athletes to grow in character and skill. His tireless leadership extended statewide, serving on the Washington State Coaches Association Executive Board for over 40 years, including three as president. He also served 32 years as a representative to the WIAA Executive Board.

His achievements earned him induction into numerous halls of fame, including R.A. Long High School, Lower Columbia College, the Washington State Football Coaches Hall of Fame, the WIAA Hall of Fame, and most recently, Hilander Hall of Fame. These honors reflect not just victories, but the lives he touched and the values he instilled.

Coach Laulainen’s true legacy is not measured in trophies but in the character of the countless students and athletes he mentored. He believed in discipline, teamwork, resilience, and above all, shaping young people into leaders on and off the field.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Bev, their children Susan and Dr. Ed (Kristin) Laulainen, and grandchildren Quinn, Brady, and Jack.

“Yesterday, we lost more than a legendary coach — we lost a mentor, a leader, and a builder of character,” said Mary Beth Tack, Superintendent. “His impact on Kelso School District and the world of high school athletics will live on through every player he coached, every team he led, and every life he touched.”

Kelso School District extends heartfelt condolences to the Laulainen family and invites the community to join in remembering and honoring a man whose contributions to Kelso and to Washington State athletics will never be forgotten.

The memorial to celebrate the life and legacy of Ed Laulainen will be held at Kelso High School gymnasium on Saturday, October 18 at 2:00 pm.  Let’s send Coach Laulainen off in true Kelso style – wear your best Kelso gear to his post-game celebration.  

Carfentanil is 100x More Deadly Than Fentanyl

SEATTLE- The Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division is warning the public after a seizure of counterfeit M30 pills containing carfentanil in Western Washington.

On Tuesday, September 16^th, 2025, after a months-long investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Federal Way Police and Centralia Police seized 50,208 pills from a defendant at a Centralia gas station. A K-9 alerted to narcotics and located the pills inside the vehicle.  The driver, from Pacific, Washington, was arrested and and is facing federal charges. The drugs were tested in the field and sent to the DEA Western Laboratory in Pleasanton, California for further testing. Lab tests revealed the pills did not contain fentanyl, instead they were carfentanil and filler, acetaminophen.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid originally developed for veterinary use, more specifically to tranquilize large animals such as elephants. It is extraordinarily potent and not approved for human use. In fact, it is estimated to be 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl. 

“Carfentanil is like fentanyl on steroids,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “The cartels traffic this incredibly dangerous substance in order to profit from our misery.”

Because of its strength, a nearly microscopic amount of carfentanil can induce a powerful, and often deadly, effect in humans. 

In an effort to increase drug potency and profits, carfentanil has been found mixed with other drugs or pressed into pills that look like prescription painkillers. This increases the likelihood of fatal overdose and poisoning deaths, especially among users who are unaware they are ingesting such a powerful substance.

Over the past two decades, synthetic opioids have increased the threat of the ongoing opioid epidemic. Nearly 70% of all drug poisonings and overdose deaths in 2023 involved synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. Also, among these substances is carfentanil, which stands out – at this time – as one of the deadliest fentanyl analogues. This white, powdery drug closely resembles other substances like fentanyl or cocaine, but its danger far exceeds that of nearly any other opioid on the street. 

Carfentanil is a chilling reminder of how the opioid epidemic continues to evolve and introduces new threats at an alarming pace. 

DEA, local law enforcement, and first responders have recently seen an increased presence of carfentanil in the illicit drug market, which has been linked to a number of overdose deaths in various parts of the country.

According to the CDC, deaths involving carfentanil increased approximately sevenfold – from 29 deaths from January to June 2023, to 238 deaths from January to June 2024. Carfentanil has now been detected in 37 states.  The King County Medical Examiner’s Office reports six carfentanil related overdoses in 2024, and four so far in 2025.

The majority of carfentanil seizures throughout 2024 were in a pill or tablet form, not the typical powder form previously encountered. This trend is concerning due to the increased risk of overdose and deceptive appearance.

Exposure to carfentanil can cause respiratory depression or arrest, drowsiness, disorientation, sedation, pinpoint pupils, and clammy skin. The onset of these symptoms usually occurs within minutes of exposure. Its rapid effect on the central nervous system leaves little time for life-saving interventions.

Treating an overdose involving carfentanil is extremely difficult. While naloxone is widely used as an emergency antidote for opioid overdoses, it may not be effective against carfentanil in normal doses. Multiple, high doses of naloxone may be required, and even then, effective reversal of an overdose is not guaranteed.

One Pill Can Kill. To protect yourself, never take a pill that was not prescribed to you by a doctor and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. If you suspect someone has been exposed to carfentanil or is experiencing symptoms of overdose, call 911immediately and administer naloxone, if available.

Learn more:

Carfentanil: A Synthetic Opioid Unlike Any Other .

Warning: Thousands of Counterfeit M30 Pills Containing Carfentanil Seized in Western Washington

Press Release out of TriCities WA

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Sept. 23, 2025 — PeaceHealth today announced the appointment of Mark Korth as chief transformation and integration officer, a key leadership role designed to accelerate the health system’s bold journey to become a truly integrated healthcare delivery system. In this new role, Korth will be responsible for driving systemwide integration of business functions, systems, and processes in support of clinical care delivery and enterprise standardization.

Korth’s appointment is part of a comprehensive realignment of PeaceHealth’s senior leadership team to accelerate its three-year transformation strategy. Earlier this month, PeaceHealth named Mike Dwyer as president of strategy and business value and Imelda Dacones, MD, as president of care delivery and value.

“Mark joins PeaceHealth at a pivotal time in our transformation journey,” said Sarah Ness, incoming PeaceHealth president and CEO. “With his deep experience leading organizational alignment and transformation, we will strengthen the systems and services that support our caregivers and teams, enabling us to deliver on our Mission and create a more connected, person-first care experience for all we serve.”

Mark brings more than 25 years of leadership experience facilitating transformation and integration across major health systems. Prior to joining PeaceHealth, he was a partner in Guidehouse’s healthcare segment, where he advised health systems on operating model design and enterprise-wide transformation. He also served as region president at Intermountain Health, where he helped lead the integration with SCL Health and was an executive sponsor of Intermountain’s three-year transformation initiative. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at SCL Health, Dignity Health and Tenet Healthcare.

“I am excited for the opportunity to join PeaceHealth in this new role and to collaborate with such talented leaders and caregivers,” said Korth. “Together, we will align our business functions and clinical operations to deliver exceptional care today while building the foundation to meet the needs of our communities for well into the future.”

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a non-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, nearly 3,200 physicians and clinicians, more than 160 clinics and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

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Press Release out of Yakima