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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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In brief: Mudslides strand about 30 people

From Wire Reports

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. – About 30 people remained stranded Saturday morning up Icicle Road after a series of mudslides clogged the roadway midmorning Friday.

“Luckily, no one is injured or in distress,” said Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett. “A Medivac helicopter is on alert in case a medical emergency occurs.”

The slides closed the road about 10 miles west of Leavenworth, according to officials with the Sheriff’s Office and the Forest Service. The first slide is about 40 feet wide and 5 feet deep. Officials have been unable to determine the size of the other slides.

The slides occurred near Fourth of July Trail, officials said. Fourth of July Creek is flowing through the slide area and has split into several channels.

The slides forced the closure of Upper Icicle Road at the junction of Eightmile Road and Icicle Road.

Air Force makes McChord change

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – The Air Force side of Joint Base Lewis-McChord is getting a new commander.

Col. R. Wyn Elder will take over leadership of the 62nd Airlift Wing from Col. Kevin J. Kilb on Tuesday, the Air Force told the News Tribune of Tacoma.

Elder and his family are relocating from Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, where he was the No. 2 wing commander. He returns to familiar country, having led the 4th Airlift Squadron at McChord from 2006 to 2008.

Elder will be in charge of nearly 2,500 active-duty military and civilian personnel. Since the base has combined with Army operations, he will not have to oversee any ground support workers.

Beartooth Pass route now open

BILLINGS – The tourist-attracting Beartooth Highway over 10,947-foot Beartooth Pass has been cleared of snow and is open to traffic.

Officials say the highway opened Friday morning, about two weeks later than usual due to a winter of massive snowfall.

The Beartooth Highway is a national scenic byway that offers stunning views of mountain ranges while taking motorists from Red Lodge to Cooke City and the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park.