Regional Justice Center
News Archives
County jail honored for taking innovative efforts in fight against opioid crisis
The Chelan County Regional Justice Center was recently honored with the 2025 Detention Facility Innovation Award by the National Institute for Jail Operations. The jail has been utilizing a variety of technologies to combat the opioid crisis. Learn more.
Posted: June 18, 2025
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Tollackson named Healthcare Professional of the Year
On June 11, Billye Tollackson, health care manager for the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, was honored with the Healthcare Professional of the Year Award at the National Institute for Jail Operations' JAILCON25 Western Regional Conference. Read more about Tollackson and why she has chosen to make a career out of caring for the incarcerated at the county jail.
Posted: June 17, 2025
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Jail’s K-9 handler headed to new career
The Chelan County Regional Justice Center is saying goodbye this summer to its canine handler who not only played a key role in building the narcotics-detecting program in the local facility but also inspired other counties around the state to add canine programs in their own jails.
Posted: April 25, 2025
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A good meal goes a long way in a county jail
The kitchen crew at the Regional Justice Center was honored last week with the 2024 Department of the Year Award. What are the favorite recipes at the jail? Who are the tight-knit bunch with a statewide reputation? Learn more in the story.
Posted: April 08, 2025
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Jail's K9 unit receives Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes grant
The Chelan County Regional Justice Center’s K9 Unit was chosen by the Gesa Community Foundation to receive its Local Heroes Grant Award. The $15,000 grant will help cover operational costs next year for the K9 unit.
Posted: November 13, 2024
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T-shirt fundraiser underway to help support jail’s narcotics-detecting K9
The annual fall fundraiser for the Chelan County Regional Justice Center’s narcotics-detecting K9 program is in full swing. Please consider purchasing a t-shirt or hoodie or becoming a sponsor for K9 Gambit. Read for more details, including the website to order your t-shirt or hoodie.
Posted: October 10, 2024
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Attempt to bring drugs into jail via string, outside window thwarted
A plan to get narcotics into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center using a handmade string, a hole under a window frame and two alleged accomplices standing below the window was thwarted recently by alert jail staff.
Posted: September 10, 2024
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Deputy Lewis named NCW Fair's First Responder of the Year
The North Central Washington Fair announced its pick for 2024 First Responder of the Year is Deputy Jacob Lewis of the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. Lewis as key in establishing the jail's narcotics detection K9 program.
Posted: August 11, 2024
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County's jail director earns national honors
Chris Sharp, director of the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, was honored in June by the National Institute for Jail Operations with the Dedication to Excellence Award.
Posted: June 27, 2024
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