East Wenatchee Officer’s Gallon of Milk Yields a Tearful ‘I Love You’ from Elderly Man with Alzheimer’s

EAST WENATCHEE — A routine traffic stop turned into a powerful moment of compassion when East Wenatchee Police Officer Kevin Hernandez went above and beyond the call of duty to help an elderly man in distress.

On March 22, Officer Hernandez responded to a stop near an intersection in East Wenatchee where fellow officer Ofc. Conley had encountered an older driver showing signs of confusion. During the interaction, officers realized the man was experiencing a medical emergency and showed symptoms consistent with Alzheimer’s disease. He was disoriented and unable to remember where he was or what he was doing. Officers learned that he had left his home intending to buy a quart of milk from the grocery store.

Instead, he became lost for nearly five hours, driving aimlessly and ending up only one block from his residence. Recognizing the man’s fragile mental state, officers gave him a courtesy ride home and arranged for his vehicle to be returned.

But Officer Hernandez didn’t stop there.

Seeing how distraught and frustrated the man was at his own memory loss, Hernandez decided to go one step further. Using his BlueBridge card—a program that supports officers in helping community members in need—he went to Safeway and purchased a gallon of milk for the elderly man.

“When I gave the milk to the elderly male, he began crying tears of joy, asked for a hug, and told me that he loved me,” Hernandez later wrote in his report. “This interaction reminded me that Law Enforcement duties include more than protecting the public but also caring for those who are unable to care for themselves.”

Source: Blue Bridge Alliance

Teamsters Nurses in Washington Ratify First Agreement

(CHELAN, Wash.) – Dozens of nurses represented by Teamsters Local 760 at Lake Chelan Health hospital in Washington state have voted to ratify a strong first contract.

“After months of staying strong together through negotiations, I am so proud that we have secured our first-ever union contract,” said Jenel Hetterle, an emergency room registered nurse and member of Local 760. “This agreement reflects our unity and resilience, and it is a testament to what workers can achieve when we stand as one.”

“The nurses of Lake Chelan Health started their organizing drive more than 14 months ago and filed for recognition in April 2024. After nearly a year of hard-fought negotiations, they have ratified a life-changing contract that provides them job security rights for the first time,” said Dave Simmons, a business representative at Local 760 and lead negotiator.

This group of nurses joined Local 760 last year to secure better compensation and a real voice on the job. With their new three-year contract, they have secured just that with raises averaging above 24 percent, improvements to differential and premium pay, higher retirement benefits, robust grievance procedures, and other job protections.

“From the day they started organizing, these hard-working men and women made it clear they had what it takes to be a vital part of our union,” said Richard Salinas, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 760. “On behalf of all our members at Local 760, I am honored and humbled to congratulate them on locking-in such a lucrative first agreement.”

MultiCare Hospital Workers in Yakima Organize with Teamsters