Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Top Story

Grizzly Bears one step closer to returning to North Cascades

SEDRO-WOOLLEY - Federal agencies have taken a major step towards reintroducing grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem in Washington state, where the bears have been functionally extinct for …

Washington State Patrol to conduct high visibility enforcement patrols in North Central Washington

WENATCHEE - The Washington State Patrol (WSP) District 6 has announced a partnership with allied agencies in Chelan, Kittitas, Grant, and Okanogan counties to conduct High Visibility Enforcement …
Cascade High School sophomore Micah Saugen (#25) chases down the leader of a classic technique sprint heat on a warm, late winter afternoon in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Cascade High School Skiers Race at U.S. Ski Association’s Junior National Championships

LEAVENWORTH - The resort village of Lake Placid, New York, nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains’ High Peaks Region and named after its eponymous lake, has played host to two Winter …
Local Features

Women's Service League hosts annual prom dress giveaway

The Women's Service League of NCW will hold its annual Prom Dress Giveaway on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wenatchee Valley Mall near Sportsman's Warehouse.
WENATCHEE – This weekend, area teens, regardless of income, will have the chance to pick out the prom dress of their dreams for free, thanks to the Women's Service League of North Central …
Maggie, Eero, and Micah code their robot to collect LEGO blocks in a relay-race fashion.

After-school LEGO program teaches robotics through play

LEAVENWORTH – Between the bookshelves of Icicle River Middle School, Maggie, Micah and Eero, ages 9 to 12 years old, are coding a robot they built to scoop up LEGO pieces, one by one, so that …
After walking four days a week together for three months, participants of the Adult Social Walking Program feel more like a family. Many have been walking for all six years of the program.

Festhalle Walking Program promotes community and health

LEAVENWORTH—While the rest of downtown may be quiet on a weekday morning in late winter, the Leavenworth Festhalle is buzzing with 60s music, footsteps, and chatter.  From January …
Jennifer Graybeal

Jennifer Graybeal, renowned elementary teacher, retires in 2024

LEAVENWORTH - In less than an hour, teacher Jennifer Graybeal guides a class of kindergarteners through five math activities in a way that engages each child where they’re at, encourages effort …
Other News
LEAVENWORTH - The Leavenworth Lions Club will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31, at Alpine Lakes Elementary School, located at 500 Pine Street in Leavenworth. The free egg hunt …
LEAVENWORTH – The Parking Advisory Committee considered simplifying parking rates and revisited potential options for locals, employees and contractors at its monthly meeting on Mar. 21. …
LEAVENWORTH - Registration is now open for Cascade Market's Cashmere and Leavenworth Kids Makers Market. The Makers Market provides an opportunity for local children to learn about selling at the farmer's market, …
LEAVENWORTH – As the Wenatchee River Institute’s (WRI) annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest gets closer to its May celebrations, registration has opened to attend field trips as well as …
LEAVENWORTH – Eastside Cycleworks will be hosting its first ever Bike Swap on Mar. 30. The community event will serve as a platform for local riders to easily sell their bikes without hassle, …
Obituaries
Blake A Vaughn, 28, of Leavenworth, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee & Cashmere. 
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife and loving mother, Sharon B. Colbourne on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at the age of 86. She died peacefully in the loving …
On Friday, January 19th Dick Rieman passed quietly and at peace as he crossed over to the next grand adventure. After dealing with dementia for many years, it was a true blessing that he chose not to …
Glendene Thompson, 93, loving mother of four, and the devoted wife to her late husband, Leslie Thompson, passed away gracefully in Wenatchee on January 18, 2024. Glendene was born in Texarkana, …
Betty Lou Norman, long-time resident of Leavenworth, died on January 18th at the age of 89. She was born in Omak, WA and spent most of her life in Leavenworth, meeting her future husband at age 15. …
Wesley Micheal “Mike” Ballew, passed away early in the morning on October 22, 2023 after his battle to progressive supranuclear palsy (also referred to as PSP Parkinson’s). …
Education

Peshastin-Dryden Elementary to hold kindergarten welcome, registration event

PESHASTIN – Peshastin-Dryden Elementary will offer two upcoming kindergarten welcome sessions.  The Kindergarten Welcome will include a morning of introduction and information about …

Washington State Board of Education opens applications for student representative position for 2024-2026 term

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Board of Education announced it is seeking applications for a student representative for the 2024-2026 term. The board is looking for a sophomore prepared to …

Cascade School District honors exceptional employees in annual Excellence in Education Awards

LEAVENWORTH - Cascade School District announced its Certificated and Classified Employees of the Year, part of the Excellence in Education Awards. Initiated in 1985 by the North Central Educational …

Cascade School District introduces real-time bus tracking app for parents

LEAVENWORTH – Cascade School District is introducing a new app for parents to use as part of its transportation scheduling system. Beginning Mar. 6, the all-in-one Stopfinder app will show …
Chelan County Sheriff's Report

Chelan County Sheriff's Report

This report is compiled from records provided by the Chelan County Sheriff's Office and RiverCom. The publisher cannot certify the complete accuracy of the information provided.

Legislative Coverage
House Republican Deputy Leader Mike Steele (left) and Senate Republican Leader John Braun

Federal court redistricting ruling shakes up Washington State legislative districts, faces Republican criticism

OLYMPIA – In a development impacting Washington State politics, the Ninth Circuit Court has dismissed an emergency motion to stay a federal court decision regarding legislative district …
Sen. Lisa Wellman, R-Mercer Island, speaks on the floor of the Senate in Olympia.

Blending education and technology a goal for Wellman

OLYMPIA - On the last Monday morning of the 2024 legislative session, Washington State Sen. Lisa Wellman’s office brimmed with sunlight, an early peek at spring, as she sipped tea from a white …
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, who backed legislation to require additional security systems for county elections, speaks before an audience.

Counties required to adopt security system

Under a bill Secretary of State Steve Hobbs endorsed, all counties are required to install “Albert Systems,” a technology that notifies counties when there is an attempted cybersecurity …
Sen. John Lovick studies a proposal at his desk on the floor of the Senate.

Officers will soon be allowed to work part-time

Washington remains 51st in the nation for police officers per capita, and one answer to that problem might be allowing officers to work part-time.  SB 5424, sponsored by Sen. John Lovick, …
Demonstrators carry signs calling for passage of a parental notification initiative during a protest in Olympia. The initiative was approved by the Legislature.

Parental authority initiative approved, but concerns linger

OLYMPIA - The “Parent’s right to know,” a citizen-led initiative regarding parental authority over kids in public schools, will become law in June.  While the measure won …

Get your event in the spotlight with Ward Media!

If you have an exciting event to share, email Reporter Quinn Propst at quinn@ward.media. We’ll showcase the five most captivating events of the week, giving your event the recognition it deserves. Even if your event isn’t among the top five, it will still be added to our events calendar and featured online. Don’t miss this chance to make your event shine!

Here is this week's list of 5 Things to do this Week.
    • Live music with Sergio Cuevas

      The WooHoo Winery Tasting Room in Leavenworth will host live music by Sergio Cuevas on Friday, March 29 from 5-7 p.m. “Join us for a …

    • Bloody Mary-Fest

      Icicle Village Resort will host a Bloody Mary-Fest on Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 30 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm …

    • Cashmere Community Concert

      The Cashmere Community Concert Series is back with a live performance by Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms on Saturday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at the …

    • Easter egg hunt

      The Blue Elk Inn will host an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, March 31 from 1-3 p.m. with the egg hunt at 2 p.m. “The Blue Elk Inn is …

    • Easter egg hunt

      The Leavenworth Lions Club will host an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, March 31 from 1-2 p.m. at the Alpine Lakes Elementary School. …

Sports
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are pleased to announce that 2008-born forward Grady Wedman has signed a Scholarship and …
WENATCHEE – The first regular season in the Western Hockey League is now in the history books for the Wenatchee Wild, and a playoff run will be part of the story for the club as part of its …
EVERETT – With the goal of home-ice advantage achieved for the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs, it was time for a few different faces to step into the Wenatchee Wild lineup. …

VICTORIA, British Columbia – For the Wenatchee Wild, there was no better magic to be performed on Friday at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre than making a magic number disappear. While …
VICTORIA, British Columbia – With the two teams chasing the Wenatchee Wild in the Western Hockey League’s Western Conference standings set to wrap up the regular season with a …
Opinion
Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) was passed in 2021 with the goal of reducing and phasing out carbon emissions.  Unfortunately, there have been several problems with …
In the world of marketing, where trends come and go, one principle remains constant: the importance of consistency. This is true whether you're a multinational corporation or a family-owned business …

The Washington State Legislature is quickly approaching its adjournment date of March 7. I’m pleased to share that my Senate Bill 5670, expanding the state’s Running Start program, …
OLYMPIA - Local levies and bonds are one important way that communities support their schools, and preliminary results from yesterday’s Special Election show how committed voters are to their …
Letters
Rhona Baron (The Whistle) has written several pieces regarding the current city’s approach to building codes, which have provided misleading facts and incomplete analyses. She and others have …
Public forum scheduled Attention: Property Tax Payers residing within the Leavenworth City Limits. There is a “Public Forum” on Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m., regarding the (MFTE) Multi-family …
National News
Workers pick blueberries in greenhouses of the Agrovision firm in San Isidro Mazatepec in Jalisco.
As its workers stream to the U.S., Mexico runs short of farmhands
ETZATLÁN, Mexico - For decades, Mexicans crossed the border to pick Americans’ lettuce, grapes and strawberries. Mexico had a seemingly inexhaustible supply of farmhands - tough, …
Senate passes $1.2 trillion spending bill, averting government shutdown
The Senate approved a $1.2 trillion spending bill in the wee hours of Saturday morning to prevent a brief partial government shutdown, sending the bill to President Biden to sign into law. …
Nikki Haley meets voters during a rally at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School in Derry, N.H. on Sunday.
Nikki Haley suspends campaign for 2024 Republican presidential nomination
CHARLESTON, S.C. -  Nikki Haley , a former U.N. ambassador and governor of South Carolina, has announced she is suspending   her presidential campaign, leaving  Donald Trump  with …
Big-box stores try to stay relevant by focusing on smaller stores
Two of the biggest names in big-box retail have boosted their bets on a growing trend for brick-and-mortar sales: smaller stores. Best Buy and Macy’s this week announced plans to add …
Chrysler recalls 330,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees over steering wheel defect
Chrysler is recalling more than 330,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees because of a steering wheel defect that may cause a loss of control. Problems can arise when the steering knuckle separates from the …