Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Top Story

Leavenworth kicks off community revisioning series

Residents discussed their ideas in small groups before sharing them with the entire Festhalle.
LEAVENWORTH – Approximately 150 people, plus 25 live stream viewers, attended the first session of the city’s four-part community revisioning series on Sept. 9. “I knew …
Dr. Faimous Harrison, President of Wenatchee Valley College

Legislative candidates to discuss STEM Education at Wenatchee forum

WENATCHEE - Legislative candidates from three Washington state districts are set to participate in a forum focused on the future of STEM education and career-connected learning for youth. The event, …

Chelan County to host Grizzly Bear expert for community meetings amid restoration plans

CHELAN COUNTY — Chelan County commissioners are hosting a series of community meetings this week featuring a bear-conflict expert from Montana, as the region prepares for the potential arrival …
Local Features

Cashmere's Repair Cafe: Stitching community together while reducing waste

Fixers Amy Massey (right) and Virginia White (left) pose with their satisfied customer, Beryl, and her repaired pants.
CASHMERE– The chatter of sewing machines and laughter echoed throughout one of Cashmere’s oldest buildings as locals gathered at Eastside Rebuild for a monthly Repair Cafe.  …
The Boyal family cuts the ribbon on Peshastin Storage alongside their parents, friends and the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

Peshastin Storage opens, fulfilling entrepreneurial dreams

PESHASTIN—Navi and Inder Boyal, owners of Wedge Mountain Inn, celebrated the opening of their new self-storage business, Peshastin Storage, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 20. …
Craig Sorensen and Jori Delvo create handmade glass in their high-tech customized studio along US-2.

Boulder Bend Glassworks demonstrates art at 2,000 degrees

LEAVENWORTH—Tucked along US-2 in Peshastin, Boulder Bend Glassworks welcomes passersby to stop in and witness art being carefully crafted at over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. “We want …
Onlookers in Tumwater Canyon experience equal parts fear and awe at the beginning of the Hatchery Creek Fire in 1994. The highway was closed shortly after this photo was taken.

Reflecting on an inferno: 30 years since the devastating 1994 fires surrounded and threatened Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH—Three decades ago this summer, in the waning days of July and early August, Leavenworth was evacuated. Its water treatment plant was shuttered for days, the Icicle Irrigation …
The community garden sits on the corner of 12th and Commercial. The lot was donated for education and stewardship purposes by the first female mayor of Leavenworth, E. Lorene Young.

Community garden blossoms in the heart of Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH – In a quiet lot tucked behind the downtown core, Cascade Garden Club and Wenatchee River Institute (WRI) have created an oasis for people to learn, garden, and seek respite in the …

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Other News
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Patrol (WSP) will conduct a statewide emphasis patrol to honor fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this year. The …
NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON  — Health officials and local organizations will host a series of Senior Health Fairs across North Central Washington, offering free screenings and information to …
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Dispute Resolution Center (WVDRC) honored its founding director and recognized a community peacebuilder during its 2024 Annual Celebration. The sold-out …
LEAVENWORTH – After failing to keep order during a contentious Aug. 13 meeting regarding condominiums, the City Council stated its new expectations for residents and speakers moving forward on …
WENATCHEE — The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority (CDRPA) has released the Phase 2 Report for the Regional Sports Complex Feasibility Study, advancing the evaluation of a potential new …

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E-edition

September 18, 2024

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Community Calendar
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Obituaries
Dan Davies
Dan Davies passed away August 29, 2024 following a short but courageous battle with metastatic brain cancer. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He lived his life always trying …
Dennis M. Newell, 75, of Leavenworth, passed on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Arrangements by Heritage Memorial Chapel, E. Wenatchee & Cashmere.
Julie Ellen (Reed) Farmen was born on February 13, 1963, in Selma Alabama. She died on August 23rd, 2024 in Port Orchard Washington. Julie grew up in Grand Rapids Michigan where her parents Doug …
Ronald Arvid Hill Sr. was born 11-02-1937 to Earl Arvid Hill and Wilma Ingrid Nikko. He grew up in Issaquah Washington and graduated from Issaquah High School in 1955, where he participated in band …
Ronald Arvid Hill Sr., 86, of Wenatchee, Washington and former resident of Leavenworth, Washington, passed away on July 31, 2024. Arrangements by Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee and …
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Nina Fay Franck, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, on August 3, 2024. Wrapped in her loving grandchildren’s …

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Education
Students pose together in front of a photo backdrop made by the PD and AL PTO.

Peshastin-Dryden Elementary welcomes TK and Kindergarten students with donuts and smiles

PESHASTIN – Cascade School District’s youngest and newest students entered the halls of Peshastin-Dryden Elementary to start their first day of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and …

CSD students created thank you posters for both VAP and ICCA.
LEAVENWORTH – Through a collaborative “Save the K-8 Art Teachers” effort, Village Art in the Park (VAP) and Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (ICCA) were able to support the salaries …
Kinzly Waunch (front) and Franklin Bouffiou (back) start their first day of second grade.
LEAVENWORTH – School is back in session for Cascade School District (CSD). Students arrived for their first day of the 2024-2025 school year on Aug. 27. At Peshastin-Dryden Elementary …
The Van Tassell Center at Wenatchee Valley College. As WVC develops a new strategic plan, President Dr. Faimous Harrison aims to reposition the college as a community-focused institution serving the diverse needs of North Central Washington's expansive region.
WENATCHEE—Wenatchee Valley College is developing a new strategic plan to enhance its community focus, address equity gaps, and maintain academic excellence. WVC President Dr. Faimous …

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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. August 3 …

Outdoors

Washington State releases 2024 hunting prospects, emphasizes new regulations

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has released its annual hunting prospects for the upcoming fall season, providing crucial information for hunters across the state. …
Bear cubs search for picnic remains at a developed campground.

New food storage rules aim to curb bear encounters in Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest

WENATCHEE — The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest implemented new food storage regulations on September 16 to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, particularly with bears. The rules require …

Loup Loup Ski Bowl unveils new pass options and free skiing for kids

WINTHROP - Loup Loup Ski Bowl, a community ski hill in Okanogan County, has announced several new initiatives for the upcoming season. The ski area is introducing a Kids Ski Free Program, …

WDFW officers to start wearing body cameras

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will equip all 152 of its commissioned law enforcement officers with body-worn cameras starting this month. The program will …
A bobcat in Washington.

Bobcat hunters face rule change

OLYMPIA — Washington state has new requirements for small game hunters and trappers who harvest bobcats. The requirement that went into effect on September 1 requires hunters to submit the …

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Election 2024

Pool’s future secured with levy reauthorization

CHELAN COUNTY – A property tax levy that supports the maintenance and operation of Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool received enough votes to pass in the Aug. 6 election. Upper Valley Parks and …

Secretary of State orders statewide recount for Commissioner of Public Lands race

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State has certified the results of the August 6 Primary and ordered a mandatory statewide manual recount for the Commissioner of Public Lands …

Hawkins maintains strong lead in county commissioner primary race

CHELAN – State Senator Brad Hawkins has emerged as the clear frontrunner in the primary race for Chelan County Commissioner District 3, securing a commanding lead that positions him strongly …

Steele maintains strong lead in state rep primary race

CHELAN – Incumbent Mike Steele continues to show a commanding lead in the primary race for the State Representative seat representing Washington's 12th District. As of the August 9 count, …

Upper Valley Parks and Recreation Service Area levy reauthorization holds strong in latest ballot count

CHELAN COUNTY – A proposition that supports the Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool maintained over 70 percent approval in the Aug. 9 election update. Upper Valley Parks and Recreation Service …

More election coverage

Legislative Coverage

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 …

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 …

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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.
    • Cyanotype Workshop

      The Wenatchee River Institute will host a Cyanotype Workshop on Saturday, August 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Learn how to create blue …

    • Live R&B

      LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends, with special guest James Counts Band, will perform at the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts on Saturday, August …

    • Mountain Melodies Concert

      The Eclectic Cloggers will perform a Mountain Melodies Concert on Saturday, August 17, from 8 to 9 p.m. at the South Park Amphitheater at Lake …

    • Eastside Rebuild fundraiser

      Eastside Rebuild will hold a Fundraising Campaign Launch Party on Sunday, August 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Sage Mountain Natural Foods in …

    • Community supper

      The Leavenworth Methodist Church will host a Free Community Supper for friends and neighbors on Tuesday, August 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. …

Sports
LEAVENWORTH — The Cascade Kodiaks volleyball team faced a setback in their early season campaign, falling to the Liberty Bell Mountain Lions 3-1 in a non-league match on Thursday. The …
QUINCY — The Cascade Kodiaks cross country team demonstrated its strength at the Quincy Invite on Thursday, securing second place finishes in both the boys' and girls' varsity races. In …
Kodiak setter Lola Rieke sets the ball for the Cascade hitters during their victory over Thorp Sept. 10.
LEAVENWORTH — The Cascade Kodiaks volleyball team opened their season with a decisive victory, sweeping the visiting Thorp squad 3-0 in a non-league match last week. The home crowd left in …

Cascade's Breigh Ragsdale battles for the ball against a Toppenish player. Cascade played hard but could not overcome a resilient Toppenish squad, which kept coming back and ultimately won 3-2.
LEAVENWORTH — The Cascade Kodiaks soccer team has experienced a series of ups and downs in their recent non-league outings, culminating in a narrow loss to the Toppenish Wildcats. On …
Wenatchee Wild forward Nathan Danielson hustles back on defense in the first period of Wenatchee’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Tri-City Americans Sunday in Western Hockey League preseason play. Danielson scored his first goal in a Wild uniform, a go-ahead marker, with 3:09 to play in regulation.
KENNEWICK – After an entertaining five games in Wenatchee, Everett and Kennewick, the Wenatchee Wild were just fine with extending the Western Hockey League preseason by another five …

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Opinion
Terry Ward, Publisher
In our hyperconnected world of constant notifications, streaming media, and 280-character hot takes, a vital human skill is quietly slipping away: the art of listening. True listening – …
Terry Ward, Publisher
Compassion. It's a word we hear often, but when was the last time you truly felt it? Not just a fleeting moment of sympathy, but a profound understanding of another's pain that moved you to action. …

Terry Ward, Publisher
Today, as we observe Labor Day, we pause to reflect on the state of work in America and the evolving relationship between employers and employees. This holiday, born from the labor movement of the …
Terry Ward, Publisher
Imagine a world where every conversation is an echo chamber, where differing opinions are met with hostility, and where the fear of the unfamiliar drives every decision. Now open your eyes – …
Letters
The 2024 Upper Valley Empty Bowls Festival just concluded on Thursday, March 21 st .  This long standing festival, this the 28 th season, is only possible because it is loved by our village, and …
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 …
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