Monday, April 22, 2024
Top Story

Cascade School District navigates leadership changes at High School and Middle School

James Swanson, current principal at Icicle River Middle School (IRMS), has been named principal at Cascade High School (CHS) beginning the 2024-25 school year. Michael Miller, current IRMS assistant principal, will take the helm at IRMS. Rudy Joya will leave CHS for the Eastmont School District at the end of this year.
LEAVENWORTH – Cascade School District (CSD) is undergoing significant administrative shifts as it navigates both leadership adjustments and budgetary challenges. Earlier this month, Rudy Joya, …
Michael “The Wanz” Wansley who sang the hook on “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, brought his Grammy to inspire students to dream big.

Cascade High School brings back career fair with local emphasis

LEAVENWORTH – On Apr. 17, Cascade High School (CHS) students were given the opportunity to pick the brains of professionals during the school’s career fair, which included a professional …

New mobile app streamlines Enchantment permit area daily lottery

LEAVENWORTH- The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has announced a new mobile application process for hikers seeking to obtain an Enchantment Permit Area Daily Lottery permit. Starting May 14, the …
Local Features

Icicle Bicycle Club enters spring season with focus

Icicle Bicycle Head Coach Mike Bedard leads mountain bikers in practice at Ski Hill.
LEAVENWORTH – Icicle Bicycle Club kicked off the season with its first race in Spokane on Apr. 14. This year, the team is ramping up its training with a greater focus on racing.  …
Owner Katie and her wife Kirstie Miethe spent one of their first dates painting pottery, and have made it a tradition to do it on every vacation, which inspired the idea for the Art Haus.

Leavenworth Art Haus celebrates one year of art and creativity

LEAVENWORTH – On Apr. 1, the Leavenworth Art Haus celebrated its first year of operation, offering a space and supplies for all ages and abilities to decorate and create.  “This …
From left to right, Napiqua Gibbs, Paige Runions and Alice Farrell practice a roller skating train.

Roller Skating Every Wednesday at the Leavenworth Festhalle

LEAVENWORTH - On Wednesday nights from January to April, the Leavenworth Festhalle comes alive with a burst of swirling activity; it’s the weekly skate night. Outside it might be cold, dark and …
Cast members of Icicle Creek Center for the Arts production of “Into the Woods” perform during the dress rehearsal. Opening night is Friday, April 5.

Icicle Creek Center for the Arts presents ‘Into the Woods’

LEAVENWORTH – Icicle Creek Center for the Arts is gearing up for its second live theater production of the season, featuring Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods." "Into the Woods" weaves …

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Other News
Did Blue Knutson Predict the Future? This was the burning question on everyone’s lips as Blue proudly displayed the coveted Mr. Kodiak Trophy. Mr. Kodiak drew a throng of excited spectators to Cascade High School on Wednesday, April 17. “I am very happy; it took a lot of work, and it paid off. I put in at least fifteen hours of photoshopping. I think I presented it fifteen times to my parents trying to figure it out,” said Knutson.
LEAVENWORTH—Doors opened at 6:15 p.m., and a sizable portion of Leavenworth and beyond turned out to support the senior class of 2024. This year's Mr. Kodiak theme was based on the Barbie …
Cascade School District Superintendent Tracey Edou, Board Chairman Trey Ising, and high school and middle school choir director Isabella Garcia. To help balance the 2024-2025 district budget, among a series staffing cuts and adjustments, Garcia’s choral department is being eliminated. Edou’s office and the Board have issued a Modified Staffing Plan to outline the district-wide cuts.
LEAVENWORTH – In January, The Leavenworth Echo reported that Cascade School District (CSD) was facing financial pressure primarily due to revenue decreases, unforeseen inflationary expenses, …
LEAVENWORTH – The Upper Valley Park and Recreation Service Area (PRSA) Board and Friends of Leavenworth Pool (FOLP) held a special meeting on Apr. 17 to discuss ways to secure a financially …
LEAVENWORTH - Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (ICCA), Village Art in the Park (VAP), and Cascade School District have announced that ICCA and VAP will be sponsoring elementary and middle school …
LEAVENWORTH - Cascade School District No. 228 will hold its regular board meeting on Monday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Office Board Room. The meeting will be in person, with a Zoom …
WENATCHEE - The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority has announced that its next Board Meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 23 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Confluence …

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E-edition

April 17, 2024

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Obituaries
Maria (Toni) Hill, 96, passed away on March 16, 2024 after succumbing to the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia.   She was born in Spain on November 7, 1927 and grew up in Madrid …
Brian Lee Avery
Brian Lee Avery, 55, of Cashmere, passed away on April 7, 2024 surrounded by angels and loved ones that left before him, in the loving care of Mount Baker View AFH in Everett. From Brian, …
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. 
Sharon B. Colbourne
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 …
Dick Rieman
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
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, …

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Education

Wenatchee Valley College announces winter 2024 Deans' List

WENATCHEE - Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) has released its Deans' List for the winter 2024 academic quarter, recognizing students who have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher while taking …

WENATCHEE - Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) has announced its President's List for the winter quarter of 2024, honoring students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. To be named to …
Cascade Knowledge Bowl Team
Cascade Knowledge Bowl Team |  Outstanding Achievement The Cascade High School  Knowledge Bowl team took 5 th  place at the State meet in Wenatchee on March 23rd. It was hotly …
Faculty advisor Tammy Murphy and Cascade High School’s Future Business Leaders of America. Students in the club prepare for careers in business through academic competitions, leadership development, and educational programs.
LEAVENWORTH - At the forefront of Cascade High School’s (CHS) extracurricular activities are its thriving academic clubs. From science to business and journalism, these clubs offer students a …

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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. April 5 …

Community Calendar
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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 …

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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.
    • Earth Day Fair

      Leavenworth will celebrate Earth Day at the Leavenworth Community Earth Day Fair on Sunday, April 21, from 11-4 p.m. at Enchantment Park. …

    • April Green Drinks

      April Green Drinks will feature Cascade Community Markets on Thursday, April 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Blue Spirits Distilling. “Are …

    • Trashion Show

      The Wenatchee River Institute will host the third annual Trashion Show on Friday, April 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the River Haus lawn. …

    • Family story time

      Leavenworth will celebrate Earth Day at the Leavenworth Community Earth Day Fair on Sunday, April 21, from 11-4 p.m. at Enchantment Park. …

    • Red Barn event

      The Wenatchee River Institute will host the Red Barn event Fish are Friends on Tuesday, April 23, from 7 to 8 p.m. This is a free event …

Sports
WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox is seeking host families to provide housing for players during the upcoming season, which runs from early June through mid-August. The team is still looking to …
Tremont Robinson-White Tremont Robinson-White of the Wenatchee Bighorns takes a shot during the team's 125-98 victory over the Salem Capitals on Friday, April 12. Robinson-White scored a season-high 36 points in the game, leading the Bighorns to snap a four-game losing streak and improve their record to 2-5 on the season.
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Bighorns have turned their season around with two convincing home victories over the weekend. After a disappointing 1-5 start to the season, the Bighorns defeated the …
First grader Isla Fritz earned a first-place finish for her floor routine and placed twelfth for All-Around at State.
PASCO—Four Leavenworth gymnasts competed at the state level in the Washington State Excel Gymnastics Championships in Pasco on Apr. 6 and 7, and some of them walked away State Champions. …

Wenatchee Wild forward Briley Wood pauses after celebrating his first-period goal in Tuesday’s Western Hockey League playoff game at the Kelowna Rockets. Kelowna moved ahead of Wenatchee in the best-of-seven series with a 5-1 win at Prospera Place.
KELOWNA, British Columbia – After two games in Wenatchee this past Friday and Saturday, the emphasis for the Wenatchee Wild was on a strong start as their Western Hockey League playoff …
Eli Sauer
Eli Sauer | Baseball | Sophomore Eli was nominated for Athlete of the Week because he puts his head down and works hard every day. For a guy who has never played baseball, he is always asking …

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Opinion
Convention floor on Friday after the uproar.
SPOKANE — Washington State Republican Party leaders say they want party unity, but they torpedoed unity, at least for a bit, all for the sake of attempted control.  When it became …
Sen. Brad Hawkins, R-12
Our state approves three budgets every two years. These budgets fund Washington’s operating ($71.9 billion), transportation ($14.6 billion), and capital ($10.3 billion) expenditures, including …

Rep. Mike Steele and Rep. Keith Goehner
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 …
Amy Yaley<br> COO<br> Ward Media
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 …
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 …
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 …
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