Monday, March 18, 2024
Top Story

Leavenworth volunteers bolster library and literacy with passion and projects

Volunteers with the Leavenworth Friends of the Library work to support the library in many ways. The group’s yearly Book Sale generates funds used to help support the library.
LEAVENWORTH – The Leavenworth Friends of the Library is an active group of volunteer community members who work to support, promote, and enhance the resources of the Leavenworth Library. …

WSDA opens $2 million grant program to boost local food infrastructure

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) announced it is accepting applications for $2 million in grants to strengthen local food supply chains and market access across the …

Keeping preschoolers safe from fire dangers

OLYMPIA—Young children, with their curiosity and limited understanding of risks, face particular dangers from fires and burns in the home. Local fire officials are urging parents and caregivers …
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 – City Council had a light agenda for its Mar. 12 meeting, voting on electronic signatures and entering into an interlocal cooperation agreement with the county regarding water …
LEAVENWORTH – The Leavenworth Adventure Park’s (LAP) request to amend its conditional use permit will be considered by a hearing examiner on Mar. 29.  A revised version of the …
LEAVENWORTH – In February, Mahala Murphy-Martin took over the vacant Fire Commissioner role for District #3, following the retirement of Commissioner Tom Stanton, who served the district for …
LEAVENWORTH— Natural resource specialists with the U.S. Forest Service and Chelan County Natural Resources are partnering with the North Central Washington Forest Health Collaborative (NCWFHC) …
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 …
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

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 …

Washington voters support their local public schools

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 …

Cascade High School’s Grizzled Old Men

LEAVENWORTH - One of Cascade High School’s most beloved traditions is the Grizzled Old Men basketball game. This annual competition is a fundraiser for the senior class trip. This event …
Legislative Coverage

Property crimes can now be hate crimes

OLYMPIA - Some property crimes now can be classed as hate crimes if they are racially motivated or if they target other marginalized communities. Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, said he was …
Rep. Mike Steele and Rep. Keith Goehner

12th District lawmakers secure over $26M for local projects in unanimous capital budget approval

OLYMPIA - House Republican Deputy Leader Mike Steele  and  Rep. Keith Goehner  have announced the inclusion of more than $26 million in district-funded projects in the 2024 …
Returned lost or stolen firearms recovered by the Everett Police Department are laid out in a parking lot. The department started a program to get guns off the street called “guns for giftcards.”

Same-day report required for stolen guns

OLYMPIA - When a student at Seattle’s Ingraham High School was shot and killed two years ago, an investigation revealed the gun used in the crime was stolen. Now, advocates from that …

Police given more leeway to pursue suspects

OLYMPIA—The Legislature approved new rules that give police more leeway to engage in high-speed pursuits, which will become law on June 5, 2024. “As you know, the people of the state …
Every seat was full as the legislature hears the first initiative of the 2024 legislative session

Legislature approves initiative banning state income tax amidst public support and equity concerns

OLYMPIA - An initiative prohibiting imposition of a state income tax was approved on March 5 by the state Legislature. “This is a great day for everyone in Washington,” said Rep. Jim …

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.
    • Women's History Month program

      The Upper Valley Historical Society and Greater Leavenworth Museum will host a Dessert Theater showing of “Women of Substance” on …

    • A Celtic St. Patrick’s Day

      The Icicle Creek Center for the Arts will host The Gothard Sisters: A Celtic St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 16 from 7:30-9:30 …

    • Author talk at WRI

      The Wenatchee River Institute and Mountaineers Books will host author Bernadette McDonald on Monday, March 18 from 7-8 p.m. at the WRI Red Barn. …

    • St. Patrick’s Day dinner

      The Leavenworth Community Methodist Church will host a St. Patrick’s Day dinner on Tuesday, March 19 from 5-7 p.m. “This dinner …

    • Community seed swap

      The Wenatchee River Institute will host a free Community Seed Swap on Tuesday, March 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. “It’s time to start …

Sports
You’d like to believe past performance has nothing to do with the selection and seeding of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Sometimes, though, the committee tasked with that chore …
WENATCHEE – Two days ago, the Wenatchee Wild were the ones to strike early, building a three-goal lead against the Spokane Chiefs on the way to a 3-1 win at Town Toyota Center. The finale to …
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild erased a two-goal lead against one of the Western Hockey League’s best teams on Saturday night, and with the clock winding down and the Wild on a power …

WENATCHEE – Two goals remain just steps away for the Wenatchee Wild and the Spokane Chiefs following Friday’s Western Hockey League matchup at Town Toyota Center. The Wild knew they could …
Ryan Denega Grade: Senior Ryan has worked really hard all week.  Last week the team practiced twice a day. At each practice, he leads by example, setting the tone for every drill. He …
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, …
As the CEO & Publisher of Ward Media, it's my honor and responsibility to ensure that The Leavenworth Echo not only continues its legacy of trusted community journalism but also evolves to meet …
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
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 …
The Capitol dome on May 3, 2023. Congress has very little time left to pass a short-term extension of government funding before a partial shutdown would begin.
House passes bill to extend government shutdown deadlines
The House on Thursday approved legislation to extend the expiration date for federal funding later into March, sending the measure to prevent a partial government shutdown that was set for Saturday …
What is a leap day? All about Feb. 29, on the calendar every 4 years.
If you look at your calendar this week, you will see an unusual date: Feb. 29. That’s because 2024 is what’s known as a leap year - and while those in the Northern Hemisphere might not be …