Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Evacuations decrease as crews shift from suppression to recovery on Little Giant, Sisi Fires

A crew chips slash left behind from hazard tree mitigation near First Creek Sept. 15.
LEAVENWORTH — More and more crews are transitioning from active suppression to recovery and repair on the Little Giant and Sisi Fires as the end of September nears. The Sisi Fire, near …

Washington students can now apply for 2027-28 college financial aid

High school seniors and other students planning college or job training can now apply for financial aid for the 2027-28 school year.

Chelan County to test vote-counting system Oct. 15

WENATCHEE — Chelan County elections staff and the Washington Secretary of State's Office will test the county's vote-counting system at 10 a.m. Oct. 15, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Local Features

More than a scoop: the story behind Whistlepunk Ice Cream

The Whistlepunk Ice Cream shop displays a sign featuring the ice cream cart that began it all.
LEAVENWORTH – On a busy summer afternoon, the line at Whistlepunk Ice Cream often stretches out the door and down the sidewalk as employees hustle between tubs of handcrafted ice cream, fresh …

Stay, leave, or return? Cascade High School graduates reflect on building a future beyond Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH – Every June, another class of Cascade High School graduates walks across the stage knowing one decision still lies ahead: whether to build a life in the Upper Valley, leave in pursuit …
The handcrafted wooden sign was made by local artisans at Gibbs Graphics.

Twenty years in the making: Carta brings Chef Ben Herreid’s culinary vision to Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH – Nearly a year after opening its doors, Carta is preparing to become the restaurant Chef Ben Herreid always envisioned. This August, the downtown Leavenworth restaurant will unveil a …
Vendors manage their own booths, which is demonstrated by the unique inventory and display of each booth.

Apple Annie Antique Gallery marks 30 years in Cashmere

CASHMERE — At 70,000 square feet, Apple Annie Antique Gallery is one of the largest antique malls in Washington state, hosting anywhere from 120 to 150 vendors and over 225 booths under one roof. …
Lindsay Schaible, owner of Mint + Sprinkle.

Leavenworth’s newest party boutique helps make every gathering special

LEAVENWORTH — Lindsay Schaible, the owner of the recently opened Mint + Sprinkle, loves a reason to bring people together – from the small everyday gatherings to the large …

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Other News
Runners take off for the Mai BlumenLauf 5k earlier this year. Both the Leavenworth Marathon and the Mai BlumenLauf are organized by TedDriven.
LEAVENWORTH — Motorists traveling through Leavenworth should expect slowdowns, closures and heavier-than-usual foot traffic due to the Leavenworth Marathon Oct. 3.
Washington's minimum wage will go up 60 cents to $17.73 an hour on Jan. 1, the state Department of Labor & Industries announced Sept. 30.
WENATCHEE — Pinnacles Prep, a tuition-free public charter school in South Wenatchee, will open applications for the 2027-28 school year with an apple cider-pressing party Oct. 16.
WENATCHEE — Link Transit is joining Switch Your Trips WA, a statewide challenge that asks people to replace driving alone with walking, biking, carpooling or riding the bus during October.
Rocky, the Discovery Center's mascot, is surrounded by children. Rocky will be at Kids Day at the Chelan PUD Service Center in Wenatchee from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7.
WENATCHEE — Chelan PUD will hold free activities, treats and giveaways from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday Oct. 5-9 at its Service Center, 203 Olds Station Road in Wenatchee, as part of Public Power Week.

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E-edition

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September 30, 2026

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Community Calendar
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Obituaries
Remembering Joaquin There are some people whose lives cannot be measured by dates, accomplishments, or the number of years they were here. Joaquin was one of those people. His name, Joaquin, …
Howard Harlan Honeysett, born August 9, 1947, was adopted at birth by Louise and George Honeysett in Leavenworth Washington, along with his sister Patricia. He passed away at his home August 21, 2026 …
In Loving Memory of John Boswell Heaven got a little rowdier and a lot more country when John walked through the gates on July 25th, 2026. John was born on June 25th, 1956 in Everett, …
Michael Larry McDaniel (79) passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord at his home in Dryden, WA around midnight on the night of July 16–17, 2026, with his beloved wife, Anna Jean, at his …
Karen Faye Colling passed away at the age of 80 on May 22, 2026, in Wenatchee, WA. Karen was born September 9, 1945 in Waterloo, IA to parents Franklin O. and Donna Mae Mullen. Karen was a …
Carrie Jones peacefully entered into the presence of the Lord surrounded by family on Monday, July 21, 2025. Carrie was born in Eau Claire, WI on January 4, 1955 to Leigh Sydney Wright and Alvara …

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Education
Class of 2027 students from Cascade High School gathered for a “senior sunrise” before their last first day of school on Aug. 27.

Cascade School District enters new school year with new principals, new priorities

LEAVENWORTH —- Summer is over for students of Cascade School District, who returned to the classrooms on Aug. 27. The start of the 2026-2027 school year is the beginning of several new …

Terry Muscutt with his wife Mandi, and two daughters, Kascia and Lauren.
LEAVENWORTH — Cascade School District (CSD) has named Terry Muscutt as the new interim principal of Alpine Lakes and Beaver Valley Elementary Schools. Muscutt has a bachelor’s degree in …
Two members of WVC’s Board of Trustees, Wilma Cartagena and Paula Arno Martinez, have resigned, effective immediately.
WENATCHEE — Two members of the Wenatchee Valley College Board of Trustees have resigned, leaving the five-member governing board with two vacancies. The college announced Monday that trustees …
LEAVENWORTH —- Cascade School District (CSD) approved a $22 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year during its July 20 meeting. The district is continuing to budget for declining …

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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.

Outdoors
Icicle Creek will open to coho salmon retention on Sept. 30.

Icicle River opens to coho salmon retention Sept. 30

LEAVENWORTH — Anglers may keep coho salmon caught in two stretches of the Icicle River starting Wednesday, Sept. 30, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced.

Icicle River will not open for spring Chinook fishing in 2026

LEAVENWORTH — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that the Icicle River will not open for spring Chinook fishing in 2026, citing the timing of the fish run and successful …

WDFW urges new hunters to complete education courses before fall seasons

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is urging prospective hunters to complete required hunter education courses this summer to avoid delays before the fall hunting seasons. …

WDFW seeking applicants for Wolf Advisory Group

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking applicants to fill four vacant positions on its Wolf Advisory Group (WAG), which advises the department’s director on …

Sockeye fishing opens at Lake Wenatchee

LAKE WENATCHEE — Anglers will be able to retain sockeye salmon at Lake Wenatchee beginning one hour before sunrise on July 23, as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) opens the …

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State News

WA wildfire home damage totals at least $188M, Ferguson says

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday asked President Donald Trump for tens of millions of dollars in federal aid to help communities recover from devastating wildfires this summer. Across the …

It’s primary election day in WA. Here’s what you need to know

Washington voters on Tuesday will start to winnow the competition in hundreds of local, state and federal races in this busy election cycle. All 98 seats in the state House and 24 in the Senate …

Ferguson proposes statewide school cellphone ban

SEATTLE — Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday that he will seek a statewide ban on student cellphone use during school hours in Washington public K-12 schools. The proposed “Away for the …

DOJ moves to vacate Jan. 6 conviction for Proud Boys leader from WA

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to erase the conviction of a prominent leader of the Proud Boys from Washington state for his actions during the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. …

Work underway to create new WA housing agency

OLYMPIA – Washington boasts 221 housing-related programs across 30 state agencies.  But despite all of these initiatives, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck thinks the state is still going in the wrong …

Court battle set to begin over WA’s new income tax

Opponents of Washington’s new income tax law plan Thursday to formally launch their legal challenge to the constitutionality of the controversial statute. Attorneys and plaintiffs have …

Ferguson’s failure to fill seats on WA campaign watchdog panel incites recall bid

A recall effort is quietly underway against Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson for failing to fill vacancies on the commission that enforces state campaign finance laws. The petition to remove …

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Sports
BREWSTER — Brewster edged Cascade 3-2 in a varsity soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 22, while the Cascade junior varsity team earned a 2-0 win in a shortened match. Cascade took an early 1-0 …
Wenatchee Wild forward Kalen Miles scans for the puck in the final minutes of Wenatchee's 5-2 preseason win Sunday afternoon at the Tri-City Americans. Miles scored the first Wild goal, later adding an assist.
KENNEWICK — The Wenatchee Wild scored five consecutive goals to rally from an early two-goal deficit and defeat the Tri-City Americans 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Center in the preseason …
Wenatchee AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington was named the 2026 West Coast League Coach of the Year after leading the AppleSox to a league-best 39-13 regular-season record and their sixth WCL championship.
WENATCHEE — Wenatchee AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington has been named the West Coast League Coach of the Year after leading the team to its sixth league championship. The WCL announced the …

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee AppleSox advanced to the West Coast League Championship with an 18-4 victory over the Bellingham Bells in the North Division Championship game. Wenatchee will face …
A WVC player advances the ball during a match. WVC will host Real Madrid Foundation youth soccer camps Aug. 3-7.
WENATCHEE — Young soccer players from across North Central Washington will have a chance to train with coaches from one of the world's most recognizable soccer organizations when Wenatchee Valley …

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Opinion
Terry Ward, Publisher
Labor Day has passed, school buses are back on the roads and another North Central Washington summer is beginning to give way to fall. But this year, it doesn't feel quite as simple as turning …
Terry Ward, Publisher
One of the responsibilities of publishing a newspaper is understanding that not everyone will agree with everything in it. That has always been true. Readers will disagree with news …

Terry Ward, Publisher
We spend an extraordinary amount of time talking about elections that happen thousands of miles away. Presidential campaigns dominate television, social media and conversations for months, …
Terry Ward, Publisher
Grace is one of those qualities that rarely makes headlines. It doesn't generate clicks. It doesn't trend on social media. It doesn't win many arguments. Yet it may be one of the most …
Letters
In the April 15 Echo a letter from a land use attorney and avid golfer, was published that was intended (it appears) to spread misinformation in such a way as to prevent the citizens of Leavenworth …
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