Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Top Story

Descendants of Leavenworth’s first doctor revisit past

Dr. Fitzgerald recently discovered this photo of his great-grandfather in St. Paul, Minnesota.
LEAVENWORTH — The Greater Leavenworth Museum welcomed over 70 descendants of Leavenworth’s first doctor and second mayor, Doctor George Washington (G.W.) Hoxsey, over Memorial Day …

Confluence Health, WVMG announce community partnership grant applications

WENATCHEE — Confluence Health and the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group (WVMG) announced Tuesday that their Community Partnership Fund will begin accepting applications for grants supporting local …

NCW Tech Alliance announces Summer of Innovation events

WENATCHEE — The NCW Tech Alliance has announced a series of Summer Tech Events aimed at fostering innovation and community engagement in North Central Washington. Since 1999, the organization …
Local Features

Library outreach brings hope to incarcerated youth

Wenatchee Public Library employees Chelsea Evans and Molly Schuringa display snowflakes, made from popsicle sticks by youth at the Chelan County Juvenile Detention Center.
WENATCHEE—For Wenatchee Public Library employees Chelsea Evans and Molly Schuringa, outreach with youth at the Chelan County Juvenile Detention Center is one of their favorite parts of their …
Artists Peter and iMa James pose outside the gallery.

Photography Gallery to host grand opening

LEAVENWORTH – Peter James Photography will hold a grand opening for the new downtown Leavenworth gallery on June 6. The gallery showcases photography from all over Washington state, …
Davelaar’s favorite fudge flavor, dark chocolate raspberry.

Happy Fudge reopens: a labor of love honoring a legacy

LEAVENWORTH – For owner Jason Stewart and Manager Melissa Wike, reopening Happy Fudge, once Happy Happy Fudge, was not a money-making pursuit, but a way to preserve the legacy of one of their …
Wright began carving as a hobby in 2020, then starting selling his work about a year and a half in.

Local carver creates masterpiece in downtown Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH –  On the corner of 10th and Commercial, a chainsaw buzzes while sawdust flies, as a dead, hazardous tree fated to be cut down by order of the city gets transformed into a work …
Other News
WASHINGTON D.C. – Two fish passage through barrier removal projects within the Wenatchee River watershed were recommended for National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding under …
LEAVENWORTH - Construction has begun on a $9 million project to modernize a century-old irrigation system along Icicle Creek near Leavenworth. The upgrades are expected to provide major environmental …
LEAVENWORTH – Members of the public met with the Planning Commission in a special meeting to address questions and concerns regarding the condominiums in residential zoning on May 22. The …
LEAVENWORTH - Across the United States and Washington, public schools have been scrambling to come to terms with budget cuts and lack of funding. Administrators have been forced to make difficult …
LEAVENWORTH - The Cascade Discovery Program recently opened its doors for the Cascade School Board to conduct their bi-monthly meeting and eat a very special dinner: honey ham raised by the students …
LEAVENWORTH—Over Memorial Day weekend, new and experienced Alphorn players gathered from all over the U.S., Canada, and Switzerland to build their skills at the Northwest Alphorn Workshop. …
Obituaries
Barbara Joan (McKinney) Bergeron August 27, 1934 –May 2, 2024 Barbara “Barb” Joan Bergeron passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 2, 2024, leaving behind a life well lived. Barb …
John passed away peacefully on April 28, 2024 at his mountain home he built and cherished overlooking the Icicle Valley.  John was born February 3, 1933 to Donald and Jesse Parish in …
Dora Imojean Martensen, 89, a longtime resident of Leavenworth, Washington passed away with family by her side on April 26, 2024.  Imojean was born on October 26, 1934 in Dandridge, Tennessee to …
Dwight Goehner was born to Walter and Alvina Goehner in May of 1957. He joined his sister Naomi and brother Keith in a loving Christian home, surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, most of …
Harvey Allen Strand went to be with the Lord on April 5, 2024. He was born September 2, 1930 on the family farm in Selby, South Dakota to Harold Sigurd Strand and Lena Mertz. His grandparents were …
Gilbert Lee Eggleston, lifelong firefighter, passed away on February 17, 2024 after an intense short struggle with metastatic esophageal cancer. He died at home, as he wished, with his family by his …
Education
Meleah Butruille, the new dean of Wenatchee Valley College Allied Health, speaks to students about different paths in healthcare.

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 …

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 …
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 – Cascade School District (CSD) is undergoing significant administrative shifts as it navigates both leadership adjustments and budgetary challenges. Earlier this month, Rudy Joya, …
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 …

Outdoors

National Forests offer free admission for Get Outdoors Day

PORTLAND - The USDA Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Region is encouraging the public to enjoy the great outdoors by waiving day-use fees at most recreation sites in national forests across …

Cast your line for free during Washington's Annual Free Fishing Weekend

OLYMPIA - Fishing enthusiasts across Washington state are gearing up for the annual Free Fishing Weekend, set to take place on June 8-9. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is …

Hatchery spring Chinook season opens on Cascade River

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced the opening of a portion of the Cascade River to fishing for hatchery spring Chinook salmon. The season will run from May …

Tulalip Terminal area opens for Salmon fishing season

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced the opening of the Tulalip Terminal Area for salmon fishing from May 24 through September 2. The area, located west of …

Skagit River opens for hatchery spring Chinook fishing

MOUNT VERNON - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced the immediate opening of portions of the Skagit River for hatchery spring Chinook salmon fishing. The action comes …
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, …

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.
    • Trivia night

      Icicle Brewing will host trivia on Thursday, May 23 from 6-8 p.m. “Join us at our taproom from 6-8 p.m.,” the event page states. …

    • Alphorn festival concert

      The Leavenworth International Alphorn Festival Concert is on Saturday, May 25 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Gazebo. “Join the Chamber and the …

    • Roaring 20’s Rotaryfest

      The Leavenworth Rotary will host the Roaring 20’s Rotaryfest Casino Night on Sunday, May 26 from 5-10 p.m. at the Leavenworth Festhalle. …

    • Youth woodworking class

      NCW Woodshop’s class Basic Woodworking for Youths will start on Tuesday, May 28 and run from 3:30-5:30 p.m. “Basic Woodworking …

    • The Little Mermaid Jr

      The Numerica Performing Arts Center will host the Stage Kids production of The Little Mermaid JR. on Thursday, May 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. …

Sports
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Bighorns (10-9) are set to resume their incomplete game against the Salem Capitals (12-10) on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Royal Brougham Pavilion at Seattle Pacific …
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are excited to announce that Director of Scouting Leigh Mendelson has signed a two-year contract …
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild are pleased to announce the selection of 13 players in the 2024 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft, held Thursday. The 2024 edition was the club’s …

WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League (WHL), sending 2007-born forward Daniel Morozov to Victoria in …
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), sending 2006-born defenseman Jonas Woo to Medicine Hat in …
Opinion
As the publisher of our local newspaper, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the recent Pew Research Center report on the changing relationship between Americans and their local news outlets. The …
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 …

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 …
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 …
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
U.S. soldier detained in Russia on criminal charges
Russian authorities have detained an American soldier on criminal misconduct charges, the U.S. Army said Monday. Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said Russia’s government had notified the …
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 …