Wednesday, December 11, 2024
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Teen charged in Chelan gas station robbery

Surveillance footage shows the suspect wearing a face mask and black shirt during the November 25 robbery at a Safeway gas station in Chelan. The suspect, later identified as a 16-year-old male, was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery.
CHELAN — A 16-year-old male faces first-degree robbery charges following a November incident at a Safeway gas station in Chelan, authorities announced Monday. The robbery occurred on …
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Christmas in Washington

Other News
 Chelan High School announces 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees
CHELAN -- The Chelan Athletic Department has named a 1987 graduate and the 2004 girls varsity basketball team to the Chelan High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Athletic Director Evan …
The Crescendo Campaign has worked to ensure that the Cascade Choir program survives. The Leavenworth Village Voices will perform an inspiring Christmas concert to benefit the school district's choir program on Thursday, December 19 at 7 p.m. at the Cascade High School in Leavenworth.
Village Voices Christmas concert to support cascade choir programs
LEAVENWORTH – Leavenworth Village Voices will perform an inspiring Christmas concert to benefit the school district's choir program on Thursday, December 19 at 7 p.m. at the Cascade High School …
WRI’s youth programs focus on providing experiential education in the outdoors, oftentimes along riverbanks of the Wenatchee River.
WRI seeks community support for youth education programs
LEAVENWORTH – The Wenatchee River Institute (WRI) is rallying community support to ensure environmental education remains accessible for local youth. WRI is working toward a fundraising …
The Washington state Capitol building in Olympia, on Feb. 7, 2024.
Lawmakers return to Olympia for meetings ahead of 2025 session
OLYMPIA - Child care affordability, crime trends, environmental protections, access to addiction treatment and housing costs. These are some of the issues on Washington lawmakers’ agenda this …
The Lake Chelan Community Choir will perform their annual Christmas Cantata on Friday, December 13, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, December 14, at 2 p.m. at the North Shore Bible Church in Manson.
Lake Chelan Community Choir will welcome the season with a Christmas Cantata
CHELAN - The Lake Chelan Community Choir will present its annual Christmas Cantata, “At Last Noel!” with two free performances at North Shore Bible Church in Manson.  The …
Museum volunteer Linda Martinson works on the newspaper index.
Chelan Museum seeks volunteers to help digitize newspaper archives
CHELAN – Imagine being able to search the entire history of the Lake Chelan Mirror online, from its founding in 1891 to the present day.  Thanks to the Lake Chelan Museum, this vision …
BJ Andersen joins Wenatchee Valley Humane Society with 20 years of experience.
Wenatchee Valley Humane Society’s new director focuses on staffing, community engagement
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society appointed BJ Andersen as its new executive director on Nov. 4, following the departure of James Pumphrey in June. Andersen first began her …
Tammy Hayrynen, Jenny Hoffman, and Susan Johnson prepare lunch at the Senior Center.
Leavenworth Senior Center brings community together with weekly lunches
LEAVENWORTH – Every Wednesday, the Senior Center offers a chance for seniors to connect with one another over a nutritious, home-cooked meal. The weekly meals are $8 for seniors, …
Casey Sixkiller, left, seen here at a former industrial site near Olympia in 2023, with U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland, is incoming Gov. Bob Ferguson’s pick to lead the Washington State Department of Ecology. Sixkiller currently serves as a regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration.
Here’s who Bob Ferguson wants to lead WA’s departments of corrections and ecology
OLYMPIA - Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson is tapping a Biden Administration official to lead the state’s Department of Ecology and to keep Washington at the forefront of the nation’s fight …
A fraudulent letter sent to a business owner.
Scammers claiming to be from a state agency are targeting WA businesses
OLYMPIA - Businesses and nonprofit organizations should watch out for fraudulent letters that claim to be asking for money on behalf of the Washington Office of the Secretary of State. Since …
Weather service warns of slick roads, mountain snow
WENATCHEE — A complex winter weather system is expected to bring challenging travel conditions to North Central Washington this weekend, with forecasters warning of a wintry mix including …
Chelan PUD names three new senior leaders to management team
WENATCHEE — Chelan County Public Utility District has announced three new senior management appointments, naming leaders for operations, energy resources, and financial oversight. Dan Koch …
Other News
BREWSTER – The city is attempting the equivalent of winning a championship game with a last second score from the far corner of the court. It has applied for a one-time $20 million …
BRIDGEPORT – The city Planning Commission revisited additional work on its Community Engagement Plan during its regular meeting last Thursday, Dec. 5. “We are doing this project …
CHELAN - The Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce warned Friday morning that a false email is being circulated about the chamber’s Winterfest email list. The email offers “an exclusive …
MANSON - The Chelan Valley Republican Women will hold a celebration event combining holiday festivities with political networking following November's Republican victories. The gathering is …
LEAVENWORTH – Leavenworth has made adjustments to its traffic restrictions for the Village of Lights festival to improve traffic flow and ensure public safety. The traffic restrictions …
WENATCHEE — The Cascadia Conservation District announced its upcoming Regular Board meeting will be held in a hybrid format, offering both in-person and remote attendance options on December …
WENATCHEE — Camp Fire USA's North Central Washington Council announced early registration discounts for its 2025 summer camp program at Camp Zanika Lache. Parents who register their …
CHELAN COUNTY – With the holiday season underway, families in the Wenatchee Valley have several options for sourcing their Christmas trees, ranging from locally operated tree sales supporting …
MANSON — The Manson School Board voted unanimously to place two replacement levies on the February 11, 2025 ballot, seeking to maintain funding for educational programs and facility …

More news

Local features
The downtown workspace overlooks 8th Street.

Leavenworth Community Workspace: supporting a community and its visitors

LEAVENWORTH - Since 2015, the Leavenworth Community Workspace has slowly fostered a community of local members while also catering to visitors. “Small town coworking spaces I think are …
The Cashmere event space Brick and Rafters is now offering coworking space during the work week. The space features tables for working, a comfortable living room space and a kitchenette.

Brick and Rafters brings coworking option to Cashmere

CASHMERE – Brick and Rafters, an event space owned by Lisa and Tom Kriskovic, has expanded to offer coworking space for local residents during the week. Venue manager Leisa Osburn said the …
The documentary “Uncle Vic” was a family project with everyone contributing to the film in some way. From left to right in the behind the scenes family photo are Dan Pappas, Jess Pierson Pappas, Allison Int-Hout, Seth Pierson, Vic Underwood, Diane Underwood, Traci Pierson, and Steve Pierson.

Documentary release honors Vietnam War hero, veterans' stories

WENATCHEE – Siblings Seth Pierson and Jess Pierson Pappas, along with Jess’s husband Dan Pappas, set out to document the life of their Great Uncle Vic, a decorated Green Beret and Vietnam …

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Non-profit News

Wenatchee Valley Museum honors volunteers at annual recognition dinner

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center honored its volunteers during an appreciation dinner that highlighted the essential role they play in the institution's daily …

Wenatchee Valley Museum plans holiday event series

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center is preparing to usher in the holiday season with a series of festive events spanning from late November through mid-December, …

WVHS to host second annual Santa Paws Holiday Run to aid pets in need

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society (WVHS) will host its second annual Santa Paws 2K/5K run/walk on Saturday, December 14, along the Apple Capital Loop Trail to raise funds for pets …

Methow Valley fundraising drive nets record $929K for local nonprofits

METHOW VALLEY — A month-long fundraising campaign in the Methow Valley has raised $929,372 for local nonprofits, setting a new record for the annual Give Methow initiative. The Community …
Members of the Plain Valley Nordic Team and community supporters gather at Wildflour Restaurant during the organization's annual fundraiser on November 3, 2024, which raised $36,517.56 for youth ski education programs. The event supports PVNT's mission of providing barrier-free access to skiing for over 120 local children through equipment, travel assistance, and scholarships.

Plain Valley Nordic Team raises over $35,000 at annual fundraiser

PLAIN -- The Plain Valley Nordic Team (PVNT) raised $36,517.56 at their annual fundraiser on November 3 at Wildflour Restaurant, combining both online and live fundraising efforts. The …

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Sports
Football and cheer team seniors who wore Bridgeport orange and black this season include front row (Cheer): Florencia Ramirez and Nyeli Torrez. Back row: Jose Medina, Ian De Dios, Francisco Baldiva, Esteban Martinez, and Brandon Sanchez.

Bridgeport recognizes senior and All-League athletes

BRIDGEPORT – Mustangs and Fillies playing in four varsity sports landed a dozen athletes on this season’s Central Washington 2B All-Leagues teams. They include: Football Gabe …
Outside lineman and defensive end Jason Madrid. Madrid was voted to All-League First Team on defense and Second Team on offense.

Bears football bids farewell to nine seniors

BREWSTER – The Bears varsity football season came to a close on Nov. 8 with a 23-41 loss to Cle Elum-Roslyn. Brewster finished third in the district with a 3-2 record and 4-6 overall. …

Nachbaur earns 700th win as Wild take 5-4 victory in Kelowna Wednesday

KELOWNA, British Columbia – The list of Western Hockey League coaches to reach the 700-win plateau is quite brief. The Wenatchee Wild did their part to make that list a little …

Wenatchee closes weekend with 4-2 Win, Hauser earns 100th WHL victory

WENATCHEE – Sunday evening’s game at Town Toyota Center will be one worth remembering for a long time, for a long list of reasons. Two players recorded personal milestones, …

Topsy-turvy tilt Saturday sees Calgary prevail in Wenatchee, 4-3

WENATCHEE  – After the first 40 minutes Saturday at Town Toyota Center, it appeared the next goal might be enough to grind out a win in a defensive battle. The final 20 minutes of …

Chelan Makes History: Goats win fifth straight Volleyball State Title, set 1A record

YAKIMA – For the fifth consecutive year, the cool and confident Goats varsity volleyball girls are Queens of the Court after an undefeated performance in the SunDome, which ended with the 1A …

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Outdoors

State Parks seeks applications for Winter Recreation Advisory committees

OLYMPIA —  The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking applications from winter sports enthusiasts for the agency’s snowmobile and non-motorized advisory …

Mount Rainier National Park announces 2025 construction projects

ASHFORD  –  Two major Mount Rainier National Park construction projects starting in 2025 will replace decades-old crumbling infrastructure in the park’s popular Ohanapecosh …

State Fish Commission to hold virtual meeting on Coastal Steelhead management

OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will convene a virtual Fish Committee meeting later this month to address coastal steelhead management and future planning initiatives. The …

State Parks Commission announces virtual November meeting

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene virtually on November 13 to discuss several key initiatives, including land transfer and park planning efforts across …

Read more outdoors

Obituaries
Don White and Husha
It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my much loved husband and best friend, Don White, who died at home quietly and peacefully after almost four years of struggling with idiopathic …
Marline Minor, 64, of Coulee Dam, Washington passed away on November 23, 2024. Barnes Chapel is handling the arrangements for the family. 
On Monday November 18, 2024, we lost our beautiful Trevor Arthur Atcheson, born December 27, 1989. A beautiful son, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He was all around a beautiful …
Linda J. White, 79, of Chelan, Washington passed away on November 26, 2024. Precht Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements for the family.
Miguel Mendoza Farias, 40, of Manson, Washington, passed away on November 12, 2024.  Mass of Christian Burial – Nov. 19, 11 am -12 pm at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 210 W …
Calvin A Blackburn Jr, 86, of Leavenworth WA passed away in his home November 4th 2024 with family by his side. Cal was born December 25th, 1937 in Bozeman Montana to the late Calvin Arthur Blackburn …

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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.
    • Art Show Opening Night

      The Art Alley at Pybus Public Market will host an Art Show Opening Night on Friday, December 6 from 5-7 p.m. “Art Alley at Pybus …

    • Holiday Craft Bazaar

      The Wenatchee High School will host the Golden Apple Band Boosters' Holiday Craft Bazaar on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. …

    • Holiday Family Fun Day

      The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center will host a Holiday Family Fun Day on Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. …

    • Santa's Ride Around Town

      Santa will ride around East Wenatchee on Saturday, December 7 from 1-3 p.m. “Come out and wave to Santa as he rides through town on a …

State News
OLYMPIA - Many affordable housing projects in Washington are funded in part by the state’s Housing Trust Fund.  A new report from the Department of Commerce looked at the cost of …
Gov. Jay Inslee released his 2024 budget proposals surrounding housing and homelessness programs at the site of a former encampment in Seattle last December.
OLYMPIA - State funds that pay for homelessness services in Washington are running low, and the Legislature may need to find extra money to avoid program cuts.  The Department of Commerce …
OLYMPIA - With the state facing a multi-billion dollar budget gap , Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered state agencies to freeze “most non-discretionary and non-essential” hiring, …
Washington state Capitol.
OLYMPIA - Washington lawmakers have begun teeing up legislation ahead of the 2025 session. Monday marked the first day they could pre-file bills. Legislators will have 105 days to push their …
Members of the Washington Public Employees Association voted down a tentative agreement containing the state’s last, best offer. Members may have to go without a wage hike for a year absent a new deal.
OLYMPIA - A 5,000-member public employee union in Washington that overwhelmingly rejected a new two-year contract in September is accusing the governor’s office and several community colleges …
OLYMPIA - With overcrowding at Washington’s two juvenile detention centers, the Department of Children, Youth and Families is asking state lawmakers for money to open a new facility.  …

More state news

Education
WENATCHEE — The North Central Education Foundation has appointed two new board members, Beverly Seim of Ephrata and Alex Siefe of Wenatchee. Seim joined the board in March 2024 and Siefe …
Cashmere High School students (from left) Ashur Yearous (percussion), Brooke Chalmers (French horn), and Liam Hill (clarinet) have been selected to participate in the 2024 Western International Band Clinic honor band event in SeaTac. The students were chosen from thousands of applicants across the western United States, Canada, and Australia.
CASHMERE- The arts at Cashmere High Schools are vibrant and strong in their band, choir and drama departments. Taking its moment in the spotlight this November is the band program, out of which three …
WENATCHEE — The North Central Education Foundation announced a record-breaking distribution of classroom grants to 225 teachers across four Washington counties, marking the largest number of …
WENATCHEE -- Schools across North Central Washington are joining a nationwide initiative to promote computer science education through interactive events and community partnerships this December. …
LEAVENWORTH – Cascade School District (CSD) is considering implementing a district wide policy regarding restricting phone use in schools. Currently, cellphones are allowed in school for …

Read more education

Opinion
A typical passing period at Cascade High School. Cascade School District is working on a new policy regarding the use of cell phones and other mobile devices in its schools.
The struggle is real. Across the nation, school districts are wrestling with the omnipresent cell phone, an all but universally acknowledged persistent source of distraction in the classroom.  …
Terry Ward<br> CEO & Publisher<br> Ward Media
As Thanksgiving approaches, I've been thinking about what gratitude truly means—not just as words shared around a dinner table, but as an active force capable of transforming our communities. …
Terry Ward<br> CEO & Publisher<br> Ward Media
North Central Washington has always been a place where strength is measured in visible metrics: the size of the harvest, the height of the dam, the acres of orchards, the megawatts generated. Our …
Sen. Brad Hawkins, R-12
With all of the election advertising concluded and campaign signs now removed, the all-consuming “political season” we endured is quickly becoming recent history. With so many local, …
Terry Ward, Publisher
Walking downtown in any community across North Central Washington, you'll find more than just commerce – you'll discover the very heart of community identity. The independent bookstore where …
Terry Ward, Publisher
Across North Central Washington, nonprofits are the threads that bind our communities together, weaving a fabric of support, compassion, and progress. From food banks that nourish the hungry to …

Read more opinion

Business news from Wenatchee Business Journal,
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Around the region

State Patrol to enforce no-parking zones along Stevens Pass

STEVENS PASS — Washington State Patrol officials announced Thursday that parking restrictions along Stevens Pass will be strictly enforced during the winter season, with vehicles subject to …

East Wenatchee man arrested after highway shooting incident

LEAVENWORTH — A 32-year-old East Wenatchee man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly pointing a handgun at another driver and firing several shots from his vehicle on Highway 2, authorities …

Chelan County commissioners to hold 2025 budget hearing

WENATCHEE — Chelan County commissioners will consider a $61 million spending plan for 2025 at a public hearing next week, with projected expenditures driven largely by increases in salary and …

Night skiing returns early to Mission Ridge

WENATCHEE — Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort will launch its night skiing season earlier than usual, offering evening operations on December 20 and 21, resort officials announced Monday. …

Project 562 creator Matika Wilbur to keynote Native American Classic at WVC

WENATCHEE — Acclaimed Indigenous photographer and social documentarian Matika Wilbur will headline the Native American Classic at Wenatchee Valley College on December 7, joining a lineup that …

Douglas County Sheriff's Office receives state law enforcement accreditation

EAST WENATCHEE — The Douglas County Sheriff's Office received accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) on November 19. The certification follows …

Freezing rain threatens North Central Washington through weekend

WENATCHEE — The National Weather Service in Spokane is warning residents across North Central Washington of hazardous winter weather conditions expected to persist through the weekend, with the …

Chelan PUD unveils 50-Year Strategic Vision, seeks public input on future plans

WENATCHEE — Chelan County Public Utility District unveiled its comprehensive 50-year strategic vision on Tuesday, introducing a new mission statement and long-term objectives for the public …

Felines get a second chance at Animal Foster Care

OKANOGAN—Tucked away in a draw southwest of Okanogan is a little building that is making a big difference in the lives of felines who have fallen on hard times. The Okanogan County Animal …

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