Monday, May 13, 2024
Top Story

Visiting Artist series closes with a celebration of Mexican music and art

Local group Mariachi Noroeste of Wenatchee will open for Las Cafeteras.
LEAVENWORTH – Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (ICCA) will be wrapping up its 2023-2024 Visiting Artist series with a night celebrating Mexican music and arts on May 12. “The evening …

Chelan PUD to conduct customer satisfaction survey

WENATCHEE - Chelan PUD will be conducting a customer satisfaction survey starting the week of May 13. The survey, conducted every two years, will be administered by Strategic Research, a …
Cascade Community Markets, which includes the Leavenworth and Cashmere Community Farmers Markets, has recently earned official nonprofit status. This season marks the organization's 15th anniversary. This year, the Leavenworth market will move to Saturdays and return to its original location at Lions Park.

Leavenworth Farmers Market moves to new day, location

LEAVENWORTH - The Leavenworth Community Farmers Market is moving to Saturdays and back to its original home at Lions Park.  The Leavenworth Market will open for the 2024 season on Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lions Park.
Local Features

From Belize to Bavaria: Global entrepreneurs open homemade pretzel shop in Leavenworth

Bites pretzels are made fresh daily.
LEAVENWORTH – When Beth and Kevin Spiegel opened Bites –Leavenworth, a new, fresh-made pretzel shop on Commercial Street, they did so with a March Madness-style dip tournament.  …
The theater production weaves through local history through the stories of women.

“Unsettled” returns for final season

LEAVENWORTH—Dangerous Women will present its third and final season of “Unsettled” on May 18 and 19 at the Snowy Owl Theater.  “This is the year to see …
Icicle Bicycle Head Coach Mike Bedard leads mountain bikers in practice at Ski Hill.

Icicle Bicycle Club enters spring season with focus

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 …
Other News
LEAVENWORTH—After a decade of dedicated service, Commissioner Mall Boyd bid farewell to her role on the Cascade Medical Board of Commissioners, marking the end of an era in community healthcare …
LEAVENWORTH – The first annual Mai Blumenlauf, or May Flower Run, kicked off with over 200 participants this Mother’s Day. “I thought the day went really well. I really loved …
WENATCHEE - The Chelan County Auditor's Office seeks individuals to serve on "For" or "Against" committees for ballot measures in the upcoming August 6 Special Election Local Voters' Pamphlet. The …
WENATCHEE - The Columbia River Harley Owners Group (H.O.G) Chapter is reviving its annual Run 4 the Border motorcycle ride after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, now in its 19th …
WENATCHEE - The Icicle Fund hosted a community celebration at Wenatchee Valley College on April 25 to amplify the work of nonprofits advancing the arts, environment, and history in North Central …
WENATCHEE - Camp Fire North Central Washington Council is now accepting registrations for summer camp at Camp Zanika Lache. The co-ed overnight camp is open to youth entering 1st through 12th grade …
Obituaries
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 …
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, 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. 
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 …

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 …

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.
    • Flea market

      Apple Annie Antiques in Cashmere will hold their semi-annual flea market on Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “We hold the event …

    • Dangerous Women: Unsettled

      Icicle Creek Center for the Arts will host the show Dangerous Women: Unsettled on Saturday, May 18 from 2-4 p.m. “Discover our …

    • Family Day at Bird Fest

      The Wenatchee River Institute will host Family Day at the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Family …

    • Bird Fest keynote speaker

      The Wenatchee River Institute will host Bird Fest Keynote speaker Rebecca Heisman on Saturday, May 18 from 7- 8:30 p.m. “While working …

    • Community dinner

      The Leavenworth Community Methodist Church will host a community dinner on Tuesday, May 21 from 5-7 p.m. “No RSVP required,” …

Sports
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 …

Wenatchee Wild Select Two Players in Team’s First WHL U.S. Priority Draft WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild are pleased to announce the selection of two players in the 2024 Western …
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 …
Opinion
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 …
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
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 …