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| Snow blankets Leavenworth |  | Photo submitted by Chris Kelly
More than four feet of snow fell upon Leavenworth last week, making for some lovely winter scenes downtown. Here is a view of the downtown Gazebo, which is due to get a facelift in the coming months.
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City planning to fix up streets a little bit each year
| A freshened up Gazebo, a spruced up Front Street, and smoothed Ski Hill Drive highlight the spring and summer construction projects for the city of Leavenworth.
Three projects are combined into one, a Safe Routes to School project, the Ski Hill pavement project from U.S. Highway 2 to Pine Street and Commercial Street from Ninth to Division.
Three grants have been received for the projects. On Ski Hill, the object is to flatten out some of the bumpy intersections. The Commercial Street project is only two blocks, while the Safe Routes to School project involves installing sidewalks on West Street, from Ski Hill to Mine Street.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 More... |
| News
| | Finding parking solutions top city council to-do list | With the addition of new parking at the old fruit warehouse, Leavenworth city officials are planning to take a good hard look at parking citywide.
New mayor Cheri Kelley Farivar said the city's lease and potential purchase of the old fruit warehouse has "opened up an enormous can of worms" about how parking will function in the city.
"There's almost not question we are going to have to do workshops and public meetings about parking," Farivar said at the Jan. 10 study session. "Very shortly, we are going to have professionals come in and give us presentations. We may end up spending a half-day on doing nothing but a comprehensive parking plan."
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 More... |  | | New snow helps to boosts spirits at LWSC
| Four feet of new snow certainly has the gang at the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club doing cartwheels. Precious little snow had fallen during in November and December, causing the crews to manage best they could on the Ski Hill and Icicle River Ski Trail.
There was only so much they could do at Ski Hill without new snow, but LWSC has been trucking in snow to keep the Icicle River course viable. It has been tough, no question.
"We have been trying to have positive thoughts," said Rebecca Darley, LWSC marketing director. We felt like we needed a miracle. This extra snow is going to be great. We are working on getting the Golf Course and Ski Hill trails open."
The Golf Course and Ski Hill nordic trails were expected to open this week. Since the Ski Hill did not have much of base, much work has gone into grooming the hill.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 More... | | | Osborn Elementary School presents 'Honk! Jr | "Honk! Jr" returns to the elementary school stage next month. The musical adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's "The Ugly Duckling" was presented at Osborn Elementary School seven years ago.
Back then, around 40 students turned out for the play. Now, there are 80 students involved. Director Shelly Davies said she put the word out to all the buildings in the school district, and Upper Valley Christian School, and home schoolers.
"I think we just talked it up pretty well," Davies said.
The musical debuted in England in 1993. Davies first saw it at Whidbey Island and loved it. She decided to try it in Leavenworth seven years ago. It was well received, Davies said.
And the great thing about the production is no one gets turned away.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 More... | | | PUD proposes 6 percent increase in water and sewer rates
| As part of a continued push to make its water and sewer systems self sustaining, the Chelan County PUD is proposing a 6 percent increase in water and sewer rates.
Here in the Upper Valley, the PUD operates two small water systems in Dryden and Ollala Canyon in Cashmere and sewer systems at Lake Wenatchee, Peshastin and Dryden.
"The revenues don't cover expenses for water and wastewater systems," said Ron Slabaugh, PUD Water and Wastewater Systems manager. "It has been that way for a long time."
The push toward sustainability actually started about 10 years ago. Slabaugh said when the District began some strategic planning three years ago, they conducted a customer survey.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 More... | | | August
| School budget crunch results in cuts
After 10 years of budget cutting due to declining enrollment, the Cascade School District this year is grappling with more budget cutting, thanks to declining support from the state. This year, due to a very late state budget, district officials were forced to wait, but most knew the cuts were coming, just not how much. For Cascade School Superintendent Steve McKenna, the entire process has made for a very long summer. "Personally, it has probably been the most difficult summer I have ever had in education. Makes me wonder why I came out of retirement," McKenna said. "However, this is really important work because, if you don't take it head on, it's like letting your business become bankrupt. It is getting tighter and tighter for us to operate our business, so these are tough decisions."
Thursday, January 05, 2012 More... | | | September
| Old fruit warehouse inspected for asbestos
The search is on for evidence of asbestos and lead paint in the former Leavenworth Fruit Warehouse property. The Leavenworth City Council hired RH2 Engineering of East Wenatchee to complete a Phase I Environmental Survey and asbestos/lead paint mitigation estimate for the property, at a cost of $6,147, in early August.
The city signed an intent to lease and/or purchase the property for $2.2 million from the Nelson family in May, with the idea of demolishing the structure and using the acreage for parking until a development plan is put in place. Before the deal is done, though, some details needed to be determined, including access issues and all the costs involved, as part of the "due diligence" process, said Leavenworth City Administrator Joel Walinski.
Thursday, January 05, 2012 More... | | | October
| Civil war, cannons, cavalry come to Plain
History is repeating itself in Plain this weekend, with the help of Grahame Watson, who is turning his hay field into a Civil War battlefield. The cavalry, the cannons, the soldiers and their families, all members of the Washington Civil War Association, are on their way to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and the 100th birthday of Plain. The latter is a matter of some debate among Plain residents - whether it's the centennial of the irrigation ditch, the establishment of the post office or the incorporation of the Wenatchee Park property development. Whatever the case, the festivities and Civil War battle re-enactments start Saturday.
Thursday, January 05, 2012 More... | | | November
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Hikes in property tax, utility rates help balance city's budget
Increases in property taxes and utility rates are helping balance Leavenworth's budget this year. A public hearing on the preliminary budget, as well as a presentation on the proposed utility rates, are scheduled during the Nov. 8 Leavenworth City Council meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. Following discussion during a work study session on Oct. 25 and at a public hearing on the ad valorem tax that evening, council members directed City Finance Director Chantell Steiner to create the preliminary budget based on increases in utility rates (See story, just below this one), a 2.49-percent property tax increase. That amount includes the 1 percent allowed by state law each year as well as the 1.49 percent the city banked in the past few years - by not taking an increase one year and only using .5 percent another year. The property tax change will add a little more than $12,000 to the $484,000 the city received in property taxes last year. City leaders discussed the implications of leaving the tax static this year. "In tight times, we need to be sensitive to taxpayers," Mayor Elmer Larsen said.
Thursday, January 05, 2012 More... | | | December
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City finalizes agreement to purchase old warehouse
The days appear to be numbered for the old fruit warehouse in Leavenworth, long an eyesore along U.S. Highway 2. Last Wednesday at a special Leavenworth City Council meeting, the council approved a agreement with the Nelson family to lease the warehouse property with an option to buy. With the agreement comes the prospect of demolishing the relic of old Leavenworth, and not necessarily a treasured old relic.
"For the past 10 years being on the council, taking down that warehouse has been a goal of mine," Peter DeVries, Leavenworth City councilman said, "For a time, I did not know whether it could be completed during my 10 years. I think we really do need to move ahead. The council has been involved with this for several years." Under terms of the agreement, the city would lease, beginning in January 2012, the entire warehouse property for $100,000 per year, payable in month installments. Anytime, during the course of the 5-year lease, the city would have the option of buying a portion of the property for $2.2 million. The dividing line for the split between the city and the Nelsons would be down the middle of 10th Street. Either party can opt out of the agreement with 90 days notice. However, if the Nelsons opt out of the agreement, the city still has the option to purchase the agreed upon portion.
Thursday, January 05, 2012 More... | |
| Business News
| | The Bavarian Business Association
Meeting of Jan. 17
| President Cary Sanger opened the meeting Jan. 17 at 8:30 a.m. The BVBA thanked the Chamber for the Ice Fest, which went well this year even though we didn't have much snow for it.
We also thanked Bruce Lane for the appreciation dinner that he puts on every year. It was a really good turnout and the food was delicious. Thank you King Ludwig's staff for the great service. Everyone had a good time and met a lot of new people. It was brought up that we need to do this more often so we can get to meet various merchants in town and around the area.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 More... | | | Attorney General heralds more bank settlement money to assist struggling homeowners | Proving once again its commitment to helping Washington homeowners avoid foreclosure, the Attorney General's Office has provided an additional $550,000 to provide free housing counseling to distressed homeowners.
"Housing counselors are lifelines for borrowers on the brink of losing their homes,"Attorney General Rob McKenna said. "The work of these counselors is important because preventing foreclosures - and stabilizing home values - is key to helping kick-start our economy."
Wednesday, November 02, 2011 More... | |
| Outdoors
| | Fishin' Magician 1/24/12 |  |
Cold day at Rufus Woods
I got up to Rufus Woods Reservoir and fished with Stuart Hurd and a few of his buddies. Of course I picked the coldest day yet, but we had a great time in spite of the freezing weather. We put in above the dam at the Corps of Engineers launch and trolled up lake. We found plenty of fish along the west shore and even out in the middle and never got to the State Park. There were definite lulls in the action, but then we would have very good flurries of action. Hurd was pulling a variety of lures, which included flies, Sqidders and Kokanee Pros. We caught and released at least 25 fish, and kept some to take home. The largest fish were four to five pounds and we had fish a small as a pound. When the sun came out for about an hour we had some very hot fishing. Most of the rods were fished pretty close to the surface, behind small dodgers and two were attached to downriggers. We never got any hits on the downrigger rods any deeper than 15 feet. Fishing is good at Rufus Woods, even down at the bottom end of the reservoir.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 More... | |
| Sheriff's report
| | Sheriff's Report 1/7-1/12/12 | Leavenworth
Saturday, Jan. 7
16:29 911 call from 17580 U.S. Highway 2.
16:37 Harassment/threat 907 Front St, Kris Kringle.
Sunday, Jan. 8
13:48 Public assist requested at 115 West St.
16:01 Suspicious activity reported at U.S. Highway 2, milepost 106.
Monday, Jan. 9
08:05 Traffic offense reported at U.S. Highway 2 and Main St, Peshastin.
08:17 Public assist requested at Chiwawa Loop Road, Alpine Trail.
10:33 Suspicious activity reported at 10665 North Road.
11:27 Civil disturbance reported at 22420 Stirrup Road.
13:06 Suspicious activity reported at 10280 U.S. Highway 2, Rivers Edge Lodge.
19:50 Welfare check requested at 700 U.S. Highway 2, Leavenworth Library.
19:57 911 call from 12711 Wilson St.
23:43 Harassment/threat reported at 920 U.S. Highway 2, Chevron Station.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 More... | |
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