Saturday, February 15, 2025
Top Story

From Columbia Market to Dan’s Food Market: Celebrating 75 years of service

The Koncz family became the new proprietors of Dan’s in May 2023.
LEAVENWORTH – As chains continue to dominate the grocery business, Dan’s Food Market has remained a preferred destination for locals and tourists alike. After 75 years, the market is …

Bipartisan bill aims to boost U.S. disease testing after COVID-19 shortfalls

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at strengthening the nation's diagnostic testing capabilities during public health emergencies, drawing on …
Todd sells a discounted bike seat cover to a young customer while clearing out inventory. Downtown Bike sold, serviced, and repaired all types of bicycles and accessories.

Cashmere's Downtown Bike closes, owner pivots to Squishworks

CASHMERE – After five years of operation in Cashmere, Downtown Bike closed its doors on Feb. 14, as owner Aaron Todd transitions full-time into his factory level suspension service for mountain …
Local Features

The Springs opens with cold plunge, hot pools, and sauna

Owners Marco Scheuer and Vincent LaBelle were inspired by the social and relaxation aspects of soaking in a natural hot spring after a long day of adventuring with friends.
LEAVENWORTH – The Springs, an outdoor hydrotherapy experience in Leavenworth, officially opened on Feb. 4. The Springs offers 90-minute sessions for guests to rotate through a cedar sauna, …
Greg Harris, an engineer, usually spends hours each year planning the structure of the family’s annual snow creature.

Family's 9-Foot goose nests in Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH – A nine-foot tall goose made of snow has temporarily made its home in Leavenworth for as long as weather permits. The impressive snow creature sits off of Suncrest Drive, and …
The faces behind Dirty Face Dog Mushing, Lavi Capusan and Bella Gilreath.

Dog sledding tours open near Lake Wenatchee

PLAIN – Dirty Face Dog Mushing, a new dog sledding business near Lake Wenatchee, offers trail rides that combine outdoor adventure with an educational experience, welcoming guests of nearly all …
The Pankow family, who owns Leavenworth Coffee Roasters, stands in front of their recently opened coffee and waffle shop, Leavenworth Coffee and Waffles.

Leavenworth Coffee and Waffles opens

LEAVENWORTH – The newly opened Leavenworth Coffee and Waffles lives up to its name, serving locally roasted coffee and creative, one-of-a-kind waffles. Leavenworth Coffee and Waffles is …
Owner Vimbai Madya envisions both a gift shop for tourists, as well as a space for the community to learn crafts such as crocheting and beading.

Stitches ‘N’ Beads Loft opens, supports women worldwide through handmade creations

LEAVENWORTH – Stitches ‘N’ Beads Loft, a new addition to downtown Leavenworth, offers handmade gifts and serves as a space for creativity and community connection. The shop is …
Other News
OLYMPIA - Proposed legislation could change the way customers shop at grocery stores, as one Democratic lawmaker is pushing for regulations on self-checkout machines. House …
OLYMPIA - Legislation to update last year’s parental “bill of rights” initiative is heading to the Washington state House of Representatives amid a host of disagreements over what …
OLYMPIA — Health officials have identified raw pet food as the source of bird flu infections in house cats, according to a joint announcement from Washington and Oregon agriculture departments. …
EAST WENATCHEE — The Chelan-Douglas Health District issued an alert about fentanyl contamination in the local methamphetamine supply on February 10, following reports from healthcare partners …
WENATCHEE — The Columbia River Drug Task Force seized more than 5,500 grams of methamphetamine and over 6,300 fentanyl pills during operations in 2024. The multi-agency task force, …
Obituaries
With love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Anita McKinney, who passed peacefully at her home, surrounded by family on January 25, 2025, at the age of 89. Anita was born on March 10, 1935, …
Sharon A. Smith, 82, passed away in Yakima, WA on January 22, 2025. Services details can be found at www.brooksidefuneral.com.
Carol Silvestri, 68, of Leavenworth, Washington passed away on January 16, 2025. Arrangements by Heritage Memorial Chapel. 
Sue Denney Briggs, 81, of Ellensburg, WA, passed away at her home on Sunday, January 19, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. The family invites all to a memorial service held at 2 p.m. …
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lynn Alexander Takacs, age 62, of Leavenworth, WA, on January 2, 2025. Born on November 5, 1962, in Seattle, WA, Lynn was the cherished son of …
Life’s a journey, and our mom, Noreen Freese, met you along the way. It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our mom, Noreen (Noni) Freese, on January 3, 2025. Noreen was born on …
Education
Cascade School District’s decision aims to lower the overall tax burden for district residents.

Cascade School District eases tax rate with bond refinancing amid levy renewal requests

LEAVENWORTH – Cascade School District (CSD) successfully refinanced their outstanding 2015 bonds through a public sale of Unlimited Tax General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 2025, on Feb. 4, …

LEAVENWORTH – An informal but special educational exchange is developing between Cascade High School (CHS) and Nordvestlandet folkehøgskole, a Norwegian folk high school.  In …
PLAIN – Beaver Valley Elementary students were formally invited to share their camera trapping program with legislators from their districts and state agency leaders at the annual Environmental …
LEAVENWORTH –  Voters will see two proposed replacement levies from Cascade School District on their Feb. 11 ballots. The two proposed levies will replace current levies that are set …
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
A gray wolf.

Reward up to $20,000 offered for information on each of three WA wolf killings

Conservation advocates and a federal wildlife agency are offering $20,000 for information on each of three recent wolf poaching incidents in Washington.  Since October, three gray wolves …

Washington wildlife commission to meet virtually, discuss whale watching rules

OLYMPIA — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will convene a virtual meeting Friday to address proposed commercial whale watching regulations and other matters. The three-hour …

Forest Service announces public meeting on Northwest Forest Plan updates

WENATCHEE — The U.S. Forest Service will hold a public meeting this month to discuss proposed changes to the Northwest Forest Plan, which has guided federal forest management since 1994. …

State land agencies announce 2025 Discover Pass free days

OLYMPIA — Washington state agencies announced Thursday that visitors will have 12 days in 2025 when they can access state-managed lands without purchasing a Discover Pass, including a new free …

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 …
State News

Why a WA lawmaker wants to collect data on cow farts and burps

OLYMPIA - The latest beef in Olympia? Cow burps, farts, and poops. Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that seeks to gather better data on the scale and scope of methane emissions released by …

Washington lawmakers renew push to make clergy report child abuse

OLYMPIA - Two Democratic state lawmakers are trying again to require clergy members in Washington to report child abuse or neglect, including when it is disclosed to them by a congregant during …

Washington lawmakers look for ways to build more housing in rural areas

OLYMPIA - Building more housing in rural parts of Washington is again top of mind for some state lawmakers. Bills to allow backyard cottages in new areas, to expand where developers can receive …

Debate revived in WA Legislature over unemployment benefits for striking workers

OLYMPIA - When workers go on strike, they’re often making a bet to temporarily lose their wages to fight for better ones.  This year, the Washington Legislature is again trying to …

Washington farmers want agritourism law reforms

OLYMPIA - Farmers across the state say regulations are getting in the way as they develop products they can sell directly to the public. From pumpkin patches to u-pick berry farms, the impacts …

Proposal loosens controls on birth control prescriptions

OLYMPIA - Insurance companies will be required to fill up to a 12-month supply of birth control pills, if a bill by Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, is approved.  “I experience …

After arson, WA lawmakers advance bill to warn of ballot box tampering penalties

OLYMPIA - Following an arson attack ahead of last November’s election that torched hundreds of ballots in a southwest Washington drop box, state lawmakers are looking at modest ways to better …

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.
    • NCW Bridal Premiere 2025

      The 2025 NCW Bridal Premiere will be at the Toyota Town Center on Saturday, February 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “NCW Bridal …

    • Valentine Pet Portraits

      Fire House Pet Shop in Wenatchee will host Valentine Pet Portraits on Saturday, February 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. …

    • Valentine’s Cookie Decoration Class

      Neu Flessenow Winery will host a Valentine’s Cookie Decoration Class on Saturday, February 8, from 5-7 p.m. “Love is in the air …

    • Roller Skating Night

      The Leavenworth Festhalle will host a Roller Skating Night on Wednesday, February 12, from 6:30-9 p.m. “Join us for themed Roller …

    • Galentine’s celebration

      Milbrandt Vineyards in Leavenworth will host Sip, Sparkle and Sway: A Galentine’s Celebration on Thursday, February 13 from 6-8 p.m. …

Sports
WENATCHEE – Good things usually come in threes, but the Wenatchee Wild are trusting that a better fate is on the horizon than the one that found them Friday at Town Toyota Center. For …
SPOKANE  – With 7:48 to play Tuesday night at Spokane Arena, Brendan Dunphy pushed the Spokane Chiefs’ backs against the wall with a go-ahead goal, only his second …
WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Bighorns professional basketball team is releasing single-game and season tickets for their 2025 The Basketball League (TBL) season, which opens March 1 at Wenatchee …

REGINA, Saskatchewan – Tye Spencer played a major part in his own homecoming at Brandt Centre for the Wenatchee Wild Friday against the Regina Pats. Unfortunately, the Pats …
BRANDON, Manitoba – Wenatchee’s victory on Tuesday at the Moose Jaw Warriors certainly qualified as a bounce-back win, but a win over an East Division contender Wednesday would …
Opinion
Our community newspaper serves as a vital gathering place for meaningful local dialogue. We believe that the strongest communities are built on understanding, shared experiences, and the collective …
In these early days of 2025, as winter settles across North Central Washington, I'm struck by an overwhelming sense of possibility. From the snow-dusted orchards of the Wenatchee Valley to the …

The Washington State Legislature will begin its 105-day session on January 13th. Thanks to your support in the recent election, I’m now in the process of transitioning to the County Courthouse …
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.  …
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 …