Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Top Story

Downtown Leavenworth merchants treat community to Halloween fun

Nearly Leavenworth 80 businesses passed out candy to trick-or-treaters of all ages on Halloween. The annual trick-or-treating event is organized each year by the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

WDFW accepting applications for 2025-2027 Wildlife Diversity Grants

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced it is now accepting applications for up to $400,000 in funding for conservation projects that support some of the …

Experts discuss recycling, composting in Chelan County

WENATCHEE – Local nonprofit Sustainable NCW hosted a panel of local experts to address common recycling and composting questions from the community at Pybus Public Market on Oct. 29.  …
Local Features

Historic building reopens as Dryden Roadhouse

The entrance of the newly opened Dryden Roadhouse on Main Street in Dryden. The restaurant, owned by Terri Morris and John Bryant, is housed in a historic 1928 building that once served as the beloved Duffy’s Tavern.
DRYDEN – The Dryden Roadhouse, located in Duffy’s former space, opened its doors to the public on Oct. 4.  Owned and operated by Terri Morris and John Bryant, the restaurant and …
Rusty and Amanda Gibbs, owners of Gibbs Graphics, celebrate 20 years of shaping Leavenworth's iconic signs and murals. The couple started the business after moving back to Rusty's hometown of Leavenworth and have since become integral to the town's Bavarian aesthetic.

The signmakers that shape Bavarian Leavenworth: Gibbs Graphics celebrates 20 years

LEAVENWORTH – Gibbs Graphics, the creative force behind Leavenworth’s iconic signs and murals, celebrated 20 years of business on Oct. 3. Over the last two decades, the business has …
Bavarian Bagel Co. owners Sage Worden, Taylor Lapinski, and Sydney Lapinski (left to right).

Bavarian Bagel Co. opens downtown Leavenworth storefront

LEAVENWORTH – Bavarian Bagel Co., which got its start with online sales and local farmers markets, held a soft opening at its new downtown storefront on Sept. 24. “It’s mind …
Fixers Amy Massey (right) and Virginia White (left) pose with their satisfied customer, Beryl, and her repaired pants.

Cashmere's Repair Cafe: Stitching community together while reducing waste

CASHMERE– The chatter of sewing machines and laughter echoed throughout one of Cashmere’s oldest buildings as locals gathered at Eastside Rebuild for a monthly Repair Cafe.  …
The Boyal family cuts the ribbon on Peshastin Storage alongside their parents, friends and the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

Peshastin Storage opens, fulfilling entrepreneurial dreams

PESHASTIN—Navi and Inder Boyal, owners of Wedge Mountain Inn, celebrated the opening of their new self-storage business, Peshastin Storage, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 20. …
Other News
PORTLAND, Ore. — Tara Umphries, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the U.S. Forest Service, has been appointed as the new Forest Supervisor for the …
LEAVENWORTH – City Council interviewed seven candidates to fill the number four seat left vacant by the resignation of Rhona Baron on Oct. 30.  According to RCW 42.12.070, members of …
LEAVENWORTH – Eastside Cycleworks is expanding its service department, retail, and rental options in preparation for the 2024-2025 winter season. “Despite the lack of cooperation …
LEAVENWORTH – Every year, Cascade High School (CHS) organizes a Veterans Day Assembly for students, veterans, and active-duty service members. This year, it's inviting the entire community to …
PESHASTIN – Peshastin-Dryden Elementary will host a book fair event on Nov. 5 from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. for grades TK through 5th. “To the Book Fair and Beyond” is PD’s first …
Obituaries
Irmgard “Irma” Eckel, beloved mother and Oma, was born in Ulm, Germany on Feb. 26, 1928 and passed away peacefully on Sept. 28, 2024 in Leavenworth, WA at the age of 96. Irma was the only …
Join us to honor and celebrate the life of Ronald A. Hill Sr. Date: Monday, October 14, 2024 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m Location: Kristall's Restaurant, Leavenworth, WA Light refreshments will be …
Dan Davies passed away August 29, 2024 following a short but courageous battle with metastatic brain cancer. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He lived his life always trying …
Dennis M. Newell, 75, of Leavenworth, passed on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Arrangements by Heritage Memorial Chapel, E. Wenatchee & Cashmere.
Julie Ellen (Reed) Farmen was born on February 13, 1963, in Selma Alabama. She died on August 23rd, 2024 in Port Orchard Washington. Julie grew up in Grand Rapids Michigan where her parents Doug …
Ronald Arvid Hill Sr. was born 11-02-1937 to Earl Arvid Hill and Wilma Ingrid Nikko. He grew up in Issaquah Washington and graduated from Issaquah High School in 1955, where he participated in band …
Education
CHS Associated Student Body members give their first update to the board during the Oct. 29 meeting. A large number of students were coincidentally in attendance to speak favorably of the off-campus driving proposal.

Cascade School Board considers CHS proposal for off-campus driving privileges

LEAVENWORTH – The Cascade School District (CSD) Board was asked to consider allowing off-campus driving privileges for juniors and seniors by Cascade High School’s (CHS) Principal James …

LEAVENWORTH – Cascade High School student Caroline Menna was named a 2025 National Merit Scholar semifinalist, representing North Central Washington as the only semifinalist in the region. …
WENATCHEE — Organizers are seeking exhibitors for the upcoming 2024 College & Career Expos and Computer Science & Tech Fair events across North Central Washington. Businesses, …
PESHASTIN – Cascade School District’s youngest and newest students entered the halls of Peshastin-Dryden Elementary to start their first day of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and …
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. August 3 …

Outdoors
Members of a WDFW advisory group on a field tour in the North Central Region.

WDFW seeks members for new North Central Washington advisory committee

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking members for a new Regional Engagement Committee (REC) in North Central Washington. The committee will represent local …
A map detailing the 14 motorized Sno-parks in Washington state slated for temporary closure during the 2024-25 winter season. The closures, marked in red, are part of a response to a 25% reduction in funds from snowmobile registrations that support the Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program. The impacted parks include Echo Valley, Skate Creek, Bethel Ridge/Soup Creek, Crow Creek, Cloverland, Elk Heights, Fish Creek, French Cabin, Nile, Taneum, Reecer Creek, Crawfish, Nine Bark, and Clear Lake.

Washington State to close 14 motorized Sno-Parks for 2024-25 season

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program will temporarily close fourteen motorized Sno-parks for the 2024-25 winter season. This decision is due to a roughly 25 percent …
This image, created using Adobe Firefly for illustrative purposes, depicts the natural river habitat in the Upper Columbia region, highlighting the environment crucial for salmon recovery efforts.

Upper Columbia Region receives $5.07 million in salmon recovery grants

WENATCHEE — The Upper Columbia region has been awarded $5,071,069 in state grants for salmon recovery projects, as part of a $50.3 million funding initiative approved by the Salmon Recovery …
WDFW sign directing hunters to a check station.

Hunters face fines for illegal game meat imports

OLYMPIA — As hunting seasons commence across the U.S. and Canada, Washington state officials are reminding hunters of strict regulations concerning the importation of game meat to prevent the …

Washington State releases 2024 hunting prospects, emphasizes new regulations

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has released its annual hunting prospects for the upcoming fall season, providing crucial information for hunters across the state. …
Election 2024

Chelan County mails ballots for November 5 General Election

WENATCHEE - Chelan County election officials announced Thursday that ballots for the November 5 General Election have been mailed to registered voters. County Auditor Skip Moore issued a …

Pool’s future secured with levy reauthorization

CHELAN COUNTY – A property tax levy that supports the maintenance and operation of Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool received enough votes to pass in the Aug. 6 election. Upper Valley Parks and …

Secretary of State orders statewide recount for Commissioner of Public Lands race

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State has certified the results of the August 6 Primary and ordered a mandatory statewide manual recount for the Commissioner of Public Lands …

Hawkins maintains strong lead in county commissioner primary race

CHELAN – State Senator Brad Hawkins has emerged as the clear frontrunner in the primary race for Chelan County Commissioner District 3, securing a commanding lead that positions him strongly …

Steele maintains strong lead in state rep primary race

CHELAN – Incumbent Mike Steele continues to show a commanding lead in the primary race for the State Representative seat representing Washington's 12th District. As of the August 9 count, …
Legislative Coverage

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 …

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 …

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.
    • Halloween Party at the Park

      The Leavenworth Adventure Park will host a Halloween Party at the Park on Thursday, October 31, from 5:30-8 p.m. “Come for our famous …

    • Trivia Night at Rocky Pond

      Rocky Pond Estate Winery will host Trivia Night on Friday, November 1, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. “Join us every first Friday at 5:30 p.m. …

    • November Repair Cafe

      Waste Loop will host the November Repair Cafe on Wednesday, November 6, from 6-8 p.m. “Repair Cafes are a community space which …

Sports
NACHES — Both the boys’ and girls’ Cascade High School cross country teams ran to become the 2024 Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1A, District 5 champions …
CHELAN— In the Caribou Trail League regular season finale, the Cascade Kodiaks faced off against the Chelan Goats in a thrilling match that featured two recovered onside kicks, four …
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL), acquiring an eighth-round selection in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft in …

WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL), acquiring 2005-born defenseman Eastyn Mannix from the Oil …
WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee Wild have announced the retirement of forward Ty Fraser Tuesday afternoon. Fraser departs the organization after 122 games with the Winnipeg ICE …
Opinion
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 …
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 …

In our hyperconnected world of constant notifications, streaming media, and 280-character hot takes, a vital human skill is quietly slipping away: the art of listening. True listening – …
Compassion. It's a word we hear often, but when was the last time you truly felt it? Not just a fleeting moment of sympathy, but a profound understanding of another's pain that moved you to action. …
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 …