Thursday, January 23, 2025
Top Story

Cascade School District seeks voter support for replacement levies

A sign of support for the levies sits along Chumstick Highway.
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 …

Residents, officials weigh in on proposed short-term rental code revisions

CHELAN COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) took public comment on proposed changes to Chelan County’s short-term rental (STR) code on Jan. 14. “By having these …

Washington Nordic Cup: A youth ski racing series for fun and community

PLAIN – Plain Valley Ski Trails is set to host the Washington Nordic Cup, a cross-country ski race series designed to bring youth together for fun, affordable, and low-stress ski racing …
Local Features

Family's 9-Foot goose nests in Leavenworth

Greg Harris, an engineer, usually spends hours each year planning the structure of the family’s annual snow creature.
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 …
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 …

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Other News
Sen. Liz Lovelett, D-Anacortes, and Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle, speak at a press conference about a new bill that would require manufacturers to pay for a new statewide recycling system.
OLYMPIA - Washington’s recycling system may soon get a makeover.  A proposal to require companies to reduce unnecessary packaging and fund statewide recycling services is making its …
Cross-country skiers glide along the newly opened 1.6-kilometer Nordic track at Tierra Learning Center in Leavenworth, where both skate and traditional Nordic skiing are available on the groomed trail system constructed on the center's hay fields.
LEAVENWORTH — Tierra Learning Center has expanded its winter recreational offerings with the opening of a new Nordic ski track, providing both skate skiing and traditional Nordic skiing …
Infrastructure and housing are top priorities in Leavenworth’s new budget.
LEAVENWORTH - The City of Leavenworth has released its comprehensive 2025-2026 biennial budget, outlining a plan for responsible fiscal management while addressing key priorities like housing …
Together, Chelan County PUD and the City of Leavenworth will evaluate the feasibility of putting the city’s public works campus on a portion of the PUD’s 13 acres of land, which surround its Leavenworth offices.
LEAVENWORTH – Leavenworth City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) on Jan. 14 to explore the feasibility of relocating the …
Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal is sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Reykdal was first elected to the job in 2016.
OLYMPIA - Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal warned Thursday that Washington is not living up to its constitutional obligation to cover the cost of basic education and faces the …

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E-edition

January 22, 2025

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Community Calendar
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Obituaries
Sue Denney Briggs April 12, 1943 - January 19, 2025
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. …
Lynn Alexander Takacs November 5, 1962 - January 2, 2025
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 …
Noreen (Noni) Freese January 31, 1925 - January 3, 2025
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 …
Anita Louise Wisemore, 99, of Tumwater WA (formerly of Leavenworth, WA) passed away on Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 at home.
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 …
Linda K. Riggs, passed away on November 15, 2024, in Leavenworth, Washington. Our beloved wife, mother & grandmother passed away at home at the age of 78 after extended health issues. …

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Education
Coal Fiano will spend their senior year in the Netherlands.

Cascade High School student selected for year abroad through Leavenworth Rotary Club's Youth Exchange

LEAVENWORTH – Leavenworth Rotary Club will be sponsoring a year abroad for Cascade High School student Coal Fiano as part of its decades-long youth exchange program. “Coal will be …

Mia Dreis, a senior at Cascade High School, earned top honors for her STEM-themed children’s book, How Otto Found His Way at the Technology Student Association (TSA) National Championship in Orlando, Florida, this past summer.
LEAVENWORTH - Cascade High School senior Mia Dreis earned national recognition this past summer when she took first place at the Technology Student Association’s (TSA) 2024 National Conference …
Two students at Peshastin-Dryden Elementary School participate in the school's composting program by sorting their milk cartons after lunch. The waste-sorting initiative, which began in 2022, helped the Cascade School District earn the first "Soil Friendly School District" designation.
LEAVENWORTH - Cascade School District (CSD) has become the first school district to receive the "Soil Friendly School District" designation from Winton Manufacturing Compost Works, following the …
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 …

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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. Dec 27 …

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 …

More outdoors

State News

People think the state should reduce spending but some programs deserve more support, poll shows

OLYMPIA - Washington State voters want legislators to cut spending but also support spending more on specific programs, according to a recent poll. “People are not anti-government,” …

State and gun shop clash at WA Supreme Court over high-capacity magazine ban

OLYMPIA - The fate of Washington’s ban on the sale of high-capacity firearms magazines now rests with the state Supreme Court.  On Tuesday morning, attorneys for the state and a …

Goehner named ranking republican on Senate Housing Committee

OLYMPIA — Washington State Sen. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden, has been selected as the ranking Republican member on the Senate Housing Committee as he begins his first term in 2025, following three …
Rep. Brian Burnett, R-12

Burnett takes oath, receives committee assignments

OLYMPIA — State Rep. Brian Burnett, R-Wenatchee, was sworn in Monday during opening ceremonies of the 2025 Legislature, officially beginning his term representing Washington's 12th Legislative …

WA’s newest state Supreme Court justice is sworn in

OLYMPIA - After a narrow election victory in November, Sal Mungia is officially Washington’s newest state Supreme Court justice.  Mungia, along with current justices Steven Gonzalez …

2025 Washington state legislative session begins

OLYMPIA - There was plenty of pomp and politics for the opening day of the Washington Legislature’s 2025 session. It began at noon Monday for the state’s 98 representatives and 49 …

Washington lawmakers revive plan for state cap on rent increases

OLYMPIA - Democratic state lawmakers are again pushing a proposal to restrict rent hikes across Washington. Despite the rent cap bill’s dramatic failure last session, backers say its …

More state news

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.
    • Foggy Fridays live music

      Stevens Pass will host live music by the Chumlilies on Friday, January 10, from 4-6 p.m. as part of their Foggy Fridays concert series. …

    • Fire Dancers

      Fire Dancers will perform for the Leavenworth Winter Karneval on Saturday, January 11 from 5-8 p.m. at the Gazebo in Front Street Park. …

    • Grand Kyiv Ballet: Swan Lake

      Numerica Performing Arts Center will host the Grand Kyiv Ballet: Swan Lake on Tuesday, January 14, from 7-9 p.m. “Swan Lake is a …

    • Naturalist Trivia

      The Wenatchee River Institute will host Naturalist Trivia on Tuesday, January 14, from 7-9 p.m. at Bushel and Bee Taproom in Leavenworth. …

    • Kids with Books

      The Leavenworth Library will host a Kids with Books event on Wednesday, January 15, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. “Are you a 3rd through 6th …

Sports
Wenatchee Wild forward Shaun Rios (left) lets out a roar after scoring in the third period of Wenatchee’s 3-2 Western Hockey League loss to the Tri-City Americans on Sunday.
WENATCHEE – After two Wenatchee Wild goals 56 seconds apart in the third period, the Wild forced the Tri-City Americans to put up a stingy defensive effort down the stretch to escape town with …
Boys Basketball        Thu, Jan 9 7:15 PM Easton Home Tue, Jan 14 7:15 PM Lake Roosevelt Home …
Wenatchee Wild forward Shaun Rios seeks the pass the puck in a recent Wenatchee home game. Rios had two goals and two assists Saturday as the Wild charged to a 6-3 Western Hockey League win at the Portland Winterhawks.
PORTLAND, Ore. – After being thwarted by strong goaltending Friday in Vancouver, the Wenatchee Wild were eager to get back on the scoreboard against a U.S. Division opponent Saturday …

Wenatchee Wild center Morgan Hackman takes a faceoff during the first period of Wenatchee’s Western Hockey League game Friday at the Vancouver Giants. Hackman made his WHL debut for Wenatchee in a 3-0 loss.
LANGLEY, British Columbia – After 45 scoreless minutes of hockey in Friday’s Western Hockey League game at Langley Events Centre, the Wenatchee Wild and Vancouver Giants knew …
Goaltender Daniel Hauser guards the Wenatchee Wild net during a recent Western Hockey League game. The Wild announced Thursday morning that Hauser had been traded to the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a pair of WHL draft picks and three players.
WENATCHEE. – The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL), acquiring forward Maxim Muranov and the WHL playing rights to …

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Opinion
Terry Ward CEO & Publisher Ward Media
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 …
Rep. Brad Hawkins addresses the House of Representatives in 2013 on “Children’s Day” with his two boys, Luke and Tyler. Hawkins served four years in the House of Representatives and eight years in the State Senate. He begins his role as Chelan County Commissioner on January 1.
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 …

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 CEO & Publisher 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. …
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 …
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