Saturday, May 24, 2025
Top Story

Professional carvers show off chainsaw skills during month-long Maifest celebration 21c5l

King’s Wizard of Oz inspired monkey won first place in a Northern California carving competition.
LEAVENWORTH – Coated in a layer of sawdust, Front Street buzzed with the sound of chainsaws over the May 18 and 19 weekend, as Maifest celebrations continued with live chainsaw carving. …
Student art for sale hangs on display. The students receive all the proceeds from their sales.

Student artists professionals at Village Art in the Park 1j216s

LEAVENWORTH – Cascade School District students will be selling their art alongside the professionals at Village Art in the Park on May 31 and June 1. “It's a really exciting project, …

Leavenworth Lions help to alleviate hunger with third annual food drive 1i2w3n

LEAVENWORTH – In order to address rising hunger in the community, Leavenworth Lions Club will host its annual food drive on May 30, in partnership with Dan’s Food Market. The Lions …
Local Features

New owners breathe fresh air into historic Alpine Lakes High Camp 27554x

Alpine Lakes High Camp is a collection of nine backcountry huts and a communal lodge, as well as a cold plunge and sauna.
NASON CREEK –  Alpine Lakes High Camp has found new stewards in long-time friends Tom Shelstad and Travis Cowan, who are embracing the challenges and rewards of owning and maintaining a …
Owners Bri Davey and Hannah Dewey stand beside the boutique’s long tables, which are intended to create a gathering space for connection and creativity.

New home and garden boutique offers curated goods, workshops and design services 4z4i3

LEAVENWORTH – Alpenglö Living, a home and garden boutique that offers curated goods, workshops, and design services, opened its doors in downtown Leavenworth on Feb. 21. Alpenglö …
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.

The Springs opens with cold plunge, hot pools, and sauna 3j4l2n

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, …
The Koncz family became the new proprietors of Dan’s in May 2023.

From Columbia Market to Dan’s Food Market: Celebrating 75 years of service 4p4w4b

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 …
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 4h1d1l

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 …

Read more local features 4v633d

Other News
The Leavenworth Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning at the Lions Club Park, which is located between the Leavenworth Library and Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool.
LEAVENWORTH – The Leavenworth Community Farmers Market will open for the season on May 31, running every Saturday at the Lions Club Park, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October 11. In …
LAKE WENATCHEE – Public lands partners will host a tour to highlight forest restoration and community protection efforts taking place on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land around Lake Wenatchee on …
OLYMPIA — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed into law a controversial policy requiring gun buyers to first pay for a new state permit.  Starting in two years, House Bill …
Gov. Bob Ferguson hands over one of the pens he used to sign House Bill 1296, the ‘students bill of rights’ to a child who attended the bill g.
OLYMPIA — The parental “bill of rights” overhaul, one of the most divisive bills approved during this year’s Washington state legislative session, was signed by Gov. Bob …
Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature on the the 1,367 page document outlining the state’s 2025 operating budget.
OLYMPIA — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson entered office warning that a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall would require spending cuts and, as a last resort , higher taxes. On Tuesday, the …

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E-edition

May 21, 2025 245j6p

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Community Calendar
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Obituaries
Margaret Eileen Kelly
Margaret Eileen Kelly was born November 23, 1933, in Leavenworth to Kathryn and Guy Kelly. She ed away April 27, 2025 at age 91 surrounded by loved ones. During her eventful lifetime, Eileen …
Jackie Dean Camp
“Life is eternal, Love is immortal. And death is nothing but a horizon; and the horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight”. - Rossiter W. Raymond Jackie Dean Camp, age 93, was …
Anita Louise (Farnsworth) Wisemore
Anita Louise (Farnsworth) Wisemore went to be with her Lord on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. Born to Simeon Osro and Margaret Magdeline (Meyers) Farnsworth in Ovando, MT on June 8, 1925, she was …
Our Mom, Claudia Jane Hohmann, was an amazing Mom, Gma, GeeGee, Wife, Sister, and Friend, touching the lives of many. She was born on May 22nd, 1939 in Kirkland, WA where she lived with her parents, …
Anita Louise (Farnsworth) Wisemore went to be with her Lord on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. Born to Simeon Osro and Margaret Magdeline (Meyers) Farnsworth in Ovando, MT on June 8,1925; she was …
Karen D. Strom of Leavenworth, WA ed peacefully on March 27, 2025 at the age of 89, attended by her niece. Karen, a long time resident of Leavenworth, loved music and travel, and was very …

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Education
The Snowy Owl Theater at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts will come alive with music on May 31 during the Crescendo Campaign Concert to Cascade School District’s choir programs.

Music with a mission: Cascade Crescendo Campaign concert to fill Snowy Owl with song May 31 3jg35

LEAVENWORTH - The Snowy Owl Theater at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts will come alive on Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m. with the voices and talents of local musicians, students, and performers during …

Caroline Menna is a senior at Cascade High School.
LEAVENWORTH – Cascade High School student Caroline Menna has been named a 2025 National Merit Scholar, ing only 6,900 students nationwide in the prestigious recognition and earning a $2,500 …
Cascade School Board poses with the Green Ribbon award alongside OSPI representative Denise Davis.
LEAVENWORTH – Cascade School District (CSD) has been recognized as a Green Ribbon School District for reducing its environmental impact, improving health and wellness, and providing effective …
CHS students Cruz Martinez and Caroline Menna holding their nomination letters for the U.S. Scholars Program. Both students were two out of approximately 650 students throughout the country to be named semifinalists.
LEAVENWORTH – Cascade High School students Cruz Martinez and Caroline Menna have been named semi-finalists for the prestigious 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s …

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Chelan County Sheriff's Report

Chelan County Sheriff's Report 1z2c1x

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

Annual Discover cost set to increase in October 6c1r67

OLYMPIA — Starting Oct. 1, the annual Discover will increase from $30 to $45, marking the first price hike since the program was implemented in 2011. The Discover is required to …

WDFW approves new hunting season rules 4r313

OLYMPIA — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind has approved most proposed changes to hunting season regulations for the 2025-2026 seasons, with one notable …

State Parks expands same-day camping reservations to all campgrounds  5j2l14

OLYMPIA  —  The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is opening up more camping opportunities for visitors by expanding its same-day reservation option to all parks with …

New Hunters: Complete hunter education before spring seasons 2j1221

OLYMPIA – With Washington's spring turkey hunting season quickly approaching, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) urges new hunters to complete hunter education so they can …
Boats congregate at Brewster Pool on the Upper Columbia River to try their luck at catching sockeye salmon. Photo credit: Mark Yuasa

Public meeting set to discuss salmon and steelhead seasons in NCW 2k166r

WENATCHEE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will hold an in-person public meeting in Wenatchee on Tuesday, March 18 from 6-8 p.m. to discuss the salmon and …

More outdoors

State News

Money crunch: Nearly 50 WA State Library employees facing layoffs 6z5t2q

OLYMPIA - Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is preparing to lay off nearly 50 Washington State Library employees due to a decline in state and federal funding. In the past two weeks, 47 workers at …
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5104 on Monday, May 12, which intends to give immigrants better tools when facing coercion in the workplace.

Trio of immigrant rights laws signed by WA governor 3h42b

OLYMPIA _ Gov. Bob Ferguson signed three bills to protect immigrant rights last week.  These included measures to strengthen state power to inspect private detention facilities, prevent …

Washington will offer special education to students longer under new law 3o3i4c

OLYMPIA - A new law triggered by a lawsuit will ensure public school students in Washington are offered special education instruction until they are 22 years old. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed …

WA budget includes $150M to maintain health coverage for low-income immigrants 75p3f

OLYMPIA - Thousands of people who are not U.S. citizens would continue to receive Medicaid-like health care coverage in Washington state under the budget plan the Legislature recently approved. …

WA governor pressed to veto $1.8B piece of Democrats’ tax bill 47u1u

OLYMPIA - Hoteliers, restaurateurs and grocers are asking Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson to veto part of a tax bill that they say will drive up food costs for them and their customers. Excising …

Why police ability efforts failed again in the Washington Legislature 12k3v

OLYMPIA - For a second year in a row, Washington police ability advocates have seen their priorities fall flat in Olympia. They entered this year’s session wanting to grant the …

Five tax bills lawmakers ed to underpin Washington’s next state budget 4m4052

OLYMPIA - A small pile of significant tax bills is getting delivered to Gov. Bob Ferguson.   Collectively, they form the financial linchpin to the state’s next budget and would …

More state news

Get your event in the spotlight with Ward Media! 6r6yu

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 35736v

      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 4yi2e

      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 1n6c3g

      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 604a4w

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

    • Galentine’s celebration 4h2y4d

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

Sports
EAST WENATCHEE — Central Cascade Youth Football and Cheer (CCYFC) will host a Town Hall Meeting on May 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Eastmont Junior High auditorium. The event is open to parents, …
Melvin Northrup in action against Cashmere last April 7. The duo of Northrup and Adan Vargas lost to Quentin Christensen and Kamren Meloy 3-6, 0-6.
CASHMERE - The Kodiaks had a tough go of it at Cashmere last April 7, losing 5-0 in girls and 5-0 in boys matches.
Hazel Eschen serves against the Bulldogs during her doubles match on April 7. Eschen and Harper Baker lost to Mandy Barba and Hadley Westlund 3-6, 6-3, 6-7.
CASHMERE - Cascade’s girls team fought hard but could not break through and ended up losing to the Cashmere Bulldogs on the road.

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee AppleSox announced Tuesday that single game tickets for their 2025 season are now available for purchase . The team, entering its 25th anniversary season, is …
Colton Chase (7) gets his props from teammate Hudson Parks (21) after scoring the Kodiaks’ second run of the game in Quincy last April 3. Quincy won 12-2.
QUINCY - Cascade fought hard but ultimately succumbed to the hosting Quincy Jacks on April 3, 12-2 in a game that ended with the Kodiaks winning on a walk-off, mercy-rule walk in the fifth inning.

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Opinion
Terry Ward, Publisher
Most of us won’t leave behind statues or headlines. But maybe — just maybe — a few words we said, a kindness we offered, or a hand we extended will echo longer than we know. I …
Terry Ward CEO & Publisher Ward Media
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 …

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 in the recent election, I’m now in the process of transitioning to the County Courthouse …
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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