Monday, March 18, 2024
Top Stories

Women's Service League hosts annual prom dress giveaway

The Women's Service League of NCW will hold its annual Prom Dress Giveaway on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wenatchee Valley Mall near Sportsman's Warehouse.
WENATCHEE – This weekend, area teens, regardless of income, will have the chance to pick out the prom dress of their dreams for free, thanks to the Women's Service League of North Central …

Governor signs Hawkins' bill expanding running start program

OLYMPIA — Thanks to a new law signed by the governor on Monday, High school students in Washington will soon have expanded opportunities to earn college credits through the popular Running …

WSDA opens $2 million grant program to boost local food infrastructure

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) announced it is accepting applications for $2 million in grants to strengthen local food supply chains and market access across the …
Local Features

Cashmere Community Concert Series returns with new location

Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms perform at a Cashmere Community Concert in 2019. The duo are back and will be the first performers when the concert series returns on March 30.
CASHMERE – After a several year hiatus, the Cashmere Community Concert Series is back with a new location at the Cashmere Community Church. After the pandemic caused a pause in the …
Cashmere Teens presented their original poetry to the public on Feb. 22 at the annual Cashmere Teen Poetry Slam. All presenters received gift cards to their favorite places in Cashmere.

Cashmere teens shine at annual poetry slam event

CASHMERE – The 4th annual Cashmere Teen Poetry Slam was a well-attended success and organizers are making plans to expand the event for next year.  The Feb. 22 event gave teens the …
Cashmere Middle School student Paelyn Lueondee, is on a mission to spread happiness through a local nonprofit called Happy Letters. Paelyn is pictured with her mom, Alysa, and dad, Plaimanus.

Cashmere student spreads joy with Happy Letters, book drive for cancer patients

CASHMERE – Cashmere Middle School student Paelyn Lueondee, 11, wants to bring joy and smiles to local people facing cancer. Paelyn is teaming up with Happy Letters founder Traci Pierson …

Local ag co-op nurtures tree fruit industry from bud to box

Since the 1930s, Northwest Wholesale, Inc., a locally owned agricultural cooperative, has been an impactful part of the tree fruit industry in North Central Washington. Cooperatives of all kinds …
Other News
OLYMPIA—Young children, with their curiosity and limited understanding of risks, face particular dangers from fires and burns in the home. Local fire officials are urging parents and caregivers …
LEAVENWORTH— Natural resource specialists with the U.S. Forest Service and Chelan County Natural Resources are partnering with the North Central Washington Forest Health Collaborative (NCWFHC) …
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Board of Education announced it is seeking applications for a student representative for the 2024-2026 term. The board is looking for a sophomore prepared to …
CASHMERE – The 2024 Cashmere Royalty will soon be crowned. On the evening of Friday, March 22, candidates will be interviewed by a panel of judges, and the newly selected royalty will be …
CASHMERE — Addressing concerns about Cashmere's business development and economic growth, Christina Wollman, Contract Planner for Perteet, Inc., urged the Cashmere Planning Commission to …
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Obituaries
Richard “Boomer” Dueman Richard “Boomer” Dueman was born on July 10, 1943, and passed away peacefully, at the home of his daughter, Becky, on October 25, 2023. …
Milo Smith passed away on August 2,2023. A Celebration of Life for Milo will be held on October 22, 2023, 1 p.m., at the Henry building,120 Cottage Ave., Cashmere, WA.
Michael Edward (Mike) Bennett December 8, 1958 – August 28, 2023   Michael Bennett, 64, went to be with Jesus on August 28, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. …
Rebecca O’Flaherty October 12, 1923-July 20, 2023 Rebecca O'Flaherty, age 99, of Cashmere, WA. passed away July 20, 2023, in Wenatchee, WA., On October 12, 1923, Rebecca was …
Liam James Gillikin October 11, 2000-July 4, 2023 On July 4, 2023, Liam James Gillikin, age 22, of Leavenworth, Washington, died in a cliff diving accident near Crescent Bar, Washington on …
Karen Brennick January 13, 1943- March 25, 2023 Karen Brennick passed away on March 25, 2023. She was born on January 13,1943 to Ingvald and Eva Ronnestad in Seattle, Washington. She is …
Education

Cashmere student participates in House Page Program

OLYMPIA – Cashmere Middle School student, Liam Hill, took part in the state House of Representatives Page Program from Feb. 25 to March 1, sponsored by 12th District Rep. Keith Goehner. "I …

Washington voters support their local public schools

OLYMPIA - Local levies and bonds are one important way that communities support their schools, and preliminary results from yesterday’s Special Election show how committed voters are to their …
Cashmere FFA members Kyla Neal, Lila Sanchez and Andrea Hernandez plant zonal geraniums.

Cashmere FFA celebrates National FFA Week

CASHMERE - Each year, FFA chapters nationwide celebrate National FFA Week, a time to highlight what FFA is and its everyday impact on members. It is also an opportunity to educate the public …

Cashmere residents vote to support schools in special election

CASHMERE – Cashmere voters turned out in support of Cashmere schools, with 71.22% of voters casting their ballots in favor of the replacement levy. Of the 1,501 who voted on the Feb. 13 …
Legislative Coverage

Property crimes can now be hate crimes

OLYMPIA - Some property crimes now can be classed as hate crimes if they are racially motivated or if they target other marginalized communities. Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, said he was …

12th District lawmakers secure over $26M for local projects in unanimous capital budget approval

OLYMPIA - House Republican Deputy Leader Mike Steele  and  Rep. Keith Goehner  have announced the inclusion of more than $26 million in district-funded projects in the 2024 …

Same-day report required for stolen guns

OLYMPIA - When a student at Seattle’s Ingraham High School was shot and killed two years ago, an investigation revealed the gun used in the crime was stolen. Now, advocates from that …

Police given more leeway to pursue suspects

OLYMPIA—The Legislature approved new rules that give police more leeway to engage in high-speed pursuits, which will become law on June 5, 2024. “As you know, the people of the state …

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.
    • Upper Valley Seafood Fest

      The Knights of Columbus will host the first annual Upper Valley Seafood Fest on Friday, March 15 from 6:30-8:30 at the Mission Creek Community …

    • Teen 3D Printing Workshop

      The Wenatchee Library will host a Teen 3D Printing Workshop on Saturday, March 16 from 2-4 p.m. “Teens, come join us for a 3D …

    • A Celtic St. Patrick’s Day

      The Icicle Creek Center for the Arts will host The Gothard Sisters: A Celtic St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 16 from 7:30-9:30 …

    • St. Patrick’s benefit dinner

      The Cashmere Wacoka Kiwanis will hold their annual St. Patrick’s benefit dinner for Paelyn Lueondee on Sunday, March 17, from 4-6 p.m. in …

More News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) announced that 14 of her Community Project Funding (CPF) requests were included in a funding bill passed by the United States …
CHELAN—The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office continues its search for 37-year-old Adriana Nunez-Gutierrez, who disappeared more than two weeks ago. Last seen at her residence on the evening …
OLYMPIA– Daylight savings time will begin on Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m. local time. Clocks will go ahead one hour; part of the twice-annual time change that affects Washington State. The …
WENATCHEE — The SkillSource Regional Workforce Board is calling for public input on the forthcoming four-year Regional Workforce Plan for North Central Washington. Scheduled for the 2024-2028 …
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National News
Nikki Haley meets voters during a rally at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School in Derry, N.H. on Sunday.
Nikki Haley suspends campaign for 2024 Republican presidential nomination
CHARLESTON, S.C. -  Nikki Haley , a former U.N. ambassador and governor of South Carolina, has announced she is suspending   her presidential campaign, leaving  Donald Trump  with …
Big-box stores try to stay relevant by focusing on smaller stores
Two of the biggest names in big-box retail have boosted their bets on a growing trend for brick-and-mortar sales: smaller stores. Best Buy and Macy’s this week announced plans to add …
Chrysler recalls 330,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees over steering wheel defect
Chrysler is recalling more than 330,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees because of a steering wheel defect that may cause a loss of control. Problems can arise when the steering knuckle separates from the …
The Capitol dome on May 3, 2023. Congress has very little time left to pass a short-term extension of government funding before a partial shutdown would begin.
House passes bill to extend government shutdown deadlines
The House on Thursday approved legislation to extend the expiration date for federal funding later into March, sending the measure to prevent a partial government shutdown that was set for Saturday …
What is a leap day? All about Feb. 29, on the calendar every 4 years.
If you look at your calendar this week, you will see an unusual date: Feb. 29. That’s because 2024 is what’s known as a leap year - and while those in the Northern Hemisphere might not be …
Web Extra content
It's tax season: Here are the simple rules to file correctly—and on time
With tax season now upon us, Money outlines the key deadlines and details you need to know in order to file correctly and on time.
When is it safe—and legal—to leave your dog in the car?
Way.com helps dog owners understand when it's legal to leave their furry friends in cars unattended.
You may be eligible for additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
(BPT) - As COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities, it has become apparent that the virus is here to stay, and that getting infected is possible year-round.Staying up to date with your …
When 'k' is not 'okay': Behind the many generational differences in texting
Visible partnered with Stacker and dove into studies to explore what gets lost in texting translation and how generations can understand each other better.
April’s eclipse will mean interruptions in solar power generation, which could strain electrical grids
During the most recent total solar eclipse visible in the U.S., on Aug. 21, 2017, the skies darkened as the Moon crossed in front of the Sun. It blocked out all sunlight – except for that from a golden ring …