Thursday, October 1, 2026
Top Stories

Chelan PUD opens Service Center for free Public Power Week activities Oct. 5-9

Rocky, the Discovery Center's mascot, is surrounded by children. Rocky will be at Kids Day at the Chelan PUD Service Center in Wenatchee from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7.
WENATCHEE — Chelan PUD will hold free activities, treats and giveaways from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday Oct. 5-9 at its Service Center, 203 Olds Station Road in Wenatchee, as part of Public Power Week.

Lake Chelan Dragon on the ballot as state student mock election opens

OLYMPIA — Washington's youngest voters can weigh in on whether the Lake Chelan Dragon or Sasquatch should be the state cryptid as the 2026 Student Mock Election opens to K-12 classrooms.

SBA opens East Wenatchee center to help Chelan Hills Fire survivors apply for loans

EAST WENATCHEE — Residents, businesses and nonprofits hurt by the Chelan Hills Fire can now get in-person help applying for federal disaster loans at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in East Wenatchee.

Washington students can now apply for 2027-28 college financial aid

High school seniors and other students planning college or job training can now apply for financial aid for the 2027-28 school year.

Chelan County to test vote-counting system Oct. 15

WENATCHEE — Chelan County elections staff and the Washington Secretary of State's Office will test the county's vote-counting system at 10 a.m. Oct. 15, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
More News
Washington's minimum wage will go up 60 cents to $17.73 an hour on Jan. 1, the state Department of Labor & Industries announced Sept. 30.
WENATCHEE — Link Transit is joining Switch Your Trips WA, a statewide challenge that asks people to replace driving alone with walking, biking, carpooling or riding the bus during October.
CHELAN — Chelan has received a $75,000 state grant to study how the Lake Chelan area could develop an economic engine that relies less on a stream of tourism that can not only vary in length, but sometimes be subject to smoke conditions.
Local Features
Edd and Sharon La Mar opened Lake Chelan Building and Supply in 1979 in Manson.

Lake Chelan Building Supply, where customers become friends

CHELAN - When it came time for Brett La Mar to hand over the reins to his family business, Lake Chelan Building and Supply, he wanted a buyer who would embody his parents’ motto – where …
Chelan Scout Master Mark Carroll and Eagle Scout Cameron Willoughby open and refold the first United States flag, featuring only 13 stars, at Willoughby’s Eagle Scout ceremony.

Manson teen soars to Eagle Scout rank

MANSON – Cameron Willoughby, a 2024 Manson High School grad, celebrated a major milestone in December when he was recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.  Earning the Eagle …
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.
State News

WA wildfire home damage totals at least $188M, Ferguson says

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday asked President Donald Trump for tens of millions of dollars in federal aid to help communities recover from devastating wildfires this summer. Across the …

It’s primary election day in WA. Here’s what you need to know

Washington voters on Tuesday will start to winnow the competition in hundreds of local, state and federal races in this busy election cycle. All 98 seats in the state House and 24 in the Senate …

Ferguson proposes statewide school cellphone ban

SEATTLE — Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday that he will seek a statewide ban on student cellphone use during school hours in Washington public K-12 schools. The proposed “Away for the …

DOJ moves to vacate Jan. 6 conviction for Proud Boys leader from WA

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to erase the conviction of a prominent leader of the Proud Boys from Washington state for his actions during the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. …

Work underway to create new WA housing agency

OLYMPIA – Washington boasts 221 housing-related programs across 30 state agencies.  But despite all of these initiatives, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck thinks the state is still going in the wrong …

Court battle set to begin over WA’s new income tax

Opponents of Washington’s new income tax law plan Thursday to formally launch their legal challenge to the constitutionality of the controversial statute. Attorneys and plaintiffs have …

Ferguson’s failure to fill seats on WA campaign watchdog panel incites recall bid

A recall effort is quietly underway against Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson for failing to fill vacancies on the commission that enforces state campaign finance laws. The petition to remove …
Obituaries
Kathryn Ann Wiley, age 73, died Monday, September 21, 2026 at Mountainview Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was born September 9, 1953 to Virgil Rudolph Hanford and Ellen Louise Southwick Hanford. …
Roy McCulley – 1931 – 2026. It’s been said that few people die at 100 years old or more. Roy almost made it, passing at 95. Born in the family home of Fred and Fern McCulley, in Okanogan, …
Verneta Marie Carstens passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, at 84 years old. She was born on September 14, 1941, to Vernon and Eleanor Harris. She was raised in Chelan and graduated from Chelan …
It’s with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the unexpected loss of Paul Volkmann (age 79) who passed on July 19, 2026, in Chelan, WA. He’s preceded in death by his parents (Jack and Elaine), …
Teresa Marchand Hoback September 18, 1949 – July 4, 2026 Teresa Marchand Hoback, a woman whose life was defined by love, generosity, and service to others, passed away peacefully, surrounded …
Roy L. McCulley of Chelan, WA passed on June 30, 2026, at the age of 95.  Arrangements provided by Precht Rose Chapel, Chelan, WA.
Opinion
From the Publisher
Terry Ward, Publisher

Who is still here when the smoke clears

Labor Day has passed, school buses are back on the roads and another North Central Washington summer is beginning to give way to fall. But this year, it doesn't feel quite as simple as turning …

Opinion has a place. So does disagreement.

One of the responsibilities of publishing a newspaper is understanding that not everyone will agree with everything in it. That has always been true. Readers will disagree with news …

The elections closest to home

We spend an extraordinary amount of time talking about elections that happen thousands of miles away. Presidential campaigns dominate television, social media and conversations for months, …
Features
An artist's rendering shows the plans for the new Hub Center which will be housed in the old Chelan Hospital building.

Former Chelan hospital to transform into 'Hub Center' with offices, coworking space

CHELAN – The former hospital building in Chelan is being repurposed into a mixed-use business building called the Hub Center. Managed by Coldwell Banker Cascade, the property will provide …

Manson Apple Blossom Royalty crowned

MANSON - During selection festivities, the 2024 Manson Apple Blossom Festival royalty were crowned Saturday evening, January 27, at Manson High School. Left to right, Princess Liliana Narvaez, Queen …
Sports
Darrell “Doc” Richards displays the Larry Wold Memorial “Wold Cup” after winning the low net competition during the 2026 Golf Binge.

Golf Binge members compete during annual trip to Idaho

MOSCOW, Idaho — Eight members of the Golf Binge traveled to Idaho during the first week of September for the group's 2026 event, playing five courses and competing in a series of individual and …

Wild rally past Tri-City 5-2 in preseason finale

KENNEWICK — The Wenatchee Wild scored five consecutive goals to rally from an early two-goal deficit and defeat the Tri-City Americans 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Center in the preseason …

Chelan, Brewster set for fifth annual Cherry Cup

CHELAN — The Chelan Goats will travel to Brewster on Friday for the fifth annual Cherry Cup football game against the Brewster Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The annual rivalry …
Web Extra content

How to stay healthier this year: Schedule your flu shot

(BPT) - It's that time of year again: Temperatures are dropping, kids are heading back to school — and cold and flu season isn't far behind. To help you and your family stay healthier this fall …

Running a small business means making sacrifices. Are they permanent?

Rocket Lawyer reports that small business owners often sacrifice time and income for flexibility and control, but these sacrifices can become permanent if not reassessed.

9 reasons your prescription may not be filled, and what to do about it

GoodRx reports nine reasons a pharmacist may not fill a prescription, including missing information, drug shortages, and insurance issues, along with solutions to prevent delays.