Monday, November 10, 2025
Top Stories

McCardle names McAloon as Chelan’s next city administrator

Laura McAloon, an attorney and former city administrator in Nebraska, will serve as Chelan’s newest city administrator following the departure of Wade Farris.
CHELAN — Mayor Erin McCardle has appointed Laura McAloon as Chelan’s next city administrator, calling her “an experienced, community-minded leader who understands how cities grow …

Lake Chelan Winterfest tickets now on sale

CHELAN — Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Lake Chelan Winterfest, which returns Jan. 16–25 for two weekends of winter fun, live entertainment, and community celebration. Hosted …

NCW Libraries opens pop-up library during Chelan branch refresh

CHELAN — NCW Libraries has launched a pop-up library and added a temporary location for children’s story time while the Chelan Public Library undergoes an interior refresh scheduled for …
CDCAC volunteers Eder Colmemarez and John Griffith manage check out at the pantry.

Local support steps up as SNAP benefits halted

NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON — Food pantries across North Central Washington have seen immediate impacts following the recent lapse of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on …

Lake Chelan school bond wins majority but fails under state supermajority rule

CHELAN — More than half of local voters said yes to rebuilding the city’s aging schools, but Washington law said no. The Lake Chelan School District’s $73 million bond measure …
More News
WENATCHEE — More than 400 people filled the Wenatchee Convention Center on Nov. 4 to celebrate creativity, technology, and community at the 24th Annual Innovator Awards Luncheon hosted by NCW …
MANSON — Chelan County PUD commissioners heard an update on November 3 on plans to replace the aging breakwater that shields Manson Bay Park, a project aimed at protecting the community’s …
NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON — As of 8 p.m. Nov. 4, preliminary ballot counts are in for Chelan and Douglas counties following Washington’s 2025 General Election. Turnout stood at 20.7% in …
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

Thinner attendance at WA National Guard training as state deals with funding clawback

OLYMPIA – Thousands of Washington Army National Guard members did not take part in last weekend’s drill, a money-saving move that appears precipitated in part by the Trump administration …

Washington’s K-12 standardized test scores still below pre-pandemic levels

OLYMPIA – Standardized test scores for Washington public school students improved slightly this year, according to data the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction released …

Washington’s food banks are on the brink

OLYMPIA – Washington’s already-squeezed food bank system expects further pressure as an estimated 170,000 residents stand to lose food stamp benefits under the president’s tax cut …

Washingtonians will need state permit to buy guns under new law

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 …

WA governor signs parental ‘bill of rights’ rewrite

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 …

Ferguson signs budget boosting Washington state spending and taxes

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 …

Money crunch: Nearly 50 WA State Library employees facing layoffs

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 …
Obituaries
Macoria Ambriz-Espino, 42, passed away in Bridgeport, Washington on October 21, 2025. Service will be held at Barnes Chapel October 27 at 4 PM and Burial Service at the Bridgeport Cemetery …
Ignacio Zacarias Orozco, 76, passed away in Brewster, Washington on October 19, 2025. Barnes Chapel is handling the arrangements for the family. 
Helen Norma Cool went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 1, 2025. She was born at the ranch house on Christmas Eve, 1928. The oldest of four daughters born to Walter and Dorothy (Felker) …
William Shankey Jr., 88, passed away in Manson, Washington on October 9, 2025.  Precht Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements for the family. 
Linda Lee Thompson, 73, passed away in Chelan, Washington on October 11, 2025.  Precht Rose Chapel is handling the arrangements for the family.
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Sharon Park, who left peacefully on the morning of October 12, 2025. She was a devoted mother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend whose kindness and spirit …
Opinion
From the Publisher
Terry Ward
CEO & Publisher
Ward Media

Civil discourse revisited

In the wake of the shocking assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, our national conversation is once again marked by grief, outrage, and deep division. Tragedies like this underscore the …

Escaping the Echo Chamber

In a small town, voices carry. A story told at the coffee shop can echo through the grocery aisle, the school gym, and the church parking lot before the day is done. By the time it comes back around, …

New laws this year exhibit disturbing trends

As the dust settled on the 2025 legislative session, one thing was clear: many of the laws passed this year will have genuine, lasting impacts on the lives of Washingtonians—not just in theory, …
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 …

Hot Tubs Liquidators expands to Wenatchee

WENATCHEE—Hot Tubs Liquidators, a local Chelan business, continues to prove itself as one of the most affordable spa businesses in the region. Owners John and Carol Aldrich look forward to the …
Sports
Chelan’s Athletic Director Evan Reister has announced this year’s inductees into the Goats Hall of Fame.

Coach Joe Harris, 2013 Boys Soccer team to enter CHS Athletic Hall of Fame

CHELAN — Chelan High School will induct two standouts into its Athletic Hall of Fame this winter: Longtime boys basketball coach Joe Harris (CHS ’80) and the 2013 Chelan boys soccer team, …

Wenatchee Wild raises funds for veterans with Military Appreciation Night ticket sales

WENATCHEE — Every October, as hockey season ramps up in Wenatchee, David Rayfield trades his desk for a sleeping bag and heads for higher ground — specifically, the balcony of the Town …

AppleSox pull away late to defeat NightOwls 9-4

NANAIMO, B.C. — A late offensive burst propelled the Wenatchee AppleSox to a 9-4 win over the Nanaimo NightOwls on Saturday night at Serauxman Stadium. Wenatchee broke open a close game …
Web Extra content

Stress Less, Celebrate More: Holiday Cleaning Hacks

(BPT) - The holiday season is filled with fun, laughter, and festivities, but it can also be marked by chaos. From gift-wrapping mania to the cookie crumbs, spills, and clutter of prepping and …

Santa Bass’s holiday gift guide for anglers on the Nice List

(BPT) - When it comes to gifting the perfect holiday present to the anglers in your life, no one has better instincts than Santa Bass.Gifted with the same powers as the jolly man from the North Pole, …

The secret to big savings and a stress-free holiday season

(BPT) - The holiday season is around the corner, and here is the scoop on savings that'll be a gift to your family and yourself. Between Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and endless to-do …