Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Top Stories

105th Manson Apple Blossom Festival to celebrate “Legends of the Lake”

For 27 summers, Viki Downey dedicated her talents to the Manson Bay Park, retiring earlier this year. She is pictured with 2025 Manson Apple Blossom royalty, Princess Isabella Alexander, Queen Genesis Torres and Princess Brynn Williams.
MANSON — The 105th annual Manson Apple Blossom Festival returns to the Lake Chelan Valley this weekend, with a full slate of community events set for Friday and Saturday, May 10–11. …

MOE Palooza carnival set for May 18 to raise funds for school supplies

CHELAN – Morgen Owings Elementary School will host its annual MOE Palooza spring carnival on Sunday, May 18, from 12 to 3 p.m.  Proceeds from the carnival will support purchasing …

Cruizin Chelan reveals schedule for May 30–31 Classic Car Show

CHELAN — With just weeks to go, organizers have released the full schedule for the 19th annual Cruizin Chelan Classic Car Show, set for May 30–31 in Historic Downtown Chelan. Hosted …
Tsillan Cellars overlooks the south shore of Lake Chelan, where estate-grown vineyards and Tuscan-inspired architecture have helped establish the winery as a premier destination and award-winning producer in Washington State.

Tsillan Cellars named most awarded Washington Winery at 2025 Seattle Wine Awards

CHELAN — Tsillan Cellars has been recognized as the most awarded Washington winery at the 2025 Seattle Wine Awards, earning 17 gold medals and continuing a string of accolades that has placed …

Chelan senior David Kelly earns top marks at state music competition

CHELAN — Chelan musician and graduating senior David Kelly earned top marks at the WIAA/WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday, April 26. The prestigious event, hosted at Central …
More News
CHELAN — The annual Chelan Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 26, at 7 p.m. in historic downtown Chelan. “Join the VFW Post 6853 in honoring the brave combat veterans …
LEAVENWORTH — A restaurant in Leavenworth on a Thursday night at the beginning tourist season is not an ideal spot for a crowd that’s truly engaged with the performance. If you’re a …
CHELAN — Wineries from the Lake Chelan region earned a total of 71 medals at the 2025 Seattle Wine Awards, one of Washington state’s most prominent wine competitions. The awards …
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 governor pressed to veto $1.8B piece of Democrats’ tax bill

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 accountability efforts failed again in the Washington Legislature

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

Five tax bills lawmakers passed to underpin Washington’s next state budget

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 …
Chelan County Fire District #5 Chief Arnold Baker (left) and Rep. Mike Steele, R-Chelan (right), pose in the Washington State House chamber. House Bill 1156 expands retirement savings options for volunteer firefighters. The bill received unanimous support in both legislative chambers before being signed into law.

Washington State expands retirement savings options for volunteer firefighters

OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1156 into law, expanding retirement savings options for volunteer firefighters across Washington state by granting them access to the state's …

Washington Legislature approves requirement for clergy to report child abuse

OLYMPIA - Washington is poised to require clergy members to report child abuse or neglect, even when it is disclosed in confession. Nearly two-thirds of state House members approved a Senate …

House committee unanimously endorses Goehner's water-sewer district bill

OLYMPIA — A House committee has unanimously endorsed legislation sponsored by Sen. Keith Goehner (R-Dryden) that aims to streamline the process for water-sewer districts to sell surplus …

Washington affordable housing fund poised for another big infusion of cash

OLYMPIA - Over the next few weeks, lawmakers in Washington’s state House and Senate need to resolve significant differences on new taxes, education funding, furloughs for state employees and …
Obituaries
Melvin Louis Joseph, 87, of Chelan, Washington, passed away on May 8, 2025.  Brecht Rose Chapel in Chelan is handling the arrangements for the family. 
Our beloved “Papa”, Al Marcear, passed away peacefully on the evening of his 85th birthday in Phoenix, Arizona, following a sudden illness. A lifelong resident of Chelan, Al was the …
Lorinda “Lorie” Marie Ross passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Lorinda Marie Ross was born to Paul and Patricia Doede on May 10, 1951, and was raised with three siblings on an apple …
John ‘Jay’ D. Simpson, 70, of Bridgeport, Washington passed away on May 1, 2025.  Barnes Chapel is handling the arrangements for the family.
Our beloved “Papa”, Al Marcear, passed away peacefully on the evening of his 85th birthday in Phoenix, Arizona, following a sudden illness. A lifelong resident of Chelan, Al was the …
Johnathan Peter (Pete) Shaw was born June 17, 1947 in Omak, Washington to Lloyd and Patricia Shaw, and died March 19, 2025 in Kent, Washington.  As with most veterans in the post WW-II …
Opinion
From the Publisher
Terry Ward, Publisher

What we leave behind

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 …

Community Conversations: Building bridges through local dialogue

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 …

Mountains of possibility, our shared tomorrow

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 …
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

Central Cascade Youth Football and Cheer to hold town hall meeting

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, …

Lake Chelan Valley Boys & Girls Club launches NFL Flag Football for ages 3-12

CHELAN — At Sargent Field this spring, there’s a new football team in town. Make that a few new teams. And with jerseys donated by the NFL from teams you already watch on Sundays in the …

Lake Chelan Ladies Golf Club opens 2025 season despite chilly conditions

CHELAN - The 2025 golf season has officially begun at Lake Chelan Golf Course, with the Lake Chelan Ladies Golf Club commencing play despite lingering cool temperatures.. Opening Day took place …
Web Extra content

New study: Americans rate their financial happiness a 4.9 of out 10

(BPT) - On America's financial scorecard, people rate their happiness with their overall personal finances a 4.97 out of 10 — and scores need improvement across the board, as the majority (91%) …

Cooking Up Comfort with Ease and Convenience

(Culinary.net) Checking all the boxes with family meals - convenience, nutrition and, of course, deliciousness - can be a tall task.

Health Hack: How Travel Can Transform Your Physical and Mental Well-Being

(BPT) - Getting older is a gift, one that can bring joy, wisdom and the opportunity to enjoy life's next chapter. While it can naturally also be associated with health challenges, new research has …