Blackmon appointed to District Court judge
Allen Blackmon, a 26-year veteran of the Chelan County Prosecutor’s Office, has accepted a judge’s appointment to the Chelan County District Court. He will begin serving as a judge in early December.
Chelan County News Archive
Interested in building climate resiliency in Chelan County? Join us on Thursday
Chelan County residents with an interest in building climate resiliency at the local level are encouraged to participate in a roundtable discussion on Thursday, Nov. 17. The roundtable will be held both in person and via Zoom.
Judge Mott to step down from District Court in December
UPDATE: Chelan County commissioners have narrowed a list of applicants who seek to replace outgoing District Court Judge Kyle Mott to five finalists. Commissioners now will interview the five finalists on Nov. 14. An appointment is expected to be made following the interviews.
Commissioner Bugert to hold Nov. 4 community meeting in Plain
Commissioner Bob Bugert will hold a community meeting on Nov. 4 in Plain to update citizens in the area about county issues impacting them. The community meeting will be 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at Beaver Valley Lodge, 18630 Beaver Valley Road. The agenda is available online.
Fire restrictions in Chelan County come off Oct. 28
All fire restrictions in Chelan County will expire on Friday, Oct. 28. In addition, the fire hazard level will be reduced from high to moderate in both the Valley and Mountain zones of the county until Nov. 4.
Jail responds to recent drug trends by training K9 Kait to detect fentanyl
With the rise of fentanyl use in the Wenatchee Valley, the Chelan County Regional Justice Center has responded by training its narcotics-detecting canine to identify the powerful synthetic opioid.
Fire restrictions lowered beginning Oct. 14; outdoor debris burning still banned
UPDATE: Fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County remain at Stage 1 until Oct. 28, when the restrictions will be re-evaluated. Stage 1 restrictions continue the ban on the outdoor burning of yard debris; however, they allow for recreational, residential campfires.
Community fundraising efforts underway for jail's K9 Kait
With October begins community fundraising efforts for K9 Kait and the Chelan County Regional Justice Center’s drug interdiction program. Learn more about all the efforts, including ordering a Team Kait t-shirt or hoodie by Nov. 3.
County extends fire restrictions through Oct. 15
On the recommendation of partner agencies and fire chiefs, the Chelan County fire marshal is temporarily extending current fire ratings and restrictions through at least Oct. 15, or until wildfire conditions ease. Recreational fires and outdoor burning remain banned.
Area vets invited to Sept. 29 seminar to learn about benefits, services
Area veterans are invited to a daylong seminar on Sept. 29 to learn more about those benefits and programs that assist people who have served in the armed forces.
Commissioner Gering to hold Sept. 29 community meeting for District 3
The public is invited to a community meeting hosted by Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gering. The meeting will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Chelan Fire & Rescue community room, 232 E. Wapato Ave., in Chelan.
County offers $4 million in grant opportunities to local nonprofits, small ag producers
The Board of County Commissioners is investing $4 million of its overall $14.9 million in ARPA funding into the community via grants to local nonprofits and community agencies as well as to small agricultural operations. Applications are by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30.
Forest Products Campus: A tool to building forest resilience
Chelan County is exploring the building of a Forest Products Campus that will harvest timber from overburdened Central Washington forests and produce lumber products for market, in turn improving forest health and preventing wildfires.
State's newest community forest established at Nason Ridge
Washington’s newest community forest was brought to life on April 14 when Western Rivers Conservancy transferred the 3,714-acre Nason Ridge property on Lake Wenatchee to Chelan County.
Construction to begin on new entryway into the county courthouse, law and justice center
Beginning Sept. 12, a contractor for Chelan County will start work on renovating the open breezeway between the County Courthouse and its adjacent Regional Law and Justice Center into one enclosed and secure entryway. The construction will impact visitors to the two county buildings.
Artwork on display in Juvenile Justice Center public lobby
The artwork on the Juvenile Justice Center webpage (see the above slider) was made by youths staying at the facility. It is on display in the wall case in the lobby area of the facility for the public to enjoy.
County allocates nearly $1 million in CPIF funds
Chelan County commissioners recently awarded nearly $1 million in grant funding to three affordable housing projects and a new firefighter training center in Manson.
Month-long closure on Cascade Orchard Bridge starts Sept. 6
The Cascade Orchard Bridge on Icicle Road in Leavenworth will be closed for a month beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6, as a contractor for Chelan County begins to repair the deck of the 57-year-old bridge. It is expected to be re-opened on Sept. 27.
Summer School at Chelan County Juvenile Center
Summer school at the Chelan County Juvenile Center wrapped up in mid-August. Youths housed at the facility attend summer school, which is offered for eight weeks each year. Summer school is another opportunity for teachers and staff to have a positive impact on the kids while giving them something to look forward to five days a week.
Development fee increases coming Sept. 1 at Public Works
Beginning Sept. 1, Chelan County Public Works will increase development fees that the department collects on permit applications and reviews of land use permits and road construction projects.
Aug. 30 open house for new Goodwin Road project
Chelan County Public Works and the City of Cashmere will host an open house on Aug. 30 for citizens interested in a $3 million improvement project to Goodwin and Sunset roads.
Wenatchee man sentenced to more than 23 years in prison for child rape
On Aug. 8, Chelan County Superior Court Judge Robert Jourdan sentenced a Wenatchee man to 23 years and three months in prison for the rape of a child.
Paint recycling program growing quickly in Chelan County
The Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility started accepting used latex paint for recycling in late June. The facility is now collecting about 70 gallons a day from the public.
Public safety testing August 13 for jail, fire, law enforcement, RiverCom dispatchers
Chelan County on Aug. 13 will sponsor a Public Safety Testing event for people interested in working in corrections, law enforcement, fire fighting or 911 communications.