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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chelan County commissioners recently awarded nearly $1 million in grant funding to three affordable housing projects and a new firefighter training center in Manson.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With a fully staffed Code Enforcement Unit and the review of all provisional permits now complete, Chelan County Community Development advises short-term rental owners that the county is actively pursuing unpermitted operations.
Chelan County’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which is in the process of forming a new nonprofit to direct county tourism efforts, recently hired Jerri Barkley, an experienced tourism and marketing professional, to lead those efforts.
Chris Sharp, the director of the Chelan County Regional Justice Center, has been selected to teach two courses at a national corrections conference occurring over the summer.
The Chelan County Regional Justice Center’s drug interdiction program is featured this month on a national podcast called The Shakedown.
A recent aquatic invasive species survey at Lake Chelan shows that invasive aquatic plants are more widely distributed in the Wapato Basin and lower Lucerne Basin of the lake compared to survey results from eight years ago. The survey's full report is now available online.
Upcoming events and schedules at the county!
Posted by: Board Of County Commissioners
Come for the food, the fun and the airplanes! A casual day to explore your local county airport.
Cashmere AirportPosted by: Chelan County Expo Center
The Chelan County Fair exists to provide a family event reflecting the past, showcasing current accomplishments and looking to the future of the county's best resources - its youth, agriculture and communities.
Chelan County Expo CenterPosted by: Solid Waste Management
Drop-Off Saturday at the Moderate Risk Waste Facility is Sept. 5
Moderate Risk Waste Facility