2023 Crime In Washington Annual Report.
The Washington Association of Sheriff's and Police Chiefs have released the 2023 Crime In Washington Annual Report.
Chelan County News Archive
Current fire hazard designation and restrictions
Chelan County uses a system of fire danger ratings and fire restrictions to inform the public of both conditions and restrictions during fire season, which is typically June 1 to Oct. 1. Read more to learn what rating has been designated and what restrictions are being enforced.
Open burning prohibited beginning June 1
Beginning June 1, open burning of brush and yard waste is prohibited in all of unincorporated Chelan County. Read more about the additional restrictions under a moderate fire hazard level.
Construction underway on Icicle Creek irrigation project
Construction is underway on a $9 million irrigation project that, when completed next year, will upgrade a more than 100-year-old system while restoring instream flows to the fragile Icicle Creek in Leavenworth.
Did you miss the UWPP open house? Get the presentation now
A community open house in April attracted about 100 people interested in the start of the Upper Wenatchee Pilot Project this month. Download the presentation.
County awards $481,000 in lodging taxes to 11 tourism projects
Chelan County commissioners awarded $481,000 in lodging tax dollars to a variety of capital projects that focus on generating more overnight visits from tourists.
NPS, USFW announce decision to restore grizzlies to North Cascades
The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have announced a decision to actively restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades.
Project implementation for the Upper Wenatchee Pilot Project begins this spring
Natural resource specialists with the U.S. Forest Service and Chelan County Natural Resources will host a community open house on April 25 that will provide an update on implementation plans for the Upper Wenatchee Pilot Project.
Commissioner Overbay appointed president of WCRP
Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay was recently appointed to serve as president of the Washington Counties Risk Pool, which supports its member counties with risk management programs.
Ohme Gardens opens on April 15
Chelan County's Ohme Gardens is open for the 2024 season. The gardens are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with the last admission at 5:15 p.m.
Chelan County buys property for $1.8 million
Chelan County commissioners approved the purchase of 2.75 acres on Ohme Garden Road in Wenatchee for the future relocation of several county departments, including Emergency Management, the coroner and the county's motor pool.
Major earth-moving in a project may trigger state processes, county regulations
With more development occurring in the county’s foothills, Chelan County Community Development is also seeing more county regulations triggered by the movement of large amounts of soils and rock.
New fire marshal to start April 15
Christina Pedersen, formerly of the Yakima County Fire Marshal’s Office, is the new fire marshal for Chelan County.
Chelan, Douglas counties switching to new emergency alert system on April 1
Beginning April 1, Chelan and Douglas counties will switch to a new emergency alert system called Everbridge. Residents of both counties are encouraged to sign up for the alert system.
Commissioners bring Coordinated Entry in-house starting July 1
The Coordinated Entry program – the access point for local services for people experiencing homelessness – will be overseen by Chelan County beginning July 1.
March 27 town hall will introduce new community-driven detection program
Do you live on Lake Chelan? Join us on March 27 to learn how you can play a role in keeping aquatic invasive species out of Lake Chelan. The town hall event is 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chelan Fire Hall, 232 E. Wapato Ave. in Chelan.
County's firefighting project awarded $893,250 in federal funds
Chelan County will receive $893,250 in federal funds for a one-of-a-kind firefighting project that will place large water storage tanks around some of Chelan County’s most wildfire-prone areas. The funding comes at the support of Congresswoman Kim Schrier and Community Project Funding dollars.
Dryden Transfer Station to close for most of April for repairs
Beginning April 1, the Dryden Transfer Station will be closed for most of April so a contractor can repair the concrete floor of the pit where garbage is collected and loaded, commonly called the “push pit.”
Meeting Materials: Pedoi and Harris one-way discussion in Manson
On Feb. 29, Chelan County Public Works Director/County Engineer Eric Pierson and County Commissioner Tiffany Gering met with the Manson community to discuss potential options to traffic and parking issues in the downtown Manson area. The presentation is available for download.
County's hazard mitigation planning process kicks off March 6
On March 6, local government stakeholders in the Chelan County planning area will meet to participate in the first round of Steering Committee meetings to update the Chelan County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection plans, two important plans used to identify natural hazards and their risks to the area. The public is invited to attend.
Commissioners, county directors plan March community meetings
In March, Chelan County commissioners and a variety of department directors will hold a series of community-led discussions in each of the three districts commissioners represent. Watch for the county to be in Leavenworth on March 6, in Chelan on March 13 and in Wenatchee on March 20. Details are in the story.
2023 Columbia River Drug Task Force Overview
The Columbia River Drug Task Force (CRDTF) had a successful year in 2023.
County assessor to host four spring community meetings
Chelan County Assessor Wes Cornelius invites property owners and all interested citizens to attend a community meetings scheduled throughout the county this spring. The next meeting is June 26 at Chelan City Hall.
Register now for small business hazardous waste collection event
Chelan County Public Works in April will host a Small Quantity Generator collection event for small businesses looking to safely dispose of hazardous wastes. Businesses must pre-register.